Conversion Therapy in the United States: Laws, Dangers & What You Need to Know

What is Conversion Therapy?

Conversion therapy, also known as "reparative therapy," refers to a range of dangerous and discredited practices that falsely claim to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. These interventions have been widely condemned by every major medical and mental health organization for decades due to their lack of scientific basis and potential for serious harm.

The practice encompasses various approaches, from counseling sessions and group therapy to more extreme methods, all based on the false premise that LGBTQ+ identities are disorders that can be "cured." Despite overwhelming scientific evidence proving its ineffectiveness, conversion therapy continues to be practiced across the United States, often targeting vulnerable minors.

Current Legal Landscape in the United States

As of 2025, the legal landscape surrounding conversion therapy varies dramatically across the United States. Twenty-three states plus Washington D.C. have enacted laws prohibiting licensed healthcare providers from subjecting minors to conversion therapy practices. These states include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, and others.

However, significant gaps remain in protection. Eighteen states currently have no laws or policies addressing conversion therapy, while five states actually prohibit or deter local-level protections. According to recent data, approximately 49% of LGBTQ youth ages 13-17 live in states with full protections, while 14% live in states that actively prohibit local-level safeguards.

Federal Court Challenges

The issue has reached national prominence with ongoing Supreme Court cases. In October 2025, the Supreme Court heard arguments challenging Colorado's conversion therapy ban, with conservative justices expressing skepticism about state restrictions on the practice. This case could significantly impact future legislation and enforcement across the country.

Medical Dangers and Psychological Harm

The scientific consensus on conversion therapy's dangers is overwhelming and unambiguous. Research consistently demonstrates that these practices can cause severe psychological harm, particularly to young people. The American Psychological Association's comprehensive review found no credible evidence that sexual orientation can be changed through therapy.

Documented harms include:

• Increased depression and anxiety: Participants show significantly higher rates of mental health disorders
• Suicidal ideation: LGBTQ+ youth subjected to conversion therapy are at dramatically higher risk of suicide attempts
• Substance abuse: Higher rates of drug and alcohol dependence among those who underwent these practices
• Social isolation: Damaged family relationships and community connections
• Decreased self-esteem: Long-lasting impacts on personal identity and self-worth

Family rejection plays a crucial role in these outcomes. Research from San Francisco State University found that highly rejected LGBTQ+ youth were 8.4 times more likely to attempt suicide and 5.9 times more likely to report high levels of depression compared to their accepted peers.

Professional Medical Consensus

The medical and mental health communities have reached unprecedented consensus against conversion therapy. Major organizations representing over 700,000 healthcare professionals have issued statements condemning the practice, including:

• American Psychological Association: "There is insufficient evidence to support the use of psychological interventions to change sexual orientation"
• American Medical Association: Opposes conversion therapy "based upon the assumption that homosexuality per se is a mental disorder"
• American Academy of Pediatrics: States that "therapy directed specifically at changing sexual orientation is contraindicated"
• World Psychiatric Association: Declares such treatments "wholly unethical" and potentially harmful

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has explicitly stated that conversion therapy "is not supported by credible evidence and has been disavowed by behavioral health experts and associations."

Current Protection Efforts and Advocacy

Despite legal protections in many states, The Trevor Project's latest research reveals a disturbing reality: over 1,300 conversion therapy practitioners remain active across 48 states and Washington D.C. Of these, more than 600 hold active professional licenses, while 70+ are in training for full licensure.

Advocacy organizations continue pushing for comprehensive federal legislation. The proposed Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act would establish national protections, though political divisions have prevented its passage. Meanwhile, local jurisdictions in unprotected states have enacted their own ordinances, with over 70 cities and counties providing some level of protection.

Support Resources

For those affected by conversion therapy or seeking support, numerous resources exist:

• The Trevor Project: 24/7 crisis support for LGBTQ+ youth
• PFLAG: Support for families and friends of LGBTQ+ individuals
• National Center for Lesbian Rights: Legal advocacy and resources
• GLAAD: Media advocacy and education

Moving Forward: The Path to Full Protection

The fight against conversion therapy represents a critical civil rights issue of our time. While significant progress has been made in many states, the continued practice in others demonstrates the need for sustained advocacy and education. The upcoming Supreme Court decision could reshape the legal landscape, making grassroots advocacy more important than ever.

As society continues to evolve toward greater acceptance and understanding of LGBTQ+ identities, the medical consensus against conversion therapy provides a clear foundation for policy makers. The goal remains simple: protecting vulnerable youth from practices that have been thoroughly debunked by science and condemned by medical professionals.