Washington Mental Health Counselors Association upcoming events

AI, Attachment, and the Counseling Relationship: Understanding Subtle & Acute Risks of Large Language Models in Clinical Practice and Supporting Ethical, Trauma-Informed Use Presented by Jocelyn Skillman, LMHC MHP CMHS (09/11/2026)

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Description:

Clients are increasingly turning to AI chat platforms and companions for emotional support, identity exploration, and relational processing. This training provides counselors with foundational understanding of how large language models (LLMs) function in relational contexts, how synthetic attachment forms, and how to recognize when AI use is stabilizing versus when it introduces subtle or acute psychodynamic risk. Participants will learn how to assess client AI use during intake, provide trauma-informed and culturally responsive AI literacy, and support clients in reconnecting to human relational networks. The workshop also highlights ethical innovation pathways through real-world examples including the presenter’s work innovating ShadowBox and TendMessages.io.

Objectives:

Participants will be able to:

Explain how large language models differ from human understanding.
Distinguish acute safety risks from subtle cumulative mental health risks in client AI use.
Assess client AI use through curious, non-shaming clinical inquiry.

About the Presenter:

Jocelyn Skillman, LMHC, MHP, CMHS is a psychology instructor, therapist, clinical supervisor, and relational design ethicist based in Washington State. She specializes in the psychological and developmental impacts of AI-mediated communication, particularly among youth, trauma-impacted populations, and clients navigating attachment needs being met through AI conversation. Jocelyn develops trauma-informed AI relational tools including ShadowBox and TendMessages.io, and teaches clinicians how to assess, understand, and safely educate emerging AI issues into therapeutic treatment with cultural, ethical, and relational care at the center.

Registration closes September 7th, 2026

This course is approved for 2 CE hours for LMHCs, LMFTs, LCSWs, and all associate-level licensees in Washington State

Washington Mental Health Association (WMHCA) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 2079. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. WMHCA is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

WMHCA Cancellation Policy

To receive a refund, less a $15 cancellation fee, cancellations must be made by contacting WMHCA at least 48 hours prior to workshop date. There will be no refunds within 48 hours of the workshop date. Please make sure you have the link 24 hours prior to the event starting.

Integrating Social Justice into Child-Centered Play Therapy: Building Inclusive Spaces for Growth presented by Lauren Chase LCMHC, PhD, NCC, BC-TMH, PMH-C (10/02/2026)

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Description:

This interactive training introduces participants to ways Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) can be applied through a social justice lens. Participants will explore how systemic influences, cultural identity, and advocacy intersect with children’s mental health. The course provides strategies for fostering equity in therapeutic playrooms, supporting resilience in marginalized children, and empowering clinicians to engage families and communities.

Objectives:

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Identify three systemic influences impacting child clients and their families.
Apply two CCPT strategies to create culturally responsive and inclusive play therapy environments.
Demonstrate three ways to integrate advocacy into clinical practice and community partnerships.
Describe two strategies for building resilience and empowerment in children from marginalized populations.

About the Presenter:

Dr. Lauren Chase, PhD, LCMHC, PMH-C, is a licensed clinical mental health counselor and educator specializing in child-centered play therapy, perinatal mental health, and supporting high-achieving women. She is the founder of Climbing Hills Counseling and a faculty member at Walden University. Dr. Chase integrates clinical practice, teaching, and advocacy, with a focus on equity and empowerment. She has presented at national conferences, trained graduate counseling students, and developed continuing education programs for professionals.

Registration closes September 28th, 2026

This course is approved for 1 CE hours for LMHCs, LMFTs, LCSWs, and all associate-level licensees in Washington State

WMHCA Cancellation Policy

Therapy Without Borders? The Legal & Ethical Realities of Cross-Jurisdictional Practice presented by Eric Ström JD, PhD, LMHC (10/27/2026)

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Description:

The rapid expansion of telehealth has created new opportunities for behavioral health clinicians to provide services across geographic boundaries, but it has also created increasingly complex legal and ethical challenges. When the clinician and client are in different jurisdictions (states or countries), many significant considerations must be addressed. These include issues such as legal jurisdiction, licensure requirements, compliance with state laws, insurance coverage, third-party reimbursement, and professional liability standards.

In this workshop, we will examine the legal and ethical standards governing cross-jurisdictional behavioral health practice, with particular attention to the interstate licensure compacts. Through practical examples and case scenarios, we will explore how current and developing state laws and licensing requirements can affect clinical practice and we will identify strategies for determining when and how services may legally and ethically be provided across state lines.

Objectives:

Participants will be able to:

Identify jurisdictional and licensure requirements that apply when clinicians or clients are physically located in different states;
Apply relevant legal and ethical standards when providing behavioral health services across state lines;
Recognize legal, ethical, insurance, and reimbursement risks associated with cross-state clinical practice; and
Develop strategies for evaluating and addressing cross-jurisdiction practice issues, including temporary client travel, clinician relocation, international telehealth, and interstate practice authorization.

About the Presenter:

Eric Ström JD, PhD, LMHC is an attorney and Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Seattle, Washington. As an attorney, Eric provides legal counsel, consultation, and guidance to mental health professionals. Eric’s clinical practice is focused on providing counseling services to combat veterans and those in other high-stress professions. Eric currently serves on the American Mental Health Counselors Association Ethics Committee, and is the ethics advisor for the Washington Mental Health Counselors Association. Eric has taught a range of courses in counseling and professional ethics at a variety of graduate and undergraduate programs.

Eric earned a PhD in Counseling at Oregon State University, graduated cum laude from Wayne State University School of Law in Detroit Michigan, earned a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling Psychology from the Northwest School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University Seattle, attended the Hague Academy of International Law in the Hague Netherlands, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics from the University of Michigan.

Registration closes October 23rd, 2026 (space is limited)

This course is approved for 2 CE hours for LMHCs, LMFTs, LCSWs, and all associate-level licensees in Washington State

WMHCA Cancellation Policy

Bridging Connections: Navigating Inclusive Care in an Evolving Landscape (05/13/2027)

Thu, 13 May 2027 14:30:00 GMT

WMHCA’s 2027 Conference, Bridging Connections: Navigating Inclusive Care in an Evolving Landscape, will take place May 13–15, 2027, in Yakima, Washington. The conference will bring together mental health professionals committed to strengthening connections and fostering inclusive, affirming spaces for healing and growth.

Held during Mental Health Awareness Month, the conference offers a timely opportunity to recognize the importance of mental health, reduce stigma, and strengthen our collective commitment to accessible, equitable, and culturally responsive care. As conversations about mental health continue to evolve, clinicians play an essential role in ensuring that individuals and communities feel seen, supported, and connected.

Registrations	Early Bird	Jan. 15, 2027	March 31, 2027
Student Members	$249	$249	$349
Members	$349	$449	$549
Non Members	$549	$549	$649

Tickets go on sale Sept 8, 2026

Get your tickets in advance as it is likely to sell out - registration closes April 30th, 2027.

Single-Day Tickets: Single-day registration will be available beginning in April, space permitting.

Pre-Conference Session: An optional pre-conference session will be available for an additional fee.

Schedule Posted by January 6, 2027

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No refunds will be given.