Locker McDonald, MA, ALC
When clients are searching for their therapist, they may see lots of different letters behind the names of prospective counselors. LMSW, ALC, PhD, LMFT, etc. One common question we have as therapists in a multi-modal practice is "what's the difference?" This article is a continuation of our series which sheds light on the nuances and pro's to each type of mental health practitioner. This article is intended to explain what an ALC, or Associate Licensed Counselor, is and what their role in mental health is.
When I meet with clients, one of the first things I do is define the counseling process, so that the client is aware of what their treatment entails. Part of this requires defining what a counselor even is. Quite a few myths and misunderstandings have arisen from misrepresentations of therapists in movies and TV, and these misconceptions might even contribute to some people's hesitation to seek treatment. I've heard people say, "I don't need some therapist telling me what to do," and others ask me, "Can you read my mind?"
To be clear, counselors are encouraged not to give advice by their code of ethics (ACA, 2014), and they are certainly not psychics. I don’t give people advice, and I can’t read minds. In fact, mind reading is something that counselors encourage clients not to do. But that might be for a different article.
One way I like to assist in dispelling the myths surrounding therapy is by explaining the letters next to my name. MA stands for Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and ALC stands for Associate Licensed Counselor. So, at the risk of boring you with the details, here's what these two titles indicate about a therapist.
First, a master's program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is—not only a mouthful but also—a commitment of two to three years, sometimes even more. CACREP (The Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs) sets the "gold standard" for counseling program accreditation, which will be the standard set by the Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling (ABEC) starting in January 2024. I know, there are a lot of acronyms, but please bear with me. The CACREP standard for a counseling program includes 60 credit hours of courses that focus on the following areas:
1. Professional counseling orientation and ethical practice.
2. Social and cultural diversity.
3. Human growth and development.
4. Career development.
5. Counseling and helping relationships.
6. Group counseling and group work.
7. Assessment and testing.
8. Research and program evaluation.
These areas represent fundamental knowledge for the counseling profession. Despite not being a requirement in Alabama at the time, I chose to attend a counseling program that is accredited by CACREP because I knew that it has a reputation of being the highest standard of training. Out of the 60 credit hours in the program, 9 of these credit hours consist of Practicum and Internship.
Practicum is very hands-on clinical experience for the student. During practicum, the student works as a counselor under supervision in various settings, such as private practice, hospitals, and mental health facilities. Students aim to obtain 20 direct experience hours (meaning they meet with clients in a clinical setting) and a total of 100 hours doing tasks like notetaking, collaborating with supervisors, and other professional-level work outside of the counseling room.
Internship essentially continues the practicum experience, although some students may work at a different site. The requirements increase to 600 total hours, with 250 of those hours involving direct clinical experience. Some programs condense this into just two semesters. Additionally, students must pass a comprehensive examination to graduate and maintain good standing with their grades and behavior. Supervisors provide feedback about the student's performance during the internship to ensure that graduating students represent the profession as professionals.
After graduation, the counselor must apply for licensure in their state. Licensure requirements vary from state to state, so I'll focus on my home state of Alabama. Once the state board (Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling or ABEC) approves the graduate, the counselor then becomes an Associate Licensed Counselor or ALC. The ALC practices as a professional counselor under supervision, meaning they meet with a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S) every week to ensure they provide professional-level care to their clients. Both the ALC and their supervisor answer to the state of Alabama’s as well as the ACA’s codes of ethics (ABEC, 2016; ACA, 2014).
The ALC continues practicing under supervision until they've obtained 3000 hours of experience and complete 10 hours of continuing education each year. Once the ALC completes their hours, they can apply to ABEC for licensure as an LPC. This process of pre-licensed supervision ensures that if a professional counselor were to open their own private practice, they have adequate experience in the field. In addition to their licensure, LPCs can specialize by becoming certified in various treatment modalities such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which is an effective method for treating clients with PTSD (APA, 2017).
It's important to note that the specific roles and responsibilities of ALCs and LPCs can vary widely depending on the setting in which they work (e.g., private practice, community mental health center, school, hospital) and their specialization (e.g., marriage and family therapy, addiction counseling, school counseling). LPCs and ALCs focus on helping clients with specific issues, such as mental health diagnoses, substance abuse, or behavioral issues.
Ultimately, the decision of which therapist to see lies with the individual, couple, or family seeking treatment. Not every therapist is the same, and the rapport you build with your therapist is the key component of your treatment (See my previous blog, “Why See a Counselor?”).
At Foundations Counseling Center, our goal is to meet the needs of the client and make therapy accessible to everyone. While traditional insurance providers do not cover counseling services provided by ALCs (most insurance providers do cover LPCs), some clients prefer to pay cash for various reasons. Often, ALCs are working toward building their caseload, so they might have more openings in their schedule than other clinicians. This can be very helpful for those looking to get into treatment sooner rather than later.
In conclusion, if you're looking for a therapist and come across an ALC, you can be sure that they are qualified to serve your needs and assist you in meeting your goals. They have undergone years of training, clinical experience, and supervision. Keep in mind that the most important element of your treatment is the relationship you have with your therapist. Finding the right therapist for you might be a bit of a process, but your mental health is worth the work.
References
American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA code of ethics. Retrieved from http://www.counseling.org/docs/ethics/2014-aca-code-of-ethics.pdf
Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling. (2016). ABEC Code of Ethics. Retrieved from https://abec.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Code_Ethics_Aug.2016.pdf
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. (2016). 2016 CACREP Standards. https://www.cacrep.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/2016-Standards-with-citations.pdf
American Psychological Association. (2017). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy for PTSD. APA. https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/treatments/eye-movement-reprocessing