Close Button
NBCC Logo
  • National Certification
  • Examinations
  • State Licensure
  • Government Affairs
    • Government Affairs
    • Advocacy
    • Grassroots
    • Newsroom
    • Portability
  • Resources
    • Resources
    • Counselor Resources
    • Applicant Resources
    • Public Resources
    • CE Provider Resources
    • Ethics
    • Search Directories
    • CCE Academy
  • About
    • About
    • Board Members
    • Selected Staff
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
  • Login
  • Search
NBCC Logo
Login
NBCC Logo
Login
NBCC Logo
Login
NBCC Logo
Login
×
Search Directories
ACEP Directory Counselor Find Counselor Verify State Board Directory
National Certification
National Certification NCC NCSC CCMHC MAC Specialty Certifications Schedule Ethics
Examinations
Exams NCE NCMHCE Examinations Administration Accommodations Examinations Security Examinations Preparation DSM-5-TR Overview Subject Matter Experts Exam Sensitivity & Bias Authorization for Extension
State Licensure
State Licensure Exam Registration Military Health Systems State Board Directory NCE Handbook PDF NCMHCE Handbook PDF
Government Affairs
Government Affairs Federal Resources Federal Employment Federal Funding Indian Health Services Legislative Policy Map Medicare Military Health Systems Grassroots Action Center Newsroom Become an Advocacy Leader Communication Guide Portability Counseling Compact FAQ
Counselor Resources
Counselor Resources Benefits of National Certification Earn Continuing Education Certification Management Credentialing Gateway Awards Marketing Yourself Therapy Directory Digital Badges NBCC News Ethics FAQ The Professional Counselor Liability Insurance CCE Academy CE Credit Verification PDF
Applicant Resources
Applicants Resources FAQs for Applicants Student Information FAQs for Students Faculty Information FAQs for Faculty CACREP
Resources for the Public
Resources for the Public Community Resources Employer Resources
CE Provider Resources
CE Provider Resources Approved CE Providers CE Single Program CE Provider Applicants CE Provider Toolbox CE Applications CE Advertisements CE Provider Policy CE Calendar of Events
About
Board Members Selected Staff Careers Contact Us
  • Government Affairs
  • Federal Employment
  • Federal Funding
  • Indian Health Services
  • Medicare
  • Military Health Systems
  • TRICARE
  • Veterans Affairs
  • Grassroots
  • Action Center
  • Legislation
  • Counselor Advocacy Networker
  • Featured Article
  • Become an Advoacy Leader
  • Communication Guide PDF
  • Portability
  • Counseling Compact
  • FAQ
  • Portability Statement PDF

States Taking an Active Role in Banning Conversion Therapy

  1. Home
  2. GovtAffairs
  3. Newsroom
  4. states-taking-an-active-role-in-banning-conversion-therapy

Article Published: 2/12/2020

Conversion-Therapy-butter-banner.jpg

Conversion therapy, the controversial set of unproven and often harmful treatments that purport to “cure” same-sex attraction, is a practice that counselors and many other medical professionals have fought to ban for decades. Conversion therapy is already banned in 19 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Many municipalities and counties across the country have also banned the practice within their city or county limits. As state legislative sessions get underway for 2020, many more states are considering bills to outlaw conversion therapy.  

Most recently, on Jan. 21, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert (R) signed an executive order outlawing conversion therapy for minors in the state. The legislatures in Missouri and Oklahoma are currently considering banning the practice for minors in their states. The Virginia Board of Counseling has also released a statement declaring that practicing conversion therapy is punishable by disciplinary action from the board. This trend is likely to continue as public opinion polling shows Americans are overwhelmingly opposed to the practice.  

NBCC supports all bans on conversion therapy in all its forms. Conversion therapy directly contradicts every moral and ethical standard that mental health counselors are held to, including the NBCC Code of Ethics and the ACA Code of Ethics. Not only is the practice wholly based on unproven claims, it has been shown in multiple scientific studies to cause great mental and emotional harm to those who undergo it. Our Government Affairs team will continue to monitor all legislation concerning conversion therapy and advocate outlawing its practice.



Share On Social Media:




Read more articles »

NBCC
3 Terrace Way
Greensboro, North Carolina 27403

NBCC Facebook NBCC LinkedIn

  • More Information
  • Ethics
  • Careers
  • Newsletter
  • Policy Library
  • Reach Out
  • tel: +336-547-0607
  • fax: +336-547-0017
  • email: nbcc@nbcc.org

Visit Our Sites

CCE Icon
NBCC Icon
EBCC Icon

Cookie Policy Icon Manage Cookie Preferences

The information provided by the National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. (NBCC) on the nbcc.org website (site) is for general information purposes only. NBCC makes significant efforts to maintain current and accurate information on this site. We are not responsible for any information concerning NBCC or our programs, services, or activities that is published or displayed on any third-party website(s). These websites are maintained by third parties over which we exercise no control, and for which we have no responsibility. Individuals should verify any information obtained from third-party sources by referring to our official site or contacting our customer service team directly.

Copyright ©2025 National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. and Affiliates | All rights reserved.