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
Can a post Doc Psychology student bill insurance for therapy session if not supervised by a licensed clinician?
Does supervision mean that the licensed psychologist is in the building or direct line of site when the services are being performed?
Does this rule change by State to State
Quote, “I did not want to wait another 4 years to practice… so a [friend] said I should be a Life Coach.” That’s it-, right there in a nutshell. Some of us are willing to put in the time and work to get the requisite education and experience and others aren’t. Many therapists have personal histories with trauma (much more so than the general population) but you learn not to self-disclose because therapy is not about you, it’s about your client. Yes, it takes about 10 years to get the necessary education and experience to assess, diagnose and treat… Some individuals are good self-promoters and that’s their prerogative… but I’m personally glad that I put the work in for my clients. My personal life experience (though extensive) and 2 bachelor degrees were certainly not enough to mess with lives in this intimate way. Science and empirical research guide these boards. If one’s choices are made based on not wanting to put time and energy in (whether in reference to your career, relationships, or whatever) it is possible that motivations are misplaced?
Well, in most jurisdictions in the US, ordained ministers can practice “spiritual counseling” and “pastoral counseling” without the need for a mental healthcare license. And the more progressive ones incorporate modern counseling techniques such as NLP, EFT, CBT, hypnosis, energy healing, etc. It isn’t always about “repent for your sins” or “have more faith” kind of advice. Times have changed.