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Optimistic Outlook for LMFT's in
Illinois
Brent J. Atkinson, Ph.D. |
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I am concluding my two year term as IAMFT President
with a good deal of optimism. Because of the hard work of many dedicated
IAMFT members, some changes have been made that will, in a very short
period of time, increase the value of having a license in Marriage and
Family Therapy in Illinois.
As many of you know, in Illinois, we have been working to correct the
misconception that MFT's are not trained or equipped to work with
individuals in therapy, or that MFTs are not qualified to treat
conditions commonly called mental or emotional disorders. As a result,
in some cases, LMFTs have been excluded from panels of providers.
Specifically, the Illinois Department of Mental Health has refused to
designate LMFTs as Licensed Practitioners of the Healing Arts, a
designation which they require for some of the programs which they fund.
It has always been the case the MFTs are qualified to treat individuals
with symptoms commonly referred to as mental or emotional disorders, but
the wording of the training requirements for the LMFT left room for
dispute. Thus, our efforts to explain what we do have often fallen on
deaf ears. That is, until this year. Now, perhaps for the first time,
people are listening. Why? We have introduced extensive clarifications
into the Rules for the Administration of the LMFT Act. The training
requirements for LMFTs now explicit state that LMFTs will have received
training in the assessment and treatment of mental, emotional,
interpersonal disorders or psychopathology. The new rules also
explicitly state that LMFTs will have extensive supervised experience in
both therapy with individuals, and therapy with two or more individuals
present in therapy sessions who are in significant relationships with
each other outside the therapy context.
There are other important changes in the rules for the LMFT act as well.
For example, the new rules will make it much easier for those working
toward Licensure to find qualified supervisors. Further, select MFT
graduate training programs in Illinois will be pre-approved by the
department of professional regulation, so that prospective MFT trainees
can know ahead of time that their education will qualify them for
licensure.
The clarifications in LMFT training requirements are only one phase of a
larger project aimed at educating the mental health community and
general public about who MFTs are and what they can do. The bulk of this
work will be done by individual MFTs as they clarify the qualifications
of LMFTs to one person at a time. Are you ready to do this? Can you cite
hard evidence to support the argument that LMFTs are as qualified as
LCSWs (Licensed Clinical Social Workers) or LCPCs (Licensed Clinical
Professional Counselors) to deliver the broad range of clinical
responsibilities needed by various agencies and required by third party
payors? IAMFT can help you by providing charts and handouts which
compare, point by point, the requirements for the LMFT, LCSW, and LCPC.
Simply contact the IAMFT office for this information.
As I pass the responsibility of the IAMFT Presidency on to Mary Andrews,
I have confidence that the leadership of IAMFT is more competent and
able than ever. Mary has a keen ability to bring people together and
harness the collective wisdom generated through diverse perspectives.
The current IAMFT board members are seasoned and compassionate
practitioners who have just the sort of perspectives needed to
articulate the mission for MFTs in the coming years. The IAMFT executive
director Maurlea Babb is already preparing new initiatives for 1999
which will be of tremendous benefit to MFTs, and ultimately, to the
individuals and families in Illinois whom we serve. Lets give Mary,
Maurlea and the board the support that they need to focus our efforts
for a strong and effective profession.
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