This community conversation will serve as a space to discuss and share about the increased opportunities and potential challenges of promoting the inclusion of the counseling profession in integrated care. The hope is that this will allow for networking among professionals interested in expanding the impact of the counseling profession in integrated care settings.

The Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2024 made several changes to expand access to behavioral health services for patients, which included the addition of LMFTs and LPCs as recognized behavioral health providers in FQHC and RHC settings. With this expanded opportunity, masters-level counseling professionals can be a dynamic force to impact the integrated care workforce. Additionally, the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), which serves as the accrediting body for masters-level counseling programs, made changes to their newest 2024 CACREP Standards to provide greater acknowledgment of primary care and integrated behavioral healthcare as a part of the counseling continuum of care.

In light of these recent changes, the counseling profession is poised to make a greater impact in integrated care settings and has valuable training to contribute to whole-person care. This community conversation will discuss the expanded opportunities for masters-level counselors, the benefits of including counselors in the integrated care workforce, potential barriers to the increased integration of masters-level counselors, and the areas of education and advocacy needed to promote greater integration of the counseling profession into medical settings.