LPCC & LMFT: Guide to Dual Licensure. Jay Burke, M.S. Director of Clinical Training, BBS Programs

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1 LPCC & LMFT: Guide to Dual Licensure Jay Burke, M.S. Director of Clinical Training, BBS Programs

2 Overview In 2009, the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor ( LPCC ) licensure law was passed. December 31, 2011 was the deadline to grandparent into the LPCC licensure. As of January 1, 2012, LMFTs, MFT Registered Interns, or MFT trainees who wish to become dually licensed as an LMFT and an LPCC will need to follow the education, experience, and examination requirements for BOTH licenses.

3 Should I pursue an LMFT and LPCC license? This is an individual decisions. Some common reasons individuals pursue both licenses: It can increase chances of portability to another state. Additional licenses/certifications can enhance professional opportunities. You can double-dip MFT intern and PCC intern hours and accrue them concurrently. The LPCC license has a differing emphasis than the LMFT license.

4 Each state now licenses four mental health professions Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) (also named LPCCs, LCPCs, LCMHCs) Over 126,000 nationwide (Over 1,200 in CA) Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists (LMFTs) Almost 58,000 nationwide (Over 37,000 in CA) Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) Over 225,000 nationwide (Almost 22,000 in CA) Licensed Psychologists Over 154,000 nationwide (Almost 18,000 in CA) American Counseling Association: 2013 Statistics on Mental Health Professions

5 Comparison of Scopes LPCC from B & P Code 4999 Empowers individuals to deal adequately with life situations, reduce stress, experience growth, change behavior and make wellinformed, rational decisions LMFT from B & P Code 4980 Enables individuals to mature and grow within marriage and family. Examines interpersonal relationships to achieve more adequate, satisfying and productive marriage and family adjustments LCSW from B & P Code 4996 Directed at helping people achieve more adequate, satisfying and productive social adjustments. Provides or arranges for social services, helps communities to organize, improves social or health services. Applies a variety of counseling interventions and psychotherapeutic techniques to identify and remediate cognitive, mental and emotional issues, for the purposes of improving mental health Applies marriage and family therapy principles and methods, including psychotherapeutic techniques, to serve individuals, couples and groups Includes counseling and applied psychotherapy of a non-medical nature with individuals, families and groups

6 Education Requirements Master s or Doctoral degree that is counseling or psychotherapy in content obtained from an accredited or approved institution containing not less than 60 graduate semester units of instructions. Include 13 Core Areas, including 3 semester-units (4.5 quarter-units) of advanced counseling and psychotherapeutic theories & techniques Counseling & psychotherapy Human Growth & Development Career Development Group Counseling Assessment Multicultural Counseling Diagnostic Process Research and Evaluation Law & Ethics Psychopharmacology Addictions Counseling Crisis or Trauma Counseling Advanced Counseling & Techniques An Important Note: An applicant for the LPCC license cannot be deficient in more than three of the required nine areas of study. Up to two may be completed at an accredited institution, post-degree.

7 Experience Requirements A minimum of 3,000 post-degree hours of supervised clinical mental health experience (under qualified supervision). Cannot take place less than two years (104 total weeks). Must include 280 hours of clinical experience in hospital or community mental health setting. After accruing hours, passing the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) and the California Law and Ethics exam.

8 Potential Missing Coursework/Experience Career Development (needs to be at least 3 semester units) (Currently, MFT program offers this as a 3-unit elective) Crisis/Trauma Counseling Course (needs to be at least 3 semester units) Substance Abuse Treatment Course (needs to be at least 3 semester units) (Currently, MFT program offers this as a 2-unit course) Group Counseling Course (needs to be at least 3 semester units) (Currently, MFT program offers this as a 2-unit course)

9 How do I pursue this? First, register as a Professional Clinical Counseling intern via the BBS, after graduating from MA program. Second, complete the 3,000 post-master s required practicum hours (these hours can be completed concurrently while accruing the MFT internship hours). Third, complete the national PCC licensure exam.

10 Further Resources LPCC & LMFT: Guide to Dual Licensure (updated August 2012): Located HERE. BBS website: California Association of Licensed Professional Counseling: