Legislature(2005 - 2006)CAPITOL 17
04/19/2006 03:15 PM House LABOR & COMMERCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB350 | |
| SB177 | |
| Confirmations || Board of Chiropractic Examiners || Board of Pharmacy || Board of Psychologist and Psychological Associate Examiners || Board of Barbers and Hairdressers || Board of Examiners in Optometry || State Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Board || Board of Professional Counselors || Board of Social Work Examiners || Workers’ Compensation Appeals Commission || Alaska Workers’ Compensation Board | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | SB 177 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 350 | TELECONFERENCED | |
SB 177-PRACTICE OF PSYCHOLOGY CHAIR ANDERSON announced that the next 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.'" 4:49:12 PM JASON HOOLEY, Staff to Senator Fred Dyson, Senate Health, Education and Social Services Standing Committee, sponsor, explained that AS 08.86.180 prohibits all professionals, with the exception of licensed psychologists and clinical social workers, from using terms such as "psychology," "psychological," "psychologist," and "psychoanalysis" to describe their services or titles. He said that this statute was written prior to the licensure of professional counselors (LPCs) and marital and family therapists (LMFTs), and clinical social workers' (CSWs) who also receive the training required to provide these types of psychological services. He stated that SB 177 updates the aforementioned statute to allow LMFTs, LPCs, and CSWs to use these terms. He noted that the bill has a zero fiscal note. In addition, he said, the language of the bill was agreed upon by several professional groups. These groups are: The Alaska Board of Licensed Professional Counselors; The Alaska Psychological Association; The Alaska Board of Psychologists and Psychological Associate Examiners; The Alaska Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers'; The Alaska Board of Marital and Family Therapists; and The Alaska Board of Social Work Examiners. 4:51:37 PM REPRESENTATIVE GUTTENBERG inquired as to situations in which an individual who is not trained in the appropriate area offers [psychology or psychoanalysis, etc.] and the client then sues the board. MR. HOOLEY stated his belief that all of the professionals who are affected by the bill are licensed and currently have board standards and enforcement. He said that, to his knowledge, SB 177 does not change this, and added that he would follow up on this question. 4:53:17 PM REPRESENTATIVE LYNN, in regard to titles, asked if LMFT includes psychoanalysis. MR. HOOLEY replied that LMFTs would be allowed to advertise and bill for psychoanalysis, psychotherapy, or any of the other terms listed. 4:53:54 PM REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX asked if an LMFT receives training in psychoanalysis or psychotherapy. She said that she understands psychoanalysis to be a "discreet area of practice," and expressed concern with the level of education expected or required. 4:54:42 PM MR. HOOLEY replied that boards were created to protect consumers from this concern. He said that there are strict requirements for training, including a college degree and apprenticeship. REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX asked for clarification that an internship in psychoanalysis is required to be a CSW. 4:55:36 PM REPRESENTATIVE CRAWFORD noted a conflict of interest, as his wife is a licensed CSW. He explained that to be a CSW requires a masters degree, along with a [three-year] apprenticeship. He stated that a social worker with a [bachelors degree] would not be a licensed CSW. REPRESENTATIVE CRAWFORD, in response to further questions, clarified that in order to use the terms included in the bill, an individual would have to fulfill the education requirements of a licensed CSW. He said that he does not know what the educational requirements are for a LMFT. He surmised that "psychotherapy" is a term currently used; however he said that the term "psychoanalysis" is new. He said that he would like to have an expert in the field explain this. 4:57:46 PM REPRESENTATIVE LYNN inquired as to the difference between a psychologist and psychiatrist. MR. HOOLEY replied that the terms are not titles, they are a description of techniques. He said that the bill would not allow individuals to practice who were previously unable, as the same licensure requirements apply. 4:58:43 PM REPRESENTATIVE LYNN remarked that if a person were to see a professional counselor, he/she would not expect to be "psychoanalyzed," and opined that there is a "big difference." REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX offered her understanding that "psychoanalyst" is a person who does psychoanalysis, therefore it is a title. MR. HOOLEY agreed, adding that in general, a practitioner is known by his or her title. He said that SB 298 would allow the use of certain terms that would enable the practitioner to offer certain techniques. REPRESENTATIVE LEDOUX asked if, under the bill, a practitioner would be able to advertise as a "psychoanalyst." CHAIR ANDERSON clarified with an example of a social worker who advertises "psychoanalyst services." He opined that a person may think that this is a psychologist or a psychiatrist, adding that a person may decide to utilize the services, although he or she may not know what these terms mean. After a number of months, he said, the client may discover that the "psychologist or psychiatrist" is actually a social worker, which is not what the client wanted. 5:01:10 PM MR. HOOLEY replied that he understands the question and will have an expert address this issue [at the next bill hearing]. CHAIR ANDERSON noted that SB 177 was introduced by the request of the industry. REPRESENTATIVE GUTTENBERG related a personal experience with a social worker that was unsatisfactory, and opined that the members may need to "get comfortable" with the terms. CHAIR ANDERSON added that there is a counselor/client privilege, and asked if this also applies to social workers. 5:02:36 PM CHAIR ANDERSON noted that there are many questions, therefore SB 177 would be held over until the next committee hearing to allow members of the industry to testify. 5:02:58 PM [SB 177 was held over.]
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