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Hello and thanks for reading. I'm a fully licensed MFT (Marriage and Family Therapist) in Nevada. My husband and I want to relocate to St.Croix, but the USVI does not currently license MFT's nor recognize stateside MFT licensure, Long story short, until they DO, I would not be able to get a decent paying job in St. Croix.
The good news is, about a year ago, the USVI passed legislation for the establishment of a Board of Licensure, for Counselors... so they are FINALLY going to start licensing MFT's and some other types of counselors as well. The question is WHEN...
I have tried to find out WHEN, by asking residents of the island who are currently working in the mental health field, but the ones who have replied to me say that they are aware of the legislation but have no idea how long it will take to come to fruition, or the current status of the Board.
So does anyone on the forum happen to know WHAT'S GOING ON with the Professional Counseling Licensing Board? Has the board even been assembled yet? If yes, when do they expect to actually start issuing licenses?
If you don't know, but do know who I should contact, please advise!
Many thanks to you!!
Maya
Posted : September 11, 2016 7:00 am
Your best bet would be to call Mrs. Jeffers at Dept. of Licensing and Consumer Affairs to inquire. 340-774-3130.
Posted : September 11, 2016 10:00 am
Thanks! Super helpful!
Posted : September 11, 2016 4:33 pm
Perhaps they are looking for qualified board members.
Posted : September 11, 2016 4:43 pm
DLCA also responds very promptly to email enquiries.
Posted : September 11, 2016 4:49 pm
Maya: I know that there are marriage and family counselors practicing, so I don't know if this is a new board, or perhaps replacing something in place. This is where personal networking helps. If you talk to someone in the counseling scene, they can probably help you with the details. Good luck!
Posted : September 11, 2016 7:12 pm
Posted : September 11, 2016 8:35 pm
Topic starter
thanks East Ender. Yes, there are no doubt practicing marriage counselors on the island, but (if they are billing insurance, or working at an agency) they would have to be providing that service under a different license type (such as psychologist or social worker), since license types that are cureently unrecognized in the USVI (like my MFT license!) cannot bill insurance. Hence the problem for me... sure, I'd be able to set up a private marriage counseling practice in the USVI, and just ask for cash payment, but I just seriously doubt I'd be able to make a decent living that way... hard enough to do that on the mainland, without the nice "crutch" of being able to bill insurance. And yes, I will continue to try to network with therapists on the island, but so far, no one seems to know when the new Board will actually get moving.
Posted : September 12, 2016 12:32 am
Topic starter
So helpful, thank you Alana! Can't wait till morning so I can call!
Posted : September 12, 2016 12:33 am
Topic starter
TRUE... and thank you!
Posted : September 12, 2016 12:33 am
Topic starter
great, thank u
Posted : September 12, 2016 12:34 am
Hi Maja,
I just sent you a private message (PM). If you didn't get it, let me know!
Posted : September 12, 2016 12:21 pm
I am surprised that health insurance covers marriage counseling.
I thought this is a C&C business.
Unless it falls under mental health defects for getting married :@)
Posted : September 12, 2016 4:47 pm
😀
Posted : September 12, 2016 5:21 pm
I am surprised that health insurance covers marriage counseling.
I thought this is a C&C business.Unless it falls under mental health defects for getting married :@)
The majority doesn't unless the party/parties concerned can meet the criteria for a mental health diagnosis.
Posted : September 12, 2016 5:51 pm
Topic starter
many thanks, Stxer1, will check!
Posted : September 12, 2016 6:30 pm
Topic starter
I am surprised that health insurance covers marriage counseling.
I thought this is a C&C business.Unless it falls under mental health defects for getting married :@)
The majority doesn't unless the party/parties concerned can meet the criteria for a mental health diagnosis.
True. But almost anyone experiencing significant relationship distress is going to be feeling either anxious or depressed, at least to some extent, so it's not hard to find a diagnostic category that will fit that client or couple. 😉
Posted : September 12, 2016 6:33 pm
Topic starter
love it, Johnny! point taken!
Posted : September 12, 2016 6:35 pm
