OS IMPACTOS PSICOLÓGICOS DA TERAPIA DE REVERSÃO SEXUAL (CURA GAY) EM CONTEXTOS RELIGIOSOS: violação dos direitos humanos e o desenvolvimento do transtorno de estresse pós-traumático

Abstract

This article analyzes the psychological, social, and ethical impacts of sexual orientation conversion therapy on LGBTQIAPN+ individuals, with a focus on conservative religious contexts. Historically, homosexuality was pathologized, classified as a clinical deviation, and endorsed in diagnostic manuals such as the DSM and ICD, justifying corrective interventions until the 1990s. Despite its depathologization and the prohibition of such practices by the Federal Council of Psychology (CFP) in Brazil, conversion therapies persist, often using scientific, legal, and religious arguments to legitimize sexual repression. These interventions are associated with significant psychological suffering, including depression, anxiety, identity conflicts, suicidal ideation, and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, exacerbated by the instrumentalization of spirituality as a control mechanism. The research demonstrates that these practices constitute forms of symbolic and institutional violence, disguised as care, and reinforce cis-heteronormative patterns, violating human rights and ethical principles of psychology. It is concluded that professional practice committed to human rights, inclusive public policies, and the acceptance of sexual and gender diversity is central to preventing harm and promoting the mental health of LGBTQIAPN+ individuals. The study emphasizes the importance of ethics, scientific rigor, and the activation of social and religious support networks as essential tools for confronting these harmful practices.