Conversion therapy is a pseudoscientific and discredited practice that attempts to force LGBTQ+ individuals to change their sexual orientation or gender identity and instead identify as heterosexual or cisgender. Because it is now understood that sexual orientation is not a choice or something that
The Spectrum of Conversion Therapy
Conversion Therapy exists on a spectrum from mild to severe and presents in different ways depending on individual circumstances, biology, and triggers.
Major Types of Conversion Therapy
Mental health professionals distinguish between several key presentations of conversion therapy, each with distinct features, triggers, and optimal treatment approaches.
Acute vs. Chronic: Some people experience intense but brief episodes of conversion therapy; others have more persistent, lower-intensity patterns.
Primary vs. Secondary: Conversion Therapy can be a primary condition or secondary to another mental health or medical issue.
Situational vs. Generalized: Conversion Therapy may be triggered by specific circumstances or more pervasive across life domains.
Why the Type Matters for Treatment
Different presentations of conversion therapy often respond to different treatment approaches. Accurate assessment of which type you're experiencing guides better treatment decisions.