July 14, 2004

Press Release - ReadyMinds to Conduct A Distance Credentialed Counselor (DCC™) Training Workshop for the Arkansas State Board of Examiners

ReadyMinds announced today that it has been chosen to deliver a training workshop in Distance Counseling to the Arkansas State Board of Examiners-Counselors and Marriage/Family Therapist. The15 hour, two-day training will take place on September 17th and 18th in Little Rock, Arkansas.

ReadyMinds has been conducting distance counseling trainings for professional counselors throughout the country. Technology assisted counseling methods can often help a counselor reach a greater number of clients who need assistance, especially useful when time, travel or other personal factors make face-to-face sessions less practical or desirable. The DCC Training addressees the skills, ethics and legal information needed for delivering distance counseling. In total, the two-days will specifically cover 28 competency areas.

Randy Miller, Founder and CEO of ReadyMinds said, "We are pleased to have the opportunity to share the knowledge with the Arkansas State Board based upon the expertise that we have gained over the years in the distance delivery of counseling. The Board, along with individual counselors, has recognized the need for professional development and growth within this distance area, and it is refreshing to see appropriate due diligence being done with regards to the area of online and distance practice."

Further elaborating on their involvement with the upcoming Training, the State Board issued the following statement:

"The Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling does not allow cyberspace counseling under the current law and Rules and Regulations. Formal training for on-line counseling has not been available; monitoring and regulation of the practice for the protection of the public has not been developed. NBCC has recently published a specialization in Distance Counseling; Ready Minds has developed formal training for those who seek the specialization. Changes must be made and regulations developed for this practice. The Arkansas Board has arranged for all Board members to take the training for the purpose of being better prepared to move into the future. The University of Arkansas-Little Rock agreed to co-host the training by furnishing the facilities and the technical support necessary for this forward movement. The Board has opened the opportunity to the Arkansas Board Licensed Supervisors and to Counselors Educators. Arkansas, as the first state to license Master's level Counselors, is again the leader and the first state Board to venture into formal study and training for Distance Counseling".

This particular training, initiated by the request of the Arkansas State Board, is open to the general participation of qualified counselors. Other state boards have inquired about the area of distance counseling and the anticipation is that in addition to the general DCC Trainings that are scheduled throughout the country during 2004 and 2005, specific trainings will be taking place to satisfy the needs of additional state boards. Information about this or other DCC Trainings can be obtained by contacting Lisa Miller at lisa@readyminds.com or 888-225-8248.

About ReadyMinds

Founded in 1997, ReadyMinds owns and operates readyminds.com and is a privately held company that has emerged as the leading global provider of distance career counseling and training services. The ReadyMinds' distance career counseling process was initially designed with the assistance of business leaders and career counseling experts to help individuals focus on their career planning and develop action plans to achieve their immediate career goals. In addition to the counseling of individuals, ReadyMinds provides training for counselors seeking to further enhance their professional development in the area of distance counseling. ReadyMinds abides by the guidelines set forth by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC); the NBCC Code of Ethics and the Standards for the Ethical Practice of Web Counseling. For more information on the company, please visit http://www.readyminds.com.

About the Arkansas State Board of Examiners

Located in Magnolia, Arkansas, The Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling is a member of the American Association of State Counseling Boards. Additional information about the Board can be obtained by visiting http://www.arkansas.gov./abec/