Section 681.31 - Counseling Methods and Practices The use of specific methods, techniques, or modalities within the practice of professional counseling is limited to professional counselors appropriately trained and competent in the use of such methods, techniques, or modalities. Authorized counseling methods, techniques and modalities may include, but are not restricted to, the following:
(1) individual counseling, which uses interpersonal, cognitive, cognitive-behavioral, behavioral, psychodynamic, and affective methods and strategies to achieve mental, emotional, physical, social, moral, educational, career, and spiritual development and adjustment through the life span; (2) group counseling, which uses interpersonal, cognitive, cognitive-behavioral, behavioral, psychodynamic, and affective methods and strategies to achieve mental, emotional, physical, social, moral, educational, spiritual, and career development and adjustment through the life span; (3) marriage/couples counseling, which uses interpersonal, cognitive, cognitive-behavioral, behavioral, psychodynamic, affective and family systems methods and strategies to achieve resolution of problems associated with cohabitation and interdependence of adults living as couples; (4) family counseling, which uses interpersonal, cognitive, cognitive-behavioral, behavioral, psychodynamic, affective and family systems methods and strategies with families to achieve mental, emotional, physical, moral, social, educational, spiritual, and career development and adjustment through the life span; (5) addictions counseling which uses interpersonal, cognitive, cognitive-behavioral, behavioral, psychodynamic, affective methods and strategies, and 12-step methods to achieve abstinence from the addictive substances and behaviors by the client; (6) rehabilitation counseling, which uses interpersonal, cognitive, cognitive-behavioral, behavioral, psychodynamic, and affective methods and strategies to achieve adjustment to a disabling condition and to reintegrate the individual into the mainstream of society; (7) education counseling, which uses formal and informal counseling methods and assessments and appraisal instruments for the purpose of determining strength, weakness, mental condition, emotional stability, intellectual ability, interest, skill, aptitude, achievement, and other personal characteristics of individuals for the selection of and placement in educational settings, preschool through postdoctoral study; (8) career development counseling, which uses formal and informal counseling methods and appraisal instruments for the purpose of determining intellectual ability, interest, skill, aptitude, achievement, mental condition, emotional fitness, and other personal characteristics for occupational, vocational, and career selection and placement throughout the life span; (9) sexual issues counseling, which uses interpersonal, cognitive, cognitive-behavioral, behavioral, psychodynamic, and affective methods and strategies in the resolution of sexual disorders; (10) referral counseling, which uses the processes of evaluating and identifying needs of clients to determine the advisability of referral to other specialists, informing the client of such judgment and communicating as requested or deemed appropriate to such referral sources; (11) psychotherapy, which uses interpersonal, cognitive, cognitive-behavioral, behavioral, psychodynamic, and affective methods and/or strategies to assist clients in their efforts to recover from mental or emotional issues; (12) play therapy, which uses play and play media as the child's natural medium of self-expression, and verbal tracking of the child's play behaviors and feelings as a part of the therapist's role in helping children overcome their social, emotional, and behavioral issues; (13) hypnotherapy, which uses the principles of hypnosis and post-hypnotic suggestion in the treatment of mental and emotional issues and addictions; (14) expressive modalities used in the treatment of interpersonal, emotional or mental health issues, chemical dependency, or human developmental issues. Modalities include, but are not limited to, music, art, dance movement, or the use of techniques employing animals in providing treatment; (15) biofeedback, which uses electronic equipment to monitor and provide feedback regarding an individual's physiological responses. The counselor who uses biofeedback must be able to prove academic preparation and supervision in the use of the equipment as a part of the counselor's academic program or the substantial equivalent provided through approved continuing education; (16) assessing and appraising, in compliance with § 681.43 of this title (relating to Testing), which uses formal and informal instruments and procedures, for which the counselor has received appropriate training and supervision, in individual and group settings for the purposes of determining the client's strengths and weaknesses, mental status, emotional stability, intellectual ability, interests, aptitudes, achievement level and other characteristics for diagnosing mental health disorders; but does not permit the diagnosis of a physical condition or physical disorder; (17) consulting, which uses the application of specific principles and procedures in counseling to provide assistance in understanding and solving current or potential problems that the consultee may have in relation to a third party, whether individuals, groups, or organizations but not considered direct client contact for LPC Associates; and (18) crisis counseling, which focuses on short term counseling interventions to address immediate situations including factors such as safety and immediate needs.22 Tex. Admin. Code § 681.31
The provisions of this §681.31 adopted to be effective September 1, 2003, 28 TexReg 4134; amended to be effective April 27, 2008, 33 TexReg 3268; amended to be effective December 12, 2013, 38 TexReg 8889; amended by Texas Register, Volume 40, Number 02, January 9, 2015, TexReg 235, eff. 1/12/2015; Amended by Texas Register, Volume 41, Number 28, July 8, 2016, TexReg 5064, eff. 7/14/2016; Amended by Texas Register, Volume 44, Number 08, February 22, 2019, TexReg 0854, eff. 2/28/2019; Adopted by Texas Register, Volume 45, Number 46, November 13, 2020, TexReg 8139, eff. 11/19/2020