Therapists/Counselors have a master's degree and must meet an intensive set of criteria.  If this is important to ENSURE THE SAFETY AND WELLBEING OF OUR CLIENTS, then to suggest that it is in the public's best interest to license QMHPs is contradictory to the current requirements.  

Further, Virginia just joined the Counseling Compact.  To weaken the licensing regulations for mental health providers may cause problems with Virginia Counselors being allowed to practice in other states.  

Finally, I have been previously a QMHP and am now a LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor).  In no way was I prepared as a QMHP to provide the quality of services I now do.  I did not have the breadth and depth of education or experience I now have.  And, I was not aware enough at that time of what I did not know to have avoided causing harm were I to have been providing mental health services beyond those of the QMHP I was.