Legislative Update — Ariel Cohen, MA, LMFT

CAMFT Facebook Page Legislative Updates
May 2026

May 1, 2026

We at CAMFT are deeply disappointed by the U.S. Department of Education’s final rule, which limits federal student loans for new MFT graduate students beginning July 1, 2026, and places additional barriers on those pursuing careers in mental health. California’s communities urgently need more behavioral health professionals, and this rule will directly deepen that need.

Even though we are unhappy with the final rule, we want to thank the hundreds of CAMFT members who took the time to submit public comments and share their views on the proposed rule. Your input helped to elevate the real-world impact this rule will have on MFTs and their patients.

CAMFT has been and continues to actively work with the Mental Health Workforce Student Loan Affordability Coalition to assess the rule’s impact and determine next steps. We remain committed to advocating for policies that ensure a strong, accessible, and well- trained mental health workforce of MFTs.

#ProtectMentalHealth
#InvestInMentalHealth
#SupportFutureTherapists
#AdvocateForCare


May 22, 2026

We’re excited to share that SB 903 has officially passed the Senate!

This important bill, which was co-sponsored by CAMFT™, helps protect individuals seeking mental health care by establishing clear guardrails around the use of artificial intelligence in psychotherapy settings.

SB 903 would prohibit the advertising or offering of psychotherapy services unless they are conducted by a licensed professional, while also strengthening requirements around disclosure, informed consent, human oversight, and patient data privacy protections.

The bill now moves to the Assembly.
https://sd18.senate.ca.gov/.../california-state-senate....

#SB903 Senator Steve Padilla


May 26, 2026

CAMFT supports and appreciates AAMFT and other national associations for joining Democracy Forward's lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Education’s recent RISE rule, which could limit access to federal student loans for future MFTs.

We remain committed to protecting pathways into the profession, especially when mental health workforce shortages continue nationwide.


May 26, 2026

CAMFT™ appreciates California Attorney General Rob Bonta and a coalition of other states for filing a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Education’s recent final rule limiting access to federal graduate student loans.

The Department of Education rule creates new barriers for future mental health professionals by forcing aspiring therapists to reconsider entering the profession altogether or rely on higher-cost private loans if their graduate program of choice exceeds federal loan caps of $20,500 per year. Over time, this rule will further strain California’s behavioral health workforce and limit patient access to care.

CAMFT remains actively engaged with our coalition partners to ensure that anyone who wishes to join the mental health profession can do so. Students should have the freedom to choose the graduate program that best fits their professional goals and determine for themselves how to finance their education without being unduly limited by a narrow federal definition of what programs qualify as “professional.”

Ariel Cohen, MA, LMFT maintains a full-time private practice in Woodland Hills, CA. He works with children, teens, adults and families, with an emphasis on supporting the special needs community. He can be contacted at 818.674.9834 or ArielCohenLMFT@gmail.com.