MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WMOT) -- The CEO of the nation’s largest counseling association says his organization will discipline any Tennessean who violates the group’s code of ethics, in spite of a new state law written to shield them from such action.
The American Counseling Association fought to defeat Tennessee House Bill 1840 which allows therapists to turn patients away for “sincerely held principles.”
Many view the new law as an attack on the LGBT community. Supporters say the measure is designed to protect the rights of the counselor and is in the best interests of the patient.
ACA CEO Richard Yep tells WMOT that his organization will continue to resist the measure now that Gov. Haslam has signed it into Tennessee law. He says the group will decide this week whether the 56,000 member organization will move an upcoming convention, currently scheduled for Nashville, to another city. The move could cost the city millions of dollars in lost revenue.
Yep says the group may also consider legal action and intends to discipline any member who violates the ACA’s ethical standards.
“Our Code of Ethics is really designed to protect the consumer and we’ve stood by that for over 60 years and we’re not about to back down. So, if somebody is found in violation of the code they will be brought up on an ethical violation.”
Yep says if a counselor is found in violation, discipline could range from retraining to a loss of membership. If a member is expelled, he says the Tennessee governing board that licenses professional counselors will be notified of the action. He also says loss of ACA membership could make it difficult for counselors to obtain liability insurance for their practices.
WMOT reached out to the president of the Tennessee licensing board for professional counselors. We also sent requests for comment to the sponsors of both the Tennessee House and Senate bills. No one has responded as of this writing.
Would you like to learn more about HB1840? Would you like to review the ACA Code of Ethics?