After Conversion Therapy: Ethics, Identity, and Client Self-Determination

Course Description – 1.5 Cultural Competence Continuing Education Credit Hours

Format: Asynchronous (Recorded) Distance Format

This course examines the Chiles v. Salazar Supreme Court decision through the lived experience, clinical expertise, and peace‑building work of the presenters. Drawing from Dr. Lee Beckstead’s three decades of research and practice, including his personal history with sexual‑orientation change efforts, his qualitative studies on harm and benefit narratives, and his collaborations with ideological opponents, the session explores how conflicts around sexuality, gender, and religion show up in mental‑health practice. Presenters analyze the historical evolution of “conversion therapy,” clarify distinctions between coercive change efforts and identity‑focused exploratory therapy, and discuss how conflation in public discourse and legal contexts can misinform policy and practice. The course also highlights pluralism, cultural assertiveness, and structured dialogue as tools for reducing adversarial dynamics and promoting ethical, client‑centered care across diverse worldviews.

The course examines the dangers of one‑size‑fits‑all therapeutic models, the importance of distinguishing different forms of identity‑related distress, and the need for adversarial collaboration rather than ideological enforcement. Ultimately, the discussion invites clinicians and policymakers alike to reconsider what truly makes therapy ethical – and genuinely therapeutic.

1. Introduction and Welcome and discussion on the Chiles vs. Salazar case (1:07)
2. Personal Experiences With Conversion Therapy and Insights (4:07)
3. Promoting Pluralism and Peace (18:14)
4. Defining Conversion Therapy and Ethical Implications (24:20)
5. Therapeutic Approaches and Challenges (35:15)
6. Final Thoughts and Closing (86:04)

This course was recorded on April 11, 2026.

It is intended for a beginning to intermediate social worker audience. Other helping professionals may also find the content relevant to their practice.

Course: After Conversion Therapy: Ethics, Identity, and Client Self-Determination

Credit: 1.5 Cultural Competence Continuing Education Credits

Format: Asynchronous (Recorded) Distance

How to Access: Click on the video or podcast link in the course materials section below. The video must be played through in entirety on this website in order to substantiate that the course was completed and to earn credit. Playing through on other websites or media will not substantiate course completion.

Post-test Requirements and Retakes: Participants must respond correctly to 80% of post-test questions. Post-test retakes are unlimited. Course participants may retake the test as many times as needed to pass the course.

The opinions expressed in this course are those of the presenters and do not reflect the official positions or opinions of their affiliated organizations or employers.

Course Objectives:

1. Present an overview of the Chiles vs. Salazar case and its implications for mental health professionals.
2. Present various therapeutic methods, including affirmative therapy and conversion therapy, highlighting their benefits and challenges.
3. Present strategies for fostering pluralism and peace within therapeutic settings, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and cultural competence.

Course Presenters:

• Dr. Lee Beckstead is a psychologist with a private practice in Salt Lake City, Utah. He specializes in relationship issues, such as self-esteem, assertiveness, intimacy, identity, sexuality, and gender. Focusing on relationship dynamics, he provides individual, couples, and group therapy for adults who have concerns related to depression, anxiety, trauma, substance abuse, body image, eating disorders, HIV/AIDS, and grieving. He has been a member of the International Academy of Sex Research since 2004. Understanding how to resolve sexual, social, and religious conflicts has been his primary research and counseling focus. He is also a founding contributor to the Reconciliation and Growth Project. He was part of the American Psychological Association’s task force from 2007-2009 to evaluate interventions to change sexual orientation and make therapeutic recommendations for those desiring such a change. He conducted two studies investigating LDS/Mormon individuals who tried to change their sexual orientation and what helped and harmed resolution of their conflicts. He is a member of the International Academy of Sex Research and The LGBTQ-Affirmative Psychotherapist Guild of Utah.
• Dr. Nafees Alam is an award-winning professor (2022 Golden Apple Award) specializing in nonprofit program evaluation and macro practice, with over seven years of experience. Before academia, he worked in Wall Street’s financial sector for over seven years. Dr. Alam’s research agenda is self-determination in sport social work with a secondary focus on viewpoint diversity, open inquiry, and constructive disagreement in higher education. He has several publications and has presented at conferences worldwide, including two keynotes. He aims to disseminate ideas through many public platforms as a contributor to the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, Heterodox Academy, Inside Sources, Psychology Today, and Real Clear Education. He is passionate about global education through technology, teaching and designing online courses taught globally, along with his YouTube channel and Podcast geared toward an international academic audience.
• Matthew Watson is the executive director of ProSocial Workers, an affiliate of the Institute for Liberal Values, dedicated to promoting viewpoint and political diversity in social work practice and education. He is a seasoned mental health advisor and licensed clinical social worker with over 30 years of experience. He provides competent, compassionate care and strategic leadership where he has excelled in direct service provider, management, and executive roles. Matthew has a documented history of building high-performing teams, improving outcomes, identifying individual strengths, and mentoring others. Matthew’s philosophy is that sustainable results emerge from the development of people, believing that strong, talented individuals are the ultimate outcome of effective leadership. His interests reflect a deep commitment to civic and ethical engagement, including voluntary service organizations, viewpoint diversity, religious liberty, and the integration of differing perspectives.
• Zander Keig is an award-winning social worker, best-selling author, social care educator, and motivational speaker with many distinguishing accolades, including 2023 Caregiving.com LGBTQ Advocate of the Year, 2020 NASW National Social Worker of the Year,  2020 WPATH Harry Benjamin Distinguished Educator of the Year, and 2018 NASW CA Social Worker of the Year. Zander has earned a BA in Interpersonal Communication (1999), an MS in Conflict Analysis and Resolution (2003), an MTS in Theological Systems (2004), and an MSW in Clinical Social Work (2012). He has delivered conflict mitigation, social care, diversity and inclusion, and emotional well-being workshops for over 30 years. Zander hosts the Umbrella Hour podcast on the UK Health Radio Network. His best-selling book is The Third Space: A Nonconformist’s Guide to the Universe (Thought Leader Press, 2024), available on Amazon and wherever books are sold.

Course Materials:

Watch the Podcast/Video for free on YouTube, or for use the link below for continuing education credit.

Course References/Bibliography:

Beckstead, A. L., Cheng, J., Giwa, S., Yarhouse, M. A., & Žegura, I. (2024). Feel secure in yourself: a guidebook for LGBTQIA+ people and those with a different label or no label. Bloomsbury Publishing PLC.

Rosik, C.H., Lefevor, G.T., McGraw, J.S. et al. Is Conservative Religiousness Inherently Associated with Poorer Health for Sexual Minorities?. J Relig Health 61, 3055–3075 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-021-01289-4

Rosik, C. H., Lefevor, G. T., & Beckstead, A. L. (2023). Sexual minorities responding to sexual orientation distress: Examining 33 methods and the effects of sexual identity labeling and theological viewpoint. Spirituality in Clinical Practice, 10(3), 245.

Course Completion Requirements (only required for those seeking continuing education credit):

1. Click on “Enroll” (above) to start the course and, if applicable, pay for the course.
2. Create a ProSocial Workers account or log in.
3. Watch the entire required podcast or video using the links below. You must watch or listen for the amount of time being credited for the course.
4. Complete a course evaluation.
5. Complete a post-test or quiz and pass with at least 80% correct responses. Retesting is allowed.
6. Download your certificate (immediately available) upon completion of the post-test/quiz.

Additional Information

1. The course is administered online. Participants will need a computer or mobile device with a stable internet connection, a modern web browser (like Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari), and the ability to access to ProSocialWorkers.com website.
2. Once the course has been purchased, you will have access to course content required for continuing education credit.
3. There are no refunds once the course is purchased. The course cannot be cancelled.
4. If special accommodations are needed, please email help@prosocialworkers.com.
5. ProSocial Workers, provider #2002, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: May 6, 2025 – May 6, 2026. Social workers completing this course receive 1.0 general continuing education credits.
6. Participants assume full responsibility to ensure local jurisdictional approvals.
7. Contact help@prosocialworkers.com with any questions, concerns, or to address any of the presenters.