Out of my Mind
"It's all about a living wage!"
By James Blundo, MMCHA Executive Director
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When I started my journey as a Counselor, I soon found out I couldn’t make a living wage.
There is no more significant or meaningful career that truly advances society than counseling. So, I set out to develop a career that would support my life mission. I contend, over a span of over 35 years, MMHCA has become that vehicle to work toward a living wage
Our first hurdle, way back in 1989, was to pass legislation titled, "LLPC/LPC."
Another significant challenge was to successfully secure insurance reimbursement—beginning with Blue Cross.
In 2019, there was an attempt to limit our Scope of Practice. This action, if enacted, would have ended our ability to make a living wage. MMHCA led a coalition of counselors across the state that fought for our license. Public Act 96 of 2019 was the historic and unprecedented result.
This bill not only codified our Scope of Practice but positioned counselors (LLPC/LPCs) as major providers of mental health services. MMHCA is now able to influence public policy in the Michigan Legislature, the Governor’s Office, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).
However, many counselors are still underpaid and struggle to find viable employment. A living wage is still a hope but not yet a reality for all. There is much more needed to reach the full potential of our profession.
The following are the next tangible steps toward a living wage:
- Pass Medicare legislation that includes LLPC/LPCs as core providers.
- Support the development and advancement of Private Practice, including consulting, training, supervision, and other related options.
- Clinical skills training to advance competency through webinars and workshops.
- Networking opportunities that build relationships, camaraderie, and reduce isolation.
- Create value-added incentives to enhance personal and professional needs (Affinity discounts programs). Coming soon!
- Opportunities for Masters and Doctoral Counseling students to present, volunteer, participate in the MMHCA Bridging Initiative, have a long-term home with MMHCA for Professional Development, and carry on our powerful Public Policy Initiatives.
So, let’s go forward together to grow our membership and to grow our voice!
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A Message from our MMHCA President
By Dr. Katherine E. James
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Greetings, State of Michigan Mental Health Counselors!
Wellness is my hope for you. We (the World), and, specifically, Michiganders continue to navigate the realities experienced in 2020. For many, there were mountains to navigate, new terrain to manage, and a requisite familiarizing unknowns. Adjustments were necessary for us all! Considering all that has transpired, it is with sincerity I express my gratitude for us all being here in 2021.
My mission yet stands, and on the backdrop of 2020, I am more resolute to fulfill my presidential goals.
To that end, MMHCA forges forward to:
- Build infrastructure, ensuring that we remain a viable organization that is self-mandated to expand opportunities for licensed counselors while supporting Michigan’s overall mental health.
- Create unique opportunities for students and new professionals to navigate into the profession through the Bridging Initiative. Connect with the Bridging team through email at MMHCABI@gmail.com for additional information.
- Stay engaged in and serve as a lead for initiatives that serve the broader community (i.e., Implicit Bias).
As a major component of Michigan’s mental health community, we (counselors) play a vital part in promoting and sustaining overall wellness. Remember, however; wellness starts with us.
Consider the following:
Self-care is so important.
When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel. ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
In honor of Black History Month
Martin Luther King Jr. offered this “The difference between a dreamer and a visionary is that the dreamer has his eyes closed and the visionary has his eyes open.” We must stay vigilant, proceeding with our eyes open, by continually securing adequate solutions to the many issues facing Michigan’s mental health community. For this to happen, both our individual and continual visions are necessary. This is a call to action. Take the next step towards vision!
“BE” well, my friends,
Dr. Katherine E. James
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MMHCA has an exciting opportunity for you to become more involved with MMHCA and your community! |
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What is a Regional Ambassador?
Regional Ambassadors are the connection between the Michigan Mental Health Counselors Association Board and the community of Licensed Professional Counselors they serve. Regional Ambassadors interact with their community to learn pressing concerns and needs and provide feedback to MMHCA.
Regional Ambassadors facilitate communication from MMHCA to their community.
What would you be required to do?
- Commit to two years of service as Regional Ambassador
- Provide leadership, guidance, and mentorship to your predecessor during your last year of service.
- Attend annual Ambassador retreat.
- Organize and host a community event every six months to provide the community with updates from MMHCA and gather the needs and concerns of the community.
- Attend three MMHCA board meetings in your two-year term.* Meetings will be assigned by the Ambassador Chair. Ambassadors may switch assigned meetings with other Ambassadors as approved by the Ambassador Chair.
- Attend all ambassador meetings following every board meeting.*
- Provide your region’s relevant information and concerns to the Ambassador Chair 24 hours prior to the board meeting.
- Select and manage a team of three to five members who provide support to the ambassador. Board meetings cannot be assigned to team members.
- Manage your region’s email providing responses within 48 business hours. If the information requested in the email cannot be answered within 48 hours an email stating that you are seeking more information will be sent, with weekly updates until the question or concern is resolved.
- Attend local legislator public events to promote the needs and advocacy of MMHCA and LPCs/LLPCs.
- Coordinate with the Bridging Initiative Team and promote the Bridging Program.
- Uphold the standards of conduct and hold their team accountable to the same standards.
* Meetings may be attended via zoom
Uncertain you want to take on the ambassador role but want to get involved?
Each ambassador has a team of 3-5 people.
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MMHCA is Looking for Eight Regional Ambassadors! |
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Please contact Jess Mariano by Monday, February 25th if you are interested.
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SELECTING A SUPERVISOR TRAINING PROGRAM
By: James Blundo Executive Director MMHCA
As Executive Director of MMHCA with many years of counseling experience, I want to address the issue of Supervisor Training. It is extremely important that you pick wisely. I have observed several inquiries on Facebook about the selection process of finding your best options for training.
With this in mind, I highly recommend the Supervision Training provided by The Mentoring Institute.
The program is now ON DEMAND and COMPLETELY VIRTUAL. It is the only training that fully meets the requirements dictated by the Board of Counseling and all other national certifications and associations. In addition, they wrote the standard and legislation defining and protecting our Scope of Practice including passage of Public Act 96 of 2019 (PA96 of 2019).
You will want to take this training prior to new rules going into effect.
Go to Thementoringinst@aol.com for information or to purchase their comprehensive book: Counselor Licensure and Scope of Practice in Michigan (Newly Revised 2020).
The Mentoring Institute is listed by the Center for Credentialing and Education and the National Board for Certified Counselors as an Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP).
Criteria for Supervision Training Program Selection
Evaluate the Investment.
Evaluate the Trainer.
Evaluate the Program.
Questions to ask about the trainer:
How long has your trainer provided supervision in Michigan?
How do they meet the requirements to be a supervisor? Michigan Rules require that supervisors provide their supervisees with a statement detailing how they meet the requirements to be a supervisor. Don’t hesitate to ask your trainer for a copy of this statement.
What supervision credentials does your trainer hold? The national credential for supervisors is the Approved Clinical Supervisor Credential (ACS). The MITS credential for Michigan supervisors designates a qualified supervisor with training that needs Michigan requirements. The Center for Credentialing and Education, which issues the ACS credential, provides a link to National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) ACEP (Approved Providers of Continuing Education.)
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Displaying your Michigan Mental Health Counselors Association (MMHCA) digital members' badge demonstrates that you bring the highest commitment to the mental health counseling profession and your advocacy for mental health in your community and practice. |
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Ideas for Sharing your New Digital Badge
- Display your badges in your email signature.
- Promote your digital badges on social media and professional networking sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn.
- Broadcast your unique marketable and valuable skills and memberships on your resume.
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Skills development - Continuous professional excellence
LARA to Require Implicit Bias Training for Counselors to Address Racial Disparities
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On July 9, 2020 Governor Whitmer’s Executive Directive 2020-7 directed the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) to begin developing rules that will require implicit bias training as part of the knowledge and skills necessary for licensure, registration, and renewal of licenses and registrations of health professionals in Michigan. Recognizing the gravity of health disparities and its far-reaching negative implications for Michiganders, the Michigan Mental Health Counselors Association (MMHCA) immediately acknowledged our responsibility to act. We thereby, expeditiously, began the process of forming a task force of diverse persons to develop a training that would help in the reduction and eventual elimination of unconscious biases, misconceptions, and stereotypes that often lead health care disparities.
The mission of the Michigan Mental Health Counselors Association is to develop and empower the mental health counseling profession and promote mental health for the community. Our mission obligates us to responsible action on matters of mental health in the state of Michigan. MMHCA’s holds health care disparities as a crisis, and thereby remains committed to the development of a comprehensive, robust training that meets, and in some ways, surpasses the state mandated standards. The task force was charged with developing robust training that will set the standard for future implicit bias training and training standards in the State of Michigan. This training is a “living project” As mental health needs and research support the necessity of revision, efforts will be undertaken to update the content to address identified changes.
This Implicit Bias training is evidence of our on-going commitment to Michigan’s mental health.
Sincerely
Katherine E. James, MMHCA President 2020-2021
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Current MMHCA Members Submit Your Recent Achievements! |
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Have you just published a new book or app?
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Have you received a promotion or an award?
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Are you offering a new workshop or training?
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Human Trafficking: March 12, April 9, May 7 2021
Dr. Norwood will provide counselors, MSWs, & health care professionals with
training
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Two-day Conference: November 12 and 13, 2021
Trauma Recovery Post COVID-19 and The New Realities
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Members only Quarterly Zoom Meetings:
March 27, June 26, September 25, December11, 2021
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Watch for these new offerings: |
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Webinars & Workshops, Membership:
- Private Practice Development
- Trauma Recovery Clinical Training
- Facebook Live updates on Public Policy and other critical information.
- Affinity value added Insurance options for members only:
- Life, Disability, Health, Dental, Vision, Professional Liability, General Liability, Prescription Discounts, etc.
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MMHCA-Sponsored
Supervisor Training Program
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NEW PRICING STRUCTURE makes this program more affordable and highly competitive.
30 Hour Program is now $649
45 Hour Program is now $924.
These *Benefits (totaling up to $6,000) are available only in this program:
Additional Benefits:
- The 30 Hour Program meets all Michigan training requirements for supervisors.
- The 45 Hour Program meets both Michigan and ACS (Approved Clinical Supervisor) training requirements.
- NBCC clock-hours are awarded for both programs.
*Free one-year membership in MMHCA (Michigan Mental Health Counselors Association) for both current and new members to keep you abreast of the latest practice and professional issues critical for all supervisors.
*Free copy of the newly updated book Counselor Licensure and Supervision in Michigan: Historical Perspectives and Current Practice.
*Access to Dr. Sara Sue Schaeffer’s new video presentation on Michigan licensure.
*Free supervision consultation for life with Dr. Schaeffer and Dr. Donald Amidon.
*Option to add in the prestigious MITS (Mentoring Institute Trained Supervisor)
Credential and free lifetime listing on our website to help potential supervises find you and know you are qualified.
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The Mentoring Institute is listed by the Center for Credentialing and Education and the National Board for Certified Counselors as an Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP)
This program is now ON DEMAND and COMPLETELY VIRTUAL. You no longer have to wait for a class to begin. Register whenever you are ready and complete the program on your schedule, no matter how long it takes.
A CHOICE OF BOTH 30 and 45 HOUR PROGRAMS allows you to tailor the training to best meet your needs.
MMHCA is proud to offer this Supervisor Training created exclusively for Michigan supervisors by highly experienced supervisors and trainers, Dr. Sara Sue Schaeffer, LPC, LMFT, ACS, and Dr. Donald Amidon, LPC, LMFT, ACS.
Dr. Schaeffer, an expert on Michigan Counselor Licensure Law, is MMHCA Co-Chair of the Licensure and Public Policy Committee. She was a primary author of both the 1988 and 2019 Counselor Licensure Laws and Rules and worked diligently to insure their passage. She served as Chair of the first Michigan Board of Counseling and holds the first counselor license issued in the State of Michigan.
You can count on the information presented in these programs being accurate, in-depth, reliable, and up-to-date!
TO REGISTER
Go to: WWW.THEMENTORINGINST.COM
PRINT AND COMPLETE THE APPROPRIATE REGISTRATION FORM FOR THE OPTION YOU CHOOSE.
MAIL OR EMAIL YOUR REGISTRATION WITH YOUR PAYMENT TO:
Thementoringinst@aol.com
or
The Mentoring Institute
1534 Woodland Drive
Portage, MI 49024
QUESTIONS?
Contact Drs. Schaeffer and Amidon at:
Thementoringinst@aol.com
269-327-6030
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What other organization represents you better (and recently saved our counseling profession)?
MMHCA has your back. Help us continue our unprecedented and proven efforts to strengthen and protect our profession. Our MMHCA lobbyist continues to strategically position us to have a direct impact on Michigan Public Policy and National Medicare Mental Health Access Improvement.
Our strategic plan is only as strong as our membership numbers (remember when thousands of us showed up in Lansing?).
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Michigan Mental Health Counselors Association|
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