§ 8351. Definitions

As used in this chapter:

(1) “Conversion therapy” means any practice by a mental health care provider that seeks to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity, including efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions or to change sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same sex or gender. “Conversion therapy” does not include psychotherapies that:

(A) provide support to an individual undergoing gender transition; or

(B) provide acceptance, support, and understanding of clients or the facilitation of clients’ coping, social support, and identity exploration and development, including sexual-orientation-neutral or gender-identity-neutral interventions to prevent or address unlawful conduct or unsafe sexual practices without seeking to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

(2) “Mental health care provider” means a person licensed to practice medicine pursuant to 26 Vt. Stat. Ann. chapter 23, 33, or 81 who specializes in the practice of psychiatry; a psychologist, a psychologist-doctorate, or a psychologist-master as defined in 26 V.S.A. § 3001; a clinical social worker as defined in 26 V.S.A. § 3201; a clinical mental health counselor as defined in 26 V.S.A. § 3261; a licensed marriage and family therapist as defined in 26 V.S.A. § 4031; a psychoanalyst as defined in 26 V.S.A. § 4051; any other allied mental health professional; or a student, intern, or trainee of any such profession. (Added 2015, No. 138 (Adj. Sess.), § 2.)