Insights Newsletter

July 2024

Letter from the Past President

As I enter into the role of past president of WMHCA, I am excited by what this organization has done for the mental health profession in Washington and what we continue to do to strengthen the integrity of our profession so that we can continue to serve the people of Washington State who seek our services. I am grateful for everything I have learned since joining the board. I have had the opportunity to be a part of passing the Counseling Compact, growing our online continuing education offerings, and learning from all the professionals I have met within this role.

Join me in learning, growing, and supporting our profession by joining a committee, or attending meetings to see where your interests and skills can support our profession.

Jenny White, MA, LMHC, NCC, EMDR

WMHCA Past-President 2024-2025

Letter from the President

I am truly honored to serve as your new President, and I come to you filled with a sense of joy and pride, especially in light of the achievements of this past year. Guided by our exceptional Executive Director, Shannon Thompson, our community has flourished, reaching nearly 2000 members—an inspiring testament to our unity and strength.

Together, we have advanced crucial advocacy efforts, educating our members on the Counseling Compact and fostering collaborations with allied professions, solidifying our role as pioneers in mental health care. Our commitment to excellence is further evidenced by our chapter's continued delivery of top-tier, affordable continuing education across a spectrum of relevant topics.

Celebrating accolades such as our State Chapter of the Year award and the recognition of Dr. Dominique Avery with the Public and Community Service Award at the 2024 AMHCA conference reflects the dedication and excellence of our volunteers. These achievements underscore the remarkable individuals who devote their time to uphold professional standards and drive our community forward.

Central to my presidency is our shared goal of community building. I am deeply committed to cultivating a more diverse and vibrant WMHCA. I invite you to connect with me to share your perspectives and aspirations for the future of our profession in Washington State. Your voice is invaluable in shaping WMHCA to reflect the priorities and issues that will enrich and advance our field.

Together, let's continue to build a community where every voice is heard, valued, and empowered to make a difference.

Warm regards,

Jennifer S. Kennett, PhD, ACS, LMHC, MBA
WMHCA President 2024-2025

Letter from the President-Elect

I look forward to a year of advocacy and advancement for Washington state counselors. As your President-Elect for 2024-2025, I hope to serve the organization by supporting our mission and values as a LEADER to promote wholeness and wellness in our state. There are several action plans in place for 2024-2025 that the President, Past-President, and I are continuing to work on. With the interest in advancement and advocacy for the Counseling Compact to implementing the WMHCA annual conference, there are many opportunities for member involvement. It is my hope to continue to grow our membership and see member involvement in our communities in hopes of continued progress in our profession.

Carolyn Russo, PhD, LMHC, NCC

WMHCA President-Elect 2024-2025

Get Involved - Join a WMHCA Committee

WMHCA is looking for members to join our committees - we need you!

WMHCA has four standing committees that meet throughout the year. They are:

Professional Development and Education Committee
Membership Outreach and Education Committee
Policy and Professional Advocacy Committee
Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Committee

If you are interested in joining a committee we recommend you attend one of their meetings. You can find the meeting schedule HERE . To find out more information about joining a committee please go HERE.

WMHCA is looking for presenters for professional development trainings.

Our current two focuses are Health Equity and the Joy of Counseling, however we accept proposals on most relevant topics. If you are interested please visit our website HERE.

Celebrating Dr. Dominique Avery

It is with great honor the Washington Mental Health Counselor Association wants to honor and recognize Dr. Dominique Avery,. They were named AMHCA's Outstanding Public and Community Service Award. WMHCA would like to take a moment to celebrate Dr. Avery and their success and commitment to the counseling profession and community service by telling our members a little bit about them.

Dr. Avery has been an active member of the WMHCA Board since 2020. They currently hold the position of Secretary for WMHCA. Additionally, they have been the co-chair of the Policy & Professional Advocacy Committee (formerly known as the Legislated Committee) since 2021. Dr. Avery played a key role in helping WMHCA initiate its anti-racist efforts by helping form the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee (JEDI) in 2021, which they now co-chair.

Dr. Avery also led the effort to guide the Counseling Compact legislation through the Washington State Legislature. They were a significant champion of this work, and without Dr. Avery’s dedication to the field, this legislation might not have passed the first time around. When WMHCA ran the compact bill, it was the first time the association had ever run a bill. This success was directly related to Dr. Avery’s passion and commitment to serving the members of WMHCA.

Dr. Avery's contributions extend beyond the state level, as evidenced by their active participation in national initiatives. They served as a member of the AMHCA Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Task Force (2020-2021), the AMHCA Interstate Portability Task Force (2020-2022), and as a Steering Committee member of the AMHCA Counseling Compact Task Force (2022-2023). Their recent appointment as Chair of the AMHCA Counseling Compact Task Force (2023-Present) further underscores their national leadership.

Dr. Avery's exceptional leadership and advocacy at both the state and national levels are a testament to their unwavering dedication and commitment to the profession. Their commitment to public and community service, as well as their contributions to the WMHCA/AMHCA members, have been demonstrated on multiple occasions, leaving a lasting impact on the field.

WMHCA is so excited to announce that Washington was named Outstanding Chapter of the year by the American Mental Health Counselor's Association at their annual conference. This award would not be possible with the efforts and support of our WMHCA board and especially our members.

WMHCA is approaching 2000 members and will reach that goal by the end of July. As a thank you to it's member WMHCA is looking to plan a celebratory event in the fall. Stay tuned for details.

Here are some highlights from the year. WMHCA:

Developed an anti-racist mission statement for the organization and all it's committees.
Actively lobbied members' behalf on bills that impact the profession.
Held an annual lobby day.

Offered 31 continuing education courses at an affordable rates.
Kept our members updated with changes to continuing education.
Collaborated with the Department of Health and offered feedback on implementing license changes.
Advocated for consideration of a governing board.
Awarded Educational scholarships to students who identify as being a member of a marginalized population.
Added the Dr. Ellen Carruth Diversity and Inclusivity in Counseling Scholarship for the most outstanding applicant.

That is no way an extensive list. WMHCA could not fullfill it's mission and be successful without the ongoing support of our members. It's with great honor WMCHA accepted this award on behalf of it's members.

Pictured below from left to right: WMHCA Board Member and Policy and Professional Advocacy Chair Dr. Dominique Avery, WMHCA President Jennifer Kennett, WMHCA Executive Director Shannon Thompson, WMHCA Past President Jenny White