State's Failure to Regulate Therapists, Counselors, ‘putting Vulnerable Texans at Risk,' Damning Report Says

AUSTIN — The state is not properly regulating family therapists, professional counselors and social workers, adding to shortages in these fields, leading to huge complaint backlogs and putting vulnerable Texans in harm's way.In a damning report released Wednesday, the Sunset Advisory Commission said the state must consolidate and overhaul the licensing boards for these health professions or risk continued "severe operational dysfunction." "The state has failed to effectively regulate three of these professions," the review stated. "The dysfunction created by such a model places the livelihoods of licensees in jeopardy and puts the public at risk."  Continue reading...