Photo from The Florida Mental Health Counselors program taken with my i phone
Greetings! This post is for my LMHC, LCSW and LMFT colleagues. FMHCA conference 2025 in Lake Mary, FL, is nearly sold out! There are a few spaces available, so please register today if you’d like to attend! The conference was expanded this year to be three full days, plus an optional Pre-Conference workshop day.
I am the current Past President of FMHCA, and I am also the Chair of the Graduate Student and Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern Committee. Our committee will have our first ever in person meeting at the conference, and I’m super excited about this! Our meeting will take place Thursday, January 30th, in the Orchid Ballroom at the venue. There is a registration link, and if you’d like to register, please contact FMHCA at Office@FLMHCA.org or phone the office at 561-228-6129. Please note: For the meeting at the conference, one does not need to be a current member of the Student & Intern committee to be able to attend.
With today’s technology, it’s very easy to communicate with someone just about anywhere – even on a cruise ship! Unfortunately, Licensed Counselors (called Licensed Mental Health Counselors in Florida, and Licensed Professional Counselors in many other states), must abide by the laws of each individual state. Long story short, no. I am not allowed to provide counseling across state lines unless I am licensed in the state where I am providing services.
What is the Counseling Compact? Doesn’t it allow you to do therapy anywhere?
“The Counseling Compact is an interstate compact, or a contract among states, allowing professional counselors licensed and residing in a compact member state to practice in other compact member states without need for multiple licenses.” https://counselingcompact.gov/
In other words, The Counseling Compact, once enacted by member states, allows a licensed counselor to apply for the privilege to practice in other states that also passed the Counseling Compact.
What it does not do is to automatically allow someone, let’s say someone who’s licensed in The State of Florida, to immediately practice across states lines all over the United States. Instead, the counselor may apply for the privilege to practice in other member states. (Please see Counseling Compact link above for a map of current member states.) For example, I am licensed in The State of Florida. If someone in the State of California would like to work with me, California has not passed the Counseling Compact, and I would not be allowed to work with anyone in the state of California.
The State of Florida passed the Counseling Compact in 2023, and is a member state of the compact. While it was passed in 2023, the applications to practice in other member states is not yet available. For example, let’s say a client I’ve been working with is moving to Georgia. Georgia did pass the Counseling Compact, however, the Counseling Compact has not yet released applications yet. The only way I can lawfully see clients living in Georgia would be to apply for a license just like I did in Florida. Applying for licenses in different states is cumbersome and expensive. The Counseling Compact’s goal is to help streamline that so that more people have access to quality counseling services.
An analogy is our Driver’s Licenses. Drivers licenses are a “compact,” meaning, we apply and receive a driver’s license in one state, but we are allowed to drive in all other states. The Counseling Compact is a little different. While I have a license to practice in the State of Florida, if I choose to apply for the privilege to practice in other member states, those states can require that I take and pass a Laws and Rules exam for their state. Each state I apply to will have a fee, along with a potential exam (and exam preparation costs), and each privilege to practice will expire every two years. (A Licensed Mental Health Counselor’s license in Florida renews every two years and the Compact privileges are tied to one’s home state license.) So, while our driver’s licenses are compacts and we don’t have to take exams to drive in other states or pay fees to drive in other states, the Counseling Compact does have fees and potentially exams to be able to practice in other states.
What will Laura Peddie-Bravo, LMHC, NCC choose?
This depends. It will take time and funds to apply and prepare for examinations required by others states, and once passed, the costs will reup every two years. If I have enough potential clients in a state other than Florida, then yes, I will apply for a privilege to practice and follow the steps I need to to be able to practice in those other states.
Can’t you just do Telehealth anywhere in the country?
No. Each state has it’s own laws and rules about counseling in order to protect their citizens, and Licensed Mental Health Counselors must abide by every states’ law and rules or risk getting in trouble with the state one sees clients in AND the state one is licensed in. Currently, as soon as one of my clients crosses out of the State of Florida, I can no longer offer services to that person. There are a few exceptions; some states allow an out of state counselor to work with their client in case of emergency. Each state’s law varies and it’s important for counselors to know the laws in each state. I use an app called “Telemental Health Laws,” https://www.ebglaw.com/telemental-health-laws-app where I can look up each state’s relevant laws on who can provide telehealth in other states. Most do not allow any Licensed Mental Health Counselor to cross their state line without being licensed in their state. The reason for this is to protect the inhabitants of that state.
When will applications be available?
Currently it is expected that the privilege applications will be available sometime in 2025.
Questions? Please feel free to contact me or feel free to visit the Counseling Compact website: https://counselingcompact.gov/
Please know I protect confidentiality in every client – or potential client – communication.
Here are the different ways you can contact me if you are interested in becoming a client:
Phone: 407-222-6239
Signal App: https://signal.org/ You may download the app for free. The Signal app is encrypted. It is not a “medical” app, and please know if you download it, others in your contact list may see that you’ve downloaded it. If you choose this option, you may use my business cell phone number, 407-222-6239, and you may text me via this encrypted app. Signal messages will be responded to during normal business hours, M-F, 8 am – 5 pm EST.
Email: LPB@BCG.Hush.Com (please see https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/laws-regulations/index.html for more information about HIPPA) I use Hushmail for my HIPAA compliant email. If you choose this option, I will respond via Hushmail to the email address provided, and it will be encrypted. You have the right to waive your confidentiality, but I do not. The email will include instructions about how to unencrypt the message.
Please note that even if you are simply seeking information and do not plan to schedule an appointment, according to the Federal Government’s No Surprises Act, I must collect your name, date of birth, and and I must provide you with what’s called a “Good Faith Estimate,” (GFE), and I will need to know the method you would like to receive a GFE, (i.e. Encrypted Email, FAX, Snail Mail or In Person.) For more information about the No Surprises Act, please see https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me,
Daisy is seven years old and is half Pug and half Shar Pei. A lot of people think she looks like a Sheba Inu.
Daisy is a rescue dog, and my family and I adopted her when she was just two months old from a local animal rescue organization. She has been going to my office since she was adopted, so she’s been in my office since she was two months old. Daisy LOVES people and LOVES being around people. She is not a service dog, nor is she an officially certified therapy dog, despite some formal training. (She does not follow commands well enough to pass her “Good Citizenship ” exam. If a dog cannot pass that exam, the dog cannot be certified.) I utilize Daisy therapeutically in my office when a client requests her presence.
When she meets a new client, Daisy is to sit and wait. The client can then choose to extend their hand towards her, and once Daisy sniffs or touches the hand with her nose, it is ok to pet and interact with her. Daisy is always wearing a harness while working in my office. I have a leash for her which doubles as a seat belt, and she has a dog bed in my office. Clients are welcome to give her treats (we keep plenty of treats in the office). Should Daisy get a little persnickety, which is incredibly rare, I can easily escort her into another space. We all have our off days, and dogs are no different. I do keep close watch on her, even though she’s been seeing clients for nearly seven years, she is an animal, and I take great precautions in having an animal in my office. Of course if someone does not want her on site, or in their appointment, that’s absolutely no problem! She does not come with me to the office every day. She is only present when requested by those I work with. Sometimes, due to extenuating circumstances I cannot always have her in the office when requested, but I do everything within my power to have her there when people would like.
Questions? Please feel free to call us at 407-222-6239.
Happy New Year from Laura Peddie-Bravo, LMHC, NCC, Qualified Supervisor, Owner of The Bravo Counseling Group, LLC!
I’m looking forward to this year! My business will be experiencing some exciting changes! I’ve been in the same location for nearly ten years, and I’ll be moving into a permanent home later this year. More information will be coming on the big move! Please forgive my boxes as I begin to clean out and pack up in preparation for the move. (The plan is to remain in the same area or very near where I am currently located.)
I’ve also added Supervision to my practice and currently have openings for two Supervisees. Additionally, I have immediate openings for new clients!
I always say I’m trying to “talk myself out of a job,” and that’s happened, hence all of the openings! I love helping people achieve their dreams and their goals!
I wish each of you a wonderful 2025!
Sincerely, Laura Peddie-Bravo, LMHC, NCC, QS, Owner
While you’re here, we’d like to share some basic information about our practice and how it works. The Bravo Counseling Group, LLC is owned by Laura Peddie-Bravo, who is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Nationally Certified Counselor for over 20 years. She graduated with her Masters degree from The University of Central Florida’s CACREP accredited Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program. She is a Qualified Supervisor for Registered Mental Health Counselor Interns (and currently has openings for supervision).
Our reason for existing is to help our clients achieve their goals. After an initial appointment, (many call the first appointment an “intake appointment”), your therapist will create a Treatment Plan just for you. A Treatment Plan consists of your goals, objectives for those goals, and how your Therapist is going to help you achieve them.
How do we help people achieve their goals? Our practice is primarily based on Cognitive -Behavioral tools and techniques, however, if that isn’t someone’s preferred method we are well versed with other forms of therapy, i.e. Gestalt, Person-Centered, Psychodynamic, etc., and can incorporate many other techniques and tools into a client’s counseling sessions. We also strive to keep up to date on the latest research and latest treatment options available for our clients.
Some of our specialties include, but are at not limited to the following: Depression, Treatment Resistant Depression, (TRD), Anxiety, Treatment Resistant Anxiety, Autism Spectrum Disorder, (for both the identified client and support for the family), Post Partum conditions, (depression, anxiety and more), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (including C-PTSD). We primarily focus on Individual Counseling, however we are well versed in Family and Couples Counseling.
We realize Counseling can be costly, and we strive to give our clients the most for their hard earned dollars, for example by having full hour appointments, and phone support in between appointments when needed. The treatment plan mentioned earlier also helps keep the Therapist and Client focused on the goals of each appointment, eliminating wasted time. It is our goal to talk ourselves out of a job!
We also have a canine therapy dog on site – if wanted. Daisy is a seven year old rescue who is half Pug and half Shar Pei. She loves people! There are photos of Daisy under our “Office Photos” tab.
Lastly, our practice is still primarily pen and paper. We do not utilize any Electronic Healthcare Record programs. While this may seem a bit archaic, confidentially is of utmost importance to us for our clients. You can rest assured your confidential information is safe with us!
We welcome your questions! Please feel free to call 407-222-6239 to schedule a complimentary phone appointment.
Greetings! Please know that Laura Peddie-Bravo, LMHC, NCC is an Approved Supervisor of Registered Mental Health Counselor Interns in the State of Florida and currently has openings for two supervisees. Laura is also the current President of the Florida Mental Health Counselors Association, FMHCA, and the Chair of the Graduate Student and Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern Committee.
Laura many years of experience; she obtained her Nationally Certified Counselor credential in 1999 and her Mental Health Counselor license in 2001, and she has over 20 years experience working with clients and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students as well as Registered Interns.
Starting 1-1-22, the No Surprises Act took effect. The only difference when it comes to counseling is that now we are required by Federal Law to give you a “Good Faith Estimate” A “Good Faith Estimate” is simply an estimate of the cost of treatment when using an out of network provider or if one has no insurance. The Bravo Counseling Group, LLC is not in network with any insurance providers. The Bravo Counseling Group, LLC is considered “fee for service.” If clients choose, they can self-submit their receipts, aka “superbills,” to their insurance for reimbursement according to their plan.
When you call our office to enquire about an appointment, you will be given a “Good Faith Estimate” for your initial appointment, formally called a Diagnostic Interview. After that initial appointment, you will be given another “Good Faith Estimate” providing you with the estimated length and cost of treatment along with a Diagnosis.
Please call 407-222-6239 in order to schedule a complimentary phone call to see how we can address your needs.
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services. • You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees. • Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service. • If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. • Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate. For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit http://www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call
Greetings! I previously announced in January 2022 I became the President of the Florida Mental Health Counselors Association, (FMHCA) https://fmhca.wildapricot.org/Home I served two years as President, and am currently serving my second year in the role of Past President. I am also continuing to serve as the Chair of the Graduate Student and Registered Mental Health Counselors Committee, which is a FMHCA committee, and I am starting my fifth year as Chair. I am also a member of FMHCA’s Government Relations Committee, (GRC). I greatly enjoying serving the profession of Mental Health Counseling! I currently considering what others ways I may be able to serve the profession and also serve the people of Florida. I will keep you posted!
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Greetings! I am pleased to announce that as of 1-1-22 I became the President of the Florida Mental Health Counselors Association, (FMHCA). I am thrilled to be able to volunteer for such a terrific organization! You can read the latest FMHCA magazine, In Session, here which includes an interview with me and my goals for the organization in 2022: https://issuu.com/fmhca/docs/insession-january_2022_9
The Bravo Counseling Group 