{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,22]],"date-time":"2026-10-22T07:15:03Z","timestamp":1792653303077,"version":"4.5.0"},"reference-count":64,"publisher":"SAGE Publications","issue":"2","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2022,9,6]],"date-time":"2022-09-06T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1662422400000},"content-version":"unspecified","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["journals.sagepub.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Perspect Psychol Sci"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2023,3]]},"abstract":"<jats:p>Opposition to gender-affirmative approaches to care for transgender youths by some clinicians has recently begun to consolidate around \u201cgender exploratory therapy\u201d as a proposed alternative. Whereas gender-affirmative approaches follow the client\u2019s lead when it comes to gender, gender-exploratory therapy discourages gender affirmation in favor of exploring through talk therapy the potential pathological roots of youths\u2019 trans identities or gender dysphoria. Few detailed descriptions of the approach\u2019s parameters have been offered. In this article, I invite clinicians to reflect on gender-exploratory therapy through a series of questions. The questions are followed by an exploration of the strong conceptual and narrative similarities between gender-exploratory therapy and conversion practices. Finally, the ethical dimensions of gender-exploratory therapy are discussed from the lenses of therapeutic neutrality, patient-centered care, loving attention, and therapeutic alliance, suggesting that the approach may be unethical.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1177\/17456916221102325","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2022,9,6]],"date-time":"2022-09-06T19:26:15Z","timestamp":1662492375000},"page":"472-481","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/sage-journals-update-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":47,"title":["Interrogating Gender-Exploratory Therapy"],"prefix":"10.1177","volume":"18","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-9189-967X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Florence","family":"Ashley","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"University of Toronto Faculty of Law and Joint Centre for Bioethics"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"179","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2022,9,6]]},"reference":[{"key":"bibr1-17456916221102325","unstructured":"American Psychological Association. (2021). Resolution on gender identity change efforts. https:\/\/www.apa.org\/about\/policy\/resolution-gender-identity-change-efforts.pdf"},{"key":"bibr2-17456916221102325","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2011.00270"},{"key":"bibr3-17456916221102325","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s00787-019-01394-6"},{"key":"bibr4-17456916221102325","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10508-019-01519-7"},{"key":"bibr5-17456916221102325","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/1359104519836462"},{"key":"bibr6-17456916221102325","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/0038026120934693"},{"key":"bibr7-17456916221102325","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.59962\/9780774866941","volume-title":"Banning transgender conversion practices: A legal and policy analysis","author":"Ashley F.","year":"2022"},{"key":"bibr8-17456916221102325","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.amjmed.2020.09.030"},{"key":"bibr9-17456916221102325","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jpeds.2021.11.020"},{"key":"bibr10-17456916221102325","unstructured":"Bell v. Tavistock (EWHC 3274 (Admin) (United Kingdom) 2020)."},{"key":"bibr11-17456916221102325","unstructured":"Brejcha T., Breen P. (2021). Brief of Amicus Curiae Ethics and Public Policy Center in Tingley v. Ferguson. United States Court of Appeal for the Ninth Circuit, Docket Nos. 21-35815 & 21-35856. https:\/\/eppc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Amicus-Curiae-Brief_EPPC_Tingley-v.Ferguson.pdf"},{"key":"bibr12-17456916221102325","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10508-020-01660-8"},{"key":"bibr13-17456916221102325","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1097\/GOX.0000000000003477"},{"key":"bibr14-17456916221102325","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/15532739.2011.700873"},{"key":"bibr15-17456916221102325","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10508-020-01844-2"},{"key":"bibr16-17456916221102325","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/15532739.2011.675233"},{"key":"bibr17-17456916221102325","unstructured":"Edwards-Leeper L., Anderson E. (2021, November 24). The mental health establishment is failing trans kids. Washington Post. https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/outlook\/2021\/11\/24\/trans-kids-therapy-psychologist\/"},{"key":"bibr18-17456916221102325","unstructured":"Fancher R. (2015). The strange idea of \u201cTherapeutic Neutrality.\u201d MentalHelp.Net. https:\/\/www.mentalhelp.net\/blogs\/the-strange-idea-of-quot-therapeutic-neutrality-quot\/"},{"key":"bibr19-17456916221102325","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1300\/J082v50n01_04"},{"key":"bibr20-17456916221102325","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/hex.12615"},{"key":"bibr21-17456916221102325","volume-title":"The inheritance of shame: A memoir","author":"Gajdics P.","year":"2017"},{"key":"bibr22-17456916221102325","unstructured":"Gender Exploratory Therapy Association. (2021). About. https:\/\/genderexploratory.com\/about\/"},{"key":"bibr23-17456916221102325","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2105\/AJPH.2020.305701"},{"key":"bibr24-17456916221102325","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/00107530.1986.10746116"},{"key":"bibr25-17456916221102325","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1017\/hyp.2021.45"},{"key":"bibr26-17456916221102325","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/0038026120934694"},{"key":"bibr27-17456916221102325","unstructured":"House of Commons of Canada, Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights. (2020, December 8). An Act to amend the Criminal Code (conversion therapy)."},{"key":"bibr28-17456916221102325","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/BF02276776"},{"key":"bibr29-17456916221102325","unstructured":"In re: Kelvin, ([2017] FamCAFC 258 (Australia) 2017)."},{"key":"bibr30-17456916221102325","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1086\/711209"},{"key":"bibr31-17456916221102325","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1023\/A:1024086814364"},{"key":"bibr32-17456916221102325","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1089\/trgh.2021.0171"},{"key":"bibr33-17456916221102325","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1136\/medethics-2021-107397"},{"key":"bibr34-17456916221102325","unstructured":"Leveille L. (2021, October 21). Littman tries to prove ROGD by surveying detransitioners, fails spectacularly. Health Liberation Now! https:\/\/healthliberationnow.com\/2021\/10\/21\/littman-tries-to-prove-rogd-by-surveying-detransitioners-fails-spectacularly\/"},{"key":"bibr35-17456916221102325","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1037\/ser0000540"},{"key":"bibr36-17456916221102325","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10508-021-02163-w"},{"key":"bibr37-17456916221102325","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/00207411.2019.1711328"},{"key":"bibr38-17456916221102325","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/00332925.2017.1350804"},{"key":"bibr39-17456916221102325","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1037\/0022-006X.68.3.438"},{"key":"bibr40-17456916221102325","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/00030651980460040901"},{"key":"bibr41-17456916221102325","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.21037\/atm-20-6204"},{"key":"bibr42-17456916221102325","volume-title":"Reparative therapy of male homosexuality: A new clinical approach","author":"Nicolosi J.","year":"1991"},{"key":"bibr43-17456916221102325","unstructured":"Nicolosi J. (2015). What is reparative therapy? Examining the controversy. https:\/\/www.josephnicolosi.com\/collection\/what-is-reparative-therapy"},{"key":"bibr44-17456916221102325","volume-title":"A parent\u2019s guide to preventing homosexuality","author":"Nicolosi J.","year":"2002"},{"key":"bibr45-17456916221102325","first-page":"59","volume":"9","author":"Nicolosi J.","year":"2018","journal-title":"Journal of Human Sexuality"},{"key":"bibr46-17456916221102325","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1542\/peds.2015-3223"},{"key":"bibr47-17456916221102325","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.12968\/bjon.2010.19.14.49050"},{"key":"bibr48-17456916221102325","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/15532739.2011.618399"},{"key":"bibr49-17456916221102325","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/0956797619830649"},{"key":"bibr50-17456916221102325","unstructured":"Reintegrative Therapy Association. (2021, October 4). Landmark study shows trauma treatment significantly alters sexual attractions. https:\/\/www.reintegrativetherapy.com\/news-release-2"},{"key":"bibr51-17456916221102325","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10508-019-1453-2"},{"key":"bibr52-17456916221102325","unstructured":"Schevers K. (2021a, June 28). Feeling regret about my detransition and past activism. Reclaiming Trans. https:\/\/reclaimingtrans.wordpress.com\/2021\/06\/28\/feeling-regret-about-my-detransition-and-past-activism\/"},{"key":"bibr53-17456916221102325","unstructured":"Schevers K. (2021b, February 18). Ideologically-motivated detransition as a conversion practice \u2013 A personal account. https:\/\/healthliberationnow.com\/2021\/02\/18\/ideologically-motivated-detransition-as-a-conversion-practice-a-personal-account\/"},{"key":"bibr54-17456916221102325","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/0038026120934690"},{"issue":"3","key":"bibr55-17456916221102325","first-page":"269","volume":"20","author":"Simon R. I.","year":"1992","journal-title":"Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law"},{"key":"bibr56-17456916221102325","first-page":"315","volume-title":"The transgender studies reader","author":"Spade D.","year":"2006"},{"key":"bibr57-17456916221102325","first-page":"1","volume":"35","author":"Spiliadis A.","year":"2019","journal-title":"Metalogos"},{"key":"bibr58-17456916221102325","unstructured":"Spiliadis A. (n.d.). Ethics & approach. ICF Consultations. https:\/\/www.icf-consultations.com\/systemic-therapy-practice\/"},{"key":"bibr59-17456916221102325","first-page":"3","volume-title":"The gender affirmative model: An interdisciplinary approach to supporting transgender and gender expansive children","author":"St. Amand C. M.","year":"2018"},{"key":"bibr60-17456916221102325","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1001\/jamapsychiatry.2019.2285"},{"key":"bibr61-17456916221102325","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/00107530.1986.10746114"},{"key":"bibr62-17456916221102325","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jsxm.2018.01.016"},{"key":"bibr63-17456916221102325","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/1468-5922.12641"},{"key":"bibr64-17456916221102325","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1176\/appi.pn.2016.6a20"}],"container-title":["Perspectives on Psychological Science"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1177\/17456916221102325","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/full-xml\/10.1177\/17456916221102325","content-type":"application\/xml","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1177\/17456916221102325","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,2]],"date-time":"2026-05-02T08:43:16Z","timestamp":1777711396000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/10.1177\/17456916221102325"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2022,9,6]]},"references-count":64,"journal-issue":{"issue":"2","published-print":{"date-parts":[[2023,3]]}},"alternative-id":["10.1177\/17456916221102325"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/17456916221102325","relation":{},"ISSN":["1745-6916","1745-6924"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1745-6916","type":"print"},{"value":"1745-6924","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2022,9,6]]}}}