Washington Mental Health Counselors Association

Insights Newsletter

May 2026

Table of Contents

WMHCA Board Election Results
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Congratulations to our Excellence in Counseling Award Winners
Thank you for Making Weaving Connections a Success
New WMHCA Partner: Washington Saige
Board Member Spotlight: Dr. Katie Schmitz
Get Involved and Join a WMHCA Committee
AMHCA Conference
Member Benefit: Emerging Professionals Discount
WMHCA Job Board

WMHCA Board Election Results

President-elect:

Robyn Hansen M.Ed., LMHC

Treasurer:

Meg Curtin Rey-Bear LPCC, LMHC

Graduate Student Representative:

Lucinda Black CPSS

General Board Members:

Toni Aswegan LMHC, NCC, ACS

Heidi Ehrlich PhD Candidate, LMHC

Dr. Jennifer Kennett, ACS, LMHC

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental Health Awareness Month is a time to recognize not only the importance of mental well-being, but also the cultural, social, and systemic factors that shape how individuals and communities experience mental health. On behalf of the Washington Mental Health Counselors Association (WMHCA), we affirm that mental health is deeply interconnected with identity, culture, history, and access to care.

WMHCA would like to thank Washington counselors and allied healthcare workers who, day in and day out, support Washingtonians in need and in crisis. We thank the counselors whose own identities are under attack who still show up and hold space for their clients. We honor you and are so grateful to be part of this community of incredible clinicians.

In Washington State, our communities are richly diverse, encompassing Indigenous nations, immigrant and refugee populations, communities of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, rural residents, and many others whose lived experiences influence how mental health is understood, expressed, and treated. Cultural values shape whether people seek care, how symptoms are communicated, and what healing looks like. Effective mental health counseling must therefore be culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and grounded in humility.

Thank You for Making Weaving Connections a Success

Thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s WMHCA Conference, Weaving Connections: Building Inclusion & Connection In Therapy, such a tremendous success. Over the course of the event, mental health professionals from across the state came together to learn, connect, collaborate, and strengthen our shared commitment to ethical, inclusive, and compassionate care.

We extend our deepest gratitude to our presenters, who generously shared their expertise, passion, and innovation across a wide range of clinical, ethical, cultural, and wellness-focused topics. Your dedication to advancing the counseling profession created a rich and meaningful learning experience for all attendees.

A heartfelt thank you also goes to our volunteers, whose behind-the-scenes efforts kept the conference running smoothly. From registration support to guiding attendees, troubleshooting logistics, and creating a welcoming atmosphere, your time and energy were invaluable.

We are equally grateful to our sponsors and partners for their continued support of the counseling community and for helping make this event possible. Your contributions allow WMHCA to continue fostering professional development, connection, advocacy, and accessibility within the mental health field.

This year’s conference reflected the strength, resilience, and heart of our professional community. We are proud of the space we created together; one grounded in learning, inclusivity, connection, and care. Thank you for being part of it, and we look forward to continuing this important work together in the year ahead.

New WMHCA Partner: Washington Saige

We are excited to announce a new partnership between the Washington Mental Health Counselors Association and Washington SAIGE.

This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to advancing inclusion, equity, advocacy, and culturally responsive care within the mental health profession. Together, WMHCA and Washington SAIGE aim to create meaningful opportunities for connection, education, leadership development, and community engagement for mental health professionals across Washington State.

By partnering together, we hope to strengthen support for clinicians and communities, elevate diverse voices within the profession, and continue fostering spaces where all individuals feel seen, valued, and supported.

Be on the lookout for a continuing education opportunity in July promoting WA-Saige.

Board Member Spotlight

Katie Schmitz Ph.D, LMFT

Schmitz Counseling PLLC

A big thank you to Katie for being the Volunteer Coordinator at our inaugural conference earlier this month!

What inspired you to become a therapist?

After my first year of college, I was fortunate enough to take a service-learning course that was about working in school houses in the rural Blue Mountains in Jamaica. I mentored fourth and fifth graders with art and expression-based projects. During this time I became friends with some students, one girl in particular who was very passive, selectively mute and shy. Her teacher shared she had experienced sexual abuse from her father in Kingston and moved to be with her grandmother in the Mountain community. It was through my relationship with her and wondering what support, and treatment she would receive. The answer was nothing. There were no services available to her, no counseling, no family support, nothing. I realized then and there I wanted to be someone a child like her could turn to for help after a trauma had occurred. I wanted to be a safe place for children and other survivors of abuse.

What is your favorite part of your work?

I really enjoy meeting new clients during an intake. It often feels like I'm meeting an old friend with whom I haven't spoken to in years. I love when it just clicks!

What do you enjoy most about being a WMHCA member?

I enjoy the community element, having a group of like-minded professionals who are actively improving the field, advocating and modeling leadership for counselors and supervisors.

What advice would you give to a new WMHCA member?

Find a part of meaningful advocacy that speaks to you and dedicate yourself to pushing that element forward.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I love playing with my two children, crafts, paint by numbers, and reading romantasy books.

What is your favorite snack?

Right now I'm obsessed with vanilla yogurt, blueberries and granola.

Is there anything else you want us to know?

I'm full-time faculty at Seattle University, I'm teaching exciting courses and in the process of co-creating a hybrid CMHC program.

Get Involved and Join a WMHCA Committee

WMHCA Committee Applications are Open though the end of July.

WMHCA committees are a great way to get involved, build connections, and help shape the future of our profession. Whether you are interested in advocacy, education, membership, conference planning, or advancing JEDI initiatives, we invite you to share your voice and expertise. Serving on a committee is also an excellent opportunity to network with colleagues and contribute to the work that supports mental health professionals across Washington.

WMHCA has 4 standing committees that meet monthly. The commitment to join a committee is one year. Meetings are August through June. You can learn more about each committee by clicking the links below.

WMHCA Committees

Professional Development and Education Committee

Membership Outreach and Education Committee

Policy and Professional Advocacy Committee

Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Committee

Learn More and Complete an Application

AMHCA Conference

This year the AMHCA Conference is in Portland, OR. WMHCA will be present and hope to see many of our members there.

The full schedule with times, tracks and descriptions of both the pre-conference sessions and the general conference are now available to view on the AMHCA website!

Membership Benefit: Emerging Professionals Discount

Attention upcoming or recent graduates: We want to extend our congratulations to you as you join all Washington state counseling professionals. Your presence in our shared profession is critical to the wellness of Washington residents and the strength of the counseling profession. Welcome to the team.

WMHCA is offering half off membership to emerging professionals making it only $25 per year. This is for new members and members who convert from student membership to emerging professional membership. Please reach out to info@wmhca.org if you would like a discounted membership.