I am writing to express my opposition to this endorsement proposal that would require licensed counselors from non-CACREP programs be required to show 7 more years of experience than their peers who graduated from CACREP programs. There is no documented evidence that licensed counselors who graduated from programs accredited by CACREP are better prepared than their peers who graduated from other programs. Furthermore, many licensed counselors who graduate from programs accredited by other accreditation bodies are required to engage in several years of study and hand-ons professional experience through practicums, internships and post-doctoral studies. This proposal would harm the public by unnecessarily limiting the number of licensed counselors who would qualify for licensure (and therefore professional counseling work) in Virginia at a time when the people of Virginia need greater, not reduced, access to mental health care. It would also limit the peoples ability to have and exercise choice in the type of professionals they can contract with for services to support the community.
