§ 3201 - Definitions
§ 3201. Definitions
As used in this chapter:
(1) "Clinical social work" is defined as providing a service, for a consideration, which is primarily drawn from the academic discipline of social work theory, in which a special knowledge of social resources, human capabilities, and the part that motivation plays in determining behavior, is directed at helping people to achieve a more adequate, satisfying, and productive psychosocial adjustment. The application of social work principles and methods includes, but is not restricted to assessment, diagnosis, prevention and amelioration of adjustment problems and emotional and mental disorders of individuals, families and groups.
(2) "Clinical social worker" means a person who practices clinical social work in some or all of its aspects and is licensed to practice clinical social work in this state.
(3) "Disciplinary action" or "disciplinary cases" includes any action taken by the secretary of state or an administrative law officer established by 3 V.S.A. § 129(j) against a licensed clinical social worker or applicant premised on a finding of unprofessional conduct by the licensed clinical social worker or applicant. It includes all sanctions of any kind, refusal to grant or renew a license, suspension or revocation of a license, issuing warnings and other similar sanctions.
(4) "Psychotherapy" means the provision of treatment, diagnosis, evaluation or counseling services to individuals or groups, for a consideration, for the purpose of alleviating mental disorders. "Psychotherapy" involves the application of therapeutic techniques to understand unconscious or conscious motivation, resolve emotional, relationship or attitudinal conflicts, or modify behavior which interferes with effective emotional, social or mental functioning. "Psychotherapy" follows a systematic procedure of psychotherapeutic intervention which takes place on a regular basis over a period of time, or, in the case of evaluation and brief psychotherapies, in a single or limited number of interventions. If a person is employed by or under contract with the agency of human services, this definition does not apply to persons with less than a master's degree, to persons providing life skills training or instruction, such as learning to make friends, to handle social situations, to do laundry and to develop community awareness, or interactions of employees or contracted individuals with clients whose job description or contract specifications do not specifically mention "psychotherapy" as a job responsibility or duty. (Added 1985, No. 253 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1989, No. 250 (Adj. Sess.), § 4(b); 1993, No. 98, § 20; 1993, No. 222 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; 1997, No. 40, § 49(a); 1997, No. 145 (Adj. Sess.), § 19.)