License portability for Marriage and Family Therapists in the New England states is a natural extension of the New England states’ existing interconnected community. When AAMFT began their license portability initiative, we, at CTAMFT, knew this would be the perfect fit for Connecticut.
As we began talking with Connecticut MFTs we heard story after story of how license portability will serve our providers, patients and the mental health community at large. Connecticut MFTs told stories of young adults launching to college in a neighboring state and having to close with existing therapists at such a difficult time when there is already much transition in their lives. We heard about patients seeking therapists with specializations that are available just over the state line yet unreachable due to license restrictions. Many residents in the New England area work in one state and live in another. They seek medical treatment in the big cities of neighboring states, yet are unable to do the same with their mental health care. Large mental health agencies and employers told us about seeking to hire out of state candidates, but being held up by lengthy and complicated dual licensure barriers, adding to the ongoing mental health workforce needs. All of these accounts made Connecticut the perfect anchor state for New England license portability.
CTAMFT built upon our recently passed mental health compacts by opening up a widespread portability education campaign. This campaign keeps our legislators informed about the impact of MFT License portability, access to care, and mental health parity in our state. Our license portability bill received unanimous support testimonies in a public hearing and passed with unanimous support from the CT Department of Public Health. CTAMFT is so proud of our license portability efforts and working collaboratively with our fellow New England states to reach the full potential of license portability for all New England LMFTs and the patients we serve.
About Author:
Jaime Rodriguez
Advocacy Chair, CTAMFT
Family TEAM Lead, AAMFT
Jaime Rodriguez is a licensed marriage and family therapist and private practice owner in Connecticut. Jaime serves as the CTAMFT Advocacy Chair and Family TEAM Lead of CT for AAMFT. Jaime spearheaded the License Portability initiative in CT with overwhelming success in 2025.
