Asmanyofyoureadersknow,oneofthechallengesofthis“volunteergig” iskeepingtheenergygoing Itcanbeanintensivetimecommitment Whydosomanyofussignupforit?Ithinktheansweristhatwe feeltheimportanceofhavingaprofessionalcommunityforsupport, education,andconnection.Ithasbeenimportantoverthelast40yearsandnow,morethanever,itfeelsintegralfor professionalandpersonalhealth. ItiswithgratitudethatIcanreportthatthestateofNPIisstrong. Westandat370members,withthestrongestgrowthamongourEarlyCareermembers,animportantdemographic! Our financials are solid with a 17% increase in revenue which allows us to create additional programming and membershipopportunities,aswellassupportasmallincreaseinourexecutivecoordinator‘sweeklyhours.Wealso dedicatedsomefundstoasocialmediaassistantwhichhasallowedouronlinepresencetogrow(Wehadlessthan 80Instagram followersinJanuary andnowhave890!) Thisprovidesanothermediumforpromotionofeventsas wellasconnectingwithcommunitypartners Speakingofcommunitypartners,wecontinuedourfundraisingmodel shift and now have seven corporate partners and three community partners. These relationships allow us to gain moreofafootholdinthecommunityandallowourpartnerstoaccessourmembership.Inreturn,ourpartnerships helpstabilizeourfinancialfoundation.
We completed a membership survey last year and hopefully you have noticed some of your suggestions implemented this year in programming or networking events. We started the year with a snowed-out luncheon, so wepivotedtoanonlinetraining Ifyoumissedit,checkitouthereonourYouTubeChannel.Wewereabletogather inFebruaryandinfactover75attendeescametohearJessicaHyne’stalkon"Fromfragmentationtofreedomand wholeness: Healing from shame and high control religious groups through the lens of Somatic Experiencing and InternalFamilySystems.”Thatsamemonth,wehadoureveryotheryearConnectionRetreatatbeautifulStMary’s at Sewanee Retreat Center. This event brought long-time members, as well as newer members, who were able to takeadvantageof anopportunitytogetawayfrombusyNashville,checkoutNPIandearnsomeCEUs.
While we have worked to celebrate our 40 anniversary throughout the entire year, we officially marked the occasion with a lovely April celebration at the home of David McMillan and Marietta Shipley. A 40 anniversary committeediligentlyplannedandorganizedtheevent.TwentyNPIMembersservedaspatronswhichallowedusto partiallyfundtheeventandofferdiscountedticketpricestomembers InJuly,weofferedaCarefortheCaregiver event where members came together, relaxed on a warm evening, participated in self-care activities, and enjoyed thecompanyofothermembers(makesuretocheckoutphotohighlightsinthisissue!).
Whilecontinuingeducationmonthlyluncheonsremainour“anchor”activity,wedidofficially“brand”NPIatNight as a second monthly activity. Strictly social in nature, we gather at a local restaurant on the 4 Thursday of the month. th
As we look at starting another year, and as I step into the role of Chair for our organization, I want to take a moment to share both my gratitude and my excitement for what lies ahead Being part of a community of therapists and providers who are dedicated to growth, integrity, and care has been a source of professional inspiration and personal grounding. Our organization is a space where we come together to support one another, challenge each other, and stay curious about what’s possible in the world of psychotherapy and personal growth In that spirit, I want to offer you a glimpse into a vision for the coming year: a year centered around new, interesting, and up-and-coming concepts and therapies the kind of ideas that spark our curiosity, stretch our thinking, and enrich the work we do with clients.
Therapy, and mental health generally, is always evolving New research emerges, new models are developed, and new modalities are introduced that challenge us to rethink the ways we approach healing. My hope is that our monthly luncheon series and other trainings will become a place where we can encounter those innovations together where we can be learners again, open to fresh perspectives and energized by the creativity and bravery of colleagues who are forging new paths
While a core commitment to ethical, evidence-based care remains steady, I also believe there is tremendous value in exploring the edges of the field such as the growth and integration of artificial intelligence, culturally responsive and decolonizing frameworks, sex-positive therapy, or other similarly exciting topics These are not just “trends” they represent real opportunities to deepen our work and expand the options we offer our clients.
CelebratingOurNewBoardMembers
As we look forward to this new chapter, I also want to take a moment to celebrate the new board members who are stepping into volunteer leadership roles with us this year Each of them brings a unique blend of experience, dedication, and passion for the mental health field, and I’m thrilled to welcome them onto the board.
Rebecca Selove, Chair-Elect, brings a significant history of involvement with NPI including previous time on the board of directors and fastidious involvement in committees She is also a winner of the Movimiento Guerrilla de Diversidad award which recognizes an NPI member who makes considerable effort to serve diverse and marginalized populations and to promote social justice.
Renee Doe, Board Member, offers deep expertise supporting clients who struggle to access their emotions, are neurodivergent, or have experienced environmental or relational trauma Alongside her work with NPI’s Reset Committee, Renee has extensive nonprofit, volunteer, and humanitarian experience around neurodivergence, attachment wounds, life transitions, anxiety, and couple and family conflict.
RobertDeSalvo,LCSW
Abby Van Eman, Board Member, is an energetic presence that has been significantly involved with several NPI committeespriortojoiningtheboardintheupcomingyear.Shealsoclinicallybringsexperienceincludingmen’s neurodivergence,attachmentwounds,lifetransitions,anxiety,andcoupleandfamilyconflict.
Amy Ridings, Board Member, brings a strong history of community involvement through fundraisers, school initiatives, local cleanups, and addressing urban food issues alongside therapeutic work blending grounding practiceslikebreathworkwithSomEx,EMDR,andDBT.
Stu Walker, Board Member, has experience in music and consumer goods sales and marketing, plus years of community work as a volunteer DJ and arts advocate As a counselor, he fosters healing through authentic connection,helpingadultsnavigateADHD,grief,andlonelinesswhiledeepeningself-awareness,spirituality,and wholeness.
RobertDeSalvo,LCSW
Kellee Ewing, Student Member, joins us as a current student at Lipscomb University in their Clinical Mental Health Counseling program which is a career transformation after extensive experience in the medical business world, bringing strategic vision, cross-functional expertise, and a passion for empowering others, as well as havingadeepcommitmenttophilanthropyandcommunityservice.
Krista Gray, Board Member, rejoins us for another 3 years on the board after serving on the Membership and Programming committees. Along with her tireless volunteer work for NPI over the past 3 years, she brings deep expertiseintrauma-informedcare,specializinginpersonalitydisorders,complexPTSD,ADHD,autism,andother mentalhealthchallenges.
David Spielmen, Treasurer, is completing his current board term and has committed to another three years as incoming Treasurer. With experience shaping the Membership Committee and speaking at a luncheon this year, he contributes energy and dedication alongside his clinical expertise with Autistic, ADHD, and LGBTQ+ individuals
Today, this looks like skewed clinical trials, under-sampling of marginalized populations, and dismissal of Indigenous or non-Western healing practices Such distortions continue to shape what is considered normative psychological knowledge (Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 2023) Emerging research shows trauma is embodied not only through individual experience but also through attachment patterns, social identity, and epigenetic transmission (Bowe et al , 2025)
Trauma is not contained within the psyche; it lives in relationships, communities, societies, and even biology. If this research holds, the most significant drivers of poor mental health are the very sociocultural issues still treated as supplementary to practice.
Why shift? Because antipathology is ethical and advantageous.
Clinical relevance. Clients are naming childhood adversity, racism, sexism, poverty, and systemic stress in therapy. To ignore these realities is to leave suffering untreated.
Cultural competence. Antipathology positions clinicians to serve diverse populations ethically and effectively, reducing harm and building trust.
Professional growth Continuing education, conferences, and journals are increasingly centered on equity and systemic understanding
Pathology-centered practice risks obsolescence
Financial sustainability Clients seek therapists who “get it ” Insurers and organizations demand trauma-informed, culturally competent providers
Far from weakening the field, antipathology strengthens it by aligning practice with the realities clients face. This is not a call to abandon treatment, diagnosis, or evidence-based care. It is a call to expand our lens, integrate social determinants, historical legacies, and systemic forces into our understanding of mental health, and act accordingly.
This shift will not only improve care but also restore relevance, integrity, and sustainability to the field To cling to the medical model alone is to remain complicit in systemic harm To embrace antipathology is to position the field for a future where healing is possible, not just for individuals, but for communities and societies, for generations to come
Studies suggest 30% of the general population - much higher in marginalized people - have experienced religious trauma. Join us on November 15 to examine why Group Therapy is particularly effective in addressing religious and spiritual struggles.
ETHICSAND/ORSUICIDE PREVENTIONWORKSHOP
CEUs
Approved for 3.00 contact hours for Ethics and 2.00 contact hours for Suicide Prevention
ATTENDEES CAN CHOOSE TO REGISTER FOR ONE OR BOTH THE ETHICS OR SUICIDE PREVENTION PORTIONS OF THIS WORKSHOP.
THERE IS A DISCOUNTED REGISTRATION FOR ATTENDING BOTH SESSIONS.
Session I: “Boundaries that Heal: Ethical Practice in Psychotherapy"
Time: 9:00 - 12:00 am
Presenter: Jay Tift, Ph.D., LPC-MHSP, ACS
Session II: "Beyond risk assessment: Compassionate, Ethical, and Evidence-based Care for Suicidality"
I glanced out my window and up at the sky. I’m not sure why.
My eyes were caught by a thin cord of cloud, Tying together two big fluffy white clouds. How unexpected. How unlikely. It startled me. I looked down, then quickly looked back up. The cord was quickly vanishing. It felt like a message. I puzzled.
What am I being shown?
I think of my beloved friend Who told me last night he felt he was dying. Perhaps we are each like a cloud. Impermanent. Always changing. Tied to one another by fragile cords that can vanish between glances. These ties seem so deep and strong and indestructible, But in truth can be blown away by the wind of the Holy Spirit. We love for the time we are given. It is always a sacred gift. And we release with a broken and grateful heart when the appointed time arrives.
A few moments later, I happen to look up again. I see another cord - thick and strong and moving fast. Not connected to anything. Free. Just being its Self. And then it is gone. 12/32
Promotion on Social Media
Logo/Link on NPI Website
“NPI Community Partner Spotlight” distributed to over 1,000 individuals
Networking & Promotional Opportunities at CE Meetings
Access to attendee contact list 14/32
Are you an organization that provides services that would be considered “Therapy Adjacent” such as Yoga, Accupressure, Cold Plunge, etc.? COME PARTNER WITH US
Preparing a Professional Will: A Practical and Ethical Imperative for Psychotherapists
By Jay H. Tift, PhD, LPC-MHSP, ACS
Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer, and this article should not be taken as a substitute for proper legal advice Make sure you have a relationship with an attorney to advise you on practice laws in TN.
When therapists speak of “wills,” we usually think of estate planning—who inherits property, accounts, or personal possessions. Yet as mental health professionals, our responsibilities extend beyond our private lives. We also have profound obligations to our clients, who trust us with sensitive information and depend on us for the continuity of their care. For this reason, every clinician should create a professional will: a formal document that outlines how your practice, client records, and clinical responsibilities will be handled in the event of your incapacity or death.
Despite its importance, many clinicians delay or avoid this task, perhaps assuming that colleagues or family members will 'figure it out.' Unfortunately, the absence of a plan can leave clients unsupported, records unsecured, and families overwhelmed. Creating a will is not only a good practice in management; it is also an ethical safeguard aligned with our professional codes.
Why a Professional Will Matters
The American Psychological Association (APA) and other professional bodies emphasize that clinicians have an ethical duty to ensure continuity of care. Without a professional will, a sudden death or illness may lead to:
Abandoned clients left without referrals, follow-up, or closure
Compromised confidentiality if records are mishandled or inaccessible
Stress on loved ones who may be forced to navigate professional and legal obligations without guidance.
Licensure or ethical complaints if obligations to clients are unmet.
Core Components of a Professional Will
While a professional will should be personalized to your specific practice, there are some general guidelines that can give a good starting point.
Designate a Professional Executor
Identify a trusted colleague - licensed, familiar with your practice, and willing to act on your behalf. This person will notify clients, manage records, and coordinate continuity of care. Provide their full contact information and confirm their consent in writing. They will need power of attorney to manage and close financial, practice management (EHR, employees, etc), and property (such as an office) obligations. These responsibilities may be shared with a spouse or family member. Make sure to designate who is responsible for which part. Only the licensed professional should manage clinical files.
Secure Client Records
Include instructions for accessing your electronic health record (EHR) system, encrypted drives, or physical files. Provide passwords, keys, and account details in a secure but accessible format. Clarify whether records should be transferred, archived, or destroyed according to law and board requirements.
Plan for Continuity of Care
Outline procedures for notifying clients, offering referral lists, and handling active treatment plans. This supports both ethical obligations and client well-being during transition.
Clarify Communication Protocols
Clients deserve sensitive, respectful communication. Provide templates or preferences for how to notify them (e.g., phone, secure email, mailed letter). Include preferred names, contact details, and any relevant relational considerations.
By Philip Chanin, Ed.D., ABPP, CGP Board CertifiedClinical Psychologist/Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry Vanderbilt UniversityMedical Center
“Wearedrawntopeoplewhoseissuesfitperfectly withourowninaway thatguaranteesareenactmentof the old,familiarstruggleswegrewup with.Weall marry ourunfinishedbusiness.You may think thatagood relationship doesn’tbring up tothesurfaceevery hurtandangeryou’veevercarriedinside.Butitdoes.” (p.45)
“Real intimacy isbornprecisely outof theimpactof yourhumanimperfectionwithmineandhowweboth handlethemaddening,endearing,challenging,andcreativecollision ” (p 48)
“Theonly partof therelationship thatisunderyourdirectcontrol isyou andthatisonagoodday Giveup the madagendaof ‘getting’ yourpartnertochangeandtry changing yourself instead Whileyou cannotdirectly control eitheryourpartneroryourrelationship,you may beabletoinfluencethem bothby experimenting with radical newmovesof yourown.” (p.77)
“Whenwecastacool eyeovertheso-calledlistening mostof usclaim todo,itturnsoutthatwe’remostoften notlistening atall.Whetherit’soutonthetableorlockedinourheads,whatmostof usdo,sentenceby sentenceandpointby point,isargue.Thenwehavethegall toget‘frustrated’ by mateswhoarebeing ‘difficult,’ wheninfactwehaven’treally appreciatedawordthey’vesaid.Finally,weanswermostof their concernsby discounting them altogetherorby replacing thoseconcernswithourown.” (p.212)
Whenpatientscontactmeaboutstarting couples’ therapy,almostuniversally they say thatthey needhelp with“communication.” Very fewcoupleswhopresentfortherapy knowhowtolisten.Instead,asIhavequoted TerrenceReal justabove,“whatmostof usdo,sentenceby sentenceandpointby point,isargue.” My goal asa couples’ therapististohelp them have“constructiveconversations” insteadof uselessarguments.
Real describeshealthy self-esteem:“Self-esteem isyourcapacity torecognizeyourworthandvalue,despite yourhumanflawsandweaknesses.Yourvalueasapersonisn’tearned;itisn’tconditional;itcan’tbeaddedto orsubtractedfrom.Youressential worthisneithergreaternorlesserthanthatof any otherhumanbeing.It can’tbe.Self-esteem isaboutbeing,notdoing.You haveworthsimply becauseyou’realive.” (p.135)
Real introducestheideathatpartnersmusttaketurnsinresolving conflicts.Hewrites,“Overwhelmingly,our commonapproachtoproblemsishaveadialogue:You tell meyoursideandthenI’ll tell you mine,andthen we’ll thrashisouttogether…Formostcouples,any intensely chargedissuequickly revealsthatthethat’syour side,here’smy sideapproachcarriesahighrisk of increasing ratherthandecreasing tensionsbecauseneither sidefeelssufficiently heardorunderstood.Inagreatrelationship bothyou andyourpartnercan,if you must, airyourupsetaboutanissue,butnotatthesametime.” (p.207)
Real continues,“Therepairprocessisunilateral,notmutual.Onepartnerasksforandreceiveshelp from the otherinordertomoveoutof astateof acutediscontent(disharmony) back intotheexperienceof closeness andconnection(harmony).Thelistenermustputhisorherownneedsaside…someoneexperiencing distress, evenif he’sintentonmaking thingsright,isn’treally interestedinyourthoughts,yourfeelings,oryourreasons orexplanations.Inthosefirstrawmomentsof reconnection,theupsetpartnerdoesn’tcareall thatmuch aboutyou oneway ortheother.Whatheneedstoknowif whetherornotyou careabouthim.”(p.207)
Last year, we rebranded the publication formerly known as the NPI Reflects.
This new publication, the NPI Endeavors more clearly states the purpose of this communication and eliminates some of the confusion between it and our weekly member newsletter.
With the focus of this issue to be Reflections on 2025 and Projections for 2026, we hope to highlight and celebrate our members, our presenters, and their vast experiences, as well as generate excitement around programming for next year.
We hope that you have enjoyed this publication, and that you are making plans to join us in 2026!
