In Virginia, the mental health landscape is shifting, yet a troubling stigma persists against Residents in Counseling. Often viewed as inexperienced or unprofessional, these emerging counselors are, in reality, dedicated professionals striving to make a meaningful impact in their communities. It is high time that we challenge the misconceptions that frame Residents as being severely inferior to Licensed Professional Counselors.

First and foremost, it is essential to understand the rigorous training that Residents undergo. If we go by what many LPCs are saying, they're making the impression to society that Residents have only completed a couple of psychology classes and are now trying to be expert therapists operating independently with their own practices. LPCs have somehow forgotten that being a Resident means holding advanced degrees in counseling, requiring the completion of extensive coursework that has equipped them with the theoretical knowledge necessary for effective practice. Following graduation, Residents enter a period of supervised practice, where they hone their skills under the guidance of Board-approved Supervisors. This transition is not merely an extension of their education; it is a critical phase wherein they apply their knowledge to real-world situations. According to the Board, "Supervision" means the ongoing process performed by a supervisor who monitors the performance of the person supervised and provides regular, documented individual or group consultation, guidance, and instruction that is specific to the clinical counseling services being performed with respect to the clinical skills and competencies of the person supervised."

The perception that Residents are less professional stems from a misunderstanding of their role. They are not trainees; they are professionals in their own right, who are just as committed to providing quality care as LPCs. Many Residents bring unique perspectives and life experiences that enhance their counseling practice, allowing them to connect with clients in profound ways. Just as LPCs once navigated the same path, Residents are dedicated to their client’s well-being and adhere to ethical standards that ensure responsible practice. This should NOT be forgotten.

Respecting Residents as professionals not only honors their commitment and hard work but also fosters a culture of collaboration and mentorship within the field. When you stop viewing them as irresponsible, incompetent infants and start viewing them as the colleagues that they are, you encourage a more supportive environment where all counselors, regardless of their licensure status, can learn from one another and ultimately provide better care for their clients.

Therefore, it is time to dismantle the stereotypes that unfairly characterize Residents in Counseling. They are not unprofessional degenerates, but rather responsible, dedicated professionals deserving of the same dignity and respect that's afforded to Licensed Professional Counselors. By acknowledging their contributions, you enhance the counseling profession and, most importantly, the mental health services available to those in need.

The points being made against this petition aside, many of the comments about Residents, in general, are just plain sad and demeaning - and, if I'm being honest, extremely disheartening. It's clear that many people do not view Residents as colleagues or competent professionals but as inferior pseudo-counselors. As someone who is somewhat new to the profession myself, I would love to be able to reach out to other LPCs (besides my supervisor) to collaborate and network. However, in doing so, thinking that I would be welcomed and supported, I have only been met with disrespect, denigration, and actions that truly felt like clique-ish style bullying. I was a new, excited, wide-eyed Resident in Counseling, mind you, who was innocently trying to connect with the more experienced, "veterans" in the profession to expand my knowledge and skills, and it turned out to be a horrible experience. As it turns out, I found some support, not from LPCs, but from LCSWs - which again is sad. Since becoming a Resident in Counseling, in Virginia, my enthusiasm for wanting to be an LPC in Virginia has severely plummeted due nature in which LPCs view Residents (the comments for this petition speak volumes). So, I am seriously considering completing my supervisory experience elsewhere and have started looking at other states. I want to be a part of a community that doesn't look down on new professionals coming into the field and view them as competition, but who are happy that the field is growing and want to provide support and guidance to those eager and ambitious enough to ask for it; wherein there doesn't have to be a huge debate on whether or not a Resident has the integrity, wherewithal, competency, and professionalism to simply bill their own clients. So, I'm slowly starting to see that Virginia is not that community and may need to complete my supervision experience elsewhere.