SB 177-PRACTICE OF PSYCHOLOGY REPRESENTATIVE KOTT announced that the only order of business would be CS FOR SENATE BILL NO. 177(HES), "An Act eliminating the prohibition on the use by certain licensed professionals of titles or descriptions of services that incorporate the terms 'psychoanalysis,' 'psychoanalyst,' 'psychotherapy,' 'psychotherapeutic,' or 'psychotherapist.'" 3:32:54 PM JASON HOOLEY, Staff to Senator Fred Dyson, Senate Health, Education and Social Services Standing Committee, Alaska State Legislature, Sponsor, noted a letter from the sponsor in members' packets, which discusses the standards for licensure of each professional group affected by SB 177. He said that each profession requires a masters' degree, at least one year of supervised experience, in addition to a board exam. Mr. Hooley related the sponsor's concern that the individuals practicing the services described in the bill be qualified and satisfactorily supervised. 3:33:48 PM REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX inquired as to the training a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), licensed marital and family therapist (LMFT), or a licensed professional counselor receives in psychoanalysis. 3:34:20 PM ANNE L. HENRY, Chair, Alaska Board of Licensed Professional Counselors, explained that psychiatrists have typically performed psychoanalysis, as this was the original technique used in psychotherapy. She said that several techniques evolved out of this, including Gestalt therapy. Marianne Robinson, she said, is a practitioner in Anchorage who has a [Masters in social work], and has received years of psychoanalytic training. She explained that [Ms. Robinson] is the "main person" who would like this changed. She said that she is unsure of the requirement for training and supervised practice, but said that generally, there is "quite a bit" of work involved, along with national certification. 3:36:18 PM REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX remarked that the bill appears to be for one person, and inquired about practitioners who may not be qualified, but would be able to use the terms if the bill passes. MS. HENRY replied that there is an "ethical code" for each of the four disciplines. This code, she said, acts as part of the disciplinary policy. She stated that one of the main sections of the disciplinary code states that a person must not practice any modality in which he or she has not been adequately trained. If a person does this, she said, his or her license may be revoked and a fine may be assessed. She opined that this is "as stiff as it can get," adding that a person who takes the time to get licensed does not want to lose the license. In regard to whether SB 289 is for the benefit of one person, she said that this is incorrect. She explained that when psychologists were originally writing statutes for licensure, the intent was to restrict the language that applies to psychotherapy and psychoanalysis; however, other practitioners began to be licensed. The [psychologists] have realized, she said, that the terms were unjustly restricted. Ms. Henry stated that the bill is intended to rectify a conflict between the current statutes and Medicaid regulations. She explained that Medicaid recognizes "psychotherapy" as a service and allows for all of the four mental health professions to bill for this service. She said that the bill was brought forward by several directors of state funded mental health facilities who were concerned with this discrepancy. 3:38:58 PM MS. HENRY went on to say that the [Board of Psychologists and Psychological Associate Examiners] decided to remove the restriction on "psychoanalysis" and "psychoanalytical," as they do not practice these modalities. ACTING CHAIR KOTT closed public testimony. 3:40:11 PM REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX said that she is still uncomfortable with "psychoanalysis" and "psychoanalyst," noting that the practitioner may be punished if training is not "adequate." She expressed concern with the term "adequate." 3:41:23 PM REPRESENTATIVE CRAWFORD moved to report CSSB 177(HES) out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSSB 177(HES) was reported from the House Labor and Commerce Standing Committee. 3:42:24 PM