Please note: WMHCA will be closed December 24th, 2025 - January 1st, 2026
Join the WMHCA Professional Development and Education Committee!
Are you passionate about shaping the future of ethical, liberative, and culturally responsive clinical practice? The Professional Development and Education Committee (PDEC) invites all WMHCA members to join us in advancing high-quality and accessible continuing education presentations rooted in decolonized principles and cultural humility.
Our mission is to increase competency, challenge oppressive systems, and support counselors in reducing suffering through thoughtful and timely educational opportunities. We actively seek to uplift diverse voices and perspectives—both in our committee and through the presenters we recruit.
As a member of the committee, you’ll help:
Whether you’re curious about our work or ready to get involved, we’d love to have you join a meeting and explore how you can contribute.
Please join us for the next WMHCA Membership Engagement & Outreach Committee Meeting
Looking for a way to get more involved with WMHCA and connect with other passionate mental health professionals? We’d love for you to join our next Membership Engagement & Outreach Committee meeting!
This group focuses on building community, creating meaningful member experiences, and helping WMHCA grow in exciting and inclusive ways. Whether you're brand new or have been around a while, there's a place for you here.
Here’s what to expect:
No pressure, no prep required—show up as you are and feel free to eat your lunch.
If you’ve been thinking about getting more involved, this is a great place to start.
We hope to see you there!
The Justice Equity Diversity & Inclusion committee is an established committee of folks who have gone through extensive training and consultation to develop a strategic plan for WMHCA. The meetings serve as a time to review tasks completed between meetings and to identify next steps. We welcome visitors and feedback, however, due to the high amount of information we have to address in every meeting, we request the focus be on the items at hand. Comments, concerns or feedback can also be sent directly to the Chair of the committee Bree Sutton M.A., LMHC Bree@wmhca.org.
Get ready for "Weaving Connections: Building Inclusion and Connection in Therapy," our upcoming conference designed to foster vital connections within our therapeutic community! To make this event a resounding success, we need your help. We're looking for enthusiastic volunteers to assist with various aspects of getting the conference up and running. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to a meaningful event, connect with fellow members, and gain valuable experience. If you're eager to lend a hand and help us weave an unforgettable experience, please sign up to join us! We can't wait to see you there.
Description:
Boundary violations are among the most common reasons for professional discipline of behavioral health clinicians. Dual relationships—both intentional and unintentional—can arise in many forms and often present ethical, clinical, and legal challenges. In recognition of this significant cause of misconduct, as of October 2025 the Washinton Department of Health has implemented a new requirement for two hours of continuing education in “Professional Roles and Boundaries” every two years.
In this two-hour workshop, we will examine Washington State laws and professional ethical standards regarding personal and dual relationships with clients. Drawing from recent Washington Department of Health disciplinary decisions, participants will engage with real-world case studies that illustrate common risk areas. The workshop will also offer practical strategies for establishing and maintaining appropriate clinical boundaries in everyday practice.
This course is designed to meet the Washington State Department of Health’s requirement for continuing education in Professional Roles and Boundaries.
Objectives:
Participants will be able to:
About the Presenter:
Eric Ström is an attorney and Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Seattle,Washington. As an attorney, Eric provides legal counsel, consultation, and guidance to mental health professionals. Eric’s clinical practice is focused on providing counseling services to combat veterans and those in other high-stress professions. Eric currently serves on the American Mental Health Counselors Association Ethics Committee, and is the ethics advisor for the Washington Mental Health Counselors Association. Eric has taught a range of courses in counseling and professional ethics at a variety of graduate and undergraduate programs.
Eric earned a PhD in Counseling at Oregon State University, graduated cum laude from Wayne State University School of Law in Detroit Michigan, earned a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling Psychology from the Northwest School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University Seattle, attended the Hague Academy of International Law in the Hague Netherlands, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics from the University of Michigan.
Registration closes January 11, 2026.
This course is approved for 2 CE hours for LMHCs, LMFTs, LCSWs, and all associate-level licensees in Washington State
Washington Mental Health Association (WMHCA) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 2079. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. WMHCA is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
WMHCA Cancellation Policy
To receive a refund, less a $15 cancellation fee, cancellations must be made by contacting WMHCA at least 48 hours prior to workshop date. There will be no refunds within 48 hours of the workshop date. Please make sure you have the link 24 hours prior to the event starting.
Get ready to make an impact! WMHCA’s Policy and Professional Advocacy Committee is gearing up to plan our priorities for the 2025/26 legislative session, and we need your voice. We’re looking for passionate volunteers to help identify the advocacy issues that matter to mental health counselors across Washington. This is a great opportunity to speak up about what you believe should be front and center in our advocacy work, connect with colleagues, and help shape the future of our profession. If you're ready to make a difference, we’d love to have you on board!
This session will provide practical strategies and information on the core ingredients of personal resilience: Purpose, Connection, Adaptability, and Hope. Participants will learn ways to evaluate where they may be on each of these components, where growth is possible and needed, and how to engage with these core aspects of resilience in a practical and accessible way by focusing on HOW they engage with themselves and others. The current context of the systemic impacts on psychological resilience and functional wellness will be included for discussion. With a focus on typical neurological and physical experiences and the reasons for them (brain fog, irritability, anger, etc) this training offers real-world tips on how to reduce symptoms and improve a sense of well-being from a neurological standpoint, being aware of obstacles, and engaging effectively (and reducing risk) when supporting clients.
Develop a sense of personal “core values” and how they impact apply personally and with clients.
Develop awareness of personal challenges and risk factors related to health and how it impact client care.
Dr. Kira Mauseth is a practicing clinical psychologist who sees patients at Snohomish Psychology Associates in Everett and Edmonds, WA, is a Teaching Professor at Seattle University and served as a co-lead for the Behavioral Health Strike Team for the WA State Department of Health during the COVID response. She also owns Astrum Health, LLC, and consults with organizations, state agencies, and educational groups about disaster preparedness and resilience building within local communities. She is part of the Pediatric Pandemic Network (PPN) mental health working group, a HRSA funded project with national centers for excellence.
Dr. Mauseth has provided training to community groups and professionals both regionally and abroad as the co-developer of the Health Support Team© program. Her work and research focus on disaster behavioral health, resilience, and recovery from trauma as well as small and large-scale critical incident response and preparation for organizations. She has worked abroad extensively with disaster survivors and refugees and has trained first responders and health care workers throughout Puget Sound the United States, and currently serves in the adult mental health clinical seat on Washington State’s Disaster Medical Advisory Committee (DMAC). Registration closes January 17, 2025
This course is approved for 1 CE hours for LMHCs, LMFTs, LCSWs, and all associate-level licensees in Washington State
This is a closed meeting for the Executive Committee. Please RSVP to get the zoom link and for attendance purposes.
The Washington Mental Health Counselor Association is presenting a free event for members on how to become a licensed mental health counselor in Washington State. Topics include, timeline to a counseling career, WA state Legislation and Licensing, Supervision and Tracking Hours, and much more. It will be 60 to 90 minutes depending on participant engagement and Q&A.
This course explores the embodied impact of systemic oppression, particularly within Black, immigrant, and other marginalized communities. Participants will learn how trauma is carried in the body and expressed through generational patterns, and will engage in culturally grounded healing approaches that move beyond talk therapy. Integrating somatic therapy, expressive arts, and the cultural power of music, this session provides clinicians with practical tools to address trauma, restore embodied safety, and honor community-based ways of processing. Emphasis is placed on the intersection of mental health, human rights, and cultural restoration.
Identify how systemic oppression impacts the body and nervous system in marginalized communities.
Apply somatic, musical, and expressive techniques to support trauma healing beyond verbal processing.
Integrate culturally grounded healing approaches into trauma-informed clinical practice.
Danielle L. McDowell, LPC, is a Virginia and Florida licensed counselor, Virginia Board of Counseling Approved Supervisor, TEDx speaker, and award-winning author. She specializes in culturally responsive, identity-centered care, integrating somatic therapy, expressive arts, music, and human rights frameworks to serve marginalized communities. Danielle has facilitated professional trainings, racial healing circles, and trauma-informed workshops nationally, equipping providers with tools that bridge clinical skill, cultural restoration, and equity in mental health care.
Registration closes January 26, 2026.
This course is approved for 3 CE hours for LMHCs, LMFTs, LCSWs, and all associate-level licensees in Washington State
Please register if you you are interested in attending WMHCA's Advocacy Day. February 1st, 2026 is not the actual date. It is a placeholder until the date is finalized. We won't know the date until later in the session.
We will give as much notice as possible as the legislative process moves quickly.
We will head to Olympia to engage in the legislative process. This will be an opportunity to meet with legislators and watch committee hearings. WMHCA members can share their collective voice about important bills and participate in the legislative process.
Networking Meetups are free events for you to connect with peers, share insights, discuss current challenges in the field, and build a strong local support system. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, come share your experiences and expand your professional network.
Networking Meetups are organized by WMHCA members and not hosted or sponsored by WMHCA.
If you're interested in hosting a Networking Meetup in your area please email info@wmhca.org.
This 3-hour training equips Washington mental health professionals with evidence-based knowledge and practical skills for Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration (PHRI) psychotherapy. This emerging therapeutic approach supports clients navigating psychedelic use in an evolving legal landscape. Washington clinicians increasingly encounter clients who use or are considering psychedelics.
This training does NOT provide instruction in directly administering psychedelics or endorse illegal activities. It operates strictly within the harm reduction and integration framework that defines PHRI psychotherapy and falls within Washington mental health professionals' scope of practice. The focus is on supporting client safety, informed decision-making, and therapeutic processing of psychedelic experiences—skills that are immediately applicable to clinical practice.
Participants will leave with practical assessment tools, documentation strategies, harm reduction resources to share with clients, and integration techniques that can be implemented immediately in PHRI psychotherapy practice.
Dr. Peter Addy, LMHC, is an expert in the field of psychedelic substances and states of consciousness. With 15 years of experience, Dr. Addy has established himself as an authority on the transformative effects of transcendence and wholeness. Dr. Addy received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology, where he conducted one of the earliest studies on the atypical psychedelic plant Salvia divinorum in humans. He continued his research at Yale University, where he co-founded the Yale Psychedelic Science Group and studied other atypical psychedelics. Dr. Addy's expertise extends to substance use disorder treatment, having completed postdoctoral training in the field. In addition to his academic credentials, Dr. Addy has also traveled to Mexico to learn about the indigenous use of psychedelic plants and participated in non-directive harm reduction and integration training at Burning Man. Dr. Addy's knowledge and expertise have led him to become a highly sought-after speaker and presenter, having given talks internationally on a range of topics related to spirituality, transpersonal states, psychedelic science, and research methodology. Dr. Addy is also an accomplished writer, having authored numerous scientific articles, book chapters, and popular press articles on typical and atypical psychedelics, substance abuse, and spirituality. He currently practices as a psychotherapist in private practice in both Washington and Oregon, where he continues to apply his knowledge and expertise to help others achieve transformative experiences.
Registration closes February 6th, 2026.
WMHCA members are warmly invited to attend our upcoming board meeting. This is an opportunity to hear updates on key initiatives, learn more about the important work WMHCA is doing to support mental health professionals, and share thoughts directly with board leadership.
Members' voices matter, and WMHCA values member input as the board continues to shape the association's future. Although this is not a traditional networking event, it provides a meaningful space for engagement, transparency, and collaboration.
We hope to see you there.
This is for the elections task force. The task force shall be responsible for presenting a list of qualified candidates for the annual election when there are board vacancies. The task force will review the board application, make any changes, and solicit nominations from general membership. They will also make sure all candidates are members in good standing.
If you plan to join the task force you should come to all three meetings. The task force will meet the 3rd Friday of the month in January (9:00 AM), February (8:00 AM) and March (9:00 AM).
This webinar will help participants identify and name experiences that contribute to their own sense of personal burnout and / or restoration both on and off the job. Developing an understanding of what works for them personally will help strengthen their ability to support clients. Participants will evaluate opportunities to develop healthy boundaries and strategic use of “off” time, as well as the importance of attending to the compassion rewards that are available in connecting with clients.
Dr. Mauseth has provided training to community groups and professionals both regionally and abroad as the co-developer of the Health Support Team© program. Her work and research focus on disaster behavioral health, resilience, and recovery from trauma as well as small and large-scale critical incident response and preparation for organizations. She has worked abroad extensively with disaster survivors and refugees and has trained first responders and health care workers throughout Puget Sound the United States, and currently serves in the adult mental health clinical seat on Washington State’s Disaster Medical Advisory Committee (DMAC).
Registration closes February 21st, 2026
WMHCA's 2026 Conference, Weaving Connections: Building Belonging and Inclusion in Therapy will bring together professionals committed to fostering deeper connections and inclusive healing spaces in therapy.
The Conference will be May 1st-3rd, 2026 at the Seatac Hilton near Seatac Airport. May 1st will be an evening Welcome Reception and the 2nd & 3rd will be full days of continuing education.
The Room Block is currently open, as well as the discounted airfare. Book your room early as space is limited.
WMHCA is excited to announce we have secured the keynote speaker for our upcoming conference. The Cost of Healing in Silence — Racial Trauma and the Call for Culturally Responsive Care
Ashley McGirt, MSW, LICSW, is a licensed therapist, author, and Founder & CEO of Therapy Fund Foundation, a nonprofit eliminating barriers to healing in Black communities. A TEDx speaker and NAACP Health Chair, she specializes in trauma and culturally responsive care. Her forthcoming book, "The Cost of Healing in Silence", explores racial trauma and the call for inclusive, equitable mental health practices.
Silence has a cost, especially in communities of color where unspoken pain, generational trauma, and systemic inequities shape lived experiences. In this interactive workshop, participants will explore racial trauma through the lens of The Cost of Healing in Silence, a book that blends clinical insight, research, and lived experience. The session will offer both reflective and practical strategies for building belonging and inclusion in therapeutic spaces, helping clinicians deepen their cultural responsiveness and better support BIPOC clients.
Attendees will engage with case examples, narrative storytelling, and experiential exercises that highlight the impact of racial bias in diagnosis, barriers to care, and the healing potential of culturally responsive interventions. Participants will leave with tools to integrate equity and inclusion into practice while honoring resilience, fortitude, and the humanity of clients navigating racial trauma.
Get your tickets in advance as it is likely to sell out.
The rest of the schedule will come out in late December!
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No refunds will be given.
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