I support the petition to give residents the ability to directly bill clients. As many have pointed out, residents are already able to run an private practice-it is just a matter of billing through a supervisor. So, when people try and say that it is putting the public at risk-has there been any evidence to support this? Others have also pointed out that graduate students would still be required to participate in supervision-which is oversight-as they continue to earn the hours towards licensure. Again, allowing direct billing does not change any of the other requirements needed and I feel that by trying to make some connection that direct billing and the quality of services being provided to consumers is a weak basis for not allowing residents an opportunity to begin their own practice. 

Other states, like Texas, have been doing this for years at this point due to the realization that mental health professionals are needed and that many do not want to waste time working for agencies where they are being paid pennies and being subjected to burn out. Virginia is facing a shortage and people are not wanting to go into this field because of the low pay, lack of incentives, and the literal years it takes to get licensed. For those who are saying that one doesn't get into this field for money, please stop drinking the Kool Aid that you were given back in the day when you started.

We put in the hours and sacrifice, take on the burden of student loans, and sometimes have to work two jobs coming out of graduate school because we are looked at as cash cows and rarely paid what we are worth. Someone else in private practice is making money off of us. Some agency is using us to meet their quota and keep their funding. I've been working in the field for years (In home counseling, Case Management, QMHP A/C ) and I know that when I begin looking for employment, no one is going to pay me what I am worth in terms of experience and expertise because I will be "just a Resident". Being able to dictate our pay, being able to operate our own practice (with oversight from a qualified supervisor) will serve as incentive to keep those of us who still want to help people in this field while still being able maybe a salary we can live off of. It makes no sense as to why a resident would have to supplement their income via Uber or Instacart while trying to earn hours towards licensure. 

The Board needs to do a better job of supporting us now or deal with the consequences later.