I. CALL TO ORDER

The scheduled meeting of the Committee was called to order at 9:47 a.m., 124 Halsey Street, 6th floor, Sussex Conference Room, Newark, New Jersey.

II. ROLL CALL

Present:

Committee Chairman, J. Barry Mascari
Committee Member, William Green
Committee Member, Barbara Maurer
Committee Member, Abbey Bradway - Participated by phone

Staff Present:

Executive Director, Elaine L. DeMars
Deputy Attorney General, Susan Berger
Administrative Staff: Agnes Almeida

III. APPROVAL OF PUBLIC MINUTES

On a motion by Barbara Maurer, seconded by William Green, the minutes of the February 7, 2008 public session meeting were approved as modified.

IV. PUBLIC COMMENT

Seton Hall University graduate students Merrill Tenenbaum, Jamie Lichtenberg, Karen Davis and Kristopher Hall attended as part of a course requirement.

Thomas Crowley, Ph.D., LPC attended to represent the New Jersey Counseling Association to briefly discuss the upcoming annual conference and current association initiatives.

Susan Childers, Philadelphia Biblical University

Dr. Childers attended the meeting to present a letter and revised course syllabi for the course entitled, "Professional Orientation in Legal, Ethical and Clinical Issues in Counseling." The Committee has deemed the original course offering to be unacceptable. Dr. Childers was advised that issues submitted for Committee review must be submitted by mail two weeks prior to the scheduled meeting. Therefore this request will be reviewed during the April 2nd agenda meeting.

V. CORRESPONDENCE

Robin Bilazarian, LCSW

Upon review of the request for clarification as to whether professional counselors are eligible to receive continuing education credit for her course related to individual and marriage situations, the Committee determined to refer the writer to N.J.A.C. 13:34-15.4 for the list of approved providers. Ms. Bilazarian will also be advised that pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:34-15.4(b) application is required to be made to one of the listed approved providers. The Board of Social Work Examiners is not listed as an approved provider.

VI. GRADUATE COUNSELOR EDUCATION PROGRAMS

A. Rowan University, Graduate Mental Health Counseling and Applied Psychology program .

1) Dr. D.J. Angelone, Dr. Jim Haugh and Program Director, Dr. Janet Kahill appeared in response to the Committee request, to discuss the University’s current and proposed graduate program. Following a detailed review and discussion of the course work, the Committee emphasized their concern with the integration of the term and principles of "psychology" throughout the programs. Course work is required to meet the requirements and prepare students for practice as professional counselors, a mixture of disciplines is not acceptable. The program representatives stated that they will seek the perspective of a counselor educator to evaluate/revise the language, references and interpretations in both programs. CACREP accreditation will be pursued.

B. William Paterson University- Paula Danzinger, Ph.D., LPC, CCMCH

The Committee accepted Dr. Danzinger’s letter dated February 21, 2008 and report of the University’s approval of the Counseling Services Program: Agency Counseling Concentration as a 60 credit master’s program as informational.

C. Monmouth University - Dr. Gary Handler

Upon review of Dr. Handler’s letter intended to clarify the course offering: "Ethical Issues in Counseling," the Committee determined to advise the writer that the course was previously reviewed and was not approved.

D. Fairleigh Dickinson University

The Committee considered a letter sent by a recent graduate of the University’s MA degree in Clinical Counseling program. The writer alleged that University has employed "misleading practices and gross misrepresentations." Following completion of the course work, practicum and supervised hours, the writer alleges that graduates learned that the hours did not count toward licensure since the setting did not qualify as non-profit. This was despite advice that all hours, including "for profit" would be acceptable when logged and verified.

The writer reports that as a result of the University’s investigation of their complaint, they were advised that the source of the problem "stems from the lack of clarity on the Board of Marriage and (Family) Examiner’s." In conclusion, the writer reports that other students have been affected by the University’s practices and lists some of the additional remedies being pursued. Since the Committee does not have jurisdiction over administration of graduate programs, the writer will be advised to seek legal recourse. Documentation of the satisfaction of the requirements for education, experience and examination are set forth in the statute and regulations.

VII. NEW BUSINESS

Seton Hall University, Jane Webber, Ph.D., LPC

Dr. Webber wrote to request clarification as to whether verification of practicum/internship can be made through an official letter rather than the official supervision form signed by the respective site supervisor. The Committee determined that both are required in order to qualify the demonstration of skills or deficiencies and recommendations. The University’s letter must indicate the level at which the hours were completed: practicum or post-masters.

In response to the requirement for the listing of credentials, the Committee will advise that pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:34-29.4 (d), following the licensees name, the highest degree related to the professional counseling is followed by the licensure designation. The education specialist degree (Ed.S.) may be listed after the highest degree. The listing of certifications listed at N.J.A.C. 13:34-14.1 is acceptable, however the listing of other certifications cannot be approved by this Committee. In listing an out-of-state license, New Jersey licensees are required to make it clear that the license is issued by that state. The requirement for the listing of credentials is intended to provide consumers with clear information.

VIII. NBCC MATTERS

A copy of the licensure examination registration form was reviewed. The Committee noted that references to the New Jersey State Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners should be followed by "the Professional Counselor Examiners Committee." The form is intended for registration for the computer-based examination with the registration fee of $185. Ms. DeMars reported that the examination contract is pending approval by the Department of Treasury.

IX. FILED CONSENT ORDERS

Susan Braun, LPC, LCADC

Aiding and abetting the unlicensed practice of alcohol and drug counseling in violation of N.J.S.A. 45:1-21(n) and N.J.S.A. 45:2D-8.

X. NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. at 124 Halsey Street, Newark, New Jersey.

2008 Meeting Schedule

April 2, 2008 September 4, 2008
April 30, 2008 October 2, 2008
June 5, 2008 November 6, 2008
July 10, 2008 December 4, 2008
August 7, 2008

XI. EXECUTIVE SESSION

On a motion made by Barbara Maurer, seconded by William Green, the Committee voted to move to Executive Session at 12:59 p.m. to review applications, consumer complaints and pending disciplinary matters.

XII. CREDENTIAL REVIEW

The applications for licensure were approved:

Professional Counselors Associate Counselors
Carrasquillo-Tavares, Gladys Conklin, Maria
Celli, Jennifer Foulkes, Deborah
Kangas, Karen Kepicova, Marcela
Meisler, Adrianne Martinez, Monica
Olaga-Buah, Christina Reyes, Ruth
Zell, Nicole Schneider, Kimberly
Zhelesnik, Rebecca Serio, Theresa
Tawadrous, Rosemary

XIII. ADJOURNMENT

On a motion made by William Green, seconded by Barbara Maurer, the Committee meeting was adjourned at 4:02 p.m.

Contact Us | Privacy Notice | Legal Statement | Accessibility Statement

division: dca home | complaint forms | licensing boards | adoptions | proposals | minutes | consumer protection

departmental: lps home | contact us | news | about us | FAQs | library | employment | programs and units | services a-z

statewide: nj home | my new jersey | people | business | government | departments | search