As a licensed clinical psychologist who directs a program training doctoral-level psychologists, I do not have a personal stake in this issue. However, I have a strong professional stake in that the program I head was built to address the mental health provider shortage in southwestern Virginia, and this legislation would further reduce the number of licensed and qualified mental health professionals in a currently underserved region. Rural areas such as southwestern Virginia already have greater need for mental health services, fewer providers, and greater challenges in accessing this care. It makes no sense to restrict licensure to one type of degree while these disparities exist. Why reduce the number of possible providers where services are desperately needed? Additionally, restricting licensure within the state to only one type of degree/accreditation will force other university programs to fold and many interested and potentially qualified professionals who are connected to the state and region, may leave the area or the profession.