The Case Against Conversion “Therapy”

Many LGBTQ youth are still forced into harmful “treatments” with devastating mental health consequences. This volume explores the history, effects, and danger of so-called conversion therapy.

Because conversion “therapy” is not actually therapeutic, it is now more accurately referred to as sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) or gender identity change efforts (GICE).

What does the record show about the efficacy and effects of SOCE and GICE? What motivates individuals to seek these harmful treatments, either for themselves or for their children? This book synthesizes findings from a vast literature base to answer these and other important questions, in hopes of fully discrediting SOCE and GICE once and for all.

Over the last four decades, considerable research has shown SOCE to be not only ineffective, but harmful. As a result of these findings, professional organizations such as the American Psychological Association (APA) have denounced the practice and recommended affirmative, supportive treatment instead.

Although SOCE have been widely discredited, they remain legal in most states and continue to be practiced with lesbian, gay, and bisexual children and adolescents. Furthermore, as the past 20 years have seen an increase in gender nonconforming and transgender individuals, there has been a similar rise in efforts to socially reprogram gender nonconforming children and adolescents.

This volume is grounded in the principle long embraced by the scientific and healthcare communities—that same-sex attraction and gender nonconformity are not signs of psychopathology. Rather, sexual and gender minority individuals should be supported in embracing their own identities. This affirmative approach to practice with sexual and gender minorities is consistent with decades of APA policy and ethics.

Foreword
Jack Drescher, MD

Introduction: A History of Conversion Therapy, From Accepted Practice to Condemnation
Douglas C. Haldeman

I. Change Efforts: The Evidence Base

• Chapter 1. Research on Sexual Orientation Change Efforts: A Summary
  Judith M. Glassgold
• Chapter 2. Gender Identity Change Efforts: A Summary
  David P. Rivera and Seth T. Pardo

II. Minority Stress and Collateral Impact

• Chapter 3. Minority Stress and Change Efforts
  Michael L. Hendricks
• Chapter 4. The Role of Families in Efforts to Change, Support, and Affirm Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression in Children and Youth
  Judith M. Glassgold and Caitlin Ryan
• Chapter 5. The Role of Religion in Sexual Orientation Change Efforts and Gender Identity Change Efforts
  Thomas G. Plante

III. Affirmative Approaches: Guidelines and Ethics

• Chapter 6. APA's Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Clients and Sexual Orientation Change Efforts: A Brief History
  Kristin A. Hancock and Douglas C. Haldeman
• Chapter 7. Using the APA Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Clients to Develop Trans-Affirming Counseling Environments
  Anneliese A. Singh, Raven K. Cokley, and Frank B. Gorritz
• Chapter 8. The Application of Ethical Principles, Standards, and Practices to Sexual Orientation Change Efforts and Gender Identity Change Efforts
  Linda F. Campbell

IV. Affirmative Approaches: Advocacy and International Issues

• Chapter 9. A Review of U.S. Public Policy, Legislative, and Judicial Work on Conversion Efforts
  Melissa J. Grey, Sam Brinton, and Douglas C. Haldeman
• Chapter 10. Sexual Orientation Change Efforts and Gender Identity Change Efforts in International Contexts: Global Exports, Local Commodities
  Sharon G. Horne and Mallaigh McGinley

Epilogue
Douglas C. Haldeman

Douglas C. Haldeman, PhD, has nearly 40 years of experience working in the areas of sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) and gender identity change efforts (GICE) in a multiplicity of roles.

As a practitioner working with individuals recovering from the adverse effects of SOCE for 30 years, he gained a national reputation through his writings and presentations as an expert in the area of SOCE. He has presented lectures and workshops all over the world on the topic and has developed a treatment protocol for practitioners working with individuals who have been harmed in SOCE/GICE.