Column on Psychiatry Derided as Demeaning
Many members of the California Assn. of Marriage and Family Therapists feel that Daniel Akst’s article demeaned their profession as well as other licensed mental health professions within this state.
John Blamphin, a spokesman for the American Psychiatric Assn., is quoted as saying that thousands of “therapists” with no more than a master’s degree, if that, are already working in California, where “practically anybody who says he’s a therapist can hang up a shingle.”
Such is not the case, at least not legally, in California. For example, to practice marriage, family and child counseling independently in this state, one must successfully complete a specified two-year masters degree or doctoral degree, 3,000 hours of supervised experience and a rigorous written and an oral exam. The pass rate on the oral exam is generally about 50%, thus sufficiently discriminating.
Our 20,000 members do not like to see a profession, for which they have worked long and hard to meet the requirements, be demeaned.
MARY RIEMERSMA
The writer is executive director of the California Assn. of Marriage and Family Therapists.
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