Project launched to develop definition of conversion practices and good practice principles for GSRD work
The Partnership of Counselling and Psychotherapy Bodies (PCPB), working alongside the British Psychological Society (BPS) and the Association of Child Psychotherapists (ACP), is beginning a programme of work to develop a definition of conversion practices and a set of good practice principles for working with gender, sexuality and relationship diversity (GSRD).
This work builds on earlier exploratory discussions and reflects a shared commitment to approaching this complex and sensitive area carefully, with clear governance, independent leadership and opportunities for consultation.
What is the work about?
The aim is to support ethical, safe and consistent practice across the psychological professions and to contribute to a clearer shared understanding of this area of work.
The project will develop:
- a definition of what constitutes conversion practices
- a set of good practice principles for psychological professionals to approach how they work with gender, sexuality and relationship diversity in the therapy room.
This work will be developed by people with experience in the field, working alongside psychological professionals and people with lived experience.
Why is this work being undertaken?
This work aims to provide clarity and consistency for practitioners, clients or patient, service users, employers and regulators.
The good practice principles are intended to:
- support client or patient safety
- support adherence to ethical standards
- promote consistent expectations for professionals working in this area.
The work also aims to help inform future policy work and any forthcoming legislative developments through a shared definition of what constitutes conversion practices.
How will the work be carried out?
The project, expected to run for the rest of 2026, is being led by an independent development team with extensive experience in this field.
The development team is supported by:
- a group of clinicians drawn from across the partners
- a group of people with lived experience
- a group of policy and public affairs specialists from across the partners with experience of drafting legislation
- communications and engagement professionals from the partners
- a project board which will oversee the programme, tracking progress and helping to drive the work forward.
This structure is designed to ensure that the work is informed by professional expertise, ethical considerations and lived experience.
In recognition of the sensitivity of this topic, and to protect the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved in this work their names will not be publicly released.
Consultation and opportunities to engage
The PCPB partners recognise the importance of approaching this work with care, openness and respect and are committed to engaging meaningfully with the profession and wider stakeholders throughout the process. To help with this, a 12-week consultation will take place during the project.
During this period:
- members and registrants of the PCPB partner organisations, BPS and ACP will be invited to provide feedback on draft versions of the definition and good practice principles via their professional body
- other relevant stakeholders, including people with lived experience, representing a range of different perspectives on the topic, will also be invited to contribute.
The consultation is expected to open in August 2026 and will run for 12 weeks.
All feedback will be reviewed by the development team and used to inform revisions to the draft materials before publication, which is expected to take place at the end of 2026 or early 2027.
What will be done with the outputs?
Once published:
- the definition will be used to inform future policy work
- the good practice principles will be implemented by each professional body to set expectations for members and registrants working with gender, sexuality and relationship diversity and their clients or patients.
Further updates will be shared as the work progresses and when the consultation opens in summer 2026.
