As a counselor, I am writing to urge the Virginia legislature to NOT approve this change in regulation. There is no evidence to suggest that graduates of CACREP programs are more effective, or more ethical providers of mental health services. In addition, there are several renowned counseling programs in Virginia that are NOT CACREP accredited. This proposed change in regulation would have a direct negative impact these programs, their graduates, and the reputation of Virginia's colleges and universities. Finally, there is a strong need for MORE providers. As such, efforts to restrict licesure to individuals from a specific subset of programs would be misguided, and could ultimately harm the wellbeing of state residents.