Most Common Ethical Violations in Counseling
The Most Common Ethical Violations in Counseling: The Top 3. Three of the most common ethical violations in counseling are boundaries, billing fraud, and poor
Get your license. Keep your license.
I am on the list of LPC CPCS certified Professional Clinical Supervisors and an NBCC Approved Clinical Supervisor offering remote distance and telemental health counselor supervision for counselors near Atlanta, GA. Read how it all works. Or simply schedule an interview at my live web scheduler to determine if we are a good match.
* As a former Georgia Composite Board President I reviewed over 7000 LPC applications and provide LPC telesupervision to Atlanta and nearby counselors.
* There is a drastic shortage of Georgia [approved clinical supervisors] link to clinical supervision services page] in rural Georgia.
* The COVID-19 pandemic makes it difficult for pre-licensed therapists to find face-to-face supervision toward LPC licensure.
* It is difficult to find qualified supervisors who thoroughly understand GA LPC requirements.
* Professional development is critical. A APC supervisee’s goal is to become licensed–my goal is your goal.
* Telemental Health has become the norm for delivering synchronous and electronic face-to-face counseling. Georgia, Maryland, and other states have passed Licensing Compact Laws. This paves the way for boards to allow out-of-state therapists to practice within the home state if state boards choose to participate through counselingcompact.org. I can help you stay on top of which states have joined counselingcompact.org.
* Sometimes breaking licensing news doesn’t reach rural North and South Georgia. I will be sure you know these changing licensing board rules and laws.
* You can also take advantage of cutting edge continuing education ce workshops, webinars and training–live, interactive and accepted by most licensing boards. All of my psychotherapy ethics and other workshops are offered as live and fully interactive events online ces. You can and ask questions and get accurate answers- on the spot and from the comfort of your home.
GA Board rules define supervision as “…the direct clinical review, for the purpose of training or teaching, by a supervisor of a Professional Counselor’s interaction with their clients. GA rule 135-5-.01 states the purpose of supervision is “…promote the development of the practitioner’s clinical skills.” it is important you read the rules carefully particularly the definitions section of the GA Board Rules. Generally known as Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC), but there are many other designations that vary for each state license:
LMSW, LCSW, LICSW, LPC , LAPC/APC/LAC/ALC, LMFT , LPC-MH, LPCC-S, AMFT, LPC, MHSP, PhD-Couns, PsyD, LCPC, LCCP, LPCMH, LACMH, PCCI, LGPC, RMHC, LPCA, PLPC, LLPC, LIMHP, LPMHP, PLMHP, LCMHC, LPCS, LPC/1, CA, AACL, MFTA, LAMFT, FTA, RMFTI, LCMFT, PhD-Psych, CC, PPC
Licensed Professional Counselors are governed by a strict board code of ethics when they deal with clients, other associations, and institutions. Client records and information must be guarded in strict confidentiality and not discussed with anyone. A breach of confidentiality can lead to an LPC losing their license– and obviously jeopardize the mental health and well-being of the client.
Mental health professionals are regulated by the state government, code, and law. Each state in the nation has different ranges of allowed activities or “scope of practice”. State licensing boards ensure that measures for public and consumer protections are enforced.
If an LPC is additionally a participant of an expert professional association or organization or has actually obtained extra qualifications and credentials, they are usually bound to codes of ethics and principles of that specialist organization or accreditation body of which they are members. In Georgia, the only code of ethics that governs license regulation is rules chapter 135-5-7 “Code of Ethics”. First and foremost, adhere to that particular ethics to prevent having your license suspended or revoked.
Worth noting is that licensure is required in 50 states in the United States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Most all of these states and territories call for a master’s degree, masters specialist degree, or doctorate or PhD in a program primarily counseling in content. Passing a nationwide exam, such as the National Counselor Examination (Nce) and/or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHce) is usually required. So even if your location isn’t Georgia, LPCs need clinical supervision.
There are many other state’s designations for the general licensing of mental health counselors. For example, licensed professional clinical counselors (LPCC), licensed mental health counselors (LMHC), and requirements differ as well on who supervises or who is an approved supervisor toward licensure under their state laws.
Regardless of designation, these licensees provide similar services: offering or promoting psychological health and wellness and addressing and treating issues that may compound alcohol and drug misuse. (Mental illness and addiction impacts millions of Americans and the majority of services are provided by masters level LPC, SW and MFT ‘s.)
A vital goal in clinical supervision is supervisee development. In fact [Georgia composite board licensure rules 135-5-.01] states, “The purpose of supervision is to promote the development of the practitioner’s clinical skills.” The ideal goal is to create expert mental health clinicians in areas they choose to specialize.
Work settings where a LAPC can obtain supervision towards licensure include residential treatment facilities with treatment teams that provide intense care and use other psychological and behavioral approaches to improving emotional and psychological struggles and mental conditions.
A LAPC may also obtain their supervision in a private practice setting. It is critical that you read the composite board rules around acceptable work settings, but in ALL cases practice must occur under both direction and supervision simultaneously. Clearly state your job duties on the license application Directed Experience form. Be explicit that you are performing psychotherapeutic interventions.
*If you are a social worker or marriage and family therapist, please note that licensing requirements and approved supervisors will differ (LMSW, LCSW, AMFT, MFT).
Your graduate degree must also be from a board accredited school which includes practicum internship on-site training. Please review carefully the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists Chapter 135-5 paragraph 8, “Program Primarily Counseling in Content” to determine if your graduate degree is properly accredited.
Due to limited expert qualified Georgia LPC clinical supervisors statewide and the need for online continuing education courses, I provide Clinical Supervision for LPCs to Atlanta, GA supervisees.
You have the right to know what to expect in advance.
The Most Common Ethical Violations in Counseling: The Top 3. Three of the most common ethical violations in counseling are boundaries, billing fraud, and poor
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