Only 5 states currently require APA Docs for Licensure?

I was told by a Capella staffer that only 5 states currently require a doctorate in Clinical Psych. to be APA accredited. I know that Florida is one of them. Which are the others?

On a similar point, I heard about 6 months ago that there was an anti-trust lawsuit brewing in the state of Florida challenging the state/APA on their monopolistic and exclusionary licensure rules that bar equally competent and educated Docs who did not go to APA schools. Does anyone have info or a lead on this?

Thanks in advance.

 

Do you think the same lawyers who are trying this case would also agree to apply the same principles to the ABA's monopolistic and exclusionary licensure rules that bar equally competent and educated JDs who did not go to ABA schools?

 

You have a good point!

Isn't that called HYPOCRISY?

 

terminology

Capellas claim is an interesting one. It sort of depends on what do you mean by licensed?
I believe there are only a few states that allow masters level psychologists to work and bill independently. Whereas. doctoral level clinicians have general acceptance.
Most states do have a masters level status or endorsement, but usually the scope of work allowed is fairly limited.
Capellas statement may be true, sort of. But having some level of status is not the same thing as being generally accepted.
Just as an aside. NewFoundland will allow masters level psychologists to practice, but only if they are residents of Newfoundland. So if you move to Newfoundland as a master psychologist, you have to live there a year to become licensed in that province. However, doctoral level psychologists can be licensed immediately if they meet the coursework/apa standards.
All the best!

 

Re: terminology

IRAT,

I surmise that the APA standards are becoming the defacto standard whether a state has a law requiring graduation from an APA approved Doctoral program in Clinical/Counseling Psychology.
Personally I don't like that the APA is "bullying" themselves into the legislative arena to "take over" and protect "their" turf when it is questionable whether the turf is soley theirs. I know that the Social Workers lobby has become very powerful. Doctoral (APA) psychologists, I sense, loathe this reality. They give more creedence to Licensed Masters level Social Workers because their arms are twisted (legally) but this is not necessarily so with Marriage and Family Therapists or LPC/LMHC's. They are referred to as "minimally" qualified. Granted Psy.D.'s and Ph.D.'s in Clinical Psych programs get more clinical hours during academia and more "science" and Math courses than Masters folks. But I find that many of them are quite incompetent in effective counseling and tend to treat clients as Medical doctors tend to do... I'm not saying that it is much better with Masters level folks but I think Clinical Psych. Doc.s overestimate themselves or self-agrandize themselves. Maybe this is the famous "god-complex" physicians can exhibit. I know there are good and bad counselors/clinicians on both the Masters and also the Doctoral levels. In fact, I think most graduates in both groups do not necessarily make good counselors... maybe good professors or articles writers or researchers... etc. Just my humble opinion.

 

Blackbird,

The research literature, specifically emanating from Hubble, Duncan and Miller, has delineated the primary factors involved in successful therapeutic outcomes. It is not the degree or the discipline of the clinician that determines good clinical work or any particular psychotherapeutic theory or techniques (techniques are only 15% of the equation) but primarily the establishment of a strong therapeutic relationship or alliance with the client as well as extratherapeutic factors (such as the client obtaining a great job, marrying a supportive mate, etc) that contributes to beneficial outcomes.

Therefore, the premise that doctoral trained professionals may be better equipped to provide psychotherapeutic interventions has not been borne out of the literature.

Simon

 

Simon hits it again!

I think that is a very good reference. Thanks for providing the "research literature" slant. I agree with your premise. I will also add that probably a lot of counselor effectiveness in an individual counselee session relates to the personal "developmental" maturity of the counselor. I think that relates to your point of having a "strong therapeutic relationship or alliance." As you well know, the younger (developmentally) an individual is in terms of social, emotional, and self esteem (no matter if the person is an "adult"), the more self-absorbed and incapable of entering effectively another person's world he is. I learned from a very wise person years ago that "you love to the degree you were loved."To the degree a counselor is healthy and "mature" to that degree he will be a good or bad healer. Clients/counselees can read us like a book. They know if we REALLY care.

 

Re: terminology

I took the question to be regarding an RA clinical doctorate vs. RA/APA clinical doctorate. Capella offers an RA clinical (and counseling) doctorate that -may- (check your state's laws) make one eligible for licensure as a psychologist. At one point, most states seem to have required graduation from an APA doctoral program. That now seems to be true in only a handful of states.

<<Most states do have a masters level status or endorsement, but usually the scope of work allowed is fairly limited. >>

Many (most?) states have some sort of 'psychology associate' status for master's level folk. It is my understanding that they work under the color of the license of a doctoral psychologist.

There is also the MFT (marriage and family therapist), an entirely different, independent, master's level clinican that, for all practical purposes (except currently for administering tests and perhaps prescriptive powers sometime in the future) is a mirror of a psychologist, at least as far as what goes on in a therapy session.

And then, of course, professional counselors, licensed clinical social workers... the thicket thickens.

Regards

 

In need of licensure help!

Hi everyone,
I have been battling with many issues regarding licensure, such as those stated in your own threads. Currently, I am working on my Ph.D. in General Psychology at Grand Canyon University (Love it!). However, a lot of literature that I have read implies that a clinical or counseling psychology degree is needed in order to become a licensed psychologist. Is this really necessary?! I already have a masters degree in counseling in which I did two separate internships in the counseling field. I love the program at GCU because I learn about a wide variety of psychology topics. I am simply confused as if I can ever become a psychologist. Help please! :bigeyes2:

 

These links may help:

Licensing Board Contact Information - Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards

Psychology Licensing Board Contact Information & Resources

National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology

 

Rydertrisha,
I'm interested in completing my enrollment to attend GCU Ph.D Psychology program. I'm gonna do it....I'm going to get my Ph.D. How is the work/course load? How are the professors? Are they supportive?