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
I stumbled upon this column and would like to leave a comment, as I have an alternate perspective on the conversation. I’ve personally struggled with anxiety for maybe 15 yrs. It has been a tough battle. Fortunately, I’ve made good progress and can now say with confidence that I’m moving in the right direction. Due to my hard work and education, I’ve learned a great deal that I can pass along to other people who are also suffering with anxiety. However, if I want to get licensed to help people, I have to pay a lot of money, go through a few years of training, and then hassle with insurance. Which means people who can benefit from my knowledge now will have to wait a while. Granted I will probably learn a lot through the process. But from someone who’s struggled with anxiety personally, there are few things anyone can teach me that I don’t already know (about anxiety). So, if someone comes to me and says he/she needs help, and is offerring to pay me some money to help them, where is the problem? If I’m not helping them, they can always stop working with me. Nobody is forcing anyone to go to any of these people. However, if they ARE helping people, then why not just let it be. I don’t understand why a license is so important. Isn’t whether or not they are helping people the important part?
I have struggled with anxiety and depression for over 25 years. I am also a Licensed Professional Counselor. Granted, my personal experiences can help others; however, “they” are not everything. I have gained incredible knowledge through the years by my own experiences, feedback, clients, trainings/seminars and schooling. It takes a combination of “gained knowledge” to better help an individual. “Counseling” someone because you can “relate” is not actual counseling. It is more of a support, good listener, encouragement, etc. There is MORE to counseling than “the naked eye can see” if you will. You would understand what I mean if you truly knew counseling/psychology. After 20 years, I continue to learn from education and others. People do not realize how unethical and dangerous counseling could be for someone if you do not know what you (counselor) are doing. There is much more to counseling than being able to relate to someone, good listener, supportive, an encourager and “helping” others. These are important traits of a good counselor; however, they are not everything. Knowledge through education is an important element of counseling. Being licensed is important for a variety of reasons. One reason is for the protection of the community/individuals/clients. Another reason is, “license” signifies training, education and the ability to apply skills. There is more to counseling than “surfing the web.” Yes, I have mental health issues and have learned a lot through the years to better help myself and others. This does NOT mean it makes me a “counselor.” What it does mean is it makes me a BETTER counselor (LPC). Also, I do want to say it takes a lot of time, compassion, dedication and education and yes, money to become a counselor. If someone handed me a gold metal for “looking things up,” it would not mean as much as if I actually “earned” it. Set goals for yourself and reach them. Do not expect to have things handed to you because you do not have the money, time, etc. I had to get student loans because of the money factor. It is important to not pretend you are a counselor because you can relate and have educated yourself. “Those” people who would have to wait for you to become a counselor would benefit; you can help people “to a point,” but know your limitations and when to suggest a licensed therapist/counselor.
No. Just saying. There are so many theories skill sets we are taught that actually you are morally, and ethically wrong.
Our first tenet is to do no harm. ALSO, there are many physical issues which mimic mental illness. That’s why all physical is ruled out first.
If you want to help, why are you wondering if you can take money for it. Morally, ethnically and LAWFULLY cannot be paid.
Without the thorough education, if you want money which this seems to be about, , drag out the tarot cards and you’ll be practicing BS! Just as well. Oh yes, open your ears and shut your mouth.
Do you want to know what I remember what I learned in my education that so far is 95 grand in student loans before a Masters? How well I can research and how well I can write an awesome essay using correct APA guidelines. I respectfully disagree with your opinion that because one has been through a life of hell with Complex PTSD and had to research what it actually was and why all of the licensed therapists and psychologists would only put me on medication for symptoms. I learned what it is and thanks to the hard work of people like Peter Levine and Pete Walker, Complex PTSD, and trauma-related issues are becoming more understood. I was very upset that the powers that be would not add Complex-PTSD to the DSM-5 even though it is extremely different than PTSD. It really breaks my heart for those people like myself that have been diagnosed with so many labels and are still suffering. I understand this is a Counseling site and there is bias but as a Coach, I don’t profess to be a therapist, I don’t diagnose, nor do I delve back into a client’s past making them re-live it over and over. I came across this website because I was searching for something related and I can’t even think about reading another post. If I had chosen to be a Life Coach with a niche of nutrition or weight loss, relationship problems or just being “stuck” in a job they hate, would you consider that malpractice or practicing without an MBA or Masters as a Dietitian? Just curious. Tony Robbins became a Life Coach because I swore he didn’t want his family to do without like he did as a child. I guess he is just money hungry, yes?
Darryl,
We all want an easy path to do what we love.
In fact, when I was in high school, I thought it would be great to be a psychiatrist. But I learned that to do that job, it required a medical degree and years of practical training. It wasn’t something that I could just start doing because I was a caring person who wanted to prescribe treatment to people.
If someone comes to me with anxiety and I know that they might benefit from a particular medication, I can’t just hand it to them. That would be very illegal and I would be practicing medicine without a license.
So, you ask, what is the problem with providing them with other types of clinical therapy without years of training? There are reasons for professional licensure in providing a standard of care. It is important to remember that being helpful isn’t the same thing as being a licensed and trained professional. They are miles apart.
hey
hey,
I too am a psychotherapist. I burned out big-time in 2005 having my second heart attack at work and was hauled out in an ambulance. I went back yet again at the same Max Security I had been at for 6.5 years. The last time out of the gates an inmate “trying to jump in” a gang nearly shanked me. I was his mark. Sure enough as the gang well knew, I kept turning around and telling him to stay back. Finally be came at me in a dead run and I straight armed him knocking him sliding on his butt straight into those whose job in the gang was to watch. They laughed at him! This wasn’t my first rodeo and they knew there wasn’t much chance he’d get the job done . Then they commenced heath g, kicking g, stabbing him before the guards could break it up.
I went through the next four gates without a thing showing on my face. I went straight to the DR into surgery to repair my wrist, elbow, shoulder, and kneck.
All those years i had never !let my nerve. I did then! Nervous breakdown, followed by two strokes, rehab twice over those.
Stress built so high i/& docs couldn’t keep my cortisol levels anywhere near level. Of course PTSD! DUH!
I kept my LPC CEUs (a d that damned TX. extra ethics test up for years keeping them on hold.
I went to get them out and was told on hold too long (latest update) and put my !license on null and void.
My name and number is still on the rosters
All that being said, I’d practiced all those years and the rug was jerked out from under me.
I was canned food at what I did. Offered to retake the exam and was told us have to go through my Masters and everything g used the sun as to through to get licensed again .
I dropped them.
While going through college at a 4.0 then practiced for 15 years I had been told we could still hang out shingle out as a psychotherapist only couldn’t see LPC.
I’VE looked over ALL of the rules and regs and still haven’t gotten a straight answer.
I need that shingle to go on about my business.
Newly acquired LPC above, (just licensed and upset with hypnotists etc, dare you bitch!
As LP C it’s against the licensing board to do that. I can but dont/didnt.
Now I’m trying to find my nitch at the only thing I’ve ever did.
Dang straight I’m PISSED off especially at still wet behind the ears who has little if no experience. This career is for NON WHINERS and we lose a part of ourselves the longer we are at it until that is who and what we are.I love my career and of course i want to keep on.
Question is has the board changed their minds yet again?
You
Heres an article about legal practice which may help, [link removed].
Greetings Howard,
I removed the link for a few reasons. First, it didn’t seem relevant to the conversation–as it was about Online Counseling. Also, Dr. Jason Zack–who I’ve known for nearly 10 years–left the field about 7 years ago! Hence, the article is severely dated (I think it’s from the 90’s). 🙂