Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Health Professions
 
Board
Board of Counseling
 
chapter
Regulations Governing the Practice of Professional Counseling [18 VAC 115 ‑ 20]
Action Requirement for CACREP accreditation for educational programs
Stage Proposed
Comment Period Ended on 7/14/2017
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7/3/17  10:42 am
Commenter: Melanie Bean, PhD Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine

Oppose CACREP only proposal
 

I strongly oppose this legislation. I am a licensed clinical psychologist and teach in a doctoral psychology program in Virginia that along the way to a PhD provides master's degrees to students (non-CACREP-accredited). This legislation is nothing more than the effects of a turf war and would have the unintended consequences of limiting access to care of patients seeking mental health services throughout the Commonwealth by reducing the number of licensed master's prepared mental health professionals. The clinical training that programs such as mine provide is outstanding, and CACREP is attempting to monopolize the training of master's-prepared mental health professionals. After events such the situation with Creigh Deeds' son or Virginia Tech, this is literally the last thing we need in the Commonwealth. I highly suggest that our legislators deeply consider its ramifications.

CommentID: 60584