Licensed professional counselors specialize in the application of principles and practices of counseling, mental health, and human development to evaluate and facilitate human growth and adjustment throughout the lifespan and to prevent and treat mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders and associated stresses which interfere with mental health and normal human growth and development.

Required Credential(s)

A person employed in the position of a Licensed Professional Counselor is qualified to provide services for students in Pre-Kindergarten through grade 12. Licensed Professional Counselors must hold a license issued by the Pennsylvania Department of State.

Staffing Assignment

A licensed professional counselor is qualified to:

• Provide direct interventions to students who have been identified as needing ongoing individual and/or group therapy or counseling.
• Use student, family, school, and community assessment to develop appropriate interventions to improve student learning.
• Provide crisis and emergency assistance in conjunction with certified school based mental health professionals including support to students in need and participation in threat assessment and related initiatives.
• Provide parent/caregiver counseling and training to help them acquire the necessary skills to support the implementation of their child's specialized educational program.

Special Considerations

A Licensed Professional Counselor may:

• Provide professional development and serve in the role of mentor or advisor in the area of their credential;
• Serve as a member of the Evaluation and Individualized Education Plan (IEP) team; and
• Provide parent training.

Restrictions

Except as provided elsewhere in this CSPG, Licensed Professional Counselors are restricted from performing duties reserved for PDE-certified school counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, home school visitors, and special education teachers. In the area of mental health professionals in schools, positions including school counselor, school psychologist, and school social worker must be filled by individuals who hold PDE certifications in the area corresponding to the posted job title. Schools are discouraged from renaming these roles to avoid the hiring of PDE certified individuals to fill positions. In relation to IEPs, PDE does not determine who is appropriate to be identified as a service provider on an IEP. This decision is determined by the IEP team and is outside the scope of the Bureau of School Leadership and Teacher Quality. Questions related to this should be directed to the Bureau of Special Education at ra-pdespecialed@pa.gov. Additional questions or individual school entity questions should be referred to district solicitors who will make the final decision as to what is appropriate for your district/school. 

References

49 Pa. Code Chapter 49. State Board Of Social Workers, Marriage And Family Therapists And Professional Counselors— Licensure Of Professional Counselors

This supersedes all earlier CSPGs carrying this number.  No previous printing dates on this subject.

Summary of Changes