NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Two owners of a counseling service in Louisiana have filed a federal lawsuit accusing the state of unconstitutionally stopping them from using the word “psychological” in their business name.
One of the plaintiffs is a licensed counselor and the other is a licensed clinical social worker. Both have training in psychology, and until early this year they operated a business called the Psychological Wellness Institute.
Julie Alleman and Juliet Catrett own the business now called the P. Wellness Institute in Baton Rouge. According to their lawsuit, the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists told them using “psychological” in the name violated state law.
The plaintiffs say the state law is overly broad and puts them at risk of misdemeanor prosecution for using the word psychological in the business name or providing services that “constitute the practice of psychiatry” under the law.
Alleman is a licensed professional counselor, a licensed marriage and family therapist and a licensed addiction counselor, while Catrett is a licensed clinical social worker, according to the lawsuit.
Both have studied psychology and use its principles in their work, the suit says. But because of the law, the two say they no longer use the word “psychological” in describing their work to clients or potential clients.
“Alleman and Catrett would like to explain to their clients, when appropriate, that, although they are not licensed psychologists, they have studied psychological principles, methods, and procedures, and apply them in their treatment to help clients modify their behavior and improve their lives,” the lawsuit says.
The suit seeks a court order declaring that Alleman’s and Catrett’s constitutional free speech rights are being violated and that the law is overly broad. It also seeks an order blocking enforcement of the law against them by the board or the Baton Rouge district attorney.
Emails seeking comment were sent to the state board’s executive director and attorney Tuesday morning.
Two advocacy groups, the Center for Individual Rights and the Pelican Institute are providing court representation for Alleman and Catrett.
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