1. The Development of a Consensus
Licensure Title
and
Scope of Practice
in the
United States

2. David Kaplan ACA Chief Professional Officer dkaplan@counseling.org www.counseling.org/kaplan

3. 20/20: A Vision for the Future of Counseling www.counseling.org/20-2031
U.S. counseling organizations

4. Three 20/20 Projects
Principles for Unifying & Strengthening the Profession
Consensus definition of counseling

5. Building Blocks to Portability Project

6. Building Blocks for Portability Project
The task:
Develop a consensus licensure title to recommend to all state licensing boards
Develop a consensus scope of practice to recommend to all state licensing boards
Develop consensus education requirements to
recommend to all state licensing boards.

7. So how in blazes do you do this?

8. Use the Delphi Method

9. Work Groups: Title – chaired by Dr. Burt Bertram
Scope of Practice – chaired by Dr. Perry Francis
Educational Requirements – chaired by Dr. Carol Bobby

10. Counselor Licensure Title - Initial Work
14 Counselor titles were generated by the delegates of the licensure title work group.
This number was 31 less that the number of titles utilized by our state licensing boards.

11. Delphi Counselor Licensure Title Work Group Results
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

12. Scope of Practice Delphi Results
154 original items listed
No clear “top” criteria emerged
Content/frequency analysis of common activities listed in states’ scopes of practice

13. Scope of Practice Content Analysis
Populations Served
Individuals, groups, families, couples, thru application of accepted MH principles, methods, procedures and ethics
Also includes services to organizations & schools
Primary Purpose of Counseling
Promote MH wellness, including achievement of social, career, emotional development across lifespan
Preventing/treating mental disorders; providing crisis intervention

14. Consultation/Program Evaluation
Assessment
Administration of assessments (with training) for appraisal, diagnosis, evaluation, referral determination, dx of emotional/mental disorders
Assist in establishing educational and mental health dx plans and goals
Consultation/Program Evaluation
Also program administration within and to schools/organizations

15. Supervision Limitations
Training/supervision of interns, trainees, pre-licensed professionals using established principles, methods, procedures, ethics
Limitations
Does not include practice of medicine, prescribing medications, or anything not within training/education

16. Scope of Practice Key Elements
Individual, group, couples, & family counseling
Promote mental health wellness, development across the lifespan, crisis intervention and the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders
Consultation and program evaluation
Supervision
Ability to practice independently

17. Two out of three ain’t bad!
What about the licensure education requirements?
Two out of three ain’t bad!

18. Delphi Education Requirements Initial Work
65 items pertaining to educational requirements were generated
Top related items were related to CACREP standards
The incorporation of evidence-based practices was also highly rated

19. Delphi Education Requirements
The delegates endorsed the concept that having a single educational accrediting body would be a clear benefit for the counseling profession.

20. David Kaplan ACA Chief Professional Officer dkaplan@counseling.org www.counseling.org/kaplan