The result? Consumers may unwittingly seek mental health treatment from an Occupational Therapist who is not trained or qualified to deliver mental health counseling.
Call or email your State Representative and ask them to oppose HB 1998.
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• Occupational Therapists are not trained as mental health providers to assess, evaluate or diagnose mental health or behavioral issues. HB 1998 would authorize Occupational Therapists to provide these services.
• The non-physician mental health professionals currently listed in the Texas Health and Safety Code are Psychologists, Psychiatric Nurses (with masters or doctorate degree), Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Licensed Professional Counselors and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists.
• Non-physician mental health professionals are required to complete a rigorous graduate program focused on mental health, counseling and human development as well as thousands of hours of post-graduate supervision in the provision of mental health services. 
• Curriculum for Occupational Therapists does not include extensive coursework on mental health, human development and behavioral issues; nor does it include thousands of hours of post-graduate supervision in providing clinical mental health services.
• Occupational Therapists help clients learn to perform tasks needed for daily living that support the mental health treatment plans developed by mental health professionals to help clients be successful.
• This bill can result in consumers unwittingly seeking mental health treatment from an Occupational Therapist who is not trained or qualified to deliver mental health counseling.

When calling or emailing your State Representative, please remember to use your personal phone and email address.

TCA tracks key legislation. Use TCA's Action Alert emails to take part in the growing conversation about the future of professional counseling in Texas. To find out who represents you, visit www.capitol.state.tx.us.