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
So I have a question I want to be a therapist but I kinda wanna get a feel for it. If I post something on Facebook and say that I’m giving free advice for people who need help would that be wrong
True story people:
I have a friend in the Santa Cruz mountains whose house parcels are each half acre. I visit her a couple times a week. Every time I’m there roughly around 8pm the yelling starts. It’s something you can’t imagine until you hear it. It was at the point I asked is this for real? My friend chuckled and said yes but it will only last a couple of minutes. She said the funny thing is they are both family marriage counselors. Unbelievable.:)
hello 🙂 I believe in alternatives and choices. I have an MA in both art therapy and counseling. I also have training as a clinical hypnotherapist. I believe mental health in the US is a mess. The Western material model is not the only model. Where does ‘mindfulness’ come from? We know so little about anything _really_ and there are many powerful wisdom traditions with real potential for helping humanity. I think it is important that a degree or schooling not become your full identity. It can be an accomplishment and something to be proud of but we will always be changing, growing and learning, I know I will be.
I have had bad experiences with medical doctors and often known more about my chronic condition. I have experienced their professional arrogance and hubris… it’s an ego-trap We all need to be aware of. The world need more love and more connection and We all need more support – not less. That’s a True prescription.
I am not finding it easy as a new grad. Their is a real lack of bridging into the industry. The mental-health industry is far from perfect. You can look at the history and see all of the abuses. Having a spiritual perspective is typically frowned upon or worse.
I am looking for my own professional alternatives because I am not feeling welcomed by the industry. From my perspective, not all suffering is diagnosable nor can everything be ‘fixed’ with psych-meds or a specific trademarked therapy: and neither is Life a pathology. The ‘Westernized’ mind is exceptionally blessed at doing certain tasks and not so great at others. As a deeply curious person, I appreciate all the variety and ways that humans have found to heal themselves and to return to greater balance and wholeness.
Fundamentally, We all want to contribute. Education can be useful, and it can also be entrenched with programming, ideology and abuses. And as We all must find our own way, I wish everyone all the best on their unique and blessed journey 🙂 We need one another and all Our collective gifts – (love).