This bill exempts “complementary and alternative health care practitioners” from the practice acts of clinical social work, psychology, psychotherapy, marriage and family therapy, professional counseling and over 15 other professions. Although the bill prohibits these individuals from representing themselves as clinical social workers (and other professions), by exempting them from the practice acts, it would essentially allow these individuals to engage in the practice of clinical social work or psychotherapy.

Allowing these “complementary and alternative health care providers” to engage in clinical social work or psychotherapy can be very dangerous and harmful to the extremely vulnerable clients served by clinical social workers.

Instead of exempting these practitioners from the practice act of clinical social work, we are requesting that the bill specifically states that they cannot practice psychotherapy and that they should make referrals to health and mental health care providers when appropriate.