§ 41.62. Conversion therapy, sexual orientation change efforts and reparative therapy—statement of policy.
(a) Background. Conversion therapy, also known as sexual orientation change efforts or reparative therapy, poses critical health risks to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex and asexual individuals, including suicidality, substance abuse, confusion, depression, guilt, helplessness, hopelessness, shame, social withdrawal, stress, disappointment, self-blame, decreased self-esteem and authenticity to others, increased self-hatred, hostility and blame toward parents, feelings of anger and betrayal, loss of friends and potential romantic partners, problems with sexual and emotional intimacy, sexual dysfunction, high-risk sexual behaviors, a feeling of being dehumanized and untrue to self, a loss of faith and a sense of having wasted time and resources. The American Psychological Association has resolved that there is insufficient evidence to support the use of psychological interventions to change sexual orientation and encourages mental health professionals to avoid misrepresenting the efficacy of sexual orientation change efforts by promoting or promising change in sexual orientation when providing assistance to individuals. Due to the lack of scientific evidence supporting conversion therapy and the risk of harm to minors, the practice of conversion therapy is strongly opposed by the American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, American College of Physicians, American Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Psychoanalytic Association, American Psychological Association, National Association of Social Workers, Pan American Health Organization and the World Psychiatric Association.
(b) Board authority. The Board has statutory authority to license, regulate and discipline psychologists in this Commonwealth. Under section 8(a)(9) of the act (63 P.S. § 1208(a)(9)), the Board is authorized to discipline a licensee for violating a regulation promulgated by the Board, including the Board’s ethical regulations under § 41.61 (relating to code of ethics). The Board is also authorized under section 8(a)(11) to discipline a licensee for engaging in immoral or unprofessional conduct.
(c) Guidelines. The following conversion therapy guidelines should be considered by licensees to ensure compliance with the act and the Board’s regulations:
(1) Being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex or asexual is not a disease, disorder, illness, deficiency or shortcoming.
(2) Conversion therapy includes the following conduct:
(i) A practice or treatment that seeks to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
(ii) An effort to change the behavioral expression of an individual’s sexual orientation, change gender expression, or eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same gender.
(3) Conversion therapy does not include a practice or treatment that provides counseling for an individual undergoing gender transition, counseling that provides acceptance, support, and understanding, or the facilitation of coping, social support, and identity exploration and development, including sexual orientation-neutral interventions to prevent or address unlawful conduct or unsafe sexual practices. Conversion therapy does not include a practice that does not seek to change sexual orientation or gender identity.
(4) In a disciplinary action brought against a licensee, the Board may find the use of conversion therapy on an individual under 18 years of age to be unethical, immoral or unprofessional conduct. A licensee who uses conversion therapy on an individual under 18 years of age may be subject to discipline by the Board.
Authority The provisions of this § 41.62 added under sections 3.2(2) and 8(a)(11) of the Professional Psychologists Practice Act (63 P.S. § § 1203.2(2) and 1208(a)(11)).
Source The provisions of this § 41.62 added June 7, 2024, effective June 8, 2024, 54 Pa.B. 3167.
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