I feel very strongly that Reparative Therapy is a choice that every parent and every citizen should have. Some of the most important reasons are:

• Parents are closest to their children’s challenges and they are in the best position to identify solutions and to make healthcare decisions involving the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing of their children.
   
• Under Virginia law, parents have the fundamental right to make decisions regarding the upbringing, education and care of their children.
   
• Some young people may have attractions they desire to change or moderate. Others may simply desire counseling to live a chaste life.  In either instance, there should be options for families to make informed decisions.
   
• A ban would deny families the religious freedom to seek counseling aligned with their faith. 

Furthermore, imposing this ban through the regulatory agencies of the state eliminates the important discussion of the issue, which needs to take place,  by the General Assembly and effectively prevents the voices of Virginia citizens from being heard.