Q:
Is there a Code of Ethics for licensed professional counselors?
A:
Yes, like social workers, and marriage and family therapists, professional
counselors must comply with the requirements set forth in the Wisconsin
Administrative Code MPSW 20.02.
Q:
Can anyone call himself or herself a counselor and practice counseling
in the State of Wisconsin?
A:
Yes , as long as the person does not represent himself or
herself to the public as a licensed professional counselor or any
other words indicating or implying that such a person is licensed
by the State of Wisconsin.
Q:
What is professional counseling?
A:
Professional counselors work with individuals, families, groups and
organizations. Counseling is a collaborative effort between the counselor
and client. Professional counselors help clients identify goals and
potential solutions to problems which cause emotional turmoil; seek
to improve communication and coping skills; strengthen self-esteem;
and promote behavior change and optimal mental health. Through counseling
you examine the behaviors, thoughts and feelings that are causing
difficulties in your life. You learn effective ways to deal with your
problems by building upon personal strengths. A professional counselor
will encourage your personal growth and development in ways that foster
your interest and welfare.
Q:
What do all those initials behind the counselor's names mean?
A:
LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist)
LPC
(Licensed Professional Counselor)
LCSW
(Licensed Clinical Social Worker)
CISW
(Certified Independent Social Worker)
CSW
(Certified Social Worker)
CAPSW
(Certified Advanced Practice Social Worker)
In
addition to licensures through the State of Wisconsin , many therapists
also have numerous credentials and membership affiliations, some of
which have differing levels of membership based upon experience and
evaluation. In order to maintain licenses, professionals must
submit CE's (Continuing Education) yearly in specific areas as designated
by the different licenses.
Q:
How does someone become a Professional Counselor?
A:
Completing a Master's or Doctoral degree in professional counseling
or equivalent program at a college or university is only one step
toward licensure. To obtain the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
status in Wisconsin, you will need to obtain 3000 hours of post-master's
supervised work experience or, if you have a doctorate in professional
counseling, 1000 hours during or after completion of the doctoral
program. You must also pass the National Board of Certified Counselors
examination (the NCE) or the examination administered by the Commission
on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (the CRCE).
For
information regarding Provider Status (necessary in order to bill
insurance companies for your service with clients) you will need contact
the Department of Health and Family Services. (http://www.dhfs.state.wi.us/)
Q:
Are LPC's required to carry malpractice insurance?
A:
Yes, clinical social workers, MFTs, and professional counselors are
required to have professional liability insurance. Exceptions exist
for licensees employed in federal, state or local governmental agencies
who only work for those agencies.
Q: Can I get a license
if I've been convicted of a crime?
A: There is no simple answer
to this question.
All professions are subject
to the state law (sections 111.321, 111.322 and 111.335, Stats.) that
prohibits discrimination against applicants based on conviction records
unless convictions are substantially related to the practice of the
profession. The phrase “substantially related” is interpreted broadly
in order to protect the public, especially in health service professions
where licensees interact with vulnerable populations, so convictions
that involved harm to others or that suggest an impaired ability to
perform licensed duties will probably be considered to be substantially
related to the practice of the profession.
It is common for a board
to ask the applicant to appear in person, to explain the circumstances
of his or her conviction record and to discuss the person's development
since the offense(s). Once it evaluates all the information submitted
by the applicant, including any in-person interview, the board then
has wide discretion to grant or deny the application. This is why
it's very difficult to provide a simple answer to this question. Being
denied for a license would not prevent a person from applying again
later.
An additional consideration
is that, even though an applicant may be granted a license, certain
employment opportunities may be unavailable to persons with criminal
records. For example, under the “caregiver law”, some convictions
require post-conviction DHFS Rehabilitation Review prior to working
in a DHFS licensed facility.
Q: What obligations
are there to report unprofessional conduct by another member of my
own profession?
A: There is no ethics rule
that requires you to report unprofessional conduct by another member
of your profession. However, you should be aware of the following:
1. If you have reasonable
cause to suspect that a child you have seen in the course of your
professional duties has been abused or neglected, you have an obligation
to report it. (See section 48.981 of the Statutes for details.)
2. If you have reasonable
cause to suspect that a client you have seen in the course of your
professional duties is a victim of sexual contact by a therapist,
you must ask the client if s/he wants you to report it. (See section
940.22 of the Statutes for details.)
3. Any organization or individual
that employs a social worker, marriage and family therapist, or professional
counselor must report to the examining board any adverse or disciplinary
action that terminates, suspends or restricts the credential-holder's
employment. (See section 457.25 of the Statutes for details.)
4. Even though you are not
obligated to report unprofessional conduct by another, you are encouraged
to report it by a grant of civil immunity: “any person who in good
faith ... provides the department or any examining board ... with
advice or information on a matter relating to the regulation of a
person holding a credential is immune from civil liability”. (See
section 440.042(2) of the Statutes for details.)
