As a licensed School Counselor in Virginia, I cannot stress enough how much a ban on conversion “therapy” is needed. This practice (I can’t call it therapy) harms our youth. These dangerous and discredited practices are based on the false claim that being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ) is a mental illness that needs to be cured—a view with no scientific basis.

This guidance protects young people from state-licensed therapists in Virginia who falsely claim to parents and youth that being LGBTQ is a mental illness, and therefore taking advantage of parents and harming vulnerable youth. Conversion “therapy” is not proven to be effective and is not a peer reviewed research-based method.

These harmful practices use rejection, shame, and psychological abuse to force young people to try and change who they are. These are not therapeutic methods and are not acceptable in a professional. No young person should ever be shamed by a mental health professional into thinking that who they are is wrong. Mental health professionals should provide care that is ethical and affirming for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender young people.

These practices are known to be extremely dangerous and can lead to depression, decreased self-esteem, substance abuse, and even suicide attempts.

We can’t allow one more young person to be targeted and hurt by these dangerous and discredited practices.

Please stand by your ethical obligation to protect and accept our youth and ban conversion “therapy.”