04/01/2026
While the Supreme Court may have ruled on allowing conversion therapy under First Amendment free speech protections, we stand firmly with the American Psychological Association (APA), American Counseling Association (ACA), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and decades of evidence-based research in opposing the practice of conversion therapy.
Conversion therapy is not therapeutic care.
It is a harmful, discredited practice that has been consistently shown in research to increase depression, anxiety, internalized shame, substance use, self-harm, and suicidality.
Large-scale studies—including research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA Pediatrics) and findings from The Trevor Project’s national surveys—have found that LGBTQ+ youth who experience conversion efforts are significantly more likely to attempt su***de than those who do not. Some studies indicate the risk is more than double.
The APA Task Force on Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation found no credible evidence that conversion therapy is effective, and substantial evidence that it causes harm.
Similarly, the American Academy of Pediatrics has warned that these practices can lead to lasting psychological trauma, including family rejection and identity distress.
As mental health professionals, our role is not to shame, suppress, or “fix” identity.
Our role is to provide safe, affirming, ethical, and evidence-based care that supports individuals in living authentically and with dignity.
Every person deserves care rooted in science, compassion, and human dignity — not fear, coercion, or stigma.