ACC THERAPIST APPOINTED TO STATE BOARD

Chris Rodriguez, MA, LMFT, was recently appointed by Governor Easley to serve a 2-year term on the North Carolina Marriage and Family Therapist Licensure Board.

The Licensure Board consists of 7 members--4 clinicians and 3 from the public sector. Chris is a unique member of the Board in that he is the only clinician who works in a non-profit counseling center rather than in private practice. In order to serve, one must be nominated by a current member and complete a rigorous application process. The purpose of the Board is twofold. First, they are responsible to review the qualifications of all applicants seeking authorization to take the state licensing exam. Second, they review any complaints received regarding a LMFT.

Becoming a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in North Carolina is a demanding process. Academically, it requires a master’s degree from an accredited institution in marriage and family therapy or a related field such as social work, counseling, or pastoral counseling. Experientially, it requires 1500 hours of clinical practice, 500 as a student, and 1000 post degree. Two hundred of those hours must be overseen by an AAMFT Approved Supervisor. Becoming a supervisor requires a thirty-hour program and one and a half year internship. Mr. Rodriguez is also an AAMFT Approved Supervisor. For more information on marriage and family therapy, please visit www.aamft.org.

We congratulate Chris on his appointment and willingness to serve on the Board.