LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A Henderson city councilwoman’s representations that she’s a “clinical and forensic psychologist” and a “clinical and forensic psychologist by trade” may run afoul of California and Nevada licensing laws in both states.
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An attorney in California who represents people charged with professional licensure violations — a crime punishable by jail — said it is illegal for a person without a license to represent themselves as such. And the president of the Nevada Psychological Association said it is also a crime in Nevada.
Monica Larson, councilwoman for Henderson’s Ward 2, would not directly answer the 8 News Now Investigators’ questions about whether she is a psychologist. California’s Department of Consumer Affairs said it “doesn’t have a record of anyone with that name being granted a license to practice as a psychologist in California.” The department said Larson’s only relevant licensure is that of “psychological associate.”
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And the Nevada Psychological Association has no affiliation with Larson, and she has never been a member of the organization, its president, Christopher Shewbarran, told the 8 News Now Investigators.
“If she is representing herself as a Psychologist currently in Nevada or has conducted clinical practice in Nevada and she is not licensed, this should be reported to Nevada’s Board of Psychological Examiners as this violates Nevada law,” Shewbarran said in a written statement.
Shewbarran explained some of the rigorous general licensing requirements to hold the title of psychologist.
“Licensing requirements for Psychologists do vary from state to state, but generally speaking, an individual must obtain a doctoral degree in psychology from a program accredited by the American Psychological Association or demonstrate that their program meets equivalency of an APA-accredited program, complete supervised training involving supervised experience under the guidance of a licensed doctoral-level psychologist, and pass the Examination for Professional Practice,” Shewbarran said…