professional counselor in Florida
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 necessary 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 placement, they must apply to Florida Department of Health which is after providing proof that they have achieved the above educational requirements. In addition, one must also be checked to ensure they have not engaged in crime.
After internship, one is then expected to engage in a 1500 hours supervised work experience within a 2 years time period. After every 15 hours one is supervised providing 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 supervision at this time.
After the internship, one now applies with the Department of Health for the National Counselor Examination which is usually administered by National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC). Having attained the score required, on can now apply for the licence upon showing the necessary documents. Licensing is though done at a fee.
Many people fail to recognize the difference among 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 certain predetermined requirements while Accreditation is done to recognize another organization and not an individual, as having met certain standards. Licensing on the other hand is done by the government to endorse one as having met the minimum set requirements to engage in a specific occupation.
The code of ethics of Florida licenced professional counselors governs the conduct of the counselors in job. It advocates for a twice yearly license renewal, a forma 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 states government has the power to make major decisions on expansion beyond federal 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 policies 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.
It is vital for the counselors to be well versed with the code of ethics and regulations that govern them. This is because the regulations ensure proper relation with the clients and govern the behaviour of a counselor in the work place. The mental health policies are also important as they ensure easy access to quality mental health care.
Licensing in Alabama on the other hand is almost similar as to that of Florida but there are still little differences. On must complete a master’s degree in counselling or graduate coursework in Counseling Theory, Human Growth and Development, Social and Multicultural Foundations or Group Dynamics, Processing, and Counseling in an accredited University or College. The degree program should be accredited by 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. Supervision is also a necessity. The program allows for an hour weekly of individual supervision and two and a half hours for group supervision.
In addition, one also require 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 a half being of individual supervision.
The National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification examination is also issued by National Board for Certified Counselors. This examination is a multiple choice one that assesses knowledge, skills and abilities of the students. After the passing the examination and paying of licensure fee, the license is now issued. This licence is renewed on 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.