What’s in a license?

My license (which you can look up here) and the letters “LCPC” that appear after my name indicate that I am legally permitted by the Maryland Department of Health, Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists, to practice psychotherapy and counseling with clients in Maryland. I have taken specific required courses, passed a national exam, and completed a certain amount of hours of pre-licensed work with clients to fulfill licensing requirements. Each state has their own licensing board and requirements, which is why I cannot see clients living outside of Maryland. You can learn more about the Maryland Board at this website. Other kinds of counselors and therapists may practice under different licenses, such as social workers (LM/LCSW) and psychologists (PhD/PsyD).

Having a license or legal right to practice does not necessarily mean that I am more qualified to treat your concerns than other kinds of healing practitioners who do not practice under such an authority. Of course, no one should be claiming that they have a license to practice any kind of healing modality that they do not. However, I encourage my clients and potential clients to question what a licensing system through the state provides, and what it takes away, from therapeutic healing practice.

One of the things it provides is a way to make formal complaints and keep counselors in check when they do not follow legal or ethical code. You can review a brochure from the National Board for Certified Counselors on client rights here, and you can make a complaint to the board about me or another therapist at this link.