Will DWAI (Driving While Ability Impaired) affect eligibility to become a licensed mental health counselor?

[tanishia]

(This happened in NY State)- In November, I had a few more drinks than planned and several miles away from home, so I got in my car and decided to sleep there so I wasn't driving impaired. It was bitter cold out and I made the mistake of starting the car to stay warm. Long story short, a citizen saw me on the side of the road sleeping in my car while it was running and reported it to the police, who pulled me out of the car and made me do a road test. Three cop cars came to the "scene", all for a small framed, 5'5" female who was completely cooperative and did everything they told her to. One gave the test, the other recorded the results, and the other stood there and talked. I was arrested for a DWI and taken to the station, where my BAC was under the legal limit, though it was .06, which can result in a DWAI charge, which is recorded as a traffic infraction. The facts of the case are messed up, as the report of the officer contradict with the actual information, though I don't need to get into specifics here. Such inconsistencies (basically the officer lied) may prevent the DWAI charge altogether, though if I do receive the charge, will this have an affect on my ability to become an LMHC or LPC (in PA or NY)? Even if I do get licensed, will this affect employment opportunities? My attorney has informed me on the actual charges, worst case scenario, and best case scenario, though he is unable to answer for the state licensing board. Not that I expect anyone here to be on the state licensing board, though perhaps someone else has had a similar charge brought against them in the mental health field. This is my first and only alcohol related charge. I have received several speeding tickets in the past, though besides that, my record is completely clean. I'm currently interning in the Drug and Alcohol Dual Diagnosis Unit at the local hospital for my master's degree and I would never dream of driving drunk.

Note: I do know, if convicted of a DWAI (or DWI), my license will be suspended, though I would be eligible for a hardship license and attend classes to get my original license back. I have heard about courts "sealing permanent records" in the case it may negatively affect employment, etc., though a DWAI is a traffic violation so I'm unsure what procedures are in place. I suppose I will have to further explore that with my attorney...

[banys]

Zelda

Yes, they can. Some of the best counselors are the once worst abusers.

Yes, pretty sad. But not just the amount of alcohol in the system, but personal susceptibility, even perhaps your health, or interaction with medication can cause the impairment issue to arise. I am one of those that can be impaired with one drink,. So I must monitor my physiology all the time. I choose to not drink most of the time. And, when I do drink, it is only when someone else is available to drive.

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