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 anyone speak to whether the clergy can provide counseling services and receive donations for such counseling.
I have met people who are fully qualified, went through they system and are great. I have met PhD’s who were snakes, and no amount of eduction or regulation could cure their own disease. I have met some folks who do not have a fancy shmancy degree, but went to community college and worked harder than the University kids, learning how to be great business people. I have also met those who may benefit from the traditional accreditation process. In the grand scheme of things, the red tape becomes such a burden it is life sucking and looses what its meant to serve, and in my opinion, it has served me as much as it can. If I were to pursue the path many people tell me to, I will go into debt even more, and I will flounder. Sound familiar? How dare someone promote a system when individuals are are making a smart decision for themselves; it is not viable in their lives, to feed their families, to have a good quality of life. I am an entrepreneur who comes from a family of entrepreneurs. I have paid all the money I will to gain a Masters. It is my turn to provide great services to those in need and make the money I need, and live the fulfilling life that I set out to live by embarking on becoming a professional. Enough is enough, I can educate myself in the field and independently pursue continuing eduction. I am so so glad I came to this conclusion now, then giving countless hours of my time, for some one else’s salary and bidding.
Come on everyone! I can’t believe what I’m reading here. Would you go to a doctor or dentist without them having their education and credentials just because they said they had “experience” and wanted to help you? Of course NOT; I certainly wouldn’t allow them to treat me or my family. We all have strengths and natural resiliency, but that doesn’t make us counselor or psychotherapy professionals. I have a masters in counseling, my LPC licensure in Texas and have been in the mental health field for 5 years. Go to school, do the work, put in the time, gain your experience. Counseling is a lot more than giving advise and “helping”. Talk to someone who’s in the unfortunate event of a lawsuit for malpractice or imposing mental/emotional harm, then let me know what you think!
Jennifer, we AGREE with you! Thanks for voicing your comment!
Jennifer you are absolutely correct! I am an MSW working toward licensure (LCSW) in Southern California. I am wrapping up my clinical hours and I will have all required 3200 hours by February 2016 to be eligible to take the 2-step process licensure exam. I will tell you, it has been a long journey that involves lots of learning and supervision. NO ONE should be allowed to call themselves a “therapist or counselor” without proper education, internship hours, supervision, and post-graduate work in the field. As we social workers say, ” Do no harm to the client” this means that you are accountable for your work and must meet guidelines and regulations to practice. There is a reason why most government clinics, hospitals, and mental health facilities will ONLY hire social workers, RNs, psychologists, and psychiatrists, because we truly put in the time for a “real degree” and understand the construct of the mental health system and how to delivery Evidence Based Practice in a safe and responsible setting. I’m not knocking other credentials, I just say, if you want to practice lawfully and provide your clients with effective methods, get the education that will open many doors and be less restrictive.