03/29/2022
Six states down! Utah just signed the Counseling Compact, which would allow for mental health professionals with certain licenses to practice across state lines.
Providers against the Compact worry about safety and security, as well as local referrals going out of state.
The reality is that this is a win-win-win for providers, clients and payers/other stakeholders.
Providers will have the opportunity to expand upon specific treatment modalities, which increases access to more niche services (remember when everyone wanted EMDR?). They will also have the ability to help more people, and provide support based on their focused competencies and strengths.
Consultation and care coordination will expand between professionals, which increases opportunities for learning and assessing current practices (which helps treatment across wellness domains). This may also help bolster integrated treatment options (i.e. focusing on mental health and physical health treatment together).
Potential clients will have more provider choice (always a good thing, keeps us growing, evolving and learning). Individuals who wish to work with a provider who is the same race or from a similar culture have a better chance of finding someone they’re comfortable with. While we should all work to be as culturally competent as possible, some clients feel more comfortable and open with a counselor who is the same race or has a similar cultural background. If a client doesn’t feel understood, treatment is not likely to be effective. Many people will benefit from support that integrates important factors relative to shared culture, identity and experience. This is also will also support providers who are passionate about providing care to individuals whose culture or identity resemble their own.
Payers will have a larger pool of competent and credentialed providers which improves efficient and effective. It also allows them to gather larger data samples, and compare data across state lines more consistently.
Taking a more metaphysical view, society benefits when people have access to treatment that they have confidence in.
We're excited to announce that Utah has become the sixth state to sign the interstate Counseling Compact into law. This is an exciting development as we work toward increasing access to counseling services nationwide!
More info: https://bit.ly/3wEnt0K
