Article archive / July 1, 2010
Originally published: . Volume 1, No. 11. Source pages: 1, 3.
In June, the legislature passed a concurrent resolution (SCR 100), to “urge and request …” the psychology board and the LPC (Licensed Profession- al Counselors) board to work in collabora- tion through a “Behavioral Health Professional Working Group.” According to the resolution, this working group is to develop language to help clarify issues for LPC legislation and to “identify the common and distinct practice activities of the two professions…”
The working group is to be composed of two members appointed from the psychology board, two members from the LPC board, two appointed by the Louisiana Psychological Association, and two from the Louisiana Counseling Association. The board of social work and the medical board may also appoint one representative to act in an advisory capacity only.
Members of this group are to be appointed by July 15th and report findings and conclusions to the Senate and House committees on Health and Welfare by February 1, 2011. At the recent psychology board meeting (June 25th), Dr. Joe Comaty and Dr. Tony Young were appointed to this committee. The first meeting is supposed to take place by August 1.
The resolution asks that the group work together in a collaborative manner to reach three goals.
“(1) Develop language for legislation to clarify the licensed professional counselor scope of practice regarding diagnosis and treatment of mental, emotional, and addictive disorders which allows professional counselors to practice in a manner which is consistent with education requirements, applicable training, and related competencies.”
“(2) Identify the common and distinct practice activities of the two professions and develop new collaborative practice methods which seek to fully utilize the abilities of both professions and allow for maximization of behavioral health services which can be provided in the state.”
And lastly, “(3) Discuss and outline additional recommendations which may expand public access to presently absent behavioral health services while avoiding service duplication and redundancy.”
Left: Dr. Jessica Brown worked very hard this year as LPA’s Legislative Chair.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.