MEET THE TEAM: THE CREW ON BOARD
LICENSED PSYCHOLOGISTS
A licensed psychologist has obtained their doctoral degree from an APA accredited university, completed at least 1 year of internship, and at least 1 year of clinical post-doctoral residency, and has passed board exams to obtain licensure by the state. Our psychologists are specialists in the areas of developmental disorders, Autism, pediatric diagnoses, and behavioral treatment. Psychologists perform diagnostic evaluations, create treatment plans, and conduct therapeutic services. Beacon believes strongly in comprehensive and collaborate care, therefore our psychologists also often provide parent training, consult with teachers and other professionals involved in the client’s treatment, and assist parents in navigating additional services for their child through other disciplines and/or through the provision of an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Our licensed psychologists also provide intensive clinical supervision for every case that our team of clinical psychology post-doctoral residents, Registered Mental Health Interns (RMHI), and mental health externs evaluates and/or treats.
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH RESIDENTS, INTERNS & EXTERNS
We are proud to have an amazing team of therapists that are training to become the next generation of behavioral health providers! Our training team consists of clinical psychology post-doctoral residents and supervised counselors (including masters-level registered mental health interns (RMHI) and graduate-level mental health externs completing pre-degree practica). All members of the training team receive intensive weekly clinical supervision by our licensed providers on staff. To better understand the education, training, role, and supervision requirements of these providers, it may be helpful to compare them to Physician Assistants, hospital residents, psychometricians, and OTRs or COTAs (in the field of occupational therapy)!
Staff who are completing their clinical psychology post-doctoral residency at Beacon are selected for their extensive training and experience in the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric developmental and behavioral disorders. Our residents have completed 4 years of rigorous education, including hands-on practica experiences, as well as at least 1 year of clinical internship in a pediatric setting, and have already successfully obtained their doctorate degree. Residents at Beacon assist in administering psychological assessments, conduct therapy, and provide consultation. All services provided by residents are closely supervised by Licensed Psychologists. Following the completion of their 1-year residency at Beacon, the ‘post-doc’ is eligible to sit for the board exam for licensure.
Our team of Supervised Counselors at Beacon include graduate-level mental health externs and masters-level interns. These Supervised Counselors must meet stringent requirements before joining the therapy team. Beacon requires all Supervised Counselors to (a) have at least 1 year of previous experience in the behavioral health field in a therapeutic/counseling capacity, and (b) must either be in the final year of graduate studies, enrolled in a formal externship/official practica associated with a university program that is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or have graduated from a CACREP accredited program and be identified by the state of Florida as a Registered Mental Health Intern (RMHI).
Many insurance plans will now cover services provided by license-eligible trainees, such as those provided by our clinical psychology post-doctoral residents and RMHIs, under the insurance plan’s ‘supervisory billing’ policy. If you are receiving services from one of our residents or RHMI and using insurance benefits for which the clinical supervisor is considered in-network, and for services that your insurance permits supervisory billing, your services will be covered as in-network as well. Services provided by mental health externs are only able to be provided at a reduced self-pay rate and are unable to be billed to insurance.
LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS (LMHC)
An LMHC is a counselor that provides therapy to individuals and families that are experiencing difficulties in life. LMHCs work with clients to create a treatment plan and implement the strategies needed to reach therapeutic goals. Counselors at Beacon specialize in working with the pediatric population and with families. All LMHCs at Beacon are licensed by the state of Florida and have obtained their Masters degree from an accredited counseling graduate program that consisted of coursework and hands on practica experiences, as well as a 1 year supervised internship.
BOARD CERTIFIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSTS (BCBA)
A BCBA is a professional that provides Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services. Services may be performed directly with the client or family, through consultation with professionals involved in the client’s life, or via supervision of the behavior technicians that provide direct services to the client. One BCBA is responsible for the oversight of every case and develops the client’s treatment plan and specific targets and programs that will be addressed during services. Most BCBAs work specifically with individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or Developmental Delays. The BCBA certification is received through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) following passage of the board exam, and requires a Masters degree, completion of BCBA certification coursework, and supervised practica experience.
BOARD CERTIFIED ASSISTANT BEHAVIOR ANALYSTS (BCABA)
A BCaBA is also a professional that provides Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services, and is similar in many ways to a BCBA in the roles they may perform. Services may be performed directly with the client or family, through consultation with professionals involved in the client’s life, or via supervision of the behavior technicians that provide direct services to the client. The BCaBA is supervised by a BCBA and often serves as ‘assistant’ in many ways to the BCBA in regards to case oversight; however, typically the BCaBA will not develop the treatment plan or programs. Most BCaBAs work specifically with individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or Developmental Delays. The BCaBA certification is received through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) following passage of the board exam, and requires a Bachelors degree, completion of BCBA certification coursework, and supervised practica experience.
REGISTERED BEHAVIOR TECHNICIANS (RBT)
The RBT typically provides the majority of the ‘face-to-face’ direct line work with a client that is receiving ABA therapy. They must implement ABA principles to teach the client and shape behaviors, run programs developed by the BCBA in the treatment plan, implement strategies with the client as recommended by the BCBA, and collect data on the client’s progress during sessions. They may target the goals as part of Discrete Trial Teaching (DTT) or through Natural Environment Teaching (NET) The RBT may provide ABA services in the clinic, home, school, or community. All RBTs receive case supervision by the BCBA and/or BCaBA assigned to the client’s case. The RBT certification is received through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) and requires a minimum of a high school degree, successful completion of a training course and competency assessment in ABA, and passage of the certificate exam. With that said, all RBTs at Beacon have obtained their undergraduate degree or are actively enrolled in college and working towards their Bachelor’s degree; some of our amazing RBTs are even enrolled in graduate level programs and pursuing BCBA certification.
