2008 President's Welcome

I am honored to be serving as the new president for the Vermont Mental Health Counselors Association. The past year as president-elect has presented me with a steep learning curve, but my predecessors and the Board are wonderful support and a wealth of knowledge.

Most recently I represented Vermont at our National level (AMHCA) conference in San Diego over the summer. I truly felt privileged to meet so many other therapists from across the nation, to learn the issues that face each chapter, from licensure, to budgets, to coping in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. At a National level, we belong to a strong, determined, skilled and caring group of colleagues.

My foremost goal for my tenure as president is to increase our membership. Currently about 25% of licensed clinical mental health counselors in Vermont belong to their professional organization I would like to be able to tell legislators and other officials that our numbers are strong, and 80-90% all of all the licensed professionals in our field support the work of VTMHCA! I am pleased to say that already our Board has formed a Membership Committee and will be working in earnest on finding out what members need from VTMCHA both professionally and personally. So, don’t be surprised if your phone rings soon with a member of VTMHCA on the other end!

VTMHCA also continues to participate in Council Meetings, which meets monthly and has a representative from each of the disciplines in the mental health field. This is our forum to coordinate legislative advocacy issues and agendas, and also to continue conversations with managed care and insurance companies, advocacy groups and government officials.

Legislatively last year was very busy. I would like to acknowledge all the hard work and time Don Rhoades put in to advance our visibility at the State House. The feedback we got from legislators was that they truly are getting a better feel for the issues facing health care and our professional field.

VTMHCA is proud to have been a part of advocating for further legislation to move toward true mental health parity in coverage for people with mental health or substance abuse issues. Bill S114 was enacted into law and is now known as Act 142, "An Act Relating to Enhancing Regulation for Progress toward Mental Health Parity." It is a long and complicated process to nurture change (as we know; it is what we do!), educate government about the issues, and advocate for people whose voices are often muted. And, the work is far from over and it is far from perfect in fully meeting the needs of people with mental health and substance abuse issues. However, VTMHCA is being articulately represented by Scott Earisman, LCMHC of Burlington in the forum with BISHCA, the State and insurance companies to regulate the details of this Act, along with Act 129, the original parity bill.

Finally, I would like to encourage any Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors practicing in Vermont who have not joined VTMHCA already to consider doing so. Along with our National chapter, the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA), important, if not always visible and tangible, advocacy is being done to progress our professional field and support the clients who need our services. Without active members, it is very difficult to make headway. Feedback, suggestions and questions are always welcomed! We want to hear from our membership about issues, needs and concerns, and how VTMHCA can help to meet your professional needs.

With Best Regards,
Heather Pierce, MA, LCMHC
President, VTMHCA

VTMHCA needs your support. Join Now

VTMHCA is a state chapter of the American Mental Health Counselor's Association, which is a division of the American Counseling Association.

 

Council of Mental Health Counselors and Substance Abuse Professionals (the "Council")

The Council of Mental Health Professionals of Vermont is a group of representatives from each of the Mental Health Associations ...read more.

advertisement

CPH & Associates

CPH and Associates administers occurrence coverage malpractice insurance for Counselors, including Marriage & Family Therapists, Mental Health Counselors, Psychologists, Social Workers, LCSW, LPC, LCPC, School Counselors and many others.

Click here for the CPH website