AMHCA.org

AMHCA gives you the knowledge, support and recognition you need for professional success.
...Plus save money with "Members Only" discounts on all products and services!

Keep public policy supporting you, your profession and your clients with AMHCA's powerful advocacy initiatives in Congress and state legislatures.

Protect yourself with AMHCA's exclusive Insurance Plans including low-cost malpractice, health, long-term care, auto, homeowners and renters coverage.

Keep your license and your knowledge current with AMHCA's continuing education choices.

Get the news, information and knowledge you need to succeed with FREE publications like The Advocate newsletter, the Journal of Mental Health Counseling...Plus AMHCA's wide selection of professional publications at "Members Only" discounts.

Build a solid reputation as a professional counselor and enjoy a successful professional life with AMHCA's career-enhancing benefits.

PETITION
for a Mental Health Awareness Commemorative
POSTAGE STAMP

Your Association-AMHCA

Who Has Inspired You?
The deadline for nominating outstanding colleagues and AMHCA state chapters for 2009 AMHCA Awards has been extended to June 5. These awards are more than just another wall plaque-they are granted by fellow professionals to fellow professionals.
> Request information on award categories and nomination requirements

Earn up to 20 CEs at AMHCA's Annual Conference!
Recognizing the enormity of the economic, social, and mental health issues facing our nation and the world, AMHCA's 2009 conference focuses on core principles in mental health counseling practice.
USHMM Conference attendees can earn 16 CEs from NBCC, plus 4 more with one of two pre-conference workshops being offered this year, one on ethical challenges and the other on keeping your practice going in this tough economy.
> Learn more and register for the 2009 conference

View of the "Loss and Regeneration" sculpture near the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., AMHCA's conference city.
Photo credit: USHMM, photo by Max Reid

AMHCA Welcomes New Director of Legislative Affairs
Julie A. Clements, JD, previously served as legislative director for MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving). Her knowledge of healthcare issues, her law degree and her master's degree in public policy, her interest in mental health, and her experience advocating for a public policy issue have enabled her to hit the ground running when she stepped into the AMHCA job in mid-April.
> Read more

Your Profession

Understanding Mother-Infant Psychotherapy
A mother-infant psychotherapy intervention that specializes in treating postpartum depression and mood disorders identified techniques that work best with depressed mothers by listening to the discussion of a focus group of nine therapists, each with 20-plus years of experience working with parents and babies. The participants summarized their work, then described what makes for therapeutic change in mother-infant therapy, and how they know when it's effective.
> Read more

Benefits to the Elderly of Volunteering Vary
The reported benefits depended upon the participant's demographics as well as the type and characteristics of the volunteer activity. The researchers studied 401 people aged 55 and older from 13 volunteer programs. The volunteer activities included teaching, tutoring, mentoring, policing and public safety work, conservation efforts, and supportive counseling.
> Read more
> Read related article on how the physical and mental health of people in the study who volunteered as tutors improved
> Read the journal article

High IQ Is No Help for Those with ADHD
About three of four ADHD individuals with an IQ of more than 120-a score that ranks them in the top 9 percent of the U.S. population-showed significant impairments in memory and cognitive tests when compared to people with similar IQs who do not suffer from the disorder, according to the researchers.
> Read more

Lancet Examines Factors That May Increase Risk of Suicide
For example, suicide rates are, not surprisingly, higher in unemployed than employed people-in part, high rates are associated with mental illness, which is also associated with unemployment. Among employed people, some occupational groups are at increased risk of suicide. Medical practitioners have a high risk in most countries, but female doctors are generally most at risk. Nurses also have a high risk. In both these professional groups, access to poisons seems to be an important factor in determining the high rates.
> Read more

Your Practice

Highlights of the Latest Mental Healthcare Trends
The May/June issue of Health Affairs discusses comparative effectiveness research in mental health treatment, barriers facing veterans in need of mental health services, and supported employment as a way to help people earn income who are Social Security disability program recipients with psychiatric disabilities.
> Read more

For Teens, Genes Play Key Role in Determining Which Become Crime Victims
Though environmental factors can make a difference, victims of crime are not always innocent bystanders targeted at random, but instead, sometimes actively participate in the construction of their victimization experiences, according to recent biosocial criminology research.
> Read more

Advocate Preview

Look for these articles in the June 2009 Advocate.

FEATURES

Ferro Is AMHCA's New President-Elect: On July 1, Tom J. Ferro, LCPC, becomes president-elect; Camille A. Clay, EdD, LPC, becomes North Atlantic Region director; and Debra Lee Carr, JD, LPC, will be Southern Region director.

Top 5 Reasons (+1) to Go to AMHCA's Annual Conference: President-Elect Linda Barclay, PhD, LPCC/S, NCC, LICDC, lists the reasons she has found the Annual Conference to be a professional "homecoming" for her that keeps her coming back year after year.

AMHCA Fights for Medicare Bills in Healthcare Reform: Certainty of healthcare reform boosts chances for coverage of mental health counselors under Medicare.

AMHCA Journal's Focus on Military Draws Attention of Suicidology Association: The special focus of the April Journal of Mental Health Counseling, on helping veterans of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, was a hit at the annual conference of the American Association of Suicidology.

PLUS REGULAR DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING

Chapter News: Montana and AMHCA's Western Region
Counseling TIPS: How Can We Help Clients With Transitions?
The Last Word: Son's Cancer Alters My Life; Illuminates How Physical Disease Affects Families
Legislative Update: Clements Takes Over Legislative Advocacy Issues at AMHCA
New Members: The 290 new members from January, February, and March
Noteworthy:

Flu Preparedness Course and Information Is Available Online
AMHCA Members Can Save on FedEx Shipping Charges

From the Executive Director & CEO

See You on the Hill!
New Revamped AMHCA Website Coming Soon
Election Time at AMHCA
The 'Association Year' Closes

Student Corner: Using Dance/Movement Therapy to Foster Holistic Healing

Tom J. Ferro, LCPC, Is AMHCA President-Elect

May 13, 2009 - Tom J. Ferro, LCPC, was voted president of the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) for 2010-2011 in AMHCA's spring elections.

Montana LCPCs' Big Win

On May 5, 2009, Montana's licensed clinical professional counselors (LCPCs) won big with Governor Brian Schweitzer's signing of an amended SB 235.

AMHCA Welcomes New Director of Legislative Affairs

Alexandria, VA - April 20, 2009 - AMHCA is pleased to announce the arrival of Julie A. Clements, JD, as the new Director of Legislative Affairs. Previously, Clements served as legislative director for MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving).

U.S. Representative Bob Filner to Serve as Honorary Chair of Mental Health Counseling Week

Alexandria, VA - March 5, 2009 - The American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) is pleased to announce that U.S. Representative Bob Filner (D-CA), Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, has agreed to serve as Honorary Chair of Mental Health Counseling Week, to be held May 3-9, 2009, during National Mental Health Month.

High-Quality Malpractice Insurance is New Student Membership Benefit

Alexandria, Va., February 4, 2009 - The American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) is pleased to now offer liability insurance as a benefit of AMHCA Student Membership.

Salazar Urges VA to Expedite Implementation of Law Allowing Hiring of Counselors

Alexandria, Va., December 12, 2008 - U.S. Senator Ken Salazar (D-CO), on December 11, 2008, sent a letter to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary James Peake, M.D., voicing his concerns about the delay in implementing provisions from the Veterans Benefits, Health Care, and Information Technology Act (P.L. 106-491), that allows the Department to hire licensed mental health counselors and licensed marriage and family therapists as authorized mental health providers.

AMHCA Launches Regional Social Networking

Alexandria, Va., December 9, 2008 - American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) North Atlantic Region Director Amy Simonds and Western Region Director Karen Langer have launched social networking group sites for their respective regions.

Louis Cozolino to Keynote AMHCA Annual Conference

Alexandria, Va., December 3, 2008 - The American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) is pleased to announce that Dr. Louis Cozolino will provide the keynote address for the Association's annual Conference July 23-25, 2009, in Washington, D.C.

WMHCA and AMHCA Featured in Mental Health Weekly Article on "Registered Counselor" Issue

Legislation passed in Washington State and signed into law in March 2008 will beef up standards for individuals who currently fall under the category of "registered counselor."

AMHCA Applauds Enactment of Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act

By a vote of 263 to 171, the U.S. House of Representatives, on October 3, 2008, gave final approval to the Paul Wellstone-Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, as part of the Emergency Stabilization Act (H.R. 1424). President George W. Bush signed the legislation into law several hours later.

AMHCA Addresses Hurricane Gustav

In the wake of Hurricane Gustav AMHCA appeals to its members to assist those victims struggling with trauma and disaster.

Mental Health Awareness Postage Stamp Project Continues to Gain Support

The American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA), in an effort to promote the issuance of a U.S. commemorative stamp promoting Mental Health Awareness, has secured the support of more than a dozen national organizations representing mental health, substance abuse, patient advocacy, as well as a variety of health related organizations.

Dr. Linda Barclay is AMHCA President-Elect

AMHCA is pleased to announce that Dr. Linda Barclay has been elected President-Elect and will serve in 2009-2010.

AMHCA Applauds House Passage of Mental Health Parity Bill

In a historic vote on March 5, 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives passed, by an overwhelming vote of 268 to 148, the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act (H.R. 1424).

California Mental Health Counselors Association (CAMHCA) Launches First Website

AMHCA is proud to announce that California Mental Health Counselors Association (CAMHCA) has its first website. Please visit them at www.camhca.org.

AMHCA Launches Electronic Petition for Mental Health Awareness Stamp

The American Mental Health Counselors Association is pleased to launch a website petition for a Mental Health Awareness Commemorative Postage Stamp.

Rhode Island Chapter Joins Unified Dues

AMHCA now has 18 state chapters in the Unified Dues Program with the recent admission of Rhode Island.

AMHCA Welcomes Puerto Rico Chapter

AMHCA is pleased to announce the establishment of a Puerto Rico chapter. The Puerto Rico leadership has been working over several months with the AMHCA national office addressing the chartering process.

AMHCA to Publish New Membership Directory

AMHCA in partnership with Harris Connect will publish early in 2009 a new edition of the AMHCA Membership Directory.

Congress Passes Legislation to Include Mental Health Counselors in VA Programs

The American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) today applauded the passage of S. 3421, the Veterans Benefits, Healthcare, and Information Act," legislation that, among other things, will allow the Department of Veterans' Affairs to hire mental health counselors.

AMHCA's Mental Health Awareness Year is Official!
Make the Mental Health Awareness Stamp a Reality-Join the Petition Now.
Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack signed a proclamation designating The Year of Mental Health Awareness and supports a nationwide petition drive for a new Mental Health Awareness stamp. To join the petition use this form or contact AMHCA at 800-326-2642.

Join or Renew Now

American Mental Health Counselors Association
801 N. Fairfax Street Suite 304
Alexandria, VA 22314
800-326-2642 | 703-548-6002
Fax 703-548-4775

© 2008 by the American Mental Health Counselors Association. All rights reserved. No portion of this website may be copied or reproduced without the express written consent of the American Mental Health Counselors Association.