The Counseling Compact: Opening New Doors for Counselors and Clients
Lyons Center LLC CMHC Intern, China Young, shares details about the Counseling Compact that can help client and counselors connect across state lines.
Navigating mental health care across state lines has been a topic of discussion for many people as the concern about licensure restrictions and client/counselor frustration often leading to the counselor having to terminate treatment due to client moving away. Counseling Compact is a tool that can aid these situations.
What is the Counseling Compact?
A tool for fully licensed counselors to practice and provide care to clients in different states only if the state the counselor is licensed in and the state the client resides in are a part of the compact without having to apply for a new license. An example for better understanding would be similar to a driver's license.
Why This Matters (Counselors and Clients)
1. It Means Greater Access to Care
The counseling compact allows for an individual to receive care and support regardless of their state. A great example will be military families or people in rural areas. Specifically, for Lyons Center LLC clients (previous, current, and perspective) if you have moved, planning on moving, traveling, or reside in a different state you can still receive care from your counselor. This is a great advantage for clients and counselors to continue the healing journey.
2. It Keeps the Relationship Going
Therapeutic relationships are bonds formed over time between counselors and clients but if the client moves then they have to start the bonding process over with a new counselor which can affect treatment. The counseling compact allows the client to continue treatment with their current counselor across state lines which can ease the client. This means Lyons Center LLC clients will have access to their counselor regardless of their location.
3. It Frees Up Counselors to Do What They Do Best
The counseling compact eliminates countless hours and money spent by licensed professional counselors on applying for licenses in multiple states and allows them to use that time to focus more on their clients (helping people heal and grow). Lyons Center LLC will be able to provide telehealth services to clients across the globe.
4. It Supports Career Growth and Flexibility
The counseling compact allows licensed professional counselors to expand their practice through telehealth thus enabling opportunities for growth in experience and flexibility with schedule.
Requirements to Join the Counseling Compact
To qualify, you need:
A clean, active license in a Compact state.
A graduate degree in counseling (or a related field).
Completion of supervised clinical hours.
A passing score on a national exam (like the NCE or NCMHCE).
Note: Each state has their own timeline and process, so ensure you verify the information via your state’s licensing board and not every counselor can automatically practice across states.
Is My State Part of the Compact?
Currently, over 30 states have joined the counseling compact to include Georgia. This allows the counselors at the Lyons Center LLC to provide treatment for those that are located around the globe. To gain information about your state and their status it can be found at www.counselingcompact.org.
What Prompted this Change?
During and after the COVID-19 pandemic the mindset around the increased need for counseling changed. Counselors were able to work across state lines, clients stressed the need for help, so the counseling compact was invented to meet those needs. The overall goal was to allow counselors to meet the client where they are literally and emotionally.
Final Thoughts
The Counseling Compact is an opportunity that allows counselors to serve clients regardless of location and clients to have access to consistent and qualify mental health resources. This allows the Lyons Center LLC to tailor the counseling experience to be more flexible, accessible, and compassionate.