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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7/10/17  7:28 am
Commenter: David Stuhldreher, Chesterfield County Mental Health

OPPOSE Restrictive Regulation
 

I strongly oppose the CACREP only regulation being proposed. Not only is it nonsensical to think that there is only one way to become competent in such a diverse field, it is also harmful to the citizens of Virginia to think this way. I am aware of numerous colleagues who have been forced to take their skills to the populations of other states due to the over restricitve regulations surrounding licensure in Virginia. I myself have been restricted to working in the field of corrections due to my inability to become licensed. Corrections is the largest provider of mental health care in the state and they recognize the need for skilled individuals regardless of an arbitrary set of guidelines set forth by the Board of Counseling. Potential counselors should be given the opportunity to become licensed based on practical knowledge and skills alone. CACREP is just another unnecessary piece of paper.

CommentID: 60624