Inside the So-Called 'Conversion Therapy' Debate | Father Paul Sullins | Dr. J Show episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 13, 2025 · 1H 35M

Inside the So-Called 'Conversion Therapy' Debate | Father Paul Sullins | Dr. J Show

from The Ruth Institute Podcast

Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse and Father Paul Sullins unpack the myths and political narratives surrounding "conversion therapy," sharing insights from their amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court. They challenge the American Psychological Association's portrayal of sexual orientation change efforts, expose the lack of rigorous evidence behind mainstream claims, and highlight how research on contributing factors—like childhood trauma—has been sidelined. The conversation also examines historical shifts in psychiatric policy, the suppression of certain kinds of research, and key studies showing that ethical, client-led therapy can yield psychological benefits without the coercive practices often cited by opponents. Relevant source documents: APA 2009 Task Force Report (140 pages) "Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation." Bailey et.al. 2016 "Sexual Orientation, Controversy, and Science," Psychological Science in the Public Interest 2016, Vol. 17(2) 45–10. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epub/10.1177/1529100616637616 APA Resolution on Sexual Orientation Change Efforts, February 2021. https://www.apa.org/about/policy/resolution-sexual-orientation-change-efforts.pdf Books referenced during the show: The Case Against Conversion Therapy, Douglas C. Haldeman, editor, American Psychological Association, 2022. Lauman et.al. The Social Organization of Sexuality: Sexual Practices in the United States. 1994 Alan Bell, Martin Weinberg and Sue Kiefer Hammersmith, Sexual Preference: Its Development in Men and Women. (1981) https://www.apa.org/about/policy/discrimination Father Sullins' Reports on Clergy Sexual Abuse: https://ruthinstitute.org/resource-centers/father-sullins-research/ Father Sullins' Reports on Sexual Orientation Change Efforts: https://ruthinstitute.org/sexual-orientation-change-efforts-arent-harmful/ Buy Dr. Morse's Books: The Sexual State: https://ruthinstitute.org/product/the-sexual-state-2/ Love and Economics: https://ruthinstitute.org/product/love-and-economics-it-takes-a-family-to-raise-a-village/ Smart Sex: https://ruthinstitute.org/product/smart-sex-finding-life-long-love-in-a-hook-up-world/ 101 Tips for a Happier Marriage: https://ruthinstitute.org/product/101-tips-for-a-happier-marriage/ 101 Tips for Marrying the Right Person: https://ruthinstitute.org/product/101-tips-for-marrying-the-right-person/ Subscribe to our newsletter to get this amazing report: Refuting the Top 5 Gay Myths https://ruthinstitute.org/refute-the-top-five-myths/ Have a question or a comment? Leave it in the comments, and we'll get back to you! Watch the full episode, uncensored, on Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/Theruthinstitute Subscribe to our YouTube playlist:  @RuthInstitute   Follow us on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/theruthinstitute https://twitter.com/RuthInstitute https://www.facebook.com/TheRuthInstitute/ https://theruthinstitute.locals.com/newsfeed Press: NC Register: https://www.ncregister.com/author/jennifer-roback-morse Catholic Answers: https://www.catholic.com/profile/jennifer-roback-morse The Stream: https://stream.org/author/jennifer-roback-morse/ Crisis Magazine: https://crisismagazine.com/author/jennifer-roeback-morse Listen to our podcast:  Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ruth-institute-podcast/id309797947 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1t7mWLRHjrCqNjsbH7zXv1 Subscribe to our newsletter to get this amazing report: Refuting the Top 5 Gay Myths https://ruthinstitute.org/refute-the-top-five-myths/ Get the full interview by joining us for exclusive, uncensored content on Locals: https://theruthinstitute.locals.com/support

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Inside the So-Called 'Conversion Therapy' Debate | Father Paul Sullins | Dr. J Show

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Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse and Father Paul Sullins unpack the myths and political narratives surrounding "conversion therapy," sharing insights from their amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court. They challenge the American Psychological Association's...

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