As used in this chapter, unless the context clearly requires a different meaning:

“Accredited educational institution” means any educational institution which grants a master’s or doctoral degree and is accredited by a regional accrediting body or a post graduate training institute accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Education.

“Advertise” means the issuing of or causing to be distributed any card, sign, or device to any person, or the causing, permitting, or allowing of any sign or marking on or in any building, on radio or television, or by advertising by any other means designed to secure public attention.

“Association” means the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

“Clinical supervision” means the supervision of no more than six persons at the same time who are acquiring and completing clinical experience in accordance with section 451J-7(2) and (3), by a licensed marriage and family therapist whose license has been in good standing in any state for two years preceding commencement and during the term of supervision, or any licensed mental health professional whose license has been in good standing in any state and who has been a clinical member in good standing of the association for the two years preceding commencement and during the term of supervision. Clinical supervision includes but is not limited to case consultation of the assessment and diagnosis of presenting problems, development and implementation of treatment plans, and the evaluation of the course of treatment. Clinical supervision may include direct observation by the qualified supervisor of the provision of marriage and family therapy services.

“Continuing education courses” means courses approved by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy: Hawaii Division, American Psychological Association, Hawaii Psychological Association, National Association of Social Workers, or National Board for Certified Counselors and Affiliates, Inc.

“Credit hour” means, except as otherwise provided, the value assigned to fifty minutes of instruction.

“Department” means the department of commerce and consumer affairs.

“Director” means the director of commerce and consumer affairs.

“Ethics courses” include ethics theory, ethical reasoning, ethical principles, ethical dilemmas, and professional ethics.

“Family systems theories” means a body of research which focuses on understanding the family system and other social systems of the individual as integral to evaluating the etiology and providing treatment of mental and nervous disorders.

“Marriage and family therapist” or “licensed marriage and family therapist” means a person who uses the title of marriage and family therapist or licensed marriage and family therapist, who has been issued a license under this chapter, and whose license is in effect and not revoked or suspended at the time in question.

“Marriage and family therapy intern” means a person who has completed all educational requirements stipulated in section 451J-7(1)(A) and who is currently earning supervised clinical experience in marriage and family therapy under clinical supervision.

“Marriage and family therapy practice” means the application of psychotherapeutic and family systems theories and techniques in the delivery of services to individuals, couples, or families in order to diagnose and treat mental, emotional, and nervous disorders, whether these are behavioral, cognitive, or affective, within the context of the individual’s relationships. Marriage and family therapy is offered directly to the general public or through organizations, either public or private, for a fee or through pro bono work. Marriage and family therapists assist individuals, couples, and families to achieve more adequate, satisfying, and productive social relationships, enable individuals to improve behavioral or psychological functioning, and help individuals reduce distress or disability. Marriage and family therapy includes but is not limited to:

(1) Assessment and diagnosis of presenting problems through inquiry, observation, evaluation, integration of diagnostic information from adjunctive resources, description, and interpretation of verbal and nonverbal communication, thought processes, beliefs, affect, boundaries, roles, life cycle stages, family interaction patterns, economic, social, emotional, and mental functioning, in order to identify specific dysfunctions and to identify the presence of disorders as identified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders;

(2) Designing and developing treatment plans by incorporating and integrating recognized family system theories, communication principles, crisis counseling principles, cognitive and behavioral counseling principles, or psychotherapeutic techniques in establishing short- and long-term goals and interventions collaboratively with the client; and

(3) Implementing and evaluating the course of treatment by incorporating family systems theories to assist individuals, couples, and families to achieve more adequate, satisfying, and productive social relationships, to enable individuals to improve behavioral or psychological functioning, and to help individuals reduce distress or disability by improving problem solving skills, decision-making skills, communication and other relationship interaction patterns, identification of strengths and weaknesses, understanding or resolution of interpersonal or intrapersonal issues, recognition, development, and expression of appropriate affect, and referral to adjunctive medical, psychological, psychiatric, educational, legal, or social resources.

“Use of a title” means to hold oneself out to the public as having a particular status by stating the status on signs, mailboxes, address plates, stationery, announcements, telephone directory advertising, business cards, or other instruments of professional identification.