American Counseling Association of Missouri

Annual ACAM conference, come join us

Administrator — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:26:18 +0000

Counseling Ethics: Decisions and Dilemmas

Administrator — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:07:12 +0000

The MO Mental Health Counselors Association is offering a workshop titled “Counseling Ethics: Decisions and Dilemmas” on March 9 and 10 in St. Charles and Springfield respectively. Dr. Verl Pope, Chair of the Community Counseling Program at SEMO and Chair of the Committee for Professional Counselors, will be the presenter.

Making ethical decisions is a daily process in every counseling practice. Understanding the process in how these decisions are made may help in addressing the more difficult Ethical Dilemma’s that come up from time to time. This presentation will discuss the process of ethical decision making and apply it to case scenarios, small groups activities, and participant ethical collaboration!

For more information, a brochure and to register go to our web site through this link: Continuing Education

This workshop will be held at Lindenwood University in St. Charles and at Touchstone Counseling in Springfield. We will award 6.5 CEs through NBCC for the day long workshop at a low rate of $89 for MMHCA members and $109 for non-members.

Please pass this email along to your LCSW colleagues since this workshop will help them meet their CE requirement in education in ethics. If you have any questions please contact me through the info below.

Dan Holdinghaus, MA, LPC
MMHCA Executive Director
mmhca@mmhca.net
www.mmhca.net
800-341-3363 voice and fax
573-205-9529 cell

PTSD/Trauma Trainer Needed

Administrator — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:17:29 +0000

The MSAPCB is looking for a trainer to provide a 1 day training within the area of PTSD/Trauma. This training would focus on PTSD in all clients but expertise in working with PTSD in Veterans would be preferred. The details of the training are as follows:

1. The training location would be the Kansas City area.
2. The training would be on a Friday in March or April depending on the trainer’s availability.
3. The training would be from 9-4 with an hour break for lunch. This means the trainer must create 6 hours of training material.
4. The trainer will create their own training. The MSAPCB will handle all logistics, registrations, certificates, etc…
5. A training stipend will be negotiated between the MSAPCB and the trainer.

We hope to find a trainer within the KC area but will consider trainers from throughout Missouri.

If you have expertise in this area and are interested in this opportunity, please contact Scott Breedlove by e-mail at scott.breedlove@dmh.mo.gov.

Annual ACAM Conference, “Many Counselors-1 Profession”

Administrator — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 19:39:13 +0000

Join us April 12th – 14th at the Capital Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City for ACAM’s Annual Conference. We are arranging more this year than ever before. This is just a little of what we have lined up: Earn up to 20 CEUs, enjoy lunch each day, 80′s party, special workshop for students and recent graduates, special Key Note Speaker from ACA, vote on next year’s President Elect, visit exhibit booths, win door prizes, and more.

Click here to register.

The Department of Defense issued regulations at the end of 2011

Administrator — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:18:27 +0000

The Department of Defense issued regulations at the end of 2011 (online at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-12-27/pdf/2011-33109.pdf) which would let licensed professional counselors practice independently within TRICARE, the health care program providing services for an estimated 9.6 million active duty service members, retirees, and their families. For many years, all other master’s level mental health professionals have been allowed to practice independently, while TRICARE beneficiaries can only see licensed professional counselors under physician referral and supervision.

Current Referral and Supervision Requirements Still In Effect

Although the rule stated that it was “effective” on December 27, 2011, it now appears that counselors will not be able to see TRICARE beneficiaries independently for a few months. According to staff with the TRICARE Management Activity (TMA, the agency charged with managing the program), the Department of Defense is maintaining existing requirements for physician referral and supervision of counselors’ services until it has reviewed comments on the regulation and made any final changes it deems necessary in light of the comments it receives. DoD staff indicate that TMA expects to finish this process and begin implementing the regulations later this year.

ACA encourages counselors interested in this issue to submit comments. Comments must be submitted by February 27th. You can do this through the website http://www.regulations.gov. In the drop-down box in the middle of the page entitled “Select Document Type”, select “Rule”, and in the box next to it entitled “Enter Keyword or ID” type in “certified mental health counselors”. Click “Search”, and the top result listed on the page that comes up should be entitled “TRICARE: Certified Mental Health Counselors.” You’ll see a link for “Submit a Comment” on the right-hand side of the page.

ACA will be submitting comments as an organization, and we will be collaborating with both the National Board for Certified Counselors and the American Mental Health Counselors Association in developing our comments. ACA has worked closely with both NBCC and AMHCA over the years in advocating for independent practice authority for counselors within TRICARE.

ACA’s comments are likely to include items such as the following:

An expression of strong support for DoD’s proposed transition period, during which counselors with degrees from programs that have not yet become CACREP-accredited can apply for certification as independently-practicing mental health counselors;
A request that TRICARE recognize all relevant counseling master’s degree titles for practice as a mental health counselor;
A request that TRICARE recognize all supervised experience obtained by counselors that meets the criteria used by the licensure board for the jurisdiction in which they practice;
A request that TRICARE consider extending the transition period—during which the agency will certify counselors with degrees from regionally-accredited institutions who have passed the NCMHCE, and counselors with degrees from CACREP-accredited programs who have passed the NCE—through December 31, 2015. This would be especially helpful if the DoD regulations aren’t implemented until the end of 2012.

For more information, or for a synopsis of TRICARE’s proposed requirements for independent practice, contact Scott Barstow with ACA at sbarstow@counseling.org.

“Many Counselors: 1 Profession” – Join us in Jefferson City for our Annual Conference

Deanna Brauer — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 04:14:03 +0000

Registration is now open for ACAM’s Annual Conference! We have more planned this year than ever before. Not only will you be able to get a year’s worth of CEUs (up to 20), browse exhibitors, network with colleagues, enjoy an included lunch each day but also kick back with an 80′s party complete with costumes, a DJ, and a cash bar. Presentations will be available again for purchase on audio CDs. We will also be electing a new President Elect position during the business meeting on Friday. Please consider if this is a position for you!

The conference will be located at the Capital Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City, MO Thursday, April 12th through Saturday, April 14th. And, we will wrap up by 1 pm on Saturday to make traveling home easier. As usual, we offer extremely competative rates. ACAM Members pay just $170 for our early bird discount which is available until February 18th. The rate for student members is only $60 for all 3 days. Click here to register.

“Many Counselors: 1 Profession” is this year’s theme. We are many counselors united by one profession and we are excited to provide what we feel is a unifying and welcoming atmosphere to all our counselors. For example, the ACAM ACAdemy and ACAM-KC will host a special presentation for students and recent graduates and our President will provide a key note lunch presentation about ACAM, our purpose, structure, divisions, future and how to get the most out of your membership.

Date: April 12^th – 14

CEU’s Available: Up to 20 Available

Itinerary: (Subject to change) A full itinerary with a listing of the various workshops and presenters will be available closer to the event date.

Thursday, April 12: 8 am until 5:45 pm, workshops and Key Note Speaker. 7-9 pm, Meet the Board. Room, TBD.

Friday, April 13: 8 am – 5:45 pm Workshops/ACAM Business meeting over lunch. 6:30 – 7:30 pm ALGBTIC meeting. 8 pm – 10 pm 80’s Party

Saturday, April 14: 8 am – 1 pm Workshops and closing lunch presentation

Location: Capital Plaza Hotel 415 W. McCarty St., Jefferson City, MO 65101 P. 573.635.1234 http://www.capitolplazajeffersoncity.com/?src=ppc_google_brand_freewifi

To reserve a room, call the hotel with the number provided above and ask for the ACAM Conference group rate. The hotel’s website also can provide directions either by calling them or checking on their website.

To Register, click on the link below: https://www.cvent.com/events/annual-2012-conference/registration-8136489eba0d4ccb8942e24a09fef216.aspx

Fee Structure:

Until Feb. 18th		Member	Non-Member	Presenter
1 day
	Student	25	50	50
	Professional	100	190	50
2 days
	Student	40	65	100
	Professional	135	210	100
3 days
	Student	65	85	150
	Professional	170	245	150

Until March 18th		Member	Non-Member	Presenter
1 day
	Student	30	55	50
	Professional	120	190	50
2 days
	Student	45	70	100
	Professional	150	225	100
3 days
	Student	70	90	150
	Professional	185	260	150

After March 18th		Member	Non-Member	Presenter
1 day
	Student	40	60	50
	Professional	135	200	50
2 days
	Student	55	74	100
	Professional	170	240	100
3 days
	Student	75	95	150
	Professional	200	275	150

Take advantage of the cost effective advertising opportunity by placing an add in this year’s Program Booklet. Click here for more information and to place an add. Or, you may decide to host an exhibit booth. Click here for exhibitor information.

Please also consider presenting at this year’s conference. Presenters pay just $50 per day. Click here for the Call For Programs information.

Department of Defense Releases TRICARE Rule on Independent Practice for Counselors – Scott Barstow

Deanna Brauer — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 01:25:31 +0000

The Department of Defense (DoD) has finally issued regulations allowing licensed professional counselors to practice independently within the TRICARE program, which provides health care coverage to more than 9 million military servicemembers, retirees, and their dependents. DoD’s regulations were released in the Federal Register of December 27, 2011, and take effect immediately.

ACA has worked for years to establish independent practice authority for counselors, and the new regulation is an important step for the profession. The regulation also establishes a transition period during which more flexible requirements will be in place, something that ACA has consistently pushed for. However, not all licensed professional counselors will be eligible for independent practice authority under the new TRICARE regulation, and significant questions and concerns remain about how they will be implemented. ACA will continue working to address these concerns and to push for recognition of all highly qualified licensed professional counselors.

During a transition period lasting until January 1, 2015, professional counselors at the independent level of licensure in their state may practice independently under TRICARE if they:

1) Possess a master’s or higher-level degree from “a mental health counseling program of education and training” accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and have passed the National Counselor Examination (NCE); OR

2) Possess a master’s or higher-level degree from a mental health counseling program of education and training from either a CACREP or regionally-accredited institution, and have passed the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE); AND

3) Have at least 2 years of post-master’s supervised practice including a minimum of 3,000 hours of supervised clinical practice, and 100 hours of face-to-face supervision. This supervision “must be provided by a mental health counselor who is licensed for independent practice in mental health counseling in the jurisdiction where practicing and must be conducted in a manner that is consistent with the guidelines for supervision of the American Mental Health Counselors Association.”

Beginning January 1, 2015, counselors seeking to participate in TRICARE (referred to as “certified mental health counselors” under the rule) will be required to:

1) Pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE);

2) Possess a master’s or doctoral degree from a mental health counseling program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); and

3) Meet the supervision hours requirements listed above.

Beginning January 1, 2015, counselors who do not meet these requirements (and who have not already qualified as “certified mental health counselors” with TRICARE under the transition period rules) will not be allowed to provide services to TRICARE beneficiaries, even under physician referral and supervision.

It is not clear how the rule’s requirement that degrees be awarded in a “mental health counseling program of education and training” will be interpreted, nor is it clear how DoD will verify that supervision is conducted in a manner that meet’s AMHCA standards. ACA will seek clarification on these and other aspects of the rules, and will be submitting comments to DoD prior to the comment deadline of February 27, 2012.

Counselors are encouraged to read the regulations and provide comments as individuals. For follow up questions for ACA, contact me at 800-347-6647 x234, or at sbarstow@counseling.org.

Gambling Addiction: An Interview- Peter Gussman, LPC, NBCC & Deanna Brauer, PLPC

Deanna Brauer — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 15:51:23 +0000

Deanna: How do you know if someone has a gambling addiction?
Peter: Time and money. If it impairs time and if impairs a significant amount of money, it has the potential for a gambling problem. And if a person does not know how to manage time and money, it can cause big problems.

Even with some of the gamblers that come into the office, one of the things they always ponder is, “I just don’t understand why I do this”, “I just don’t understand how I do this”, “I just don’t understand how I got myself in this situation”, “I never had any problem with the law”, “I never had any problems with alcohol, drugs, always had core values, but, I just don’t understand how I did this”.

Deanna: So, what do you say to them in response?

Peter: I say, let’s explore some deep seeded issues. Let’s unravel some triggers that got you in this situation. I would probably at least 95% of the gamblers one of the common threads is that a house is not a home.

Deanna: What does that mean. Does that translate to intimacy issues, safety?
Peter: It ranges for everyone. But the theme that I encapsulate is that a house is not a home and they don’t want to go home whether it’s conflict, stress, avoiding, or it’s just overwhelming.

Deanna: How do they work through that?
Peter: We stat to talk about how to get their house back. How do we go about building a safe haven, how to make a house where you really want to go home and feel safe and secure?

Deanna: So, there is a safety issue?
Peter: Emotional safety.

Deanna: Is this a main aspect of treatment for addiction?
Peter: It’s one of them. It’s one of the tips of the ice burg that I explore with them. The other is the history of addiction. There is that genetic component of compulsivity, a history of gambling as well as any other addictions.

Deanna: How often do you see someone with a gambling addiction suffer from another addiction?
Peter: There are quite a few. I would say about 50% whether it’s alcohol, problems drinking. It’s very rare that I see drugs and gambling.

Deanna: Co-morbid addictions typically occur with alcohol?
Peter: It’s more alcohol. And, there is a small population with sex addiction.

Deanna: Do you treat both addictions and at the same time, substance abuse addiction and gambling addiction?
Peter: No, I don’t. I just treat the gambling addiction. If it’s something that we need to get into, we’ll look into that to see what we can do here or outsource them for the substance abuse addiction.

Deanna: Besides the obvious, what are some consequences with gambling addiction?
Peter: The thing with gamblers, they think, “Its my money”, “I’m an adult”, “I worked hard for my money”, “I earned this money”, “I can do whatever I want.”

Deanna: They have a lot of justification?
Peter: But a lot of times, what gamblers don’t realize is that there is a huge collateral cost with gambling. And one of the collateral costs is the emotional cost. When I talk about the emotional cost, I’m talking about that the gambler is not in the here and now in the presence of fulfilling their role as a husband, spouse, or their day-to-day responsibilities. If they have a job, they are not there emotionally to get their tasks accomplished. They aren’t there for their kids. They aren’t there to run part of the household and that’s a huge cost. And, this trickles down to the kids. There is a collateral cost that affects the entire family dynamic.

If the gambler is not there, there will be conflict within the household. Not only within the household but the other component is with their job. Gamblers with a job commit a lot of errors in their employment setting. They make lots of errors. They get written up, they get talked to. This is something they have not had the experience of being written up. They are unable to complete their tasks because they are preoccupied with what occurred with gambling.

Deanna: How big of a problem is gambling addiction?
Peter: Research says it’s about 3-5% of the population. My view is going to be very distorted because about 80-%90% of those that come into my office they have gambling problems. By the time they come into my office the flame is 10 feet high and I have a water hose to put it out. They are in way over their head.

Deanna: If someone goes through therapy for gambling addiction, are they ever cured or recovered?
Peter: Well, they are always going to have that on their back. They are always going to have that urge. It’s a matter how they regulate their triggers, how they make amends, fixing or working through and processing coping techniques to resolve those issues that lead to gambling.

Deanna: Do you have any other parting thoughts to share?
Peter: Don’t gamble.

NBCC 2011 Scholarship

Administrator — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:36:05 +0000

The NBCC Foundation is pleased to announce the 2011 scholarships available for students pursuing a career in professional counseling. The scholarship program is an integral component of the NBCC Foundation’s mission to promote mental health through professional counseling and credentialing. The goal of the scholarships is to increase the number of counselors in priority underserved communities.

The military scholarship provides financial support to service members and veterans who are currently enrolled in counseling programs and who commit to serving military personnel for a minimum of two years upon graduation. Similarly, the rural scholarship provides financial support to students who are currently enrolled in counseling programs and who commit to serving rural areas upon graduation.

Both scholarships are in the amount of $3,000 and five of each are available. Recent military experience is required for the military scholarship, and residence in a rural area is a requirement for the rural scholarship. The deadline for applications is November 1, 2011.

For more information about the NBCC Foundation scholarships, please visit www.nbccf.org/programs.

Attention: National Certified Counselors (NCCs)

Administrator — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 12:38:10 +0000

As a service to you, NBCC would like you to be aware that the Council for Accreditation for Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) is currently looking for two counselor educators and one counselor practitioner to serve on its Board of Directors.

Interested individuals must submit their completed application packets by October 15, 2011.

For more information about CACREP and this opportunity, please visit http://www.cacrep.org/detail/news.cfm?news_id=43&id=1.