As stated in our position statement, the APS strongly opposes any form of mental health practice that seeks to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity (SOGI).
Evidence indicates that SOGI conversion practices are harmful to all people subjected to them and that these practices lack efficacy. As such, any psychologist attempting to use conversion practices is likely to be in breach of our Code of Ethics.
Legislation such as in that in Queensland only bans conversion practices by health service providers. This is an important and necessary step to minimise harmful practices by regulated health service providers, such as psychologists.
However, the majority of harm caused by conversion practices is occurring in the context of religious organisations and they are unregulated. This means that many practices, which may look similar in modality to that provided by psychologists, ‘talking therapy’ for example, are legally allowed to happen because they occur under the guise of pastoral care but without the necessary safeguards.
The APS therefore looks to the Government to minimise any potential harm as a result of such practices, as well as preserve the integrity of the modality of practices commonly conducted by psychologists.
The APS considers that a unilateral ban on conversion practices is warranted, similar to that which is proposed in Victoria, and should not be mitigated by recourse to claims of religious freedom.
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