UK organisations unite against Conversion Therapy

The National Counselling Society, alongside many other organisations, has been working against Conversion Therapy for a number of years, publishing a Memorandum of Understanding against the practice (2015) and updating the document to warn against conversion therapy in relation to gender identity and sexual orientation (including asexuality).

Aware of concerns regarding the future of Conversion Therapy in the USA, and pleased that Malta has banned the practice and that Taiwan has drafted legislation to ban the practice, we are publicising the following statement in solidarity with like- minded healthcare organisations in the USA.

"We the undersigned UK organisations wish to state that the practice of conversion therapy has no place in the modern world. It is unethical and harmful and 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.

Sexual orientations and gender identities are not mental health disorders, although exclusion, stigma and prejudice may precipitate mental health issues for any person subjected to these abuses. Anyone accessing therapeutic help should be able to do so without fear of judgement or the threat of being pressured to change a fundamental aspect of who they are."

Dr Chris Forester, Chair of the NCS states "I am delighted that the NCS has been involved in drafting this statement. We fully support the endeavours of organisations such as Pink Therapy and Stonewall to ensure that issues of equality and diversity are fully addressed by the counselling and psychotherapy profession. We continue to welcome expertise from these organisations, as well as our own members, to ensure that our own policies and practices reflect and protect equality and diversity in the best possible way."

Supported by the National Counselling Society and the following organisations:

The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

The British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies

The British Psychoanalytic Council

The British Psychological Society

The College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists

GLADD - The Association of LGBT Doctors and Dentists

National Health Service Scotland

Pink Therapy

The Royal College of General Practitioners

The Scottish Government

Stonewall

The UK Council for Psychotherapy