Advocating for Your Profession: Indiana
Becoming licensed
To become a LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor) in Indiana, an individual must have at least a master's degree with 60 hours of coursework in the field, have completed a supervised clinical practicum, and also have 3000 post-degree hours of experience in the field (Becoming licensed in Indiana, 2011, Indiana Counseling). After being certified, the counselor is expected to pursue continuing education in his or her profession. The 2005 ACA Code of Ethics strongly advises counselors to seek to continue their education in the profession (C.2.g) but the state of Indiana actually mandates that licensed counselors must devote 20 hours per year to their education.
Two challenges
One of the challenges faced by Indiana counselors has been the difficulty of new graduates finding employment. Many agencies could not hire new graduates due to licensure requirements of insurance companies and government programs. To address this issue the Indiana Legislature passed an amendment to licensure law to create a new category: Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA) for recent graduates of mental health counseling graduate programs who have not yet accumulated the 3000 post-degree hours necessary for regular licensure (Licensing board update, 2011, Indiana Counseling).
As well as improving the job prospects for candidates, this will also expand the potential field of counselors by facilitating the process of hiring new graduates for social service agencies. Agencies can immediately send new graduates to work for underserved populations. Finally, this new measure helps to answer the age-old dilemma of: 'how do I get the...
Drug addiction is one of the most serious problems currently afflicting the
population, and counselors need knowledge that is tailored to the needs of this demographic. With this in mind, the Indiana Legislature approved the category of Licensed Addictions Counselor (LAC). Current addiction specialists have aided the state licensing board in implementing the requirements for this new subspecialty. Counselors with a background in addictions can be grandfathered in and become LACs while those without such a background must pursue specific coursework in this area (Licensing board update, 2011, Indiana Counseling).
Ethical issues
While the 2005 ACA Code of Ethics according to E.13.d stipulates that counselors must avoid potentially harmful relationships with clients of a sexual nature, the Indiana counseling board notes that these are not the most frequently reported troublesome practices of therapists.
Substance abuse, rather than "financial or sexual irregularities" is the most serious issue that comes up when new applicants for counselor licensure and counselors seeking renewal of their license "make a personal
appearance before the licensing board to discuss potential…
