WMHCA Gear & Apparel
Update your WMHCA Profile and Privacy Settings
Access your Continuing Education Certificates for WMHCA Workshops
The Governing Board Task Force is a Policy and Professional Advocacy Committee initiative working to establish a dedicated governing board for licensed mental health counselors and associates in Washington State. Our goal is straightforward: the standards, regulations, and scope of practice that govern our profession should be shaped by the people who live and work within it every day.
A governing board is about more than professional autonomy. It creates a structure for transparent, accountable, and evidence-informed oversight that protects the public while strengthening the integrity of our field. Licensed mental health counselors in Washington deserve the same professional governance that other health disciplines have had for years — and we're working to make that happen.
Right now, the task force is focused on three things: helping WMHCA members understand what a governing board is and why it matters, building relationships with allied mental health associations for cross-discipline advocacy, and identifying legislative sponsors for a bill in the 2026–2027 session.
If you're a counselor, supervisor, educator, or advocate who believes our profession deserves a stronger voice in decisions that affect us and the clients we serve — we'd love to have you involved.
We meet on the second Tuesday of the month from 5-6pm.
The FTSC helps ensure WMHCA's finances stay transparent, well-managed, and sustainable for the long run. That includes things like reviewing budgets and financial statements, exploring and improving investments, establishing a process for our annual report and helping shape policies around reserves and long-term fiscal health. It's a great way to put financial experience to direct use in service of the association.
Washington is one of the few states without a dedicated governing board for counselors — and that's something WMHCA is working to change. Right now, regulation of Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs) falls under the Department of Health alongside many other fields, leaving counselors without a unified voice to shape the standards, ethics, and policies that define our work. A governing board — made up of practicing counselors and public members — would change that by overseeing licensure, guiding continuing education, supporting supervisors, and ensuring our profession is represented in legislative and regulatory decisions. Join us for a Virtual Town Hall to hear what's being developed, ask questions, and help shape the future of counseling in Washington. This is your opportunity to be part of the conversation.
The Washington Mental Health Counselors Foundation provides scholarships for students in their journey through graduate school. We recognize entering the mental health field has significant barriers for some students and choosing to enter the counseling profession takes a substantial amount of strength and courage. At this time we are forming a panel to review scholarship applications and select recipients. We are particularly interested in having a diverse committee and encourage clinicians of historically marginalized identities including BIPOC, disability, LGBTGEQIAP+, and others to apply.
Members Only Event
Description
Most therapists and counselors didn't go into their field to manage finances. Yet running a practice requires understanding the numbers that keep your business healthy. This workshop simplifies financial management for practice owners who don't consider themselves "numbers people." You'll learn what financial data actually matters for your practice, how to set up systems that work, what it means to truly get paid for your work, and why neglecting these fundamentals costs you in the long run. By the end, you'll know exactly what to track and why it matters to your bottom line.
Learning Objectives
There are no CEs for this event.
Carla Titus is a finance expert with over 18 years of combined corporate financial planning, analysis, strategy, and online businesses experience. She provides fractional CFO services and financial consulting to practice owners looking to grow their business profitably. Her mission with Wealth & Worth Within is to empower business owners to achieve financial clarity and peace of mind, so that they can get back to what they enjoy.
Description:
The rapid expansion of telehealth has created new opportunities for behavioral health clinicians to provide services across geographic boundaries, but it has also created increasingly complex legal and ethical challenges. When the clinician and client are in different jurisdictions (states or countries), many significant considerations must be addressed. These include issues such as legal jurisdiction, licensure requirements, compliance with state laws, insurance coverage, third-party reimbursement, and professional liability standards.
In this workshop, we will examine the legal and ethical standards governing cross-jurisdictional behavioral health practice, with particular attention to the interstate licensure compacts. Through practical examples and case scenarios, we will explore how current and developing state laws and licensing requirements can affect clinical practice and we will identify strategies for determining when and how services may legally and ethically be provided across state lines.
Objectives:
Participants will be able to:
About the Presenter:
Eric Ström JD, PhD, LMHC 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 October 23rd, 2026 (space is limited)
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.
WMHCA is launching a new AI Task Force to develop guidelines and explore legislation for AI use in mental health. The task force will examine AI’s impact on counselors, clients,and advocate for our profession as this technology evolves.
This is a closed meeting for the Executive Committee Only. Please RSVP to get the zoom link and for attendance purposes.
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.
Get ready to make an impact! WMHCA’s Policy and Professional Advocacy Committee is gearing up to plan our priorities for the 2026/27 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!
Help WMHCA plan our second annual conference in May 2027 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 create an unforgettable experience, please sign up to join us! We can't wait to see you there.
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.
Please Note that this meeting was moved to the 2nd Thursday due to the State of Reform.
The Elections Committee shall be responsible for presenting a list of qualified candidates for the annual election when there are board vacancies. The committee 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 committee you should come to all three meetings: January, February and March.
WMHCA’s 2027 Conference, Bridging Connections: Navigating Inclusive Care in an Evolving Landscape, will take place May 13–15, 2027, in Yakima, Washington. The conference will bring together mental health professionals committed to strengthening connections and fostering inclusive, affirming spaces for healing and growth.
Held during Mental Health Awareness Month, the conference offers a timely opportunity to recognize the importance of mental health, reduce stigma, and strengthen our collective commitment to accessible, equitable, and culturally responsive care. As conversations about mental health continue to evolve, clinicians play an essential role in ensuring that individuals and communities feel seen, supported, and connected.
Two Pre-Conference Options!
Ethics Pre-Conference: Tuesday May 11th, 2027 10:00 am - 1:00 pm PST live Zoom webinar - 3 Ethics CEs
The Law & Ethics of Inclusive Behavioral Health Care: Disability, Language, Neurodivergence, Accommodations and the Clinician's Obligation presented by Dr. Eric Strom, JD, LMHC
Suicide Prevention Pre-Conference: Thursday May 13th, 2027 8:00 am - 3:30 PM live in person Yakima Convention Center - 6 CEs - meets Washington State Suicide Training requirement
Suicide Assessment, Treatment and Management presented by Emily Hughes LMFT, CMHS, SUDP
Pre-conferences do not include meals or snacks.
Get your tickets in advance as it is likely to sell out - registration closes April 30th, 2027.
Single-Day Tickets: Single-day registration will be available beginning in April, space permitting.
Become a WMHCA Member
No refunds will be given.
Contact | Privacy Policy | Site Map | Terms of Use
2024 © WHMCA Washington Mental Health Counselors Association is a 501(c)6 non-profit organization.
