2007 ONLINE RENEWALS NEW EXPIRATION DATE: 1/31/2010

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1 4201 Patterson Ave Baltimore, MD Page 1 Spring 2008 B OARD OF PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS & THERAPISTS INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Online Renewals ONLINE RENEWALS NEW EXPIRATION DATE: 1/31/2010 New Laws 1 Farewell: Joanne Faber 2 New Chairperson 3 FAQ s: Alcohol & Drug 4 Marriage & Family 4-5 A & D Supervision 5 Staff Members 5 Board Members 6 WHAT S ON THE AGENDA? The recent renewal period (November 2007) marked the first time renewal applicants could renew their license or certification online. In November 2007 over 1500 letters were sent out to licensed or certified applicants informing them that online renewal was now possible. Applicants could go on the Boards website and click the Online Renewals link. Applicants use their license or certification number as their user name and the last four digits of their social security number as their password. Online renewals are not open to applicants reinstating their license or certification. They must complete a paper renewal form. The recent renewal period also marked the new 1/31/2010 expiration date for certifications and licenses that expired 12/31/2007. Traditionally the expiration date of a certification or license was December 31st, but in an effort to move the renewal period away from the Christmas Holiday season, the Board decided to change the renewal date to January 31. N EW LAWS EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 2008 Governor Martin O'Malley, signed the following bills into law effective October 1, HB459 State Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists Sunset Extensions and Revisions This new law will not only extend the Board of Professional Counselors & Therapists until July 1, 2019, but it will also increase the number of Board members to 13. Five Board members will be licensed professional counselors; (3) licensed marriage & family therapists; (3) licensed alcohol & drug counselors and (2) consumer members. This law will also provide for the termination of the grand-parenting clause. HB494 Licensed Counselors & Therapists Appraisal Activities Training Requirements This new law repeals a specified requirement that the Board of Psychologists and the Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists jointly approve specified training for licensed counselors and therapists; and authorizes licensed counselors and therapists to engage in specified appraisal activities that include the use of specified instruments if specified training has been completed. HB116 Mental Hygiene Emergency Evaluation Petitions Licensed Clinical Marriage & Family Therapists. This new law adds Licensed Clinical Marriage & Family Therapists to the professionals authorized to diagnose a mental disorder for purposes of seeking emergency evaluations of individuals and authorizes licensed clinical marriage & family therapists to sign and submit emergency evaluations to peace officers.

2 Board of Professional Counselors & Therapists Page 2 F AREWELL AND BEST WISHES TO O UTGOING CHAIRPERSON: JOANNE FABER Ten years ago no one could have convinced me that I would have continued as a member of the Board for so many years, much less serve as the chair for six. As I struggled with what to do and then how to do it, I remember saying that my learning curve was straight up hill. In the beginning we were still drafting our original regulations for standards of practice. This was a triple assignment because the BOPCT is a conglomerate of three professions. The details were daunting, the personalities worthy of awards. The 2008 legislative session included the Sunset Review for Title 17. We were renewed for another 10 years with minimal revision. It was noted and applauded that we did so much with so few members. Truth be known, Aileen Taylor, our Executive Director and her wonderful staff worked tirelessly and efficiently, not missing a step to keep us all on task. On top of the daily processing of applications, preparations for legislative hearings, committee and board meetings, there are endless daily calls. How Aileen stays so cool is beyond me. Sunset recommendations gave us four more members, now thirteen. We now renew licenses online. Technology and cyber space have arrived. No small administrative task. There are several things I will recall as significant. The first is the change in how the Board conducts business. Initially, all business was done by all the members of the Board. We simply did not have enough time for all of us to do everything. A facilitated retreat enabled us to develop three standing committees that exist today. Monthly, a committee report is reviewed and voted on by all Board members. The standing committees are; Legislation and Regulations, Credentials, and Ethics. Committee members work between official Board meetings to clarify issues and process information. Second was the legislation that needed to be drafted and processed through the State of Maryland Legislature. Testifying before Senate and House Committees really intimidated me. Bills that passed for all three licenses included: emergency petition status, licensed graduate status, out-of-state applicants, and the most overwhelming was the completion of advanced assessments or as we continue to refer to it, psych testing. Third, the Credentials Committee work demanded more complicated decision making and additional review processes were added through legislation and new licensees. We are a relatively new licensing board, charged specifically with protecting the public by establishing standards for the professions. The Credentials Committee also developed a process to review and approve continuing education offerings. Fourth, the Ethics Committee began hearing cases of violations of our ethical code. The reviews, deliberations, and sanction decisions were completed with respect and dignity. No stone was left unturned, discussions were frank and focused on clarity of information. Our legal counsel and investigator worked directly with the Ethics Committee. I served with a very competent and dedicated group of people. They made the responsibility of being Board Chairperson something I value and a highlight of my professional career. Every board member has other professional and personal interests. I am no different. My work with the BOPCT has led me to involvement with the American Association of State Counseling Boards, including service as the most recent past president. Having a national perspective of counselor licensing boards has been invaluable to me as a leader on the Maryland board. I chose to serve on the board because I was so thrilled that I could be licensed as a clinical professional counselor. I have been in private practice since I have always worked in multidisciplinary practices and have been proud to say I am an LCPC. In my spare time I along with my husband, Dennis, are volunteer scuba divers at the National Aquarium in Baltimore. I have to say that there was many a Saturday I was delighted to step off of this world and relax with the undersea animals. Dennis and I each have 2 sons and between the 4 of them we have 10 grandchildren. The public is protected and counseling and therapy services in the State of Maryland are of the finest. The third Friday of the month won t quite be the same. It is my pleasure to have served with each and every board member and staff person. Welcome Senator Paula Hollinger Appointed by John Colmers, Secretary Department of Health & Mental Hygiene as Associate Director of Health Occupation Boards & Commissions. She will act as liaison between the Boards, and Commissions and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

3 Board of Professional Counselors & Therapists Page 3 Continuing Education Requirements 40 hours of continuing education is required for certification and licensure renewal. 30 hours must be in Category A. 10 hours may be in Category B. What is Category A? Formally organized and approved programs such as: academic courses, workshops, seminars, symposiums, developing or presenting a program authoring or editing a book, chapter or journal article. What is Category B? Distance Learning; informal courses, invited speaker sessions; in-house seminars; case conferences designed for training or teaching; receiving formal professional supervision; participation in peer case conference or peer supervision. Calendar The remaining 2008 Board meeting dates are: June 20, September 19, October 17, November 21, December 19. Open meetings begin at a.m. Lisa Jackson-Cherry, Ph.D., LCPC has just recently completed her first term on the BOPCT where she currently serves as the Ethics Committee Chair and previously as a member on the psychological testing committee. She is an Associate Professor of Psychology and Chair of the Department of Counseling at Marymount University. She is an approved as an Approved Clinical Supervisor, National Certified Counselor, and National Certified School Counselor by the NBCC, She is currently in private practice in Maryland on the Eastern Shore where she works primarily with Medical Assistance clients, focusing on children, adolescence, and couples. She is the recipient of the ACA s 2006 Carl Perkins Award for Legislation. W ELCOME NEW BOARD MEMBERS Welcome- Richard Hann, Cindy Shaw-Wilson, and Tina Young became the newest Board members this past Fall. Richard Hann, is a LCPC (Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor) and a National Certified Counselor who is currently in private practice with Psychology Consultants Associated, P.A. located in Lutherville, MD. Mr. Hann also serves as an Adjunct Faculty Member at Carroll Community College, and is a retired Baltimore County Police Officer. Cindy Shaw-Wilson is an LCADC (Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor ) who is a counselor at Partners in Recovery and is the program Coordinator of Partners in Recovery of the Annapolis Office. She has worked in Alcohol & Drug treatment field for 22 years with 10 years as a Clinical Director and Supervisor. Has also taught at the Community College level, and operates a private practice in AOD/MH Counseling and education. Tina Young MBA is a consumer member of the Board. She is President of Quality Compliance & Management (QCM) Inc. a consulting and training firm based in Laurel, Maryland providing business management and regulatory compliance consulting. Her background includes nearly 20 years of Research and Quality Control for Biopharmaceutical drug manufacturing. Ms. Young holds Bachelors in Biology from the University of South Carolina and Masters of Business Administration from Loyola College. M ARYLAND STATE TAXES H AVE YOU PAID YOUR TAXES? Since this law went into effect in 2003, the Board is required to verify that licensees and certificate holders have paid all undisputed Maryland State Taxes and Unemployment Insurance contributions. THE BOARD DOES T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO IGRE OR AMEND THIS LAW. If you have outstanding taxes or unemployment insurance contributions, you must satisfy these debts before renewing your license or certification. If you can not satisfy the debt, you may work out an acceptable payment plan with the Office of Comptroller. PLEASE DO T CONTACT THE BOARD REGARDING YOUR TAX ISSUE. Please call the Comptroller of Maryland, Compliance Division at C ONGRATULATIONS TO D R. LISA JACKSON-CHERRY: E LECTED NEW BOARD CHAIRPERSON PRACTICING WITHOUT A CURRENT OR ACTIVE LICENSE IS A VIOLATION OF THE PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS AND THERAPISTS ACT AND COULD RESULT IN DISCIPLINARY ACTION INCLUDING SUSPENSION. ONLINE VERIFICATIONS Visit our website at Click on Verifications and then Quick Verifications

4 Board of Professional Counselors & Therapists Page 4 Marriage and Family Therapy over the past 10 years Sonja Williams, LCMFT Marriage and Family Therapy Board Member The Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists (the Board ) has made great regulatory strides regarding the practice of marriage and family therapy over the past 10 years. In 1994 the Certified Professional Counselor-Marriage and Family Therapist (CPC-MFT) designation was created. Certification was voluntary and it required that minimum educational and professional standards be met to achieve the designation. This historic designation will terminate for new marriage and family therapists on September 30, 2008 with the passage of the Sunset Extension and Revision Bill (House Bill 459). In 1998, the Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist (LCMFT) designation took effect, which granted full licensure to marriage and family therapists (MFTs). That year also marked three other milestones. The term, psychotherapy, was rigorously defined. Minimum competency standards for the independent practice of marriage and family therapy were also defined. In addition, MFTs were given the authority to diagnose and treat clients with mental and emotional disorders. It is important to note that persons cannot provide psychotherapy or diagnose and treat clients without a valid Maryland state license authorizing them to do so. Furthermore, persons cannot represent themselves as licensed to practice marriage and family therapy without meeting the qualifications in the law and being licensed by the Board. Not all states who license MFTs have statutory language that authorizes independent practice and the right to diagnose and treat clients without professional supervision. Obtaining the LCMFT designation and the authority to diagnose and treat clients were significant accomplishments for MFTs in Maryland. The diagnose and treat clause entrusts Maryland MFTs with some of the broadest authority amongst MFTs across the nation all in an effort to ensure that Maryland residents can receive the best quality of service. In 2002, legislation establishing the Licensed Graduate Marriage and Family Therapist (LGMFT) was passed. This designation allows persons who have completed the requisite education and passed the national licensing exam developed by the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) to hold an interim level license and to receive third party payment for services rendered. Graduate licensees, however, must continue to work under the supervision of a licensed professional. Only supervision hours provided by an approved marriage and family therapy supervisor will count towards LCMFT licensure in Maryland. (See COMAR B(1) for approved supervisor qualifications.) continued on page 5 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ALCOHOL AND DRUG COUNSELING Q. Does the Board license agencies as well as individuals? A. No, the Board operates under Title 17 of the Health Occupations Article, Annotated Code of Maryland. The Purpose of this title is to protect the public by setting qualifications, education, training, and experience standards for counselors and therapists. Contact the Board about certification and licensing for substance abuse professionals. All licensing and certification activities of programs and facilities are conducted through the Office of Health Care Quality (OHCQ) of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. For more information about OHCQ go to Q. Does the Board make visits to Alcohol and Drug facilities to verify that an individual is a trainee, has a current license or certificate? A. No, the OHCQ evaluates this information received through surveys. Q. Does the Board provide DUI and DWI classes? A. No, Contact the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Administration (ADAA). ADAA is located at 55 Wade Avenue, Catonsville, MD Phone No Q. What is the responsibility of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Administration (ADAA)? A. The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Administration is the single state agency responsible for the provision, coordination and regulation of statewide networks of substance abuse prevention, intervention and treatment services. Q: Is the alcohol and drug trainee status an actual license or certificate? A: No! The purpose of the alcohol and drug trainee status is to allow an individual to practice alcohol and drug counseling (without certification) under the supervision of a Board-approved supervisor for a minimum of 5 years while meeting the requirements for certification or licensure. Q: Do I need to practice as an alcohol and drug trainee for the full 5 years? A: No! Once you meet the education, supervision and examination requirements, you may apply for certification or licensure. Q: Can I begin employment as a trainee before receiving authorization from the Board to practice alcohol and drug counseling? A: No! You must complete a board Trainee application. Provide the name and credentials of your prospective supervisor before beginning practice. If you meet the requirements and your supervisor is board-approved, the Board will issue a letter to you authorizing you to practice alcohol and drug counseling as a trainee for 5 years.

5 Board of Professional Counselors & Therapists Continued from page 4 Marriage and family therapy over the past 10 years Sonja Williams, LCMFT In 2003, the Out of State Applicant law was passed. This legislation is geared towards persons who have been licensed in other states and have been in practice for five or more years. It allows professional marriage and family therapy work experience to substitute for 15 hours of elective graduate coursework and post-graduate supervision. To whom much is given much is required. The great strides that have been made have come with great responsibilities. The Board has had to manage two primary demands: 1) to oversee the practice of the three professions that it licenses, including the professional privileges and best practice standards related to each field, and 2) to ensure public safety. It balances these two mandates with strong adherence to its governing statute and regulations set forth by the Maryland State Legislature. The Board is given the task of executing the mandates established by the Maryland state legislature; it does not have the authority to modify or waive statutory or regulatory requirements. Because each state legislature in the U.S. is responsible for establishing its own licensing criteria, not all states have the same licensure requirements. Therefore, some out of state applicants may find that they must take additional courses when attempting to become licensed in other states. The specific application of this principle applies to LCMFT licensure in Maryland as well. When applying for MFT licensure in Maryland, history has shown that some applicants have needed to take one or all of the following additional courses: a) Couples Therapy: Theory and Techniques; b) Sexual Issues in Marriage and Family Therapy; c) Psychopathology d) Diagnosis and Treatment of Mental and Emotional Disorders; and/or e) Gender and Ethnicity Some of Maryland s licensure requirements may be consistent with those required for Clinical Membership in the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). However, Maryland state licensure requirements are not exclusively founded upon AAMFT membership requirements. Therefore, clinical membership in AAMFT does not guarantee licensure in Maryland. (Please see COMAR for a complete list of the MD MFT licensure requirements.) Three major bills that affect the practice of MFT were signed by Governor O Malley on May 13, HB 494 (the Sunset Bill) renews the Board s authority to oversee the practice of professional counseling, addictions counseling and marriage and family therapy until Of particular note for MFTs is a clause that authorizes the addition of two new marriage and family therapy board members. The repeal of CPC- MFT designation is also addressed in this bill. House Bill 116 secures emergency petition rights for MFTs. Finally, HB 494 establishes competency criteria for the practice of advanced psychological testing for LCPCs, LCADCs and LCMFTs. These bills will go into effect in October The regulations to accompany the bills have not yet been written. More information will be provided as it become available. (Please see these bills in full detail.) Special thanks are expressed to those who worked tirelessly for years to bring the psychological testing issue to a close. While there are too many names to list, please know that your hard work and dedication is greatly appreciated. Sonja Williams, LCMFT End Page 5 Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists Staff Members Aileen Taylor: Executive Director Anna Sullivan: Licensing Administrator, LCPC, LCMFT Howard F. (Rick) Kenny Health Occupational Investigator Precious Wells: Office Secretary SUPERVISION OF ADDICTIONS COUNSELORS CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE A& D ALLOWED TO SUPERVISE? CAN HAVE A PRIVATE PRACTICE? Certified Supervised Counselor (CSC-AD) Sangeeta Sarkar DP Programmer Analyst Certified Associate Counselor (CAC-AD) *YES Certified Professional Counselor (CPC-AD) YES YES Licensed Graduate A & D (LGADC) Licensed Clinical A & D (LCADC) Alcohol & Drug Counselor Trainee * A CAC-AD must apply for Approved Supervisor status and receive a reference number before being allowed to supervise. YES Yes PHOTO T AVAILABLE Janice Isaac: Licensure Coordinator, Alcohol & Drug

6 Board of Professional Counselors & Therapists Page 6 BOARD MEMBERS Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists Board Members Chairperson: Dr. Lisa Jackson-Cherry, LCPC Vice Chairperson: Dr. Deborah Haskins, LCPC Secretary: Mr. Paul Duncan, Consumer Member Ms Joanne Faber, LCPC Ms. Tina Young, Consumer Member Ms. Carol Deel, LCPC, LCMFT Ms. Sonja Williams, LCMFT Mr. Richard Hann, LCPC Ms. Cindy Shaw Wilson, LCADC Ms. Patricia Weathersbee CAC-AD, Alcohol & Drug Advisor

7 ARE YOU MOVING? Please send address changes to Anna Sullivan or Janice Isaac 4201 Patterson Ave Baltimore, MD / The Board s law requires all licensees and certificate holders to maintain a current address with the Board. There is a $25.00 penalty for failure to maintain a current address with the Board. If you have recently moved or are planning to move, please send or your new address to: Anna Sullivan at sullivaa@dhmh.state.md.us or Janice Isaac at Isaacj@dhmh.state.md.us

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