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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8/7/19  4:51 pm
Commenter: Charlotte Chow

Impose no ban on counselors’ speech
 

No ban should be imposed on counselors, especially about possible transgenderism. In order to make good decisions parents and clients need help suited to themselves and their family. It is quite unhelpful to ban any of what counselors can say on these issues. If the client does not like a particular counselor, they can find another, but a ban on speech will effectively disallow this. Clients have the right to seek the counseling they are looking for. A ban will leave them with no acceptable help available. Counselors also have the right to do give the best help they can. How can they do that, if they are gagged by regulations? Do we still have a First Amendment, or not? 

CommentID: 75459