Psychological professions unite against conversion therapy

An updated memorandum of understanding (MoU) against conversion therapy has been launched today, which makes it clear that conversion therapy in relation to gender identity and sexual orientation (including asexuality) is unethical, potentially harmful and is not supported by evidence.

Conversion therapy is the term for therapy that assumes certain sexual orientations or gender identities are inferior to others, and seeks to change or suppress them on that basis.

The primary purpose of the 2017 MoU is the protection of the public through a commitment to ending the practice of ‘conversion therapy’ in the UK. The 2017 MoU updates one released in 2015 at the Department of Health, which focused exclusively on sexual orientation, and is endorsed by the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender charity Stonewall.

The MoU also intends to ensure that:

• The public are well informed about the risks of conversion therapy
• Healthcare professionals and psychological therapists are aware of the ethical issues relating to conversion therapy
• New and existing psychological therapists are appropriately trained
• Evidence into conversion therapy is kept under regular review
• Professionals from across the health, care and psychological professions work together to achieve the above goals.