Section 34-8A-2

Definitions.

For the purposes of this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise, the following words and phrases shall have the respective meanings ascribed by this section:

(1) LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR. Any person who holds himself out to the public by any title or description of services incorporating the words "licensed professional counselor" or "licensed counselor"; and who offers to render professional counseling services in private practice to individuals, groups, organizations, corporations, institutions, government agencies or the general public for a fee, monetary or otherwise, implying that he is licensed and trained, experienced or expert in counseling, and who holds a current, valid license to engage in the private practice of counseling, with the exception of those practitioners listed in Section 34-8A-3.

(2) ASSOCIATE LICENSED COUNSELOR. Any person that has been licensed by the board to offer counseling services as defined in this section while under the supervision of a board approved supervisor.

(3) BOARD. The Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling.

(4) COUNSELING SERVICES. Those acts and behaviors coming within the "practice of counseling" as defined in this section.

(5) PRIVATE PRACTICE OF COUNSELING. Rendering or offering to render to individuals, groups, organizations or the general public counseling services, in private practice, for a fee, monetary or otherwise, involving the application of principles, methods or procedures of the counseling profession which include, but are not restricted to:

a. Counseling. To render evaluation and therapy that includes, but is not limited to, providing individual counseling, family counseling, marital counseling, group therapy, school counseling, play therapy, rehabilitation counseling, art therapy, human growth and development counseling, couples counseling, chemical abuse or dependency counseling, career counseling, and vocational disability counseling. The use of specific methods, techniques, or modalities within the practice of a licensed professional counselor is restricted to counselors appropriately trained in the use of these methods, techniques, or modalities. A licensed professional counselor or associate licensed counselor shall not attempt to diagnose, prescribe for, treat, or advise a client with reference to problems or complaints falling outside the boundaries of counseling services.

b. Appraisal Activities. Selecting, administering, scoring and interpreting instruments designed to assess an individual's aptitudes, attitudes, abilities, achievements, interests and personal characteristics, but shall not include the use of projective techniques in the assessment of personality.

c. Counseling, Guidance and Personal Consulting. Interpreting or reporting upon scientific fact or theory in counseling, guidance and personnel services to provide assistance in solving some current or potential problems of individuals, groups or organizations.

d. Referral Activities. The evaluating of data to identify problems and to determine advisability of referral to other specialists.

e. Research Activities. The designing, conducting and interpreting of research with human subjects.

(Acts 1979, No. 79-423, p. 649, §2; Act 2000-810, p. 1925, §1.)