She Took Conversion Therapy to the Supreme Court—But Won’t Explain the Treatment

A Colorado therapist is asking the Supreme Court to overturn laws banning conversion therapy, arguing that these restrictions prevent her from helping clients. Her case is framed around free speech and the idea that therapists should be allowed to explore all client goals—including reducing or eliminating what she calls “unwanted same-sex attraction.”

But after reading through the actual court filing, one question immediately stands out:

What exactly is the treatment she’s trying to provide? Because despite the legal arguments, that question is never clearly answered.

Watch: Therapist Reacts to the Supreme Court Filing

I read through the actual Supreme Court document—and something didn’t add up.

The therapist argues she’s being censored… but never clearly explains what she would actually do in session.

Watch the breakdown below:

Conversion Therapy Supreme Court Case Explained

In this case, the therapist argues that current laws banning conversion therapy prevent her from fully helping clients, restrict her ability to engage in certain types of conversations, and force her to “affirm” same-sex attraction. She claims that some of her clients come to therapy experiencing "unwanted same-sex attractions and a conflict between their sexuality and religious or personal values.

She believes she should be allowed to help them reduce or eliminate those attractions. At face value, this sounds like a debate about client choice and therapist freedom. She just wants to help, right? But that’s not where the real issue lies.

The Question No One Is Answering

Throughout the filing, the proposed “treatment” is described using vague, high-level language about tackling “unwanted same sex attraction” and doing work that "aligns with their values."

But there is no clear explanation how the therapy works. What techniques are used? What is actually said in session? What therapeutic model is guiding the work? What mechanism is supposed to change sexual attraction? None of these questions are answered. In other words: there are goals—but no defined method. A task that a first year graduate student would easily be able to complete. So why can't this therapist?

Why This Matters in Therapy

In any legitimate, ethical form of therapy, a clinician should be able to clearly explain what approach they are using, why it works, and what the expected outcomes are. This isn’t just good practice—it’s clinical accountability. When a treatment cannot be clearly described, it raises a critical question: What is actually happening in the therapy room?

Does Conversion Therapy Actually Work?

No. There is no evidence-based therapy that can eliminate same-sex attraction or change a person’s sexual orientation. Major professional organizations—including the American Psychological Association and the American Psychiatric Association--have consistently concluded that conversion therapy is ineffective, unsupported by scientific evidence, and often harmful. This is not a controversial position within the field. It is the clinical consensus.

Therapy vs. Religious Guidance

At one point, the therapist references helping clients live in alignment with how the Bible defines relationships. And to be clear: there is nothing inherently wrong with someone choosing to live according to their religious values. But that is not the same thing as therapy. Therapy is grounded in psychological science and evidence-based methods Religious guidance is grounded in spiritual or theological beliefs. Both can be meaningful. But they are not interchangeable.

What Ethical Therapy Actually Looks Like

Ethical, evidence-based therapy does not aim to eliminate sexual orientation.

Instead, it helps clients work through internal conflict, reduce shame and make informed choices. For many clients, especially those who have been exposed to conversion therapy, this work can be deeply healing. If this is part of your story, you can learn more about my work with Conversion Therapy Survivors.

What This Case Means for Conversion Therapy Laws

This case is being framed as a question of free speech in therapy. But when you look more closely, a different issue emerges: What exactly is being protected? If a therapist is advocating for the right to provide a treatment, they should be able to clearly explain what the treatment is. Without that clarity, the conversation shifts from "are therapists being censored?” to: “Why can’t this treatment be clearly defined?”

Potential Consequences

This Supreme Court decision could have huge ramifications for LGBTQ clients. But based on the argument presented, this should be an easy decision for the court to make. The therapist in question has not, in my opinion, provided a compelling argument.

If you’re navigating questions about identity, sexuality, or past experiences with harmful frameworks, you don’t have to figure it out alone.

👉 Learn more about working with me.

👉 Explore how I practice affirmative therapy for gay men.

Conversion Therapy FAQ's

Is conversion therapy legal?

• Conversion therapy is banned for minors in many states, including California and Colorado, but laws vary by location.

Can therapy change sexual orientation?

• No. There is no evidence-based therapy that can change a person’s sexual orientation.

What helps with unwanted same-sex attraction?

• Therapy can help individuals explore identity, reduce distress, and navigate values—but not eliminate attraction.

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