§ 17-27-102 — Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) "Counseling services" means those acts and behaviors coming within the practice of counseling, as defined in this section; (2) "Counselor educator" means a person who: (A) Possesses an advanced degree in counseling, psychology, or a closely related field; and (B) Is employed in a teaching position at least part-time at an Arkansas institution of higher education or is retired from employment in a teaching position with an Arkansas institution of higher education; (3) "Licensed associate counselor" means any person who: (A) Holds himself or herself out to the public by any title or description of services incorporating the words "licensed associate counselor"; (B) Offers to render counseling services to individuals, groups, organizations, corporations, institutions, government agencies, or the general public for monetary remuneration or otherwise implying that he or she is licensed, trained, experienced, or expert in counseling; and (C) Holds a current, valid license to practice counseling under the supervision of a licensed professional counselor. Nothing in this definition shall be construed to include those professions excluded by § 17-27-103 ; (4) "Licensed associate marriage and family therapist" means any person who: (A) Holds himself or herself out to the public by any title or description of services incorporating the words "licensed associate marriage and family therapist"; (B) Offers to render marriage and family therapy services to individuals, couples, and families, singularly or in groups, for monetary remuneration; and (C) Holds a current, valid license to practice marriage and family therapy services under the supervision of a licensed marriage and family therapist. Nothing in this definition shall be construed to include those professions excluded by § 17-27-103 ; (5) "Licensed marriage and family therapist" means any person who: (A) Holds himself or herself out to the public by any title or description of services incorporating the words "licensed marriage and family therapist"; (B) Offers to render marriage and family therapy services to individuals, groups, couples, families, organizations, corporations, institutions, government agencies, or the general public for monetary remuneration or otherwise implying that he or she is licensed, trained, experienced, or expert in marriage and family therapy; and (C) Holds a current, valid license to practice marriage and family therapy, with the exception of those professions listed in § 17-27-103 ; (6) "Licensed professional counselor" means any person who: (A) Holds himself or herself out to the public by any title or description of services incorporating the words "licensed professional counselor"; (B) Offers to render counseling services to individuals, groups, organizations, corporations, institutions, government agencies, or the general public for monetary remuneration or otherwise, implying that he or she is licensed, trained, experienced, or expert in counseling; and (C) Holds a current, valid license to practice counseling, with the exception of those professions listed in § 17-27-103 ; (7) (A) "Marriage and family therapy" means the use of scientific and applied marriage and family theories, methods, and procedures for the purpose of describing, evaluating, and modifying marital, family, and individual behavior within the context of marital and family systems, including the context of marital formation and dissolution. (B) Marriage and family therapy is based on systems, theories, marriage and family development, normal and dysfunctional behavior, human sexuality, and psychotherapeutic, marital, and family therapy theories and techniques and includes the use of marriage and family therapy theories and techniques in the evaluation, assessment, and treatment of intrapersonal or interpersonal dysfunctions within the context of marriage and family systems. (C) Marriage and family therapy may also include clinical research into more effective methods for the treatment and prevention of the above-named conditions. (D) Nothing in this definition or in this chapter shall be construed as precluding licensed professional counselors or licensed associate counselors from rendering these services; and (8) "Practice of counseling" means rendering or offering to render to individuals, groups, organizations, or the general public any service involving the application of principles, methods, or procedures of the counseling profession which include, but are not restricted to: (A) "Counseling", which means assisting an individual or groups, through the counseling relationship, to develop understandings of personal problems, to define goals, and to plan action reflecting his or her interests, abilities, aptitudes, and needs as these are related to personal social concerns, educational progress, and occupations and careers; (B) "Appraisal activities", which means selecting, administering, scoring, and interpreting instruments designed to assess an individual's aptitudes, attitudes, abilities, achievements, interests, and personal characteristics but shall not include the use of projective techniques in the assessment of personality; (C) "Consulting", which means interpreting or reporting scientific fact or theory to provide assistance in solving current or potential problems of individuals, groups, or organizations; (D) "Referral activities", which means the evaluating of data to identify problems and to determine the advisability of referral to other specialists; and (E) "Research activities", which means reporting, designing, conducting, or consulting on research in counseling with human subjects.

Legislative History

Amended by Act 2019, No. 386,§ 17, eff. 7/24/2019. Amended by Act 2017, No. 540,§ 19, eff. 8/1/2017. Acts 1979, No. 593, § 3; A.S.A. 1947, § 71-5203; Acts 1997, No. 244, § 1.