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
Further, I took Howard’s advice on researching the ACEP, EFT, etc., and I found that research is showing tremendous results and benefits for clients through EFT.
Further, “As of November 11, 2012, ACEP is approved by the APA to offer CE credits for psychologists.”
I am leaning toward non-licensure even though I have an MS in counseling psychology. I agree with Cheryl’s comment in that licensure is geared toward insurance billing and diagnoses (labels), not one’s ability to provide quality services. I am well-educated, passed comprehensives with flying colors, and have no doubt as to my ability to pass the National Exam as well. However, it is a part of a broken system that I have lost faith in and I’m not sure I want to be a part of it by participating in it. Insurance companies are now the primary caregivers by being given the power to decide who can and cannot receive services and what services they can or cannot receive. By opting out of that system, the red tape is completely gone and clients can receive the care they deserve.
Hello Rene! I am very interested in where you are practicing and how the non- licensed process is going. I share your point of view on insurance, and although I will soon have my license in TN, I am
Moving to VA soon and the reciprocity process is severely unkind. I am wondering about practicing without a license. Would you be willing to contact me?
Hi Corinne,
I am of the same mind. I have gone to many licensed counselors and have not obtained much satisfaction. I believe the counseling model taught in college is mistaken, for a number of reasons, and is based upon some errant assumptions that undermine the very process. Based on my frustrating experiences as a client, I feel I myself could be a good counselor and I also think I would very much enjoy counseling others.
Persons with serious mental health issues would be referred to the appropriate professional.
Hello Corinne, Rene’, and Elizabeth,
I also find myself in a similar predicament. I sought my master’s in counseling from another state. I believe in the holistic/integrative perspective and 10 years ago, my state didn’t offer this program. Unfortunately, though I graduated 5 years ago and have been practicing counseling at agencies ever since, I am finding it nearly impossible to get licensed. It seems that each year, they add a new requirement and my degree is becoming increasingly out of compliance. I consider myself highly qualified – I graduated with honor’s and my clients/coworkers/supervisors give me nothing but positive reviews. I, too, would like to find a creative way around this licensure red-tape/gatekeeping. Right now, my best bet appears to be getting life coach certification and training in specific healing modalities. The only other option is to move to a state that has less strict regulations and getting licensed there.
I think it’s also important to note that the PRIMARY reason for licensure is to bill insurance companies, which also requires assigning a diagnosis to clients. There are some Masters Level counselors who do not subscribe to diagnosing and take a more holistic approach to treating individuals and their mental health needs. To get a Masters degree, most programs require a 600+ clinical internship working in a mental health setting in addition to 60 credit degree requirements, which provides extensive training and exposure. Just because a Masters level counselor chooses not to obtain a license (again — main purpose being to bill insurance) does not mean they cannot provide safe, effective services to those in need.
Thank you, Cheryl! The monopoly on people’s emotions is almost as horrible as the monopoly on Cancer and rather a person who has been helped to survive it by a non-physician can then be said to have been “cured”! Greed is the bane of the human condition! I definitely am going to be an unlicensed help to society as the true menace is those who want people to suffer because we all know a piece of paper helps their jealousy relent into passionate care for all – oh, no it doesn’t! I actually gave up a massage license after seeing how red tapped that field got and lord knows it needed some help! I think a “professional” needs to assess their needs, alliances, territories, formalities, client structures and clinical styles BEFORE doing anything at all. Do your research THOROUGHLY as not every professor was exceptional in my formal education and there are many licensed and certified professionals who know nothing about running a successful business where client care is the most important detail, not just which code to input in the insurance system to receive a paycheck! Licensed therapists get closed down as do doctors, lawyers and any other profession that falls off the cliff of ethical practice. Some people got it, others don’t so make your commitment that is persuasive to your conscience, your ethical well being and your professional obligations. Experience ranks way higher than a book of codes. The codes just make money faster. There are good, solid benefits to both sides and the client should be encouraged to research and offer their feedback into their own process as much as possible.