| Board Information |
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| Brief History |
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In 1989, the State of Oregon passed a licensing law for Professional Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists. Oregon Revised Statues (ORS) 675.705-835, is a "title act". It restricts the use of certain titles, "Licensed Professional Counselor" or "Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist", to individuals who have obtained licensure from the Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists. The licensing law does not address insurance payments and licensees are not listed in statute as mandatory recipients of third-party payments.
It does not prevent the practice of counseling, or marriage and family therapy ... "as long as the person does not represent to the public by title that the person is licensed".
However, 1995 and 1999 law changes make it illegal to practice "psychology" without a license or exemption and those new provisions are interpreted and enforced by the Oregon Board of Psychologist Examiners.
The counselor and therapist licensing law addresses educational/training standards for counselors and therapists, a mechanism for the disclosure of relevant information by licensees, and provides a means to adopt and enforce ethical standards for practice.
The law creates a seven-member citizen board appointed by the Governor, which administers the law through the adoption of Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR Chapter 833). This is a policy board, responsible for making all the decisions regarding licensure within the authority granted by the law.
Board Responsibilities
The Board serves the public by making sure the licensee has met the standards set by the state for education, supervised training, and has passed an examination to indicate that the licensee has the basic knowledge necessary to practice within the standards described in law and rules. Through regulation, the Board verifies that licensees continue their education and provide written disclosure of information to clients, including an explanation of the licensee’s approach to counseling, training, and client rights. The Board investigates complaints regarding violations of the law and rules and the competency of licensees. Forms are available on this web site.
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| Current Board Members |
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Created by ORS 675.775, the Board consists of seven members appointed by the Governor: three professional counselors; two marriage and family therapists; a member of faculty of a school that trains counselors or therapists; and a public member.
Members serve three year terms and may be reappointed for a second term. They may continue to serve until the Governor appoints their replacements. For information about Executive Appointments, please contact the Governors office at:
http://governor.oregon.gov/Gov/boards.shtml#Executive_Appointment.
Board Chair
- Ryan Melton, LPC, was appointed for a term beginning February 1, 2007 and will serve until September 30, 2009.
Board Co-Chair
- Linda White, LPC, was appointed for a term beginning May 8, 2006 and reappointed until September 30, 2010
- Nila Epstein, LMFT, appointed on July 1, 2009 to a term that ends September 30, 2010
- Julia A Smith, Faculty Member, was appointed for a term beginning December 1, 2006 and ending September 30, 2007. Ms. Smith has been reappointed to serve until 9/30/2010.
- LeeAnne Wichmann, LMFT, was appointed by the Governor to her first term of 2/13/2009 - 9/30/2011
- Elizabeth Wosley-George, LPC, was appointed for a term beginning April 8, 2004 and will serve until September 30, 2009.
BOARD STAFF
Connie L. Brown is the Licensing coordinator. She works part-time doing exams and licensing. She began in the Fall of 1995. She may be contacted at the Board office, (503) 378-5499 Ext 2
Intake Coordinator. Answers licensing and intern questions. (503) 378-5499 Ext 1
Becky Eklund is the Board Executive Director. She began January 22, 2008 and may be contacted at the board office, (503) 378-5499 Ext 3
Brian Johnson is the investigator. He began work with the Board on August 17, 2009. He works half time and deals with all matters related to complaints, compliance, and investigations. His office telephone number is (503) 378-5499 ext. 4
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| 2009-2010 Board Meeting Schedule |
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Regular Board Meetings
December 11, 2009
February 12, 2010
April 2, 2010
August 13, 2010
October 15, 2010
December 10, 2010
Unless noted otherwise, the Board meets in a conference room located on the second floor of the Morrow Crane Building, 3218 Pringle Road SE, Salem, OR 97302.
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| Meeting Agendas and Minutes |
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Meeting Agendas
Meeting Minutes
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