24 ene 2026
Why Pediatricians, Psychiatrists, and Counselors Won't Recommend Conversion Therapy
Every major medical and mental health organization in America has rejected conversion therapy as both ineffective and harmful to children.
Quick Takeaways
Every major medical and mental health organization in America has rejected conversion therapy as both ineffective and harmful to children.
Pediatricians, psychiatrists, and licensed counselors risk losing their professional licenses if they practice conversion therapy on minors in many states.
Research shows that conversion therapy does not change who a child is attracted to or how they see themselves, but it does increase risks of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.
Faith-focused families have better options that protect both their children and their family bonds.
Parents who want the best for their kids should be cautious of anyone promising to "fix" something that medical science says cannot be changed.
When your child comes to you with questions about who they are or who they're attracted to, it's natural to seek guidance. You might wonder what your family doctor, a counselor, or a psychiatrist would recommend. Here's something important to know: the doctors and therapists you trust with your family's health will not recommend conversion therapy. And there are good reasons why.
What Medical Organizations Actually Say
The list of medical and mental health organizations that have spoken out against conversion therapy reads like a who's who of American healthcare. The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, and American Counseling Association have all taken clear positions: these practices do not work and cause real harm.
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry’s research found a lack of evidence supporting the successful application of “therapeutic intervention” for minors struggling with gender confusion. They go further, stating that "conversion therapies should not be part of any behavioral health treatment of children and adolescents."
This isn't a political statement. It's based on decades of research, clinical experience, and professional ethics.
Why These Professionals Can't Recommend It
Licensed mental health professionals operate under strict ethical codes designed to protect patients, especially children. These codes require therapists to provide treatments that have evidence of benefit and to avoid treatments that pose significant risks of harm. Conversion therapy fails both tests.
Research published in peer-reviewed journals consistently shows these practices do not produce the changes they promise. Studies of adolescents and adults who underwent conversion therapy found increases in depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has reviewed this evidence and concluded that conversion therapy is harmful and ineffective.
For licensed professionals, recommending or practicing conversion therapy on minors isn't just bad medicine; in more than half of U.S. states, it's against the law.
What the Research Shows
The numbers tell a sobering story. Teens exposed to these practices are more than twice as likely to attempt suicide compared to their peers who weren't. A 2015 New Jersey jury found that one conversion therapy organization had committed consumer fraud, ordering them to pay $72,400 in damages and shutting them down permanently. The judge noted there was "no factual basis" for the success claims these providers made.
What Responsible Professionals Offer Instead
Ethical therapists haven't abandoned families navigating these challenges. Instead, they offer approaches grounded in what actually works: strengthening family connections, building coping skills, and supporting the young person's overall health.
The Family Acceptance Project, based at San Francisco State University, has developed evidence-based resources specifically for faith-focused families. Their research shows that family support dramatically reduces risks of depression and suicide while increasing self-esteem and well-being. Importantly, their approach works within families' cultural and religious values rather than against them.
What This Means for Christian Parents
If you're a Christian parent seeking help for your child, this information might feel overwhelming. You want to honor your faith while protecting your family. That's exactly what conversion therapy opponents are trying to help you do.
When a therapist or program promises to change your child through shame or pressure, they're inserting themselves between you and your child. That's not protecting parental authority; it's undermining it. Any "solution" that divides families isn't a solution at all.
Your pediatrician, your family therapist, and your trusted counselor all want the same thing you do: a happy, healthy child and a strong family bond. That's why they won't recommend conversion therapy, and why you should be cautious of anyone who does.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why won't my pediatrician recommend conversion therapy?
A: Pediatricians follow the guidance of the American Academy of Pediatrics, which has determined that conversion therapy lacks scientific credibility, has no clinical benefit, and causes documented harm to children.
Q: Is conversion therapy legal for licensed therapists to practice?
A: As of 2025, more than half of U.S. states prohibit licensed mental health professionals from practicing conversion therapy on minors. Even in states without laws, therapists may face professional sanctions for violating standards of care.
Q: What do Christian families do instead of conversion therapy?
A: Many Christian families have found that faith-based family support programs, like those offered by the Family Acceptance Project, help them navigate these challenges while honoring both their beliefs and their child's well-being.
Q: Do any medical organizations support conversion therapy?
A: No major medical or mental health organization in the United States supports conversion therapy. The practice has been rejected by the American Medical Association, American Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and many others.
Q: What if my child's therapist offers conversion therapy?
A: If a licensed therapist offers to provide conversion therapy for your child, consider this a warning sign. Seek a second opinion from another licensed provider who follows evidence-based practices.
24 ene 2026
24 ene 2026
Why Pediatricians, Psychiatrists, and Counselors Won't Recommend Conversion Therapy
Every major medical and mental health organization in America has rejected conversion therapy as both ineffective and harmful to children.
Quick Takeaways
Every major medical and mental health organization in America has rejected conversion therapy as both ineffective and harmful to children.
Pediatricians, psychiatrists, and licensed counselors risk losing their professional licenses if they practice conversion therapy on minors in many states.
Research shows that conversion therapy does not change who a child is attracted to or how they see themselves, but it does increase risks of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.
Faith-focused families have better options that protect both their children and their family bonds.
Parents who want the best for their kids should be cautious of anyone promising to "fix" something that medical science says cannot be changed.
When your child comes to you with questions about who they are or who they're attracted to, it's natural to seek guidance. You might wonder what your family doctor, a counselor, or a psychiatrist would recommend. Here's something important to know: the doctors and therapists you trust with your family's health will not recommend conversion therapy. And there are good reasons why.
What Medical Organizations Actually Say
The list of medical and mental health organizations that have spoken out against conversion therapy reads like a who's who of American healthcare. The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, and American Counseling Association have all taken clear positions: these practices do not work and cause real harm.
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry’s research found a lack of evidence supporting the successful application of “therapeutic intervention” for minors struggling with gender confusion. They go further, stating that "conversion therapies should not be part of any behavioral health treatment of children and adolescents."
This isn't a political statement. It's based on decades of research, clinical experience, and professional ethics.
Why These Professionals Can't Recommend It
Licensed mental health professionals operate under strict ethical codes designed to protect patients, especially children. These codes require therapists to provide treatments that have evidence of benefit and to avoid treatments that pose significant risks of harm. Conversion therapy fails both tests.
Research published in peer-reviewed journals consistently shows these practices do not produce the changes they promise. Studies of adolescents and adults who underwent conversion therapy found increases in depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has reviewed this evidence and concluded that conversion therapy is harmful and ineffective.
For licensed professionals, recommending or practicing conversion therapy on minors isn't just bad medicine; in more than half of U.S. states, it's against the law.
What the Research Shows
The numbers tell a sobering story. Teens exposed to these practices are more than twice as likely to attempt suicide compared to their peers who weren't. A 2015 New Jersey jury found that one conversion therapy organization had committed consumer fraud, ordering them to pay $72,400 in damages and shutting them down permanently. The judge noted there was "no factual basis" for the success claims these providers made.
What Responsible Professionals Offer Instead
Ethical therapists haven't abandoned families navigating these challenges. Instead, they offer approaches grounded in what actually works: strengthening family connections, building coping skills, and supporting the young person's overall health.
The Family Acceptance Project, based at San Francisco State University, has developed evidence-based resources specifically for faith-focused families. Their research shows that family support dramatically reduces risks of depression and suicide while increasing self-esteem and well-being. Importantly, their approach works within families' cultural and religious values rather than against them.
What This Means for Christian Parents
If you're a Christian parent seeking help for your child, this information might feel overwhelming. You want to honor your faith while protecting your family. That's exactly what conversion therapy opponents are trying to help you do.
When a therapist or program promises to change your child through shame or pressure, they're inserting themselves between you and your child. That's not protecting parental authority; it's undermining it. Any "solution" that divides families isn't a solution at all.
Your pediatrician, your family therapist, and your trusted counselor all want the same thing you do: a happy, healthy child and a strong family bond. That's why they won't recommend conversion therapy, and why you should be cautious of anyone who does.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why won't my pediatrician recommend conversion therapy?
A: Pediatricians follow the guidance of the American Academy of Pediatrics, which has determined that conversion therapy lacks scientific credibility, has no clinical benefit, and causes documented harm to children.
Q: Is conversion therapy legal for licensed therapists to practice?
A: As of 2025, more than half of U.S. states prohibit licensed mental health professionals from practicing conversion therapy on minors. Even in states without laws, therapists may face professional sanctions for violating standards of care.
Q: What do Christian families do instead of conversion therapy?
A: Many Christian families have found that faith-based family support programs, like those offered by the Family Acceptance Project, help them navigate these challenges while honoring both their beliefs and their child's well-being.
Q: Do any medical organizations support conversion therapy?
A: No major medical or mental health organization in the United States supports conversion therapy. The practice has been rejected by the American Medical Association, American Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and many others.
Q: What if my child's therapist offers conversion therapy?
A: If a licensed therapist offers to provide conversion therapy for your child, consider this a warning sign. Seek a second opinion from another licensed provider who follows evidence-based practices.
Publicaciones recientes
24 ene 2026
24 ene 2026
Why Pediatricians, Psychiatrists, and Counselors Won't Recommend Conversion Therapy
Every major medical and mental health organization in America has rejected conversion therapy as both ineffective and harmful to children.
Quick Takeaways
Every major medical and mental health organization in America has rejected conversion therapy as both ineffective and harmful to children.
Pediatricians, psychiatrists, and licensed counselors risk losing their professional licenses if they practice conversion therapy on minors in many states.
Research shows that conversion therapy does not change who a child is attracted to or how they see themselves, but it does increase risks of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.
Faith-focused families have better options that protect both their children and their family bonds.
Parents who want the best for their kids should be cautious of anyone promising to "fix" something that medical science says cannot be changed.
When your child comes to you with questions about who they are or who they're attracted to, it's natural to seek guidance. You might wonder what your family doctor, a counselor, or a psychiatrist would recommend. Here's something important to know: the doctors and therapists you trust with your family's health will not recommend conversion therapy. And there are good reasons why.
What Medical Organizations Actually Say
The list of medical and mental health organizations that have spoken out against conversion therapy reads like a who's who of American healthcare. The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, and American Counseling Association have all taken clear positions: these practices do not work and cause real harm.
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry’s research found a lack of evidence supporting the successful application of “therapeutic intervention” for minors struggling with gender confusion. They go further, stating that "conversion therapies should not be part of any behavioral health treatment of children and adolescents."
This isn't a political statement. It's based on decades of research, clinical experience, and professional ethics.
Why These Professionals Can't Recommend It
Licensed mental health professionals operate under strict ethical codes designed to protect patients, especially children. These codes require therapists to provide treatments that have evidence of benefit and to avoid treatments that pose significant risks of harm. Conversion therapy fails both tests.
Research published in peer-reviewed journals consistently shows these practices do not produce the changes they promise. Studies of adolescents and adults who underwent conversion therapy found increases in depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has reviewed this evidence and concluded that conversion therapy is harmful and ineffective.
For licensed professionals, recommending or practicing conversion therapy on minors isn't just bad medicine; in more than half of U.S. states, it's against the law.
What the Research Shows
The numbers tell a sobering story. Teens exposed to these practices are more than twice as likely to attempt suicide compared to their peers who weren't. A 2015 New Jersey jury found that one conversion therapy organization had committed consumer fraud, ordering them to pay $72,400 in damages and shutting them down permanently. The judge noted there was "no factual basis" for the success claims these providers made.
What Responsible Professionals Offer Instead
Ethical therapists haven't abandoned families navigating these challenges. Instead, they offer approaches grounded in what actually works: strengthening family connections, building coping skills, and supporting the young person's overall health.
The Family Acceptance Project, based at San Francisco State University, has developed evidence-based resources specifically for faith-focused families. Their research shows that family support dramatically reduces risks of depression and suicide while increasing self-esteem and well-being. Importantly, their approach works within families' cultural and religious values rather than against them.
What This Means for Christian Parents
If you're a Christian parent seeking help for your child, this information might feel overwhelming. You want to honor your faith while protecting your family. That's exactly what conversion therapy opponents are trying to help you do.
When a therapist or program promises to change your child through shame or pressure, they're inserting themselves between you and your child. That's not protecting parental authority; it's undermining it. Any "solution" that divides families isn't a solution at all.
Your pediatrician, your family therapist, and your trusted counselor all want the same thing you do: a happy, healthy child and a strong family bond. That's why they won't recommend conversion therapy, and why you should be cautious of anyone who does.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why won't my pediatrician recommend conversion therapy?
A: Pediatricians follow the guidance of the American Academy of Pediatrics, which has determined that conversion therapy lacks scientific credibility, has no clinical benefit, and causes documented harm to children.
Q: Is conversion therapy legal for licensed therapists to practice?
A: As of 2025, more than half of U.S. states prohibit licensed mental health professionals from practicing conversion therapy on minors. Even in states without laws, therapists may face professional sanctions for violating standards of care.
Q: What do Christian families do instead of conversion therapy?
A: Many Christian families have found that faith-based family support programs, like those offered by the Family Acceptance Project, help them navigate these challenges while honoring both their beliefs and their child's well-being.
Q: Do any medical organizations support conversion therapy?
A: No major medical or mental health organization in the United States supports conversion therapy. The practice has been rejected by the American Medical Association, American Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and many others.
Q: What if my child's therapist offers conversion therapy?
A: If a licensed therapist offers to provide conversion therapy for your child, consider this a warning sign. Seek a second opinion from another licensed provider who follows evidence-based practices.