Internship hours for both LMHC and CAT?

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

I am currently a graduate student at Prescott College (in AZ) pursuing a masters

degree in Counseling, with a concentration in Expressive Arts Therapy. I plan on

being licensed in NY. The CAT is my passion, but from what I understand it is

more effective to have the LMHC in terms of finding jobs and insurance

reimbursement. Thus I would like to have both the LMHC and CAT if possible.

My educational program covers all of the core coursework required by CACREP (and

NY) for LMHC, as well as the specific coursework required for CAT licensure and

ATR registration. They suggest that I do one practicum (300 hrs) and internship

(600 hrs)for counseling, and another practicum (100 hrs)and internship (600 hrs)

for art therapy, as required in AZ. This totals to a 90 credit masters program,

with a a whopping 1600 hours of experience, which I simply cannot commit to. Yet

I do not want to abandon the CAT, since that is my primary interest.

I would like to know if this would also be the requirement for NY? Do I need to

do two separate practicum/internships to apply for both licenses? Or would one

round of practicum/internship experience be sufficient, under supervision by

someone who is both LMHC and CAT/ATR(as my supervisor here in NY is)?

Is another option to pursue my LMHC and then apply for some kind of CAT

certificate?

The responses I have received by clerks at the NYSED have been unclear on this

matter. Any suggestions would be very appreciated.

Aili