As a physician, I find the very concept of conversion therapy abhorrent. The idea that gender identity is a belief system and in fact one that is harmful and requiring treatment, is a reflection of medical and behavioral science ignorance. Simply reversing the situation, by suggesting to someone proposing this therapy, that “straight” persons could be converted to LGBTQ “thinking” will usually cause them to see the absurdity. But “conversion therapy” is more than just wrong-headed it is dangerous to the psyche of any person especially adolescents. It has potential side effects of depression and suicide that alone make this practice subject to a ban, grounds for removing licensure, and charges of malpractice.
