Conversion therapy is an unethical practice whereby a practitioner tries to change a patient's sexual orientation, following from the outdated notion that attraction to same-sex individuals is an illness. Critically, conversion therapy has no evidence supporting its efficacy (see https://www.jmronline.org/doi/full/10.30770/2572-1852-102.2.7). This is NOT a question of free speech - as suggested by other commenters - because free speech does not cover practicing "treatments" that are unethical.

This outdated and unethical practice should be banned in the state of Virginia, not only because it promotes the idea that LGBTQ people are ill, but also because it allows practitioners to practice ineffective "treatments." We would not allow a medical doctor to perform outdated medical practices that do not show efficacy - why would we hold our counselors to a lower bar? Conversion therapy should be banned in the state of Virginia.