The Research on Conversion Therapy and Public Mental Health

The U.S. Supreme Court returned to session this week with a case focused on mental health care for LGBTQ+ youth. Earlier today, Supreme Court Justices heard 90 minutes of oral arguments surrounding a case brought by Kaley Chiles, a therapist in Colorado who has complained that the state’s current law (banning therapists from using conversion therapy) infringes on her freedom of speech. According to The New York Times, the court is expected to make a decision on the case by June.

What Research Says About Conversion Therapy

The aim of conversion therapy is to change a person’s sexual preferences and gender expression through various techniques, which can include hypnosis, electric shock therapy, biofeedback, and more. Public health research has repeatedly shown conversion therapy does not work.

Major medical associations in the United States, including the American Medical Association, American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, and the American Psychological Association have widely denounced the practice as harmful. 

Studies have repeatedly supported this stance and have shown that those exposed to conversion therapy are more likely to:

• Attempt suicide
• Have post-traumatic stress disorder
• Run away from home
• Experience a greater burden of mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety
• Experience associated physical tolls, including increased risk factors for heart disease

“These impacts aren’t just at the time of the therapy or relieved by self-acceptance, but can be lifelong challenges for individuals exposed, even into adulthood. This is on top of an already increased burden of mental health conditions experienced by individuals who are sexual and/or gender minorities,” says Carmen Marsit, PhD, executive associate dean for faculty affairs and research strategy.

What Happens Next 

Currently, more than 20 states in the U.S. have laws against conversion therapy. If the law is struck down or sent to lower courts for review, there is the potential that this case could set legal precedent for other states.

“Having a therapy for something signals that it is a disease, so normalizing conversion therapy sends a message to LGBTQ+  people that they are somehow sick and need to be treated or cured of their condition,” says Marsit. “Variation in sexual orientation and gender expression are normal and healthy and we should be allowing youth to explore and understand their own identities in healthy and supportive ways.”