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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

Meeting Minutes


Meeting Information

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

Upcoming Committee Meetings

  • CANCELLED: Professional Development and Education Committee Meeting

    • 12/05/2024
    • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
    • Zoom

    December's Professional Development and Education Committee is cancelled. This committee normally meets on the first Thursday of the month. 

    Show details

  • Conference Task Force Meetings

    • 12/06/2024
    • 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
    • Zoom
    Register

    The conference task force will meet monthly to plan the WMHCA 2026 Spring Conference! 

    Please join us if you can. 

    Show details

  • Becoming a Counselor in Washington State

    • 12/18/2024
    • 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. 



    Show details

  • Professional Development and Education Committee Meeting

    • 01/02/2025
    • 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. 

    Show details

  • Professional Development and Education Committee Meeting

    • 02/06/2025
    • 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. 

    Show details

  • Professional Development and Education Committee Meeting

    • 03/06/2025
    • 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. 

    Show details

  • Professional Development and Education Committee Meeting

    • 04/03/2025
    • 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. 

    Show details

  • Professional Development and Education Committee Meeting

    • 05/01/2025
    • 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. 

    Show details

  • 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. 

    Show details

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