I am writing in response to the proposed requirement for CACREP or CORE accreditation for educational programs in Virginia. I am a graduate of a rigorous Counseling Psychology program which is not CACREP accreddited. As CACREP does not accredit counsling psychology and other mental health programs, the CACREP-only movement that is occuring will prohibit individuals who are skilled and trained in Psychology, counseling, and mental health from practicing as counselors. CACREP is an independent body, who should not be dictating state regulations. For this reason, I strongly encourage the Board to reject this proposal. Licensure boards and accreditation bodies should remain independent of each other.  

There are many universities who offer excellent counselor training programs and are not CACREP accreditted. Therefore I believe that requiring CACREP accreditation as part of state licensure policy would prove to be detrimental not only to Virginia, but to the field of counseling as a whole.

In summary I am strongly opposed to this legislation and speak on my own behalf as well as on behalf of my colleagues from across the country who are deeply concerned about the possibility state licensure boards looking to accreditation agencies to formulate policy and regulations.

Sincerely yours,

Shante Williams