[humanser] CACREP or Not for Counselors

[Janice Toothman]

Hi Everyone,

I do not know about social work; but in my field of counseling there is 
a battle with the VA and Tricare to have Licensed Clinical Professional 
Counselors (LCPC) receive reimbursement for their services.  Plus they 
require the an LCPC have come from a CACREP program or Council on 
accreditation of Counseling  and Related Education Programs.  They also 
stipulate that an LCPC must work a minimum of 5 years post licensure to 
qualify.

This affects many counselors because the American Counseling Association 
in the future will not longer give licenses to applicants from non 
CACREP programs. I was not aware of this issue/debate when I went to my 
University to take my counseling courses.  As I struggle to look for a 
counseling job to complete my 3000 hours to become an LCPC, even 
employers not associated with the VA are asking for CACREP accredited 
counselors.  This is preventing good counselors from providing services 
to patients or populations in need.  It is an injustice.

Janice