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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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8/5/19  8:33 pm
Commenter: Bruce

Conversion Therapy
 

In approving its recent Guidance Document, the Board shamelessly asserted  that counselors who help clients overcome their unwanted sexual desires are providing a service that "does not work and can cause harm." In fact the very opposite is true! 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 their underlying issues. The Changed movement 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. 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: 75051