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  1:00 pm
Commenter: Brandy Smith

Conversion therapy is unethical
 

Conversion therapy is an unethical practice. Being queer IS NOT a mental illness and there for is not something to be fixed or cured. You can ask any survivor of a conversion therapy camp about the horrific things that had been done to them, either verbal, emotionally, or even psychically. In 2012, WHO issued a statement saying that conversion therapy  poses a "severe threat to the health and human rights of the affected persons." Many other psychological organizations have opposed and denounced the practice. There have also been many scientific studies done to disprove the effectiveness of conversion therapy as well. Besides the science and surveys, listen to the victims. That is your best source of how unethical and cruel this practice is. Many teens (Like Leelah Alcorn) have committed suicide after suffering at the hands of adults of these camps. Our living survivors are the lucky ones. 

CommentID: 75351