This comment is written in strong opposition to the CACREP-only restriction of licensure and supervision of counselors in Virginia. I am currently a fellow of the American Psychological Association (APA) and President of the Society of Counseling Psychology (SCP), Division 17 of APA. SCP already has submitted a letter strongly opposing this regulatory decision, and I write this comment as an individual professional psychologist with experience relevant to the issue.

I taught, trained, and supervised professional counselors and psychologists for more than 20 years at the University of Maryland in a department that included both master's-level (counseling) and doctoral-level (psychology) programs, and many of these graduates are now leaders in their respective fields, including individuals in mental health practice, research, education, and public service in Virginia. I am saddened to see this dismissal by CACREP of the long-standing contributions of other mental health professionals to the training of counselors, and its attempt to gain a monopoly over training and supervision of counselors.

This attempted restriction flies in the face of well-documented and overwhelming mental health needs in our communities, where we should have many more professionals to meet those needs, not less. This restriction also portends highly negative economic and regulatory repercussions for Virginia, at a time when interstate licensure portability is a professional necessity and health service provider graduate training programs all over the U.S. are responding to societal needs by broadening, not narrowing, their scope of training and supervision, using integrative models that incorporate a variety of professionals working together in service provision.

The data documenting the negative consequences of a CACREP-only decision in Virginia are thorough and public, and the mental health needs in our communities also are extensively documented and highly visible in our streets, our schools, and our workplaces. I urge careful attention to these data, as well as decisions that are based on facts and known community needs, not merely the interests of a single guild.

Ruth E. Fassinger, Ph.D.