Psychotherapy is similar to counseling and the two may overlap. However, the former will probably look deeper and look at the causes of human problems and how they can solve them. Visit here to learn more about Psychotherapy Training Institute
The discrepancy between the American Psychological Association (APA) and the American Counseling Association (ACA) is growing. By simplifying things (due to space), the APA has often suggested over the decades that the psychological profession is the domain of psychologists. The ACA states that the profession is the domain of professional counselors (based on the level of master counselor and the level of physician’s counselor; see CACREP, 2015). Notice the difference in terms of psychology and leadership. I’m not sure we’ll break these concepts down completely. However, if we try, it is likely to create bigger lines between colleagues and professions in ways that are unnecessary and divisive.
I teach psychology and counseling programs and a lot of overlaps. For example, basic theories for psychotherapeutic practice are similar between programs and empirical studies that support practice from the same literature. In my opinion, the APA (as an organization) has never accepted our master-level colleagues, although many of its members have spent countless hours training master-level professionals, counselors, and other mental health masters. In many ways, the APA can throw the first (in many) stones in this situation.
ACA is also not innocent in this regard. For example, the ACA as an organization supports the accreditation of CACREP (Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Training Programs) as the only accreditation body for the training of professional advisers (although there is another practical accreditation body for professional advisers). To date, the Society for the Development of Psychotherapy (SAP) does not have a specific domain for professional counselors as a master’s degree in psychotherapy. We also have room to grow.
To give a brief background to the main issues behind this resolution, let me start with the CACREP accreditation policy. CACREP is the driving force behind the accreditation of master’s degree programs prepared by professional advisers. In the latest principles of ACA accreditation, it is strictly stated that the basic faculty must have a doctorate in the field of education and supervision of advisors (CACREP, 2015). As such, this policy excludes the counseling of psychologists, clinical psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists and so on.
There is also a personal clause that excludes basic faculty mentoring programs before 2013 (CACREP, 2015). Nuclear qualifications for basic faculties are more problematic for our international colleagues, who may not have a degree in education and supervision of advisors in their countries. They are also not eligible to participate in the CACREP accredited program as a major faculty member and to send a clear message to the international community about their position in ACA and CACREP. In line with my position above regarding my fellow psychiatrist, CACREP policy does not seem to have much empirical support or flexibility for exceptions.
For example, there are some master’s programs in clinical mental health that prepare students for licensed professional counselors, and these students consistently outperform the national average and above average. for CACREP National Counselor Exam (NCE) programs used for licensing. (same as EPPP for psychologists). For some of these programs, none of the head teachers have completed a counseling and management program. However, they clearly provide a guarantee of quality for the professional future of their students on this scale (like many other program outcome metrics).
The situation has become more complicated. CACREP members support efforts to change licensing laws so that individuals who have completed the CACREP program can obtain a license as a professional advisor. These efforts have been successful in some states (eg Ohio, Kentucky). As a result, in combination, if the CACREP licensing laws are implemented only for professional advisors, then colleges and universities must have CACREP programs at the master’s level – and the basic faculty positions of the academic program are limited to doctoral graduates only.