Protecting the Public
Dear Anthony,
I wanted to thank you for writing such an interesting article in the November issue of Counseling Today regarding Life Coaches. I am a recent graduate in Community Counseling and just passed the LPC exam.
Here in Dallas, a lot of so-called “hypnotist/hypnotherapists” pass themselves off as therapists and life coaches. It’s amazing because they have NO clinical training to practice mental health. I’m wondering if there are any laws out there to protect the public.
For example, there is a guy in Dallas who is top listed on Google for Hypnotherapy.
The guy claims to be a “board certified hypnotherapist”…but in reality it requires no formal education nor licensure. If you look at his site, he claims to treat all kinds of clinical issues … including addictions. There are an awful lot of people out there claiming to by hypnotherapists, but are not licensed by the state to perform therapy. I’m wondering what I can do as a counselor to change this situation?
Sincerely,
Jeremy Porter
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Dear Jeremy,
Thank you so much for reading, and for your comments about, my column!
The issue of licensure you describe is complicated, evolving all the time, and differs by state.
In Massachusetts, where my practice was founded, the term “Mental Health Counseling” is regulated. However, other terms, such as “psychotherapy” and “counseling” have not always been regulated. Note: they might be now, but in my discussions with the board of licensure in the mid 2000s there were not regulated.
Hence, at that time persons could hang a shingle and provide services called “psychotherapy” or “counseling” and –depending on what they were actually doing—they might be working within the law. Truly, every time a term is regulated it seems someone comes up with a new title that’s note regulated. Consider “life coaching”, “mentorship”, “listening services”, “life consulting” or who knows what else.
It seems, you are having a similar experience, with someone providing services under the term “Hypnotherapy.”
However, regardless of the title one is using, they might still be in violation of laws for practicing medicine, or psychology / mental health services, without a license. It seems the person you’re citing is claiming to treat additions, depression, etc…. I’m not sure about your local laws, but it seems such claims might very well might cross the line in your state.
If you’re trying to practice in the same marketplace, I think that a good approach for you and other licensed mental health professionals (counselors, social workers, psychologists) is to emphasize your strengths to potential clients. This might include:
1 – Showing the difference in caliber of education and licensure you possess
2 – Being eligible to accept clients’ insurance (which unlicensed providers can’t do)
3 – Patient/Client Privilege — The legal protection of client privacy licensed counselors have, but others don’t.
Jeremy, I hope this helps!!
Sincerely,
Anthony
Dr. Anthony Centore
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Anthony Centore
If what you are saying is true why are we required to work 3000 hours for free before being allowed to get a license in CA. This is after paying 75,000 for a masters degree.
In NY, for a LMSW, we are required to do a 6,000 hour internship (free) and then work for another 2,000 hours post masters before we can get our private license (LCSW).
Yes! This is exactly the conclusion I have come to and thus my decision after 5 years to move beyond the license paradigm that holds back my personal practice and the practice of counseling as a healing modality.
A person seeking help from a counselor needs to due the legwork on checking out credentials. Different needs require different solutions. Governmental regulation surrounding licensure does not ensure that the practitioner will be more competent or protective of clients rights. One may understand the nuances of confidentiality etc. without having a governmental stamp of approval. Most people can pass a test offering the answers required to pass a test. Really?
I wouldn’t go to a science nerd who like to cut open lizards to have my gall bladder extracted. Please allow for the common sense of the consumer. It is not necessary for regulators to decide whether or not some fool can “practice” while a quality professional cannot because one doesn’t have a piece of paper.
Results speak for themselves. The medical model is changing in the 21st century and those holding onto old constructs will be left behind, impede progress or just plain miss the mark. What purpose does the outrage expressed here serve? It seems to feed the ego. Is that malpractice? Hmmmm.