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Rep. Frederick supports plan ensuring counselors may continue to practice
RELEASE|October 17, 2019

Earlier this month, state Rep. Ben Frederick joined House colleagues in approving a plan to update and clarify counseling practices under Michigan law, today the legislation was approved by the Senate and now heads to the governor’s desk to be considered for state law.

The law has not been updated since it was enacted in 1988. Frederick said updates are needed because the state Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) has proposed striking the majority of the existing rules for the practice of counselors. This potential elimination will prevent many counselors from being able to practice if the proposed changes be adopted.

“You can imagine how much standards and practices have changed since the ‘80s. We have to adapt to keep up with the times,” Frederick said. “But we can’t allow LARA to eliminate existing rules that would harm the counseling industry and, ultimately, the many people our counselors serve.”

The most notable update to current law will clarify the current counseling techniques to include psychotherapy and diagnosis. Additionally, statute will be updated to reflect current training standards that have changed over the past three decades.

“I’ve been so impressed with the counselors from across our communities who have advocated on behalf of this issue. I stand with them on this issue 100 percent,” Frederick said. “I hope the governor will sign this legislation swiftly to protect counselors from losing their ability to practice.”

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