HB 599 -- Professional Counselors

Sponsor:  Cooper (155)

This bill revises the definition of the "practice of professional
counseling" to include the application of mental health,
behavior, or human development principles in order to facilitate
human development; prevent, diagnose, and treat mental and
behavior disorders; conduct assessments for the purpose of
establishing treatment; and plan, evaluate, and implement
treatment plans using counseling treatment interventions.

The definition of "professional counseling" is revised to include
individual, group, marriage, and family counseling and
psychotherapy; assessment; crisis intervention; diagnosis and
treatment of persons with mental disorders; guidance and
consultation to facilitate normal growth and development;
utilization of functional assessment; consulting; research; and
referral.  Restrictions are placed on these practices to apply to
those persons appropriately trained as a professional counselor.

After August 28, 2007, all applicants for licensure as a
professional counselor will be required to provide the Committee
for Professional Counselors with evidence of the completion of a
minimum of three hours of graduate-level course work in
diagnostic systems in the curriculum leading to their degree.
The committee is authorized to establish continuing education
requirements for professional counselors to maintain and renew
their licenses.

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated August 25, 2005 at 1:20 pm