Banning Therapy to Change Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity in Patients Under 18.

Five U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and one Canadian province have enacted laws forbidding the practice by mental health professionals of what is commonly termed “conversion therapy” or “reparative therapy.” In a person younger than 18, such therapy is meant to change sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender behaviors. I contend that these laws are problematic from both psychiatric and legal perspectives.