Plan introduced by Rep. Miller takes effect

A plan introduced by state Rep. Aaron Miller, and signed into law in October updating and clarifying Michigan counseling practices, took effect this week.

Updates were needed because the state Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs proposed a rule that would have precluded many licensed professional counselors from using counseling techniques and psychotherapy to treat patients.

LPCs are invaluable to patients and families across Michigan, Miller said.

In addition to clarifying psychotherapy and diagnosis as counseling techniques, the law now reflects current training standards that have improved over the past three decades.