What is Conversion Therapy?

Conversion Therapy refers to various methods to 'cure' or change a person's sexual orientation and/or sexual identity including:

• Reparative therapy
• "Ex-gay" programs or counseling
• Sexual Orientation Change Efforts (SOCE)
• Religious counseling
• Religious exorcism 
• Aversion therapy 
• Male or female affirmation programs
• Self-help books or programs

Conversion Therapy is targeted at persons who have a homosexual or bisexual sexual orientation, have non-heterosexual attractions, are transgender, or do not conform to gender stereotypes.  

Conversion Therapy includes many methods often in combination:

• One-on-one counseling by licensed professionals or unlicensed laymen
• Group counseling and accountability groups
• Seminars and weekend retreats
• Inpatient and outpatient treatment programs
• Self-help books and online programs and curriculum
• Psychotherapy performed by licensed therapists, unlicensed laymen, or self-directed
• Recovering repressed childhood memories
• Identifying the root causes ranging from bad parenting, childhood trauma or abuse, delayed development, etc.
• Religious counseling, laying of hands, exorcism, prayer, meditation, etc.
• Sexual celibacy including abstinence from masturbation and restricted thought life
• Aversion therapy including electroshock or other negative stimulus
• Exposure to heterosexual pornography
• Enforced gender role stereotypes including marital roles (e.g. leading husband, submissive wife) and masculine or feminine professions, clothing, speech, mannerisms, etc.
• Submitting to a same-gender heterosexual role model or mentor

Although none of the major health or science professions endorse treating homosexuality as an illness, Conversion Therapy promoters typically rely on pseudo-scientific sounding theories and often strive to appear science-based.