Department of Health Professions
Board of Counseling
Regulations Governing the Practice of Professional Counseling
[18 VAC 115 ‑ 20]
| Action | Unprofessional conduct - conversion therapy |
| Stage | NOIRA |
| Comment Period | Ends 8/7/2019 |
 |
8/1/19 9:01 am
Commenter:
K Forbes
Please Ban this abusive practice
Please Ban this abusive practice
- This guidance will protect youth from so-called “conversion therapy,” a dangerous and discredited practice aimed at changing their sexual orientation or gender identity.
- These dangerous and discredited practices are based on the false claim that being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ) is a mental illness that needs to be cured—a view with no scientific basis.
- This guidance protects young people from state-licensed therapists in Virginia who falsely claim to parents and youth that being LGBTQ is a mental illness, and therefore taking advantage of parents and harming vulnerable youth.
- These harmful practices use rejection, shame, and psychological abuse to force young people to try and change who they are.
- These practices are known to be extremely dangerous and can lead to depression, decreased self-esteem, substance abuse, and even suicide attempts.
- No young person should ever be shamed by a mental health professional into thinking that who they are is wrong. Mental health professionals should provide care that is ethical and affirming for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender young people.
- We can’t allow one more young person to be targeted and hurt by these dangerous and discredited practices.
CommentID: 74683