What is the Supreme Court case regarding conversion “therapy” about?

This week, the US Supreme Court is hearing a case from a counselor in Colorado, who alleges that her right to practice how she chooses, and her free speech, are inhibited by Colorado's ban on conversion “therapy” for minors. The counselor in question wishes to practice faith-based “counseling” in an effort to help minors “who want to reduce feelings of same-sex attraction or feel more comfortable in their bodies” (1).

This may seem innocent enough, and perhaps even admirable, on the surface to “help minors feel more comfortable in their bodies”. Yet, when we peel back the layers on what conversion “therapy” really is, we see that this anti-affirming stance is far from therapeutic.

Conversion therapy is a mix of various “interventions” to convince kids and adults that they are not gay, not trans, not nonbinary.

Conversion therapy consists of slowly breaking down a young person’s will and identity, by twisting power, scripture, and expectations, and therapy speak to fit the heteronormative, violent, white supremacist norms of modern mainstream white Christianity. (2)

There is no evidence to support the efficacy of conversion “therapy”, and all of the major medical and psychiatric organizations oppose the practice. (2)

Worse still, this “therapy” can be violent. Sometimes, people have painful sensations or bad smells or tastes administered with same sex stimuli in an attempt to “rewire” them. (2) This is truly modern torture, and we cannot allow it to happen.

Those who survive conversion “therapy” are much more likely to face negative consequences later in life, including;

-6x more likely to develop severe depression

-8x more likely to have attempted suicide

-3x more likely to be high risk for HIV and other STDs

-3x more likely to use illegal drugs (2)

Currently, 26 states, plus DC, and 13 countries globally have banned the practice.

We cannot allow “freedom of speech” and a therapist's personal faith to dictate our public policy and laws.

Faith is, by definition, a matter of deeply personal conviction. As therapists, we must always hold two truths; our own experiences, thoughts, and convictions, and the reality of what our clients need, and who they are. It is not our role to bend a client to our worldview, particularly a minor.

The therapists who practice conversion “therapy” are simply providing assistance for teens to head more deeply into the closet. While that might temporarily alleviate some suffering,( by being better able to mask their true selves and fit in with peers, family, faith, and community), the long term effects can be deeply harmful.

We cannot, nor should we attempt, to “pray the gay away”. In so doing, we are modeling to young people that who they are is fundamentally unacceptable, before people and before God.

I welcome therapists of all backgrounds to practice, to hold their convictions, to keep their faith if they see fit, and to promote the causes that are important to them in their free time. We should all be active in our families, communities, and politically in causes that we believe will bring about a better world. But, the therapy office is no place for pushing our personal beliefs onto others, especially minors.

Conversion “therapists” and the Supreme Court might argue that affirming therapy is also pushing one's beliefs onto people. However, affirming therapy does not torture clients with aversions “therapy”. Affirming therapy is like an open door; the therapist will support a client’s exploration and thoughts, but will not give you answers, identity, or try to change your sexuality or gender.

In fact, most affirming therapists see a large percentage of cis and heterosexual clients. If affirming therapy were “converting” in nature, would it not be the case that our straight/cis clients are “converted” to LGBTism? And yet, they are not.

Because gender and sexuality are innate and evolving, not taught. And because real therapy, by a trained professional, involves an open conversation with another adult, who is more interested in your experience than their own values. At its core, affirming therapy is non-coercive, collaborative, and consensual at every step, in stark contrast to conversion “therapy”.

Conversion “therapy” sets out with a goal in mind; convert, change, revert the person to straightness and cis-ness. Affirming therapy sets out with curiosity for the human experience and an open mindedness to learn from the client. The two practices are fundamentally opposed in both process and values.

I fear that the Supreme Court is likely to weigh in favor of the therapist in this case, meaning that conversion therapy bans will be struck down.

If that happens, we will see a significant rise in the rate of mental health issues, suicides, and substance abuse amongst the LGBT population.

Our community desperately needs a “win” right now. With the LGBT hotline portion of the national suicide hotline shut down this summer, it feels like LGBT people are under attack in all directions.

I wish that I had something comforting to say about all of it, but I do not. I am a human too, going through this too, day by day. I do believe that history bends toward the arc of justice, as Dr. MLK Jr said.

I am finding comfort in the small things- making a new dish for dinner, spending time with my cats and my plants and spouse, and trying to remain kind and curious in a harsh, violent, angry world.

(1) https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/07/supreme-court-conversion-therapy-ban-00596373

(2) https://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/what-is-conversion-therapy