Thank you, Virginia Board of Counseling, for taking this important action to protect vulnerable citizens from fraud. The consensus of the national professional organizations that represent counselors, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, social workers, and psychiatrists all oppose the use of conversion "therapies."  Ample scientific research has shown uneqivocally that attempts to change sexual orientation are harmful to the client and ineffective.  Counselors who advertise or practice conversion "therapies" are knowingly endangering their clients and promoting an ineffective approach.  This ban is an important step towards protecting Virginia citizens from harmful, fraudulent counseling services.