New group pushing to ease licensure in Mass. for international therapists

SPRINGFIELD — A new nonprofit group is aiming to break down barriers for internationally trained clinicians seeking licensure in the commonwealth.

BridgeMH is founded by Martha Baez, originally from the Dominican Republic, who faced challenges obtaining her license to practice in the state and wants to support other therapists looking to make Massachusetts their home.

"I want to be able to remove some of the systemic barriers that I've been seeing," said Baez in a recent interview.

Through BridgeMH, Baez is building a support system of mentorship, resources and professional development for international mental health professionals currently living and working in Massachusetts communities.

Baez has been gathering support for an upcoming state hearing scheduled for Sept. 19 with the Department of Public Health, which will be gathering testimony from state agencies, professionals and community members on proposed amendments to the rules and regulations of the Board of Allied Mental Health and Human Service Professions. This state board oversees licensure for clinicians practicing in areas such as behavioral analysis, educational psychology, marriage and family therapy, mental health counseling, and rehabilitation counseling.

Baez described the hearing as a good opportunity to bring awareness to the situation and how international clinicians support mental health in the commonwealth.

BridgeMH is advocating for regulatory amendments that would make licensure more accessible to qualified professionals trained outside the U.S., without compromising the state's standards.

She explained that the state's equivalency application often causes more confusion for those wanting to obtain their license to practice in Massachusetts. Baez said, for example, in Argentina, practitioners can have a degree that includes master's degree-level work, but it does not meet the state's standard of a standalone master's, despite the professional having the necessary field experience.

Baez said that removing barriers for internationally trained professionals would shorten the wait times for those seeking mental health services, which increased dramatically since the coronavirus pandemic. It also could potentially increase the number of international residents seeking mental health services in the state, since they would have a common language and cultural background with their therapist.

"What we've been finding is that families of color open up and have faster outcomes when they can speak the same languages, express their cultural values and struggles to someone that looks like them," said Baez.

Those looking for support or wanting to testify at the upcoming hearing should contact BridgeMH at contact@bridgemh.org.

Read the original article on MassLive .