A Message From Our President

Dear Colleagues,

I woke up yesterday to a world that felt less safe for many of the people and communities I hold dear. It is easy in these moments to feel despair, fear, and a sense of impotent rage. It is very likely that in the coming days, weeks, and months, we will have clients and colleagues who feel traumatized and frightened by the attacks on their human rights. It is also the time to recommit to the values we hold dear.

As a community of counselors, we are united by our shared mission to promote human dignity and to provide care to all who need it. The Washington Mental Health Counselors Association (WHMCA) believes in promoting human dignity in mental health. We embrace anti-racism, anti-ableism, education, public policy, community building, and relational advocacy. WMHCA is transforming counseling by integrating anti-racism into all aspects of the profession. We believe that all people should have access to mental health care services. We stand in solidarity with BIPOC communities, and our marginalized, vulnerable, and at-risk populations in the fight against racism and all forms of oppression. We believe that a person’s healthcare decisions should be between themselves and their medical providers. We believe that all individuals have the right to be accepted for their unique and authentic selves.

I also want to take a moment to offer a gentle reminder to each of you: please be kind to yourself in the coming weeks. We are all navigating complex and often turbulent times, and this moment calls for deep self-awareness and self-compassion. The impact of this election, regardless of your political stance, will undoubtedly be felt in the therapy rooms we share with our clients. As we face what may be a period of significant social, political, and personal challenge, it’s important to recognize that our ability to support others is deeply connected to our own well-being.

For the next two months, November and December, I urge you to intentionally focus on your self-care. The opening months of the next administration could bring with them a whirlwind of chaotic policy changes and public pronouncements that may feel like an unrelenting storm of stress. This is the time to fortify your emotional and psychological resources, as you will not only be processing these shifts for yourself, but also standing alongside your clients as they process their own reactions. They will be looking to you for guidance, reassurance, and clarity, and the best way to offer that support is to make sure you are in a grounded and resilient place yourself. As always, be gentle with yourself, remain aware of countertransference, and seek support from your colleagues when needed.

In times like these, it is also essential to remember the diverse perspectives within our community. Just as many of us are grappling with the political implications of this election, we must acknowledge the unique challenges faced by our colleagues. We have clinicians among us who are working tirelessly to become citizens of this country, as well as those who may feel their safety is threatened by this administration’s policies. Let us honor each other’s journeys and find ways to offer care, compassion, and solidarity to one another.

In closing, I want to remind you all that our work is more important than ever. This is a time to dig deep into our shared commitment to social justice, mental health, and compassionate care. Together, we can continue to provide the stability and strength our clients need, and we can continue to be advocates for a world that honors the inherent dignity of all people. So, be kind to yourselves, be kind to one another, and know that you are not alone in this journey. We are all in this together, and through our collective effort, we will continue to make a difference.

With gratitude for our professional community,

Jennifer S Kennett, PhD, ACS, LMHC, MBA

President, WMHCA