To whom it may concern:

This letter represents the views of the Society of Counseling Psychology, Division 17 of the of the American Psychological Association, in response to recently learning that the Virginia Board of Counseling has forwarded a proposal to restrict supervision of counselors in Virginia to only professional counselors (LPCs) or marriage and family therapists (MFTs). If this proposal is approved it would limit mental health resources in a time when more resources are desperately needed rather than less to address the growing mental health services crisis in our nation. Presently, in the U.S. the demand for mental health services greatly exceeds the number of qualified mental health practitioners who can competently treat those experiencing psychological distress.

The Virginia proposal also fits with a political agenda designed to privilege CACREP accredited counseling programs over the many other qualified mental health care professional groups (psychologists, social workers, psychiatric nurses, non-CACREP trained counselors). While granting the wishes of CACREP would enhance the stature of this organization in Virginia, it would harm the public. As counseling psychologists we know that licensed psychologists are supremely qualified to provide expert supervision to individuals who serve the public through mental health interventions, psychological assessments, and psychotherapeutic practices. It makes no sense to disallow qualified people from supervising counselors in this time of great need. In this age of integrated practice and integrated professionalism across health fields, the Virginia proposal coming from the Board of Counseling flies in the face of the growing trend to find ways for health and mental health disciplines to work together in providing the best treatment possible to patients distressed with mental health and health problems.

Thus, we strongly urge you to NOT support this proposal which limits who can supervise mental health practitioners.

Sincerely,

Michael J. Scheel, Ph.D., ABPP

Vice President for Education and Training

The Society of Counseling Psychology

Division 17 of the American Psychological Association