Comment on Show on Psychic Frauds - Anderson (10-13-2011)

Mr. Cooper,

It is ridiculously clear that the average American does not have a clue what a "qualified" counselor/psychotherapist is. One of your guests mentioned "certification" being a determinant, but licensing is the real issue here.  The woman (who pays $30K per year) stated that she does not go to a "real" therapist because she does not want to be judged.  Licensed, certified psychotherapists DO NOT JUDGE people and, if they do, they do not deserve to be licensed. Licensed, certified psychotherapists SHOULD take an entirely non-judgmental stance and objectively help clients solve their problems based on years of education and experience.

It's not only the psychic mediums, healers, and the like who are scamming the public, "life coaches" are the latest frauds bilking naive individuals into believing they are qualified to help you solve your problems. A life coach gets a "certificate" (which isn't actually required because they, life coaches, are not recognized by any state) in a couple hours to a couple days, many times by filling out a form online and paying some money.

You may want to consider doing the American public a service by doing a show what to look for when looking for a "qualified" counselor/therapist. Psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed professional counselors, and licensed clinical social workers MUST complete a graduate degree (master's or higher), complete a practicum and internship (usually one year each), complete a minimum of 3,000 hours of supervision (under a qualified, licensed therapist), and pass a national exam, as well as a background check, before receiving a license (which is required BY LAW in all states to practice psychotherapy).  For example, I have been licensed (CO and MO) AND certified (National Board of Certified Counselors) for over 20 years, completing a MINIMUM of 20 hours of continuing education each year (required by the states and NBCC), and I only charge $125 per hour.  If your guest was my client and I saw her once a week for a year (my clients rarely need more than 12-14 sessions), she would have paid $6,500 (not $30,000) and may have been able to be reimbursed by her insurance company (I do not accept insurance) by filing a claim.  Insurance companies DO NOT reimburse psychics or life coaches because THEY ARE NOT QUALIFIED to help you.  Most life coaches are out of work MBAs or other unemployed people trying to make a quick buck with little, if any, training requirements.  It is a very lucrative business.  This is not only a disservice to unsuspecting consumers, it takes business away from qualified clinicians and MAY EVEN CAUSE HARM.  My ethical code (a non-existent entity in the world of psychics and life coaches), requires me to, above all else, DO NO HARM to my clients and I take that requirement very seriously.

If you would like to read and learn more, visit my blog at http://combatcounselor.blogspot.com/2011/03/client-beware-protecting-yourself-from.html. You can also visit my website, www.kccbt.com or follow me on Twitter @CombatCounselor for more information that is RELIABLE.

Stop the ignorance and pain these frauds are causing to unknowing, undereducated consumers, not to mention the financial hardship they cause by making people pay large sums for their UNLICENSED services.

Thank you for getting the dialogue going by exposing psychic frauds.  Now, take it a step further by educating people about what to look for when they need psychological help. Within the realm of licensed psychotherapists, there are some questionable "modes" of treatment available, so a license is not the only thing required to make sure you get what you are paying for, but that is an entirely different story.

Thanks...CombatCounselor