I am going to take a break from the usual articles I write, to shine a spotlight on three colleagues who are making a tremendous difference in the lives of those suffering from the effects of Mental Illness and/or Substance Abuse Disorders. These individuals work most meaningfully and tirelessly to provide counseling therapies to so many in our community; and like many in our field of endeavor, they do so selflessly and without much fanfare. They are the Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) and the Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselors (LCDC).
Most everyone is aware of the duties of Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), Psychologists and Psychiatrists. Licensed Clinical Social Workers are Master Degree level individuals trained in the provision of therapies, social service assistance and referral for individuals with mental illness and their families. Psychologists are individuals who have a Masters or Doctors Degree in Psychology, and offer a wide array of services to individuals with mental illness; from psychological testing to therapies. Psychiatrists are medical physicians who have completed specialized training in mental illness; they are the ones who can prescribe medication for those with mental illness. But how many of you are aware of the professional clinicians who provide general and specific testing and counseling services to the person with mental illness and substance abuse disorders (and their families) that are not social workers, psychologists, or psychiatrists? I am speaking of the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and the Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC).
A Licensed Professional Counselor is an individual with a Masters or Doctoral Degree in Counseling and Guidance, psychology, or another related field. Obtaining the requirements for this licensing is very difficult and strenuous, usually taking about 4 years to complete. The academic requirements of 48 semester hours of graduate studies must include courses in abnormal psychology, assessment and appraisal, human growth and development, counseling theories, and other mandatory courses. The person must complete a 300 hour internship in an accredited organization, and an additional 3000 hours of supervised internship. Upon completion of the internship the person must complete Sate Board written examination. Individuals with this licensure work in the fields of Mental Health, education, rehabilitation, and other related fields; providing counseling therapies and other related services in both private and public settings.
The Licensing requirements for the Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor require less academia, but are more difficult to obtain. The individual must have at least an associate’s degree (2 years of college work), have at least 270 hours of classroom chemical dependency curriculum, complete 300 hours of supervised field work practicum, complete 4,000 hours of approved internship, and pass the State Board chemical dependency counselor examination. The entire process, as with the LPC, may take up to 4 years to complete. Individuals with this license work as in-patient and out-patient chemical dependency counselors and administrators in both the private and public sectors.
dditionally, eligibility for both of these licenses require the individual passing the State Jurisprudence examinations, be of ethical character, that the individual not have a criminal history, and other requirements.
I helped to develop the requirements for both of these State Licenses many years ago, and have been most fortunate, and indeed privileged to have supervised many individual candidates for licensure over the years; many of them in our Rio Grande Valley communities. Let me tell you about two of the individuals that I supervised and mentored in their quest to become licensed: Mr. Juan Hernandez and Mr. Stephen O. Vega.
Juan, a Valley native, completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois, Chicago; and went on to complete his Education Master’s Degree in Counseling and Guidance at Pan American University, Edinburg. He completed the requirements for his LPC while working for the State of Texas Mental Health Division. His education and experience began to grow, with further employment working with foster children; providing play therapy, individual and family counseling, and other therapeutic assistance. He then went into Hospice work; providing individual and family counseling, with emphasis on the very difficult realm of Grief Counseling. Juan currently is employed as a Professional Mental Health Counselor, providing services to individuals with mental illness at the Tropical Texas Behavioral Health Organization.
Stephan completed his undergraduate studies at Excelsior College, and his Graduate studies at The University of Houston Clear Lake; his Master’s Degree being in Psychology. Stephen is what we call a “Doubled Barrel” Counselor, holding both an LPC and an LCDC. Stephen began his involvement in services to others as a volunteer. His first employment in the human services arena was with the Texas Department of Family and Protective services. He currently is an Addiction Therapist with the Department of Veterans Affairs, South Texas Health System; He is involved with a very unique program that provides out-patient treatment to Veterans from Corpus Christi in the East, to Laredo in the West, and the entire South Texas Area. Not one to have “grass grow under his feet,” Stephen also provides counseling and supportive services to the East Hidalgo Detention Center in his part-time employment as a Clinical Counselor.
Both Juan and Stephen are examples of the ideal Licensed Counselors providing a much needed service to our community. If ever in need of counseling services for mental health or substance abuse, I encourage you to seek out licensed counselors (there are many in our community) to insure you or your loved ones receive the professional help they truly deserve. Stay Healthy my Friends!