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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7/14/17  11:06 am
Commenter: Paige Cordial, PsyD, LCP Stone Mountain Health Services

Strongly oppose CACREP-only regulations
 

I oppose the proposed CACREP-only regulations. As a graduate of Radford University's clinical psychology master's program, I can confidently say that the program prepared me to be a well-rounded mental health professional. I obtained a doctoral degree in counseling psychology after completing RU's clinical master's, and I found that my preparation for doctoral level study in the field of psychology was similar to that of students who entered my program with a degree in counselor education.  Although our master's programs had some differences in focus, they had strong unifying similarities. I believe my training in some areas, such as psychopathology and clinical assessment, was actually stronger than the training of peers who had not been in psychology programs prior to doctoral studies.  The need for well qualified and trained master's level clinicians in the state, especially in outpatient community settings and integrated care settings where many master's level clinicians work, should override any small differences in approach between counselor education and clinical psychology graduates. Further, my experience working in rural, underserved areas of Virginia strongly suggests that no qualified mental health professionals should be denied licensure if we are to meet the mental health care disparities in our state.  If those with master's degrees in psychology can pass the same licensure exams and meet the same licensure requirements in terms of course work, then they should be earning the same professional privileges. Finding ways to work together across disciplines to strengthen mental health services in the state will ensure that Virginians, especially those with fewer economic resources and those in rural areas, will get the care that they need.

 

CommentID: 60807