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
– – –
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
Let’s keep in touch! Sign up to receive our newsletter:
Anthony Centore
Helping someone is a bit of funny thing. Sometimes, diagnosis and formal counselling is the least helpful intervention. Many of the formalities that come with the way we have structured our helping profession are restrictive and unhelpful for creating real change. HIPPA laws, the fear of litigation… these things hold us back from talking to who we need to talk to and helping in the ways we know make a difference. Some of the most incredibly innovative and helpful individuals I’ve experienced have been able to be that way because they are NOT governed by all the restrictions that come with formal psychology or licensing. Sadly, though, i can’t think of a solution for how to allow these brilliant minds to continue to do what they are naturally gifted to do, whilst restricting the harm done by those that think they are good at helping, when they are in actual fact, quite harmful.
I’m not saying it’s possible or that it hasn’t been tried or that to do so might diminish the gift these others bring to the table & so forth & so on, but for what it’s worth, is it really so hard to figure out a solution to bureaucratic nonsense?
I’ve worked with educated/trained counselors and uneducated counselors for several years. I no longer care if the person is paper qualified. I go by their results. I personally know educated counselors that should not be in the field, and I know untrained persons which have a natural talent of knowing…
It’s just like anything else…. some people have a good knack at it and some don’t.
Real life experience and wisdom are the best keys.
My ex girlfriend and I were seeking couples therapy. She has a great friend of 30+ years and she suggested that we use her. I was not into the idea of being counseled by her good friend but she told me that she was what she wanted and I was just happy to start anything to help us with communication.
I said yes and we started. She lived a couple states away and it was one hour phone sessions each. She would not do couples until she said she was ready. She email both of us these 30+ page questionnaires to fill out and send back. We did.
On my first consult I immediately told her about my 2 1/2 years of intense therapy I had done 2 years prior with a renowned psychiatrist and a LPC and a CSW. I really hit my therapy hard. Seeing my CSW and LPC once a week for 3-4 hours combined. While seeing my psychiatrist twice a month for 1 hour sessions.
I seen the CSW for just over a year while seeing both others for that time and a year and half longer. Pretty intense and I learned a lot about myself and psychology. I was formerly diagnosed with PTSD, OCD, Anxiety disorder and severe abandonment, the daze of my diagnosis.
After I told her about my diagnosis she said she does not put labels on feelings ind issues but only talks about feelings. We did a couple sessions and she then wanted to fly out and do a one on one in person together. We agreed and I started planning.
She had also told us her fee. It’s was $50.00 hr for my ex and $75.00 hr for me. I agreed and sent her a payment of $1000.00 to show my dedication.
After the 3rd session I realized that I was only being told to do whatever made my ex happy and what could I do to make life easier for her. I asked,”what about me, what about my needs and when do I have my issues met.” She said that my needs are not of the most concern and if I wanted my ex to remain in the relationship I should focus on her needs. I disagreed and ended the sessions.
My ex continued to council with her for 1 1/2 years. As friends and advice. She actually talked to her immediately after and during arguments. The councilor during this time period began to tell her that I was bipolar, paranoid schizophrenic, narcissistic, and many others depending on the argument.
She also told her that my therapy I had done was a waste of time and money. That I didn’t learn anything from it and that I was misdiagnosed and my mental health providers did not know what they were doing.
This continued for about 6-8 months and I was a mess. I was being told these things on a regular basis and I was a mess. I began reading about all of these things and believing it.
Then after a couple of times she had already left me and I gave her money each time 7-10k every time. We had a big fight and she was moving out again. It was a ugly fight with each threatening each other and confrontational. I did push her back from her yelling in my face and she fell onto the bed. I had crossed the line!!
I proceeded to leave the house and was headed to a friends house 3 hours away and told her that I would not return until she had gotten her things and moved out so there wouldn’t be any chance of that happening.
Her and the counselor friend had both sent me text messages saying this, my ex,”if you don’t leave me with $10,000.00 before you leave I’m calling the police and having you arrested. If you give it to me now I will leave tonight and if you don’t I’m calling police and I will not move out and you won’t be able to get your things back”. The counselor had also sent messages telling me about domestic violence the consequences and stuff like that and then provided me with her bank account information and a deadline for me to do it. Extortion!!
I did not comply with their demands. They then decided to take a bunch of expensive belongings and then gave me prices for their returns. As embarrassing as it is I engaged with some of it and got some things back. One my brand new dirt bike that was in my ex’s name. $7500.00. My engagement ring that she took and I had never proposed to her for $10,000.00. The ring cost double.
It continues. I was roped back into it again and I chased her down and wanted more abuse I guess. My fault. But my ex and I engaged again a couple weeks later and I moved after her. Now in the same town as the counselor. They continued to tell me everything wrong with me. Kept me in a constant state of abandonment and anxiety. I isolated myself from everyone and everything. I would lash out with emotional abuse. Telling her what she is doing to me. Telling her about her past and what she has done in a hurtful manner. She would ignore me until I got to the point of texting 100 times or more a day. She would only respond when I was ugly. The counselor friend was at her side the entire time.
They got at least another $40,000.00 from me. I know I’m stupid and I have a huge part in enabling this to happen. I have accountability and a lot of it.
I was being told it’s my fault. I deserve it. I’m a horrible person. I’m worthless and can never be better. Beat me down to the point of suicidal thoughts and actions. My doctor has me on the highest dosage he can on my medication. She has finally got everything that she can and has destroyed me along the way. I right now still contemplate suicide because of all my past trauma.
I am seeing a real therapist, actually one that I got my ex to see with me for 4 sessions and her and her friend convinced me that she didn’t know what she was talking about and not helping us so we quit. She appalled and furious about what has happened. She is strongly advising me to take actions. I know about the legal situation with extortion. And I don’t know if I can do that to my ex she does have kids and a 7 year old daughter that I love very much. I have a couple different attorneys and trying to figure it out.
The counselor has her company set up as consulting and she considers herself a life coach. I don’t think her company is real because I can’t find anything about it online. Her profile page says that she went to college and she also has been certified by some retreat type thing. I’ve contacted the Idaho mental health board and since she is not licensed they cannot assist me.
I want to hold this life coach accountable for her actions but I don’t know how. She is also a big part of kids programs here in the community and she even does seminars with children and in schools. I’m not ok with this. No education whatsoever and she can teach and council our children. Please help. There is so much more that I could type for hours.
Dear Hartley,
I am so sorry that you’re going through such a nightmare. I wish I did, but I haven’t any way to help you except to offer the support of a stranger by saying that I hope you have or do resolve your painful issues soon & may God bless you with His mercy & grace! Merry Christmas!