Future of
Counseling
Washington
State

 
Dear Floyd,  I'm researching to learn what an unlicensed person with a Masters Degree in Counseling is allowed to do in the state of Washington.  Can you answer this question?  Or, direct me to a website which may answer this question?   Thank you for your time! Warmly, Tracey M.  10/13/2011
 

Dear Tracey Joy:

Well, my first instinct is to be funny and reply, "An unlicensed person with a Masters Degree in Counseling is allowed to do just about anything that a normal person can do."

But I suppose you are inquiring about counseling opportunities for a graduate who hasn't completed the experience hours for full licensure.
1. You could get a job as a counselor in a licensed mental health agency as an Agency Affiliated Counselor. (Not a recommended option.)
2. You and apply to be a licensed associate counselor (3 categories) probably Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHCA).

As a LMHCA you have the option to do private practice counseling under supervision (that you would pay for yourself), OR you could get a job as a LMHCA in a licensed mental health agency and the agency would provide supervision so you could get your hours for full licensure as a LMHC. (Best option, if you can find a job.)

Links to application forms and to more information is on my "Counselor's Questions" web page.  Print out the application form for LMHCA and see if you will qualify.  If so, get busy and complete it and send it in.

Best wishes,

Floyd Else, MA, LMHC, NCC, Webmaster
 

Dear Floyd,   LOL, I do appreciate your humor. And, all the information you provided. Thank you for your time and generosity!  Blessings!  Tracey

Dear Tracy Miller:

I should also alert you that the future for careers in counseling is not good at this time.

The ideal system for producing new, highly qualified counselors would be for graduates of Master's Degree in Counseling programs to be employed in mental health agencies, where they would be paid, get free supervision,
exposure to a broad range of clients and client problems, and earn the experience hours needed for full licensure.

The new counselor credentials law (2008) with its new credentials has continued to produce a very unhealthy climate for recent graduates of masters degree programs. Unfortunately, in the history of counseling in Washington State were was formerly a "Registered Counselor" category which made it possible for anyone, regardless of training or other qualifications, to do counseling for a fee in Washington.  While officially abolished 7/1/10, many of the negative qualities have been preserved in the new credential, Agency Affiliated Counselor (AAC).  Many of the old Registered Counselors were able to remain in employment positions in mental health agencies by applying for the new counselor category of Agency Affiliated Counselors. AACs, as they are called, lack the qualifications to become licensed counselors. They must only gain employment in a licensed mental health agency, they qualify for the Agency Affiliated Counselor credential. There are no safeguards for the public, other than that the AACs are supervised.

As of December 2010, there were 6,428 Agency Affiliated Counselors in jobs that I believe should be going to fully licensed counselors and licensed associate counselors.  I would expect that the number of Agency Affiliated Counselors has increased substantially since then.

Most the current AACs are former Registered Counselors who were employed either by the state or by licensed mental health agencies, and lacked the qualifications to become a licensed associate counselor.  The AAC category was a solution that kept them employed, rather than turning them out of their jobs. But just as with the old "registered counselor" category, there is no time limit on applications.  That means as old Agency Affiliated Counselors retire, new Agency Affiliated Counselors with questionable qualifications are hired and made AACs to replace them. This makes it extremely difficult for Licensed Associate Counselors to find a job with a licensed mental health agency.

Unless all the counseling associations in the state (mental health counselors, clinical social workers and marriage and family therapist) unite in a common purpose to pass corrective legislation, this unhealthy condition will continue forever
in the State of Washington. Legislation is needed immediately to prohibit the acceptance of any new Agency Affiliated Counselor applications by the Health Department. The old AACs can continue to work, but as they require they will be replaced by fully licensed counselors or licensed associate counselors.  We must be agents of change to provide conditions to provide employment and supervision opportunities for the new licensed counselors of the future.

It is is imperative that Washington State legislature take action to to insure that the citizens of the state have the best counselors we can produce, and to help career counselors who have sacrificed so much in time and money to enhance their counseling skills and obtain their graduate degrees.

I urge you to do your part and help to spread the word.

Again, best wishes to you and may you have a great counseling career ahead of you.

Floyd

Floyd Else, MA, LMHC, NCC
Owner and Webmaster: http://www.CounselingWashington.com
CounselingSeattle LLC
PO Box 6714, Bellevue, WA. 98008-0714