VAMFT Newsletter (v. 2, no. 3)

• A Letter from the President
• MFT Regulations Pass
• Two New MFT Appointments to the Licensing Board
• Virginians for Mental Health Equity:

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A Letter from the President
Some Thoughts on Licensure
by Scott Johnson, President

In a matter of weeks, if not days, the state will begin issuing its first licenses for marriage and family therapists. The time when we could put the letters "L.M.F.T." after our names is a day many of us have waited for and fought for years, even decades in a few cases. Yet it is important to consider what those letters really stand for, beyond their more obvious meaning. They are issued, after all, not as a stroke to our egos, but as a statement of confidence to the public by the Commonwealth, attesting that the state, in its judgement, believes the holder competent to perform marriage and family therapy. Placing those letters after one's name is a public trust, a commitment to provide our clients with the best therapy possible even when we might personally disagree with the choices they make, to stay familiar with new treatment and research efficacy, to accept all who come to us without prejudice, to provide the best care of which we are capable, and to refer when we encounter problems beyond our expertise. It commits us to bill fairly, to advise dispassionately, to uphold the practice and standards of the profession, to guard our client's privacy, and to refrain from exploiting their vulnerabilities or that of our supervisees for our personal gratification or gain. We do not, as many physicians do, take an oath upon receiving our credentials, but we pledge ourselves as marriage and family therapists to these principles nonetheless. All of us pledge ourselves again in the act of seeking and gaining licensure. It is a vow we place on our letterhead and have framed upon our walls. As we celebrate the granting of our licenses in the coming months and years, let us remember those principles we have thus given our word to uphold.

Let us also remember those whose tireless efforts brought this time to pass: Frank MacHovec, who worked ceaselessly to introduce regulatory bills and find sponsors; Bob Floyd, whose lobbying secured our staunchest ally, Senator Joe Benedetti; Larry Boyette, who led the final charge and served as the first MFT representative on the Licensing Board; former VAMFT presidents Fred Hodges, Bob Smith and Lanny Fly, who laid the groundwork for our successful campaign; our lobbyists David Bailey and Tracy Randall, whose professionalism, donated time, and tenacity gave us a serious voice in the Assembly; Joe Benedetti himself, who selflessly continues to work on our behalf, along with colleagues like Jane Woods; and countless others, too numerous to name but important contributors all.

We should also thank our colleagues in the Virginia Association of Clinical Counselors, the Virginia Academy of Clinical Psychologists, the Virginia Pediatric Society, the Virginia Society of Clinical Social Workers and the Virginia Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, whose initial resistance to family therapy licensure gradually turned to acceptance and support, for which we are most grateful. As the article on Virginians for Mental Health Equity later in this newsletter shows, we continue to work in partnership with these organizations, along with new colleagues like the Virginia Association of Drug Abuse Counselors.

In all of this, remember that the purpose of VAMFT is to serve our members and the public. If you should experience problems with applying for licensure, please give us a call so we can try to help you sort things out. Call your local Vice President, or Anne Prouty, or me directly. That's part of our pledge to you as your representatives, and we'll do our best to keep our word.

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MFT Regulations Pass
by Anne Prouty, President Elect & Legislative Chair

Right on schedule, the regulations governing the licensing of MFTs in Virginia went into effect on July 9, 1997. Yeah! This followed the normal 90 days of public comment and minimal but important revisions. A HUGE thank you to all of you who took the time to call, write, or give your comments in person to the Licensing Board about these regulations. Please note that most licenses obtained through grandparenting are not recognized by other states or provinces.

Applications should be available on July 28, 1997. Please call or write the Licensing Board at the following address for your application for licensure. The fees and regulations were outlined in the Special Edition Newsletter we sent out in April.

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Two New MFT Appointments to the Licensing Board

With the passing of the License for Substance Abuse Treatment in February, 1997, the Board of Professional Counselors, Marriage &Family Therapists and Substance Abuse Treatment Professionals now has 14 board members, two of which represent Virginia MFT's.

After years of dedication and hard work, we wish Dr. Larry Boyette the best, as he and his family moved to Brunswick, Georgia, in May. We greatly appreciate Dr. Boyette's years of hard work on behalf of VAMFT.

Mr. Eric Scalise of Williamsburg was appointed by Governor Allen in early July to complete the remaining two years of Dr. Boyette's term. Mr Scalise has an extensive background of public service, and has worked many years as a program administrator and therapist with drug treatment programs. He is licensed in California as an MFCC, as well as being a clinical member of AAMFT, an LPC, and a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.

Governor Allen appointed Dr. Maurice Graham of Richmond to fill the second board position. Dr. Graham has given many years of service to VAMFT. Until his recent appointment, he was the Vice President of the Central Region, and Allied Professions chair--Representative to VMHE, in addition to spending many hours in the legislature watching for therapy and family focused bills.

Both Dr. Graham and Mr. Scalise will be excellent representatives of our profession, and we congratulate and will support them in their service to the Licensing Board.

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Virginians for Mental Health Equity:
A Historic Meeting of VA Mental Health Professional Leadership

On June 7, 1997, an historic and exciting retreat took place! For the first time, leaders from member organizations (marriage and family therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, clinical counselors, drug &alcohol treatment professionals, and others) met with the Virginians for Mental Health Equity (VMHE) Board of Directors. VMHE is a mental health organization that has worked on such issues as patient choice and problems with managed care. The discussions centered around current political trends in the Virginia legislature and the mental health needs of the people of the Commonwealth.

A wish list of goals was constructed, and the following items were voted to be the most important for the focus of VMHE's time and resources:

1. Continue Legislative Advocacy (Parity with medical providers, Point of Service, Public Mental Health Service, ERISA, liability, confidentiality, Newsletter)
2. Continue to do Position Statements on Mental Health Care Packages (via their rating system and seal of approval)
3. Continue their educational work about mental health needs and mental health professionals (legislature, judicial system, clergy, businesses, schools) and create a student chapter
4. Continue to be a resource to mental health professionals in Virginia, by both the VMHE Newsletter and answering questions

VMHE depends on contributions from each of the member organizations to continue to represent them in the legislature and with the various mental health providers, in addition to providing information to the members of all the member organizations. Each of the member organizations promised to increase their donations for the next calendar year. VAMFT doubled its donation from last year, and is planning on providing its continued support.
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