Is the Counseling Compact Good for Therapists?
Curt and Katie chat about the brand-new Counseling Compact and what therapists may not know or understand about these interstate agreements. We explore the proposed benefits as well as the potential risks and complications like regulatory discrepancies and a lack of consumer protections. We also look at how big tech can benefit while individual clinicians may be left unable to compete in a larger market.
In this podcast episode we talk about the new Counseling Compact and Psypact
The counselors got their 10th state and officially have Counseling Compact to practice in other states. We thought it would be a good idea to talk about what that means (and what we might want to pay attention to).
What is the Counseling Compact?
Opportunities for practicing privileges (not licensure) in other states
The complexity of putting together these interstate compacts
Implementation and regulation hurdles
Scope of practice discrepancies and concerns
Law and Ethics practices across states
Benefits of Interstate Compacts for Mental Health Providers
Continuity of care
Ease of meeting with clients who are moving around the country
Bringing clinicians to areas where there is a workforce shortage
Potential Problems with the Counseling Compact
Not bringing more clinicians, if only states with workforce shortages join
Doesn’t solve the infrastructure problems (i.e., stable Wi-Fi) for rural areas that typically don’t have local therapists
The people who most benefit: the big tech companies like Better Help
The FBI is opposing this legislation due to lack of federal background checks
Lack of consumer protection or consistency in what consumers can expect from their therapist
Costs for the therapists to get practicing privileges
Large gigantic group practices and tech solutions will contract with insurance and leave smaller practices unable to compete and required to be private pay
Solving the Problems with the Counseling Compact
Overarching regulation and expectations at a national level
Federal bodies to oversee background checks and consumer protections
Expensive, time-intensive
We don’t have universal healthcare, so insurance parity will need to be addressed (and not just by big tech)
Resources for Modern Therapists mentioned in this Podcast Episode:
We’ve pulled together resources mentioned in this episode and put together some handy-dandy links. Please note that some of the links below may be affiliate links, so if you purchase after clicking below, we may get a little bit of cash in our pockets. We thank you in advance!
Counseling Compact
Psypact
Very Bad Therapy Podcast
Relevant Episodes of MTSG Podcast:
Special Series: Fixing Mental Healthcare in America
Fixing Mental Health in America: An interview with Dr. Nicole Eberhart, Senior Behavioral Scientist, and Dr. Ryan McBain, Policy Researcher, The RAND Corporation
Online Therapy Apps
Why You Shouldn’t Sell Out to Better Help
