Counselor Licensure in Alabama

				Does Licensure really matter?

YES!!

If you want to ensure that you are working with a practitioner who is bound to certain ethical standards of practice and who has been professionally trained and supervised to provide mental health services, you should be sure to work with a Licensed professional.

Who are Licensed Professional Counselors?

Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) provide quality mental health and substance abuse care to millions of Americans. Professional counselors have a master's or doctoral degree in counseling or a related field which included an internship and coursework in human behavior and development, effective counseling strategies, ethical practice, and other core knowledge areas.

Nearly every state in the United States has a licensing board for counselors. The requirements for licensure vary slightly from state to state.

Practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Alabama requires:

	completion of a master's degree program in counseling or a related field that includes an internship and coursework on human behavior and development, effective counseling strategies, ethical practice, and other core knowledge areas.
	licensure by the Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling. Licensure requires one to three years of supervised experience (as long as it takes to complete 3000 hours of supervised experience) and passage of a national examination (NCE).
	Participation in continuing education is required for the renewal of a license or certification. LPCs must have at least 20 hours of NBCC approved continuation every year.
	adherence to a code of ethics that protects the confidentiality of the counseling relationship; prohibits discrimination and requires understanding of and respect for diverse cultural backgrounds; and mandates that professional counselors put the needs and welfare of clients before all others in their practice.
	For complete Alabama Requirements or further information, visit Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling

What else should I know about Mental Health Counselors?

The following information on the practice of mental health counseling is taken from the February 2004 website of the American Mental Health Counselor Association:

FACTS:

	According to the report, "Mental Health, United States, 1998" published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service's (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), more than 96,000 professional counselors are licensed or certified for independent practice in the United States.
	The majority of national behavioral health managed care companies reimburse mental health counselors for services they provide.
	The median cost per session for mental health counselors is $67, compared to a median cost of $90 and $100 for psychologists and psychiatrists respectively, according to the April 1997 issue of Psychotherapy Finances.
	Forty-five states and the District of Columbia license or certify mental health counselors for private practice.
	Mental health counselors adhere to a rigorous code of ethics.

Mental health counseling is a distinct profession with national standards for education, training and clinical practice. The American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) is the professional membership organization that represents the mental health counseling profession. Clinical membership in AMHCA requires a master's degree in counseling or a closely related mental health field and adherence to AMHCA's National Standards for Clinical Practice.

Graduate education and clinical training prepare mental health counselors to provide a full range of services for individuals, couples, families, adolescents and children. The core areas of mental health programs approved by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs include:

	Diagnosis and psychopathology
	Psychotherapy
	Psychological testing and assessment
	Professional orientation
	Research and program evaluation
	Group counseling
	Human growth and development
	Counseling theory
	Social and cultural foundations
	Lifestyle and career development
	Supervised practicum and internship

Licensure requirements for mental health counselors are equivalent to those for clinical social workers and marriage and family therapists - two other disciplines that require a master's degree for independent status.

A licensed mental health counselor has met or exceeded the following professional qualifications:

	Earned a master's degree in counseling or a closely related mental health discipline;
	Completed a minimum of two years post master's clinical work under the supervision of a licensed or certified mental health professional; and
	Passed a state-developed or national licensure or certification examination.

Mental health counselors practice in a variety of settings, including independent practice, community agencies, managed behavioral health care organizations, integrated delivery systems, hospitals, employee assistance programs and substance abuse treatment centers. Mental health counselors are highly skilled professionals who provide a full range of services including:

	Assessment and diagnosis
	Psychotherapy
	Treatment planning and utilization review
	Brief and solution-focused therapy
	Alcoholism and substance abuse treatment
	Psychoeducational and prevention programs
	Crisis management

In today's managed care environment, mental health counselors are uniquely qualified to meet the challenges of providing high quality care in a cost-effective manner. Mental health counselors provide flexible, consumer-oriented therapy. They combine traditional psychotherapy with a practical problem solving approach that creates a dynamic and efficient path for change and problem resolution.



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