Conversion Therapy Is Still Happening. Now, It's Protected.

April 8, 2026 - 19:37

A recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court has sent shockwaves through the mental health and LGBTQ+ advocacy communities, potentially jeopardizing state-level bans on conversion therapy. The ruling, which focused on free speech arguments, opens the door for legal challenges against existing laws that protect minors from these widely discredited practices.

Conversion therapy refers to a range of dangerous and pseudoscientific interventions that falsely claim to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Every major medical and mental health association in the nation, including the American Psychological Association and the American Medical Association, has condemned these practices. They are linked to severe psychological harm, including increased risks of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicide among LGBTQ+ youth.

A therapist with extensive experience working with survivors of conversion therapy emphasizes the profound trauma these practices inflict. "The core message is that a fundamental part of who you are is broken and needs to be fixed," they explain. This internalized stigma can cause lasting damage to an individual's self-worth and mental well-being, often requiring years of supportive therapy to heal.

With the legal landscape now shifting, advocates warn that vulnerable youth could be exposed to greater risk. The focus, they argue, must remain on affirming, evidence-based care that supports an individual's identity rather than attempting to erase it. The ruling has ignited urgent calls for renewed legislative efforts and heightened public awareness to protect young people from these harmful practices.