I earned a Master of Science degree in Clinical Psychology from Radford University.  At the time of my admission into the program, no graduate of the Clinical Pyschology program had difficulty obtaining Licensure in Virginia.  Despite taking an additional 21 hours in the Counselor Education department at Radford University, our program was deemed "not license eligible" after my graduation in 2009.

Upon my graduation from Radford University, I was hired as an emergency and assessment crisis clinician which required short-term crisis counseling, risk assessment, and crisis intervention.  After doing crisis work for a year, I moved to the Bridge Program also at New River Valley Community Services.  In my current position, I provide individual and group counseling to individuals involved in the criminal justice system who have mental health and substance abuse diagnoses.

As much as I enjoy my current position, not being license eligible in the state of Virginia has caused me to re-plan my career.  I now have to return to school and pursue a second Master's degree that will make me license eligible.  I even considered leaving the field of counseling to pursue social work.  Due to returning to school, I will be moving out of Virginia.

Two of my supervisors at New River Valley Community Services graduated from psychology programs at Radford University and were able to obtain licensure.  The Board does the Commonwealth and it's citizens a disservice by not allowing competent and well trained clinicians to obtain licensure.  The current interpretation of LPC regulations is causing the Commonwealth to lose clinicians, especially in community mental health, where we are most needed.