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Registration closes September 30, 2025
Please join us for our annual membership celebration. WMHCA could not fulfill our mission without our members. We want to take a night to celebrate YOU!
Come celebrate and feel free to bring a friend or significant other to share in the celebration.
WMHCA will provide appetizers and light refreshments. There will be a non host bar for additional purchase.
WMHCA wants to express our gratitude for your support of the Washington Mental Health Counselors Association. Your dedication and commitment to advancing mental health care in our community makes a significant impact. Together, we are fostering a network of professionals dedicated to enhancing the well-being of those we serve, advocating to improve access to care, and working to support each other in the profession. We celebrate each of you for your invaluable contributions and look forward to continuing this vital work together. Thank you for being an essential part of our mission!
No Refunds will be given.
Description:
Expanding your clinical practice with employees can provide a range of opportunities and potential pit falls. In this workshop we will examine the legal, ethical, and practical standards regarding employment in health care. Among the topics we will discuss are, types of employment, the hiring process, employment contracts versus handbooks, wage and benefit requirements, employee termination, and Washington’s non-compete laws. This course is intended to meet ethics continuing education requirements.
Through this two-part 6 hour workshop, participants will have the opportunity to discover the guidance provided by state law, federal law, and a range of applicable ethical codes. In addition to the provided case studies and scenarios, participants are encouraged to share their own experiences, questions and thoughts.
Objectives:
Participants will be able to:
After taking part in this training, participants will be able to:
Describe the key legal, ethical, and liability differences between employees and independent contractors;
Understand and describe difference between At-Will and For Cause employment;
Identify and describe Washington legal standards regarding termination of employment and non-compete agreements;
Create strategies for legal and ethical hiring processes.
Describe and apply Washington state sick leave and family care leave rules.
About the Presenter:
Eric Ström is an attorney and Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Seattle,Washington. As an attorney, Eric provides legal counsel, consultation, and guidance to mental health professionals. Eric’s clinical practice is focused on providing counseling services to combat veterans and those in other high-stress professions. Eric currently serves on the American Mental Health Counselors Association Ethics Committee, and is the ethics advisor for the Washington Mental Health Counselors Association. Eric has taught a range of courses in counseling and professional ethics at a variety of graduate and undergraduate programs.
Eric earned a PhD in Counseling at Oregon State University, graduated cum laude from Wayne State University School of Law in Detroit Michigan, earned a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling Psychology from the Northwest School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University Seattle, attended the Hague Academy of International Law in the Hague Netherlands, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics from the University of Michigan. Registration closes: October 5, 2025
This course is approved fo 6 CE hours for LMHCs, LMFTs, LCSWs, and all associate-level licensees in Washington State
Washington Mental Health Association (WMHCA) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 2079. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. WMHCA is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
WMHCA Cancellation Policy
To receive a refund, less a $15 cancellation fee, cancellations must be made by contacting WMHCA at least 48 hours prior to workshop date. There will be no refunds within 48 hours of the workshop date. Please make sure you have the link 24 hours prior to the event starting.
WMHCA members are warmly invited to attend our upcoming board meeting. This is an opportunity to hear updates on key initiatives, learn more about the important work WMHCA is doing to support mental health professionals, and share thoughts directly with board leadership.
Members' voices matter, and WMHCA values member input as the board continues to shape the association's future. Although this is not a traditional networking event, it provides a meaningful space for engagement, transparency, and collaboration.
We hope to see you there.
*Please note - WMHCA Board Meetings are typically the 2nd Friday every other month; due to scheduling conflicts October's meeting will be on the 3rd Friday.
This is a closed meeting for the Executive Committee. Please RSVP to get the zoom link and for attendance purposes.
The Washington Mental Health Counselor Association is presenting a free event for members on how to become a licensed mental health counselor in Washington State. Topics include, timeline to a counseling career, WA state Legislation and Licensing, Supervision and Tracking Hours, and much more. It will be 60 to 90 minutes depending on participant engagement and Q&A.
Join the WMHCA Professional Development and Education Committee!
Are you passionate about shaping the future of ethical, liberative, and culturally responsive clinical practice? The Professional Development and Education Committee (PDEC) invites all WMHCA members to join us in advancing high-quality and accessible continuing education presentations rooted in decolonized principles and cultural humility.
Our mission is to increase competency, challenge oppressive systems, and support counselors in reducing suffering through thoughtful and timely educational opportunities. We actively seek to uplift diverse voices and perspectives—both in our committee and through the presenters we recruit.
As a member of the committee, you’ll help:
Whether you’re curious about our work or ready to get involved, we’d love to have you join a meeting and explore how you can contribute.
This course is intended for clinicians who have a foundational understanding of movement-based techniques and are looking to deepen their practical application in therapy. The training will focus on using movement within the framework of nervous system regulation (hyperarousal and hypoarousal), neurocognition, and interpersonal connection. Participants will examine how to align movement goals across various modalities—including yoga, dance, Western somatics, exercise physiology, and sports—to support client outcomes.
Special attention will be given to adapting these approaches for specific populations, including children, individuals with chronic illness, and those affected by health disparities. Through case studies and clinical scenarios, participants will strengthen their ability to apply movement-based interventions in ways that promote client healing, increase engagement, and advance equitable access to care.
Objectives
Participants will learn to:
Jayden Aubryn is a Black, Indigenous, queer, nonbinary, AuDHD psychotherapist, personal trainer, and consultant. They are the founder of TISE Consulting and Therapy and the co-founder of Chaotic Healing. They specialize in holistically healing complex trauma by integrating mental, physical, sexual, and spiritual health. They aim to make healing fun and accessible by using food, movement, music, art, and BDSM. Registration closes October 31, 2025
This course is approved for 3 CE hours for LMHCs, LMFTs, LCSWs, and all associate-level licensees in Washington State
Please join us for the next WMHCA Membership Engagement & Outreach Committee Meeting
Looking for a way to get more involved with WMHCA and connect with other passionate mental health professionals? We’d love for you to join our next Membership Engagement & Outreach Committee meeting!
This group focuses on building community, creating meaningful member experiences, and helping WMHCA grow in exciting and inclusive ways. Whether you're brand new or have been around a while, there's a place for you here.
Here’s what to expect:
No pressure, no prep required—show up as you are and feel free to eat your lunch.
If you’ve been thinking about getting more involved, this is a great place to start.
We hope to see you there!
The Justice Equity Diversity & Inclusion committee is an established committee of folks who have gone through extensive training and consultation to develop a strategic plan for WMHCA. The meetings serve as a time to review tasks completed between meetings and to identify next steps. We welcome visitors and feedback, however, due to the high amount of information we have to address in every meeting, we request the focus be on the items at hand. Comments, concerns or feedback can also be sent directly to the Chair of the committee Bree Sutton M.A., LMHC Bree@wmhca.org.
Get ready to make an impact! WMHCA’s Policy and Professional Advocacy Committee is gearing up to plan our priorities for the 2025/26 legislative session, and we need your voice. We’re looking for passionate volunteers to help identify the advocacy issues that matter to mental health counselors across Washington. This is a great opportunity to speak up about what you believe should be front and center in our advocacy work, connect with colleagues, and help shape the future of our profession. If you're ready to make a difference, we’d love to have you on board!
Get ready for "Weaving Connections: Building Inclusion and Connection in Therapy," our upcoming conference designed to foster vital connections within our therapeutic community! To make this event a resounding success, we need your help. We're looking for enthusiastic volunteers to assist with various aspects of getting the conference up and running. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to a meaningful event, connect with fellow members, and gain valuable experience. If you're eager to lend a hand and help us weave an unforgettable experience, please sign up to join us! We can't wait to see you there.
This course will teach therapists how to help their clients recognize the signs of being in a toxic relationship, help them rebuild their strength to safely leave it, and how to rewire their neural pathways to heal from it. One in three people have experienced a toxic relationship, so even if you don’t think you have clients who have experienced this, you do. Knowing the tools to help them through current or past trauma will help them grow their self-esteem and positive self-talk, to then lessen their anxiety and depression symptoms.
Learn how to use the self-esteem inventory to help clients see their growth, learn how to teach clients the Bill of Rights affirmations.
Learn the components of a healthy relationship in the nonviolence equality wheel,
Learn the types of abuse in the power and control wheel,
Learn to teach this to clients,
Learn how the strengths and qualities worksheet can help clients regrow their self-esteem,
Learn how to find and share relevant meditations with clients.
Learn four iterations of the cycle of violence and how to teach them to clients,
Learn how to teach clients the power of positive mental rehearsal so they can take control over thought cycles,
Learn how to teach clients how to discern for themselves between love bombing and nice gestures,
Learn how to teach clients ways to say no, and how to use gray and yellow rocking,
Learn how to teach clients about trauma bonding and codependency,
Learn how to teach clients how to create a safety plan,
Learn how to teach clients about how the brain processes and it heals from trauma.
I am a LMHC therapist, an intimate partner violence survivor, and an author. I have been living and breathing the subject of domestic violence since I left my abuser in 2014. Since going through my own healing journey, I have taught and supported survivors with New Beginnings and in my internship at another domestic violence advocacy agency in Florida, created and led my own Healing from Toxic Relationship support groups, helped numerous survivor clients heal in individual therapy and through the group therapy material you will learn in this course, and written a 3-book educational memoir series and the Healing from Toxic Relationship workbook.
Registration closes November 9th, 2025
This course is approved for 4 CE hours for LMHCs, LMFTs, LCSWs, and all associate-level licensees in Washington State
The Washington Mental Health Counselors Association is continuing to provide scholarships for students in their journey through graduate school. We recognize entering the mental health field has significant barriers for some students and choosing to enter the counseling profession takes a substantial amount of strength and courage. At this time we are forming a task force to review scholarship applications and select recipients. We are particularly interested in having a diverse committee and encourage clinicians of historically marginalized identities including BIPOC, disability, LGBTGEQIAP+, and others to apply. Please RSVP with the meeting link below to be part of the task force.
Boundary violations are among the most common reasons for professional discipline of behavioral health clinicians. Dual relationships—both intentional and unintentional—can arise in many forms and often present ethical, clinical, and legal challenges. In recognition of this significant cause of misconduct, as of October 2025 the Washinton Department of Health has implemented a new requirement for two hours of continuing education in “Professional Roles and Boundaries” every two years.
In this two-hour workshop, we will examine Washington State laws and professional ethical standards regarding personal and dual relationships with clients. Drawing from recent Washington Department of Health disciplinary decisions, participants will engage with real-world case studies that illustrate common risk areas. The workshop will also offer practical strategies for establishing and maintaining appropriate clinical boundaries in everyday practice.
This course is designed to meet the Washington State Department of Health’s requirement for continuing education in Professional Roles and Boundaries.
∙ Apply Washington legal guidelines regarding dual relationships;
∙ Apply ethical standards concerning dual relationships with clients;
∙ Recognize risk factors that may contribute to boundary crossings or violations; and
∙ Create and evaluate strategies to maintain appropriate and ethical clinical relationships.
Eric earned a PhD in Counseling at Oregon State University, graduated cum laude from Wayne State University School of Law in Detroit Michigan, earned a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling Psychology from the Northwest School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University Seattle, attended the Hague Academy of International Law in the Hague Netherlands, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics from the University of Michigan.
Registration closes January 11, 2026.
This course is approved for 2 CE hours for LMHCs, LMFTs, LCSWs, and all associate-level licensees in Washington State
WMHCA's 2026 Conference, Weaving Connections: Building Belonging and Inclusion in Therapy will bring together professionals committed to fostering deeper connections and inclusive healing spaces in therapy.
The Conference will be May 1st-3rd, 2026 at the Seatac Hilton near Seatac Airport. May 1st will be an evening Welcome Reception and the 2nd & 3rd will be full days of continuing education. The presenter schedule will be released mid-November.
The Room Block is currently open, as well as the discounted airfare. Book your room early as space is limited.
Get your tickets in advance as it is likely to sell out.
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