Board of Behavioral Sciences committee reviews survey results, begins review of LMFT education pathways

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Board of Behavioral Sciences’ Workforce Development Committee met July 31 by teleconference and reviewed results of anonymous surveys of educators, students and registrants about education and practicum requirements for licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs) and licensed professional clinical counselors (LPCCs). Committee members directed staff to research a single, consolidated education pathway based on the board’s post‑2012 standards and to compare other states’ approaches. The committee also approved the April 4, 2025 committee minutes.

Committee staff said two surveys distributed in May 2025 produced 35 educator responses and 214 student/registrant responses. Serita ("Rita") Russo, research analyst, summarized key findings: educators rated student preparation for clinical practice at an average of about 66 on a 0–100 scale (0 = not prepared, 100 = fully prepared); student and registrant respondents averaged 75. Russo said common themes included unpaid or low‑paid practicum placements, inconsistency in supervision quality, and gaps in training for serving rural and other diverse populations.

The educator survey (35 responses) showed roughly 83% of respondents identified as faculty; about 40% hold AMFT/APCC supervisor roles and about 29% serve as clinical training directors. Most educators reported working at private universities (about 67%), with 23% at public universities. Russo said 89% of 35 respondents indicated their school offers…