The practice of conversion therapy has been unequivocally and officially opposed for at least two decades by the American Psychiatric Association, first in their 1998 position statement: "APA opposes any psychiatric treatment, such as “reparative” or “conversion” therapy, that is based on the assumption that homosexuality per se is a mental disorder or is based on the a priori assumption that the patient should change his or her homosexual orientation”, and again in 2013: "The American Psychiatric Association does not believe that same-sex orientation should or needs to be changed, and efforts to do so represent a significant risk of harm by subjecting individuals to forms of treatment which have not been scientifically validated and by undermining self-esteem when sexual orientation fails to change. No credible evidence exists that any mental health intervention can reliably and safely change sexual orientation; nor, from a mental health perspective does sexual orientation need to be changed” (American Psychiatric Association, 2018).  

Additionally, the American Psychological Association opposes the use of conversion or reparative therapies - “So-called reparative therapies are aimed at ‘fixing’ something that is not a mental illness and therefore does not require therapy. There is insufficient scientific evidence that they work, and they have the potential to harm the client,” said APA 2015 President Barry S. Anton, PhD. “APA has and will continue to call on mental health professionals to work to reduce misunderstanding about and prejudice toward gay and transgender people” (American Psychological Association, 2015).

The job of a professional therapist, psychiatrist, or psychologist is to provide the best evidence-based treatment for their patients, regardless of the personal, religious, or moral feelings of the patient, their family, or the therapist themselves.  There is no evidence to support the incorrect and damaging idea that a person's sexual orientation can be, much less needs to be "fixed", but there is ample evidence that such therapies are damaging, dangerous, and even potentially deadly.  A November 2018 study in Journal of Homosexuality found strong evidence that adolescent experience with conversion therapy leads to a unfavorable mental health outcomes as adults, stating "Attempts by parents/caregivers and being sent to therapists and religious leaders for conversion interventions were associated with depression, suicidal thoughts, suicidal attempts, less educational attainment, and less weekly income" (Ryan, Toomey, Diaz, & Russell, 2018).

Conversion therapy intended to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity must be banned outright throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, and any therapist, psychiatrist, or psychologist who promotes or suggests conversion or reparative therapy as a treatment option, especially when dealing with children or adolescents, should not be allowed to continue treating patients.

Reference

American Psychiatric Association. (2018). APA reiterates strong opposition to conversion therapy. Retrieved from https://www.psychiatry.org/newsroom/news-releases/apa-reiterates-strong-opposition-to-conversion-therapy

American Psychological Association. (2015). American Psychological Association applauds President Obama's call to end use of therapies intended to change sexual orientation. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2015/04/therapies-sexual-orientation

Ryan, C., Toomey, R.B., Diaz, R.M., & Russell, S.T. (2018). Parent-initiated sexual orientation change efforts with LGBT adolescents: Implications for youn adult mental health and adjustment. Journal of Homosexuality, 1-15. doi: 10.1080/00918369.2018.