Conversion therapy is the term for therapy that assumes certain sexual orientations or gender identities are inferior to others, and seeks to change or suppress them on that basis.

The 2017 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) makes it clear that conversion therapy in relation to gender identity and sexual orientation (including asexuality) is unethical, potentially harmful and is not supported by evidence. It updates the 2015 version released at the Department of Health, which focused exclusively on sexual orientation.

The MoU also intends to ensure that:

  • the public are well informed about the risks of conversion therapy
  • healthcare professionals and psychological therapists are aware of the ethical issues relating to conversion therapy
  • new and existing psychological therapists are appropriately trained
  • evidence into conversion therapy is kept under regular review
  • professionals from across the health, care and psychological professions work together to achieve the above goals

Supporters

The MoU is signed by:

  • Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families
  • Association for Family Therapy (AFT)
  • Association of Christians in Counselling and Linked Professions
  • BACP
  • British Association of Arts Therapists (BAAT)
  • British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP)
  • British Association of Drama Therapists (BADTH)
  • British Psychoanalytic Council (BPC)
  • British Psychological Society (BPS)
  • CliniQ
  • College of Sex and Relationship Therapists (COSRT)
  • Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council
  • Gendered Intelligence
  • GLADD (The Association of LGBT Doctors and Dentists)
  • Mental Health Network – NHS Confederation
  • Mind
  • NHS England
  • NHS Scotland
  • NHS Wales
  • Northern Ireland Humanists
  • Psychological Professions Network
  • Psychotherapy and Counselling Union (PCU)
  • Relate
  • Rethink Mental Illness
  • Royal College of General Practitioners
  • Royal College of Psychiatrists
  • Spectra

It's also endorsed by the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity, Centre for Mental Health, Place2be and Stonewall.

Cover of MOU Nov 22

Updates

Banning conversion therapy consultation, March 2022

We've responded to the Government’s consultation on Banning conversion therapy. A summary of responses and the government’s response will be published in due course. The responses will inform the final phase of work on its policy proposals and the preparation of draft legislation.

Read our response to banning conversion therapy consultation (docx 27KB)

Banning conversion therapy consultation, December 2021

The MOU Coalition has shared the key messages from its response to the government's consultation on banning conversion therapy

MOU key messages (pdf 0.3MB)

Queen’s Speech, May 2021

On behalf of the signatories, the MoU on Conversion Therapy in the UK has issued a statement after the Government set out its plans to ban conversion therapy in the Queen’s Speech.

Read the statement on the BPS website: 
"UK has the opportunity to lead the way in developing a truly effective ban around conversion practices for LGBT+ people" 

A law to ban conversion therapy - April 2021

Organised on behalf of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Coalition against Conversion Therapy, this webinar saw campaigners, legal and mental health experts and survivors come together to discuss the proposed law to ban conversion therapy.

Find out more and watch the webinar on the Albany Trust website