Gender identity change efforts: A summary.

Abstract

A recent Williams Institute report estimates that 16,000 young people will receive some type of "conversion therapy" from a licensed health care professional before reaching 18 years of age (Williams Institute, 2019). This statistic takes into consideration the growing number of states and municipalities (20 states to date) that have prohibited these practices with young people and makes clear the significant magnitude and reach of these so-called therapies with respect to the lives of queer and transgender people. The American Psychological Association's (APA's, 2021) Resolution on Gender Identity Change Efforts (GICE; APA, 2021) summarizes the evidence regarding the significant harm associated with GICE and takes a stance opposing GICE because of these associated harms. In this chapter, we illuminate the background and proliferation of GICE, which is a more accurate name for these practices, as well as issues salient to gender identity development for transgender and gender nonbinary people. Our analysis suggests that these harmful practices are reflections of distorted historical and contemporary notions of optimal gender identity development embedded in society.Copyright American Psychological Association. Not for further distribution."Conversion therapy," sometimes referred to as "reparative therapy," "reintegrative therapy," or "reorientation therapy," refers to a set of pseudo-scientific, discredited practices that aim to deny and suppress the sexual orientations, gender identities, and/or gender expressions of sexual and gender minorities. (p. 2) These so-called therapeutic efforts are often based on the misuse of psychological theory and practices. Examples of GICE include the use of aversive operant conditioning techniques (e.g., pairing a homoerotic image with an electric shock), cognitive restructuring, and psychoanalytic processing of formative experiences. GICE may also include more subtle talk "therapies" that encourage, for example, trans women or more femininely identified