REMEDY Policy

There has been a significant increase in fringe professions labeling themselves as "therapists" and misleading consumers. Most, if not all educational therapists, music therapists, equine therapists, movement therapists, and sound therapists are utilizing "therapist" in their titles without the training or qualifications deemed necessary by the California Department of Consumer Affairs and relevant governing agencies for licensing and credentialing.

Can you see why consumers can easily be misled by the "Therapist" title and terminology when comparing the professions below?

According to the Association of Educational "Therapists" Code of Ethics and Standards for the Professional Practice of Educational "Therapy":

The main goal and purpose of educational "therapy" is to optimize learning and school adjustment, with recognition that emotions, behaviors, and learning are intertwined. The Association of Educational "Therapists" has defined the role of the Educational "Therapist" as follows: An Educational "Therapist" works in the educational domain with persons who exhibit learning concerns.

Requirements for Private "Clinical" Practice:

🆇  Graduate Degree  -  NO

🆇  California Credential  -  NO

🆇  California License  -  NO

Scope of Practice:

(1) formal and informal educational assessment

(2) synthesis of information from other specialists, and from parents/guardians

(3) development and implementation of appropriate intervention programs

(4) strategies for addressing social and emotional aspects of learning

(5) formation of supportive relationships with the individual and with those involved in his or her educational development

(6) facilitation of communication between the individual, the family, the school, and involved professionals

Source: https://aetonline.org/index.php/about/code-of-ethics

According to the California Board of Behavioral Sciences Statutes and Regulations Relating to the Practice of Licensed Educational Psychology:

A person engages in the practice of educational psychology when he or she performs or offers to perform or holds himself or herself out as able to perform this service for remuneration in any form, including donations. The practice of educational psychology is the performance of any of the following professional functions pertaining to academic learning processes or the educational system or both.

Requirements for Private Clinical Practice:

✅ Graduate Degree  -  YES

✅ California Credential  -  YES

✅ California License  -  YES

Scope of Practice:

(1) Educational evaluation

(2) Diagnosis of psychological disorders related to academic learning processes

(3) Administration of diagnostic tests related to academic learning processes including tests of academic ability, learning patterns, achievement, motivation, and personality factors

(4) Interpretation of diagnostic tests related to academic learning processes including tests of academic ability, learning patterns, achievement, motivation, and personality factors

(5) Providing psychological counseling for individuals, groups, and families

(6) Consultation with other educators and parents on issues of social development and behavioral and academic difficulties

(7) Conducting psychoeducational assessments for the purposes of identifying special needs

(8) Developing treatment programs and strategies to address problems of adjustment

(9) Coordinating intervention strategies for management of individual crises

Source: https://www.bbs.ca.gov/pdf/publications/lawsregs.pdf