Governor Evers Signs Bill Allowing Marriage and Family Therapists to Work Directly in Schools

Wednesday, April 24th, 2024 -- 10:01 AM

(Natalie Eilbert, USA TODAY NETWORK - Wisconsin) Gov. Tony Evers has signed a bill into law that allows marriage and family therapists to work directly in schools. 

According to Natalie Eilbert with USA TODAT NETWORK - Wisconsin, it’s an effort many have been pushing for since Wisconsin recognized the profession more than 50 years ago, said Amanda Anderson, chair of the Wisconsin Association of Marriage and Family Therapy.

“Under our previous presidents, WAMFT attempted to draft and pass legislation to get (marriage and family therapists) in schools, but the reforms all stalled,” said Anderson, who owns and serves as a therapist at Oshkosh Marriage and Family Therapy Center LLC.

Under the new law, schools can hire marriage and family therapists to work on a regular basis with students on campus, which not only removes the middle man, but the economic barriers associated with counseling.

The onus will no longer fall on parents to pay for these counseling services, since the therapists would be on the school’s payroll and services would be provided through the schools.

But the new law is likely to face challenges at a time when daunting financial deficits face districts statewide. Schools have had to make difficult budget decisions specifically around school closures, staff numbers and benefits, and, increasingly, are turning to taxpayers to vote on referendums.

Still, marriage and family therapists, as well as lawmakers, remain optimistic about the law giving schools the option to hire such therapists.

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