Law & Psychiatry: Regulating Psychotherapy or Restricting Freedom of Speech? California’s Ban on Sexual Orientation Change Efforts

• Published in: Psychiatric services (Washington, D.C.) Vol. 65; no. 1; pp. 5 - 7
• Main Author: Appelbaum, Paul S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Psychiatric Association 01.01.2014
• Subjects: Adolescent; California; Freedom; Humans; Jurisprudence; Legislation as Topic; Psychiatry - legislation & jurisprudence; Psychotherapy - legislation & jurisprudence; Sexual Behavior - psychology; California

A 2012 California law banning treatment to change the sexual orientation of patients under 18 years old marked the first time a state has restricted the practice of a specific psychotherapy. Practitioners of the therapy sued, arguing that the ban violated their free speech, but the State of Californ...