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 am at the time between my MS classwork for MFT and licensure. What can I call myself? I have looked at my state’s requirements, but they are pretty vague. Can I call myself and MFT (not LMFT), or a Student Intern?
My 16 year old daughter was just called by her therapist who told her she can longer see her because when she moved from TX to MO recently, her licensure did not transfer and she needs to satisfy those requirements before she is licensed in MO. My question is am I legally obligated to pay for services she rendered without appropriate licensure? Also, VERY unprofessional that I have not been contacted since my daughter is a minor!
I’m EXTREMELY disturbed by Jeremy’s letter and position that no one should be allowed to give advice unless they have been educated and licensed by the state. This world truly is becoming a medical police state and the arrogance of people like him, along with those whose real interest is in destroying the competition, is the reason for it. Let me bring to your awareness one very important FACT. You do not own me. You do not own other people. It is OUR CHOICE whose advice we seek. If we DESIRED your “protection”, we would come to people like you, asking who we should or should not trust. We would CHOOSE only to listen to people you approve of. I have CLEARLY seen how the advice of “licensed professionals” has RUINED the lives of so many….sickened them further, mentally and physically with bad advice and chemical poisoning aka “meds”. You people are so incredibly arrogant that you believe it is your right to “protect” us by making it illegal for us to seek advice from others. This is horrendous. What is next?… Labeling people who think as I do as having some kind of mental illness?? Oh, wait! I think you’ve already done that…or are in the process of doing it, if not! Let me tell you what you can do with your plan to criminalize and put in CAGES those whose advice is different from your own. You can stick it where the sun doesn’t shine and please….please go see a head doctor, medicine man, witch doctor…whoever you want, but please get help for the REAL mental illness that drives you to pursue such violence and control over others.