Openly gay and Christian psychologist and author Stuart Edser says gay conversion therapy nearly killed him and some of his patients and the sooner it is outlawed the better.

Key points: The NSW Government wants a national approach on gay conversion therapy

The NSW Government wants a national approach on gay conversion therapy Advocates say therapy is akin to torture

Advocates say therapy is akin to torture Psychologists fear parents are forcing "broken" kids into therapy

The therapy can involve forcing people to undergo electric shocks and drink substances to induce vomiting when shown homoerotic images.

There are also role-playing exercises where men are forced to do stereotypically 'blokey' things like chatting about football and tinkering with cars, while women are told to wear feminine clothes and apply a full face of makeup.

Mr Edser said he underwent a Pentecostal style of therapy that involved church elders praying and laying their hands on him, as well as performing what he likened to an exorcism to rid him of the demon possessing his body.

"People who I felt were great authorities in this area, they prayed over me in a deliverance ministry … it was a long time ago and it was pretty awful stuff," Mr Edser said.

Gay, Christian psychologist and author Stuart Edser says conversion therapy nearly killed him. ( Supplied: Stuart Edser )

"It was nearly the end of me and of course people who go through these sorts of programs struggle enormously when they are finished.

"Of course nobody's sexuality gets changed and you go through massive doses of guilt and self-hatred, self-disgust, all of those really, really bad things."

The author and psychologist has applauded New South Wales Health Minister Brad Hazzard for putting a potential national ban on the agenda.

"This is just something that should not be around in the 21st century," Mr Edser said.

"I know many people who were lucky to escape with their lives because of the increase in suicidality and thoughts of self harm."

Academics slam parents forcing children into therapy

Two NSW academics with expertise in gay conversion therapy say it is in the interests of human rights and justice for Australia to ban the practice immediately.

Dr James Bennett from the University of Newcastle's School of Humanities and Social Science said conversion therapy is devastating, particularly for children whose parents say they need fixing.

Dr James Bennett says he is worried children are being forced into gay conversion therapy. ( Supplied: James Bennett )

"A lot of it is also happening underground so it is difficult to actually track what is going on," Dr Bennett said.

"I am most concerned about this being done to minors, parents for instance forcing children to undergo a practice like this, which also has been seen by some as a form of torture."

Dr Bennett's colleague, Professor Marguerite Johnson agreed.

"One's sexuality which cannot be altered is potentially emotionally damaging and can lead to all sorts of self-recrimination," Professor Johnson said.

"Of course part of that is you believe you are useless and you are wicked and I actually believe that there are a lot of suicides as a result of this.

"Tied in with this is betraying your family, humiliating your parents, disappointing people and there is a lot of guilt associated with the Christian or religious context in general around conversion therapy."

Professor Marguerite Johnson says a nation ban on gay conversion therapy is long overdue. ( Supplied: Professor Marguerite Johnson )

NSW seeks national approach on a ban at COAG

The NSW Government is seeking a national approach on gay conversion therapy and wants health officials to play a role.

In February, Victoria became the first state in Australia to outlaw LGBTIQ conversion therapy, but it will not be outlawed until next year.

At the time, the Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews described the practice as "bigoted quackery" acknowledging its potential for long-term psychological harm and distress.

NSW Labor has been pressuring the Liberal government in that state to follow Victoria's lead.

The Health Minister Brad Hazzard is seeking a national approach on gay conversion therapy and a potential ban. ( ABC TV )

The Health Minister Brad Hazzard responded by saying the Government would progress a national ban on so-called gay conversion therapy.

"NSW will take the issue of banning gay conversion therapy to the next Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Health Council meeting and seek to achieve a national approach, including consideration of the role for Health departments," Minister Hazzard said.

But it will be several months before the matter is raised, as the next COAG meeting is in November, in Perth.

While NSW does not currently ban gay conversion therapy, disciplinary proceedings can be taken against a health practitioner who provides services in an unethical manner.