Article archive / December 1, 2010
Originally published: . Volume 2, No. 4. Source pages: 1, 3.
The “Behavioral Health Professional Working Group,” a team composed of psychologists, counselors, and advisory members from social work and medicine, met November 17th to continue discussions. The group meets at the request of the legislature (Senate Concurrent Resolution 100) to develop language to help clarify issues for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) legislation.
According to sources, the group worked in a cordial and productive manner, discussing the issue of LPC statue regarding diagnosing. They discussed a plan for LPCs to establish a two-tier level of licensure with the second level being for “Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors.” This level may require additional education, training, and/or supervision.
The discussion at the meeting also included ideas regarding the appropriate examination. The National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination, which includes questions on clinical diagnosis, was discussed.
At a previous meeting, October 29th, the LPCs and psychologists proposed ideas to help develop solutions regarding the language of the LPC statue, according to the minutes of that meeting.
At that meeting, the LPCs offered to increase credentialing requirements, set forth a new position statement, and make changes to better document certain aspects of supervision.
The psychologists also proposed changes. The minutes noted that they described requiring additional formal academic training specific to diagnostic skills for LPCs, requiring specific supervision, and “establishment of an advanced level counselor who meets criteria based on the required training and supervision and on rules to be developed who would then be regulated by the LSBEP [Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists] for this advanced skill/practice.”
At the conclusion of the October 29th meeting, both groups “agreed to take the proposals back to their respective constituencies for comment before the next meeting,” according to the minutes.
The group has been meeting at least once a month since July and will report their findings and conclusions to the Senate and House committees on Health and Welfare by February 1, 2011.
Of concern to many psychologists is the issue of psychological testing. According to two undisclosed sources, this topic appears to be “off the table” at the present time.
The next BHPWG meeting is scheduled for December 8th at 1 pm the Bienville Building near the Capital. The meeting is open to the public.
At their November 17th meeting, members of the BHPWG (L to R) Dr. Tony Young, Ms. Jacqueline Shellington, Dr. Robert Maria, and Mr. Michael Gootee review ideas for language for LPC legislation. Sources indicate that testing is “off the table” at this time. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Susan Dardard)
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