The Advocate Magazine Number 46: Issue 1 | Page 4

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2023 : VOLUME 800 / 326 – 46 2642 , Issue # 1 Fax : 703 / 548 – 4775 Website : www . amhca . org Phone : 703 / 548 – 6002

The Advocate Magazine is published quarterly , by the American Mental Health Counselors Association ( AMHCA ). Issues are posted at www . amhca . org / advocatemag , where they can be downloaded as PDFs .

46 th AMHCA President , 2022 – 2023 , Fredrick Dombrowski , PhD , LMHC , CASAC , LPC , LADC , NCC , CCMHC , MAC , ACS , BC-TMH , HS-BCP , ICADC , DCMHS

Publisher Beverly Smith , PhD , LPC , NCC , CCMHC , ACS , NCSC , CFT , HS-BCP , BCC , MAC , BC-TMH , CCTP , BCPCC , Immediate Past President and Interim CEO / ED

Consulting Editors

Angele Moss – Baker , LPC , LMFT , MAC , DCMHS- COD 44 th AMHCA President , 2020 – 2021

Aaron Norton , PhD , LMHC , LMFT , MCAP , CCMHC , CRC , CFMHE AMHCA Southern Region Director

Editor in Chief Whitney Meyerhoeffer

Editor Kathleen McCarthy

Membership in AMHCA is $ 183 / year and gives you access to the archives and any supplemental materials linked in the magazine . Join AMHCA and to get the most out of our many publications !

Disclaimer : Information printed in The Advocate Magazine does not represent an official AMHCA policy or position , and the acceptance of advertising does not constitute endorsement or approval by AMHCA of any advertised service or product . AMHCA reserves the right to edit or reject all copy .

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Article submission guidelines : Send copy for The Advocate Magazine to AMHCA no later than six weeks prior to issue date . Email copy to Kathleen McCarthy at mccarthy . kathleen @ gmail . com and CC wmeyerhoeffer @ amhca . org .

© 2023 , American Mental Health Counselors Association . All rights reserved . No portion of this publication may be reproduced by any means without the written consent of The Advocate Magazine editor or AMHCA ’ s executive director & CEO .

Cover illustration : Midjourney

The President ’ s Perspective

Fredrick Dombrowski , PhD , LMHC , CASAC , LPC , LADC , NCC , CCMHC , MAC , ACS , BC-TMH , HS-BCP , ICADC , DCMHS 46 th AMHCA President , 2022 – 2023

You Are Valued , and Your Work Truly Matters !

Hello AMHCA members ! It has been exciting to watch changes come about that impact the profession and ultimately help those who need services . Two major pieces of legislation come to mind — the Counseling Compact and the addition of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors ( LCMHCs ) as Medicare service providers . While we are gratified to be seeing at last the legislative movement , let ’ s not forget the multiple years that LCMHCs across the country have worked so hard to achieve these accomplishments . These legislative moves started with LCMHCs in many states who saw a limitation in access to service worked long and hard to connect and make these changes .

Many people come into the field of clinical mental health counseling due to their commitment and desire to help others recover from trauma and difficult previous experiences . As a proud LCMHC , I have enjoyed watching those I serve connect with authentic and meaningful lives where they are able to do what is important to them . Most of us ( I include myself in this category ) don ’ t get into the counseling field to create legislation . With that said , had it not been for countless people over many years , our profession might still lack the operational definition , licensure , and evidence we have now that shows that the services we provide absolutely helps people recover . Advocating for public policy change is an expectation as opposed to an “ add-on ” for us LCMHCs .

Many LCMHCs find advocacy and engaging in the process of creating policy difficult and uncomfortable . Our work requires us to help people in crises , navigate instances of physical danger , and work to save lives . Our own energy can be depleted from the energy we are constantly giving others . As a result , asking people to then get involved in local and national policy changes can be difficult and exhausting . The good news is … you are not alone , and you don ’ t have to do it all on your own . The work we do for those we serve , and the work we do to enhance the field , are both important parts of being an LCMHC .

Now truly is a time for change . Our continued advocacy for social justice and assisting communities that have been underserved is receiving national attention as people at all levels of government and in many different cultures recognize the benefits of the work that we do . From the LCMHCs working alone in rural communities to those in the busiest cities , we are all part of the same profession and multiplying our voices . Ranging from the individual to the national collective requires a sense of respect and admiration for every individual who is a part of our profession .

AMHCA is very thankful to be ex-officio members of the Counseling Compact www . counselingcompact . org . We are also proud to continue to work on the transition to Medicare access , and we will continue to work to promote the recognition of CMHCs in every state . AMHCA ’ s committees are continuing to work to advance all aspects of the profession ( check out our committees — and consider joining one that interests you !— at www . amhca . org / about / governance / committees ). We are most definitely an organization that is greater than the sum of our parts .

I am not exaggerating when I say that none of this is possible without those who tirelessly devote their professional lives to others by promoting their healing and growth . As LCMHCs , we may not always have the ability to see the final outcome of our efforts or watch those we serve improve . But please don ’ t ever forget that who you are and what you do truly matters . We are at a time where others are also recognizing who you are and acknowledging that what you do truly matters as well !

4 The Advocate Magazine 2023 , Issue # 1 American Mental Health Counselors Association ( AMHCA ) www . amhca . org