Virginia Regulatory Town Hall View Comments

Department of Health Professions

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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5/7/19 8:13 pm

Commenter: JESSE A RABINOWITZ

Ban so-called Conversion Therapy

As a licensed psychologist, I support a ban on conversion therapy. It is not a free speech, freedom of conscience, or religious freedom issue. Licensed therapists are bound to provide therapy that has a basis in research and humane practice. Licensed therapists are legally bound to not harm their patients. Conversion therapy has been demonstrated to be harmful to LGBTQ people. "Conversion Therapy" is not grounded in science, but rather in religious bigotry. Religious leaders and institutions are free to treat their congregants disrespectfully, but therapists are not.

CommentID: 71955