Counsellors need to be licensed

Jan 28, 2019 Letters

Dear Editor,
In 2014, the number of clinical counsellors in Guyana could have been counted on the fingers. Today that situation not significantly improved, but at least there are now quite a number of graduates in Psychology with more on the way.
While it is generally accepted that a counsellor should have a masters, at a minimum, as well as clinical experience before being dubbed a counsellor, those with a first degree may be able to provide a level of counseling after gaining clinical experience and adequate supervision.
However, there are quite a number of individuals who dub themselves counsellors without even a first degree in psychology, much less clinical experience. The Caribbean Voice and other concerned stakeholders are calling upon the Ministries and Health and Social Protection respectively to please act on this situation to protect vulnerable citizens.
Such actions must include a mentoring framework for first-degree holders, as well as a set amount of supervised hours of practice and a licensing exam. Just as importantly, those without the minimum requisites should be held accountable for claiming to be and/or practising as counsellors.
The Caribbean Voice has among our Diaspora members, a mental health consultant who has experience in licensing protocols, having worked with the International Registry of Counsellor Education Programmes. She has indicated willingness to help set up a licensing mechanism in Guyana.
—The Caribbean Voice

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