a licensed professional counselor
For one to become a licensed professional counselor in Florida, there is a criterion that they mist follow. Without following the requirements, the states prohibit one from acquiring the license.
One must first attain the educational requirements processed by the department of health of Florida that are as follows: earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, Human Services or Marriage and Family Therapy. There is a preference for Bachelors in Counseling as most graduate programs are more interested in picking these applicants rather than any other. After the degree program, one is then required to apply to the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), which is responsible for Accreditation of the Master of Counseling program. To get the license, one is required to have attained a Masters in Counseling. In addition to these education requirements, one is also needed to have done a course in human sexuality and substance abuse.
One must have also taken classes in HIV/AIDS, domestic violence, medical error prevention, psychopathology, and even rules and laws. These classes are minor but mandatory in the course for one to graduate and get licensed.
Apart from the theoretical studies, one must have also engaged in practicals. This entails 1000 hours of practicals during the graduate program. During this time, one must have done direct counseling for 280 hours with 1-hour weekly supervision. One then undergoes an internship that has two main requirements. For one to be granted a placement, they must apply to the Florida Department of Health, which is after providing proof that they have achieved the above educational requirements. Besides, one must also be checked to ensure they have not engaged in crime.
After the internship, one is then expected to engage in a 1500 hours supervised work experience within two years. After every 15 hours, one is managed to provide 100 hours of supervision. At least half of this supervision must be individual with the rest of the hours providing for group supervision. Two weeks should not pass without an hour of monitoring at this time.
After the internship, one now applies to the Department of Health for the National Counselor Examination, which is usually administered by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC). Having attained the score required, one can now apply for the license upon showing the necessary documents. Licensing is though done at a fee.
Many people fail to recognize the difference between licensure, Accreditation, and certification, mistaking one for the other. Accreditation and certification are done by third parties that are non-governmental. Despite this, they still are different as one gets certification after attaining individual predetermined requirements. At the same time, Accreditation is done to recognize another organization and not an individual, as having met specific standards. Licensing, on the other hand, is done by the government to endorse one as having met the minimum set requirements to engage in one particular occupation.
The code of ethics of Florida licensed professional counselors governs the conduct of the counselors in the job. It advocates for twice-yearly license renewal, a former contractual Psychotherapist-Client Relationship, avoidance of sexual misconduct, ensuring confidentiality on clients’ cases, and responsibility to patients’ records, among others.
Core provider status provides for the corporation between the federal and the state governments in dealing with mental health. The federal government serves the function of regulating systems and funding, while the state government has the power to make significant decisions on expansion beyond national government set standards.
The current policies of mental health in Florida are aimed at prevention, early diagnosis, and integrated care and treatment with the goal of recovery. Some of the procedures are those of financing mental health through incentives, focus on Integrated Primary Care, and provision of voluntary admission. These not only improve quality but also accessibility of mental health.
The counselors need to be well versed in the code of ethics and regulations that govern them. This is because the laws ensure proper relations with the clients and regulate the behavior of a counselor in the workplace. The mental health policies are also crucial as they provide easy access to quality mental health care.
Licensing in Alabama, on the other hand, is almost similar to that of Florida, but there are still little differences. On must complete a master’s degree in counseling or graduate coursework in Counseling Theory, Human Growth and Development, Social and Multicultural Foundations of Group Dynamics, Processing, and Counseling in an accredited University or College. The degree program should be approved by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
One is also expected to have completed 100 hours of practical experience, of which 40 should be hours of directly working with clients. This should be accompanied by a one-hour weekly individual supervision and one and a half hours of group supervision. After graduation, one is then required to cover 600 hours of internship with a minimum of 240 hours of mandatory direct service to clients. Monitoring is also a necessity. The program allows for an hour weekly of individual supervision and two and a half hours for group supervision.
Besides, one also requires to apply as an Associate Licensed Counselor, and pursuing licensure in Alabama calls for 3000 hours of supervised experience with a minimum of 2250 being hours of direct service. Minimum annual supervision hours are 100, with half being of individual supervision.
The National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification examination is also issued by the National Board for Certified Counselors. This examination is a multiple choice one that assesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the students. After passing the test and paying of licensure fee, the license is now issued. This license is renewed on the 31st of July every two years.
References
World Psychiatric Association (2000) The WPA Programme to Reduce the Stigma and Discrimination because of Schizophrenia. Available from: URL: www.openthedoors.com
Aranha AL et al. (2007) Advocacy, mental health, and citizenship. Paris: VIICongress of the World Association for Psychosocial Rehabilitation.
Austin LS, Husted K (2018) Cost-effectiveness of television, radio, and print media programs for public mental health education. Psychiatric Services, 49(6):808-11.
Burti L (2010) The role of self-help and user cooperatives in fighting stigma. Paris: VII Congress of the World Association for Psychosocial Rehabilitation.