There is no scientific evidence backing conversion therapy as a credible or useful form of psychological treatment. Instead, the evidence suggests that conversion therapy poses a huge risk to LGBTQ+ individuals, including increasing symptoms of depression, substance abuse, risky behavior, social withdrawal, and suicidal behavior, and decreasing self esteem. Nearly all of the nation’s leading mental health associations, including the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, the American Counseling Association, the National Association of Social Workers, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy have examined conversion therapy and found this practice to be incredible harmful and dangerous. At this time, 18 states have laws banning conversion therapy, and as a future clinical psychologist, I urge the Virginia legislature to follow suit in banning conversion therapy.