Which of the following is NOT considered an exempted profession under the Licensed Professional Counselors Act?

Community volunteers providing mental health advice are not considered an exempted profession under the Licensed Professional Counselors Act because they do not typically meet the standards for professional credentialing or licensure that the Act upholds. Unlike licensed professionals such as psychiatric and mental health nurses, social workers, and marital and family therapists who have completed specific educational and training requirements and are authorized to provide therapeutic services, community volunteers may lack the necessary qualifications and oversight.

The Licensed Professional Counselors Act specifically aims to protect the public by ensuring that individuals providing mental health services have met necessary licensure requirements and adhere to ethical standards. Volunteers, while they may have good intentions and some knowledge, do not operate under the same regulations and are therefore not recognized as legitimate practitioners within the scope of the law. This distinction is important for maintaining professional integrity and for the safety of clients seeking mental health care.