A consumer protection, education page about alleged "unethical counselors" and "unprofessional counselors" 
Related Pages  1. Generic Initials.  2. Counselor & public feedback  3. Page 2 of Feedback Letters

 
Misleading Professional Credentials:
Are they Unethical and Unprofessional?
by Floyd Else, MA, LMHC

CounselingSeattle.com has long opposed the practice of using (in counselor credentials) any initials or acronyms that falsely imply some unearned, higher status.  In 2006, CounselingSeattle.com focused on the acronym "ABS." In 2007, our focus will be on practitioners who use the misleading "generic initials" MFT, or MHC that likely to confuse or mislead the public into thinking the individuals concerned possess some higher certification or licensure beyond their degree.

Washington State Law [RCW 18.130.180] holds that any license holder or applicant who advertises in a way which is false, fraudulent or misleading is demonstrating unprofessional conduct.

In addition, most professional standards of ethics--such as the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics and Professional Standards--hold that in advertising services as a private practitioner, mental health counselors should advertise the services in such a manner so as to accurately inform the public....but that advertising should not contain false, inaccurate, misleading, partial, out of context, or descriptive material or statements.

Below you will find applicable portions the law governing counselors in the State of Washington and several professional counseling codes of ethics. I invite you to review these and form your own opinion.  (See "Examples of counselor websites believed to be unethical and unprofessional in their use of misleading counselor initials or acronyms," below.)
 

Index to Supplementary information on this page:
Ethics Codes, Washington Law and “MA ABS” Websites:

1. Examples of "MFT" unethical, unprofessional websites.

2. Examples of "MHC" unethical, unprofessional websites.

3. Examples of "MA ABS" websites.

4. RCW 18.130.180 Unprofessional conduct. (Extracted from the Washington State Law governing counselors.)

5. Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the American Counseling Association.

6. Code of Ethics of the American Mental Health Counselors Association

7. American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists

8. Code of Ethics of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors

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1. Examples of “MFT” Websites

In the state of Washington, an LMFT is a licensed category (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist).  However, you will find many practitioners using MFT which is a "generic set of initials" and the use of MFT generally indicates an unethical and unprofessional counselor.  All too often, when a counselor decides to open a private practice and serve the public, he or she is bothered by the lack of professional initials or credentials.  The thought process is, "Well, I do marriage and family therapy, so I will use the MFT initials." 

The consumer should note that MFT does not indicate any certification, licensure or degree level.   MFT is used frequently on the website of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.  As regards misuse of the MFT acronym, the AAMFT web site asks the question: "Who are Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT)?" and then answers it in detail. It begins by saying, "Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) are mental health professionals trained in psychotherapy and family systems, and  LICENSED  to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders within the context of marriage, couples and family systems." (emphasis added).  [So in Washington State, if a counselor is NOT licensed as a LMFT, then to use MFT or to claim, "I am a Marriage and Family Therapist," would be fraudulent and misleading.] 
 

1. “MA, MFT” Websites

Heather J. Johnson	The Marston Center, 677 Woodland Loop SE Suite #4, Lacey, WA 98503.  (360) 459-8858  [ Email ]
title error: [Credential Type: WA. Registered Counselor No: RC00051455] She claims  "Heather is a Marriage and Family Therapist...." but she is not a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  (See: AAMFT Ethics Code) http://www.heatherjjohnsoncounseling.com/about.html

 

Jason A. Soto MA,  MFT	Sound Foundations Professional Counseling In-Home Therapy,  (253) 304-4522 Puyallup, Washington
[Credential Type: WA. Registered Counselor No. RC00052769 ] http://family-marriage-counseling.com/directory/washington.htm http://soundfoundationscounseling.com/contact.html   (Email form on this page.)

MFT category:

JB removed MFT from 3 websites and removed from this list 11/27/07
HS removed MFT from website and was removed from this list on 9/20/07
LG removed MFT from website and was removed from this list on 1/2/08

 

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2. Examples of "MA, MHC" Websites

In the state of Washington, an LMHC is a licensed category (Licensed Mental Health Counselor).  However, you will find a few practitioners using MHC which is a "generic set of initials" and the use of MHC generally indicates an unethical and unprofessional counselor.  All too often, when a counselor decides to open a private practice and serve the public, he or she is bothered by the lack of professional initials or credentials.  The thought process is, "Well, I do mental health counseling, so I will use the MHC initials. 

The consumer should note that MHC does not indicate any certification, licensure or degree level.  

(Or both MHC and MFT, in some of these examples.)

Timothy Jenkins, MA,  MFT, MHC	12309 15th Ave NE Ste. D     [ Email ]  Seattle, WA 98125     (425) 273-1061
[Credential Type: WA. Registered Counselor No.RC00053237] http://www.kingcountycollab.org/find_results.php?WCLtype=Allied%20Professionals%20-%20Coaches

    

Cristien Strom,  ma, mhc	Seattle, Washington (206) 769-3160     [ Email ]
[Credential Type: WA. Registered Counselor No.RC00048675] http://www.cristienstorm.com/ http://www.dmoz.org/Regional/North_America/United_States/Washington/Localities/S/Seattle/Health/Mental_Health/

Registered Counselor Category--MHC removed
BW removed MFT & MHC and was removed from list 10/25/07
SAB removed MFT & MHC and was removed from this list 2/5/08 W

  

3. Examples of “MA, ABS” Websites

Formerly, Bastyr University’s Leadership Institute of Seattle (LIOS) authorized and permitted their graduates in the Master of Arts in Applied Behavioral Science program to use every word on the diploma as part of their professional credentials.  As a result, many alumni advertised themselves as John Smith, MA, ABS – or John Smith, MA/ABS and used these initials to market themselves on business cards, professional stationery, resumes, telephone advertisements and websites.

On October 20th 2006, Bastyr University announced that it had completed a review of the use of degree acronyms and determined that "MA" would now be used for the Master of Arts in Applied Behavioral Science degree.  Bastyr LIOS has issued alumni bulletins and list-serve emails to their alumni to announce this decision and requesting that they no longer use "ABS."  However, some alumni continue to use the misleading "ABS" acronym despite Bastyr LIOS' repeated requests.

The following are links to websites on which persons are listing their services using a form of "MA ABS" credential.  [See:  An Open Letter to Bastyr University LIOS "MA, ABS" Alumni. ]   As each of these persons remove the offending initials from their site and let us know, we remove them from the list.  [Telephone numbers and email links listed below are not confidential information and are published on the individual's websites.]

 Registered Counselor Examples of misleading "ABS"
 

James R. Ridell    Riddell Associates	MA, ABS, Registered Counselor, Mill Creek, WA 98012   (206) 769-4357
http://www.thecityofseattle.com/counseling/index.html

R. McCann (Mac) Partlow	MA, ABS, 1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 2001, 1200 Sixth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101      (206) 276-0325   [email]
[Credential Type: WA. Registered Counselor No.RC00016555]  To web site.

 Licensed Counselor Examples of misleading "ABS"

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Helen Bonser	MA/ABS/LMHC, Diversity Counseling Services,  Spokane, WA.   (509) 487-7064
http://www.inbaspokane.org/index.php?page=members&category=22

Peggy Morgan	MA/ABS, LMHC, Des Moines, WA 98198    (206) 824-7221   [ email ]
http://www.claritysearch.com/resume_morgan.htm

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Counselors who have been removed
from the "ABS" examples list.

Registered Counselor Category--ABS removed
DA no longer is an example of misuse of MA, ABS. (removed)
GB has removed the ABS and the site no longer qualifies for this list 1/21/07.
TE removed.  No longer a good example of MA ABS misuse.
JF no longer is an example of "ABS" use and has been removed.
KF has removed the "ABS" and his site no longer qualifies to be listed.
DH has discontinued "ABS" use and has been removed 12/7/06.
JH removed ABS and removed from this list 1/21/07.
JH removed ABS and was taken off the list 9/2/07.
DI removed from list.  No longer displays the ABS.  11/13/06
KL removed from list.  No longer displaying the ABS. 11/20/06.
TM has dropped use of the ABS acronym and has been removed 12/7/06.
DM no longer is a good example and has been removed.
MM no longer qualifies to be listed as an example 10/24/06
MP listing removed from web, removed from list 10/9/07.
MR removed ABS, no longer qualifies for list 4/4/07
OR removed ABS from sites and was deleted from this list on 12/24/06
GS has removed ABS + other misleading initials and has been removed 12/7/06
SW has removed the ABS from her website and have been removed from this page.
SV no longer on the offending page, removed her 1/2/08.
FG has removed the ABS from all websites and has been removed 4/5/08.
MA has removed all the ABS references on several sites and is removed 5/12/08

Licensed Counselor Category--ABS removed
DC webpage cleaned up 11/30/06
EC no longer serves as an example of "ABS."  Removed.
MG removed 10/5/06. No longer an example of MA ABS misuse.
AG has revised website and deleted "ABS", off this list 12/7/06.
MH's page containing ABS has been removed from the web.  4/30/07
PH removed. No longer an example of MA ABS misuse.
BK--thanks for your cooperation.  You are off the list 12/13/06.
SK no longer qualifies to be listed as an example 10/16/06.
MP no longer qualifies to be listed as an example 11/19/06
SP has removed ABS and is removed from this list.
JS removed the ABS and was deleted from this list 1/21/07.
JS has removed the "ABS" and I have removed her name 1/12/07.
LS has removed the "ABS" and has been removed from this list. 4/13/07.
LS website has removed "ABS" and has been removed from this list 4/4/07.
KZ -- the web page containing "ABS" can no longer be found.

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Washington State Law--RCW 18.130.180
Unprofessional conduct

The following conduct, acts, or conditions constitute unprofessional conduct for any license holder or applicant under the jurisdiction of this chapter:

(1) The commission of any act involving moral turpitude, dishonesty, or corruption relating to the practice of the person's profession, whether the act constitutes a crime or not.…

(3) All advertising which is false, fraudulent, or misleading;

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ACA Code of Ethics
2005

All members of the American Counseling Association (ACA) are required to adhere to the Standards of Practice and the Code of Ethics....Members should refer to the applicable section of the Code of Ethics for further interpretation and amplification of the applicable Standard of Practice.

Section C: Professional Responsibility

C.3. Advertising and Soliciting Clients

C.3.a. Accurate Advertising: When advertising or otherwise representing their services to the public, counselors identify their credentials in an accurate manner that is not false, misleading, deceptive, or fraudulent.

C.4. Professional Qualifications

C.4.a. Accurate Representation: Counselors claim or imply only professional qualifications actually completed and correct any known misrepresentations of their qualifications by others.

C.4.b. Credentials: Counselors claim only licenses or certifications that are current and in good standing.

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AMHCA--Code of Ethics of the
American Mental Health Counselors Association,
2000 Revision

Principle 12: Private Practice.

B) In advertising services as a private practitioner, mental health counselors should advertise the services in such a manner so as to accurately inform the public as to services, expertise, profession, and techniques of counseling in a professional manner.… Mental health counselors advertise the following: highest relevant degree, type and level of certification or license, and type and/or description of services or other relevant information. Such information should not contain false, inaccurate, misleading, partial, out of context, descriptive material or statements.

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AAMFT--Code of Ethics
American Association of
Marriage and Family Therapists

Principle VIII: Advertising

8.6 Marriage and family therapists correct, wherever possible, false, misleading, or inaccurate information and representations made by others concerning the therapist's qualifications, services, or products.

Note: as regards misuse of the MFT acronym, the AAMFT web site asks the question: "Who are Marriage and Family Therapists?" and then answers it in detail. It begins by saying, "Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) are mental health professionals trained in psychotherapy and family systems, and  LICENSED  to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders within the context of marriage, couples and family systems." (emphasis added).  [So if a counselor is not licensed and eligible to use the LMFT, then to use MFT or to say "I am a Marriage and Family Therapist," would be fraudulent and misleading.]

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American Association of Pastoral Counselors
Code of Ethics

PRINCIPLE VII - ADVERTISING

Any advertising by or for a member of AAPC, including announcements, public statements and promotional activities, is undertaken with the purpose of helping the public make informed judgements and choices.

We do not misrepresent our professional qualifications, affiliations and functions, or falsely imply sponsorship or certification by any organization.

B. "....We may not use the initials "AAPC" after our names in the manner of an academic degree."

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