Conversion Therapy

Definition

Conversion therapy refers to attempts to change, suppress, or "cure" a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. These harmful practices, also known as "reparative therapy" or "sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts," are based on the false premise that LGBTQ+ identities are mental disorders that can and should be changed. Major medical and mental health organisations worldwide condemn these practices because of the significant psychological, emotional, and physical harms associated with them.

What Conversion Therapy Involves

Psychological Techniques

These may include aversion therapy, where you're subjected to unpleasant stimuli while viewing same-sex images, cognitive-behavioural approaches aimed at changing thoughts and feelings, and psychoanalytic methods that attempt to identify and "correct" supposed causes of your sexual orientation.

Religious or Spiritual Approaches

These often involve prayer, exorcism, fasting, or other religious practices intended to change your sexual orientation or gender identity through spiritual intervention.

Physical Interventions

Historically, these have included electroshock therapy, hormone treatments, and even surgical procedures, though these extreme methods are less common today.

Social and Behavioural Modifications

These may involve changing your appearance, behaviour, interests, or social connections to conform to heterosexual or cisgender norms.

Family-Based Interventions

These approaches may involve family members in attempts to change your identity, sometimes including rejection or punishment for LGBTQ+ expression.

Research and Evidence

What Studies Show

Research consistently demonstrates that conversion therapy is ineffective at changing sexual orientation or gender identity, significantly increases risk of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation, causes long-term psychological trauma and emotional distress, and damages relationships with family, friends, and religious communities.

Psychological Harms

Depression and Anxiety

You may experience increased rates of depression, anxiety disorders, and other mental health conditions as a result of conversion therapy attempts.

Suicidal Ideation and Self-Harm

Studies show significantly higher rates of suicidal thoughts and behaviours among individuals who have undergone conversion therapy.

Post-Traumatic Stress

The traumatic nature of many conversion therapy practices can lead to symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Identity Confusion and Shame

These practices often increase confusion about your identity and intensify feelings of shame and self-hatred.

Loss of Self-Esteem

Repeated messages that your identity is wrong or sinful can severely damage your self-worth and confidence.

Emotional Numbing

Some people develop emotional numbing or dissociation as a way of coping with the trauma of conversion therapy.

Relational Harms

Family Relationships

Conversion therapy often damages relationships with family members, creating lasting rifts and trust issues.

Romantic Relationships

These practices can impair your ability to form healthy romantic relationships and experience intimacy.

Social Connections

You may lose important friendships and community connections as a result of conversion therapy experiences.

Trust Issues

The betrayal involved in conversion therapy can create lasting difficulties with trusting others, including mental health professionals.

Isolation

Many people experience increased social isolation following conversion therapy attempts.

Spiritual and Religious Harms

Religious Trauma

Conversion therapy often causes religious trauma, creating conflicts between your identity and spiritual beliefs.

Loss of Faith Community

You may lose important religious or spiritual communities that provided meaning and support.

Spiritual Confusion

These practices can create lasting confusion about your relationship with spirituality or religion.

Guilt and Shame

Religious-based conversion therapy often intensifies feelings of guilt and shame about your identity.

Loss of Meaning

You may experience a crisis of meaning or purpose when religious beliefs are used to condemn your identity.

Physical Health Impacts

Stress-Related Health Problems

The chronic stress of conversion therapy can lead to various physical health problems, including headaches, digestive issues, and sleep disorders.

Substance Use

Higher rates of alcohol and drug use are often seen as coping mechanisms for the trauma of conversion therapy.

Self-Harm Behaviours

Some individuals engage in self-harm behaviours as a result of the shame and distress caused by these practices.

Eating Disorders

Body image issues and eating disorders may develop or worsen following conversion therapy attempts.

Long-Term Consequences

Chronic Mental Health Issues

The effects of conversion therapy can persist for years or decades, requiring extensive therapeutic intervention to address.

Relationship Difficulties

Long-term impacts on your ability to form and maintain healthy relationships are common.

Career and Educational Impacts

The psychological distress from conversion therapy can affect your academic and professional functioning.

Ongoing Identity Struggles

You may continue to struggle with self-acceptance and identity integration long after conversion therapy ends.

Intergenerational Effects

The trauma from conversion therapy can affect your relationships with your own children and family.

Why Conversion Therapy Doesn't Work

Scientific Consensus

No credible scientific evidence supports the effectiveness of conversion therapy in changing sexual orientation or gender identity.

Immutable Characteristics

Sexual orientation and gender identity are fundamental aspects of human diversity that cannot be changed through therapy or other interventions.

Methodological Flaws

Studies claiming success for conversion therapy have been found to have serious methodological flaws and biased interpretations.

Misrepresentation of Outcomes

Some apparent "successes" involve behavioural changes or suppression rather than actual changes in orientation or identity.

Professional and Ethical Concerns

Violation of Ethics

Conversion therapy violates fundamental ethical principles of mental health practice, including "do no harm" and respect for client autonomy.

Professional Standards

Major professional organisations have established clear standards prohibiting conversion therapy practices.

Informed Consent Issues

True informed consent is impossible when practices are based on false premises about the nature of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Exploitation of Vulnerability

These practices often exploit vulnerable individuals who are struggling with identity acceptance or family pressure.

Legal and Policy Responses

Bans and Restrictions

Many jurisdictions have banned conversion therapy for minors, with some extending protections to adults.

Professional Sanctions

Mental health professionals who engage in conversion therapy may face disciplinary action from licensing boards.

Human Rights Perspectives

International human rights organisations have condemned conversion therapy as a form of torture or cruel treatment.

Advocacy Efforts

Survivors and advocates continue to work for comprehensive bans and protections against these harmful practices.

Recovery and Healing

Trauma-Informed Therapy

Specialised therapy approaches can help you process and heal from the trauma of conversion therapy experiences.

Identity Affirmation

Working with affirming therapists can help you develop a positive, integrated sense of your sexual orientation or gender identity.

Community Support

Connecting with other survivors and supportive communities can provide validation and healing.

Advocacy and Activism

Many survivors find meaning and healing through advocating against conversion therapy and supporting others.

Supporting Survivors

Validation and Belief

Believing and validating survivors' experiences is crucial for their healing process.

Affirming Care

Providing or connecting survivors with affirming mental health care is essential for recovery.

Community Support

Creating supportive communities and networks helps survivors feel less alone and more accepted.

Advocacy

Supporting efforts to ban conversion therapy and protect others from these harmful practices.

Prevention and Protection

Education and Awareness

Educating families, communities, and professionals about the harms of conversion therapy helps prevent future harm.

Policy Advocacy

Supporting legislation and policies that protect individuals from conversion therapy is crucial for prevention.

Affirming Alternatives

Promoting affirming therapeutic approaches that support healthy identity development and family acceptance.

Community Resources

Developing resources and support systems for LGBTQ+ individuals and their families.

Your Recovery Journey

Acknowledging the Harm

Recognising that any harm you experienced was not your fault and was the result of harmful, unethical practices.

Seeking Support

Connecting with affirming mental health professionals, support groups, and communities that validate your experience.

Healing at Your Pace

Understanding that recovery from conversion therapy trauma takes time and happens at your own pace.

Reclaiming Your Identity

Working toward accepting and celebrating your authentic sexual orientation or gender identity.

Moving Forward

Personal Healing

Focus on your own healing and well-being while recognising that recovery is possible with appropriate support.

Protecting Others

Consider how you might contribute to protecting others from experiencing similar harm, whether through advocacy, sharing your story, or supporting survivors.

Conclusion

Conversion therapy causes significant and well-documented harm to individuals while being completely ineffective at changing sexual orientation or gender identity. Understanding these harms is crucial for protecting yourself and others from these dangerous practices and supporting survivors in their healing journey.

References

1. American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Evidence against conversion therapy. https://www.apa.org/topics/lgbtq/evidence-against-conversion-therapy ↑

2. National Alliance on Mental Illness. (n.d.). Conversion therapy. https://www.nami.org/advocacy-at-nami/policy-positions/stopping-harmful-practices/conversion-therapy/ ↑

3. Drescher, J. (2002). Ethical issues in treating gay and lesbian patients. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 25(3), 605–621. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0193-953X(02)00004-7 ↑

4. Mind. (n.d.). Conversion therapy ban. https://www.mind.org.uk/about-us/our-policy-work/conversion-therapy-ban/ ↑