| A unique model of mental health regulation, adopted by Colorado in July of 1988, is used as a case study of the process of regulating mental health occupations. Prior to July of 1988, the professions of psychology and social work were the only mental health occupations regulated in Colorado. In the mid 80's Colorado, like many states, was increasingly lobbied for regulation of new and emerging mental health occupations. Colorado added three mental health occupations to its regulatory ambit--professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, and unlicensed psychotherapists, all of which occurred in an era of regulatory restraint.;This study describes the legislative and administrative processes resulting in a departure from a traditional model of regulating mental health occupations in Colorado. No other state in the continental United States has separated the licensing and disciplinary functions of mental health occupations regulation. While several states have combined professional Boards or Commissions, Colorado is the only state that has adopted a strong disciplinary role in the regulation of licensed mental health occupations and directly regulates unlicensed psychotherapists. A description of the legislative history and events leading to this form of regulation creates the subject of this study. Interviews with key participants, archival research, and content analysis of legislative, administrative, and private sector documents, memoranda, and letters constitute the primary sources of data.;Preliminary conclusions of this study suggest public administrators are as closely involved in the construction of occupational laws as they are in administration of those laws, thus refuting a dichotomy between politics and administration. |
