These adjustments reflect the evolving landscape of mental health care and acknowledge the need for flexibility in training programs. However, as we advocate for these changes, we must ensure that ethical responsibility and comprehensive training remain at the forefront.

While reducing total required residence hours and residency client contact hours can make the path to licensure more accessible, it's crucial to maintain the integrity of the counseling profession. Adequate training and supervised experience are fundamental to providing quality care to clients. Therefore, I suggest incorporating specific language within the amendments that emphasize the importance of ethical practice and ongoing professional development. To that end, real change would be improving requirements and training for those in supervisory positions.

Furthermore, while transitioning from a minimum of 200 hours of supervision to a requirement for weekly supervision with no minimum might streamline the process, I think a clearly defined minimum requirement should be attainable and realistically met. The proposed one is not.