I oppose CACREP-only regulations

I am the coordinator of a masters of counseling psychology program (MSCP) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Chatham University.  Our MSCP graduates practice in various states, including Virginia. Our program is accredited by the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC).  Our graduates are highly valued by the communities they serve, where they provide clients with essential evidence-based, and multiculturally competent services. We are constently told by site supervisors that they strongly desire training our students because of the rigor of our program and the high standards we set in comparison to other local programs.

I am joining counseling professionals from across the country to urge you to stop the proposed counselor licensing regulations that would require graduation from a CACREP-accredited program for licensure in Virginia. Below are my reasons:

• The large number of counselor training programs are not CACREP-accredited.
• There are other accredited organizations such as MPCAC that accredit wonderful programs that graduate highly skilled counselors.
• This a great demand for mental health services.
• CACREP programs are not more rigorous or do not graduate counselors that are more ethical or helpful 
• The counseling field benefits from a diversity of perspectives in order to meet the needs of diverse people, communities, and organizations.
• CACREP-only language would be costly, reduce the supply of services for those who need it most, and increase the difficulty of qualified counselors practicing in Virginia.

I strongly urge you to stop this proposal.

Sincerely,

Anthony Isacco, Ph.D.

MSCP Coordinator

Chatham University

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