§1102. Statement of purpose

            A. It is declared to be the policy of this state that those persons who render service to the public in the mental health counseling area are entitled to use the title "licensed professional counselor" or "provisional licensed professional counselor". It is further declared to be the policy of this state that activities of such persons in the mental health counseling area should be regulated for the protection of public health, safety, and welfare. Therefore, it is the purpose of this Chapter to provide for the regulation of the practice of mental health counseling in the state of Louisiana and to provide for the regulation of the use of the title "licensed professional counselor" and "provisional licensed professional counselor".

            B. The legislature does further hereby find and declare that marriage and family therapy in this state is a professional practice which affects the public safety and welfare of the citizens of the state and requires appropriate regulation and control in the public interest. It is a purpose of this Chapter to establish a regulatory structure and procedures that will ensure that the public is protected from the unprofessional, improper, unauthorized, and unqualified practice of marriage and family therapy.

            Acts 1987, No. 892, §1, eff. July 20, 1987; Acts 1995, No. 1301, §1; Acts 2001, No. 1195, §1; Acts 2014, No. 484, §1, eff. May 1, 2015.