What is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor?
FACTS:
According to the report, "Mental Health, United States, 1998" published by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Substance Abuse and Menatl Health Services (SAMHSA), more than 96,000 licensed or certified professional counselors practice in the United States.
The majority of national behavioral health managed care companies reimburse professional counselors for the professional services they provide.
The median cost per session to see a professional counselor is generally contracted at a dollar amount lower than psychologists or psychiatrists respectively (April 1997 Psychotherapy Finances).
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors adhere to a rigorous code of ethics.
Mental Health Counseling is a distinct profession with national standards of education for clinical practice. The American Mental Health Counselors Association and State Chapters is the professional membership organization that represents Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors. Clinical membership in AMHCA requires a minimum of a master's degree in counseling from an accredited graduate program or a related mental health field of study and adheres to AMHCA's National Standards of Clinical Practice and Code of Ethics.
Graduate education and clinical training prepare clinical mental health counselors to provide a comprehensive range of clinical services for individuals or group, couples, families, adolescents and children. The following is a list of core clinical programs approved by the COuncil for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs:
Diagnosis and psychotherapy
Psychotherapy
Psychological testing and assessment
Professional orientation
Research and program evaluation
Group psychotherapy
Human growth and development
Counseling theory
Social and cultural foundations
Lifestyle and career development
Supervised practicum, internship and clinical residency
Licensure requirements for metal health counselors are equivalent to clinical social workers and marriage and family therapists - two other mental health professional disciplines requiring a minimum of a masters degree. A Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor has met or exceeded the following professional qualifications:
Earned a master's degree in counseling (60 semester credits)
Completed a minimum of 3000 hours clinical experience with two years post master's clinical work and 100 hours of direct one on one supervision from a licensed mental health professional
Passed a standardized exam administered by the licensure board, either the National Certified Counselors exam, or Clinical Mental Health Counselors exam.
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors practice in a variety of settings, including private or group practice, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, agencies, prisons or other forensic settings. Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors in Montana provide comprehensive clinical services including:
Assessing and diagnosing mental health problems
Psychological testing and assessment
Counseling or psychotherapy (Adults of all ages, couples or marital, family, child or adolescents)
Group counseling or psychotherapy
Alcoholism and substance abuse treatment
Psycho-educational and prevention programs
Treatment planning and utilization review
The practice of counseling is protected under Montana Law
Those who have not met the above criteria cannot practice Clinical Counseling unless Montana Law grants permission. Is your counselor licensed?
For license information please contact:
State of Montana Board of Social Work Examiners and Professional Counselors by e-mail at dlibsdswp@state.mt.us or by phone at 406-444-4285.
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