Attorney Richard S. Leslie, JD, wrote an opinion piece entitled "Mandatory Continuing Education-Does It Work" in the Risk Management section of the April 2009 edition of the Advocate Newsletter (published by the American Mental Health Counselors Association) about whether or not mandatory continuing education requirements for mental health counselors really decrease "the number and severity of disciplinary actions against licensees? (P.10). Attorney Leslie writes that if a study was done by each licensing board in each state, for example in Massachusetts, the results would indicate that the mandate does not decrease the number or severity of cases for disciplinary actions.
In fact, disciplinary actions taken by state licensing boards tend to be true violations of their state laws for example, insurance fraud, sexual relationships with clients, and failure to report child abuse. Attorney Leslie states these illegal acts are not related to a continuing education issue.
Attorney Leslie writes as he spoke to an "renowned expert" (P.10) about changing the system on mandatory continuing education requirements. The suggestion would be for mental health counselors to be tested every five years on specific topics designated by their licensing board. If the counselor fails the exam, his/her license would be reissued. However, the individual would be required to take continuing education training to increase his/her knowledge of a specific topic area that was not passed on the exam.
What do you think? I do not support taking a test every five years to measure certain areas of knowledge by the state licensing board. Taking an exam of this nature, requires many hours of studying that I would find inconvenient and not fun. I rather take the required thirty hours of continuing education units (CEUs) that is mandated by the licensing board every two years in which I can freely choose what trainings to take on my own time. I agree with Attorney Leslie that continuing education may not stop a counselor for committing an alleged illegal act under state laws. No mandated test or continuing education training will prevent a counselor that lacks immoral character from committing a crime.
I recommend that counseling graduate programs implement a mandated course on "Ethics and Professionalism" that will be able to weed out those students who don't belong in the program. Also, employers could implement a mandatory ethics training program once a year during their staff meetings to keep counselors updated and refreshed on new issues that may arise on the job.
Robbin Miller, LMHC
Facilitator
www.therapistsforchange.blogspot.com
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
A Sad Time for Childrens' Mental Health
In the past few months, several family clinics throughout the state have closed their doors due to not receiving the increase in Mass Health rates to service childrens' mental health needs. As a result, there will be limited services and openings for low income children who need outpatient therapy as well as for medication management. Please note that the Rosie D mandate will fund intensive services for children diagnosed with serious emotional disturbrances(SED). However, those children who are not diagnosed with SED, will have a difficult time finding outpatient therapists and psychiatry for their mental health needs.
What can you do:
Please contact your state legislator at 617-722-2000 to voice your concerns about the lack of adequate reimbursements to fund family counseling centers for children with mental health needs that need outpatient and medication management services.
What can you do:
Please contact your state legislator at 617-722-2000 to voice your concerns about the lack of adequate reimbursements to fund family counseling centers for children with mental health needs that need outpatient and medication management services.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Medicare Mental Health Counseling Coverage Bill Introduced!
Dear Colleagues:
Please contact your congressmen and senator to support that licensed marriage, family and mental health counselors be covered under medicare .
Please see below the press release by AMCHA this morning:
Congressional Background Information Legislation has been introduced in both the House and Senate to establish Medicare coverage of licensed professional counselors. On March 23rd, Senators Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and John Barrasso (R-WY) introduced S. 671, the "Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2009." The next day, Representative Bart Gordon (D-TN) introduced H.R. 1693, identical legislation with the same title. The legislation would also establish coverage of licensed marriage and family therapists. AMHCA and ACA worked closely with Senators Lincoln and Barrasso, and with Congressman Gordon, on the development and preparation of the legislation.
We Need Cosponsors! Mental health counselors are strongly encouraged to call, write, or e-mail their Senators to ask them to cosponsor S. 671, and their Representative to ask for cosponsorship of H.R. 1693. The more cosponsors we have for S. 671 and H.R. 1693, the more likely we are to gain their inclusion in the larger Medicare legislation to be approved by Congress.
Follow this effective method to reach your senators and representatives:
Call 202-224-3121 (the main Capitol switchboard).
Ask to be connected to the office of a specific senator or representative.
Once connected, ask to speak with the health legislative assistant.
Ask his or her boss to co-sponsor the bills referenced in this message.
We Are at a Critical Crossroads!Yes, Congress has actively considered legislation providing Medicare reimbursement to LPCs for several years now. But THIS year, in THIS session, Congress will be considering legislation to reform America’s health care system. Plus, Congress will pass Medicare legislation this year, in order to prevent a scheduled 20% pay cut for physicians under the program from taking effect on January 1, 2010. We need mental health counselor coverage to be part of this Medicare package—and this represents a prime opportunity to achieve our long sought goals.
Please take a moment to call or e-mail your Representative and Senators and ask them to cosponsor the "Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2009" (H.R. 1693 / S. 671).This legislation will improve Medicare beneficiaries’ access to outpatient mental health care in a cost-effective manner, by establishing coverage of highly-qualified LPCs.
For more information, contact Al Guida, AMHCA's lobbyist, at 202-331-1120, or e-mail him with any questions. Act now!
Submitted by,
Robbin Miller, LMHC
Facilitator
Please contact your congressmen and senator to support that licensed marriage, family and mental health counselors be covered under medicare .
Please see below the press release by AMCHA this morning:
Congressional Background Information Legislation has been introduced in both the House and Senate to establish Medicare coverage of licensed professional counselors. On March 23rd, Senators Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and John Barrasso (R-WY) introduced S. 671, the "Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2009." The next day, Representative Bart Gordon (D-TN) introduced H.R. 1693, identical legislation with the same title. The legislation would also establish coverage of licensed marriage and family therapists. AMHCA and ACA worked closely with Senators Lincoln and Barrasso, and with Congressman Gordon, on the development and preparation of the legislation.
We Need Cosponsors! Mental health counselors are strongly encouraged to call, write, or e-mail their Senators to ask them to cosponsor S. 671, and their Representative to ask for cosponsorship of H.R. 1693. The more cosponsors we have for S. 671 and H.R. 1693, the more likely we are to gain their inclusion in the larger Medicare legislation to be approved by Congress.
Follow this effective method to reach your senators and representatives:
Call 202-224-3121 (the main Capitol switchboard).
Ask to be connected to the office of a specific senator or representative.
Once connected, ask to speak with the health legislative assistant.
Ask his or her boss to co-sponsor the bills referenced in this message.
We Are at a Critical Crossroads!Yes, Congress has actively considered legislation providing Medicare reimbursement to LPCs for several years now. But THIS year, in THIS session, Congress will be considering legislation to reform America’s health care system. Plus, Congress will pass Medicare legislation this year, in order to prevent a scheduled 20% pay cut for physicians under the program from taking effect on January 1, 2010. We need mental health counselor coverage to be part of this Medicare package—and this represents a prime opportunity to achieve our long sought goals.
Please take a moment to call or e-mail your Representative and Senators and ask them to cosponsor the "Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2009" (H.R. 1693 / S. 671).This legislation will improve Medicare beneficiaries’ access to outpatient mental health care in a cost-effective manner, by establishing coverage of highly-qualified LPCs.
For more information, contact Al Guida, AMHCA's lobbyist, at 202-331-1120, or e-mail him with any questions. Act now!
Submitted by,
Robbin Miller, LMHC
Facilitator
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Will Viritual Reality replace the Brick and Mortar of Counseling?
Michael Ventura's article, "Screenworld" (Psychotherapy Network, Jan/Feb 2009) talked about the differences and impact of cyberspace on the traditional brick and mortar style of counseling.
It is true that more and more people are using the internet for a variety of reasons. Some people find comfort in engaging in social networks such as facebook and myspace as a way of connecting with each other and meeting new people. Others enjoy participating in a variety of interactive computer games that can be discerning, particulary, for children and teens engaging in violent and competitive games with each other. The internet can also provide valuable educational opportunities for adults to take college classes online and to click on to other websites that can provide informal learning opportunities based upon an individual's interest area.
The question is "Will counseling lose its effectiveness for people wanting to meet their counselor in person? In an office setting, a client gets the three dimensional view of interacting with their counselor as opposed to the one dimensional view in cyberspace. While the former can provide a warm environment by its smells, its touch, its sight, its taste, and personal connection from a caring professional, how can counselors make the latter similar and inviting?
Maybe a little bit of both is the answer as the client and the counselor can benefit and compromise from each domain. However, one greatest challenge facing the profession is the lack of insurance reimbursements for seeing clients through cyberspace. How many clients are willing to privately pay to engage in treatment over the internet? I am glad though that the profession has developed ethics and guidelines for internet therapy.
What do you think? Can you imagine conducting therapy through facebook and myspace? What will become of the profession in the next few years and decade?
Robbin Miller, LMHC
Facilitator
http://www.therapistsforchange.blogspot.com/
It is true that more and more people are using the internet for a variety of reasons. Some people find comfort in engaging in social networks such as facebook and myspace as a way of connecting with each other and meeting new people. Others enjoy participating in a variety of interactive computer games that can be discerning, particulary, for children and teens engaging in violent and competitive games with each other. The internet can also provide valuable educational opportunities for adults to take college classes online and to click on to other websites that can provide informal learning opportunities based upon an individual's interest area.
The question is "Will counseling lose its effectiveness for people wanting to meet their counselor in person? In an office setting, a client gets the three dimensional view of interacting with their counselor as opposed to the one dimensional view in cyberspace. While the former can provide a warm environment by its smells, its touch, its sight, its taste, and personal connection from a caring professional, how can counselors make the latter similar and inviting?
Maybe a little bit of both is the answer as the client and the counselor can benefit and compromise from each domain. However, one greatest challenge facing the profession is the lack of insurance reimbursements for seeing clients through cyberspace. How many clients are willing to privately pay to engage in treatment over the internet? I am glad though that the profession has developed ethics and guidelines for internet therapy.
What do you think? Can you imagine conducting therapy through facebook and myspace? What will become of the profession in the next few years and decade?
Robbin Miller, LMHC
Facilitator
http://www.therapistsforchange.blogspot.com/
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Support GHEA coverage for Licensed Mental Health Counselors
To all mental health professionals, please write to the following individual regarding their company's policies to reimburse licensed mental health counselors for counseling services under the Federal Employee Health Employment Program. Below is a suggested letter to be sent. Please feel free to add your own ideas or facts to GEHA. Please note that ideas and some wording for this letter was taken from a template that the American Mental Health Counselors Association sent to their members in the monthly newsletter, The Advocate, February 2009 edition.
Government Employee Health Association, Inc.
PO Box 4665
Independence, MO 64051
Dear GEHA:
I am writing as a licensed mental health counselor in Massachusetts concerning the Government Employees Health Association (GEHA) refusal to reimburse the services of licensed mental health counselors under the Federal Employee Health Employment Program (FEHEP). I am requesting that GHEA modify its policies to include covering the services of mental health counselors in all your plans you currently offer. Below are three main points on why it important for GEHA to revise its policies:
1) Mental health counselors are professionals with at least a master's, advanced masters, or doctoral degree in counseling or a related discipline and are licensed in 49 states. Mental health counselors can independently diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders and practice in a variety of settings including community mental health centers, hospitals, managed behavioral health organizations, drug abuse treatment centers, employee assistance plans, and in private practice.
2) Clinical training for mental health counselors are comparable to training for other professions you currently reimburse, yet our rates are lower than our colleagues in the psychiatry, psychology, and social work professions. Mental health professionals provide cost-effective services and typically employ a short-term treatment perspective.
3) GHEA can obtain access to a network of quality mental health providers at affordable rates, helping to keep insurance rates down for the federal government and its employees.
I appreciate your consideration and look forward to a positive response.
Sincerely,
Robbin Miller, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Facilitator
www.therapistsforchange.blogspot.com
Government Employee Health Association, Inc.
PO Box 4665
Independence, MO 64051
Dear GEHA:
I am writing as a licensed mental health counselor in Massachusetts concerning the Government Employees Health Association (GEHA) refusal to reimburse the services of licensed mental health counselors under the Federal Employee Health Employment Program (FEHEP). I am requesting that GHEA modify its policies to include covering the services of mental health counselors in all your plans you currently offer. Below are three main points on why it important for GEHA to revise its policies:
1) Mental health counselors are professionals with at least a master's, advanced masters, or doctoral degree in counseling or a related discipline and are licensed in 49 states. Mental health counselors can independently diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders and practice in a variety of settings including community mental health centers, hospitals, managed behavioral health organizations, drug abuse treatment centers, employee assistance plans, and in private practice.
2) Clinical training for mental health counselors are comparable to training for other professions you currently reimburse, yet our rates are lower than our colleagues in the psychiatry, psychology, and social work professions. Mental health professionals provide cost-effective services and typically employ a short-term treatment perspective.
3) GHEA can obtain access to a network of quality mental health providers at affordable rates, helping to keep insurance rates down for the federal government and its employees.
I appreciate your consideration and look forward to a positive response.
Sincerely,
Robbin Miller, LMHC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Facilitator
www.therapistsforchange.blogspot.com
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