licensed marriage counseling therapy
Can I legally act as a counselor in California even though I have no psychology license?
I want to start working as the equivalent of a therapist — helping people with their typical domestic neuroses such as marriage, family, parenting, loneliness, etc. I don’t have and don’t have plans to get a psychology degree, nor do I want to be an MFCC or social worker. I just want to start. I have always helped people well in friendships and family life, and I intend to screen clients so that I am only working with people who are a good match. I was raised in a psychologist family, have gone to a lot of therapy, and feel like I know enough to get started. I might learn more if I attended a program, but I don’t have the time, money, or energy. Can I simply charge a fee for therapy or counseling, or do I run afoul of legal difficulties? Please note this question is not intended to get your opinion of the likelihood that I will do well at the job, but rather what the legal and professional limitations are. Thank you in advance for any help you can give.
California is the only state that does not license professional counsellors. There is a proposed bill to do so. So it may soon become illegal. Even if it doesn’t you would likely have a difficult time making a living without any professional certification. Why would anyone want to go to you if you don’t have the appropriate training? How would it be different from talking to a friend or a family member? And if you aren’t certified or licensed, insurance companies would not cover the costs of seeing you. I don’t really see much future in it.
Marriage Counseling : How to Cuddle