Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Health Professions
 
Board
Multiple Boards
Guidance Document Change: Consistent with the established position of the NASW, the Board considers “conversion therapy” or “sexual orientation change efforts” to be services that have the potential to be a danger to clients, especially minors. Thus, under regulations governing practitioners licensed or registered by the Board, practicing conversion therapy/sexual orientation change efforts with minors could result in a finding of misconduct and disciplinary action against the licensee or registrant.
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5/10/19  9:53 pm
Commenter: Sara Mickle

Ban Conversion Therapy for Minors
 
Gender and sexuality are certainly hot button topics. While I respect that many commenters feel this limits parental rights, I feel strongly that is an overblown concern. Parents are still able to provide religious and spiritual guidance at home they simply aren't able to bolster these efforts with mental health professionals. There is a clear correlation between conversion therapy and increased suicide in minors. Homosexuality was removed as a mental health diagnosis many years ago. "Therapy" to cure what isn't an illness at an increased risk of suicide is something the mental health community should not condone.
CommentID: 72121