The proposed policy raises significant concerns as it would equate LSATPs (Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Providers) with LPCs (Licensed Professional Counselors), despite their fundamentally different professional scopes. While LSATPs focus exclusively on substance abuse treatment (and have solely received training in such), LPCs are trained to address a comprehensive range of mental health needs, including career counseling, substance abuse, family and marriage therapy, and diverse psychological conditions.

The educational differences are critical: LPCs undergo rigorous training aligned with CACREP curriculum standards, which ensure a broader and more comprehensive professional preparation that LSPATs do not receive. Consequently, conflating these two distinct licensure tracks would potentially compromise the quality and depth of mental health services.