Conversion Therapy: UK Laws And The Fight For Mental Health Justice

While the UK government announced its intention to ban conversion therapy and other therapeutic conversion practices, these laws have yet to be enacted at the national level. However, progress is underway, with legislative efforts in motion to end conversion therapy and related therapies. Below, explore the steps being taken across the UK to end conversion practices, affirm the rights and identities of LGBTQ+ individuals, and what scientific research legislators, experts, and advocates are doing to inform these efforts. Additionally, find guidance for navigating conflicting beliefs about LGBTQ+ identities, as well as resources for accessing evidence-based mental health support. 

What is conversion therapy?

Conversion therapy refers to interventions aimed at changing a client’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Methods can include behavioral modification, hypnosis, and physical interventions, and are widely discredited by research and considered harmful by mental health professionals. Research indicates that conversion therapy often leads to significant psychological distress, including anxiety, depression, and trauma. Many countries, including the UK, have banned this practice through a draft bill to protect LGBTQ+ individuals from its damaging effects and encourage real talking therapies through therapists licensed with psychotherapy bodies instead. 

How Conversion Practices Harm LGBTQ+ People

When discussing how conversion practices affect LGBTQ+ individuals, it may help to acknowledge the wide range of harm these interventions can introduce, particularly for young people who may already feel uncertain about their place in the world.

Many reports describe how these practices can blur the line between therapy and degrading treatment, sometimes involving forms of abusive behaviour that create a setting where distress quietly intensifies rather than eases.

In some situations, survivors have spoken of being exposed to threats or acts resembling physical violence or sexual violence, while others recount experiences shaped by isolation acts such as food deprivation as part of attempts to pressure them into conformity.

Research suggests that these environments place individuals at a higher risk for emotional strain, long-term anxiety, and difficulty forming trust later in life.

Conversations in clinical spaces often highlight that recognizing these patterns may support more compassionate alternatives, ones that aim to foster safety and autonomy while allowing identity to unfold without coercion.

Existing Law & Government Position in the UK

When examining the existing law surrounding conversion practices in the UK, it becomes clear that most protections currently operate through broader frameworks rather than a dedicated statute, which means certain behaviors may only be addressed when they intersect with criminal law, such as harassment, coercion, or acts that fall within sexual offences legislation.

Some forms of coercive intervention could potentially constitute a criminal offence, though interpreting these situations often requires careful consideration of context and relation to established legal standards.
The government’s view has generally emphasized that any future policy should align with overarching commitments to safety and dignity, while remaining compatible with the Human Rights Act, especially regarding personal autonomy and freedom of expression.

In professional discussions, this landscape is often described as evolving, suggesting that policymakers may still be balancing public concern, emerging research, and the need for clarity as debates continue.

The Proposed Conversion Therapy Ban & Legislative Timeline

As conversations continue around the UK’s conversion therapy ban, many observers have noted that the proposed ban appears to draw heavily on community feedback and the evidence summarized in the government’s consultation document, which gathered accounts from people with lived experience as well as professional perspectives.

Parliamentary milestones, such as a second reading that may occur only after further review, often illustrate how cautiously lawmakers tend to move when addressing practices linked to emotional harm. 

Any eventual progression toward royal assent would signal that the legislative process has reached its final stages, although each step typically unfolds with extensive debate and revision. Mentions of the issue in the King’s Speech have suggested that the matter remains active on the legislative agenda, possibly indicating that policymakers are still weighing how best to frame protections while considering the broad range of psychological and social concerns raised by the public.

Research, Public Input & Evidence of Harm

Insights gathered from the National LGBT Survey have suggested that many individuals who underwent attempts to change or suppress their identity reported emotional strain that often lingered long after the intervention ended, and these accounts continue to shape conversations about safety and dignity.

Academic teams, including researchers at Coventry University, have examined how such experiences may affect well-being over time, noting patterns that appear especially relevant for trans people, who frequently describe unique vulnerabilities within coercive environments. Comparisons with practices in other countries have offered additional context, showing how different legal and cultural frameworks influence access to support and protections tied to LGBT rights. 

Together, this mixture of personal testimony and research seems to encourage policymakers and mental health professionals to reflect on how evidence might guide more compassionate, inclusive approaches moving forward.

Faith Groups, Families & Pastoral Care in Context

Conversations about pastoral care within faith communities often draw on stories echoed in the National LGBT Survey, where many individuals described feeling caught between spiritual expectations and personal identity, particularly when support was framed in ways that unintentionally heightened pressure.

Research teams at Coventry University have suggested that families and faith groups may offer steadier guidance when they focus on listening rather than correction, especially for trans people, who often navigate layers of complexity that extend beyond simple doctrinal questions. Observations from other countries, including those with varying interpretations of religious duty, show that affirming approaches tend to align more closely with broader commitments to LGBT rights, while still allowing families to maintain their spiritual traditions. 

This combination of personal accounts and academic insight may encourage communities to consider pastoral care practices that preserve connection, reduce distress, and create room for thoughtful conversations about identity within a supportive relational environment.

Differences Across the UK Nations

Across the UK, each administration appears to be moving at its own pace, and the Welsh Government has expressed a clear interest in exploring how protections might evolve, often emphasizing the need for approaches that sit comfortably within broader legal frameworks such as the European Convention on Human Rights.

Observers frequently note that England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland interpret public feedback differently, creating some variation in how each region discusses policy development in relation to community concerns and existing safeguarding measures.

The government’s view at the national level tends to highlight the importance of aligning any future steps with human rights obligations while still leaving room for further consultation, which may explain why progress occasionally seems uneven. 

These distinctions, taken together, suggest that each nation might refine its path in a slightly different way, guided by local priorities and the voices of those most affected.

Conversion therapy: UK legislative progress and advocacy

The UK is making strides toward banning conversion therapy at the national level for all healthcare professionals, professional bodies, and clients. The Labour government — which came to power in 2024 — introduced a Conversion Practices Bill in May of that year, aiming to prohibit practices intended to suppress or change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity. 

In Scotland, the government completed a consultation on banning conversion therapy in April 2024, meaning that the Scottish government is committed to progressing toward a legislative ban on conversion therapy practices. Wales is also working towards implementing a conversion therapy ban. The Northern Ireland Assembly passed a motion supporting a ban on conversion therapy, signaling a strong commitment to equality and human rights. 

Advocacy groups such as Stonewall and major counseling bodies, including the British Psychological Society and the National Health Service (NHS). have condemned conversion therapy as harmful. The Church of England has also condemned the practice, further amplifying calls for legislative action. 

What the research shows about conversion therapy and mental health

Research consistently shows that conversion therapy is both ineffective and harmful. Those who offered conversion therapy in the past did so under potentially harmful systems and often against standards set by the British Psychological Society and other governing bodies. A systematic review of studies on sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) concluded that attempts to alter sexual orientation are not successful and carry significant risks, including depression, anxiety, suicidality, social isolation, and diminished capacity for intimacy. Out of 47 peer-reviewed studies reviewed, 12 directly identified these harmful outcomes, while only one study—criticized for its biases and methodological flaws—claimed limited success among religious participants.

Research also highlights methodological challenges, such as reliance on self-reports and lack of control groups, which undermine claims of success. Some studies indicate that severe techniques may suppress same-sex attraction but fail to increase heterosexual arousal or lead to fulfilling relationships. Professional organizations, including the American Psychological Association, universally denounce the practice, emphasizing its risks over any claimed benefits.

Is it possible to change your sexual orientation or gender identity?

Similarly, gender identity change efforts (GICE) are equally ineffective and harmful, regardless of one’s sex recorded at birth. While individuals may attempt to conform to societal or external expectations regarding their gender, these efforts do not alter their innate gender identity. Transgender respondents often experience significant emotional distress, leading to serious mental health challenges.

Research affirms that sexual orientation and gender identity are natural variations within the spectrum of human diversity. Attempts to alter them, particularly through SOCE, are not only ineffective but also harmful, leading to increased distress, stigma, and mental health challenges. Experts recommend prioritizing approaches that affirm diverse identities and ending practices that criminalize or pathologize them. Reducing societal stigma is crucial in diminishing the demand for harmful and discredited interventions like SOCE.

How to navigate conflicting beliefs about LGBTQ+ identities

Conflicting beliefs about LGBTQ+ identities often stem from differences in cultural, religious, or personal values. For individuals navigating these conflicts — whether internally or within close relationships — it can be challenging to balance their deeply held beliefs with the need to support and affirm LGBTQ+ individuals. However, bridging these divides with open communication, empathy, and education can be possible.

Reflect on your beliefs and biases

Self-reflection can be a positive first step when seeking to reconcile conflicting beliefs. You might consider where your views on LGBTQ+ identities originate—cultural norms, religious teachings, personal experiences—and how they shape your feelings. You may find that reflecting honestly helps you identify any biases or assumptions that may impact your feelings surrounding LGBTQ+ issues.

Seek to understand LGBTQ+ experiences

Cultivating empathy and curiosity can be pivotal for fostering meaningful connections with those whose identities may contradict your beliefs. Make good-faith efforts to understand their lived experience, such as their background, challenges, and perspectives. With greater understanding, you may find it easier to cultivate compassion and acceptance. See them as fellow human beings first, not your beliefs. 

Identify common ground

Focus on the values and goals you share with LGBTQ+ individuals, such as respect, love, and the desire for a fulfilling life. Even if beliefs differ, emphasizing these shared principles can create a foundation for connection and meaningful dialogue, regardless of whether you’re part of a different political or religious group. Common ground allows you to approach discussions as allies rather than adversaries.

Seek support

Navigating conflicting beliefs can be challenging, especially when emotions are involved. You might seek support from trusted friends, community leaders, or professionals like therapists or mediators with experience with LGBTQ+ issues. They can provide guidance, facilitate difficult conversations, and help you balance your values with respect and affirmation for others. LGBTQ+-affirming organizations can offer resources and insights to support your journey.

Victims of abusive practices, or people who have faced degrading treatment can have a hard time processing the trauma from those experiences. Support groups and therapy can have a significant impact on positive mental health as well as the realization that a future is possible for them.

Accessing LGBTQ+-affirming evidence-based mental health support

With evidence-based mental health support, navigating life’s challenges and improving your well-being may be more manageable. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of many research-backed therapeutic approaches that mental health professionals use to help people manage stress, challenge negative thoughts, and build healthy coping mechanisms. Whether you’re exploring your identity, facing stigma, or seeking treatment for anxiety or depression, you may consider reaching out to a therapist for support. 

If you face barriers to in-person support, you can try online therapy platforms like BetterHelp, which offers access to LGBTQ+-affirming therapists who provide evidence-based support in a safe and inclusive environment. Online therapy is known to be as effective as in-person therapy and may be preferable for those who want the convenience and affordability of teletherapy. With this modality, you can attend weekly therapy sessions by phone, video, or live chat. You can also benefit from a suite of tools and features like guided journaling, digital therapy worksheets, and daily messaging with your therapist.