“I served in Iraq and Afghanistan. I am a mental health counselor, I graduated from a CACREP-accredited school and I have passed all my exams. I would love to be able to counsel my fellow veterans but I cannot get a job with the VA.”
How many times has AMHCA heard this same story from our members over and over? So many veterans returning to civilian life follow their dreams to become mental health counselors in order to be able to help others like them, only to find out that licensed professional mental health counselors are not fully integrated into the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Too often many of our members tell us that VA employment standards are too restrictive and exclude qualified professionals, limit pay and benefits and hinder the ability for local facilities to hire clinical mental health counselors.
Our members typically have a master’s or doctoral degree in clinical mental health counseling, have over 3000 hours of supervised post-master’s clinical experience and have passed licensure exams. Many of them already work with veterans in other mental health settings but are still hitting walls when it comes to working at the VA.
Although some strides have been made, there is still much more to be done. We see our veterans suffer from funding cuts, limited access and struggle when they return home. As a clinician it is frustrating and disheartening to know that you are able to help and that there is a need, but certain restrictions hold you back. Licensed mental health counselors are well-educated, trained and certified. Hiring more mental health counselors will help address the severe and chronic shortage of qualified mental health staff.
Let us in the Door
The door to the VA is not completely shut on counselors. Now, albeit, it’s not completely open to all counselors, the door is ajar. AMHCA will work for including all licensed mental health counselors. In the meantime, AMHCA wants to let mental health counselors who qualify, cross the threshold into the VA so they can do an exceptional job and demonstrate the vast amount of knowledge, skill, and capabilities inherent to the mental health counseling profession. Opening the door a bit can achieve this, so the door can only be opened wider in the future.
Mental health counselors are ready, willing and able to help our fellow veterans. Let us in.
AMHCA's Letter to VHA's Director of Program Policy Implementation Dr. Stacey Pollack. September 10, 2014