Online Therapy In Arizona

Find Your City And See What Therapy Conditions We Serve There

Each state has its own set of regulations and requirements for mental health professionals like therapists and counselors to abide by. So, it is typically best that you find a therapist in your state. However, some professions such as coaching does not have these regulations, and you can seek a coach from anywhere in the world.
Start Healing
Start Healing
We're still adding cities here. Sorry about that.

In Arizona, the regulation of therapists and other mental health practitioners is designed to ensure that professionals in the field are adequately trained, adhere to high ethical standards, and are competent in providing mental health services. The oversight of mental health professions is primarily managed by the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners, along with specific boards for psychologists. Here’s a detailed overview of the regulatory environment for mental health practitioners in Arizona:

Licensing and Certification

  1. Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs): LPC candidates in Arizona must hold a master's or doctoral degree in counseling or a related field from a program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or an equivalent. They must complete a supervised practicum or internship, accrue 3,200 hours of supervised post-degree work experience (including 1,600 hours of direct client contact), and pass the National Counselor Examination (NCE) or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).
  2. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs): For LMFT licensure, applicants must have a master's or doctoral degree in marriage and family therapy or a related discipline, complete a clinical practicum or internship, and accumulate 3,200 hours of supervised post-degree clinical work experience (including 1,600 hours of direct client contact). Passing the Association of Marital & Family Therapy Regulatory Boards (AMFTRB) examination is also required.
  3. Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs): LCSW candidates need a Master of Social Work (MSW) from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), completion of a clinical practicum, and 3,200 hours of supervised post-graduate clinical social work experience (including 1,600 hours of direct client contact). Candidates must pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) clinical level examination.
  4. Licensed Psychologists: The Arizona Board of Psychologist Examiners regulates the licensure of psychologists. Requirements include a doctoral degree in psychology, completion of an internship, two years of supervised professional experience (one of which can be pre-doctoral), and passing the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).

Continuing Education

All licensed mental health professionals in Arizona are required to complete continuing education (CE) credits for license renewal. The specific number of CE hours and the content vary by profession but typically include ethics, cultural competency, and other topics relevant to clinical practice.

Ethics and Professional Conduct

Mental health practitioners in Arizona are expected to adhere to ethical guidelines and standards of conduct as outlined by their respective licensing boards. These standards cover confidentiality, informed consent, professional boundaries, and competency. Ethical violations can result in disciplinary actions, including license suspension or revocation.

Additional Certifications

While not a requirement for basic licensure, mental health practitioners may pursue additional certifications in specialized areas of practice, such as addiction counseling, play therapy, or trauma-informed care. These certifications usually require further education, training, and passing of specialized examinations.

Regulation and Oversight

The Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners and the Arizona Board of Psychologist Examiners are responsible for the regulation, licensure, and oversight of mental health practitioners in the state. These boards ensure that practitioners meet the required standards for education, experience, ethics, and continuing education, and they handle licensure applications, renewals, and disciplinary matters.

Arizona’s regulatory framework for mental health practitioners is designed to protect the public by ensuring that professionals are qualified, ethical, and competent. Practitioners are encouraged to stay informed about changes in laws, regulations, continuing education opportunities, and best practices within their field.

Check your state's regulations to learn about your local regulations.