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Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Health Professions
 
Board
Board of Counseling
 
chapter
Regulations Governing the Practice of Professional Counseling [18 VAC 115 ‑ 20]
Action Unprofessional conduct - conversion therapy
Stage NOIRA
Comment Period Ended on 8/7/2019
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8/1/19  9:53 pm
Commenter: Jack Slimp

Misguided regulations
 

Why is the state Board of Counseling moving forward with its new Guidance Document threatening to punish any licensed counselor who tries to help a young person overcome their unwanted sexual attractions or to feel comfortable with the gender God made them – despite the large majority of comments opposing this politically-motivated policy!?  To suggest that biologically-affirming counseling does not work is an insult to the countless people whose lives have been transformed through conversation-based counseling that helps a person address the underlying issues. The Changed movement - a growing group of overcomers who used to identify as LGBTQ - provides conclusive proof of the transformative power of faith-and-science-based counseling that is helping so many people walk away from feelings and identifications from which they seek to be free.  The Board members’ personal ideological biases against biologically-affirming and faith-based counseling should not be a valid basis for denying it to patients who are seeking it, or for punishing licensed counselors who are called to compassionately help them find it.

CommentID: 74773