Clinical Counselor and MFT Interns in California Will Now be Called Associates

As of January 1, 2018, the title for Clinical Counseling and MFT interns has been changed to associate.

The bill mandating this change was signed into law last month, following widespread concern that “intern” is often understood to refer to someone still in school.

The change brings the Counseling and MFT professions in line with social work: Postdegree, prelicensed clinical social workers in California already carry the title associate.

By using parallel titles for all three master’s level psychotherapy professions, the BBS hopes to reduce confusion among both employers and consumers regarding what a postdegree, prelicensed individual can do. It is also hoped that the more professional title of associate will help eliminate misunderstanding about the compensation such individuals are entitled to receive. Because the term intern is often associated with a volunteer position, some employers wrongly assume that an internship can be unpaid even in situations where this violates California employment law.

The term intern will still remain an acceptable title through to the end of 2018 to give individuals and businesses the opportunity to change their marketing materials and business cards.

The full title for an MFT registrant must now be Associate Marriage and Family Therapist or Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist.

The full title for PCC registrants must now be Associate Professional Clinical Counselor or Registered Associate Professional Clinical Counselor.

The following titles will no longer be used:

• Marriage and Family Therapist Associate (MFTAA)
• Professional Clinical Counselor Associate (PCCA)

You can read more about this change below!

• Some of the reasons behind the change can be found on the BBS’s Board Meeting Minutes for their meeting in May 2015, beginning on p. 97.
• The BBS has published a PDF announcing the change and answering some common questions about it.