54-3401. DEFINITIONS. As used in this chapter:

(1) "Board" means the Idaho state licensing board of professional counselors and marriage and family therapists.

(2) "Bureau chief" means the chief of the bureau of occupational licenses of the state of Idaho.

(3) "Department" means the department of self-governing agencies of the state of Idaho.

(4) "Licensed associate marriage and family therapist" means any person licensed under this chapter as an associate marriage and family therapist to practice marriage and family therapy under supervision as set forth in this chapter.

(5) "Licensed clinical professional counselor" means any person licensed under this chapter as a licensed clinical professional counselor to practice clinical professional counseling as set forth in this chapter.

(6) "Licensed marriage and family therapist" means any person licensed under this chapter to practice marriage and family therapy as defined in this chapter.

(7) "Licensed professional counselor" means any person licensed under this chapter to practice professional counseling as defined in this chapter.

(8) "Marriage and family therapy" means the evaluation and treatment of mental and emotional disorders, whether cognitive, affective or behavioral, within the context of marriage and family systems. Marriage and family therapy includes the professional application of psychotherapeutic and family systems theories and techniques in the delivery of services to individuals, couples and families for the purpose of treating nervous and mental disorders including, but not limited to, addictive disorders.

(9) "Practice of marriage and family therapy" means the rendering of professional marriage and family therapy services to individuals, couples and families, singly or in groups, whether such services are offered directly to the general public or through organizations, either public or private. A licensed associate marriage and family therapist shall only practice marriage and family therapy under supervision as established in this chapter and rules of the board. The practice of marriage and family therapy is restricted to marriage and family therapists competent in the area of practice, and in the use of such methods, techniques or modalities.

(10) "Practice of professional counseling" means the application of mental health, psychological, and human development principles in order to facilitate human development and adjustment throughout the life span; prevent, assess, and treat mental, emotional or behavioral disorders and associated distresses which interfere with mental health; conduct assessments for the purpose of establishing treatment goals and objectives; and plan, implement and evaluate treatment plans using counseling treatment interventions. The practice of professional counseling also means the application of cognitive, affective, behavioral, and systemic counseling strategies across the continuum of care. It includes principles of development, wellness and pathology that reflect a contemporary society. Such interventions are specifically implemented in the context of a professional counseling setting.

The practice of professional counseling includes, but is not limited to:

(a) Individual, group, couples, family counseling and therapy;

(b) Assessment;

(c) Crisis intervention;

(d) Treatment of persons with mental and emotional disorders including, but not limited to, addictive disorders;

(e) Guidance and consulting to facilitate normal growth and development, including educational and career development;

(f) Utilization of functional assessment and counseling for persons requesting assistance in adjustment to a disability;

(g) Consulting;

(h) Research; and

(i) Referral.

The use of specific methods, techniques, or modalities within the practice of professional counseling is restricted to professional counselors appropriately trained in the use of such methods, techniques or modalities.

(11) "Supervised experience" and "experience under supervision" means a face-to-face process by which an approved supervisor facilitates the professional growth of a supervisee and monitors the supervisee’s clinical performance. A supervisor provides professional direction to help the supervisee attain knowledge, improve case conceptualization and process skills, address personal issues as it pertains to clinical work, and strengthen professional development, ethics and boundary-setting as the supervisee provides clinical services to clients. A supervisor monitors the supervisee’s clinical performance through direct and indirect observation of the services delivered by the supervisee, such as audio or video recordings, live supervision and other methods of observation of services.

History:

[54-3401, added 1982, ch. 183, sec. 1, p. 480; am. 1998, ch. 413, sec. 2, p. 1302; am. 2001, ch. 71, sec. 2, p. 143; am. 2008, ch. 87, sec. 1, p. 237; am. 2010, ch. 235, sec. 40, p. 575; am. 2012, ch. 68, sec. 2, p. 191.]