I am outraged by the proposed regulatory changes to obtain a LPC. Making broad, sweeping changes without adequate warning to applicants who have previously completed coursework is haste, unfair, punitive and unethical. It is important to remember the process of becoming an LPC does not begin when one applies for supervision. Rather, it begins when students are choosing which graduate education program to attend. I feel that this reality has been forgotten by Board members and decision-makers. The consequences of this decision will dictate the life of my prospective and current career. Below is a first hand account of how the proposed changes to the licensure requirements will change the life of the recent graduate.

 Two and a half years ago I sat down and looked at the requiremets to get an LPC. Due to my passion for counseling and my interest in working with individuals with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI), I decided to invest in my education and attend a Rehabilitation Counseling and Psychology Masters Degree program. I was informed by program staff that by completing their Rehabilitation Counseling program, upon graduating I would meet educational requirements for 1) National Certification as a Rehabilitation Counselor; 2) LPC licensure and 3) LSATP licensure. I invested two years and $80,000 in receiving my degree with hopes of applying for LPC and LSATP licensures so I could help individuals with co-occurring substance use and SPMI. During internship, I worked alongside students in Clinical Counseling programs, receiving identical treatment and engaging in the same activities. I provided individual counseling services for individuals with a variety of medical, psychological and interpersonal difficulties. Without pay, I completed 50-60 hrs/week so I could obtain the maximum amount of hours that could be counted towards my prospective LPC license. Upon graduating, I chose my employment based on the ability for the agency to provide me with clinical supervision and the opportunities needed to become a licensed professional counselor. Despite low salary, I chose to provide counseling services at Northwestern Community Service Board due to the agency’s willingness to help me on my journey to become a LPC. Northwestern CSB provides services to counties which make up Northwest Mental Health Catchment Area #27; a federally-designated Health Provider Shortage Area (HPSA) for mental health services. Last week I began the LPC application procedure where I learned about the proposed changes. If I was informed about these changes before I applied for master’s programs, I would have chosen a Clinical Counseling program. However, this is not the case. Without licensure, I will be unable to receive the level of gainful employment needed to replay my student loans. This will leave me two choices: 1) quit my job at Northwestern CSB and leave the state of Virginia; or 2) Get a second degree in Clinical Counseling. If my colleagues and I leave Northwestern CSB and Virginia, the shortage of mental health services in this area will be exacerbated and fewer individuals will be able to receive mental health services. If I invest 2 more years in getting a second master’s degree I will be paying thousands of dollars to repeat similar and identical courses while praying that that regulations will not change once again.

 With the exception of additional and specialized courses in severe and persistent mental illness and intellectual and developmental disability, Rehabilitation Counseling programs are identical to Counseling programs. As a prospective LPC, I would be able to provide specialized training in SPMI and have the ability to adequately address clients with intellectual and developmental disability. I feel that my educational background allows me to better counsel a diverse population. Counseling incorporates many populations, therefore increasing the utility of diverse counseling specializations. For example, all M.D.’s do not work in primary care or specialize in back pain.

So, if these changes take place, what are the hundreds of individuals who are passionate about counseling and in the same position as I supposed to do? The purpose of these regulatory amendments seems like a desperate attempt to tighten the reins on individuals who are becoming counselors due to liability and malpractice. However, I feel the licensing board can meet its needs and protect the LPC name by doing other activities, such as requiring higher examination scores, enact stringent GPA cut-off scores and so on. Changing the regulations after one has obtained the educational credentials is unfair, irrational and punitive.  I strongly encourage LPC board members to reconsider regulatory propositions and amend them in such a way that does not punish those who have completed the seemingly “invisible” portion of the LPC procedure.