WMHCA: Demystifying Professional Advocacy

Presented By

2 CEs Recorded early 2023

Rising mental health needs and workforce challenges are bringing increased attention to the importance of mental health counseling. WMHCA is at the forefront of professional advocacy for mental health counselors and the clients we serve. It is essential that we, as counselors, shape the future of our profession to ensure professional integrity and the quality of client care.

This presentation will provide participants with the foundational skills for advocating for issues related to the profession of mental health counseling. We will cover the basics of the legislative and rule-making processes in Washington state along with other opportunities for advocacy in organizations, agencies, and other spheres. There are many opportunities for counselors to get involved and have their voices heard at the capital and in rule-making for our license and regulations. Participants will be guided through making a personal plan for engagement in professional advocacy using the social action model.

Objectives:

• ● Participants will understand the importance and scope of professional advocacy.
• ● Participants will understand the basics of the legislative and rule-making process
• in Washington state.
• ● Participants will understand the importance and scope of professional advocacy.
• ● Participants will understand the basics of the legislative and rule-making process
• in Washington state
• ● Participants will build skills in social action plans and personal strengths for
• advocacy

Outline:

• Welcome and overview of objectives - 5 minutes
• Overview of ACA Advocacy Competencies -10 minutes
• Explanation of S-Quad Model of Social Action – Strengths, Solidarity, Strategy,
• Sustainability
• Participant reflection on personal strengths related to advocacy work and share out – 10
• minutes
• Solidarity – Connecting to those doing the work – 15 minutes
• Strategy – where to get involved – 45 minutes
• · Overview of the legislative process and places for comment on bills and
• testimony in public hearings
• · Talking to you legislator
• · Participating in the DOH rule making process
• · Advocating in professional spaces – i.e. agencies, organizations, etc
• Networking and crafting your elevator speech – 15 minutes
• Sustainability in advocacy work – 15 minutes
• Closing and Q & A – 5 minutes

EPDC CE Hours: 2

Presenter: Dominique Avery, PhD, NCC, LPC (ID), LMHC (WA)

Dominique Avery, PhD, NCC, LPC (ID), LMHC (WA) is core faculty in the Counseling Department at Saybrook University. She has conducted national and regional presentations on topics such as White counselor anti-racist accountability, anti-racist teaching, crisis and trauma education, licensure portability, and mixed methods research. Her leadership and research are focused on anti-racism in counseling and counselor education and she serves on university and professional organization committees dedicated to the work. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with experience in EMDR counseling with adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse and has worked with refugee children and families by bringing play-based therapy into their homes. Prior to becoming a counselor, Dominique spent a decade working with children and adolescents in shelter home settings, wilderness therapy in the deserts of Idaho, and forest schools in the woodlands of England.