Conversion therapy assumes that homosexuality is a maladaptive belief and imposes an intervention that shames and intimidates the “subject” into relinquishing his/her so-called “deviant” beliefs.
The American Psychological and American Psychiatric Associations denounce this “treatment” as totally lacking any credible scientific foundation. Instead, they warn these interventions can cause lifelong harm and trauma.
The New Hampshire State Senate is now contemplating a ban on this intervention with minors. Banning this “therapy” needs to be enacted. Parents certainly have the right and prerogative to instill in their children heartfelt religious beliefs and principles. However, these “therapies” cross the line into child endangerment. We must not legitimize a traumatizing process and collude in allowing the infliction of these emotionally scarring interventions on minors.
Kenneth H. Cohen
Kensington
(Dr. Kenneth Cohen, MD, is a board certified psychiatrist in Portsmouth.)