Whether you are a provider in search of a reputable clinician to conduct a reliable and comprehensive mental health evaluation of a donor or are an intended parent who has invested everything into the lengthy and emotional journey of pursuing your family goals with the help of a gestational carrier, you may wonder about the training and credentialing of those who are conducting the mental health evaluation. Sometimes it is difficult to know who can do the evaluation for surrogacy and gamete or embryo donation. There are several established guidelines and requirements specific to each type of mental health professional and psychologist, which have been painstakingly developed over time by each licensing entity and state board. The requirements of licensure application and the ongoing accountability measures to maintain a license once it is issued differ slightly from each other depending on the license, however, they all demand exceptionally high ethical codes and extensive educational criteria. The guide below will help you determine if your evaluator is qualified.

Qualified to Conduct Mental Health Evaluations:

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC): Must obtain a master’s degree in professional counseling. While requirements vary by state, all licensed professional counselors need to earn a master’s degree in professional counseling from an accredited university and complete an internship in the field. Licensure typically requires no less than two years of supervised experience after earning your master’s as well as passing an exam through their state licensing board. Each state has a designated renewal period that typically ranges from one to three years, where in order to continue to maintain licensure, one must complete continuing education in the field.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LICSW/LCSW): Social work licensure ensures that you have met the qualifications necessary to work as a professional in the field. While requirements vary by state, all licensed social workers need to earn a master’s degree in social work from an accredited university and complete an internship in the field. Licensure typically requires two years of supervised experience after earning your master’s as well as passing an exam through the Association of Social Work Board. Each state has a designated renewal period that typically ranges from one to three years, where in order to continue to maintain licensure, one must complete continuing education in the field.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT): Must earn a master’s degree in marriage, family, and child therapy. This is a clinical degree with a broad emphasis on working with children, parent-child relationships, and marital/couple clinical practice. Licensure typically requires two years of supervised experience after earning your master’s as well as passing an exam. Each state has a designated renewal period that typically ranges from one to three years, where in order to continue to maintain licensure, one must complete continuing education in the field. Licensed Psychologist (Psy.D./Ph.D).: Both Psy.D. and Ph.D. are overseen by each state’s Board of Psychology, generally requiring two additional years of formal clinical education that can include both research and/or testing specialties to include post-doctorate clinical training and supervision. The primary difference between a Psy.D. and Ph.D. degree is that a Ph.D. is traditionally trained in research and testing to include a clinical foundation of education.

Additional Experience/Education Required for the Above Licenses:

Supervision and Training Hours: Varies from state to state, ranging from 2500-3200 hours for pre-licensed hours under supervision.

Continuing Education: (CCE/CEUs) Required for all disciplines, dictated by each state, and licensing board. Requirements for attendance and documentation of 32-40 continuing education coursework hours may be due annually or once every 2 years.

Additional Trainings: Ongoing training, conference attendance, supervision, and peer consultations to be current on the new challenges that occur in the field.

Not Qualified to Conduct Mental Health Evaluations:

Life Coach: There are no formal education requirements necessary for life coaching, and as the job is not regulated by a federal or state agency, there is no need for a license. Providers may obtain training and a certification to legally practice their skills.

We all hold the same goal of providing comprehensive evaluations that are well-informed, based on best practices, and adhere to a code of ethical integrity. It is important that we promote transparency and education on the skills and training that go into the effective and reliable administration of psychological evaluations to support the health and wellbeing of all parties involved. Make sure you can trust the clinical judgment of your evaluator.