Unlicensed counselors: real or phony?
Leanna Payton
Issue date: 3/25/09 Section: Lifestyles
"It's a cookie-cutter, one-side-fits-all advice," he said.
Fuendling also said people who watch or listen to such shows might assume the advice given will work for them, though this might not be the case.
However, Davidson said many people could be positively influenced by McGraw's advice.
"He is there to help people," she said. "He's not just helping that one person on TV, but also helping those who are watching."
Jonathan Carlsmith, a junior journalism and communication major from Lincoln, Ark., agrees with Fuendling.
"An unlicensed professional can't be held liable for their potential impact, while a licensed counselor is bound by an ethical code and standard," Carlsmith said.
Radio and television counselors have to keep entertainment in mind while giving advice - by keeping sponsors happy, for example, Fuendling said.
"They're having to serve two masters, and that may conflict to being as helpful as possible to the people they talk to," Fuendling said. "A mental health professional's obligation is to help you feel better and function. If you call someone on the radio, their main focus is to keep the ratings up."
Carlsmith said that unlicensed counselors might have other motives, such as money or their personal reputations, while licensed professionals don't stand to gain as much while giving out advice.
"(Licensed counselors) have sacrificed a lot, and those who are unlicensed should not be doing the job of someone who is licensed," he said.
Fuendling doubts that unlicensed practices follow up with the people they mentor.
"Follow-up is important to make sure the intervention you're using as a therapist is effective," he said.
If an individual does not advertise himself as a psychologist and does not say he is doing psychotherapy, the person does not fall under licenser and the board has no control over him, Fuendling said.
"If people think they need help, they would be much better off to go to someone who will work in their best interest," he said. "Seek someone who will consider ethical obligations rather than an entertainer."
Fuendling also said people who watch or listen to such shows might assume the advice given will work for them, though this might not be the case.
However, Davidson said many people could be positively influenced by McGraw's advice.
"He is there to help people," she said. "He's not just helping that one person on TV, but also helping those who are watching."
Jonathan Carlsmith, a junior journalism and communication major from Lincoln, Ark., agrees with Fuendling.
"An unlicensed professional can't be held liable for their potential impact, while a licensed counselor is bound by an ethical code and standard," Carlsmith said.
Radio and television counselors have to keep entertainment in mind while giving advice - by keeping sponsors happy, for example, Fuendling said.
"They're having to serve two masters, and that may conflict to being as helpful as possible to the people they talk to," Fuendling said. "A mental health professional's obligation is to help you feel better and function. If you call someone on the radio, their main focus is to keep the ratings up."
Carlsmith said that unlicensed counselors might have other motives, such as money or their personal reputations, while licensed professionals don't stand to gain as much while giving out advice.
"(Licensed counselors) have sacrificed a lot, and those who are unlicensed should not be doing the job of someone who is licensed," he said.
Fuendling doubts that unlicensed practices follow up with the people they mentor.
"Follow-up is important to make sure the intervention you're using as a therapist is effective," he said.
If an individual does not advertise himself as a psychologist and does not say he is doing psychotherapy, the person does not fall under licenser and the board has no control over him, Fuendling said.
"If people think they need help, they would be much better off to go to someone who will work in their best interest," he said. "Seek someone who will consider ethical obligations rather than an entertainer."
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