Pennsylvania Code
Title 49 - PROFESSIONAL AND VOCATIONAL STANDARDS
Part I - DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Subpart A - PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL AFFAIRS
Chapter 47 - STATE BOARD OF SOCIAL WORKERS, MARRIAGE AND FAMILYTHERAPISTS AND PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 47.5 - 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. 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 social workers, marriage and family therapists and professional counselors. Under section 11(a)(2) and (3) of the act (63 P.S. § 1911(a)(2) and (3)), the Board is authorized to discipline a licensee for being guilty of immoral or unprofessional conduct and for violating professional practice or conduct standards adopted by the Board, including §§ 47.71, 48.71 and 49.71 (relating to codes of ethical practice and professional conduct; code of ethical practice and professional conduct; and code of ethical practice and professional conduct).

(c) Guidelines. The following conversion therapy guidelines should be considered by licensees to ensure compliance with the act and the Board's regulations.