Jan 2018 fmhca newsletter

Volume 18, Issue 1

January

President’s Message If you don’t take your seat at the table, you will find yourself on the menu. While the source of this quote is obscure, rest assured, our Lobbyist, Corinne Mixon, has often admonished the FMHCA Board and the Government Relations Committee that in order for our voices to be heard and our message to resonate, we must be at the table collaborating with the planners, developers, the shapers, and the policy makers. We collaborate with our patients to grow and build while preserving their integrity, we must model our own actions on the same. This year we face many challenges, both in FMHCA’s infra-structure and with the work needed to persuade legislators at the state and the federal level that specific tasks must be undertaken to protect and expand the viability of our profession.

Regions: We are building the strength of our Regional model and are toiling in our resolve to support each director in developing greater involvement among FMHCA members in each region. Our directors need your support in creating activities that will bring Mental Health Counselors together, network, share, and instruct. Grass Roots Advocacy must start from communities within regions and trust and believe, we have before us much for we must advocate loudly and clearly. Just think of all the resources and support each regional leader has at their disposal to solidify intra-relationships and make a difference. Work the structure, take us up on our offer to help.

Medicare: Only one Floridian has signed on as a cosponsor of HR3032 and neither Senators Nelson or Rubio have signed on to the Senate version. Imagine that. The good news is that the 2018 FMHCA conference the GRC will have a table set up so that each attendee can send a message to our Senators and Representatives right there. If you are attending the conference, consider it a personal responsibility to take advantage of this service brought to you by the Government Relations Committee.

This year, due to complications in arranging meetings to see specific legislators we were not able to solidify plans to barnstorm the legislature. The good news is that other opportunities to head north to appear on behalf of bills supported

by FMHCA. First and foremost, we support the Governor’s proposed, budget: 53 million to fight the Opioid crisis.

1 BILLION toward Opioid and other Mental Health Services, including 14.7 million for community-based Behavioral Health Services.

Make a commitment to contact your representative and advocate for approving these items in the Governor’s budget.

I want to give a shout out to Darlene, Diane, and Laura in the FMHCA office who have been hard at work putting together the 2018 Conference which promises to outshine the competition and to provide education seminars that are second to none. And to our board members who are diligent in leading FMHCA toward being the premier State Chapter in AMHCA. If you have not signed up for the 2018 conference, do that. I’ll see you there!

Louise Sutherland-Hoyt, LMHC, CCMHC, NCC, MAC

Board of Directors 2017 - 2018 President Louise Sutherland-Hoyt LMHC, NCC, CCMHC, MAC lsutherland@flmhca.org President-Elect Elect Erica Whitfield MACP, LMHC ebuabua@gmail.com Treasurer Benjamin B Keyes Ph.D., EdD, LMHC, NCC

January

Volume 18, Issue

1

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. One of the best ways to take advantage of our offerings, as a member or a non-member, is to attend our Annual Conference.

This upcoming February FMHCA will sent out a call for nominations for our 2018-2017 Board of Directors. Serving in the FMHCA Board is one of the most important contributions you can make to your organization, your profession, and the public. We continue to grow and are looking for dedicated members to carry the torch.

Do not forget you still have time to register for the 2018 Annual Conference!!

bkeyes@flmhca.org

We're also excited to announce so amazing preconference breakout sessions including::

Past President

1. Qualified Supervisor Training (QST) - February 1st, 2018 8:00am -5:00pm & February 2nd, 2018 8:00 am-12:00 pm Dr. Stephen Giunta & Dr. Vehec 12 Clock Hours Cost $205.00 Early Rate | $240.00 Regular Rate Boost your income and become a role model for new counselors by becoming a Qualified Supervisor!

Leonel Mesa, PsyD, LMHC lmesa@flmhca.o.rg Secretary Kathie Erwin, Ed.D, LMHC, NCC, NCGC kerwin@flmhca.org Parliamentarian Frank Hannah, MS, LMHC fhannah@flmhca.org Regional Director Northwest Region Joe Skelly, MS, LMHC jskelly@flmhca.org FMHCA Regional Director Northeast Region Cindy Wall LMHC, NCC cwall@flmhca.org Regional Director Southeast Region Tania Diaz, PsyD, LMHC

2. Child and Adolescent Trauma and Treating Traumatized Families Training- February 1st & 2nd, 2018 8:00am-5:00pm Dr. Benjamin B. Keyes 16 Clock Hours Cost: $200.00 This twoday workshop explores childhood issues and antecedent to risk and resiliency to trauma situations and explores reactions and symptoms of the major DSM 5 diagnostic disorders related to trauma in children, adolescents, and the family structure. Emphasis is placed and effective evidence based interventions and specific skills such as 'modified sand tray, use of methaohor, and story narrative are explored.

3. Forensic Mental Health Evaluators Training-February 1st, 2018 8:00am -5:00pm National Board of Forensic Evaluators Register for this event with our facilitate partner at https://nbfe.net/event-2590920. NBFE will be presenting a one-day certification training towards the prestigious Certified Forensic Mental Health Evaluator (CFMHE) credential.

4. Required State of Florida CEUs for Re-Licensure - February 1st, 2018 8:00am-5:00pm Bob Decker Cost $75.00 Early Rate | $110.00 Regular Rate 5. Update for Licensed Provider Ethics 3 Clock Hours | Medical Errors 2 Clock Hours |Michael Holler Laws & Rules 3 Clock Hours 6. We Are Memory Workers: Introducing Neurocise® & NeuroPointing™ February 1st, 2018 9:00am-5:00pm Elvis Lester 6 Clock Hours Cost $75.00 Early Rate | $99.00 Regular Rate

Executive Director

7. 8 Hours Laws and Rules- February 1st, 2018 8:00am-5:00pm Michael Holler 8 Clock Hours Cost $75.00 Early Rate | $110.00 Regular Rate

Darlene Silvernail, PhD, LMHC, CAP, DCMHS

8. Qualified Supervisor Update – February 3rd, 2018 8:00am -12:00pm Dr. Stephen Giunta &

dsilvernail@flmhca.org

Carmen Genovese 4 Clock Hours Cost $55.00 Early Rate | $90.00 Regular Rate

I want to extend a grateful thank you to this year's Conference Planning Committee - this conference would not have been possible without their hard work and dedication. And, of course, I want to thank you for supporting FMHCA and making this event possible. It is only through the support of our members that FMHCA can reach it goals to support and advocate for mental health counselors in Florida. Enjoy! Together we can help FMHCA reach new heights this year - I look forward to the challenge! Thank you so much for your support.

Sincerely, Darlene Silvernail PhD, LMHC, CAP Executive Director

Page 3

January

Volume 18, Issue

1

Page 4

January

Volume 18, Issue

1

CLICK HERE CLICK HERE

to register for a Pre-workshop!

to register for the 2018 annual conference!

Page 6

January

Volume 18, Issue

1

Volume 18, Issue

FMHCA’s Platform on Education and Licensure.

1

January

Volume 18, Issue

1

Page 9

This is already happening. Our lobbyist, Corrinne Mixon has a favorite and famous saint: “Either we are AT the table, or we are ON the table!”

First, there is currently a movement afoot, nationally, to move toward licensure portability. This year, the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC) and the American Association of State Counseling Boards (AASCB) have joined forces, and presented this as an idea whose time has come. Interestingly, FMHCA has been discussing instituting a movement to set this process in motion as long ago as 2016. AMHCA finally joined in with NBCC and AASCB to endorse and promote this idea. I believe that it should be noted that FMHCA has been one of the most prominent State Chapters/Organizations in the US regarding moving the field forward.

If licensure portability is to occur, several things would need to change in states and nationally. First, all states would need to unify regarding establishing one set of standards as a uniform requirement for licensure. Secondly, we would need to have a uniform title in all states. Currently there are over 20 titles in the US for what we do. Our title would need to inform the public clearly and thoroughly, but parsimoniously of what we do, and what sets us apart.

Thirdly, we have been called the profession the feeds on itself. We need to fix that. And all 50 states would need to agree on a standard set of educational standards for the training that we must have to sit for licensure. And, lastly, all 50 states would need to agree on one test the we would have to pass in order to become licensed. For example, Florida and Georgia are currently the two most prominent state organizations in the US. In Georgia, we are call Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC). In Florida, we are called Licensed Mental Health Counselors.

Last year in 2016 or 2017, the American Counseling Association (ACA) — without consulting FMHCA — sent a letter to the 491 Board starting that we should change our title to Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC). I spoke with several other part presidents, including our Wonderful Executive Director, the prominent and active Board members (new and old) about this and we all agreed the we do not approve of this. Consequently, while I was still President, Corinne Mixon and I went to a 491 board meeting and argued that w did not want this to happen, and the we felt it misrepresented our professional to the public. Our logic was that NBCC has developed an exam the Clinical Mental Health Counselors Examination (CMHCE), which has an accompanying credential through NBCC — Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC), which is being used by many states as their licensing exam. The consensus was that, If our title were to be changed, the word “Clinical” should be in it. (There is much further thinking on this, but that is for another day.).

As Past President I further proposed that, in Florida, FMHCA, as an organization should approach the 491 Board and offer to take over vetting of candidates to LMHC licensure. Since I became president, one of our major goals was to grow the organization. There are currently over 10,000 LMHC’s in Florida. One of my goals wen I became President was to double the membership. Since then FMHCA has more than tripled the membership. But we still have a long way to go.

In summation: Unity is the key factor in all of the vectors coming together to define the future of our profession.

And in order to achieve unity, we have to have a hub of the wheel. I would encourage and challenge each of you redid this to share these ideas with your colleagues an to urge them to join FMHCA, so we have the strongest voice possible as we move forward.

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

New Year’s Resolutions

10

With the holiday season, many people are considering the changes they would initiate in 2018. It is an excellent opportunity to create a fresh start and New Year’s resolutions frequently pertain to health and wellness. Why not help your clients’ begin their journey to tobacco freedom in 2018? Smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States, and quitting now can decrease unnecessary disease and create a path to abundant health and wellness. Being tobacco free can also reduce depression, anxiety and stress.

Individuals with behavioral health conditions often experience significant health disparities which are severely impacted by tobacco use. Each year there are 500,000 deaths directly attributable to tobacco use and half of those occur in individuals with behavioral health conditions. In addition to devastating physical effects, quality of life is also impacted.

Although many clinicians are concerned that smoking cessation may exacerbate psychological symptoms, there is evidence in the research literature that abstinence from tobacco use improves mental health and reduces the onset of new behavioral health conditions. Smoking cessation may be the modifiable risk factor intervention likely to have the greatest impact on decreasing mortality in this vulnerable population while also improving the overall quality of life.

Smokers with behavioral health conditions are interested and motivated to quit tobacco and when provided with evidence-based interventions, they are able to achieve cessation safely, without a relapse of their behavioral health disorder. Treatment for tobacco dependency is most effective when integrated with other behavioral health and psychosocial interventions. In spite of motivation, very few tobacco users achieve permanent abstinence in an initial quit attempt. In fact, only 3% of smokers experience success quitting on their own accord. Tobacco dependence is a chronic disease that often requires repeated interventions and multiple attempts to quit.

Attending a tobacco cessation group and using the nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) medications will double your clients’ likelihood of success with quitting. There are several treatment options available in Florida, including treatment groups, web-based services and phone coaching. Please refer your clients to www.tobaccofreeflorida.com, their local Area Health Education Center (AHEC) or Melissa Knabe, Associate Director of the Area Health education Center at FSU’s College of Medicine for more information (melissa.knabe@med.fsu.edu or (850) 645-9765).

Melissa Knabe, MS, is the Associate Director of the Area Health Education Center at FSU’s College of Medicine. Visit the AHEC Tobacco Program at www.med.fsu.edu/AHEC/tobacco or contact Ms. Knabe at (850) 645-9765 or melissa.knabe@med.fsu.edu for more information.

January

Volume 18, Issue A Highly Inconceivable Reality

1

Page 11

We face a Mental Health Crisis of great proportion among the current and projected numbers of Medicare Beneficiaries whose demands for Mental Health care will rise exponentially with the aging population.

An estimated 18 to 25 percent of Medicare Beneficiaries are in need of mental health care.

Depression Anxiety Adjustment to aging, Schizophrenia.

Highest suicide rate of all age groups.

Many Medicare beneficiaries live in areas designated by the Health Resources and Services Administration as mental health professional shortage areas.

Most of those practitioners who are Medicare Mental Health Providers live in the metropolitan areas, not the less populated areas as above noted.

Moreover, Medicare Beneficiaries in Florida have access to less than a third of the total number of Licensed Mental Health Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Clinical Social Workers combined (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016).

With these kinds of numbers, it’s clear that at current growth projections of the Medicare Eligible population and its inherent demand for Mental Health Care the general wellness of this population is in great jeopardy.

Annual Opioid Crisis Data According to data released yesterday, Florida’s opioid-related-deaths spiraled out of control this year, especially those caused by illicitly-manufactured fentanyl. There was an overall increase in opioid deaths of 35% in 2016 over 2015. Deaths related to illicitly-manufactured fentanyl increased by 97%. https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/florida/articles/2017-11-15/florida-opioid-related-deaths-increased-35-percent-in2016 Two bills have been filed to address this issue and they are similar in nature, as they both address the prescribing of opioids for acute pain. Senate Bill 8 and House Bill 21 require prescribers to take continuing education courses relating to opioids and mandate that all prescribers must check the prescription drug database (which contains the history of medications the patient has been prescribed). The key component of these measures, however, is the limit on the number of pills that can be prescribed for acute pain. These bills suggest that number should be 3-days-worth. Our intel suggests that the number will be negotiated to 7-days-worth at one of the first committee stops. Neither the House or Senate bill has been heard in committee.

There will be additional legislative proposals relating to opioid use and/or treatment. We will let you know as those are released.

January

Volume 18, Issue

1

Page 12

Legislative PSA:

Senate Panel Approves Bill for Babies Addicted to Opioids State Sen. Kathleen Passidomo successfully persuaded the Senate Health Care Appropriations Committee to advance her bill to create community-based treatment options for the growing number of babies born to mothers who use opioids during pregnancy. Read the bill:

"We have a huge opioid crisis as you know," Passidomo (R-Naples) said during the committee meeting. She said to fight the crisis, the Legislature needed to start with affected newborns.

The panel approved bill FL SB434 (18R), the second of three stops on the way to the Senate floor for a vote. It will now move to the full Senate Appropriations Committee.

The bill would enable the Agency for Health Care Administration and the Department of Children and Families to create a community-based pilot program for infants born addicted to opioids. They would license one or more community-based facilities statewide.

Initially, the legislation targeted Medicaid Region 8, which includes Passidomo's home district of Collier County. But legislators amended her bill to expand its reach.

The amendment also authorizes the removal of a mother from a facility if she fails to pass a drug test or does not consent to a drug test. If the mother or another caregiver is removed, they cannot take the infant with them.

Currently, the only place addicted babies can be treated is a hospital's intensive care unit. The average estimated length of stay is 23 days at an average cost of $93,400, with about 80 percent covered by Medicaid, according to Passidomo, who cited national studies.

Passidomo says a hospital is not the ideal setting for recovering infants, noting that hospitals cost more and do not provide the kind of treatment needed to successfully heal babies over the long-term.

Earlier in the day, she unveiled a 60-second video that featured Dr. William Liu, a neonatologist and medical director at Golisano Children's Hospital in Fort Myers. He explained the growing problem of "neonatal absence syndrome."

"We've seen a 1,200 percent increase in our babies admitted for neonatal absence syndrome," Liu says in the video. "What we are seeing is our babies are the ones who are collateral damage."

"We have a responsibility to the babies being born into the devastation of the opioid crisis," said Passidomo in a statement outlining her bill and accompanying the video.

She says her bill is modeled after the national Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Pilot Project to ensure that "these babies are not left behind while we as a society work toward tackling the larger crisis we are facing."

The opioid crisis is quickly consuming health care discussions ahead of the 2018 legislative session, which begins in January.

Statewide, more than 5,700 people died in opioid-related deaths last year, a 35 percent increase over 2015. The reverberating effects of the addiction are being felt in budget and policy discussions in the Capitol in talks about education, criminal justice, welfare, foster care and health care.

Passidomo's pilot program would create a "home-like environment with individual rooms providing minimal stress on the babies; a quiet, dark environment; slow, gentle handling to ease the pain of withdrawal, and accommodations for eligible mothers to breast feed and bond with their babies during the withdrawal process."

The private facility would be staffed with two registered nurses, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The nurses working in such a licensed facility would be prohibited from treating the newborns for more than six months. The Florida Department of Health would work with state universities to study the program's outcomes.

--PoliticoPro.com

Page 13

January

Volume 18, Issue

Introduction to Forensic Mental Health Evaluation for Counselors 05 Jan 2018 2:00 PM

Exposure and Response Prevention and the Treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) 23 Feb 2018 2:00 PM Gottman Method Couples Therapy: What We Know About What Works and Doesn’t Work in Relationships 24 Mar 2018 2:00 PM LGBTQI2-S Then Now, and Cultural Linguistic Context in Today’s Therapy Setting 27 Apr 2018 2:00 PM Creativity in Cross-Cultural Supervision 25 May 2018 2:00 PM Increasing Counselor Knowledge of Disabilities: Understanding Global Perceptions, Available Resources, and Engaging in Advocacy 22 Jun 2018 2:00 PM Distance Counseling in Florida 27 Jul 2018 2:00 PM Unsilencing the Voice Within: Expressive Writing as a Therapeutic Tool 24 Aug 2018 2:00 PM Pornography Therapeutic Interventions 28 Sep 2018 2:00 PM LMHC Exam Preparation 26 Oct 2018 2:00 PM

1

January

About Dr. J. Salima Patel, PhD

FMHCA Conference Keynote

J. SalimaV oPatel, l u m e 1PhD 8 , I sis s u one e 1 of the founders ofP the age 14 Wellness Institute of Florida where she and her business partner are committed to providing a comprehensive concierge line of care. This model includes an array of innovative clinical and holistic services designed for lifelong wellness. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling and a PhD in Psychology. She was born in Madagascar (yes it’s a real place), grew up in Kenya, and had the luxury of an interesting and well-travelled life having lived in Spain for several years.

She came to the United States to go to college, fell in love with Miami, and planted her flag.

Dr. Patel has over two decades of experience working in the helping profession. She began her career as an intern working in acute psychiatric care, primarily treating schizophrenia and other mood and thought disorders. She has had extensive experience following her work at The Renfrew Center where she specialized in treating eating disorders at an acute care level. The transition into substance use disorders (SUD’s) was almost seamless since experts agree, SUD’s and eating disorders are often comorbid.

Having worked in some of the leading treatment facilities in Florida while maintaining a longstanding private practice, the scope of Dr. Patel’s professional and personal experience in the field of mental and behavioral health is as extensive as it is diverse.

Dr. Patel's doctoral work was born from deep personal and professional experience and has focused on the family system. Her research has been in the area of family involvement and its necessity for successful outcomes in the treatment of substance use disorders (SUD’s). She has and continues to remain committed to helping individual practitioners as well as treatment programs successfully integrate a family-inclusive treatment paradigm. She is a passionate advocate for family members impacted by substance use disorders, and believes that ‘family recovery’ is fundamental for effective and successful long-term wellness outcomes.

Dr. Patel often states: “…that despite our varied life experiences, our underlying emotional pain is often universal – that’s what we must treat.”

Come see her speak at our 2018 Annual Conference Friday, February 2nd, 2018 at 8:00am. Grandball Room.

Orlando, Lake Mary Marriott.

Keep In Touch And Keep Those Referrals Coming January Volume 18, Issue 1 Page 15 When you’re trying to establish or develop strong referral relationships, it helps to stand out from the crowd.

You need to be the person that clients and referrers think of when it comes to providing services to your target market.

One way to develop new relationships or deepen existing relationships is to keep in touch on a regular basis. This doesn’t mean that you should start spamming or haranguing folks. It means that you strategically set up a method to stay in front of them in a way that you are helpful and welcome.

Here are a few things to guide you as you establish your own Keep In Touch Strategy.

1. Determine what CRM system you will use You’ll make your efforts much more efficient if you have a system with which to store your data and execute your outreach. You may choose to go “old-school” and manage it all with sticky notes and a calendar. You may also choose a program like Outlook or Gmail to set up your contacts and your calendar. Another choice is to utilize a CRM (Client Relationship Management) System that will: allow you to keep profiles on all of your contacts; track your email and other interactions with them; schedule follow up dates; organize articles and links that you can share with them; and keep you on track to minimize the time you spend marketing your practice. The one I use is Contactually 2. Determine how often you’d like to stay in touch You may choose to keep in touch with your existing referrers once every 30-60 days. When trying to establish new relationships with potential referrers, you might reach out once a month. Some relationships will do just fine with a quarterly contact. Determine what seems right to you and follow through 3. Decide how you’d like to keep in touch Contacts can be by phone, email, or in person (invited only – no drop-ins). A good rule of thumb with regard to the content of the contact is represented (in Book Yourself Solid®) by the acronym VITL. The information you share should be: Valuable, Individualized, Targeted, and Legitimate. Sending spam is not okay. Sending lots of information about “me, me, and me” is not okay. Send information that will be helpful and/or interesting to the recipient. Show them how much value you provide and they will remember you 4. Remember that it’s all about service and relationships You are not looking to sell something. You are trying to build relationships with people that will be mutually beneficial, and will ultimately benefit your potential clients. It’s not “salesy” or “slimy” when you come from a heart of service. See what you can do to build strong collaborations with others who share your target market. Together you can make a difference for the people who need you most When you are organized and you’ve set up a system that works for you, your keep in touch strategy should only take a few minutes, 4-5 days a week. You’ll find that building relationships will keep those referrals coming for the life of your practice.

Deb Legge, PhD CRC LMHC DrLegge@gmail.com

Deborah A. Legge, PhD, CRC, LMHC, is a nationally known private practice expert who specializes in helping entrepreneurial therapists grow their practices, including a special focus on how to create growth with private pay clients. For over twenty-two years, she has maintained a highly successful clinical practice and a coaching practice that has helped thousands of clinicians fill their appointment books using her proven success strategies. Building a successful private-pay private practice can be a big challenge, but you are not alone. Go to: www.privatepaypractice.com for her allnew free training, Market Magnets: How to Fill Your Book with Private Pay Clients… And End Your Insurance Struggles for Good

FMHCA MEMBERS:

JOIN A COMMITTEE!

Joining a committee is a great way to participate in our organization and increase your presence in our community. We have several committees that we would love for you to participate in! Below is a list of our committees, including information about each committee.

Contact the FMHCA office if you are interested in joining one of our committees!

You can reply to this e-mail (office@FLMHCA.org) or call 561-228-6129

Ethics Committee

The Ethics Committee receives and reviews requests from Association members relating to the ethical conduct of Association members or officers and any other issue of an ethical nature that may come before the Association. It also makes recommendations for action to the Board of Directors.

Membership Committee

The Membership Committee actively promotes FMHCA membership among Florida Mental Health Counselors, Mental Health Counselor Interns and others with professional or job-related interests in mental health counseling.

Registered Interns & Graduate Student Committee

The Registered Intern & Graduate Student Committee will actively promote FMHCA membership among students enrolled in mental health counseling programs in Florida colleges and universities. It is also committed to increasing FMHCA’s services to graduate students and interns and assisting them as they begin their careers as Licensed Mental Health Counselors.

Chapter Relations Committee

The Chapter Relations Committee advertises association events and works closely with all committee Chairpersons to relay their interest and concerns to the public as appropriate. It helps promote understanding and positioning of mental health counseling to the public, third party payers, employers and other professionals. This committee is also interested in promoting the profession through the exchange of professional information among mental health counselors through newsletters, journals or other scientific, educational and/or professional materials.

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee prepares the budget for the upcoming fiscal year and presents it to Board of Directors for approval at the first meeting of the fiscal year. The finance Committee may submit revisions to the approved budget as necessary.

Nominations & Elections Committee

The Nominations and Elections Committee is responsible for carrying out nominations and elections procedures.

Government Relations Committee

The Government Relations Committee is responsible for advocating and implementing the FMHCA legislative platform. Issues impacting the profession of mental health counseling at the state level will be addressed by FMHCA, including issues involving legislation, agency regulation and encroachment by other entities on the practice of mental health counseling. The Government Relations Committee represents FMHCA regularly at 491 Board meetings. The committee also informs and enlists support from members as to pertinent legislative issues and positions beneficial to the membership.

Conference Planning Committee

The Conference Planning Committee is responsible for planning FMHCA’s annual conference. This includes, but is not limited to, determining the location for the conference, advertising the conference, budgeting, obtaining sponsors, obtaining and organizing speakers, publishing the conference brochure, and helping assist members sign in and obtain materials during the actual conference.

Education, Training Standards & Continuing Education Committee

The Education, Training Standards, and Continuing Education Committee monitors the professional development needs of the Association's members. It develops and implements a comprehensive plan of continuing education directed towards clinical and practical issues. The committee is also responsible for providing workshops, publications, and in-service opportunities related to identified needs.

Military Service Committee

The Military Service Committee directs the attention of FMHCA members to the needs of veterans, their families and other military personnel, especially those whose active duty included service in combat zones. The committee will also provide members with information on governmental programs that provide opportunities for service to this population.

Research

The primary purpose of the Research Committee is to promote scientific research and inquiry into mental health concerns.

Bylaws Committee

The Bylaws Committee considers proposed amendments to the Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws of FMHCA and drafts them in proper form for submission to the members at the annual meeting.

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.

Submit an Article Here

January

Page 18

FMHCA delegation will be travelling to the capital on January 9th and 10th to represent you!

Thank you for your support!

CLICK HERE TO DONATE!

Page 19

January

Volume 18, Issue

1

January

Recognizing FMHCA Educator of the Year 2017 Award Winner Tania Diaz Recognizing FMHCA Professional Service and Leadership to a Local Chapter 2017 Award Winner Cindy Wall Recognizing FMHCA Researcher of the Year 2017 Award Winner Debolina Ghosh Recognizing FMHCA Volunteer of the Year 2017 Award Winner Vivian Gonzalez

Recognizing FMHCA Chapter of the Year 2017 Award Winner Emerald Coast Mental Health Counselors Association Recognizing FMHCA Mental Health Counselor of the Year 2017 Award Winner Michael Holler Recognizing FMHCA Graduate Student of the Year 2017 Award Winner Nena Tahil Recognizing FMHCA Outstanding Community Service 2017 Award Winner Denisse Lamas Recognizing FMHCA Leadership 2017 Award Winner Erica Whitfield Recognizing FMHCA Advocate of the Year 2017 Award Winner Joe Skelly Recognizing FMHCA Outstanding Chapter Website 2017 Award Winner Mental Health Counselors Association of Central Florida Recognizing FMHCA Past President Leonel Mesa

Page 20

Member Perk:

Page 23

January

Volume 18, Issue

1

January

Volume 18, Issue

1

Page 24

We Need Your Help!!!!

Benefits for using a Lobbyist- but we cannot do this alone and need your attention Florida Mental Health Counselors Association benefits from using a lobbyist to get our voice heard in government. Your voice is important to us! Our membership fee’s help to support our legislative presents and contribute in making a difference for our members and the client’s we serve. Did you know that lobbyists can take your message to Congress?

Lobbyists enable organizations to draft legislation, develop strategies for new regulations, connect and stay informed, and proactively reach out to elected officials prior to new policies being drafted. Florida Mental Health Counselors Association is asking that you take a look at the direction of our healthcare and industry, wont you help us make a difference?

Re-new your membership today Ask a colleague to join FMHCA www.FLMHCA.org

Page 25

January

Volume 18, Issue

1

Page 26

January

Volume 18, Issue

CLICK HERE to register for this workshop!

Contact the FMHCA office if you have any questions: office@FLMHCA.org | 561-228-6129 CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE 2018 ANNUAL FMHCA CONFERENCE

1

Page 28

January

Volume 18, Issue

1

Introduction to Forensic Mental Health Evaluation for Counselors 05 Jan 2018 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Approved for 1 hour of Ethics/Professional Boundaries and 1 hour of General CEUs! In an ever-evolving healthcare landscape, many clinical mental health counselors are looking for ways to diversity their practice. Forensic mental health evaluation is an interesting, impactful, and lucrative option for counselors who wish to branch out into new areas of expertise. For many counselors, forensic work triggers a series of questions: What can I do and not do as an expert witness? Am I allowed to administer and interpret psychological tests? What are judges and attorneys looking for in an evaluation? What are some of the unique ethical considerations for forensic evaluation? Can I do forensic work without having a doctorate? Is it true that forensic evaluation is for psychologists and not counselors? How would I get business? How much should I charge for my services? What training or experience would I need? Whether you want to practice exclusively in the specialty area of forensic mental health, want to do a little bit of it on the side, or are just curious and want to learn more, this webinar could be a helpful introduction into the field. We will cover various types of forensic specialties, ethical and legal guidelines for practice, options for training and certification, and how to build a forensic practice. We will also dispel common myths about the scope of practice of clinical mental health counseling as it relates to administering and interpreting psychological tests and conducting forensic evaluations. Finally, we will review various resources and options for training and certification.

Learning Objectives: 1.

2.

3.

4.

Define forensic mental health evaluation as a specialization.

List and describe the various types of forensic mental health evaluations counselors can specialize in.

Learn about ethical and legal considerations for forensic mental health.

Identify several resources for training in forensic evaluation.

Aaron Norton is a Certified Forensic Mental Health Evaluator and Certified Forensic Behavioral Analyst who serves as Executive Director of the National Board of Forensic Evaluators, a national not-for-profit board officially endorsed by the American Mental Health Counselors Association that provides training, certification, and professional advocacy for licensed mental health professionals specializing in forensic mental health evaluation. Mr. Norton is and Adjunct Instructor at the University of South Florida's College of Behavioral and Community Sciences, serves as Chair of Education, Training Standards, and Continuing Education for the Florida Mental Health Counselors Association, and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Counselor and Education from the University of South Florida. He also works in a private practice specializing in both therapy and forensic and clinical evaluation, as well as providing clinical supervision as a Qualified Supervisor. He has more than 15 years of experience in the counseling profession. He was awarded Mental Health Counselor of the Year by the American Mental Health Counselors Association and Counselor Educator of the Year by the Florida Mental Health Counselors Association in 2016.

CE Broker Tracking #: 20-625904 This event is sponsored by FMHCA, an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider.

FMHCA NBCC Provider# 2058. This course is approved by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling, LMHC, LMFT, LCSW – FMHCA CE Broker #: 50-748; CE Broker Course Tracking # 20-625905. Exp. 3/31/18.

Page 30

January

Volume 18, Issue

1

Page 31

January

Volume 18, Issue

1

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

Carpenter House, Inc. 4400 Highway 20 East Suite 306 Niceville, FL 32578-5383 Phone: 850-897-7810 Fax: 850-897-0032 www.carpenterhouse.net

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT Part time Licensed Mental Health Professional wanted to join us in our established private practice office in Bluewater Bay/Niceville, FL. Office space available for up to two days per week with potential to add additional days as your practice grows. Provider with clientele in place preferred. This is an independent contracting position with administrative support team in place.

Please call Kathy White, MA, LMHC, LMFT, QS at 850-897-7810 or 850-217-7810 or email kathy@carpenterhouse.net

Page 32

January

Volume 18, Issue

1

Page 33

January

Volume 18, Issue

1

Page 34

January

Volume 18, Issue

1