Originally published: . Volume 5, No. 9. Source pages: 1, 3.
A bill to expand the scope of practice for Marriage and Family Therapists, SB121, passed the Senate by 39 to 0. The original language was amended in the Senate Commerce Committee on April 16, and then again on the Senate floor by the author. One of the amendments adds certain educational requirements, and another, adds a consultation and collaboration clause with someone licensed under the medical board or a psychiatric nurse practitioner.
The measure, by Senator Morrell, provides new language that adds the term “psychotherapy” and also “limited to prevention, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental, emotional, behavioral, relational, and addictive disorders” to the current law.
In the Senate Commerce committee, a provision for educational requirements was added. The new language is, “E. A licensed marriage and family therapist engaged in the diagnosis of individuals shall furnish satisfactory evidence of the following to the board: (1) The applicant has graduated from a program of graduate study which in addition to the standard training in the professional application of psychotherapeutic and family systems theories, will also require a minimum of six credit hours in diagnostic psychopathology, whereas students are taught to systematically collect and analyze data based on one or both of the two standard diagnostic systems employed, International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision or the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, for the above purposes. However, licensed marriage and family therapists who have satisfied all other criteria for licensure as required by the board on August 1, 2014, shall be allowed to diagnose individuals upon completion of the continuing education requirements of this Section.” And, (2) As diagnosis is constantly being enhanced by emerging empirical research, the licensed marriage and family therapist shall receive six hours of credit in continuing education that focuses on diagnosis.”
Also added was similar language to the current Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) practice law, amended by Act 320 in 2012 and then changed by a later law, which outlined LPCs work with persons with “serious mental illness” and set out requirements for the consultation and collaboration with a practitioner who is licensed under the state medical board or an advanced practice registered nurse.
“(3) Nothing in this Chapter shall be construed to authorize any person licensed under the provisions of this Chapter to assess, diagnose, or provide treatment to any individual suffering from a serious mental illness, as defined by this Section, when medication may be indicated, except when a licensed marriage and family therapist, in accordance with best practices, consults and collaborates with a practitioner who holds a license or permit with the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners or an advanced practice registered nurse licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing who is certified as a psychiatric nurse practitioner."
The bill is next to be heard in the House Health and Welfare Committee.
The proposed law amends the present law and defines "practice of marriage and family therapy" to mean the rendering of professional marriage and family therapy and psychotherapy services, limited to prevention, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental, emotional, behavioral, relational, and addiction disorders to individuals, couples, and families, etc.
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