The only state in the nation to license Psychologists at less than the doctoral level - and deny more qualified providers to our senior citizens and Veterans:

West Virginia is losing, 49 to 1.  Our mental health care is graded "F", mostly due to failure to use best practices.  The status quo leaves us poorly equipped to serve our honored veterans and our 380,000 citizens on Medicare.  We also remain handicapped in our ability to seize opportunity of federal training grants and are hampered in our ability to expand the health care industry, because we will not be able to adapt to the changing demands of health care reform.  But there is hope. 

We will be able to attract more doctoral providers, who now avoid WV because of the past tensions over licensing.  And the state's currently licensed masters colleagues will gain, as they will retain the title of "psychologist", while new masters graduates can choose from two new levels of licensure. 

Doctoral psychologists serve patients from every county in the state. (see coverage map)  And, even more compelling, WV citizens CHOOSE to travel to doctoral level providers, even though there may be masters providers in their own home county.

Do we need more psychological providers?  Yes!  We're an underserved state in most medical areas, and WV is # 1 in overdose deaths, in the top five for mental illness-related disabilities, and with an "F" rating for existing mental health treatment services.  We're also on the bottom in many behavioral health categories, including heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.

However, some seem to think that we only deserve a lesser standard of care, permanently.  It is puzzling that the current Board of Examiners of Psychologists' (BOEP) refusal to upgrade provider qualifications for psychologists to the national standards would benefit our state's citizens.

This web site was created to provide factual information, to assist everyone in making informed decisions - colleagues in psychology and medicine, the legislature, program administrators, veterans, senior citizens, and everyone who interacts with the world of professional psychology.  Please feel free to browse, read, download the documents, and to contact us for more information. 

And when you've learned enough, contact your contact your legislators and voice your opinion.  We hope you will support the highest standard of care, which helps the most people.  Read the letter to legislators for talking points.  And if you have questions about our data, feel free to contact us. 

Upgrade WV Psychology Now - and West Virginia wins!

 

What It Will Do ... and What It Won't

The "bottom line" about the licensure law
Click here

Myths vs. Facts

Separating fact from fiction
Click here

Misinformation Campaign

Much of what is being said in opposition to the proposed law simply isn't true.  More facts here.

The Sky Is Not Falling!

The WVPA licensing proposal is designed to protect everyone, and serve the public
Click here

Documents

Map of doctoral coverage for WV citizens
Factual information about the proposed law
and more...
Click here

Letters of Support

West Virginia University
Marshall University
American Psychological Association
and more...
Click here