Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
 
Agency
Department of Health Professions
 
Board
Board of Counseling
 
chapter
Regulations Governing the Practice of Professional Counseling [18 VAC 115 ‑ 20]
Action Requirement for CACREP accreditation for educational programs
Stage Proposed
Comment Period Ended on 7/14/2017
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7/5/17  10:28 am
Commenter: Tametra Hogue, Christ First Counseling

Strongly Oppose CACREP Only
 

I feel this initiative is an implicit attempt by CACREP accredited universities to secure market advantage in licensure. It will gradually eliminate or harm graduate programs that offer Masters degrees in Counseling Psychology, Creative Arts Therapy, Clinical Psychology, Sports Psychology, Forensic Psychology, among others, that qualify for licensure as a mental health counselor. In a CACREP-only state, these degree programs would not be recognized or approved by the state professional board; and the degree holder would be unable to practice as a mental health counselor.
 
I are very concerned when an accreditation body attempts to create an educational monopoly, based on unproven claims of superiority, and does not allow alternative accreditation bodies to approve equivalent routes to mental health counselor licensure.
 

The Commonwealth of Virginia should be working toward parity of licensure between Maryland and Virginia to insure an ample supply of mental health professionals who can practice in Virginia; since such a policy would allow all Virginia residents access to highly qualified mental health professionals from Maryland. 

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