As a professional Nationally Certified Counselor it bothers me that my identity as a qualified mental health professional is being called into question. I worked diligently on my education, from an accredited program, to be allowed to serve others in my community. I choose to work with returning citizens in the Common Wealth to help with the navigation of mental illness and criminal behavior. After my graduation I applied for residency which I actively engage in on a weekly basis, I have completed the 'process' that the Common Wealth has required to begin working in my chosen profession and now I am being told that I am not qualified? I have as much training as any QMHP working in the Department of Behavioral Health Services and DBHS Licensed Units, I deserve to be called a qualified mental health professional. We have a QMHP shortage in the Common Wealth and a greater shortage of individuals who are willing and able to work with the offender population I do not see where it benefits the Common Wealth to make it more difficult for us to do our jobs.