07/09/2018

PCA Member Spotlight and Governor Signs Killion’s Mental Health Provider Bill and Member

PCA Member, Dr. Ryan Bowers, Receives Counselor Education and Supervision Editorial Fellowship

On June 11, 2018 The Association for Counselor Education and Supervision announced that PCA Member, Dr. Ryan Bowers has been selected to be a 2018-2019 CE&S Editorial Fellow.  Dr. Bowers is starting his first year as an Assistant Professor for the Department of Counselor Education at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania in the fall of 2018 and will be mentored by CE&S editorial board member Dr. Dodie Limberg, Assistant Professor at The University of South Carolina. Dr. Bowers is a graduate of Duquesne University’s CACREP-Accredited Counselor Education and Supervision Doctoral Program, a Licensed Professional Counselor in Pennsylvania, a National Certified Counselor, a Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and is a member of and has proudly served the Pennsylvania Counseling Association as the Awards Chair since 2016.  

Governor Signs Killion’s Mental Health Provider Bill

Governor Tom Wolf has signed key legislation authored by Senator Tom Killion (R-9) long sought by marriage and family therapists, social workers and professional counselors.

The new law, which has been a goal of providers for close to two decades, changes the licensure requirements and scope of practice provisions for therapists, social workers and counselors.  It will enable these professionals to better serve families in need of their services.

“This new law will enhance and expand mental health services available in Pennsylvania’s communities and schools,” Killion said.  “People in need will now have even better treatment options and enjoy new consumer protections.  This will be tremendously helpful to families across the state,” he added.

Killion’s Senate Bill 530, now officially Act 76 of 2018 after the Governor signed the bill on June 29^th, will allow a broader array of treatment options by professionals, clarify by law who may provide mental health services and define who may call themselves a licensed professional.  It will also provide new consumer protections.

This law will bring Pennsylvania up to national standards by adding practice protection and diagnosis for professional counseling.