Addressing the missing stair: Conversion culture in mental health ecosystems

The author wants to direct attention to the persistent otherisation of queer/trans people in mental health ecosystems that breeds conversion culture ‒ a system of values that looks at gender/sexual diversity as a less preferred outcome. While outright and tell-tale forms of conversion efforts continue to be flagged, outlawed and held accountable, a wider paradox is exposed: Do majority cis-het psychotherapists go along with anti-conversion practices because they truly believe them to be unethical and violative? After a critical review of literature on micro-aggressions, the author argues that conversion culture persists despite bans - in mental health classrooms, training spaces, clinical interactions - even if it does not take the shape of overt conversion attempts. It can also seep into psychotherapy talk and foster negative healthcare experiences. Conversations about conversion therapy must therefore percolate deeper to address care frameworks in terms of mental health curricular and training realities in which pro-conversion attitudes and mindsets may get shaped, legitimised and perpetuated.