Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Health Professions
 
Board
Board of Psychology
 
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3/20/19  5:59 pm
Commenter: G - Former Conversion Therapy Victim

Ban Conversion Therapy
 

As a 15 year old I was placed in a coversion therapy program as reparation for my 'sins', it failed. It was pure torture and hell. It was the will of my parents and a sham health care religious 'professional" Now as an adult, I have been able to work through the damage done.  It was nothing more than a life altering painful period of time that has driven me away from my family and from that religionous portion of people.

Conversion therapy is a dangerous and discredited practice. According to the American Psychiatric Association, “the potential risks of reparative therapy are great, including depression, anxiety and self-destructive behavior, since therapist alignment with societal prejudices against homosexuality may reinforce self-hatred already experienced by the patient.”  The Pan American Health Organization says that conversion therapy "lack[s] medical justification and represent[s] a serious threat to the health and well-being of affected people.” Conversion therapy causes significant harm to vulnerable youth and it is antithetical to the values of our great Commonwealth.

 

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