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 find it very disturbing that one should be considered a better counsellor because one has a masters degree in it. I have no masters, but I suffered anorexia for 8 years, fully recovered myself without any professional help and have since dedicated my life to helping others with anorexia. I have successfully helped a lot of people be understood, yet to be “licienced’ I must spend 2 years and $70K on a Masters degree.
I am trying to find out if its legal for me to work as an unlicensed eating disorders coach in Colorado- If anyone has any insight please let me know.
I liked your comment here, we do not KNOW very much about the brain at all, to consider anything as ‘fact’ is foolhardy in my opinion and it makes me sick how egotistical the human race still is around things like this. We need to worry less about regulating people based on the certificates that they pay for and more on the merit of their experience and track record.
Hello everyone. I am considering getting into the field of counseling. The area I live in is in desperate need of these services. Let me clarify that I am not looking to get into helping with mental disorders just listening to people who are going through tough times in their life and offering some advice. I am confused on if I have to go through the whole licsensing process for for this. I live in NC if that helps but it seems most states are very similar on their policies. But the amount of education and the 3000 hours of experience plus an exam seem very excesive for what I want to do. I can understand these requirements when it comes to mental health. But I am not wanting to treat mental illness. Any clarificaion?
Hi Mary- I appreciated your comment about licensure and therapy. I have an M.A. and wondering what I can do with it, how I can grow in my career, and it’s been hard to know what direction. I do not have any more money to spend on fees and a license that still may not give me a job or even the experience that I need. What have you found, and where are you moving your practice to?
Thanks,
Kimberly