I am a former therapist of a private practice in Louisville, KY.  I was a former CSW supervisee and employee of the LCSW that owned this private practice.  I was licensed in July 2022.  I was really excited about this accomplishment and asked for a raise from my employer but was denied and instead advised to raise my self-pay rates to my patients.  Shortly after, I decided to put a 1-month notice in to leave my employer so I could go out on my own.  My employer reminded of a non-compete agreement that I had signed at the beginning of my employment when I was naive, inexperienced, and excited to work for a private practice.  The non-compete agreement stated that I will not be allowed to work in Jefferson County, KY and I will have to pay $5k for the supervision that I received during my employment.  My former employer asked me if I wanted to take my notice back and I declined.  I was fired immediately the next day without being allowed to give my patients any notice of my termination and $5k was also taken out of my paycheck that Friday.  This caused a lot of pain for my patients and I.  I accept the consequences of my actions.  However, it does not sit well with me that there are other CSWs/LCSWs and patients that may also be harmed in the foreseeable future due to these non-compete agreements.  

Non-competes create another barrier to service.  Per the NASW Code of Ethics, it is our duty to elevate service to others above our own self-interest.  I believe non-competes are harmful in the social work profession and goes against everything the social work profession stands for.  

I ask that you please sign this petition and join me in encouraging the Kentucky Board of Social Work, Kentucky Board of Licensed Professional Counselors, Kentucky Board of Psychology, Kentucky Board of Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, and the Commonwealth of Kentucky to protect all mental health professionals in Kentucky from Non-compete agreements by revising all applicable codes, rules, regulations, and statutes.