I support the petition to amend the regulations to allow residents in counseling to directly bill clients. The current system, which requires payments to go through supervisors, disrupts the natural client-counselor relationship and creates unnecessary confusion for clients.

When clients seek therapy, they establish a trusting relationship with their counselor. This trust is the foundation of effective therapy, and clients naturally expect to handle all aspects of their service, including payment, directly with the person providing their care. The current regulation, which requires clients to pay the supervisor rather than the resident counselor, can erode this trust and create unnecessary administrative hurdles.

Allowing residents to bill clients directly also reflects the modern landscape of payment systems. With digital payments becoming the norm, the process of transferring payments through supervisors is outdated and cumbersome. It is far more efficient and transparent for clients to pay their counselor directly, ensuring a smoother process for all involved.

Furthermore, this change would alleviate the administrative burden on supervisors, allowing them to focus more on providing quality supervision rather than managing financial transactions. Supervisors should be there to guide and mentor, not act as intermediaries for payments.

This amendment would not compromise the quality of supervision or the ethical standards of the profession. Residents would still be under the oversight of their supervisors, ensuring they adhere to all regulations and continue their professional development. I urge the Board to support this change for the benefit of residents, supervisors, and clients alike.