Feb 2017 newsletter

FLORIDA MEANTAL HEALTH COUNSLOR ASSOCATION

February

Volume 17, Issue 2

President’s Corner : Inside this issue:

License Tile Position

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Florida Mental Health 5 Counselors Association: Legislature Advocacy Day A SUCCESSFUL ADVOCACY DAY WITH THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE LEAVES LASTING IMPRESSION ON LAWMAKERS

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Internship: Time for Important Decisions:

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Taking Picky Eating to 22 the Extreme: Neuropsychological Evaluations: An Under - Used Tool in Mental Health Counseling Practice : 24

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“I am seeking. I am striving.

I am in it with all of my heart.”

Vincent Van Gogh

Dear FMHCA family, what an extraordinary month this has been! Our organization, through the tremendous efforts of the members of our Government Relations Committee under the leadership of its chair Louise Sutherland-Hoyt and our lobbyist Corinne Mixon; planned, developed and implemented our Inaugural Legislative Advocacy Day in Tallahassee. I was privileged to be part of a group of eight FMHCA members that took part in this event on January 9th and 10th. We had the opportunity to speak with over a dozen legislators about our organization. Several issues we highlighted include providing them an overview of FMHCA as a premier State organization representing the fastest growing and largest group of behavioral health professionals.

Additionally, we discussed the importance of maintaining our LMHC title and requested their support at the Federal level for inclusion of LMHC’s as Medicare providers. I enthusiastically encourage you to take part in our ongoing legislative efforts and participation of our Legislative Advocacy Day next year. For additional information, please contact FMHCA directly at 561-228-6129 or via email at office@flmhca.org.

Our FMHCA Annual Conference, Counseling in the Modern Era, is just several days away, can you believe it! Your FMHCA Board and executive team have put forth a great effort in assuring you have a wonderful experience. I encourage you to participate in our Government Relations Committee Round Table. At this event, we have the privilege of having a distinguished guest speaker, the Honorable Rep. Shevrin Jones, who will be discussing his sponsored bill (House Bill 37: Law Enforcement/Mental Health).

On behalf of your FMHCA leadership and our Executive Team I would like to thank all of you for your committed support. Your leadership team continues to “seek and strive” with a heartfelt commitment of developing an innovative, cutting edge and premier organization. We all deserve this!

I look forward to meeting all of you at our spectacular event in just a few days, we’re going to have a great time!

With much appreciation for each of you, Leonel “Dr. Leo” Mesa, Jr., Psy.D, LMHC, CAP, CEAP FMHCA President

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Board of Directors 2016 - 2017

President Leonel Mesa, PsyD, LMHC lmesa@flmhca.o.rg President-Elect Louise Sutherland-Hoyt, LMHC lsutherland@flmhca.org Treasurer Jim Messina, PhD, CCMHC, NCC, DCMHS jmessina@flmhca.org Past President Michael Holler Mholler@flmhca.org Secretary Kathie Erwin, Ed.D, LMHC, NCC, NCGC

kerwin@flmhca.org Parliamentarian Frank Hannah, MS, LMHC fhannah@flmhca.org Member-at-Large Joe Skelly, MS, LMHC jskelly@flmhca.org Member-at-Large Erica Whitfield

ED Corner: Thank you to our loyal and wonderful members! If you are not yet a member, I encourage you to join our organization and let your voice be heard! Our organization offers so many great resources for our members, including education (such as FREE WEBINARS), legislative oversight, networking, and FMHCA member discounts with partner organizations.

We work for the advancement of our professionals and the mental health field in all fronts, from building a successful conference, to fighting to protect your well-earned scope of practice, to lobbying for equal treatment among mental health professionals.

Our growing membership leads me to believe you realize FMHCA is dedicated to your progress in the State of Florida.

With this years conference has grown it is a direct result of your support. Thank you to all who attended, presented, sponsored, volunteered, and worked at our conference. We could not have had a successful conference without you and we are grateful for your contribution to our organization.

We are already looking forward to our 2018 Annual Conference. It will be held in Lake Mary,Florida at the Orlando Marriott - Lake Mary (the same hotel this year's conference was held at). Please visit our new website, https://fmhca.wildapricot.org/ to register for the 2018 Annual Conference.

Sincerely, Darlene Silvernail PhD, LMHC, CAP

New CE Requirement for Licensure Renewals:

ebuabua@gmail.com Member-at-Large Hassiem Kambui, PhD, LMHC hkambui@flmhca.org Member-at-Large Judith Roberts, Ph.D., LMHC JRoberts@flmhca.org Executive Director Darlene Silvernail, PhD, LMHC, CAP, DCMHS

dsilvernail@flmhca.org

Within the 30 required renewal CE’s, you must now complete a 3 hour laws and rules update course every third biennium.

Current licensees would need to complete the course by the biennium ending 3/31/19.

Licensees in their first biennium, (which are exempt from CE’s for renewal) would need to meet the requirement by the biennium ending 3/31/21.

For more information on this requirement, please review Rule 64B4-6.001, Florida Administrative Code.

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FMHCA Member Perks: CE Broker FMHCA is a CE Broker Gold Partner!

FMHCA, Florida Mental Health Counselors Association, members will now receive a $5 discount to CE Broker, the official continuing education tracking system.

Contact us for the Discount Code - office@flmhca.org - then go to CEBroker.com& use the Association Code to apply your $5 discount. Subscribe or create a 7-Day Free Trial Account & apply the code when asked, "Have a Promotion Code or Association Discount?"

CounselingExam.com $15 off a 1 week subscription, $40 off of all 1 month, 2 month, and 3 month subscriptions, and $44 off of a 6 month subscription. To Receive the discounted rate, members must send an email to CrushTheExam@Gmail.com stating that they are a FMHCA member - then, they will receive a reply with instructions on how to proceed.

National Board of Forensic Evaluators NBFE is proud to be a professional partner with FMHCA. Because of our professional partnership, NBFE Offers discounts, benefits and free CEUs to our professional partners members.

If you hold a current professional membership in any of the following associations, you will be eligible to receive a 15% discount towards the NBFE credential and homestudy programs. FREE 2 contact hour programs offered to all CFMHE and all of our Professional Partners. Offerings are posted during the year and only available to NBFE's Professional Partners.

NBFE Certified Forensic Mental Health Evaluators (CFMHE) American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) Florida Mental Health Counselors Association (FMHCA) Licensed Professional Counselors Association of Georgia (LPCA-Georgia) Utah Mental Health Counselors Association (UMHCA) Washington Mental Health Counselors Association WMHCA) Van Wagner Insurance

Insurance Discounts for FMHCA Members Savings up to 25% with Van Wagner's Comprehensive Occurrence (Professional and General Liability) Insurance Program. http://go.sterlingrisk.com/VW/FMHCA TherapySites TherapySites specializes in creating mobile-responsive websites that are engaging, professional, cost-effective, and extremely simple to maintain, helping mental health professionals successfully market and manage their practice online. Everything is included, from credit card processing, to an online appointment calendar, search engine optimization, and many more features, all of which come standard. Start building your practice today by visiting our website and entering promo code "FMHCA" to receive a free website and one month of free hosting service! http://www.therapysites.com?a_aid=8157&a_bid=3dd8338e

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License Tile Position The Florida Mental Health Counselors Association, (FMHCA), a chapter of the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA), has become aware that a communication was made by the American Counselors Association/Florida Counselors Association (ACA/FCA) in 2016 to the Department of Health, Division of Medical Quality Assurance Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling. In this communication it was proposed that the title of our license should be changed from Licensed Mental Heath Counselor (LMHC) to Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). We strongly disagree with this, and object to this proposed change in the strongest terms possible. We have very significant concerns in regard to this.

First, it should be noted that ACA/FCA does not consider mental health counseling to be a profession in and of itself, but only as one component of some twenty “counseling” divisions, all of which they perceive to be under ACA governance. This conglomeration is the reason the AMHCA and FMHCA exist — to represent Mental Health Counselors, and only Mental Health Counselors. We, the Florida Mental Health Counselors Association (FMHCA), as opposed to FCA, represent exclusively Licensed Mental Heath Counselors, whereas the American Counselors Association/Florida Counselors Association represents many different types of counselors -- not just Licensed Mental Heath Counselors.

There are currently over 10,000 Licensed Mental Heath Counselors in the State of Florida alone.

The title, Licensed Mental Heath Counselors (LMHC) establishes our professional identity and distinguishes us from the other 19 Divisions within the ACA/FCA. This important distinction is reflected in our title “Licensed Mental Health Counselor.” Thus, we believe that our voice speaks more directly to the needs of LMHC’s, and through that to the clarity, which our title should provide to the public.

We believe that the title, “Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)” would be confusing to the public.

Since the are many types of “counselors," — school counselors, guidance counselors, camp counselors, etc., the word, ”counselor,” in and of itself can be nebulous and watered down in clarity of meaning. Thus, the public could have difficulty in understanding the actual role of those holding these titles. For example, people frequently think that school counselors do psychotherapy. (We say this without prejudice or meaning anything pejorative regarding these other professions.) We are simply stating that the title, “counselor,” in and of itself is so widely used that the public can get confused.

Finally, there has, within the last several years, been a credential, “Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor” (or CCMHC), created by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC), in conjunction with the National Clinical Mental Health Counselors Examination, (NCMHCE).

Since most states either already use the NCMHCE or are considering using it for licensure examinations, as Florida does, it is a logical next step to move forward and get that certification upon passing the NCMHCE. It only makes sense for our license title to be consistent with the credential and the title of the test. Therefore, if our title were to change, (and that is a big “if”) it would make much more sense to change it to “Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor,” as is becoming the national standard. This would also simplify things at the state governmental level, by facilitating one aspect of licensure portability — A title consistent with the exam, as well as another aspect -- Simpler vetting of Mental Health Counselors from other states. This is echoed in the fact that the credentialing process that NBCC is working toward for this credential is consistent with the upgrading of the education standards in most states, (and, inevitably, in all states) towards CACREP and 60-hour Clinical Mental Health Counselor graduate programs, etc. This includes the goal of coming up with a single universal title.

Conclusion In light of these points, we would strongly request that the title remain the same as it now is: “Licensed Mental Health Counselor,” (LMHC), and/or, if changed, that it be changed to “Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC). We believe that it is in the best interest of the public that we be clear as to exactly the group to which we belong, exactly who can diagnose and treat mental illness and provide psychotherapy, and exactly what our roles are under our license. We also believe it to be in the best interest of our profession that we be able to state clearly and concisely with our title that we are professionals of a certain stature, that the title have a specific set of criteria and standards as to what we do, what should be expected of a licensed practitioner under that title, and that that title not be ambiguously confused with other professions.

MICHAEL G. HOLLER, MA, NCC, CFMHE, CCCE, CCMHC, LMHC Past President and Ethics Committee Chair

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Florida Mental Health Counselors Association: Legislature Advocacy Day Inaugural Event: January 9th and 10th, 2017 Submitted by Louise Sutherland-Hoyt, LMHC, MAC President-Elect, FMHCA Chairman, Government Relations Committee The first annual Legislature Advocacy Days took place on January 9th and 10th. This is an event that was foundational in establishing a clear vision as to nurturing the now-established relationship between the Florida Mental Health Counselors Association and the Florida State Legislature. It is established that from this point forward, we have a better-defined mission and objectives and that from here, we are launching a new and exciting direction as the legislatures go-to resource in crafting any legislation involving mental health and the treatment of addictions.

This event was an idea that arose from FMHCA’s Leadership Retreat in Orlando last August where goals and objectives of the Government Relations Committee were promulgated. In the initial planning stages, it was determined that, this being our first foray into the Capitol, it would be best to plan the event for January 9th and 10th, 2017. The reasoning was that we would be there during one of the legislature’s Committee Weeks and that, even though it was so close in proximity to the 2017 FMHCA Conference, we would have a significant accomplishment to present during the Government Relations Committee Round Table Discussion on February 3, 2017.

The Legislature Advocacy Team Members were: 

Joe Skelly

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Steve Guinta

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Michael Holler

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Leo Mesa

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Erica Whitfield

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Kay Nowak

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Cindy Wall

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Louise Sutherland-Hoyt

Through a series of tele-meetings, an agenda with talking points was determined by the team. With the assistance of FMHCA lobbyist, Corinne Mixon, a list of key legislators and their roles as leaders within the legislature was assembled and each team member established contact and arranged meetings for the 2 days we were in town. In addition, meetings with sponsors of legislation of great interest to FMHCA were arranged at the last minute, a move that proved to solidify FMHCA’s role as a vital resource in the crafting of Mental Health legislation. We received a commitment from Representative Shevrin Jones to attend the FMHCA Conference and present at the GRC Round Table Discussion that will take place on February 3. We are awaiting a response from Representative Danny Burgess who is a leading advocate for Florida’s Veterans, as to whether he will attend our round table discussion.

Teamwork wins the day.

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Cindy Wall took charge of ground-coordination in arranging for our hotel at a discounted rate and dinner meeting for Monday evening for last minute talking points. In all respects, the Wyndham Hotel went well-beyond expectations as did the El Patron Restaurant where we conducted a fun-filled last minute orientation toward the our presence in the capitol the next day.

Kay Nowak took on the job of overseeing the design, content, and printing of our talking points flyer which was immeasurably helpful for this event and will be for future events sponsored by the GRC. A color-coded meeting schedule was developed so that attendees could team up so as to enhance the presence at one another’s appointments.

During our “debriefing” meeting on Friday, January 13, 2017, the consensus was that for the inaugural event, this was an unmitigated success, running much smoother than expected, well-coordinated, and foundational from which future endeavors will spring.

To build for future events the following were brought to the table: A dinner/reception with invited legislators during the event.

Soliciting sponsors to offset the costs.

Offer CEUs to attendees vis a vis preparation workshop attendance.

A leadership or committee meeting during the trip.

Setting up FMHCA informational Table in Rotunda Ongoing marketing of 3-4 legislative targets, i.e. policy, common sense gun regulations, psychological evaluations for law enforcement personnel including first responders.

Have policies in mind to address during meetings.

It was agreed that timing future advocacy days around key committee weeks would benefit the impact of our presence. We would coordinate our messages based upon committee agendas and carry these into our meetings with committee chairs and members.

To assist with this, it was strongly recommended that the GRC campaign to get all FMHCA members proficient in the use of Florida Pop Vox. Other, important input included that an individual be designated to get photos and comments posted to the Social Media as they occur. It was further added that perhaps having a Government Relations Committee sub-page attached to the FMHCA Facebook page. Louise will follow up with this.

For future events, we are looking at a “Barnstorming” event during which our US Senators and Congressmen would be visited during the times they were at home in their district offices.

It is envisioned that this kind of event could also be planned for all of our state and local legislators, all with the intent of linking FMHCA to Mental Health and Drug Abuse Legislation.

Finally, ongoing recruitment of individuals to commit to maintaining contact with state and national legislators is considered to be of utmost importance as we enlarge on our role within the government.

Respectfully Submitted, Louise Sutherland-Hoyt, LMHC, CCMHC, NCC, MAC President Elect/Chairman Government Relations Committee

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Representative Mel Ponder Florida House Of Representatives District 4 Representative Ponder, In the midst of the gargantuan effort to create and man your legislative office, you took the time to meet with me as a constituent, as President of the Emerald Coast Mental Health Counselors Association (ECMHCA), and as NWF Regional Director of Florida Mental Helath Counselors Association (FMHCA).

That effort on your part speaks well of your accessibility and eagerness to represent your constituency effectively. We are deeply grateful for that meeting.

As we discussed, your interest in advancing Fort Walton’s old hospital as a central receiving unit to interface between the legal and mental health communities would be a great collaboration between you and Rep. Peters of St. Petersburg and we want to be a resource to you in that endeavor - and others. I have already spoken to our Legislative Consultant and asked her to reach out to you. We would also like to serve as a resource on any issues that touch the mental health community.

Thank you again, and yes, it is a bond that you and Jeremy also mark the location of my office by its proximity to Krystal.

Gratefully, Joe P. Skelly, M.S., L.M.H.C. President Emerald Coast Mental Health Counselors Association (ECMHCA) NWF Regional Director Florida Mental Health Counselors Association (FMHCA)

Welcome Jackson’s ALL WELLness Services, LLC philosophy is to promote various aspects of health based on the strengths of each individual by thoughtfully acknowledging each person’s unique talents and abilities. With that in mind, J.A.W.S. includes research presentations based on my own study about the positive experiences of adult children of alcoholics after long-term recovery in a twelve-step program.

Our services also include mental health counseling for addiction challenges (i.e., food, gambling, technology), dual disorders, substance abuse, alcohol abuse, early recovery, long-term recovery (i.e., major life event after long-term recovery, complacency, how to continue thriving), the impact of family members’ addiction problems, the impact of parental addiction and/or parental alcoholism, and codependency. We offer individual therapy (for adult men and women), group therapy (for adult men and women), and family therapy. Individual therapy and family therapy services are offered in English and Portuguese.

Our health coaching services include individualized wellness sessions and wellness classes for women. Our health coaching programs are tailored for adult women, mothers, mothers to be, grandmothers, professional women, college students, graduate students, doctoral students before and during the dissertation phase, and more.

We also offer professional development services. As a qualified supervisor, I supervise Florida Mental Health Counselor Interns by utilizing a strength-based model. Because mental health counseling has been one of my greatest passions for several years, it is a great honor to assist new clinicians in becoming future licensed mental health counselors in the state of Florida.

We will be holding a meet and greet event on Saturday 02/11/17 at our location from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm for a detailed review of all our services. From 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm, I will be present-

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A SUCCESSFUL ADVOCACY DAY WITH THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE LEAVES LASTING IMPRESSION ON LAWMAKERS Nearly 30 Florida lawmakers received in-depth, in-person information about the Licensed Mental Health Counselor profession in the month of January. These advocacy efforts were launched over a two-day event in Florida’s capital city at the Florida Mental Health Counselors Association’s inaugural Legislative Advocacy Day event. The event required complex planning by the FMHCA government affairs committee and staff, but these efforts were far from squandered. The amount of legislators with whom FMHCA’s members met on the 10th of January may have eclipsed the number of legislators with whom FMHCA’s members have met over the past year. The inaugural Legislative Advocacy Day was a tremendous success. In the days since these meetings took place, our lobbying office has received communication from several legislators touting the professionalism and knowledge of the LMHCs and students that attended our advocacy day. This lasting impression will help FMHCA pass or block bills and amendments in the future. Additionally, the FMHCA members who attended the event will be significantly more likely to set meetings with their Senators and Representatives back in their district offices based on their positive experiences in Tallahassee. As we look to the future, we hope to grow the event significantly by securing sponsorships, pinpointing the date of the advocacy day far in advance and heavily advertising the event. The Florida Mental Health Counselors Association hopes you’ll consider getting involved in the Government Affairs Committee and attending a future legislative advocacy day event. By Corinne Mixon, Lobbyist, Mixon & Associates

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Is hiring professionals to join their team!

JOB DESCRIPTION JOB TITLE: COMPENSATION: FLSA Status: REQUIREMENTS:

____________ HelpLine Specialist $17/Hr. Non-Exempt Bilingual (English/Spanish) Ability to lift up to 50 pounds

Full-time HelpLine Specialist wanted for the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling located on Historic 1 st Street in Sanford. Beautiful location, great benefits (medical, dental, paid vacation days and holidays). The successful candidate will have experience in handling crisis/non-crisis calls from those seeking help, experience in Microsoft Office programs, excellent organizational skills, and an ability to work under pressure/meet deadlines and work independently. Strong work ethic and the ability to multi-task is also a must. Must be able to work 8am-5pm Monday-Friday with flexibility in schedule if required for special projects and events.

Qualifications: Prior experience handling crisis contacts (not mandatory but a plus) Compassionate attitude towards people suffering from addictions Detail-oriented and strong organizational skills Meet ever-changing and multiple deadlines while managing day-to-day workflow Professional appearance, attitude and conduct Strong verbal and written communication skills Computer skills in word processing, email, internet searching, and spreadsheets using programs such as Microsoft Office - Outlook, Word, Excel Knowledge of general office machines, systems, including data entry, e-mail, filing, copying, scanning.

Bi-Lingual (English and Spanish) Primary Responsibilities include: Handle crisis help and information contacts through the 888-ADMIT-IT Helpline Handle live chat and texts from people seeking assistance with a gambling problem Provide general office support to all staff Professionally answer office telephone line and route callers to appropriate staff Collect and distribute incoming and outgoing mail as well as UPS/Fed Ex shipments Prepare and mail informational packets and awareness materials for helpline callers and others Prepare detailed logs and monthly reporting Excel spreadsheets of activities performed Assist with fulfillment of material orders and keeping inventory accurate Stock all common areas on a daily basis Assure office equipment is in good running order and stocked on a daily basis Assure that phones are properly turned to and from day/night mode by 8am and 5pm each day Benefits: Competitive Compensation Vacation/Holidays/Sick Days Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance 401K Plan *Fax resume to (407) 865-6103 or email to gtalbot@gamblinghelp.org

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JOB DESCRIPTION JOB TITLE: LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS: TRAVEL REQUIRED: SALARY: FLSA Status:

Clinical Administrator Florida Mental Health License / License Eligible Yes $55,000 - $60,000 Exempt ________

Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling is seeking a Clinical Administrator to manage the daily operations of the problem gambling treatment program in the State of Florida which provides problem gambling outpatient, IOP, and residential treatment services. This administrative position is part of a team who oversee and reimburse for problem gambling treatment services in the State.

A solid leadership ability, proven clinical skills as well as team building and motivational skills are necessary. The Clinical Administrator will be part of a multi-disciplinary team preparing regular reports on program development, client progress and client satisfaction.

QUALIFICATIONS: Must be organized, a quick learner and able to multi-task in a fluid work environment Attention to detail in writing, conversation, and work-related activities Must be personable and able to convey information both verbally and in writing through interactions with healthcare providers, clients, and the general public Strong writing skills sufficient to effectively deliver information concisely to audiences ranging from the general public, to state officials, health care providers, and patient populations Able to follow directives, manage assignments, follow-up, and complete tasks as given by agency directors Ability to present information and training to healthcare providers (e.g. social workers, therapists, etc‌) as well as other diverse audiences Strong working ability with Microsoft Office specifically Word, Excel, & PowerPoint as well as Windows.

Ability to think outside the box, problem solve, and take initiative on projects and assignments Effective in estimation and planning of timelines in order to meet task deadlines Understanding of DSM-5 assessment, general mental health concepts, treatment processes (e.g. admission, assessment, progress notes, general client care, treatment planning & termination) Research experience an asset.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES: Assistant to Clinical Director in helping to support and administer a statewide gambling disorder treatment services program Maintain daily operational duties associated with program administration Maintain data entry and data management for treatment services Maintain paperwork and documentation related to provider compliance for the gambling disorder treatment services program Assist in development and provision of treatment provider training and certification programs Assist in the oversight of a data management system to facilitate client care, billing services, and treatment services offered by providers throughout the state Assist in required monthly status reporting Respond to HelpLine calls by those negatively impacted by problem gambling throughout the state and assign resources to attenuate problem gambling among callers.

BENEFITS: Competitive Salary ($55,000 - $60,000) Vacation/Holidays/Sick Days Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance 401K Plan *Fax resume to (407) 865-6103 or email to gtalbot@gamblinghelp.org

Is hiring professionals to join their team!

JOB DESCRIPTION JOB TITLE: EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS: SALARY: FLSA Status:

Executive Assistant Bachelor’s Degree $50,000 - $55,000 Exempt

We are searching for an Executive Assistant who will be responsible for a diverse range of Administrative support duties. Ideal candidate will be a team player with a “can-do” attitude, be very organized and detail oriented, and be able to multi-task efficiently and accurately while working under pressure and strict deadlines. Must be able to work independently and effectively problem solve with minimal direction or guidance as well as delegate responsibilities where appropriate. Active listening skills as well as excellent written and oral communication skills are necessary.

This role works with department heads to ensure contract compliance and completion of annual deliverables and provides status reports to upper management on an ongoing basis.

Qualifications: Detail-oriented and pro-active with strong notetaking, proofreading and editing skills Meet ever-changing and multiple deadlines while managing day-to-day workflow Capable of researching and writing reports/recommendations Professional appearance, attitude and conduct Excellent computer skills in word processing, spreadsheets, and databases, using programs such as Microsoft Office - Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, etc.

Type 60 wpm with minimal errors Social media savvy (FB, Twitter, Pinterest, etc.)

Knowledge of general office machines, systems, including data entry, e-mail, filing, copying, scanning, mail processing and routing, and organizing, producing, and monitoring updates of reports Primary Responsibilities include: Serves as primary liaison between Agency staff and Directors Primary responsibility for Grant contract deliverables management, tracking and reporting Handling of all human resource related requests Assist in the preparation and organization of events/meetings/trainings/webinars Responsible for maintaining office calendar and scheduling all travel Responsible for oversight of all office management including building maintenance, office supplies, equipment, etc.

Benefits: Competitive Salary ($50,000 - $55,000) Vacation/Holidays/Sick Days Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance 401K Plan *Fax resume to (407) 865-6103 or email to gtalbot@gamblinghelp.org

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JOB DESCRIPTION JOB TITLE: EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS: TRAVEL REQUIRED: SALARY: FLSA Status:

Director of Training and Prevention Bachelor’s Degree Yes – up to 50% $45,000 - $50,000 Exempt

We are currently seeking a Director of Training and Outreach to design and implement community based problem gambling prevention programming, provide diverse educational forums for the general public, provide training to diverse groups of professionals and on a variety of topics, network and develop partnerships, and join our committed team.

Candidate must be able to develop and implement community based prevention programming, to create presentations, written and other materials, and have demonstrated experience in communicating prevention messages to diverse audiences and organizations.

Applicant must be a self-starter who is highly motivated and has a proven track record of building partnerships and effective program development and/or implementation. Must be willing to travel on a regular and ongoing basis, sometimes with short notice.

QUALIFICATIONS: Must be highly skilled in the provision of training to diverse audiences Ability to develop stimulating training and prevention programs Ability to conduct research and stay apprised of developments in problem gambling field to ensure currency and relevancy in presentations and programs developed Strong writing skills for preparation of quarterly newsletters, monthly outreach email blasts, and monthly/annual contract reporting Strong computer skills (Microsoft Office) Must be organized, a quick learner and able to multi-task in a fluid work environment Knowledge of Addiction a plus RESPONSIBILITIES: Process requests for presentations and solicit opportunities to present Prepare presentations Maintain training/presentation schedules Primary oversight for all professional trainings (both live and online) Organize and solicit new course certifications Staff exhibits at conferences and other community education events Identify stakeholders and constituencies for the successful development and implementation of community partnerships in target areas of the state.

Respond to HelpLine calls, as well as answer phone lines when necessary; Conduct other projects as requested BENEFITS: Competitive Salary ($45,000 - $50,000) Vacation/Holidays/Sick Days Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance 401K Plan *Fax resume to (407) 865-6103 or email to gtalbot@gamblinghelp.org

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Internship: Time for Important Decisions: Every year, many students apply for an important component of the mental health counseling program: the internship, an integral component of clinical training. It provides a rich supervised experience in which students can integrate their theoretical and academic experience with practical experience in clinical setting. In fact, the internship is a valuable opportunity for students to gain experience in various counseling techniques, to develop a professional identity, and to become more familiar with professional collaboration and consultation models.

Beginning counselors have to plan strategically in order to find the best internship opportunities that will make impact on their budding career. In general, counseling program departments connect mental health counseling students with internship programs various institutions, but students can also find internships on their own through specialized sites. Unmatched students can experience delays in career opportunities and development often with significant financial and emotional consequences. For this reason, it is recommended to make some important decisions and elaborate on key strategies as the internship time approaches. These keys to success are: Self-knowledge: Self-knowledge is important for all professionals, but it is especially essential for counselors. Therefore, counseling students have to know about their own skills, strengths, and weaknesses. Knowing limitations and strengths is essential for the student’s performance and improvement.

Readiness: Readiness means to be prepared and competitive for the internship selection process and professional action. Counseling students have to have a professional image including a well-structured resume with a list of their relevant and real-world experience and academic progress. This resume should emphasize the student’s theoretical background for the population they are interested in working with. In addition, it is essential to have a professional Linked In profile and professional presence on social media.

Proactivity: counseling students should be proactive in goal-setting researching opportunities, looking for selection criteria and asking for professional support. The more students know about the internship process and the agency they are looking for, the better their performance will be in the selection process and in future work. It is essential to ask advisors and program coordinators, such as discussing potential places for internship. Also, students should access the institutions they are affiliated with for additional information.

For example, the FMHCA staff is prepared to answer different questions about legal and practical issues in mental health counseling, thus helping new counselors find their career path.

Selectivity: Selectiveness when applying for internships is essential. Then counseling students should select internship choices based on what settings and populations they need advanced training into their particular areas of interest. For example, students have to consider what population they want work with, if they prefer to have experience with outpatient or inpatient population, or if they prefer a hospital setting or a community agency. Also, students should identify factors that could limit their successful integration, such as religious factors, language barriers, and so on.

Engagement: Finally, it is essential to join a professional association. Such membership reflects interest and connection to the field.

There are many different benefits joining to an association, such as an easier and less expensive access to required insurance coverage internships.

Finally, as counseling students prepare to undergo this process, they should understand what interviewers are looking for when selecting interns. In general, interviewers expect potential interns to: (1) be ready to study hard and have a genuine desire to learn more about themselves, the client/counselor relationship and the therapeutic process; (2) have basic therapeutic skills, a strong academic background, and a sense of responsibility and engagement; (3) be committed to the client; (4) be engaged to expand professional experience and growth; (5) be capable of handling challenging clinical setting situations, anxieties, frustrations and lessons that are essential to the practical learning process; (6) maintain a professional resume, behavior and image.

Therefore, it is best for counseling students to be ready for the arduous but rewarding process of applying for internships. Planning ahead making some important decisions early in the process are key factors to success. Taking advantages of opportunities can make this temporary experience a significant resource or a future career path. Internships are not only an essential experience for counseling students, they be a remarkable well with only a little planning and foresight.

Paula Carina Lazarim Marques Mental Health Counseling Graduate Student

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Member Mental Health Professionals Apps: DSM-5 Criteria This is the mobile app for clinicians to utilize in diagnosing their clients. It is an easy to use system which lists the criteria for all of the DSM-5 diagnostic catagories with the criteria listed for each diagnosis (this is not a free app).Read more about this app at: http://www.appi.org/Pages/DSM5Mobile.aspx ICD-9-CM Codes ICD 9 Consult puts the complete, current ICD9-CM on your iPhone or iPod Touch, instantly smart-searchable and browsable. Read more about it at: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/icd9-consult-2014-free/id358845668?mt=8

ICD-10-CM Codes ICD 10 Helps you to Quickly look up diagnosis codes using the new ICD-10 coding system. All codes are downloaded to your device - no downloading is necessary as you are looking up your code. Read more about it at: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/stat-icd-10-coder/id467916561?mt=8 Provider Resilience Provider Resilience gives health care providers tools to guard against burnout and compassion fatigue as they help their clients be they civilians or service members, veterans, and their families. Providers can take a self assessment to determine if they are at risk and steps they can take to ward off such burnout and fatigue. Read more about it at: https://www.t2health.org/apps/provider-resilience

Taking Picky Eating to the Extreme: .Jeaninne Mackson always knew there were certain foods her son, Brendan, wouldn’t eat. If it didn’t have a “crunch” to it — say, cookies, crackers or extra crispy fries — he couldn’t even put it near his lips. But Ms. Mackson, of Shrewsbury, Mass., figured her son would eventually grow out of his fussiness. He didn’t.

When he was 7, doctors gave him a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and suggested his parents expose him to different foods and learn to be more patient.

By the time he turned 9, he was restricting his intake to such a degree that his parents feared for his physical and emotional health“It was starting to affect his self-esteem,” said Ms. Mackson. “He couldn’t eat what the other kids were eating. He said, ‘I feel stupid. I don’t know why I can’t do it. I just can’t.’ He almost envied other kids who could just sit down and eat strawberries or a salad.”

Click Here to Read the Rest of the Article From New York Times

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FMHCA Annual Conference February 1st-3rd, 2018 in Lake Mary, Orlando

Benefits of Presenting: 

Presenters will receive a $50 discount on conference registration.



Promotion of your name and credentials on our website and in all electronic and print marketing materials, where appropriate.



Recognition of your expertise by FMHCA and by other industry professionals



Networking opportunities.

PRESENTER PROPOSALS DUE BY JULY 25, 2017!

FMHCA’s goal is to provide education, legislative oversight, and networking opportunities, our Annual Conference provides an opportunity for advanced professional training.

Take advantage of this opportunity and present at the FMHCA 2018 Annual Conference!

Presenter Eligibility:

Possible Dynamic Approaches May Cover:



To be considered, presenters must have professional qualifications in good standing with their Integrative System Care professional regulatory board, if applicable, posExpressive and Creative Therapies sess the technical expertise necessary to present on Multicultural Counseling a subject effectively, and meet one or more of the Innovative Treatments and Skill Building Prac- following: tice  Have received specialized graduate or postgraduate level training in subject of presentaEMDR and Trauma Work tion; and/or Addiction Models  Have extensive experience including at least Military and Veteran Mental Health five years of practical application or research Ethics involving subject of presentation



Mediation

Submit a Proposal to be a Presenter:



Evidence Based Interventions

Submit on-line at www.FLMHCA.org

      

Best Practice for Individuals with Autism Spec- Please Submit Questions at office@FLmhca.org or trum Disorder Call 561-228-6129  And Many More! 

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Become a FMHCA Member : FMHCA invites all mental health professionals to become a part of our organization so your voice can be heard and you can enjoy a strong network of professionals in our state.

Join by Clicking Here! by downloading a membership form and mailing it with your payment, or you may make a payment directly through our website. Keep in mind we have a few membership options: $65.00 Clinical - All LMHC's or CCMHC's $55.00 Regular - All registered interns or non-licensed professionals $25.00 Retired Clinicians - License Retired $Free Student (Free for the first year and there after $20.00) - Full time graduate, postgraduate, or undergraduate student Membership Renewal If your FMHCA membership has expired, we encourage you to and hope you will you to renew today by visiting our FLMHCA.ORG

Thank You to our Amazing Sponsors!

Advertise On Our Website & In Our Newsletter!

Increase your professional exposure by becoming a FMHCA sponsor!

FMHCA's website gets hundreds of hits a day from members, nonmembers, and prospective members. Becoming a sponsor with FMHCA lets other professionals know that you're out there - it's a terrific way to network and grow as a professional.

There are two ways to becoming a sponsor - you can purchase a flashing banner across the top of our pages or one of the sponsor blocks at the bottom of our website pages.

Best of all, you get a full year of sponsorship for one low price!

Artwork must be submitted in one of the following formats: png, jpg, tif, tiff, or psd.

After you have completed payment, submit your artwork to us at

office@flmhca.org

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We're Looking for Talented Writers: FMHCA is seeking Graduate Students and Registered Interns to contribute monthly articles for our newsletter. This is a wonderful opportunity to share your point of view and your journey to licensure with others while getting professional exposure. We're looking specifically for articles that will you're your peers navigate the journey to graduation and licensure study tips, resources, how-tos... there are so many relevant topics worthy of investigation and discussion. These articles will also help you train yourself on best practices - it's a win-win!

Please email office@flmhca.org if you're interested in this opportunity.

Be Active in FMHCA - Join A Committee: Interested in becoming more active with FMHCA but not sure how to get started? Consider joining a committee!

Participating in a FMHCA committee allows you to interact with professionals who share your passions while providing a valuable service to FMHCA. Let's face it - change doesn't happen by itself. We need YOU to help us make a difference! There are several opportunities for you to get involved - consider any of the following committees: 

Ethics Committee



Membership Committee



Graduate Students & Registered Interns Committee



Chapter Relations Committee

FMHCA Award Winners!

Leadership Award: E. Kay Novak



Finance Committee



Nominations & Elections Committee



Governmental Relations Committee



Conference Planning Committee



Education, Training, Standards, & Continuing Education Training Committee



Military Service Committee

 Research Committee Feeling especially interested in any of those topics? Consider being a committee chair - you'll be surprised how rewarding it can be to help make things happen!

Email office@flmhca.org to express your interest. Thank

Chapter of the Year: Northeast Florida Mental Health Counselors Association

Outstanding Chapter Website: Mental Health CounseVolunteers of the Year: Paula Carina Lazarim Marques lors of Central Florida (Orlando Chapter) Counselor Educator of the Year :Dr. James Messina Frank Hannah Scholarship: Christopher Baird (South Graduate Student of the Year: Diana Huambachano

Advocate of the Year: George Miller Mental Health Counselor of the Year: Amanda Patterson Outstanding Community Service: Mental Health Counselors of Central Florida (Orlando Chapter) Professional Service and Leadership to a Local Chapter: Cindy Wall

University Student)

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Member Perk Session 1: Developing Your Inner Project Manager: Fostering an Environment of Productivity Date: Friday, 1/6/17, 2:00-4:00 pm Session 2: Transitioning to ICD-10-CM: What It Means for the Diagnosis of Mental Disorders Date: Friday, 1/27/17, 2:00-4:00 pm Session 3: Neuropsychological Evaluations: An Under-Used Tool in Mental Health Counseling Practice Date:Friday, 2/24/17, 2:00-4:00 pm Session 4: Facilitating Emergence: A Model for Launching Young Adults with Cognitive and Emotional Challenges Date:Friday, 3/24/17, 2:00-4:00 pm Session 5: Ethics and Social Media in the Digital Age Date:Friday, 4/28/17, 2:00-4:00 pm Session 6: Use of Motivational Interviewing to Broaden Your Skills with Your Clients Date: Friday, 5/26/17, 2:00-4:00 pm Session 7: Maternal Mental Health: What Therapists Need to Know Date:Friday, 6/23/17, 2:00-4:00 pm Session 8: Working with Kinky Clients Date:Friday, 7/28/17, 2:00-4:00 pm Session 9: Multicultural Counseling: A Mosaic, Not a Melting Pot Date:Friday, 8/25/17, 2:00-4:00 pm Session 10: Navigating Professional Practice Boundaries: From Telehealth to Portability Date:Friday, 9/22/17, 2:00-4:00 pm Session 11: Integrative Psychotherapies- New Paradigms in Psychotherapy Date: Friday, 10/27/17, 2:00-4:00 pm Session 12: How to Have the Difficult Conversation You’ve Been Avoiding with Family, Coworkers, Parents, Partners or Children Date:Friday, 11/10/17, 2:00-4:00 pm Session 13: Addressing Tobacco Use in Behavioral Health Date: Friday, 12/8/17, 2:00-4:00 pm

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Call for Student Poster Session Date: FEB. 2, 2018 ORLANDO, Lake Mary, FL SUBMISSIONS MUST BE MADE BY OCT 15 and YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED OF OUR DECISION BY NOV Visit FMHCA.org TO Fill-Out Student-Poster Session Application & Find Out Details Such As Requirements and Rubric

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Neuropsychological Evaluations: An Under - Used Tool in Mental Health Counseling Practice : 24 Feb 2017 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM The clinical neuropsychological evaluation is an invaluable but infrequently used tool available to the Mental Health Counselor. Using examples of PTSD, ADHD and Alcohol/Substance Disorders encountered in everyday practice, this webinar reviews applications of the field of child and adult clinical neuropsychology to Mental Health Counseling.

CE Broker Tracking # 20-555799 Learning Objectives: This seminar provides a practical understanding of the role of neuropsychological evaluations as a key practice tool for the Mental Health Counselor. Clinical Neuropsychology is the behavioral neuroscience that assesses brain-behavior relationships but historically is used primarily by medical professionals. This presentation reviews topics of under-recognized symptoms of concussion and asphyxia ("choking" incidents) in counseling the psychologically traumatized Domestic Violence client; how misdiagnosed frontal lobe deficits and alcohol/substance induced disorders mimic Bipolar and Mood Disorders; and, explains brain areas that cause developmental ADHD and Attention Disorders acquired from toxicity and direct cerebral trauma. In each case, the seminar provides useful information that the therapist can easily explain in a format of patient education.

(1) Define and explain the field of Child and Adult Clinical Neuropsychology as the practical application of brainbehavior relationships.

(2) Understand how concussion (direct cerebral trauma) is inadequately identified as causing or contributing to PTSD symptoms in clients with Domestic Violence histories.

(3) Learn to view Alcohol and Substance Disorders from a neuropsychological perspective - symptoms that mimic Bipolar and Mood Disorders.

(4) Examine Child and Adult ADHD from a neuropsychological perspective - developmental ADHD vs. attention disorders acquired from fetal neurotoxicity and head injury.

(5) Translate information gained from neuropsychological evaluations to provide crucial patient education.

About the Presenter: Dr. Jim Lewis is an expert in Adult and Child Clinical Neuropsychology. In his 35-plus years of practice, Jim has conducted over 7,000 evaluations of children, adolescents and adults with diverse psychological and neuropsychiatric conditions. Named the “Mid-Atlantic Child Welfare Advocate of the Year” for his work in Domestic Violence trauma, Jim now practices in St. Petersburg and focuses on evaluations that provide clear and meaningful recommendations for Mental Health Counselors.

Dr. Lewis has conducted over 200 seminars in such topics as the Neuropsychology of Domestic Violence, Alcohol and Substance Abuse Neurotoxicity and differentiating subtle “organic” from presumed psychologically caused symptoms that can otherwise perplex child, adult and family therapists.

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