The new year and decade is upon us in 2010. I was thinking of what goals the counseling profession can ponder and possibly accomplish this year. Here is my spew:
Goal 1: Equality for Mental Health Counselors:
It is particulary frustrating looking for part-time work due to more jobs being available for social workers as opposed for mental health counselors. Let's hope that Medicare coverage for licensed mental health counselors gets passed by Congress this year. Be politically active and work closely with either the American Counseling Association or the Mental Health Counselors Association to get timely updates on this important bill.
Goal 2: Ethics Reform:
I am appalled how some of my colleagues have no qualms in billing for an hourly session when in fact they saw their clients for only a half hour. I am aware of stringent and inequitable productivity requirements that many counselors endure in their jobs; however, billing illegally is not cool. The consequences are severe such as possible loss of you license and spending time in jail plus paying expensive fines for committing billing fraud. What does both associations mentioned above say about this issue?
Goal 3: Fairer Productivity Requirements:
As I mentioned above, many counselors have to reach unfair and inequitable productivity requirements to get benefits and to retain their salaries. Both counseling associations and fellow counselors need to be more vocal in calling for fairer productivity requirements that don't result in billing fraud; burnout; and possible client abuse. How in the world can you reach productivity when your clients either cancel; no-show; or you close their cases on a weekly basis? It can be frustrating to make a sustainable living and even more insulting when counselors are demoted from salary to fee for service status. In the latter, high job turnover and low retainment is a consequence for both clients and the employers.
Goal 4: Promoting Disability Sensitivity and Inclusion:
Disability is a culture that needs to be included in the cultural competence requirements for graduate students and practicing professionals. Over the years, I have proposed two different types of trainings for mental health counselors to earn between one to three continuing education units that has been flaty rejected due to a lack of interest by the professional associations. Let 2010 and beyond be the decade to include Disability Sensitivity as a cultural competence and offer CEUs for counselors for professional development.
Goal 5: Promoting Social Justice:
This is the decade for mental health counselors to be trained as advocates for social causes for both their clients and for their profession. It is time for the profession to be on an even level playing with social workers and psychologists in being vocal and political in their communities on the local, state and federal levels. How can mental health professions be better trained to advocate for change: Here are a few suggestions:
1) Offer a Community Organization course on the graduate level that is similar to the one offered for social work students in graduate school.
2) Counselors for Social Justice can offer practical guidelines and tips on how to promote change in your communities.
3) Take my upcoming workshop as an option on " How to Produce Your Show on Cable Access Television" on January 15th. I have used this venue to get my agenda for social changes across to political leaders on the local and state levels.
4) Join a political or grassroots organization in your community to learn hands-on experience in advocating for change.
I welcome your comments.
Robbin Miller, LMHC
Facilitator
www.robbinmiller.vpweb.ccom
