12/19/2025
On December 17, 2025, the Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a preliminary injunction blocking Michigan’s ban on conversion “therapy” for minors, ruling that the law likely violated the First Amendment rights of therapists and counselors. The injunction was sought by Catholic Charities of Jackson, Lenawee, and Hillsdale Counties.
Michigan enacted the ban in July 2023, becoming the 22nd state to prohibit conversion “therapy” for minors. For those unfamiliar, conversion “therapy” refers to practices intended to change or suppress an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity, often forcing LGBTQIA+ individuals to conform to rigid societal expectations of heterosexuality and gender expression. Extensive research has demonstrated that conversion “therapy” causes significant harm, including increased rates of depression, anxiety, substance misuse, and suicidality among LGBTQIA+ individuals. Research also shows that conversion “therapy” is ineffective. A 2002 study found that 88% of participants failed to achieve any sustained change in sexual behavior, with only 3% reporting becoming heterosexual.
It is essential to be clear about the role of a therapist. Mental health professionals are not meant to impose their personal beliefs or values on clients. Clients have a fundamental right to self-determination, including how, and if, they engage in treatment. When working with minors, therapists should thoughtfully consider family values, while also carefully weighing the potential positive or harmful impact those values may have on the client’s well-being. It is never appropriate to impose ideology or belief systems within a therapeutic relationship.
At Hilltop Counseling, we are committed to providing affirming, ethical, and person-centered care to the LGBTQIA+ community. We do not seek to pathologize or change anyone’s identity. Instead, we support individuals in their journey of self-discovery, as defined by the client themselves. Our approach and commitment remain unchanged, and we will continue to educate and collaborate with colleagues to promote truly person-centered, affirming mental health care.
(Ariel Shidlo & Michael Schroeder, SEXUAL CONVERSION THERAPY: ETHICAL, CLINICAL, AND RESEARCH PERSPECTIVES 135-150 (2002).)
A federal appeals court has blocked Michigan’s ban on conversion therapy for minors who are LGBTQ+, declaring it violates the First Amendment rights of therapists and counselors.
