Testimony of Dr.

Andrew Livanis
New York Association of School Psychologists
Good Afternoon Assemblymember Glick, Senator Hoylman, and Senator Gianaris. My name is
Dr. Andrew Livanis and I am Chair of the Counseling and School Psychology Department at
LIU/Brooklyn. I am also a constituent of Senator Gianaris.
I am pleased to offer these brief remarks on behalf of the New York Association of School
Psychologists, which supports the New York State Legislatures efforts to prohibit mental health
professionals from engaging in sexual orientation change efforts with a patient under the age of
eighteen years.
Sexual orientation change efforts with youth create a perception that there is something wrong or
disordered within the individual. Among numerous documents, the National Association of
School Psychologists Safe Schools for Transgender and Gender Diverse Students position
statement acknowledges that neither having a transgender identity, nor being perceived as gender
diverse is a disorder, and that efforts to change a persons gender identity are ineffective,
harmful, and discriminatory. Indeed, not only are school psychologists banned from doing harm,
they are obliged to advocate for the needs of LGBTQ youth.
Efforts to change sexual orientation have been shown to cause harm and do not adhere to NASP
policies regarding supporting youth in developing their identity. School psychologists agree with
the Pan American Health Organizations statement which indicates that while every expression
of homophobia is regrettable, harms caused by health professionals as a result of ignorance,
prejudice, or intolerance are absolutely unacceptable and must be avoided by all means. Not only
is it fundamentally important that every person who uses health services be treated with dignity
and respect; it is also critical to prevent the application of theories and models that view
homosexuality as a deviation or a choice that can be modified through will power or
supposed therapeutic support.
School psychologists are often the first mental health professional that youth encounter when
faced with life challenges. LGBTQ or other gender diverse youth are often faced with additional
difficulties beyond those of their heterosexual peers. School psychologists play a critical role in
supporting these youth.

Therefore, the New York Association of School Psychologists would welcome further
conversation with legislators regarding non-discriminatory and effective therapeutic
interventions for LGBTQ youth who may need support in coping with life challenges, as well as
supporting the development of resiliency strategies. In addition to these comments, I have
provided a support memo from the New York Association of School Psychologists and two
position statements on LGBTQ and Gender Diverse Youth from the National Association of
School Psychologists.
Thank you.