YES , Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors ( CMHC ) have , finally , reached parity with our mental health colleagues , the social workers and psychologists . That parity is also why having advanced certification through AMHCA ’ s Certification and Credentialing Board ( CCB ) can be helpful as you go forward in your career as a CMHC and LCMHC . ( The CCB was formally AMHCA ’ s Diplomate Committee .)
AMHCA Certifications
Advance Your Career With an AMHCA Certification
Greggus Yahr , PhD , DCM- HS , is the chair of AMHCA ’ s Credentialing and Certification Board . He is also the owner of Midcoast Counseling & Senior Services , LLC , in Topsham , Maine , which provides the assistance and support needed by clients and their loved ones to improve their lives and continue thriving .
Within the last few months , legislation on the federal level has brought LCMHCs parity — a full seat at the table of mental health providers . For example , we are now able to bill both Medicare ( the legislation was signed into law ( think seniors ) and Tricare ( think military ). Though President Biden signed the legislation into law Dec . 29 , 2022 , however , specific procedures are currently being worked out , thus the law likely won ’ t take full effect until January 2024 .
Additionally , in many states we have license reciprocity through “ The Compact ” counsleingcompact . org , whereby several states have agreed to specific legislative language that permits LCMHCs who are licensed in one state ( call it the home state ) to practice in other states that have also passed the same Compact language .
Along with be being able to bill Medicare and Tricare directly , something that was previously possible though complicated by “ hoops ” to jump through , the Counseling Compact can enable CMHCs to reach more clients in need , in particular by providing counseling to those who live in rural areas , or perhaps in states where access to counseling services is limited because of a shortage of trained professionals . Full parity and the Counseling Compact offer significant oppor-
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AMHCA Clinical Mental Health Counseling Student Certification
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Student
AMHCA Clinical Mental Health Counselor Under Supervision Certification
Clinical Mental Health Counselor Under Supervision
AMHCA Clinical Mental Health Counselor , Independently Licensed Certification
Clinical Mental Health Counselor Licensed for Independent Practice
AMHCA Advanced Professional Credentialing Certifications
Certification — Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialist
• Specialist in Child and Adolescent Counseling
• Specialist in Couples or Family Counseling
• Specialist in Developmental and Learning Disabilities Counseling
Do You Already Qualify for One of These AMHCA Credentials ?
• Specialist in Forensic Evaluation continued on page 8
• Specialist in Geriatric Counseling
• Specialist in Integrated Behavioral Health Care Counseling
• Specialist in Military Counseling
• Specialist in Substance Use and Co-occurring Disorders
• Specialist in Trauma Counseling
Certification — Diplomate in Advanced Clinical Mental Health Counseling Practice
Diplomate in Advanced Clinical Mental Health Counseling Practice
Certification — Fellow in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Education and Research
Fellow in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Education and Research
Certification — Fellow in Multiculturalism and Social Justice
Fellow in Multiculturalism and Social Justice For more information on AMHCA ’ s Counseling Certifications , visit amhca . org / certifications
The 7Advocate The Advocate Magazine Magazine 2023 , Issue 2023 # 1 , Issue American # 1 American Mental Health Mental Counselors Health Counselors Association Association ( AMHCA () AMHCA www ). amhca www . org . amhca 77 . org