I am writing to strongly oppose attempts to limit licensure of mental health counselors in Virginia to CACREP only training programs.  CACREP is not the only standard for training mental health counselors, and in fact, is not the standard across the country.  As the director of a mental health counseling training program, I am deeply troubled by CACREP's attempts to change state licensing rules that limit who can be licensed, who can supervise trainees, and what is considered the standard for counselor education.  A more inclusive approach to counselor education that values diveristy of training of faculty is what is needed to strengthen the counseling field, not a lobbying group that has decided to market itself as the gold-standard for counselor training.  CACREP is a small minority that is attempting to not only speak for the entire counseling field but dictate counselor training standards.