 Washington Mental Health Counselors Association
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Insights Newsletter July 2026 |
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Welcome from WMHCA President
Dear WMHCA Members,
I
step into this role with a simple belief at the center of it: we do our
best work, for our clients and for our profession, when we do it
together. That belief is what draws me to this community, and it is what
I hope will shape the year ahead.
If
you were with us at this year's conference, you already know exactly
what I mean. Being in those rooms, surrounded by clinicians who care
this much about their clients and this much about each other, was
nothing short of energizing. The conversations in the hallways were as
valuable as the sessions themselves, and the sense of shared purpose was
palpable. It was an honor to share that space with all of you, and it
reminded me why this work, and this community, matters so much.
That
same energy is exactly what I want to carry into this year. WMHCA is,
at its heart, a network of clinicians who show up for one another, and
this year we are putting real momentum behind that. We are committed to
bringing you quality continuing education throughout the year, building
toward our 2027 conference; we are continuing our Justice, Equity,
Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) initiative work in a way that is
substantive, not symbolic; we are creating more opportunities for
members to actually connect with one another, not just in passing, but
in ways that build lasting professional relationships; and our Policy
and Professional Advocacy Committee (PPAC) has a great deal coming that
we want you involved in, because the strength of our advocacy depends on
the number of voices behind it. Our Membership Engagement &
Outreach, Professional Development & Education, Policy &
Professional Advocacy, and Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion
committees are led by chairs and vice chairs who bring real depth to
their work, and I am genuinely excited about their partnership as we
begin. If you have been looking for a way to plug in, now is the moment;
a committee is often the simplest and most rewarding place to start,
and you do not need a title to contribute, only a willingness to show
up. |
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Honoring Disability Pride Month
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This July, the Washington Mental Health Counselors Association's Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Committee recognizes Disability Pride Month by celebrating the strength, diversity, and leadership of people with disabilities while acknowledging the work that remains to create truly accessible and equitable communities. Disability pride month commemorates the signing of the American's with Disabilities Act of 1990. Disability Pride is not about celebrating barriers or minimizing the realities of living with a disability. It's about recognizing that disability is a natural part of the human experience—not something to hide, fix, or overcome to be worthy of belonging. Disability Pride challenges ableism and affirms that every person deserves dignity, autonomy, access, and the opportunity to thrive. |
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Justice Equity Diversity and Inclusion Monthly Survey
Goal 4: Enhance Communication and Shared Focus Across Stakeholders
WMHCA shares across newsletters, board meetings, and our website. We plan to begin sharing data from our membership responses this year. To what degree do you believe this goal should be a priority for WMHCA?
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Announcing: Washington Mental Health Counselors Foundation
In 2023 WMHCA started The Dr. Ellen K. Carruth Diversity & Inclusivity in Counseling Scholarship. The scholarship was named after a past beloved board member and fierce advocate of diversity and inclusion for all marginalized individuals. You can donate to the scholarship below. WMHCA provides additional scholarships for students in three categories: historically marginalized communities, rural, and military. Find out more about our eligibility criteria below.
In 2026, WMHCA announced the launch of the Washington Mental Health Counselors Foundation, an extension of WMHCA dedicated to supporting the future of the counseling profession. Now WMHCA scholarships will be run through the foundation and donations are tax deductible as applicable by law. More information can be found on the Foundation's webpage. |
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WMHCA Member Day at the Reign FC Game
A few more tickets have been added to the group! Get yours now. August 14, 2026 @ 7:00 PM Lumen Field
WMHCA Member Day at the Seattle Reign Women's Soccer game! Watch the Seattle Reign FC take on the Chicago Stars FC at 7 pm and connect with colleagues in the counseling field! WMHCA believes that all forms of injustice are interconnected and social justice is an essential aspect of wellness. That belief doesn't just live in our policy statements — it should show up in how we engage our members and what organizations we choose to stand alongside. Reign FC is one of those organizations. Read More. |
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Board Member Spotlight: President-Elect
Robyn Hansen, LMHC
Robyn Hansen Counseling
University Place, WA |
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What inspired you to become a therapist?
My
path to becoming a therapist started back in college, thanks to an
Abnormal Psychology course. That class completely opened my eyes to the
incredible diversity in how we all think, feel, and navigate the world,
and it sparked a deep curiosity about human behavior. More than
anything, learning about the complexity of people's lives made me
realize I wanted a career centered on genuine support, helping others
understand their own stories and find their footing through life's
challenges.
What is your favorite part of your work?
For
me, the absolute best part of being a therapist is watching the shift
that happens when a client begins to process the things that have kept
them feeling stuck for years.
What do you enjoy most about being a WMHCA member?
I
first joined WMHCA as a graduate student, and it has been such a
rewarding community to grow with over the years. Some of my favorite
experiences have come from serving on the membership committee and
helping plan events, which turned out to be a really comfortable,
low-pressure way to get involved. It gave me a gentle space to connect
one-on-one with other helpers who share the same passion for this work. I
still love that WMHCA brings us together, making our professional world
feel smaller and more connected.
What advice would you give to a new WMHCA member?
If
you're thinking about getting involved, my advice is to just jump into a
board meeting or drop by a few committee meetings. It's a great,
low-pressure way to see what we're all about and figure out what feels
like the best fit for you.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I
love focusing on things that help me slow down and recharge. Usually,
that looks like taking walks with my spouse, playing with our pets, or
listening to a book. You can also find me unwinding in a yoga class.
Is there anything else you want us to know? I
really love collaborating with other clinicians to offer adjunctive
EMDR. It’s incredibly rewarding to support clients in processing
specific, stubborn blocks while they continue their primary work with
their regular therapist.
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WMHCA is looking for members to be included in a monthly spotlight. If you would like to be considered for the member spot light please fill out this FORM. |
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Washington Behavioral Health Leaders Launch Coalition
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The Washington Mental Health Counselor's Association (WMHCA), in collaboration with the Washington State Psychological Association (WSPA), Washington State Society for Clinical Social Workers (WSSCSW), National Association of Social Workers – Washington Chapter (NASW-WA) and Washington Marriage and Family Therapists Association (WAMFT), is pleased to announce the formation of the Washington Behavioral Health Professional Coalition (WABHPC). The coalition began meeting in July 2025 with the goal of strengthening our collective voice and increasing our impact during the legislative session. Since that time, member organizations have met regularly to align legislative priorities and explore additional ways to support one another throughout the session. One example of this collaboration is the shared efforts to draft bills that impact all behavioral health professions. Moving forward, the coalition intends to expand its partnerships beyond legislative advocacy and explore opportunities to support one another through shared expertise and resources. We are excited to continue this collaborative work and look forward to the impact it will have on our professions and the communities we serve. Please visit the Coalition's website to learn more about the joint ventures of your professional associations. |
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Member Benefit: Members Only Clinician Directory
One of the many benefits of being a WMHCA member is inclusion in the WMHCA Clinician and Supervisor Directory—a resource designed to help individuals, families, referral partners, and other healthcare professionals connect with licensed mental health counselors across Washington.
Your directory profile gives you the opportunity to:
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Increase your professional visibility.
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Receive referrals from individuals seeking counseling services.
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Connect with, and other professionals looking for trusted referral partners.
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Highlight your specialties, treatment approaches, populations served, and contact information.
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Be a Part of Washington's largest professional association dedicated to licensed mental health counselors.
All WMHCA profiles are initially set to private. If you want your information displayed in the clinician and supervisor directory, you will have to opt in by updating your privacy settings and checking the box Show Profile to Others. You will also need to select all information you would like to be public.
Make sure your profile is up to date. A complete profile helps clients and referrals find you easily. WMHCA encourages members to regularly log in and review their directory info. Even small updates can make a significant difference in helping someone find the right clinician. The Clinician Directory is an exclusive benefit available to WMHCA members. Log in to your member account and complete your profile, and update your privacy settings to appear in the directory. We have included INSTRUCTIONS on how to do this. |
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Building Community, One Gathering at a Time WMHCA recently sponsored a community event organized by a long time WMHCA member. Below are a few words from the member. I walked away from this day thankful for the connections that were made, reminded why I do what I do and honestly, feeling supported for what I do as well. I do this to give back and received so much in return. That is something to be grateful for. The day was supposed to be sunny and then it wasn't and was cloudy. I pivoted and the counselors attending - shifted with me. I moved it from a semi-lake theme to camping at the lake, moving to a shelter and bringing games. One counselor brought something to warm us with. The sun eventually arose anyway and a few people even got out on the kayaks for a bit. Our sharing included a lightning and sun moment as counselors, given how the day had went. ;) I feel the sharing brought everyone closer together and the bonding and connections were amazing. Counselors expressed valuing the connections and feeling less alone in the work we do when these happen. I was most proud that counselors were learning of each other and expanding their networks on various levels and feeling not alone. The laughter was the best medicine as well. I also valued that counselors, friends and colleagues were able to gather in the same place on the same day and time, something that is a miracle with so many busy and traveling schedules. Overall, I am thankful for how it went and for WMHCA's contribution to making the cost a little lighter overall for something I believe in so strongly. Thank you so much. Enjoy your days. Warmly, Suzanne Click here to learn more about WMHCA sponsorship opportunities. |
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Upcoming Webinars
Gettin’ By: How Poverty Changes the Brain, Which Changes Everything presented by Linda Riddell MS Description:
The most important and overlooked aspect of poverty is how it changes the brain. In this session, you will experience how poverty changes the brain by playing the game Gettin' By. Developed by an epidemiologist who specializes in poverty, and after five years of testing, this training is shown to shift attitudes toward poverty. You will learn the science behind the game, and the hidden impact of poverty on the brain, body, and behavior. Using a research-based checklist, you will learn how to look at your own work with "awkward" eyes and how to think about what you don't naturally.
Once we know better, we can do better. With more knowledge about poverty’s impact, we can find ways to more effectively help people living in the crisis of poverty. You will leave this session seeing poverty in a new way and with new tools to make your work more effective. |
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FEATURED
LMHCA/LMFTA/LMHC/LMFT
Breathing Space Counseling - Oak Harbor, WA
Full-time
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Posted: Jun 24, 2026
Salary: $50,000.00 - $80,000.00 Annually
Application Deadline: Aug 31, 2026
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Sponsorship Opportunities for WMHCA's Newsletter Newsletter Sponsorship: WMHCA offers one (1) exclusive sponsorship spot per month, meaning your brand gets the full spotlight with no competing advertisers. Please read the sponsorship guidelines HERE before you submit a sponsorship request. Use this form to request a sponsorship spot. |
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If you would like to submit an article for the WMCHA Insights Newsletter, email info@wmhca.org.
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