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Professional Development and Education Committee

Committee Mission Statement


We believe that education needs to be rooted in decolonized and liberative principles. The education committee seeks to sponsor high caliber and timely educative presentations to increase competency, provoke critical consciousness, and challenge oppressive practices. We offer continuing education opportunities which are accessible and further the embodiment ofethical clinical practice. We support counselors in developing cultural humility and strategies to reduce suffering. WMHCA and the committee actively seek to recruit presenters with diverse and intersectional identities, philosophies, and content.

Contact information


Chair:Carolyn Russo PhD, LMHC, NCC

Vice-Chair: Christina Louk PhD, LMHC, NCC


Committee Purpose

The Professional Development and Education Committee is inviting all WMHCA members to join the committee. The goal of the Professional Development and Education Committee is to vet presenters for workshops, select topics that best serve members, plan and host workshops, and stay updated on all continuing education requirements set forth by the Washington State Department of Health. The committee also explores and makes decisions regarding curriculum development.

WMCHA is always accepting professional development proposals for continuing education.  Click here for more information.

WMHCA also approves continuing education for other organizations or providers.  Click here for more information.

All providers are now required to take 2 CE's of health equity continuing education every 4 year.

What are the Health Equity Training Standards?

As of January 1, 2024 all providers licensed under Title 18 must take two (2) continuing education credits of health equity training every four (4) years.  This includes associates.

 

The training must:

  • Include implicit bias training to identify strategies to reduce bias during assessment and diagnosis and may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the topics below

  • Instruction on skills to address the structural factors, such as bias, racism, and poverty, that manifest as health inequities.

  • Self-reflection to assess how the licensee's social position can influence their relationship with clients and their communities.

  • Strategies for recognizing patterns of health care disparities on an individual, institutional, and structural level and eliminating factors that influence them.

  • Intercultural communication skills training, including how to work effectively with an interpreter and how communication styles differ across cultures.

  • Have trainers with demonstrated knowledge and experience related to health equity. Research referenced in the training must be based on current empirical research and known best practices.

  • The courses must assess the licensee's ability to apply health equity concepts into practice

  • An assessment at the end of an in-person or virtual continuing education training to determine knowledge gained during that training or

  • A document provided at the end of an in-person or virtual continuing education training that attests to attendance at the training.


Other topics that meet the requirements are:

  • Methods for addressing the emotional well-being of children and youth of diverse backgrounds.

  • Ensuring equity and anti-racism in care delivery pertaining to medical developments and emerging therapies.

  • Structural competency training addressing five core competencies:

  • Recognizing the structures that shape clinical interactions.

  • Developing an extra-clinical language of structure.

  • Re-articulating "cultural" formulations in structural terms.

  • Observing and imagining structural interventions; and

  • Developing structural humility.

  • Cultural safety training.

Current Live Professional Development Offerings

Current On Demand Professional Development Offerings

2024-2025 Meeting Minutes


2023-2024 Meeting Minutes

Only met every other month

Meeting Information

  • The PDEC committee meets the 1st Thursday of every month at 1:00 PM. 
  • Meeting Registration is Below

Upcoming Committee Meetings

  • Intro to Understanding Law Enforcement: Culture, Challenges, and Family Dynamics with Susie Kroll, LMHC

    • 05/17/2025
    • 05/18/2025
    • 2 sessions
    • Mountlake Terrance Police Department
    • 16
    Registration is closed

    Description:

    This course is designed for anyone interested in becoming a law enforcement therapeutic provider.  Ideally, attendees should have a masters degree or higher in Counseling Psychology, Social Work, or a related field of study.  The WA licensure credentials include but are not limited to, LMHC(A), LMFT(A), MSW, and LICSW.

    Attendees will become familiar with facets of law enforcement as an industry, profession, culture, and environment with its own challenges and unique setting in which officers function.  Further, this two-day course will familiarize the attendee with the family dynamics that interplay with law enforcement as a profession.  

    Registration closes May 9th, 2025.

    Objectives:

    After the two-day course, licensed therapists and social workers will have systems familiarity and knowledge in the following areas:

    • Law Enforcement 101

    • Structure of the workplace

    • Paramilitary culture and “sense of family”

    • How individuals become law enforcement officers

    • Components of training and expectations of law enforcement

    • Physical demands of the job

    • Types of calls law enforcement go to-Trauma exposure

    • Types of roles law enforcement can hold within a department

    • Court process, reporting, prosecution, defense, public disclosure requests

    • Job Security-Complaints, Compliments, “Under the Radar”, resisting counseling

    • Firearms familiarity / Firearms as an extension of the person

    • Cultural Introduction

    • Warrior / Guardian Mentality

    • Dark humor and desensitization

    • Types of behavioral health issues first responders face

    • Suicidality

    • Peer Support in police vs Peer Support in Therapy

    • Substance abuse indicators

    • Barriers to seeking care

    • Political Terrain Navigation-criticism, kudos, and everything in between

    • Line of Duty Deaths and symbols

    • Personal Life and Family Dynamics

    • Family dynamics, divorce, children, relationships

    • Resources available for law enforcement and their families

    • Common coping skills

    • Your first session and building a therapeutic alliance (trust means something completely different)

    • Therapeutic Approaches

    • Understanding the process of a de-brief and a critical incident stress debrief

    • Balancing the duty or services to others and duty to self – sacrifice mentality

    • Mock Scenarios / Table-Top Discussions for Therapeutic Processing

    • Demonstrating true unconditional positive regard and non-judgement

    About the Presenter:


    Susie M. Kroll, MA, MHP, LMHC earned her Masters of Arts in Counseling Psychology from City University of Seattle.  She is an alum of the University of Washington having earned Bachelors degrees in Speech Communication and Zoology with a Marine Emphasis in 2001.  Susie started as a Clinician with a local community behavioral health agency upon earning her Masters. While employed with that agency, she promoted to Clinic Manager, Regional Operations Director, and Division Director overseeing the day-to-day operations of six outpatient behavioral health clinics in King County.

    Susie was the founding Mental Health Professional for the Law Enforcement and Mental Health Professional Co-Response Programs in Shoreline, Kenmore, Kirkland, Lake Forest Park, Bothell, Redmond, and Duvall PDs.  She is a national educator and speaker on Crisis & De-Escalation, Mental Health, and Crisis Negotiation.  She instructs at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission and is the Mental Health Advisor for Crisis Systems Management.  She volunteers yearly at the Seattle King County Clinic as the Crisis Response Director.  More importantly, she is the fur-mom to two rescued kittens and a very clownish Umbrella Cockatoo.

    This course is approved for 15 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.



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  • Social Connection Program Information Session

    • 05/27/2025
    • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    • Zoom
    Register

    The Greenwood Senior Center is celebrating the fourth anniversary of its Social Connection Program. Lack of social connection has been shown to have the same negative health impact as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Roughly one third of U.S. adults ages 50-80 report feeling lonely, isolated, or both some of the time or often. Such concerns prompted the creation of the Social Connection Program. What started as a small project has grown into a full-fledged program with many offerings focused on increasing social connection among older adults. The program has a strong focus on helping people understand the underlying reasons for social isolation and loneliness. Some participants desire additional, ongoing counseling to supplement their program participation. Come join Teresa Tam, the Social Connection Program Coordinator, to learn more about the program and partnership possibilities as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Washington State.

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  • Becoming a Counselor in Washington State

    • 06/02/2025
    • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    • Zoom
    Register

    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. 



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  • Professional Development and Education Committee Meeting

    • 06/05/2025
    • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
    • Zoom
    Register

    The monthly meeting for the Professional Development and Education Committee. This committee normally meeting on the first Thursday of the month. 

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  • Conference Task Force Meeting

    • 06/06/2025
    • 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
    • Zoom
    Register

    The conference task force is working on planning WMHCA's very first conference in nearly 10 years. We are looking for volunteers to join the conference task force.  WMHCA hopes the conference will be in the Spring of 2026.  The task force will meet the 1st Fridays of the month. 

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  • Becoming a Counselor in Washington State

    • 08/28/2025
    • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
    • Zoom
    Register

    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. 



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  • Becoming a Counselor in Washington State

    • 10/30/2025
    • 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Zoom
    Register

    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. 



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  • Becoming a Counselor in Washington State

    • 12/01/2025
    • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    • Zoom
    Register

    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. 



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Past events

05/07/2025 Law and Ethics: Understanding Process, Risks, and Safeguards Related to Disciplinary Board Actions with Frances Schopick JD, MSW
05/02/2025 Unveiling Transgenerational Birth Trauma (TBT): A Hidden Legacy of Psychopathology and Distress with Dr. Anadavalli, LPC
05/02/2025 Conference Task Force Meeting
05/01/2025 Professional Development and Education Committee Meeting
04/29/2025 Legal and Ethical Implications of Sexual Misconduct with Clients with Frances Schopick JD, MSW
04/21/2025 White Trauma, Vulnerability and Dismantling Systemic Racism with Sherronda Jamerson MA, SUDP
04/09/2025 Are We OK? Potential Impacts of Telehealth Structural Changes on Clinician Wellness – a Research Update-with Eric Strom JD, Ph.D, LMHC & Doug Shirley Ed.D, LMHC
04/07/2025 Becoming a Counselor in Washington State
04/04/2025 Conference Task Force Meeting
04/03/2025 Professional Development and Education Committee Meeting
03/27/2025 Washington Law & Ethics of Abandonment, Termination, and Referrals-with Eric Strom, JD, PhD, LMHC
03/17/2025 Unconscious Bias Training and Cultural Considerations for Healthcare Professionals with Samanth Edu, LPC
03/07/2025 Conference Task Force Meeting
03/07/2025 The Art of Supervision with Sarah Weber, LMHC
03/06/2025 Professional Development and Education Committee Meeting
02/28/2025 DATE & TIME CHANGE: Becoming a Counselor in Washington State
02/25/2025 Vicarious Trauma & Compassion Fatigue: Recognize, Mitigate, & Thrive-With Alexa Alberts, LICSW
02/12/2025 Decolonizing Somatic Therapy with Movement, Food, and Art-With Jayden Aubryn, LICSW
02/11/2025 Clinical Documentation Considerations of Changing Federal and State Laws-with Eric Strom, JD, PhD, LMHC
02/07/2025 Conference Task Force Meeting
02/06/2025 Professional Development and Education Committee Meeting
01/10/2025 Law and Ethics of Relationships in the Clinical Setting With Eric Strom JD, Ph.D, LMHC
01/09/2025 CANCELLED: Professional Development and Education Committee Meeting
01/03/2025 Conference Task Force Meeting
12/18/2024 Becoming a Counselor in Washington State
12/06/2024 Conference Task Force Meeting
12/05/2024 CANCELLED: Professional Development and Education Committee Meeting
11/19/2024 Neuroplasticity, Poetry & Mental Health
11/18/2024 Becoming a Counselor in Washington State
11/09/2024 Introduction to becoming a First Responder Therapist Curriculum (Live In Person Event)
11/07/2024 Professional Development and Education Committee Meeting
10/19/2024 WMHCA Member Networking Event
10/19/2024 Introduction to Becoming a First Responder Therapist Curriculum (Live In Person Event)
10/18/2024 Becoming a Counselor in Washington State
10/17/2024 Law and Ethics: Let Your Disclosure, Documentation, and Record keeping Work for You
10/16/2024 Here Comes an Election… Law and Ethics of Personal Beliefs in the Clinical Relationship
10/03/2024 Professional Development and Education Committee Meeting
09/19/2024 Law and Ethics of DOH Investigations: Process, Risks and Safeguards That Influence Clinical Practice
09/06/2024 Becoming a Counselor in Washington State
09/05/2024 Professional Development and Education Committee Meeting
08/17/2024 Introduction to becoming a First Responder Therapist Curriculum (Live In Person Event)
08/15/2024 Legally and Ethically Launching your Private Practice
08/14/2024 Becoming a Counselor in Washington State
08/08/2024 Professional Development and Education Committee Meeting
07/23/2024 Becoming a Counselor in Washington State
07/11/2024 Professional Development and Education Committee Meeting
06/28/2024 Canceled-Law and Ethics of DOH Investigations: Process, Risks and Safeguards That Influence Clinical Practice
06/20/2024 Supporting Trans and Non-Binary Clients
06/10/2024 Becoming a Counselor in Washington State
05/22/2024 Law and Ethics: Let Your Disclosure, Documentation, and Record keeping Work for You
05/17/2024 Becoming a Counselor in Washington State
05/16/2024 Becoming a Counselor in Washington State
05/15/2024 Becoming a Counselor in Washington State
05/15/2024 Are We OK? Potential Impacts of Telehealth Structural Changes on Clinician Wellness
05/14/2024 Becoming a Counselor in Washington State
05/13/2024 Becoming a Counselor in Washington State
05/09/2024 Law & Ethics of the Clinical Use of Artificial Intelligence
05/02/2024 Professional Development and Education Committee Meeting
04/26/2024 Self-Compassion as Exposure
04/18/2024 Healing Trauma Through Movement
04/16/2024 Becoming a Counselor in Washington State
04/15/2024 Becoming a Counselor in Washington State
04/05/2024 Generational Trauma and Generational Healing

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