2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 37. Professions and Occupations › Chapter 39. Behavioral Health › Part 1. General Provisions › 37-39-102. Definitions

37-39-102. Definitions.
As used in this chapter, the following definitions apply:
(1) "Addiction" means the condition or state in which an individual is physiologically or psychologically dependent on alcohol or other drugs. The term includes chemical dependency as defined in 53-24-103.
(2) "Addiction counseling" means using the knowledge and skill necessary to provide the therapeutic process of addiction treatment.
(3) "Approved examination" means a standardized test or examination of behavioral health knowledge, skills, and abilities that is approved by the board.
(4) "Approved program" means a behavioral health educational program accredited or sponsored by an entity that is recognized at the national, regional, or state level and approved by the board.
(5) "Approved supervisor" means a supervisor determined by the board to meet standards established by the board for supervision of clinical services.
(6) "Baccalaureate social work" means the application of social work theory, knowledge, methods, ethics, and the professional use of self to restore or enhance social, psychosocial, or biopsychosocial functioning of individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Baccalaureate social work is generalist practice that includes assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, case management, information and referral, supervision, consultation, education, advocacy, community organization, research, and the development, implementation, and administration of policies, programs, and activities.
(7) "Behavioral health" means, for the purposes of regulation and licensure under this chapter, the practices of social work, professional counseling, marriage and family therapy, addiction counseling, and peer support regulated under this chapter.
(8) "Behavioral health disorder" is a diagnosis of:
(a) a mental disorder as defined in 53-21-102; or
(b) chemical dependency as defined in 53-24-103.
(9) "Behavioral health peer support" means the use of personal experience with a behavioral health disorder to provide support, mentoring, guidance, and advocacy to individuals with behavioral health disorders while under the supervision of a mental health professional in an amount, duration, and scope appropriate to the setting and the demonstrated competency and experience of the peer support specialist.
(10) "Board" means the board of behavioral health provided for in 2-15-1744.
(11) "Clinical professional counseling" means engaging in methods and techniques that include:
(a) counseling, which means the therapeutic process of:
(i) conducting assessments and diagnoses for the purpose of establishing treatment goals and objectives; or
(ii) planning, implementing, and evaluating treatment plans that use treatment interventions to facilitate human development and to identify and remediate mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders and associated distresses that interfere with mental health;
(b) assessment, which means selecting, administering, scoring, and interpreting instruments, including psychological tests, evaluations, and assessments, designed to assess an individual's aptitudes, attitudes, abilities, achievement, interests, and personal characteristics and using nonstandardized methods and techniques for understanding human behavior in relation to coping with, adapting to, or changing life situations;
(c) counseling treatment intervention, which means those cognitive, affective, behavioral, and systemic counseling strategies, techniques, and methods common to the behavioral sciences that are specifically implemented in the context of a therapeutic relationship, including techniques to treat the perception of chronic pain. Other treatment interventions include developmental counseling, guidance, and consulting to facilitate normal growth and development, including educational and career development.
(d) referral, which means evaluating information to identify needs or problems of an individual and to determine the advisability of referral to other specialists, informing the individual of the judgment, and communicating as requested or considered appropriate with the referral sources.
(12) (a) "Clinical social work" means the application of professional social work knowledge, skills, and values in the differential diagnosis and treatment of psychosocial function, disability, or impairment, including emotional, mental, and behavioral disorders and the perception of chronic pain. Treatment includes a plan based on a differential diagnosis. Treatment may include but is not limited to the provision of psychotherapy and counseling to individuals, couples, families, and groups across the life span. A clinical social work licensee may also provide the services of baccalaureate and master's social work.
(b) The term includes the performance of psychological testing, evaluation, and assessment if the licensee is qualified to administer testing and make evaluations and assessments pursuant to 37-17-104.
(13) "Department" means the department of labor and industry provided for in 2-15-1701.
(14) "Licensee" means an individual licensed under this chapter to practice social work, clinical professional counseling, addiction counseling, or marriage and family therapy or certified to provide behavioral health peer support.
(15) "Marriage and family therapy" means the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders within the context of interpersonal relationships, including marriage and family systems. Marriage and family therapy involves:
(a) the professional application of psychotherapeutic and family system theories and techniques, counseling, consultation, treatment planning, and supervision in the delivery of services to individuals, couples, and families;
(b) the provision of professional marriage and family therapy services to individuals, couples, and families, singly or in groups, either directly or through public or private organizations; and
(c) the performance of psychological testing, evaluation, and assessment if the licensee is qualified to administer testing and make evaluations pursuant to 37-17-104.
(16) "Master's social work" means the application of social work theory, knowledge, methods, and ethics and the professional use of self to restore or enhance social, psychosocial, or biopsychosocial functioning of individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Master's social work includes the application of specialized knowledge and advanced skills in the areas of assessment, treatment planning, implementation and evaluation, case management, information and referral, supervision, consultation, education, research, advocacy, community organization, and the development, implementation, and administration of policies, programs, and activities.
(17) "Mental health professional" means:
(a) a physician licensed under Title 37, chapter 3;
(b) an advanced practice registered nurse, as provided for in 37-8-202, with a clinical specialty in psychiatric mental health nursing;
(c) a psychologist licensed under Title 37, chapter 17;
(d) a social worker licensed under 37-39-308;
(e) a professional counselor licensed under 37-39-309;
(f) an addiction counselor licensed under 37-39-310; or
(g) a marriage and family therapist licensed under 37-39-311.
(18) "Psychotherapy" means the use of psychosocial methods within a professional relationship to assist a person to achieve a better psychosocial adaptation and to modify internal and external conditions that affect individuals, groups, or families in respect to behavior, emotions, and thinking concerning their interpersonal processes.
(19) "Social work" means the professional practice directed toward helping people achieve more adequate, satisfying, and productive social adjustments. The practice of social work involves special knowledge of social resources, human capabilities, and the roles that individual motivation and social influences play in determining behavior and involves diagnoses and the application of social work techniques.
(20) "Supervised work experience" means work in a behavioral health field after receipt of the required degree and license but under:
(a) the supervision of an approved supervisor; and
(b) terms and conditions prescribed by the board by rule.
History: En. Sec. 2, Ch. 713, L. 2023.