How To Practice Therapeutic Services Without A License

Hi Dr. Centore,

I am currently in Massachusetts and hold an MA in Psychology-Mental Health Counseling. I am now working toward my LMHC at a community mental wellness clinic. I am set to accept the licensing exam in a few months besides, and have completed half of the full hours needed for country licensure.
My question to you is this: If someone holds a MA in Psychology and wanted to open a 100% cash practise without diagnosing or billing insurance, is this okay? If the client is fully aware that the person is unlicensed and is non representing themselves as a licensed clinician. I accept read manufactures by you that stated that certain terms (i.e. "mental health counselor", etc) are regulated past the licensing board and cannot exist used by unlicensed clinicians. Do you happen to know which terms in Massachusetts are and are non regulated?
I have read several of your publications and admire and respect your work. Any information you lot can offer me would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers in accelerate for your fourth dimension!

-Eager Student

Greetings Eager Pupil,

This is a very good and specific question! I am going to tell you lot what I believe you can and can't do. I am not going to tell you lot that I recommend it, or that I think it is a good idea, even so. That being said, I call up it'southward fair for you to fully understand your options nether the rules and law of Massachusetts.

First, the ACA (American Counseling Clan) officially discourages intern-level providers to work in private do settings, even under close supervision.

Second, as of the last time I checked (circa 2008) the regulated term in Massachusetts was "mental health counselor." At that time, and perhaps withal, a provider could work every bit a "counselor", "psychotherapist," "life coach," "consultant," or any number of creative designations.
This is a very proficient and specific question! I am going to tell you what I believe you tin and tin can't do. I am not going to tell you lot that I recommend it, or that I think it is a good idea, however. That beingness said, I think information technology's fair for y'all to fully empathise your options nether the rules and law of Massachusetts.

Showtime, the ACA (American Counseling Association) officially discourages intern-level providers to work in private practice settings, fifty-fifty nether close supervision.
Second, as of the last fourth dimension I checked (circa 2008) the regulated term in Massachusetts was "mental health advisor." At that time, and perhaps still, a provider could piece of work equally a "counselor", "psychotherapist," "life motorcoach," "consultant," or any number of artistic designations.

Even so, if one were working every bit a "psychotherapist" he/she would not be able to use those hours toward their licensure hours. Also I believe that MA requires that a supervisor be on-premises during the fourth dimension of services, for pre-licensure hours to count.

Things to consider if yous programme on opening a "psychotherapy" practice.

Some people in the industry, including the licensure lath, may perceive that yous are running a practice past finding a loophole in the rules.
Your clients volition no have counselor-client confidentiality privilege.
Again, y'all won't be able to apply the hours spent doing "psychotherapy" for your hours toward counseling licensure.
You might want to do some enquiry into getting liability insurance that will encompass the type of practice you programme to operate.
The rules may have changed since concluding time I looked into this. And I don't warranty whatever role of my respond.

Put merely, while I believe it is possible to run the type of exercise you are referring to, I think this is risky clinically, and I would recommend that you merely hammer out your hours and your supervision, and get your license. You're so close to being finished, and running a "coaching" or "psychotherapy" do will but filibuster you lot!

[schema type="person" name="Anthony Centore" url="https://plus.google.com/102833343989004980284/"]I hope this helps!

–Anthony

Counseling Private Practice Dr. Anthony Centore is CEO of Thriveworks is Private Practice Consultant for the American Counseling Clan, and Author of "How to Thrive In Counseling Private Exercise." Learn more at https://thriveworks.com/counseling-private-practise-book/

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Anthony Centore

Anthony Centore, PhD, is Founder and Chair at Thriveworks — a counseling exercise focused on premium client care, with 340+ locations across the Usa. Anthony is a Private Do Consultant for the American Counseling Clan, columnist for Counseling Today magazine, and author of "How to Thrive in Counseling Private Practice". He is a multistate Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and has been quoted in national media sources including The Boston Globe, the Chicago Tribune, and CBS Sun Morning.

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