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Scope of Practice

Under the WA State law a Certified Counselor will be able to "counsel and guide a client in adjusting to life situations, developing new skills, and making desired changes" as long as the client scores 61 and above on the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) Scale. Certified Counselors will not be allowed to diagnose and treat the mentally ill, and will therefore not be reimbursable through insurance. They must refer clients to licensed medical or mental health professionals for treatment of problems that fall at 60 or below on the GAF Scale, but can continue working with the client as part of a treatment plan approved by the client's licensed provider. A Certified counselor can also continue to work with a client who states in writing that they do not want licensed medical or mental health treatment as long as the client is not seriously mentally ill (does not have a GAF score lower than 50).
In Washington State - What all counselors have in common is an obligation to treat their clients ethically and refer responsibly any problems that are beyond their scope of practice. The [WA State] law and the Certified Counselor credential allows this to happen.
Natural Choice Directory, by Miriam Dyak, RC, and Kate Abbott, MA, RC, board members, Washington Professional Counselors Association

Confidentiality and WA State Law

An individual registered under this chapter shall not disclose the written acknowledgment of the disclosure statement pursuant to RCW 18.19.060 nor any information acquired from persons consulting the individual in a professional capacity when that information was necessary to enable the individual to render professional services to those persons except:
(1) With the written consent of that person or, in the case of death or disability, the person's personal representative, other person authorized to sue, or the beneficiary of an insurance policy on the person's life, health, or physical condition;
(2) That a person registered under this chapter is not required to treat as confidential a communication that reveals the contemplation or commission of a crime or harmful act;
(3) If the person is a minor, and the information acquired by the person registered under this chapter indicates that the minor was the victim or subject of a crime, the person registered may testify fully upon any examination, trial, or other proceeding in which the commission of the crime is the subject of the inquiry;
(4) If the person waives the privilege by bringing charges against the person registered under this chapter;
(5) In response to a subpoena from a court of law or the secretary. The secretary may subpoena only records related to a complaint or report under chapter 18.130 RCW; or
(6) As required under chapter 26.44 RCW

Certified Counselor Practice Disclosure

Sondra J. Johnson is a Certified Counselor engaged in private practice counseling, WA State credential number CL60143000 and licensed Hypnotherapist WA State credential number HP10001661. Ms. Johnson has a BA in Psychology and graduate work in clinical psychology. Her upper level hypnotherapy training was completed through the Wellness Institute, Bellevue, WA.
This practice is conducted to the extent authorized by WA State law. It consists of talk therapy and hypnotherapy for a fee that offers, assists, or attempts to assist individuals in the amelioration or adjustment of mental, emotional, or behavioral problems, and includes therapeutic techniques to achieve sensitivity and awareness of self and others and the development of human potential.
The scope of treatment of this practice is that all counseling is conducted only with those who have reached their majority. Hypnotherapy may be conducted with the consent and presence of a parent or legal guardian. Understand that circumstances of child abuse, vulnerable adult abuse, self harm, or harm to others will be reported as required by law. Clients are considered liable for fees or services only after agreement to their occurrence. As per WA State requirement, supervisory counselor consultation may cause confidential discussion of client sessions when required.
Counselors practicing for a fee must be credentialed with the department of health for the protection of the public health and safety. Credentialing of an individual with the department of health does not include a recognition of any practice standards, or necessarily imply the effectiveness of any treatment. WA empowers the citizens of the state by providing a complaint process against those counselors who would commit acts of unprofessional conduct. Clients have the right to choose counselors who best suite their needs and purposes. Unprofessional conduct listed as per WA State RCW 18.130.180 should be reported to the WA Dept of Health, Health Systems Quality Assurance, PO Box 1090, Olympia, WA 98507. Complaints (360) 236-4700.
Verbal assurance that this disclosure has been read will be made and noted. If there are any questions or clarification required, please ask.

Counseling & Hypnotherapy

When life issues begin to interfere with an individual's leading a balanced and joyful life, addressing the problem from multiple directions can be a means of returning personal power and comfort. Counseling aids in helping an individual clarify and claim their personal comfort and power. Clinical hypnotherapy is a tool that helps an individual identify whatever is interfering with or even stopping their achieving the fulfillment that each of us deserve in our lives.

Most people have many layers of emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual blocks. These blocks can keep us from living our life to its full potential. They can cause disruption in relationships, career, family, and simply block happiness in our lives.

Many times our lives feel out of control and we are at a loss as to what the source of the problem or feeling is. Sometimes this is manifested in our life by an unwanted behavior that we just don't know how to control or remove. Sometimes it is simply a feeling of unhappiness or general dissatisfaction with one's self or life that doesn't seem to have a source. And sometimes it is a physical illness that has taken over our life. Counseling and Clinical Hypnotherapy helps identify underlying motives and then redirect them to positive, healthy behaviors.

Counseling

Traditional cognitive talk therapy can support the process of addressing change and renewed balance. Clinical hypnotherapy supports and is supported by counseling as many people desire to discuss their sessions and work on their issues through multiple venues.

Many people find that with the ongoing demands on them from their family, work, and even health issues, they feel that they have no outlet for what they are feeling and experiencing. A safe venue to simply discuss what they are experiencing is frequently considered above jewels. Providing a secure, nonjudgmental, and safe envelope is a major part of this practice.

Clinical Hypnotherapy and Hypnotherapy

Clinical Hypnotherapy

This therapy system generally works extremely fast in helping an individual reach a level of change or resolution of personal issues. It helps with crisis intervention on the individual's terms. For many years it has been a fully recognized and highly respected tool of therapists of many venues.

Clinical hypnotherapy is a specific tool used in the counseling process, sometimes alone and sometimes added to standard talk therapy. Hypnotherapy places a subject into a hypnotic state that allows them to explore painful thoughts, feelings, and memories that have frequently been hidden from their conscious mind. Another aspect of this process is that hypnosis allows people to perceive some things very differently, such as addressing the feeling of or awareness of various kinds of pain. It can help reveal the source of the reasons for attitudes and behaviors, such as a traumatic past event, and conversely, it can address changing undesirable behaviors, such as smoking, weight loss, stress management, phobias, sleep issues, etc. that can come out of it.

Hypnotherapy

A second use of hypnotherapy is as a suggestion therapy aid to help individuals change daily behavior patterns that are undesirable. In a single session issues such as stop smoking, weight loss, pain management, self esteem and confidence can be positively addressed. Some people will choose to have a series of sessions while some need only one to achieve their goal.

Hypnotherapy can also be used in the technique of Guided Visualization or Guided Meditation. Guided visualization uses the power of an individual's own imagination as a potent healer, emotionally and physically, and can relieve pain, speed healing and help the body subdue hundreds of ailments. It has been used in sports, focus and study aid for students, memory recall and spiritual exploration.

Individual Choice

When a client requests help for an issue, all options are explained. The client is then able to choose the most comfortable course of action. Sometimes a course of the flower essences will help clarify and ease a situation. Sometimes clinical hypnotherapy seems the most aggressive means to address an issue. And sometimes a mixture of the three styles is called for. A client will never be forced into a treatment style that they do not want.

Areas Addressed

Heart - Centered Hypnotherapy

Stress Management
Life Transitions
Self Esteem and Confidence
Weight Management
Fears and Phobias
Personal Transformation
Life Long Patterns & Unwanted Behaviors
Stop Smoking
Prosperity Issues
Sleep Issues
Codependency
Addiction Treatment Support

Mind - Body Work

Physical Healing Support
Pain Management
Energy Work
Birth Issues

Spiritual Work

Past Life Regressions
Spirit Guides
Guided Imagery