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Professional Development and Education Committee


Committee Mission Statement


We believe that education needs to be rooted in decolonized and liberative principles. The education committee seeks to sponsor high caliber and timely educative presentations to increase competency, provoke critical consciousness, and challenge oppressive practices. We offer continuing education opportunities which are accessible and further the embodiment of

ethical clinical practice. We support counselors in developing cultural humility and strategies to reduce suffering. WMHCA and the committee actively seek to recruit presenters with diverse and intersectional identities, philosophies, and content.

Committee Purpose


The Education Committee shall vet presenters for workshops, decide what topics of workshops best serve the members, plan and host workshops, and stay current on continuing education requirements set for by the Washington State Department of Health. The education committee also explores and decides on curriculum development.

Contact information

Chair:Carolyn Russo PhD, LMHC, NCC

Vice-Chair:Angela Cross MA, LMHC, NCC

Committee Goals and Action Plan

     Coming Soon 


Other Projects and Information

What are the Health Equity Training Standards?

As of January 1, 2024 all providers licensed under Title 18 must take two (2) continuing education credits of health equity training every four (4) years.  This includes associates.

 

The training must:

  • Include implicit bias training to identify strategies to reduce bias during assessment and diagnosis and may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the topics below

  • Instruction on skills to address the structural factors, such as bias, racism, and poverty, that manifest as health inequities.

  • Self-reflection to assess how the licensee's social position can influence their relationship with clients and their communities.

  • Strategies for recognizing patterns of health care disparities on an individual, institutional, and structural level and eliminating factors that influence them.

  • Intercultural communication skills training, including how to work effectively with an interpreter and how communication styles differ across cultures.

  • Have trainers with demonstrated knowledge and experience related to health equity. Research referenced in the training must be based on current empirical research and known best practices.

  • The courses must assess the licensee's ability to apply health equity concepts into practice

  • An assessment at the end of an in-person or virtual continuing education training to determine knowledge gained during that training or

  • A document provided at the end of an in-person or virtual continuing education training that attests to attendance at the training.


Other topics that meet the requirements are:

  • Methods for addressing the emotional well-being of children and youth of diverse backgrounds.

  • Ensuring equity and anti-racism in care delivery pertaining to medical developments and emerging therapies.

  • Structural competency training addressing five core competencies:

  • Recognizing the structures that shape clinical interactions.

  • Developing an extra-clinical language of structure.

  • Re-articulating "cultural" formulations in structural terms.

  • Observing and imagining structural interventions; and

  • Developing structural humility.

  • Cultural safety training.

Meeting Minutes

Meeting Information

  • The PDEC committee meets the 1st Thursday of every other month at 1:00 PM. 
  • Meeting Registration is Below

Upcoming Committee Meetings

  • Becoming a Counselor in Washington State

    • 05/13/2024
    • 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
    • Zoom
    Register

    The Washington Mental Health Counselor Association is presenting a free event for members on how to become a licensed mental health counselor in Washington State. Topics include, timeline to a counseling career, WA state Legislation and Licensing, Supervision and Tracking Hours, and much more.  It will be 60 to 90 minutes depending on participant engagement and Q&A. 



    Show details

  • Becoming a Counselor in Washington State

    • 05/14/2024
    • 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
    • Zoom
    Register

    The Washington Mental Health Counselor Association is presenting a free event for members on how to become a licensed mental health counselor in Washington State. Topics include, timeline to a counseling career, WA state Legislation and Licensing, Supervision and Tracking Hours, and much more.  It will be 60 to 90 minutes depending on participant engagement and Q&A. 



    Show details

  • Becoming a Counselor in Washington State

    • 05/15/2024
    • 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
    • Zoom
    Register

    The Washington Mental Health Counselor Association is presenting a free event for members on how to become a licensed mental health counselor in Washington State. Topics include, timeline to a counseling career, WA state Legislation and Licensing, Supervision and Tracking Hours, and much more.  It will be 60 to 90 minutes depending on participant engagement and Q&A. 



    Show details

  • Becoming a Counselor in Washington State

    • 05/16/2024
    • 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
    • Zoom
    Register

    The Washington Mental Health Counselor Association is presenting a free event for members on how to become a licensed mental health counselor in Washington State. Topics include, timeline to a counseling career, WA state Legislation and Licensing, Supervision and Tracking Hours, and much more.  It will be 60 to 90 minutes depending on participant engagement and Q&A. 



    Show details

  • Becoming a Counselor in Washington State

    • 05/17/2024
    • 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
    • Zoom
    Register

    The Washington Mental Health Counselor Association is presenting a free event for members on how to become a licensed mental health counselor in Washington State. Topics include, timeline to a counseling career, WA state Legislation and Licensing, Supervision and Tracking Hours, and much more.  It will be 60 to 90 minutes depending on participant engagement and Q&A. 



    Show details

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