The requirements for licensure for counseling is already high in comparison to required hours for social work licensure. The hours required are already an obstacle for individuals looking to obtain licensure in the field. Individuals seeking counseling licensure who may be already facing financial obstacles when paying for their education in the field are required to work many hours without pay in order to obtain their licensure. The increase in hours required will only further increase the strain, deterring them from trying to obtain their counseling licensure. Mental Health services are such a huge need nationwide. Continuing to increase access to mental health services should be top priority.  Creating additional obstacles, such as increasing hours for licensure, will only decrease the individuals who will pursue a career path in counseling. In turn, this decreases available services to residents in the state of VA seeking mental health assistance. In order to continue to encourage LPC's, I suggest continuing to allow the 20 supervision hours to count towards licensure. Reducing obstacles for licensure will increase access to mental health services.