Protecting Your Title. Elevating Your Profession.

The Michigan Licensed Professional Counselors (MiLPCs) is a new voice with deep roots, founded to ensure that licensed counselors across the state are seen, respected, and protected in the eyes of the law, the public, and the mental health field.

Though our organization is new, our leadership has been working behind the scenes for decades. We advocate exclusively for Michigan LPCs and LLPCs. We’re stepping forward now because critical legislation is reshaping the future of counseling, and we believe Michigan’s counselors deserve a strong, unified advocate that puts their interests first.

Our Mission

MiLPCs exists to protect and advance the professional identity, legislative rights, and public recognition of Michigan’s licensed counselors.

We work to ensure:

  • Your scope of practice is always protected.
  • The LLPC and LPC titles are preserved and clearly understood by the public and lawmakers.
  • Fair representation in federal and state policies that affect your license, practice, and livelihood.
  • You are kept informed and empowered, not blindsided, by regulatory changes.
  • Mental health counseling remains a recognized professional degree with equitable treatment in education and workforce initiatives.

Why We Formed

MiLPCs was formed in response to growing threats to the professional identity and practical viability of counselors in Michigan.

From federal proposals that would reclassify counseling degrees as non-professional to state-level confusion over the use of titles like “LLPC,” we’ve seen how quickly policy decisions, often made without counselor input, can disrupt careers, confuse the public, and limit access to mental health care.

We believe this is our moment to get ahead of the curve, protect what matters, and build a more resilient future for the profession.

Our Founders

MiLPCs is led by long-time counselor advocates with decades of experience:

  • James Blundo: A lifelong champion for Michigan counselors, James has played a leading role in every major legislative win for the profession over the last 30 years.
  • Dr. Sara Sue Schaeffer is a respected educator and advocate with a longstanding commitment to professional equity and licensure reform for counselors in Michigan. She has led every major licensure effort for LPCs in the state and served as the first Chair of the Michigan Board of Counseling. Her leadership has strengthened the profession’s identity, clarified regulatory pathways, and ensured that Michigan counselors have a voice in decisions that affect their careers.

Together, we’ve been the constant force behind the scenes for years. Now, we’re building an organization that brings that expertise directly to you.

What Makes Us Different: We advocate exclusively for LPCs and LLPCs

We’re laser-focused on:

  • Clear titles and professional designations (LLPC, LPC)
  • Protection of scope and status…especially in education, insurance, and legal frameworks
  • Legislative action driven by facts, experience, relationships, and results
  • Member-driven advocacy — we respond to your concerns, not outside agendas

This isn’t about politics. It’s about professionalism.

Join Us

We’re counselors. We’re advocates. We’re your peers.

Your membership helps us:

  • Push back on harmful policy
  • Advance legislation that protects your title and license
  • Keep you informed on what’s happening before it affects you
Join Now

Accountability & Transparency

We’re committed to transparency in how we operate, how we spend, and how we show up for Michigan counselors.

We publish regular updates, offer clear pathways for engagement, and welcome all licensed professionals aligned with our mission, whether you’re just starting out or decades into your career.

MiLPCs: For Counselors. By Counselors. Backed by Experience.

Let us be your voice, while you focus on your clients, your practice, and your purpose.

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