Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
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Department of Health Professions
 
Board
Board of Psychology
 
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3/20/19  9:26 am
Commenter: Helen Rich, PhD Candidate

Science clearly supports the banning of "conversion therapy"
 

The American Psychological Association's 2009 report (ten years old!) is very clear on the fact that there is insufficient evidence to support the use of "conversion therapy" in treating minors who experience same-sex attraction. If such attraction is unwanted, psychologists have other resources and methods for helping the minor in question. From the report:

 

"The task force conducted a systematic review of the peer-reviewed journal literature on sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) and concluded that efforts to change sexual orientation are unlikely to be successful and involve some risk of harm, contrary to the claims of SOCE practitioners and advocates.

Even though the research and clinical literature demonstrate that same-sex sexual and romantic attractions, feelings and behaviors are normal and positive variations of human sexuality, regardless of sexual orientation identity, the task force concluded that the population that undergoes SOCE tends to have strongly conservative religious views that lead them to seek to change their sexual orientation.

Thus, the appropriate application of affirmative therapeutic interventions for those who seek SOCE involves therapist acceptance, support and understanding of clients and the facilitation of clients’ active coping, social support and identity exploration and development, without imposing a specific sexual orientation identity outcome."

 

https://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/resources/sexual-orientation

CommentID: 70420