NASW MICHIGAN STATEMENT ON LPC PROPOSED PRACTICE CHANGES

The National Association of Social Workers - Michigan Chapter, is the largest membership organization for professional social workers in the state of Michigan. We advocate on behalf of our members, the 28,000+ social work professionals within the state as well as the most vulnerable Michiganders.

Social Workers work in various settings from behavioral health, child welfare, foster care, trauma, mental health, substance abuse, gerontology, administrative, policy and more. Social workers provide the largest number of mental health services across the state and have seen up close the impact that restricting access to mental health services can have on individuals and families.

Currently, there are two different efforts being proposed which affect both social workers and those in critical need of mental health services across the state. First, HB 4325 is a proposed legislative bill sponsored by Rep. Aaron Miller (R-Sturgis), that intends to modernize the  Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC ) practice act in the state of Michigan, by, among other things, clarifying their professional ability to clinically diagnose in certain situations.

The National Association of Social Workers - Michigan Chapter recognizes that this is an important consideration as we are amid a mental health crisis in Michigan.  Therefore, it is critically important for individuals in every county to have access to qualified mental health professionals, and HB 4325 enhances that access.

Additionally, there is an effort by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) via the Board of Counseling, to modify the rules that govern the practice of counseling by Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC). The proposed rule changes restrict what Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) can do within the state of Michigan. Every professional board, from the Board of Social Work to the Board of Medicine, continually makes modifications to the rules that govern each profession's practice, but one practice's Board or rules cannot change another's. Thus, the modifications to the proposed rule changes put forth by LARA by Counseling board, are specific to the Counseling Profession.

Neither effort, HB 4325 nor the modifications to the LPC General Rules have a significant negative effect on the practice ability for the social work profession, as social workers and professional counselors are distinctly different professions with different sections of law in the public health code and different rules.

Maxine Thome, PhD, LMSW, MPH

Executive Director

National Association of Social Workers, Michigan Chapter