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Counselors Association

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Professional Development and Education Committee (PDEC)

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.

Contact information


Chair: Heidi Ehrilch LMHC, NCC

Vice-Chair: Dr. Cristina Louk LMHCL


Committee Purpose

The Professional Development and Education Committee is inviting all WMHCA members to join the committee. The goal of the Professional Development and Education Committee is to vet presenters for workshops, select topics that best serve members, plan and host workshops, and stay updated on all continuing education requirements set forth by the Washington State Department of Health. The committee also explores and makes decisions regarding curriculum development.

Continuing Education Courses

Current Live Professional Development Offerings

Current On Demand Professional Development Offerings

WMCHA is always accepting professional development proposals for continuing education.  Click here for more information.

WMHCA also approves continuing education for other organizations or providers.  Click here for more information.

HELMS Update

Attention Washington State Counselors: HELMS Is Now Required for Licensure Renewals and strongly encouraged for all Applications. 

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) recently launched the Healthcare Enforcement and Licensing Management System (HELMS) modernizing and replacing the outdated ILRS system.

All counselors must now use HELMS for licensure applications and renewals. HELMS provides:

  • Faster processing and electronic notifications

  • Easy online access to license status, renewals, and updates

  • Secure digital certificates and renewal notices (no more paper mailings)

  • Streamlined tools for managing your professional credential

Where to Renew: Log in through your Secure Access Washington (SAW) account and add the HELMS service to manage your license.

To Make the Transition Easier: the Professional Development & Education Committee created a step-by-step How to Create Your HELMS Account guide.

Continuing Education Requirements

All WA State providers (LMHCAs & LMHCs) must complete the following Continuing Education (CE) requirements: 

  • 6 CEs of Ethics and Law every 2 years
  • 2 CEs of Professional Roles and Boundaries every 2 years
  • 2 CEs of Health Equity every 4 years

LMHCs only must also complete:

  • 6 CEs of Suicide Assessment, Treatment, and Management (1st time within the first year of obtaining the LMHC; 2nd time must be an advanced course)
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.


2026-2027 Meeting Minutes

  • July 2026-No Meeting

2025-2026 Meeting Minutes

2024-2025 Meeting Minutes


Meeting Information

  • The PDEC committee meets the 1st Monday of every month at 11:30 AM. 
  • Meeting registration is below

Upcoming PDEC Meetings and other Events

    • 11/09/2026
    • 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
    • Zoom
    Register

    Help WMHCA plan our second annual conference in May 2027 designed to foster vital connections within our therapeutic community! To make this event a resounding success, we need your help. We're looking for enthusiastic volunteers to assist with various aspects of getting the conference up and running. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to a meaningful event, connect with fellow members, and gain valuable experience. If you're eager to lend a hand and help us create an unforgettable experience, please sign up to join us! We can't wait to see you there.

    • 11/12/2026
    • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    • Live Zoom Webinar
    • 182
    Register

    Members Only Event  

    Description

    Learn how to effectively give raises to your employees without overspending in our webinar, "Balancing Pay and Profit"

    Giving your team the raises they deserve shouldn't derail your bottom line. In this practical and strategy-focused webinar, we’ll walk you through how to approach compensation with clarity, confidence, and sustainability.

    You’ll learn:
    • How to plan for raises in your annual budget and cash flow forecasts
    • How to align raises with your business’s financial goals and profitability
    • When and how often to evaluate and implement raises
    • The difference between cost-of-living adjustments and merit-based increases and how to balance the

    Whether you’re feeling the pressure to reward your team or just want a more intentional approach to compensation, this session will help you make smart, sustainable decisions.

    There are no CEs for this event. 

        Presenter Bio

        Carla Titus is a finance expert with over 18 years of combined corporate financial planning, analysis, strategy, and online businesses experience. She provides fractional CFO services and financial consulting to practice owners looking to grow their business profitably. Her mission with Wealth & Worth Within is to empower business owners to achieve financial clarity and peace of mind, so that they can get back to what they enjoy.

        Wealth and Worth Within believes that financial clarity shouldn't be a barrier for mental health professionals from any background. We're dedicated to helping therapists and counselors build equitable, sustainable practices where fair compensation and financial stability are the norm, not the exception.
        • 12/04/2026
        • 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
        • Live Synchronous Zoom Event
        • 173
        Register

        Description:

        Providers and community members grieving the loss of someone who used drugs face a uniquely complex bereavement experience. Social stigma, the lasting impacts of the War on Drugs, and provider-client dynamics can make this grief harder to navigate than other types of loss. In this training, Lexi draws on professional expertise and personal lived experience to normalize the non-linear journey of grief — including a brief critique of mainstream grief frameworks. Participants will explore the overlapping mental health symptoms between overdose grief and vicarious trauma, and examine how witnessing others' trauma can present similarly to drug-related loss. The training closes with practical self-care and collective-care strategies, because moving through grief isn't something we do alone!

        Objectives:

        Participants will be able to:

        • Learn about how grieving and loss is impacted by collective trauma and social stigma
        • Understand how signs and symptoms of grief related to death from overdose or fentanyl poisoning, and how these signs and symptoms overlap with vicarious trauma symptoms
        • Strategize self-care and collective-care plans to help cope with overdose grief in professional and personal community

        About the Presenter:


         Lexi Alberts is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, trainer, advocate, and chronic pain therapist in Olympia, WA. Lexi partners with agencies, businesses, community centers and non–profits to address the mental health impacts of burnout, vicarious trauma, and minority stress. She believes that we learn best from one another and loves facilitating healing conversations by drawing on the wisdom already present in every room she works in — with communities and workplace teams alike. Lexi also facilitates support groups for survivors of violence and for Peer Providers who are working in non-profits, with a focus on providing trauma-informed and culturally responsive care. She advocates for collective-care, alongside self-care, to help us thrive, heal, and persevere.

        Before her work as a trainer and chronic pain therapist, Lexi spent over 10 years working in social services. Her focus was on supporting the survival needs and mental health for unhoused survivors of violence, particularly those who belong to BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities. Over the past 15 years, she has served as crisis-phone line operator, a domestic and sexual violence advocate, a Mental Health Program Manager for homeless services, a multicultural therapist, and helped facilitate meeting the basic needs for people experiencing homelessness. Now, she uses her experiences and expertise to support people in her community to thrive and heal.

        Lexi Alberts, LICSW serves as a subject matter expert on burnout and vicarious trauma for the National Healthcare from Homelessness Council and is proud to be an active Member Leader in the National Queer and Trans Therapist of Color Network.

        Registration closes November 30th, 2026

        This course is approved for 3 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. 

        • 12/07/2026
        • 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
        • Zoom
        Register

        Join the WMHCA Professional Development and Education Committee!

        Are you passionate about shaping the future of ethical, liberative, and culturally responsive clinical practice? The Professional Development and Education Committee (PDEC) invites all WMHCA members to join us in advancing high-quality and accessible continuing education presentations rooted in decolonized principles and cultural humility.

        Our mission is to increase competency, challenge oppressive systems, and support counselors in reducing suffering through thoughtful and timely educational opportunities. We actively seek to uplift diverse voices and perspectives—both in our committee and through the presenters we recruit.

        As a member of the committee, you’ll help:

        • Vet and select workshop presenters and topics
        • Plan and host continuing education events
        • Ensure Washington State CE requirements are provided with clarity to WMHCA members
        • Contribute to the development of impactful educational curricula for Washington state counselors

        Whether you’re curious about our work or ready to get involved, we’d love to have you join a meeting and explore how you can contribute.

        • 12/14/2026
        • 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
        • Zoom
        Register

        Help WMHCA plan our second annual conference in May 2027 designed to foster vital connections within our therapeutic community! To make this event a resounding success, we need your help. We're looking for enthusiastic volunteers to assist with various aspects of getting the conference up and running. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to a meaningful event, connect with fellow members, and gain valuable experience. If you're eager to lend a hand and help us create an unforgettable experience, please sign up to join us! We can't wait to see you there.

        • 12/14/2026
        • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
        • Live Synchronous Zoom Event
        • 175
        Register

        Description:

        LGBTQ+ individuals face compounded vulnerabilities that place them at significantly elevated risk for both undiagnosed ADHD and intimate partner violence. Transgender adults show ADHD prevalence nearly six times higher than the general population, bisexual women experience intimate partner violence at 61%, and transgender and non-binary people report lifetime IPV experiences at 54%. Yet the clinical tools available to screen for these experiences were not designed with LGBTQ+ patients in mind. When ADHD goes unrecognized and abuse goes unnamed, clinicians are working with an incomplete picture.

        This workshop examines the intersection of ADHD, toxic relationships, and LGBTQ+ identity through both a clinical and equity lens. Drawing on current research, participants will explore how specific ADHD qualities, including rejection sensitivity dysphoria, hyperfocus, people-pleasing, and executive functioning challenges, are amplified by the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ patients, creating distinct pathways into and barriers to leaving harmful relationships. 

        Objectives:

        Participants will be able to:

        Discuss the neurobiological and psychological mechanisms by which ADHD increases vulnerability to intimate partner violence and apply this framework to recognize relationship vulnerability patterns in ADHD clients.


        About the Presenter:


        Kate Mageau (she/her) is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, National Certified Counselor, and ADHD Certified Clinical Services Provider based in Seattle, Washington. She specializes in the intersection of ADHD and intimate partner violence, maintaining a private therapy practice serving neurodivergent, queer, and domestic violence survivor populations. She is the author of two books on toxic relationships: Rose-Colored Glasses and The Healing from Toxic Relationships Workbook. Kate has appeared on approximately 20 podcasts as a subject matter expert on ADHD and toxic relationships, and has developed and delivered continuing education trainings for clinicians on supporting clients healing from toxic and abusive relationships.

        Kate Mageau’s expertise in this subject area is grounded in a uniquely integrated combination of clinical training, certification, lived experience, and direct advocacy work. As a late-diagnosed ADHDer and domestic violence survivor herself, she first encountered the DV field as a participant at New Beginnings, a domestic violence agency in Seattle, where she later returned to facilitate survivor support groups. Her ADHD-CCSP certification reflects specialized postgraduate training in ADHD clinical services, and her clinical practice is focused specifically on the population addressed in this training. Her clinical practice, published work, and advocacy have centered this intersection for over a decade.

        Registration closes December 10th, 2026

        This course is approved for 1 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. 

        • 12/16/2026
        • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
        • Live Zoom Webinar
        • 193
        Register

        Members Only Event  

        Description:

        Carla Titus walks through what goes into a Financial Treatment Plan and how it transforms the way you run your practice.

        Most practice owners make hiring, compensation, and growth decisions without a clear financial picture. They're scaling based on gut feel, not strategy. A Strategic Financial Plan changes that completely.

        You’ll learn:
        • What a Strategic Financial Plan actually includes and why each piece matters
        • How it directly impacts your hiring, compensation, and growth decisions

        • Why practice owners with a plan scale faster and more sustainably

        • The real cost of scaling without a financial strategy

        • How to know if your practice is ready for one

        Whether you’re feeling the pressure to reward your team or just want a more intentional approach to compensation, this session will help you make smart, sustainable decisions.

        There are no CEs for this event. 


            Presenter Bio

            Carla Titus is a finance expert with over 18 years of combined corporate financial planning, analysis, strategy, and online businesses experience. She provides fractional CFO services and financial consulting to practice owners looking to grow their business profitably. Her mission with Wealth & Worth Within is to empower business owners to achieve financial clarity and peace of mind, so that they can get back to what they enjoy.

            Wealth and Worth Within believes that financial clarity shouldn't be a barrier for mental health professionals from any background. We're dedicated to helping therapists and counselors build equitable, sustainable practices where fair compensation and financial stability are the norm, not the exception.
            • 01/04/2027
            • 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
            • Zoom
            Register

            Join the WMHCA Professional Development and Education Committee!

            Are you passionate about shaping the future of ethical, liberative, and culturally responsive clinical practice? The Professional Development and Education Committee (PDEC) invites all WMHCA members to join us in advancing high-quality and accessible continuing education presentations rooted in decolonized principles and cultural humility.

            Our mission is to increase competency, challenge oppressive systems, and support counselors in reducing suffering through thoughtful and timely educational opportunities. We actively seek to uplift diverse voices and perspectives—both in our committee and through the presenters we recruit.

            As a member of the committee, you’ll help:

            • Vet and select workshop presenters and topics
            • Plan and host continuing education events
            • Ensure Washington State CE requirements are provided with clarity to WMHCA members
            • Contribute to the development of impactful educational curricula for Washington state counselors

            Whether you’re curious about our work or ready to get involved, we’d love to have you join a meeting and explore how you can contribute.

            • 01/11/2027
            • 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
            • Zoom
            Register

            Help WMHCA plan our second annual conference in May 2027 designed to foster vital connections within our therapeutic community! To make this event a resounding success, we need your help. We're looking for enthusiastic volunteers to assist with various aspects of getting the conference up and running. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to a meaningful event, connect with fellow members, and gain valuable experience. If you're eager to lend a hand and help us create an unforgettable experience, please sign up to join us! We can't wait to see you there.

            • 02/01/2027
            • 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
            • Zoom
            Register

            Join the WMHCA Professional Development and Education Committee!

            Are you passionate about shaping the future of ethical, liberative, and culturally responsive clinical practice? The Professional Development and Education Committee (PDEC) invites all WMHCA members to join us in advancing high-quality and accessible continuing education presentations rooted in decolonized principles and cultural humility.

            Our mission is to increase competency, challenge oppressive systems, and support counselors in reducing suffering through thoughtful and timely educational opportunities. We actively seek to uplift diverse voices and perspectives—both in our committee and through the presenters we recruit.

            As a member of the committee, you’ll help:

            • Vet and select workshop presenters and topics
            • Plan and host continuing education events
            • Ensure Washington State CE requirements are provided with clarity to WMHCA members
            • Contribute to the development of impactful educational curricula for Washington state counselors

            Whether you’re curious about our work or ready to get involved, we’d love to have you join a meeting and explore how you can contribute.

            • 02/08/2027
            • 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
            • Zoom
            Register

            Help WMHCA plan our second annual conference in May 2027 designed to foster vital connections within our therapeutic community! To make this event a resounding success, we need your help. We're looking for enthusiastic volunteers to assist with various aspects of getting the conference up and running. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to a meaningful event, connect with fellow members, and gain valuable experience. If you're eager to lend a hand and help us create an unforgettable experience, please sign up to join us! We can't wait to see you there.

            • 03/01/2027
            • 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
            • Zoom
            Register

            Join the WMHCA Professional Development and Education Committee!

            Are you passionate about shaping the future of ethical, liberative, and culturally responsive clinical practice? The Professional Development and Education Committee (PDEC) invites all WMHCA members to join us in advancing high-quality and accessible continuing education presentations rooted in decolonized principles and cultural humility.

            Our mission is to increase competency, challenge oppressive systems, and support counselors in reducing suffering through thoughtful and timely educational opportunities. We actively seek to uplift diverse voices and perspectives—both in our committee and through the presenters we recruit.

            As a member of the committee, you’ll help:

            • Vet and select workshop presenters and topics
            • Plan and host continuing education events
            • Ensure Washington State CE requirements are provided with clarity to WMHCA members
            • Contribute to the development of impactful educational curricula for Washington state counselors

            Whether you’re curious about our work or ready to get involved, we’d love to have you join a meeting and explore how you can contribute.

            • 03/08/2027
            • 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
            • Zoom
            Register

            Help WMHCA plan our second annual conference in May 2027 designed to foster vital connections within our therapeutic community! To make this event a resounding success, we need your help. We're looking for enthusiastic volunteers to assist with various aspects of getting the conference up and running. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to a meaningful event, connect with fellow members, and gain valuable experience. If you're eager to lend a hand and help us create an unforgettable experience, please sign up to join us! We can't wait to see you there.

            • 04/05/2027
            • 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
            • Zoom
            Register

            Join the WMHCA Professional Development and Education Committee!

            Are you passionate about shaping the future of ethical, liberative, and culturally responsive clinical practice? The Professional Development and Education Committee (PDEC) invites all WMHCA members to join us in advancing high-quality and accessible continuing education presentations rooted in decolonized principles and cultural humility.

            Our mission is to increase competency, challenge oppressive systems, and support counselors in reducing suffering through thoughtful and timely educational opportunities. We actively seek to uplift diverse voices and perspectives—both in our committee and through the presenters we recruit.

            As a member of the committee, you’ll help:

            • Vet and select workshop presenters and topics
            • Plan and host continuing education events
            • Ensure Washington State CE requirements are provided with clarity to WMHCA members
            • Contribute to the development of impactful educational curricula for Washington state counselors

            Whether you’re curious about our work or ready to get involved, we’d love to have you join a meeting and explore how you can contribute.

            • 04/12/2027
            • 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
            • Zoom
            Register

            Help WMHCA plan our second annual conference in May 2027 designed to foster vital connections within our therapeutic community! To make this event a resounding success, we need your help. We're looking for enthusiastic volunteers to assist with various aspects of getting the conference up and running. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to a meaningful event, connect with fellow members, and gain valuable experience. If you're eager to lend a hand and help us create an unforgettable experience, please sign up to join us! We can't wait to see you there.

            • 05/03/2027
            • 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
            • Zoom
            Register

            Join the WMHCA Professional Development and Education Committee!

            Are you passionate about shaping the future of ethical, liberative, and culturally responsive clinical practice? The Professional Development and Education Committee (PDEC) invites all WMHCA members to join us in advancing high-quality and accessible continuing education presentations rooted in decolonized principles and cultural humility.

            Our mission is to increase competency, challenge oppressive systems, and support counselors in reducing suffering through thoughtful and timely educational opportunities. We actively seek to uplift diverse voices and perspectives—both in our committee and through the presenters we recruit.

            As a member of the committee, you’ll help:

            • Vet and select workshop presenters and topics
            • Plan and host continuing education events
            • Ensure Washington State CE requirements are provided with clarity to WMHCA members
            • Contribute to the development of impactful educational curricula for Washington state counselors

            Whether you’re curious about our work or ready to get involved, we’d love to have you join a meeting and explore how you can contribute.

            • 05/13/2027
            • 7:30 AM
            • 05/15/2027
            • 5:00 PM
            • Yakima Convention Center
            • 264
            Register

            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.

            Learn about Sponsorship Opportunities

            WMHCA is excited to offer a variety of hotel accommodations for our upcoming conference.  Click the links below to explore all your options.  

            Holiday Inn

            Hilton Garden Inn

            • Select your arrival/departure date
            • Group Code: 0512WM
            • Reservation Deadline: 04/14/2027

            Two Pre-Conference Options!

            Ethics Pre-Conference: Tuesday May 11th, 2027 10:00 am - 1:00 pm PST live Zoom webinar - 3 Ethics CEs

            The Law & Ethics of Inclusive Behavioral Health Care: Disability, Language, Neurodivergence, Accommodations and the Clinician's Obligation presented by Dr. Eric Strom, JD, LMHC

            Suicide Prevention Pre-Conference: Thursday May 13th, 2027 8:00 am - 3:30 PM live in person Yakima Convention Center - 6 CEs - meets Washington State Suicide Training requirement

            Suicide Assessment, Treatment and Management presented by Emily Hughes LMFT, CMHS, SUDP

            Pre-conferences do not include meals or snacks.


            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.

            Schedule Posted by January 6, 2027

            Become a WMHCA Member


            No refunds will be given.

            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.

            • 05/17/2027
            • 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
            • Zoom
            Register

            Help WMHCA plan our second annual conference in May 2027 designed to foster vital connections within our therapeutic community! To make this event a resounding success, we need your help. We're looking for enthusiastic volunteers to assist with various aspects of getting the conference up and running. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to a meaningful event, connect with fellow members, and gain valuable experience. If you're eager to lend a hand and help us create an unforgettable experience, please sign up to join us! We can't wait to see you there.

            • 06/07/2027
            • 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
            • Zoom
            Register

            Join the WMHCA Professional Development and Education Committee!

            Are you passionate about shaping the future of ethical, liberative, and culturally responsive clinical practice? The Professional Development and Education Committee (PDEC) invites all WMHCA members to join us in advancing high-quality and accessible continuing education presentations rooted in decolonized principles and cultural humility.

            Our mission is to increase competency, challenge oppressive systems, and support counselors in reducing suffering through thoughtful and timely educational opportunities. We actively seek to uplift diverse voices and perspectives—both in our committee and through the presenters we recruit.

            As a member of the committee, you’ll help:

            • Vet and select workshop presenters and topics
            • Plan and host continuing education events
            • Ensure Washington State CE requirements are provided with clarity to WMHCA members
            • Contribute to the development of impactful educational curricula for Washington state counselors

            Whether you’re curious about our work or ready to get involved, we’d love to have you join a meeting and explore how you can contribute.

          Past events

          11/02/2026 Professional Development and Education Committee Meeting
          10/27/2026 Therapy Without Borders? The Legal & Ethical Realities of Cross-Jurisdictional Practice presented by Eric Ström JD, PhD, LMHC
          10/21/2026 Business Basic-Finances 101
          10/05/2026 Professional Development and Education Committee Meeting
          10/05/2026 Conference Committee Meeting
          10/02/2026 Integrating Social Justice into Child-Centered Play Therapy: Building Inclusive Spaces for Growth presented by Lauren Chase LCMHC, PhD, NCC, BC-TMH, PMH-C
          09/14/2026 Professional Development and Education Committee Meeting
          09/14/2026 Conference Committee Meeting
          09/11/2026 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
          08/26/2026 Gettin’ By: How Poverty Changes the Brain, Which Changes Everything presented by Linda Riddell MS
          08/10/2026 Conference Committee Meeting
          08/06/2026 Law & Ethics of the Clinical Use of Artificial Intelligence: A 2026 Update Presented by Eric Ström JD, PhD, LMHC
          08/03/2026 Professional Development and Education Committee Meeting
          07/20/2026 Affirmative Counseling with Clients in Polyamorous Relationships Presented by Jiale Man PhD, LMHCA, NCC
          06/01/2026 Professional Development and Education Committee
          05/15/2026 Suicide Assessment, Management, and Treatment Presented by Emily Hughes LMFT CMHS, SUDP
          05/13/2026 The Counseling Compact: What It Means for Washington Counselors
          05/04/2026 CANCELED: Professional Development and Education Committee
          05/02/2026 Weaving Connection: Building Inclusion and Connection In Therapy
          04/06/2026 Professional Development and Education Committee
          04/03/2026 Conference Task Force Meeting
          03/06/2026 Conference Task Force Meeting
          03/02/2026 Professional Development and Education Committee
          02/25/2026 Beyond Self-Care: What Actually Sustains Clinicians Presented by Dr. Kira Mauseth
          02/10/2026 Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration (PHRI) Psychotherapy: Best Practices & Current Trends Presented by Dr. Peter Addy, LMHC
          02/06/2026 Conference Task Force Meeting
          02/02/2026 Cancelled: Professional Development and Education Committee
          01/30/2026 We Carry It All: Unpacking Systemic Trauma Through the Body and Beyond Words-Presented by Danielle McDowell LPC
          01/29/2026 Cancelled: Becoming a Counselor in Washington State
          01/21/2026 Personal Resilience in the Everyday: Developing Core Competencies Presented by Kira Mauseth, Ph.D.
          01/15/2026 Law and Ethics of Professional Roles and Boundaries in the Clinical Setting Presented by Eric Ström JD, PhD, LMHC
          01/09/2026 Conference Task Force Meeting
          01/05/2026 Professional Development and Education Committee
          12/15/2025 Becoming a Counselor in Washington State
          12/09/2025 CANCELED: Scholarship Task Force
          12/05/2025 Conference Task Force Meeting
          12/01/2025 CANCELLED: Professional Development and Education Committee
          11/18/2025 Scholarship Task Force
          11/13/2025 Helping Clients Heal from Toxic Relationships Presented by Kate Mageau, MS, LMHC, NCC, ADHD-CCSP, CIMHP, C-DBT
          11/07/2025 Conference Task Force Meeting
          11/04/2025 Advanced Clinical Applications of Movement Techniques with Jayden Aubryn LICSW, NCSF-CPT
          11/03/2025 Professional Development and Education Committee
          10/30/2025 Becoming a Counselor in Washington State
          10/09/2025 Employment Laws for Health Care Providers: What Employers and Employees Need to Know Presented by Eric Ström JD, PhD, LMHC
          10/06/2025 Professional Development and Education Committee
          10/03/2025 Skills for Facilitating Guided Meditation for Therapists Presented By Tony Rella, LMHC
          10/03/2025 Conference Task Force Meeting
          09/24/2025 Law and Ethics of Interacting With the Legal System: Confidentiality, Subpoenas, Depositions, and Testifying, Presented by Eric Ström JD, PhD, LMHC
          09/17/2025 Learn about HEALWA
          09/12/2025 Empowering Healing: 5 Trauma-Informed Treatment Strategies for Childbirth-Related PTSD, Presented by S. Anandavalli, PhD, LPC, NCC, CCTP
          09/08/2025 Professional Development and Education Committee
          09/05/2025 Conference Task Force Meeting
          08/28/2025 Becoming a Counselor in Washington State
          08/28/2025 Suicide Assessment, Management, and Treatment Presented by Emily Hughs LMFT CMHS, SUDP
          08/26/2025 Law & Ethics of Washington State Mandatory Reporting, Presented by Eric Ström JD, PhD, LMHC
          08/14/2025 Suicide Assessment, Management, and Treatment Presented by Emily Hughs LMFT CMHS, SUDP
          08/04/2025 Professional Development and Education Committee
          08/01/2025 Conference Task Force Meeting
          07/25/2025 Navigating Washington’s New Confidentiality Standards for LMHCs, LMFTs, and Social Workers: a 2025 Update-Presented by Eric Ström JD, PhD, LMHC
          06/06/2025 CANCELED: Conference Task Force Meeting
          06/05/2025 CANCELED: Professional Development and Education Committee Meeting
          06/02/2025 Becoming a Counselor in Washington State
          05/27/2025 Social Connection Program Information Session
          05/17/2025 Intro to Understanding Law Enforcement: Culture, Challenges, and Family Dynamics with Susie Kroll, LMHC
          05/07/2025 Law and Ethics: Understanding Process, Risks, and Safeguards Related to Disciplinary Board Actions with Frances Schopick JD, MSW
          05/02/2025 Unveiling Transgenerational Birth Trauma (TBT): A Hidden Legacy of Psychopathology and Distress with Dr. Anadavalli, LPC
          05/02/2025 Conference Task Force Meeting
          05/01/2025 Professional Development and Education Committee Meeting
          04/29/2025 Legal and Ethical Implications of Sexual Misconduct with Clients with Frances Schopick JD, MSW
          04/21/2025 White Trauma, Vulnerability and Dismantling Systemic Racism with Sherronda Jamerson MA, SUDP
          04/09/2025 Are We OK? Potential Impacts of Telehealth Structural Changes on Clinician Wellness – a Research Update-with Eric Strom JD, Ph.D, LMHC & Doug Shirley Ed.D, LMHC
          04/07/2025 Becoming a Counselor in Washington State
          04/04/2025 Conference Task Force Meeting
          04/03/2025 Professional Development and Education Committee Meeting
          03/27/2025 Washington Law & Ethics of Abandonment, Termination, and Referrals-with Eric Strom, JD, PhD, LMHC
          03/17/2025 Unconscious Bias Training and Cultural Considerations for Healthcare Professionals with Samanth Edu, LPC
          03/07/2025 The Art of Supervision with Sarah Weber, LMHC
          03/07/2025 Conference Task Force Meeting
          03/06/2025 Professional Development and Education Committee Meeting
          02/28/2025 DATE & TIME CHANGE: Becoming a Counselor in Washington State
          02/25/2025 Vicarious Trauma & Compassion Fatigue: Recognize, Mitigate, & Thrive-With Alexa Alberts, LICSW
          02/12/2025 Decolonizing Somatic Therapy with Movement, Food, and Art-With Jayden Aubryn, LICSW
          02/11/2025 Clinical Documentation Considerations of Changing Federal and State Laws-with Eric Strom, JD, PhD, LMHC
          02/07/2025 Conference Task Force Meeting
          02/06/2025 Professional Development and Education Committee Meeting
          01/10/2025 Law and Ethics of Relationships in the Clinical Setting With Eric Strom JD, Ph.D, LMHC
          01/09/2025 CANCELLED: Professional Development and Education Committee Meeting
          01/03/2025 Conference Task Force Meeting
          12/18/2024 Becoming a Counselor in Washington State
          12/06/2024 Conference Task Force Meeting
          12/05/2024 CANCELLED: Professional Development and Education Committee Meeting
          11/19/2024 Neuroplasticity, Poetry & Mental Health
          11/18/2024 Becoming a Counselor in Washington State
          11/09/2024 Introduction to becoming a First Responder Therapist Curriculum (Live In Person Event)
          11/07/2024 Professional Development and Education Committee Meeting
          10/19/2024 WMHCA Member Networking Event
          10/19/2024 Introduction to Becoming a First Responder Therapist Curriculum (Live In Person Event)
          10/18/2024 Becoming a Counselor in Washington State
          10/17/2024 Law and Ethics: Let Your Disclosure, Documentation, and Record keeping Work for You
          10/16/2024 Here Comes an Election… Law and Ethics of Personal Beliefs in the Clinical Relationship
          10/03/2024 Professional Development and Education Committee Meeting
          09/19/2024 Law and Ethics of DOH Investigations: Process, Risks and Safeguards That Influence Clinical Practice
          09/06/2024 Becoming a Counselor in Washington State
          09/05/2024 Professional Development and Education Committee Meeting
          08/17/2024 Introduction to becoming a First Responder Therapist Curriculum (Live In Person Event)
          08/15/2024 Legally and Ethically Launching your Private Practice
          08/14/2024 Becoming a Counselor in Washington State
          08/08/2024 Professional Development and Education Committee Meeting
          07/23/2024 Becoming a Counselor in Washington State
          07/11/2024 Professional Development and Education Committee Meeting
          06/28/2024 Canceled-Law and Ethics of DOH Investigations: Process, Risks and Safeguards That Influence Clinical Practice
          06/20/2024 Supporting Trans and Non-Binary Clients
          06/10/2024 Becoming a Counselor in Washington State
          05/22/2024 Law and Ethics: Let Your Disclosure, Documentation, and Record keeping Work for You
          05/17/2024 Becoming a Counselor in Washington State
          05/16/2024 Becoming a Counselor in Washington State
          05/15/2024 Becoming a Counselor in Washington State
          05/15/2024 Are We OK? Potential Impacts of Telehealth Structural Changes on Clinician Wellness
          05/14/2024 Becoming a Counselor in Washington State
          05/13/2024 Becoming a Counselor in Washington State
          05/09/2024 Law & Ethics of the Clinical Use of Artificial Intelligence
          05/02/2024 Professional Development and Education Committee Meeting
          04/26/2024 Self-Compassion as Exposure
          04/18/2024 Healing Trauma Through Movement
          04/16/2024 Becoming a Counselor in Washington State
          04/15/2024 Becoming a Counselor in Washington State
          04/05/2024 Generational Trauma and Generational Healing

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