 Washington Mental Health Counselors Association
|
|
|
Celebrating Pride Month
WMHCA proudly celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community—honoring the history, resilience, and ongoing fight for equality. Pride is a celebration of identity and a call to action—a reminder of our responsibility as mental health professionals to advocate for dignity, safety, and belonging for all people. Clinicians play a vital role in creating spaces of healing, affirmation, and justice. Whether providing gender-affirming care, challenging systemic barriers, or simply showing up with compassion and cultural humility, your work makes a difference. For many LGBTQIA+ individuals, especially youth, a supportive therapist can be a life-saving presence. In a time when anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation and discrimination continue to threaten well-being, our commitment to ethical, inclusive, and trauma-informed care is more important than ever. As clinicians, we can uplift voices, challenge stigma, and affirm the full humanity of those we serve. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Board Update: Welcoming New Members & Honoring Departing Leaders
WMHCA is excited to announce the newest members of our Board of Directors for the 2025-2026 term. Please join us in welcoming, Dr. Amy Cummings-Garcia, Casey Akerhielm, Heidi Ehrilch, Dr. Melissa Mace, and Raquel Sadler who bring fresh perspectives and a wealth of experience to help guide our mission forward. Together, they will help support mental health counselors, advocate for the profession, and promote justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion across Washington State.
At the same time, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Dominique Avery, Sharon Shadwell, and Jenny White, whose terms have come to an end. We are deeply grateful for their dedicated service, leadership, and the lasting impact they’ve made during their time on the board.
Here’s to new beginnings and a sincere thank you to those who’ve helped shape our path! 2025-2026 WMHCA Board of Directors President: Dr. Carolyn Russo, LMHC
President: Elect-Dr. Cristina Louk, LMHC
Past-President: Dr. Jennifer Kennett, MBA, LMHC
Treasurer: Meg Curtin Rey-Bear, LMHC, NCE, EMDR
Secretary: Dennis McCarthy, LMHC
Graduate Student Representative: Heidi Ehrilch, LMHC
General Board Members:
|
|
|
|
|
Join a WMHCA Committee or Task Force
Get involved with WMHCA! Our committees and taskforces start up again in August and we would love for you to join us.
WMHCA has 4 standing committees that meet monthly. More information about committees can be found on our website HERE. WMHCA Members can always attend committee meetings as a guest without filling out a committee application.
WMHCA Committees:
-
Professional Development and Education Committee
-
Membership Outreach and Education Committee
-
Policy and Professional Advocacy Committee
-
Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Committee
WMHCA's has several task forces that meet as needed. Task forces are typically project specific and require no application to be part of the task force. More information can be found on our website HERE. Current WMHCA Task Forces*
Finance Task Force (Meets Dec-May) -
Nominations/Elections Task Force (Meets Jan-May)
-
Scholarship Task Force (Meets Aug-Dec)
-
Conference Task Force (Meets Monthly)
-
Insurance Task Force (Meets Monthly)
*If you would like to be on any task forces, you can contact Shannon, WMHCA's Executive Director.
Committee and taskforce meetings can be found on our calendar. Committees are currently on a break. Meetings will start back up in August.
|
|
|
|
|
Honoring Juneteenth: A Day of Reflection, Resilience, Collective Healing, and Celebrating Black Excellence As we approach Juneteenth, WMHCA invites our members and the broader mental health community to reflect on the significance of this day and the enduring legacy of Black liberation, resistance, and resilience. Juneteenth 2025, marks the 160th anniversary of the date on which the last state practicing slavery was notified of the end of the civil war and Lincoln's emancipation proclamation. On June 19, 1865—the day federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to enforce the emancipation of enslaved people, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. This day is a powerful reminder that justice delayed is not justice denied, and it calls us to continue the work of equity and liberation in all forms. However, slavery was not officially abolished until the 13th amendment was ratified by all states in December of 1865.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Member Celebration: Save the Date
Mark your calendars! Join us on Tuesday, October 7 at McMenamins Anderson School in Bothell, WA for our Membership Appreciation & Networking Event.
We’re celebrating you—our valued members—with an evening of connection, conversation, food, and community in a fun, relaxed setting. It’s a great chance to meet fellow members, grow your network, and enjoy a night out on us.
More details to come—stay tuned! |
|
|
|
|
Changes to Client Information Disclosure Laws
During the 2025 legislative session,
House Bill 1287 was passed, changing the disclosure laws for mental health
professionals across Washington State. An additional exception was added
to RCW 18.225.105, allowing the disclosure of health care information under the
Uniform Care Act. The Uniform Care Act permits a broader range of disclosures
than clinicians are typically accustomed to. This new law takes effect on July
27, 2025. WMHCA will continue to send out information regarding how this bill is being implemented. We are hosting a workshop on this
change, presented by Eric Ström, on July 25, 2025. At this time the training is full, however it will be recorded and available to purchase as an on-demand webinar about a month later through ConstantEdu.
|
|
|
|
|
Continuing Education Courses
WMHCA has a long standing partnership with Constant Edu. Constant Edu is an online learning platform based in Washington. It offers flexibility in continuing education and promotes highly qualified presenters. WMHCA members get a discount on Constant Edu Courses. The courses below are newly posted.
The full course catalog can be found HERE. WMHCA also has several live webinars coming up as well. The courses can be found HERE. |
|
|
|
|
Volunteer with the Red Cross Disaster Response Team
Are you a licensed mental health professional looking for a meaningful way to support individuals in crisis? The American Red Cross is seeking compassionate and dedicated professionals to serve as Disaster Mental Health (DMH) volunteers, providing emotional support to individuals and families impacted by local disasters. As a DMH volunteer, you will:
-
Provide emotional support and crisis intervention to those affected by disasters;
-
Offer coping strategies to individuals and families facing trauma and uncertainty;
-
Work alongside a team of trained volunteers to provide compassionate care;
-
Have flexible opportunities to volunteer remotely or in person
Disasters can be overwhelming, and your expertise can make a life-changing difference for those experiencing loss, displacement, and uncertainty. Whether you have a few hours a month or are looking for a more active role, your skills are needed!
If you’re interested in learning more, we’d love to connect with you. Click here to learn more and apply:
Thank you for considering this opportunity to bring hope and healing to those in need. We look forward to welcoming you to our team! -The American Red Cross |
|
|
|
|
2025 AMHCA Conference
Several of the WMHCA board members are headed to the WMHCA conference later this summer. If you are attending too, please let Shannon know by email. WMHCA hosts an event for members during the AMHCA conference.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Emerging Professionals Membership 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 WMHCA if you would like a discounted membership. |
|
|
|
|
AMHCA of Idaho Webinar: Law and Ethics of Clinical Use of AI WMHCA members can receive a discount. To receive the discount reply to this email and ask for the code. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you would like to submit an article for the WMCHA Insights Newsletter, email info@wmhca.org.
|
|
|
|
