July 2016 fmhca newsletter

Your Organization

Newsletter Date Volume 1, Issue 1

Newsletter July 2016

Welcome to FMHCA!

Issue 167

July is Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental illness is a leading cause of disability, yet nearly two-thirds of people with a diagnosable mental illness do not seek treatment. During National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, learn more about mental health treatment and resources available through NAMI atNAMI.org and NRCHMH at NRCHMH.org.

To Read More on This Topic Click HERE 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.

There is so much we are doing, and so much more we can do!

We will to continue advocate for mental health counselors in Florida by supporting legislation that promotes our profession. We need YOU to make that happen.

If you are already a member of FMHCA, we thank you. If you are not, please consider joining. Your support makes it possible for FMHCA to continue to grow and promote our profession, to maintain a strong voice and to promote change.

Have you ever wondered who promotes the legislation that recognizes and advances mental health counseling in Florida? YOU do, by supporting FMCHA! FMHCA wants to empower you to help make your professional dreams come true. You can read about what FMHCA is doing for mental health counselors in our bylaws. Do you want to take a more active role in FMHCA? Consider volunteering to serve on one of our committees!

INSIDE THIS ISSUE COME FOLLOW FMHCA TO CUBA! ........................ 2 President’s Report for 20152016 .................................. 3 Florida Waives Licensing Fees Waived for Veterans and Spouses in Mental Health Profession:............ 4 June Free Webinar .......................................... 7 Requirement for Florida Clinical Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Mental Health Counselors………………..9 The Political Beliefs of Mental Health Counselors……..10 Senate/Representative Medicare Meeting Script………..16 Medicare Happenings ……

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CONTACT US Florida Mental Health Counselors Association 2101 Vista Parkway, Suite 265 West Palm Beach, FL 33411

Darlene Silvernail PhD, LMHC, CAP, DCMHS Executive Director

Phone: 561-575-9519 Website: FLMHCA.ORG E-mail: office@flmhca.org

How do we say Thank You Michael for all of your hard work this past year? You have been a been a pillar for FMHCA and your contribution, time and effort has raised the bar. It has been a pleasure working with you and from the board and FMHCA The office we say

Thank You !

Just a Few Goals FMHCA Reached because of you. 

Hire Executive Director



Increase Financial Base and Income

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Complete Mental Health Counselor Intern Legislation

Reassign President Elect to Chapter Relations Committee Chair

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Meet with Marriage & Family Therapists to Consider Joint Ventures

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Explore Possibility of Developing a PAC to Improve Legislative Efforts

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Thank You to our Sponsor

Onl COME FOLLOW FMHCA TO CUBA!

Board of Directors 2016 - 2017

President Leonel Mesa, PsyD, LMHC lmesa@flmhca.o.rg President-Elect Louise Sutherland-Hoyt, LMHC lsutherland@flmhca.org

The Florida Mental Health Counselors Association (FMHCA) is organizing a delegation to visit Cuba for the purpose of researching mental health services, October 17 - 22, 2016. As Executive Director of the FMHCA, Dr. Darlene Silvernail has been selected to lead this delegation, and invites you to join in this unique opportunity!!!

Link

y $5 Sav 00.00 D es y our eposit Sea t!

Treasurer Jim Messina, PhD, CCMHC, NCC, DCMHS jmessina@flmhca.org Secretary Kathie Erwin, Ed.D, LMHC, NCC, NCGC kerwin@flmhca.org Parliamentarian Frank Hannah, MS, LMHC fhannah@flmhca.org

INSIDE STORY HEADLINE This story can fit 100-150 words.

The subject matter that appears in newsletters is virtually endless. You can include stories that focus on current technologies or innovations in your field.

You may also want to note business or economic trends, or make predictions for your customers or clients.

If the newsletter is distributed internally, you might comment upon new procedures or improvements to the business. Sales figures or earnings will show how your business is growing.

Member-at-Large Joe Skelly, MS, LMHC jskelly@flmhca.org

Some newsletters include a column that is updated every issue, for instance, an advice column, a book review, a letter from the president, or an editorial. You can also profile new employees or top customers or vendors.

This story can fit 100-150 words.

The subject matter that appears in newsletters is virtually endless. You can include stories that focus on current technologies or innovations in your field.

You may also want to note business or economic trends, or make predictions for your customers or clients.

Member-at-Large Erica Whitfield ebuabua@gmail.com Member-at-Large Hassiem Kambui, PhD, LMHC hkambui@flmhca.org Member-at-Large Judith L. Roberts JRoberts@flmhca.org Executive Director Darlene Silvernail, PhD, LMHC, CAP, DCMHS dsilvernail@flmhca.org Administrative Coordinator Diana Huambachano (Proscia) office@flmhca.org

If the newsletter is distributed internally, you might comment upon new procedures or improvements to the business. Sales figures or earnings will show how your business is growing.

Some newsletters include a column that is updated every issue, for instance, an advice column, a book review, a letter from the president, or an editorial. You can also profile new employees or top customers or vendors.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT FOR 2016-2017 : LEO MESA PSYD, LMHC PRESIDENT FMHCA

NOTEWORTHY DATES SESSION 6:

“Strength Through Unity” As your newly elected President of the Florida’s Mental Health Counselor’s Association, I would like to express my deepest appreciation for our past President, Michael Holler and our Board for their outstanding effort, commitment and priceless contributions during our past year.

I am honored and feel privileged to have been bestowed the trust of our FMHCA family with this distinguished position of leadership. I look forward to an exciting year that will capitalize on our Chapter’s foundational principles as we continue the growth of our organization.

During this upcoming year, we will continue our efforts to serve you as an outspoken advocate on your behalf at a local, state and national level. We have made changes to our organizational structure that would enable our members to become more mobile, effective and efficient in bringing our FMHCA family’s message to students, Registered Interns and Licensed Mental Health Counselor’s in our local communities and specifically underserved rural areas throughout the state; by developing student associations within our colleges and universities; focusing our proactive efforts in engaging private, non-for-profit, community mental health centers and social service agencies and by offering Registered Interns a mentorship program that assists them in navigating through their licensing application process.

Through these efforts and your continued active participation and contributions to our vision; together we will be equipping, developing and positioning our organization as a premier State Chapter within our profession.

Our “Strength Through Unity” will be the fuel of our passion and enthusiasm and represents the integral and vital part of our FMHCA family.

Forensic Evaluation: Countering the Cataclysmic Collapse of the Licensed Professional Counselors Profession

Date: Friday, 7/8/16, 2:004:00 pm Presenter: Presenter: Norman Hoffman, Ph.D., Ed.D., LMHC, LMFT, CCMHC Click Here for Details

August Leadership Retreat Date:05 Aug 2016 - 06 Aug 2016 Click Here For Details

Once again, I thank each of you for your trust, support and encouragement.

It’s going to be a great year!

Annual Conference 2017

With warm regards to all,

Date:02 Feb 2017 - 04 Feb 2017

Leonel “Dr. Leo” Mesa, Jr., Psy.D., LMHC, CAP, CEAP FMHCA President

Click Here For Details

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REQUIREMENT FOR FLORIDA CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKERS, MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS AND MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS:

The Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling has made a change to the requirements for the CE course required to meet the qualifications for a qualified supervisor. Previously, the requirement was that the course must be 16 hours, but that has now been reduced to 12 hours.

64B4-6.0025 Approved Continuing Education Course for Supervisory Training.

The continuing education course required to meet the qualifications for a qualified supervisor pursuant to Section 491.005, F.S., and subparagraphs 64B4-11.007(3) (b)2., paragraph 64B4-21.007(3)(b), and subparagraph 64B4-31.007(2)(b)2., F.A.C., must be offered by a Board approved provider of continuing education and consist of the following: (1) It must meet all the requirements of subparagraphs 64B4-6.004(2)(a)1.-5., F.A.C. (2) It must be 12 clock hours of in person didactic and interactional instruction (3) Must contain content that satisfies the following learning objectives. The participant will: (a) Become familiar with the major models of supervision for clinical social work, marriage and family therapy or mental health counseling; (b) Gain skills to develop a personal model of supervision, drawn from existing models of supervision and from preferred styles of therapy; (c) Understand the co-evolving dynamics of therapist-client and supervisortherapist-client relationships; (d) Explore distinctive issues that arise in supervision; (e) Address the contextual variables in practice such as culture, gender, ethnicity, power and economics; (f) Become familiar with the ethical, legal and regulatory issues of supervision; (g) Review the Florida laws and the board rules governing interns and supervision; and, (h) Understand the role of evaluation in supervision.

JULY FREE WEBINAR SESSION 6:

experience towards certification

Forensic Evaluation: Countering the Cataclysmic Collapse of the Licensed Professional Counselors Profession Date: Friday, 7/8/16, 2:00-4:00 pm Presenter: Norman Hoffman, Ph.D., Ed.D., LMHC, LMFT, CCMHC Description: This two-hour webinar informs attendees of how the insurance industry is responsible for the collapse of not only licensed professional counselors private practice, but the independent practices of other medical professionals. Forensic mental health evaluation will be introduced as a lucrative specialization outside the scope of insurance for counselors interested in diversifying their practice.

Link to Register: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/ register/5495768504232416514 CE Broker Tracking #: 20-529896; Publishing #: 101752034 Learning Objectives: Participants will learn: Understand the impact of the insurance industry trends and future trends Explore the integration of emerging options and models for a successful private practice model Become aware of bogus certification bodies Develop a professional identity in the forensic mental health arena Become cognizant of specific training, education and

About the Presenter: At first glance, a clinic, a courtroom, and a nightclub have little in common. One offers treatment; one hears testimony, and one echoes timbre and tempo long into the night. Yet, surface dissimilarities have proven no barrier to Dr. Norman Hoffman. A licensed professional marriage and family therapist and mental health counselor, certified forensic evaluator, and accomplished jazz musician, over the course of his career, Dr. Hoffman has pioneered the integration of these seemingly separate studies to become a leading authority on child development, music therapy, and forensic evaluation as well as the author of a groundbreaking book, Bad Children Can Happen to Good Parents, that could change the way parents raise their children. Interestingly, however, he hardly set out to be a pioneer.

By this time, Dr. Hoffman had relocated to Florida, where he spent several years as Coordinator of the Day Treatment Program for the Community Mental Health Center of Palm Beach County. This was followed by a six year tenure with the Hazleton/Nanticoke Mental Health/Mental Retardation Center in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, where Hoffman served in various positions, including Substance Abuse Coordinator, Intake Services Coordinator, and Director of Outpatient Services. While there, Hoffman also made his first foray into the thenlargely unrecognized field of forensic evaluation,

Up Coming August WEBINAR OFFERED BY FMHCA Date: Friday,8/12/16, 2:00-4:00 pm Presenter: Richard Chapman, LMHC Topic: Best Practices in Clinical Supervision 8

NBFE IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE OUR NEWEST PROFESSIONAL PARTNERSHIP AND ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER Gregory M. Vecchi, Ph.D., retired from the FBI in February 2014 after 29 years of combined service in the military and as a federal agent. During his career, Dr. Vecchi investigated Russian organized crime, international drug trafficking, international and domestic terrorism, and violent crime. Dr. Vecchi was formerly the Chief of the FBI’s legendary Behavioral Science Unit and an FBI crisis and hostage negotiator.

Dr. Vecchi conducts behavior-based research, training, and consultation in business negotiation, hostage negotiation, crisis intervention, interview and interrogation, deception detection, conflict resolution, behavioral analysis, case analysis and investigations, threat and risk assessment, personal protection, and crisis management. Dr. Vecchi is published in many of these areas and he travels around the world to deliver consultation and training solutions.

Dr. Vecchi recently presented to many of our CFMHE a three-day training workshop that will certify our CFMHE to become Certified Forensic Behavioral Analyst. This certification will assist those who have become certified to enhance their already highly accredited CFMHE in the criminal and family court as expert witnesses and provide a valuable resources to law enforcement.

REGISTER, ADD, AND RENEW YOUR LICENSE

MEMBERSHIP PERKS!

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)

The Division of Medical Quality Assurance (MQA) recently launched a new and improved Online Services Portal for health care practitioners. When you use the new portal for the first time, you will be required to register for a new user account. Once you have registered for an account, you must add your license to your account before you can renew. Your existing licensure records will be available to add to your online account. It is important to complete registration and add your license to your account prior to renewal to avoid unnecessary delays in the renewal process.

Registration and adding your license is a one-time process that takes approximately 5-10 minutes. To register, add and renew your license, please follow the steps below: Visit www.FLHealthSource.gov and click Renew A License.

Learn from an expert who will walk you through the process of registering for an account and adding your license to your dashboard during a free informational webinar. To register for an upcoming webinar, go to www.FLHealthSource.gov/webinars.

If you need assistance, please contact the MQA Customer Contact Center at MQAOnlineService@FLHealth.gov.

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) ___________________ Insurance Discounts for FMHCA Members Savings up to 25% with Van Wagner's Comprehensive Occurrence (Professional and General Liability) InsuranceProgram. http:// go.sterlingrisk.com/VW/ FMHCA ____________________9

MENTAL HEALTH ACCESS IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2015 (S. 1830/H.R. 2759) In July 2015, Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), with Representatives Christopher Gibson (R-NY) and Mike Thompson (D-CA), introduced the Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2015 (S. 1830/H.R. 2759). This legislation would allow marriage and family therapists (MFTs) and licensed mental health counselors to directly bill Medicare for their services. Currently, these professionals are not permitted to directly bill Medicare, despite the important role they play in delivering services to seniors and people with disabilities, particularly in underserved, rural areas with a mental health workforce shortage. This simple change would immediately increase patients’ access to needed care in their communities. Additionally, the National Council and Hill Day partners support adding language that would ensure patients’ access to counselors who have undergone specialized training, credentialing, and licensure to provide addiction treatment.

WHY DO WE NEED THE MENTAL HEALTH ACCESS IMPROVEMENT ACT?

OLDER AMERICANS HAVE HIGH RATES OF MENTAL ILLNESS AND SUICIDE, YET HAVE LOWER RATES OF TREATMENT OTHERS. Individuals age 65 and older have the highest rates of mental health related hospitalizations and a suicide rate that exceeds the res population. Yet, they are the least likely to receive mental health services, with only one in five receiving needed therapy. Allowing

MFTS AND COUNSELORS PRACTICE IN AREAS WITHOUT ACCESS TO OTHER MEDICARECOVERED PROFESSIONALS. With 77 percent of U.S. counties experiencing a severe shortage of behavioral health professionals, over 80 million Americans live in areas that lack sufficient providers. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, fully half of all U.S. counties have no practicing psychiatrists, psychologists, or social workers. Many of these rural and underserved areas without any current Medicare providers do have practicing MFTs and/or mental health counselors, including counselors who have been trained and licensed to provide addiction services.

EXPANDING THE WORKFORCE POOL WOULD EXPAND PATIENTS’ ACCESS TO TREATMENT. Allowing previously ineligible providers to directly bill Medicare for their services would immediately alleviate the strain on our nation’s mental health and addiction workforce serving Medicare enrollees. This legislation would not change the Medicare mental health benefit or modify states’ scope of practice laws but would instead allow Medicare enrollees access to medically necessary covered services provided by mental health and addiction professionals who are properly trained and licensed to deliver such services.

COUNSELORS AND MFTS HAVE SIMILAR TRAINING AND LICENSURE STANDARDS TO SIMILAR PROVIDERS ALREADY INCLUDED WITHIN MEDICARE. MFTs and licensed mental health counselors must obtain a master’s or doctoral degree, two years postgraduate supervised experience, and pass a national exam to obtain a state license, requirements comparable those placed on Medicare-covered clinical social workers. Counselors and MFTs can also go through additional training to become certified as addiction specialists. All fifty states license these professionals, and their services are covered by other federal programs like TRICARE and the Veterans Administration.

CONGRESS HAS LONG SUPPORTED THIS CHANGE. Legislation to include MFTs and mental health counselors in Medicare has won bipartisan support over seven past Congresses and was passed in either the full House or Senate on four separate

Continue reading this article, click here

Here’s Where You’ll Find Your Ideal Clients!

When I’m coaching counselors on how to build successful private practices, the number one question I hear is: “Where/How will I find enough clients?” The fear of hanging out your shingle and sitting in your office waiting for the phone to ring weighs heavy on the hearts of many of the brave souls who are venturing out on their own.

Once you’ve chosen a target market (or two), you can now take the biggest, and potentially the most important step in growing your business. You are now able to identify the “Gatekeepers” of your target market.

Gatekeepers are those folks who have access to, and influence over your target market. They are able to send you lots of referrals; they are able to get you in front of a lot of your potential clients; or they are able to help you build your credibility in the eyes of your target market.

Here are 5 steps for how to identify the Gatekeepers of YOUR target market, and utilize them when you are building your practice…

Determine where your target market “hangs out”. What do they read; what websites do they visit; with what other professionals in the community do they have contact/relationships?

Do some research and make a list of these people/places/sites who are the Gatekeepers Create a plan of action. Break down the list into manageable pieces. Consider how you will reach out to the people on the short list – i.e. phone, email, or snail mail. Set up a calendar of when you will reach out, and when you will follow up with each of these outreach efforts Remember to keep in mind the needs, desires, and problems of your Gatekeepers. This information should guide how you reach out and what you’ll say Be consistent and persevere. It may take awhile for people to get to know you well enough to do business with you. Be patient, and ALWAYS come from a heart of: “How can I help you?”

Here’s an example for you to better illustrate how to identify your Gatekeepers. Let’s go through each of the 5 steps, assuming that target market is “kids and families going through divorce”.

Your target market likely has contact (hangs out) with pediatricians/family doctors, attorneys, mediators, and school counselors. They likely read the local “family” section of the newspaper. They may have contact with the family justice system You would research and make a list of the local pediatrician/family physician offices, attorneys, mediators, and school counselors. Include on that list the editor of the “family” section of the newspaper. Get the names of the people who run the family justice system in your town Choose 4-5 people on the big list and start working this short list. Determine the best way to reach out to each, and schedule a time in your calendar when you will do that.

When you do reach out, think about the needs, desires and problems your contact may have with regard to your shared target market. For example, think about how tough it might be for school counselors when so many of their families each year are going through divorce. Consider how many kids are being seen at the doctors office with anxiety and related illness due to the family discord, and how physicians might be doing everything they can medically, but it might not be helping. Talk to the local editor about the unique problems divorcing families with small kids have and how their readers could really benefit from an article, that you contribute, that gives them some tips and insight and support Keeping all of that in mind, reach out to each of these folks and let them know that you would like to help them help their people. Tell them you’d like to chat with them about what they need and how you can best help. Start small and be consistent.

You can be a valuable resource to these Gatekeepers and once they recognize that, they can help you reach your target market in a big way. It’s a win-win-win situation for you, them, and (especially) those who need you most!

Deb Legge, PhD CRC LMHC http://influentialtherapist.com/contact Dr. Deb Legge is known internationally as the Private Practice Mentor. Over the past 21 years she has taught thousands of therapists how to build thriving practices, using the same proven strategies she uses... to attract more private pay clients.

She has just released a Free 4-Part online training called: "The Truth About Getting Paid In Private Practice. You can access this new training absolutely FREE for a limited-time, by visiting: http://rapid-referrals.com/privatepay

Connection and Collaboration: Let’s Go to Cuba A delegation to visit Havana, Cuba between October 17 and 22, 2016 is being organized by the Florida Mental Health Counseling Association (FMHCA) to meet with counterparts for discussion and research of mental health services in Cuba. This group has diversified itinerary, including visits to the Center for Psychological Research and the Guanabacoa Museum and Community Center. The delegation will have the opportunity to learn about Cuban culture and to establish a conversation with Cubans about counseling and social services, mental health, child welfare, and the overall well-being of the Cuban people.

Since the years of political and social upheaval that culminated in the Cuban Revolution, Cuba has faced profound challenges and changes, and today this country seems to be on the brink of an important historical moment opening to new perspectives. Many scholars have stated that social and economic difficulties havebeen part of Cuban lives, including difficulties in career path development and access to health care services. Despite these unique life experiences, or perhaps because of them, Cubans seem to have an ideology and pragmatism essential for survival in times of tension and conflict.

Though Cubans appear to be happier rebuilding their lives, there seems to be an underlying frustration and dissatisfaction. For example, numerous young professionals are still leaving Cuba looking for better life choices and economic opportunities. Thus, one of Cuba’s major challenges is to make use of its highly educated population and avoid this resource drain. One way to do this is through new connections and missions with other countries, to establish conversations that allow Cuban professionals to exchange knowledge and work in collaborative interconnections and relationships. This will benefit not only those professionals, but also Cuba in general larger its economy and in its rebirth.

Therefore, the building of these new relationships is vital, and the American delegation from the FMHCA can work with Cuban professionals and institutional leaders to exchange knowledge and ideas. I believe that this collaborative teambuilding between these two nations will be a remarkable experience for all participants.

Paula Carina Lazarim Marques Mental Health Counseling Graduate Student

Thank You to our Sponsor

On June 12, 2016, an evil, deranged individual slaughtered 49 Americans and injured 53 others in our own Florida with a Sig Sauer MCX (AR-15 facsimile). On April 14, 1865, President Lincoln was murdered by a .44 caliber Derringer. President Kennedy was slain by a Mannlicher-Carcano Model 91/38. President Reagan was shot – nearly fatally – by a madman with a Rohm R.G.14.

Within days, a candidate for the U.S. Congress in staunchly conservative Northwest Florida amended his Facebook® campaign page to offer an entry to win an AR-15 rifle (inscribed with the Second Amendment) by “liking” his site. In all but one of the aforementioned atrocities, it is impossible to find anyone insensitive enough to offer a replica of the murder weapon as a “prize”. Imagine a lottery for a Mannlicher, “just like the one that killed JFK?” Or, “Sign up here for a chance at a duplicate of John Hinckley’s Saturday Night Special!” “Like us on Facebook for the same sort of Derringer as John Wilkes Booth’s.”

Inconceivable? Unconscionable? Indeed.

Such cynical tastelessness, even in support of the Second Amendment, is blatant pandering for an uncompromising constituency of voters – at a time when some of the victims have not even been buried yet. And it is a callous example of how self-aggrandizing, extremist politicos of both sides have demonized any bipartisan, democratic debate about gun management. Clearly, there are groups which cold-heartedly benefit from that polarization, but how is our own humane position to evolve as a profession?

What’s needed is robust dialogue and eventual consensus on an issue that impacts each of us and our children. As LMHC’s, our moral and vocational responsibility places us front and center in the service of our patients; we must lead organized efforts to promote rational discourse on the issue of gun violence instead of disingenuous exploitation of tragedy like the “campaign” above. Complex, yes, but our first significant step is clear. We must be in the forefront of initiating the process by redefining the very nomenclature of the problem itself. The issue can no longer be about the divisive, pejorative term, “Gun Control”; we must speak about GUN MANAGEMENT, privately, professionally, and publicly.

As we influence people - regardless of their politics - to come to the table as fellow compatriots, Licensed Mental Health Counselors will be embracing the moral imperatives of our calling.

As Florida LMHCs, we must also be agents of change. We must: Address suicide, violence, and guns; Work to shape laws related to guns; Frame guidelines for improved reporting; Clarify issues related to mental illness and gun management; Support increased public funding; Develop assessment measures for risk; and Reframe the dialogue with our skills.

Edmund Burke said it well, “All that is required for the triumph of evil is for good [wo]men to do nothing.”

Let us be good women, good men and good LMHC’s; let us collaborate to curtail gun violence through gun management.

To do nothing would be indefensible.

Joe P. Skelly, LMHC, owns a small, multi-practitioner clinic in May Esther, Florida. He has served on the board of directors for the Florida Mental Health Counselors Association (FMHCA) in numerous positions, most recently as Member At Large. Since 1994, he has been president of the FMHCA's subsidiary member in the Panhandle, the Emerald Coast Mental Health Counselors Association (ECMHCA). This group has been highly active politically, including having national impact on TRICARE, the health insurance for military retirees and dependents. He may be reached at joeskel@cox.net.

New CE Requirement for Licensure Renewals 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 64B46.001, Florida Administrative Code.

The Stetson University Counseling Center is excited to announce that we have two openings on our team: a Full-Time Mental Health Counselor and a Part-Time Temporary Mental Health Counselor. Stetson is a small, private liberal arts college of just over 3,000 undergraduate students. Including graduate students, the total population is around 4,300. The Counseling Center is a part of the Campus Life and Student Success Division, which is very collaborative and supportive of mental health on campus. For both positions we are seeking a licensed clinician who has experience working with diverse populations and is interested in collaboration with faculty and staff partners across the University. The full-time position serves in our counseling center on-call rotation for one week every 4-5 weeks during which the clinician will need to stay within 40 minutes of campus. The Part-Time Temporary position does NOT serve in the on-call rotation. Please see our Human Resources website for a full position description and to apply: 14 http://www.stetson.edu/other/employment/job-opportunities.php#salaried

Thank You to our Sponsor

MEMBERSHIP PERKS! All FMHCA members. PartnerShip works with nationally known carriers to provide unparalleled customer service and significant savings on every shipment. FMHCA members who enroll in the AMHCA Shipping Program receive: Savings of up to 27%* on select FedEx® small package services Savings of at least 70% on standard and guaranteed LTL freight shipments with UPS Freight, YRC Freight, Con-way Freight, and other reputable carriers Savings of 20-40% on your exhibit shipments to and from trade shows and events, backed by an on-time guarantee Competitive pricing on truckload, expedited, and international freight services Specialized services including inbound management, low-cost shipping supplies, freight bill auditing, invoice consolidation, and more Visit PartnerShip.com/ 52AMHCA for complete program details. If you have any questions about FMHCA members using the AMHCA Shipping Program, please call PartnerShip at 800-599-2902, or email sales@PartnerShip.com. * Includes a bonus 5% online processing discount. Full details available at www.PartnerShip.com/52A MHCA/FedExdiscounts _____________________ CE Broker FMHCA is a CE Broker Gold

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How the Orlando Tragedy Influences LMHCs Disasters, shootings, mass tragedies play out in the media frequently. We express concern, even turning our Facebook profile pictures into the French flag overlay to show support for those impacted by the attacks. In the Orlando mass shooting, any false sense of safety by distance was shattered. LMHC’s and other professional mental health providers in the Orlando metro area rallied rapidly. Additional support counselors were called in to join the efforts. As with any mass tragedy, the impact will continue long after the media focus and volunteers leave.

What is the lesson for LMHC’s from this tragedy? Regardless of the type of practice or preferred theoretical orientation, we all need preparation in critical incident response.

Whether or not trauma counseling is your specialty, we all need to know enough to recognize the long term impact of this type of tragedy. Never think it will not come to you because the client you see six weeks or twelve months from now may still carry the psychological wounds from direct exposure or secondary traumatization from the Orlando shootings. How will you respond? Do you have training, resources and consultation or supervision to adequately support that client?

My encouragement is that all LMHC’s seek CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management or Psychological First Aid) training. As a Counselor-Educator, I sadly admit that this is not a required training other than some elements within several graduate courses.

We also need to stay current in reading journals and credible publications to help us understand the best practices in crisis stabilization. Get to know professional counselors in your area who are trauma-counseling specialists to whom you can refer or seek consultation and supervision. The resources posted on Florida Mental Health Counselors website (FMHCA.org) are important to review and maintain available to give to clients.

If you are connected with local centers of religious worship, offer those resources to the pastor, rabbi or other spiritual leader. They often hear the trauma stories and need additional support options.

Being a Licensed Mental Health Counselor is about more than sitting in a comfortable office and practicing the types of therapies that you prefer. At any given moment, we can be on the front lines of tragedy either literally or later dealing with the aftermath. If there is any lesson for LMHCs from the Orlando tragedy is that we need to be better prepared. If not today, some day we can be called up to serve. Are you ready?

Kathie T. Erwin, Ed.D., LMHC, NCC, NCGC

FMHCA'S MISSION: The mission of the Florida Mental Health Counselors Association is to advance the profession of clinical mental health counseling through intentional and strength-based advocacy, networking, professional development, legislative efforts, public education, and the promotion of positive mental health for our communities.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED WITH FMHCA & LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD The FMHCA Needs You!!! We are searching for volunteers for our 2017 Conference.

Get Involved- Work with your peers and Have an Amazing Time!!!

Contact me atdsilvernail@flmhca.org

Government Relations Committee: contact Lorrie McCann at lmccann@flmhca.org Research Committee: contact Hassiem Kambui at hkambui@flmhca.org Membership Committee: contact Elif Angel Raynor at membership@flmhca.org Bylaws Committee: contact Frank Hannah at fhannah@flmhca.org

The 2017 Call for Presentations to present at FMHCA's 2017 Annual Conference: Counseling in the Modern Age: What it was & Where we are headed!, being held in Lake Mary, FL at the Orlando Marriott from February 2-4, 2017.

All proposals must be submitted online by August 31, 2016 in order to be considered. The online form allows you to upload all documents required for submission, as well as, complete the application. First round acceptance e-mails will be sent in the beginning of September.

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GOOD NEWS!!

Did you hear the News??? Membership rates are changing to benefit Members! FMHCA has changed their rates! 

Clinical $65.00

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Regular $55.00

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Retired Member $25.00

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Student Free for the first year and there after $20.00

Each rate includes a $5. 00 PAC. What is a PAC? Click Here and Read all about it!

Thank You to our Sponsor

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MEDICARE LEGISLATION ACTION ALERT New bills have been introduced in the House and Senate to extend Medicare provider status to mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists. On July 22, 2015 Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) and Debbie Stabenow (DMI) introduced the “Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act� (S. 1830) and on June 12, 2015 Representatives Chris Gibson (R-NY) and Mike Thompson (D-CA) introduced the House version as (HR. 2759). The identical bills would allow Medicare beneficiaries access to mental health counselor services and marriage and family therapists (MFTs) through Medicare. By providing these mental health professionals the opportunity to participate in the Medicare program, the bills expand the number of mental health providers available to beneficiaries.

Describing the need for the legislation, AMHCA notes that in the United States 20 percent of individuals aged 55 and older experience some type of mental health problem. According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, there are approximately 4,000 Mental Health Professionals Shortage Areas in the United States, and half of all counties in the U.S. have no practicing psy-

chiatrists, psychologists or clinical social workers. Seniors in rural communities are the most adversely affected by these shortage areas. The time to promote Medicare recognition of mental health counselors and MFTs is now. Urge your two Senators and Representative to co-sponsor this vital legislation that would authorize MHCs and MFTs to be paid by Medicare for outpatient mental health services to beneficiaries.

Lorraine McCann - Member-AtLarge

SENATE/REPRESENTATIVE MEDICARE MEETING SCRIPT Arranging a Meeting (Be sure to speak to three offices, two Senators Counselor: Hello, my name is ___________, and I'd like to speak with the Senator's/Representative's Medicare staffer.

Counselor to Medicare Staffer: Thanks for speaking with me. I am a mental health counselor from _______. I am interested in meeting with you to discuss identical House and Senate bills numbered S.1830/HR.2759 and known as "The Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2015." This legislation, if enacted, would make mental health counselors Medicare eligible to deliver "medically necessary" outpatient psychotherapy services to Medicare beneficiaries. Do you think I could have about 15 minutes of your time to discuss this issue with you? When is a good time for me to discuss this matter?

Attending a Meeting with a Medicare Staffer Counselor: Thank you so much for agreeing to meet with me. Here's my business card. I am a mental health counselor from ______________. S.1830/HR.2759, "The Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2015," introduced by Senators Barrasso and Stabenow in the Senate and Representatives Gibson and Thompson in the House, would be of benefit to Medicare beneficiaries in my area because_________________________. As a mental health counselor, I have amassed thousands of hours of graduate education and clinical training. My training and experience makes me particularly skilled to serve Medicare beneficiaries. For example, my training and experience in ________ is very needed by Medicare beneficiaries in my community.

This bipartisan legislation has previously passed the Senate twice and the House twice, just not simultaneously. Passage of this legislation cannot come soon enough. Why? 1) Mental health counselors disproportionately practice in communities that lack adequate Medicare-eligible mental health providers.

2) Coverage of more minimum Master's mental health professionals is economically efficient. Medicare currently spends way more on higher cost inpatient mental health than it does on early intervention outpatient mental health care, which I'm educated and trained to provide.

3) The Medicare population is growing rapidly and there is a dearth of mental health professionals eligible to serve them.

4) This legislation does not expand the scope of covered Medicare services; it simply enlarges the eligible provider pool.

19 Counselor to Staffer: I'd like to ask for Senator/Representative's support of this bill. Would he or she be able to sign on as a cosponsor?

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Billing & Collection: Checklist for Overcoming Fear of Transition About 1. Do you offer a complimentary consultation?

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Procedural 1. Are all of the following done in house or are they outsourced? a. Coding? b. Utilization review? c. Collections on A/R more than 90 days outstanding?

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b. Clinicians? c. Medical doctors?

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a. If yes, what are they identifying? i. Policy restrictions on in-network or out-of-network providers?

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a. Will you track my billing patterns?

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b. How do you track trends and requirements of the insurance payers?

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ii. The patient’s financial responsibilities in terms of deductibles and copays? iii. Policy exclusions and limitations? b. How long will it take for your staff to respond to a verification of benefits inquiry?

4. Do you offer training for my employees on verification of benefits procedure?

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8. What is your approach re my A/R that is 90 or 120+ days outstanding?

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9. Do you provide any training for my staff regarding clinical and medical documentation?

10. Is there any continuing education for me/my staff included with your fee?

Continue reading this article, click here 20

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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  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 you!

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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, post-graduate, 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.

Florida Mental Health Counselors Association 2101 Vista Parkway, Suite 265 West Palm Beach, FL 33411 Phone: 561-575-9519 Website: FLMHCA.ORG

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 Sponsorship Type

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Out of Network VOB Process Hits a Speed Bump The verification process is an important step in the billing cycle.When done correctly the patient’s “VOB” will allow a healthcare provider to quickly determine if they can accept the patient for treatment or not. A good verification will tell a provider the general information about a patient’s insurance policy such as the deductible, the co-insurance and the out of pocket maximum. A very good verification will also include accreditation requirements, information on who would receive the payment for services, correct claims addresses for professional and facility charges and more. The quicker a verification is done, the sooner a patient can be brought into treatment.

Speed and accuracy is the name of the game when it comes to insurance verification and United Healthcare, until very recently, was one of the quickest policies for an Insurance Verification Specialist to work with. They were quick and easy to verify and typically very solid policies. On May 9th, 2016 UHC’s subsidiary UBH/Optum implemented a new requirement for out of network providers to obtain benefits. Regardless of meeting the HIPAA requirements to obtain patient benefit coverage they now require the patient to call in and give verbal approval for an out of network provider to obtain coverage information.

This has slowed the process down tremendously. UBH/Optum maintains that the change protects patient privacy but simply using a web tool (i.e., Availity) you can get a snapshot of a patient’s policy information that they refuse to provide. The problem with this is the information on Availity is not complete. The extra important information such as accreditation requirements, payment information and claims addresses mentioned above are not available through a web vendor, thus forcing a patient to have to call in and provide benefit information to get the rest of the verification complete. Hopefully, other insurance carriers don’t follow suitably requiring this extra layer of patient security since these new delays in the verification process ultimately prevent patients from receiving treatment as fast as possible.

Anthony M. Galgano Director of Business Development

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