LISTEN: Georgia is the latest state to pass a law saying licensed professional counselors may practice across state lines, easing access to mental healthcare. GPB’s Ellen Eldridge has more.

A map of the United States highlighting policy in various states

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Clinical director for Someone Cares Atlanta Asha Dickerson practices as a licensed professional counselor in Alabama and Georgia. Until now, she had to pay each state for the same license.

"A lot of my clientele, who are teenagers and young adults, they tend to go across the state lines for college," she said. "So, without the counseling compact, some of us have been paying for license in multiple states. Now we can continue to see those clients without having to do that or without having refer them out to a counselor who's licensed in whatever state they decide to move to."

Georgia is the latest state to pass such a law, easing access to mental healthcare, said Dickerson, who is also chair of the American Counseling Association of Georgia.

An interstate Counseling Compact agreement works like a driver’s license, allowing therapists to continue to work with clients, even if one or both of them move to other states.

It's very helpful for military families, Dickerson said. 

Beginning July 1, counselors in Georgia will also be able to practice in Arizona, Louisiana, Minnesota and Ohio.

Tags: Georgia  Mental Health  access to health care  GPB News