I am in full support of Dr. Chase's petition for amendments to the Virginia statutes that prevent those with a master's degree in clinical psychology from pursuing the professional counseling license.  In May 2013 I graduated from Radford University's Clinical-Counseling program.  After students were denied licensure in 2009, the program made significant changes in order to specifically bring the program into compliance with the educational requirements of Virginia.  However, during my visit to the University before agreeing to enter the program, I was informed by a program chair that faculty were still unsure if the program met regulations or not because the board maintained that it approves, "individuals, not programs."  Because of this policy, even the program chair was unable to assure me with a newly revised program whether or not, upon graduation, I would be eligible for licensure in the state where I acquired my education.  The only way our class would be able to determine eligibility would be to function as "test cases." 

My decision to enter the program was simple.  I was assured that the program would prepare me for doctoral level education which was my plan.  However, were I to encounter changes in life plans, another option was always to simply get licensed in another state.  This seems like a very unfortunate place to put well-prepared students in when our state currently has a need for professionals of its own. 

As a graduate of the master's program and now a doctoral student seeing clients on practicum, I can confidently say that I was well prepared by my education as a well-rounded mental health professional.  While working alongside those who obtained a degree in counselor education, I can see that my preparation is comparable.  There is a clear need for well-trained professionals in our field that should strongly outway any ideological or political differences between our diciplines and/or approaches to counseling.  If a student with a degree in clinical or clinical-counseling psychology can pass the licensing exam and meet the requirements in terms of course work, then he/she has earned the privilege to practice as a professional in the field.