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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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8/2/19  1:11 pm
Commenter: Sandra Wiggins

People Should Retain Choices for Self-Determination
 

There are two kinds of professional counselors or psychotherapists:  those that empower clients on their journey and those who push a specific agenda. The latter may be unethical but this is already covered in existing regulations.

People, especially young people, should have the right to self-determination in the context of their own chosen religious or philosophical belief framework.

Certainly individuals should not be forced to see any particular therapist, but this is usually a parental oversight issue with minors and not one with an ethical professional therapist, whether they work with minors or adults.

Attempting to micromanage what goes on in the privacy of a therapeutic relationship is not helpful. Coercion of any kind is unethical, but this is addressed in existing regulations.

CommentID: 74857