As an ordained minister, an educator, and a human being I strongly support licensure for music therapists as a way of ensuring compassionate, effective care for the wide range of clinical needs that music therapy addresses.  Licensure that represents standards of education and training is crucial as a protection for vulnerable individuals in our society against misrepresentation and clinical harm, and the continuing education requirements of the CBMT represent an affirmation of that belief.

I am exceedingly concerned, however, about the removal of language banning so-called "conversion therapy."  Not a single medical professional organization approves these tactics as safe, never mind effective, and in our current cultural climate the explicit protection of the most vulnerable members of our society is of paramount importance.

"Conversion therapy" does not convert, nor is it therapeutic, and we who commit our lives to caring for the vulnerable must be crystal-clear in our rejection of this abusive quackery.  It is imperative that the language that prohibits music therapists from offering conversion therapy to youth be restored.