News for Therapists and Counselors
AAMFT Joins Lawsuit Challenging Federal Student Loan Rule that Threatens Mental Health Workforce Pipeline
[from the AAMFT website] On May 21, the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) joined a lawsuit led by Democracy Forward challenging a new U.S. Department of Education rule that could significantly reduce the number of qualified mental health professionals entering the workforce.
The stakes are significant. More than one-third of Americans—over 130 million people—live in areas with a shortage of mental health professionals, and projections estimate a shortage of nearly 34,000 marriage and family therapists by 2038. At the same time, AAMFT data show that 96% of marriage and family therapy students rely on federal student loans to complete their graduate education, with more than half requiring between $20,500 and $50,000 per year.
At issue is the Department’s recently finalized Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) rule, which redefines what constitutes a “professional degree” for federal student loan purposes. The rule excludes marriage and family therapy programs from that designation, limiting annual federal loan access for students to $20,500, compared to up to $50,000 for those classified as “professional” students.
Visit the AAMFT site for all the details.
Letter to AMFTRB Boards about content error in the 2026 Handbook for Candidates
In January 2026, AMFTRB discovered that in the 2026 Handbook for Candidates for the AMFTRB MFT National Examination, an incorrect version of the examination content outline was inadvertently reprinted from the 2025 Handbook for Candidates.
Download the PDF of the letter
A challenge to Colorado’s Minor Conversion Therapy Law (MCTL)
Dear Colleagues,
I’m reaching out to ensure you’re aware of a significant case now pending before the U.S. Supreme Court that has the potential to impact all of us who oversee the regulation of licensed behavioral health professionals. On March 10, 2025, the Court granted certiorari in Chiles v. Salazar (No. 24-539), a case challenging Colorado’s Minor Conversion Therapy Law (MCTL).
Colorado describes “conversion therapy” as counseling efforts aimed at changing a minor’s sexual orientation or gender identity. In contrast, the petitioner, Kaley Chiles—a licensed counselor who integrates her Christian faith into her practice—contends that the law targets conversations in which she seeks to help clients align their sexual feelings or gender identity with their personal or religious values. The case reflects a fundamental disagreement over the nature and goal of such counseling and how far states may go in regulating those conversations.
The Supreme Court granted review to address the following question:
Whether a law that censors certain conversations between counselors and their clients based on the viewpoints expressed regulates conduct or violates the Free Speech Clause.
Given the potential consequences for professional speech regulations across all jurisdictions, this case bears close watching. While I’m happy to share updates if anyone reaches out, I encourage each of you to monitor it closely, as I believe it could represent a watershed moment in our regulatory work—much like the North Carolina Dental Board case was.
Best regards,
Darrel D. Spinks
Executive Director
Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council
MORE: A follow-up from AMFTRB’s legal counsel, Steve Peluso.
Universal License Recognition
The Institute for Justice has important information for State Reforms for Universal License Recognition
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License Mobility Glossary
Glossary and definitions of relevant terms for discussions regarding licensure of clinicians across jurisdictions. Here are definitions for each of the terms related to behavioral health licenses generated by ChatGPT.
1. Mobility: In the context of licensure, mobility refers to the ability of a licensed professional to move between different jurisdictions or states while retaining the validity of their license.
2. License Mobility: License mobility specifically pertains to the ability of professionals to transfer their licenses from one jurisdiction to another without having to fulfill additional educational or examination requirements.
3. Workforce Mobility: Workforce mobility is the broader concept of professionals being able to move between different geographic areas or jurisdictions to seek employment opportunities without significant barriers.
4. Portability/License Portability: Portability or license portability refers to the ease with which a professional license can be transferred or recognized as valid in another jurisdiction.
5. Reciprocity: Reciprocity is a policy or agreement between two or more jurisdictions whereby licensed professionals from one jurisdiction can practice in another jurisdiction without having to meet all the requirements for licensure in the new jurisdiction.
6. Endorsement: Endorsement is a process by which a licensed professional in one jurisdiction applies for licensure in another jurisdiction based on their existing credentials and qualifications, typically without having to repeat the full licensure process.
7. Interstate Licensure Compacts: Interstate licensure compacts are agreements between multiple states to standardize licensure requirements and facilitate license portability for certain professions across participating jurisdictions.
8. Universal Licensure: Universal licensure refers to a system where a single license is recognized and valid across multiple jurisdictions without the need for additional applications or approvals.
9. Universal License Recognition/Universal Recognition: Similar to universal licensure, universal license recognition or universal recognition means that a single license held by a professional is recognized and accepted across multiple jurisdictions without the need for additional licensure processes.
10. Residency Requirements: Residency requirements are conditions set by some jurisdictions that may mandate a certain period of residency or practice within that jurisdiction before a professional can obtain licensure.
11. Substantially Equivalent: Substantially equivalent means that the qualifications, education, training, or experience of a professional meet the standards required for licensure in a new jurisdiction, even if they are not identical to the requirements of that jurisdiction.
12. Scope of Practice: Scope of practice defines the range of services, activities, and responsibilities that a licensed professional is legally allowed to perform within their field of expertise.
13. Recognition of Experience (without licensure): Recognition of experience refers to the acknowledgment and validation of a professional’s relevant work experience or training in lieu of specific licensure requirements.
14. Occupational Licensing: Occupational licensing is the process by which governmental agencies grant permission to individuals to engage in a particular profession or occupation, typically to ensure public safety and welfare.
—Adopted AMFTRB Board of Directors June 2024