I oppose the suggested changes to the social workers regulations as these changes would:
1. deny social workers their freedom to help those who want counseling to overcome unwanted same-sex attraction or gender confusion. These are competent adults who serve the general public at critical times, when counsel is a vital first step to aiding any individual in crisis.
2. prevent parents from getting help for their child as they deem best. This approach allows the state to "assume custody" of a child and make life-changing decisions for that child rather than allow parents to respond to the child they know well and understand. Not every comment a child makes is reality; our youth struggle through many things in their minds, and simply need guidance. Who best to help them receive guidance than the parents, who know them best?
3. deny patients with unwanted same-sex attraction or gender confusion the ability to get the desired counseling to overcome these feelings. How cruel to counsel an individual to desire those UNWANTED feelings! Would you counsel someone with unwanted suicidal thoughts to embrace those thoughts? NO. Counseling should never be about promoting anyone's agenda. It must remain about helping the patient toward healing and recovery. To require a counselor to always provide one approach to a multitude of patients is to provide indoctrination, not counseling.

4. It contradicts the U.S. Constitution, Virginia Statutes, and will of Virginians and their elected representatives in the General Assembly. When the bureaucracy tries to override the citizens and their elected governing bodies, it is usurping its authority. This is clearly the work of a group with an agenda.