The General Business Meeting held on May 15, 2025, by the Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling in Florida addressed several significant topics, including the denial of a course application and updates on the counseling compact.

During the meeting, a motion was made to deny a course application due to non-compliance with Florida statute requirements. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously, resulting in the application being denied. This decision underscores the board's commitment to maintaining standards in the counseling profession.

The meeting also featured updates on the counseling compact, which has expanded to include 38 member states. Florida remains actively involved, with board members participating in executive and rules committees. Shadrika Lurie, the government analyst, reported on the development of a new application system that will streamline the licensing process for counselors switching their home state to Florida. This system will allow for a more efficient transfer of licenses without the need for extensive reviews of education or clinical experience, provided the applicants meet specific criteria.

Additionally, the board discussed the importance of timely scheduling for onboarding to a new agenda system, emphasizing the need for board members to attend their scheduled appointments to ensure a smooth transition.

The meeting concluded with a public comment session, where attendees raised questions regarding background checks and supervision requirements for interns. Clarifications were provided about the necessity of in-person meetings for initial supervision sessions, highlighting the board's focus on ensuring compliance with regulations while addressing the needs of licensed professionals.

Overall, the meeting reflected the board's ongoing efforts to enhance the counseling profession in Florida, ensuring that standards are upheld while adapting to new systems and regulations. The next steps include continued support for the counseling compact and further updates on the licensing system as developments occur.