conversion therapy
a highly controversial, ethically questionable, and generally discredited process intended to change individuals of same-sex or bisexual orientation to heterosexual orientation. Associated with religious proscriptions against homosexuality and outdated psychoanalytic theories about dysfunctional family dynamics and childhood trauma, conversion therapy has been denounced by the professional organizations of the major fields of psychiatry, psychology, and social work. There is a lack of empirical evidence to support its effectiveness, and studies suggest that the practice actually may be harmful; clients have reported such negative side effects as poor self-esteem, depression, suicidality, anxiety, social withdrawal, and sexual difficulties. Nonetheless, practitioners do exist often citing client distress and personal choice as reasons for offering the intervention; they claim that most individuals benefit by experiencing their changed sexual orientation and improved
psychological functioning (e.g., through stress reduction, feeling a sense of community or belonging). Opponents of the practice argue that the research does not support this claim and cite numerous reasons not to acquiesce to a client’s desire to change his or her sexual orientation, particularly the fact that such requests stem from a climate of social intolerance. Critics also argue that conversion therapy continues to stigmatize homosexuality as a pathological condition to be cured rather than a natural variation of human sexuality. Many suggest that a better approach to addressing client dissatisfaction with sexual orientation is to offer affirmative, evidence-based, multicultural interventions that help clients explore their sexuality, evaluate their conflicts, and come to individual resolution about managing them and that do not impose an outcome with regard to a specific sexual orientation identity. Also called change therapy; reorientation
therapy; reparative therapy; sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE).