"Licensed professional counselor" or "LPC"
any person who offers professional counseling services for compensation to any person and is licensed pursuant
... [Show More] to the provisions of the Licensed Professional Counselors Act.
"Board"
means the State Board of Behavioral Health Licensure
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"Counseling"
the application of mental health and developmental principles in order to:
a. facilitate human development and adjustment throughout the life span,
b. prevent, diagnose or treat mental, emotional or behavioral disorders or associated distress which interfere with mental health,
c. conduct assessments or diagnoses for the purpose of establishing treatment goals and objectives, and
d. plan, implement or evaluate treatment plans using counseling treatment interventions
"Counseling treatment interventions"
the application of cognitive, affective, behavioral and systemic counseling strategies which include principles of development, wellness, and pathology that reflect a pluralistic society. Such interventions are specifically implemented in the context of a professional counseling relationship;
"Consulting"
interpreting or reporting scientific fact or theory in counseling to provide assistance in solving current or potential problems of individuals, groups or organizations;
"Referral activities"
the evaluating of data to identify problems and to determine the advisability of referral to other specialists
"Research Activities"
reporting, designing, conducting or consulting on research in counseling;
"Specialty"
the designation of a subarea of counseling practice that is recognized by a national certification agency or by the Board;
"Supervisor"
a person who meets the requirements established by the Board and who is licensed pursuant to the Licensed Professional Counselors Act
"Licensed professional counselor candidate"
a person whose application for licensure has been accepted and who is under supervision for licensure as provided in Section 1906 of this title
"Executive Director"
the Executive Director of the State Board of Behavioral Health Licensure.
the title "Licensed Professional Counselor" or "LPC" should not be used by such professionals:
1. Physicians, psychologists, social workers, marital and family therapists and attorneys, who are licensed by their respective licensing authorities;
2. Rehabilitation counselors, vocational evaluation specialists, psychiatric and mental health nurses, alcohol and drug counselors, school administrators, school teachers and school counselors, who are certified by their respective certifying authorities;
3. Persons in the employ of accredited institutions of higher education, or in the employ of local, state or federal government; and
4. Members of clergy.
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The activities and services of a person in the employ of a private, nonprofit behavioral services provider contracting with the state to provide behavioral services with the state shall be exempt....
from licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor if such activities and services are a part of the official duties of such person with the private nonprofit agency.
Any person who is unlicensed and operating under these exemptions shall not use any of the following official titles or descriptions:
a. psychologist, psychology or psychological,
b. licensed social worker,
c. clinical social worker,
d. certified rehabilitation specialist,
e. licensed professional counselor,
f. psychoanalyst, or
g. marital and family therapist.
The State Board of Behavioral Health Licensure shall (duties and responsibilities):
1. Prescribe, adopt and promulgate rules to implement and enforce the provisions of the Licensed Professional Counselors Act, including the adoption of the State Department of Health rules by reference;
2. Adopt and establish rules of professional conduct; and
3. Set license and examination fees as required by the Licensed Professional Counselors Act.
The Board shall have the authority to:
1. Seek injunctive relief
2. Request the district attorney to bring an action to enforce the provisions of the Licensed Professional Counselors Act
3. Receive fees and deposit said fees into the Licensed Professional Counselors Revolving Fund as required by the Licensed Professional Counselors Act
4. Issue, renew, revoke, deny, suspend and place on probation licenses to practice professional counseling pursuant to the provisions of the Licensed Professional Counselors Act
5. Examine all qualified applicants for licenses to practice professional counseling
6. Request assistance from the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision for the purposes of investigating complaints and possible violations of the Licensed Professional Counselors Act
7. Accept grants and gifts from various foundations and institutions; and
8. Make such expenditures and employ such personnel as the Executive Director may deem necessary for the administration of the Licensed Professional Counselors Act.
Each applicant for a license to practice as a licensed professional counselor shall:
1. Be possessed of good moral character;
2. Pass an examination based on standards promulgated by the Board pursuant to the Licensed Professional Counselors Act;
3. Be at least twenty-one (21) years of age;
4. Not have engaged in, nor be engaged in, any practice or conduct which would be grounds for denying, revoking or suspending a license pursuant to this title; and
5. Otherwise comply with the rules promulgated by the Board pursuant to the provisions of the Licensed Professional Counselors Act. [Show Less]