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  • 16 Feb 2024 8:56 AM | Jim Macedone (Administrator)

    Counselors and Cybersecurity Technology Acceptance and Use – Doctoral Dissertation Study Invitation

    You are invited to participate in my doctoral dissertation study entitled “Counselors and Cybersecurity Technology Acceptance and Use.”

    The University of the Cumberlands Institutional Review Board has provided approval for this study.

    This study aims to examine the motivational constructs that predict cybersecurity technology acceptance and use among Licensed Professional Counselors (and equivalent). Much of the healthcare industry's cybersecurity research focuses on large healthcare systems, such as hospitals or state-run healthcare organizations; almost none have focused on the cybersecurity practices of mental health professionals. It is hoped that the results of this study will help LPCs safeguard themselves, their clients, and their practices against cybersecurity threats. 

    You may participate in this study if you are:

    • At least 18 years of age. 
    • A Master’s or Ph.D.-level graduate, or current resident, of a CACREP-accredited counseling program. 
    • Currently working as a Licensed Professional Counselor (or equivalent) within the United States. 

    This study uses an anonymous survey that is expected to take 5-15 minutes to complete. No personally identifiable information will be collected by the study, your answers will not be shared with anyone, and the researcher will not contact you about your answers. Participation is entirely voluntary, and you may withdraw from the study at any time.

    If you would like to participate, please click the link below:

    https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/counselorsandcybersecurity

    Jeff Yeutter

  • 1 Feb 2024 2:38 PM | Jim Macedone (Administrator)

    Ideas for Black History Month from Cultures Connecting:


    In addition to honoring the past, Black history month is also about the present. Here are some ideas for Black History Month:

    In Our Communities

    At Work

    At School

     

    Honoring the Past and Building the Future with Cultur X

    "The world started to show that this is really needed...what's happening across the country, trying to covertly just kind of remove [Black] history that happened and wash over it and it was like, no. it's our history. It's our responsibility to tell ourselves what happened, where we were at, where we're at presently, and where we can go...The mission essentially is honor the past, build the future, create legacy. "

    In celebration of Black History Month, we are bringing you an interview with Ché and Brea Davis, co-founders of Cultur X, conducted by Jerod Grant, former Cultures Connecting consultant.

    Cultur X is a social impact fashion brand pushing Black culture forward. They do this by embedding QR Codes in their designs that link people with the stories of Black cultural icons and legends, with the goal of fostering a strong sense of identity and pride among its wearers. Ché sees Cultur X as a movement, aiming to inspire action by weaving storytelling, history, and social impact into every piece.

    Watch the interview below to hear the inspiring story of Cultur X's origin.

    video
     

    Final Call: Equity Leaders Workshop

    Equity leaders workshop with date, time and location.

    Our Equity Leaders workshop is next week! If you are leading DEIBelonging efforts, this workshop is an opportunity to share strategies, problem solve, and network.

    Date: February 8th & 9th

    Time: 8:30am - 12:00pm PST

    Location: Virtual

    Ticket sales end Monday. Register today!

    Learn More & Register
     
    List of February Diversity Dates

    It's the first of the month which means looking at the dates from our Diversity Calendar. Want your own copy of the calendar? You can download it here.

    • 01-02: Imbolc (Neo-Pagan)
    • 03: Setsubun-sai (Shinto)
    • 10: Tết (Vietnam)
    • 10: Lunar New Year (Asia)
    • 14: Valentine's Day (International)
    • 14: Ash Wednesday (Christian)
    • 14-31: Lenten Season (Christian)
    • 19: Day of Remembrance (Japanese Incarceration) (U.S.)
     
    Happy Lunar New Year with Wood Dragon illustration

    February 10th is Lunar New Year, which is celebrated across Asia including China, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, and Vietnam. 

    2024 is the year of the Wood Dragon which symbolizes boldness, expansion, creativity, and energy.

    Many people call this holiday Chinese New Year but it is celebrated all over Asia. "Lunar New Year" should be used in lieu of "Chinese New Year" as a more inclusive term.

     
    From the Margins art images and dates.

    Judy Lee, our Support & Projects Manager, is curating an art exhibition in February on the theme "From the Margins" at the Fishbowl, a QTBIPOC artists gallery and studios in Seattle.

    The show features 19 artists and is centered on marginalized voices to make conscious and visible their experiences.

    The Opening Reception is on Friday, 2/2 at 5-8pm at 323 2nd Ave W. in Uptown. The Closing + Artist Talk (moderated by Judy) will be on 2/23 at 6-8pm.

     
    social justice deib calendar with clock

    Upcoming DEIB/Social Justice Events

    For details on these and other events, workshops and conferences, visit our Events Calendar. If you have an event you would like us to share, please reach out to us!

    • 2/01: Alianza Americas: Contextualizing the Migrant Narrative
    • 2/01: Leadership for Democracy and Social Justice Lecture Series
    • 2/01: Have You Eaten AANHPI Group Art Show Opening
    • 2/01: Always Prepared-Building the Road for Equality
    • 2/01: Black History Month Film "Agents of Change"*
    • 2/01: NAMI LGBTQ+ Support Group (Weekly)
    • 2/02: From the Margins Group Art Show
    • 2/03: Wing Luke Museum Lunar New Year
    • 2/04: Nice Racism Online Book Group
    • 2/04: Breaking White Silence: Working for White Literacy
    • 2/05: The Sum of Us: How Racism Hurts Everyone
    • 2/07: Tamara Payne: The Life and Legacy of Malcom X
    • 2/06: Untold APIDA Joy: Celebrating Lunar New Year in K-12
    • 2/08: Cultures Connecting Equity Leaders Workshop
    • 2/08: White Women in Nonprofits Cohort
    • 2/08: CARW Monthly Connection Circle
    • 2/09: Ijeoma Oluo with Michele Storms
    • 2/10: A Black History Month Poetry Slam
    • 2/10: Have You Eaten Lunar New Year Festival
    • 2/11: Aware-LA: Unmasking Whiteness
    • 2/13: NAMI BIPOC Support Group
    • 2/15: SURJ Abolition Action Hour
    • 2/15: Community-Driven Planning in Action-Voices from the Field
    • 2/15: The Tender Work: Acknowledging White Responsibility
    • 2/15: Peace Peloton Columbia City Gras Night Market
    • 2/15: Black History Month Keynote with Dr. Doretha Williams

    ...and more!

  • 27 Sep 2023 10:43 AM | Jim Macedone (Administrator)



    We are thrilled to announce the release of three new valuable resources to enhance mental health support for Spanish-speaking communities:

    • Culture, Community, and Connection: 2023 BIPOC Mental Health Toolkit - The BIPOC Mental Health Month campaign and toolkit were designed to provide culturally responsive mental health information to highlight three core pillars of culture, community, and connection and how integral they are to BIPOC communities. The toolkit includes factsheets, worksheets, shareable images, and more that can aid community discussion and guide individuals to helpful resources.
    • New Mental Health Resources Hub in Spanish: Our Spanish-language resources hub provides a comprehensive collection of mental health materials to assist individuals, families, and others in accessing valuable mental health resources for the Spanish-speaking community.

    We invite you to download our campaign materials, explore the resources on our website, and share them within your communities. Together, we can foster mental health awareness and support for all.

    -Posted from Mental Health America

  • 10 Jun 2023 9:23 AM | Jim Macedone (Administrator)


    Something historic just happened.

    In a groundbreaking development, UMHCA proudly announces the formation of its Multicultural Team, a dynamic and dedicated group committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the organization and beyond. This bold step reflects UMHCA's unwavering commitment to embracing and celebrating a multicultural presence, recognizing the immense value that multiculturalism brings to innovation, collaboration, and our overall organizational success.

    Led by visionary Adriana C. Zarate, the Multicultural Advocacy and Competency Committee will spearhead transformative efforts across UMHCA's efforts. Their primary focus will be to ensure equitable representation, amplify underrepresented voices, and implement inclusive policies that create an environment where all employees thrive and feel empowered to contribute their unique perspectives.

    Our significant investment in DEI reaffirms UMHCA's dedication to creating an environment where individuals from diverse backgrounds can flourish, leveraging their varied experiences to drive innovation, creativity, and competence. With the formation of this new committee, UMHCA boldly stands at the forefront of embracing the transformative power of diversity and leading the way towards a more equitable and inclusive future for all.

  • 6 Apr 2023 6:40 AM | Jim Macedone (Administrator)


    UMHCA Legislative Updates April 2023 

    UMHCA’s Legislative & Public Policy Committee (LPPC) was extremely active during the recent legislative session and continues to advocate for our profession year-round both in Utah and nationally. This year some major legislative changes occurred and we want you to understand the impact of these changes in your work and professional development. Please reach out to lppc@umhca.org if you have any questions and if you would like your voice heard as we prepare for the 2024 legislative session and continue to work with legislators join our committee! 

    House Bill 166 

    The Utah Legislature passed House Bill 166 which amends the Mental Health Professional Practice Act that governs the licensing for Associate Clinical Mental Health Counselors (ACMHCs). The amended act has two primary provisions:

    • ACMHCs hours required for direct supervision with an approved supervisor have been reduced from 100 hours to 75 hours
    • The minimum time requirement of two years prior to obtaining full licensure has been eliminated, DOPL is adding a rule to an 18-month time frame 

    HB 166 Impact for ACMHC’s 

    Decreasing the supervised practice time to less than 2-years and 75 supervision hours is one of the lowest standards for full licensure in the United States. ACMHCs and ACMHC supervisors should be aware of the following: 

    • Supervisors are not required to sign off to recommend full licensure for any ACMHC who has not demonstrated the ability to practice competently and ethically. This is an ethical and liability responsibility of the supervisor to protect the safety and health of the public.
    • Supervisees may request more time with supervised practice from their supervisor if they do not yet feel prepared for independent practice. 
    • ACMHCs should be aware that if they apply for full licensure before two years or with less than 100 hours of supervision (de facto national standards) there may possibly be untended consequences. Currently, it is likely that this decrease may impact the ability to be eligible to bill for Medicare reimbursement and commercial insurance, participation in the Counseling Compact, Privilege to Practice, and portability of licensure to other states.
      • Medicare Reimbursement: The Federal Mental Health Access Improvement Act (H.R.432) passed by Congress allows Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) and Mental Health Counselors to be reimbursed under Medicare. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will establish the rules and requirements for those eligible to bill for Medicare reimbursement for both those over 65 and those with Medicare eligibility disabilities. The current draft indicates that CMHC’s eligible to be Medicare providers must have 2-years of supervised practice. The rules will be established this year so that the law can be implemented on January 1, 2024.
      • The Counseling Compact has been passed in Utah and several other states. The Counseling Compact Commission this year is likewise establishing the rules and requirements for fully licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors to participate in the Privilege to Practice across state lines. It is likely that some states will require 2-years of supervised practice. 
      • To be eligible and paneled with Tricare 100 hours of supervision and 2-years of supervised practice are required. 
      • Many states require 2 years of supervised practice prior to full licensure. If you are considering relocating or becoming licensed in another state, UMHCA recommends that you contact the licensing body of that state. 

    Supervisor Considerations. Supervisors of ACMHCs should review the ethical and legal liabilities for approving full licensure for any individual who is not fully qualified to practice competently and ethically. Supervisors are not under any state injunctions to prematurely approve ACMHCs if there are public health or safety concerns. Supervisors should also consider completing a supervisor training program.

    HB 166 Summary. UMHCA strongly urges ACMHCs and supervisors to consider the impact of these changes to full licensure under the Mental Health Professional Practice Act as well as any rules that DOPL may subsequently publish.

    HB 228 Unprofessional Conduct Amendments 

    Further defines conversion therapy for minors and what “conversion therapy” includes. The therapist’s intent must NOT be to change a sexual identity or sexual attraction of a minor client. As long as the intent is NOT to change, a therapist should feel safe to discuss options with the client that align with the clients’ values and wants. 

    It is imperative that we as therapists seek supervision when we feel unclear or unqualified when meeting with particular clients. We are lucky in the state of Utah to have such an array of therapists willing and able to meet with our LGBTQ+ community. So, whether it’s reaching out to a fellow professional to seek supervision on issues or referring to a more qualified professional, our ethical obligation is to provide the best quality care to our clients.

    SB 16 Transgender Medical Treatments and Procedures Amendments

    This bill takes away ALL gender-affirming medical treatment for transgender adolescents. Therapists will no longer have medical options to help their clients or refer them to. It will be imperative that therapists seek supervision if they are unclear on how to support a transgender minor client. We will still be able to talk with our clients about their mental health as related to their gender dysphoria and will need to explore other options with them to address their needs. These options may include topics such as gender expression (hair, makeup, name), resources for parents, support groups, or voice training.

    Learn more about the legislative work UMHCA is engaged in at our upcoming annual conference on May 11th & 12th. Also, the LPPC’s Jessica Black, LCMHC will be presenting the UMHCA Brown Bag next week (April 12th) on Legislative 101


  • 14 Apr 2022 8:17 PM | Jim Macedone (Administrator)


    DSM-5-TR is here

    The DSM has been revised and is available. Some may wonder what the changes are to the "texts revisions." Best bet? Read it for yourself. Still, some of us like a summary and here are a few options for you to understand what the new revision contains.

    According to medscape, "The American Psychiatric Association's (APA) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR), which is not a full revision, only includes one new condition, Prolonged Grief Disorder." and "the goal of the Text Revision was to allow a thorough revision of the text, not the criteria," Paul Appelbaum, MD, chair of the APA's DSM Steering Committee, told Medscape Medical News."

    Here are some links to help you with more...


  • 22 Feb 2022 9:51 PM | Jim Macedone (Administrator)

    The LPPC committee would like to draw your attention to a bill of particular import on the Senate Health and Human Services Committee roster. HB 283 - Mental Health Professional Licensing Amendments, sponsored by Rep. Thurston, proposes the reduction of clinical hours required for licensure among CMHCs, MFTs, and CSWs from 4,000 to 3,000. There are no amendments to any other licensure requirements for mental health professionals at this time. If you would like to review the full text of this bill, you may access that here. This bill was passed in the House and transferred to the Senate on 2/15/2022.

    Learn more here

  • 20 Dec 2021 10:03 AM | Jim Macedone (Administrator)

    Dear Mr. Logsdon: 

    The Utah Mental Health Counseling Association (UMHCA) fully endorses passage of the Counseling Compact by state legislatures. UMHCA advocates for over 1200 licensed clinical mental heatlh counselors in Utah who are licensed to assess, diagnose, and treat mental disorders. 

    UMHCA endorses the Counseling Compact because it provides for: 

     Greater individual and family access to mental health services offered by licensed counselors 

     Consistently high standards of public health safety in the participating 

    states 

     Continuity of care for patients when patients or counselors relocate or travel to other states 

     Military personnel and spouses to maintain their licenses to practice when relocating 

     Increased mobility for fully licensed clinical mental health counselors 

     State licensure that is preserved and strengthened in the respective participating states 

    After reviewing the proposed Counseling Compact legislation, UMHCA recommends compact adoption. The compact maintains standards of public safety while adhering to state ethical and legal mandates. UMHCA urges its members to engage state legislators in supporting the passage of the Counseling Compact. 

    If I can be of further support, please contact me: 

    Sincerely, 

    Anna Lieber, CMHC, NCC/CCMHC 

  • 24 Nov 2021 4:55 PM | Jim Macedone (Administrator)

    UMHCA Statement For Isabella “Izzy” Tichenor

    The Utah Mental Health Counseling Association (UMHCA) Board is deeply saddened by the death of Isabella “Izzy” Faith Tichenor, age 10, who died by suicide on November 6, 2021. According to her mother, Izzy was the victim of ongoing racially and disability-based bullying at her school. This tragic event occurred several weeks after a report from the Department of Justice identified a consistent pattern of racial harassment toward Black and Asian American students within Izzy’s school district.

    UMHCA is an organization committed to addressing disparities in the access to and quality of mental health care services for individuals who have been marginalized based on historical and ongoing systemic injustice, like racism. Tragedies like Izzy’s death amplify the importance of our profession in providing mental health support and suicide prevention resources for individuals, families, and communities who are often under-served and experience a lack of safety in their neighborhoods due to prejudice and hate. Izzy’s suicide also punctuates the compounded stress the global pandemic has on the lives for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) who are disproportionately affected by the confluence of racism in the economic, education, medical, and mental health systems.

    The leadership at UMHCA sends our heartfelt condolences to Izzy’s family. We wish to recognize our BIPOC colleagues who are numerically underrepresented in the state of Utah and who are deeply affected by the racial injustices they and their BIPOC clients experience; it is a collective trauma. We send our support to our Black colleagues and communities who are grieving and who must mourn the loss of another Black life. UMHCA wants to encourage all Clinical Mental Health Counselors to seek out the educational, professional, and ethics training needed to provide culturally responsive services to their BIPOC clients. As a professional community, we must work together to cultivate cultural fortitude and multicultural competencies, which will allow us to courageously support and advocate for our clients as well as for our colleagues. UMHCA is committed to creating opportunities for multiculturally oriented dialogue, professional development, and resources with these priorities in mind.

    Here are some resources and training opportunities: 

    Liveonutah.org

    https://utahsuicideprevention.org

    https://healthcare.utah.edu/uni/programs/safe-ut-smartphone-app/

    https://zerosuicide.sprc.org/about

    www.sprc.org

    https://suicidology.org/ 

    http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net 

    https://afsp.org

     https://veterans.utah.edu/training-workshops/ 

    https://livethroughthis.org/

    https://www.sprc.org/resources-programs/calm-counseling-access-lethal-means

    https://www.nctsn.org/  

     Counseling on Access to Lethal Means - Utah (CALM-Utah)

    o    Flyer attached.

    o    www.train.org/utah

    ·         Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS)

    o    Flyer attached.

    o    Registration: https://utahdhs.iad1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ewE3gomcwtJpaD4

    ·         Trauma-Informed Approach Training

    o    Trauma Informed Approach Training | DSAMH
  • 8 Jan 2021 6:16 AM | Jim Macedone (Administrator)
    • Mental Health Professional Practice Act rule changes effective November 10, 2020. The rule changes impact: Clinical Mental Health Counselors, Marriage & Family Therapist, Substance Use Disorder Counselors, and Social Workers.

      Utah State Bulletin: https://rules.utah.gov/publicat/bull_pdf/2020/b20201001.pdf

      Key Changes: 

    • 1.       Supervisors & supervisees are required to enter into a supervision contract and must be kept on file with the supervisor.
    • 2.       Supervisors are required to submit a Verification of Supervision for Post Graduate Mental Health Practice Hours from to the Division.  https://dopl.utah.gov/cmhc/verify_supervised_experience.pdf
    • a.      The form can be found on DOPL dopl.utah..gov  SW, CMHC, MFT and SUDC website’s by going to “Licensing”, then “Additional Forms”
    • 3.      Regardless of how long you have been supervised, you will need to turn in this form to the Division
    • 4.      DOPL will inform the Supervisor via letter that the form has been received and the supervisor may proceed with supervision. If the supervisor does not qualify, DOPL will contact both the Supervisor and Supervisee.
    • 5.       There are new profession-specific Supervision for Post Graduate Mental Health Practice Hours forms (on DOPL website)ACMHC https://dopl.utah.gov/cmhc/cmhc_supervision_for_post-graduate_mental_health_practice_hours.pdf

    • 6.      Previous hours obtained under supervision before the rule change will be accepted. Supervision hours documented on the old form prior to the rule change will still be accepted.
    • 7.      Clinical Mental Health Counselors are now required to take the NCE & NCMHCE exams for full licensure.
    • National Counselor Examination (NCE). The registration and administration of this exam is processed through the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). To register for this exam, please visit the link below
    • Exam Registration
    • NCE Candidate Handbook
    • National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Exam (NCMHCE). The registration and administration of this exam is processed through the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). To register for this exam, please visit the link below
    • ·  Exam Registration

      ·  NCMHCE Candidate Handbook

    • 8.       All Continuing Education can be found in the Mental Health Professional Practice Act Rule.
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