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PETITION
for a Mental Health Awareness Commemorative
POSTAGE STAMP

Your Association-AMHCA

Wash.DC Conference Theme Emphasizes Connection, Healing, Wholeness
To present a session at the 2009 Annual Conference, submit your program proposal by Dec. 15. The 2009 Annual Conference theme is, "Connection, Healing and Wholeness: Strengthening Individuals, Families and Communities through Mental Health Counseling and Advocacy." The theme highlights the breadth and depth of the practice of mental health counseling and emphasizes the role of mental health counselors in contributing to individual, family, and community well-being.
> Access conference information
> Access information on submitting a program proposal

Keynote Speaker for AMHCA Annual Conference is Louis Cozolino, PhD
A professor of Psychology at Pepperdine University and an assistant clinical professor of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at UCLA, Dr. Cozolino is a practicing clinician who works with children, adolescents and adults with a variety of challenges and diagnoses. He is author of The Neuroscience of Psychotherapy: Building and Rebuilding the Human Brain, The Making of a Therapist, and The Neuroscience of Human Relationships: Attachment and the Developing Social Brain.
> To read an excerpt from his 2006 book on the neuroscience of human relationships, click here.

Your Profession

Church Attendance Sharply Cuts Risk of Death for Post-Menopausal Women
A new study of nearly 100,000 post-menopausal women strongly suggests that regular attendance at religious services reduces the risk of death by approximately 20 percent. Participants in the study spanned numerous religious denominations.
> Read more

Healing Combat Trauma Without Drugs
The Center for Mind-Body Medicine wins a Department of Defense grant to study methods for treating PTSD and major depression in returning veterans, using a seven-step, non-pharmaceutical approach described in the book Unstuck: Your Guide to the Seven-Stage Journey Out of Depression.
Soldier > Read more
> Learn about the Center for Mind-Body Medicine

A U.S. soldier stands guard while his unit unearths a weapons cache in rural Iraq in October. DoD photo by Spc. Daniel Herrera, U.S. Army.

Media Violence Cited as 'Critical Risk Factor'
for Teen Aggression
You are what you watch, when it comes to violence in the media and its influence on violent behavior in young people, according to a Rutgers study. Even when other factors are considered, such as academic skills, encounters with community violence, or emotional problems, "childhood and adolescent violent media preferences contributed significantly to the prediction of violence and general aggression" in the study subjects.
> Read more

Your Practice

Listen to 1-Hour Talks About Ethical Issues, Life-Coaching, and Avoiding Mental Health Claims
Visitors to the online site for the Institute for Life-Coach Training can click any of six links to hear an hour-long discussion of the topic by the president and CEO of the Institute, along with the marketing manager of insurance company CPH & Associates. Topics include, "To Become Certified as a Coach: Necessary or Not?" "Understanding Liability Insurance," "Comparing and Contrasting Ethical Standards of Coaches and Therapists," "Risky Practice: Common Errors to Avoid," "Adding Coaching to Your Business in an Ethical and Clear Manner," and "Avoiding Liability: Common Claims in the Mental Health Field."
> Read more

Welcome Back Awards Deadline Extended
Welcome Back Awards fight the stigma associated with depression and promote the understanding that depression is treatable. Each year the program recognizes five individuals for outstanding contributions in the areas of lifetime achievement, destigmatization, community service, primary care, and psychiatry. The deadline for award nominations is Dec. 15.
> Read more

Advocate Sneak Preview

Articles from the not-yet-published December 2008/January 2009 Advocate.

FEATURES

AMHCA Conference Will Highlight Scope of Practice: The theme for the 2009 Annual Conference is "Connection, Healing, and Wholeness: Strengthening Individuals, Families, and Communities Through Mental Health Counseling and Advocacy."

AMHCA President-Elect Conducts Counselor Outreach in Uganda: Linda Barclay, PhD, LPCC/S, NCC, LICDC, and a colleague visited Uganda last summer to explore ways to integrate traditional and Western healing techniques.

New Region Directors Bring Chapter Experience to AMHCA Board of Directors: Profiles of Midwestern Region Director Janice A. Gnas, LPC, NCC, CSAC, of Wisconsin, and Western Region Director Karen Langer, LMHC, of Washington State.

2009 AMHCA Annual Awards to Recognize and Inspire Achievement: The deadline for nominating yourself or a peer is May 15, 2009.

PLUS REGULAR DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING

Chapter News: Mississippi and Pennsylvania
Counseling TIPS: What Can Mental Health Counselors Do to Avoid Ethical Pitfalls?
News From Washington:

AMHCA Asks President-Elect Obama to Authorize Mental Health Awareness Stamp
New Washington State Law Is Designed to Protect Public From 'Registered' Counselors

New Members: The names of the 188 new members who recently joined AMHCA
Noteworthy:

Diabetes Association Approves New AMHCA Clinical Liaison Position
Mind-Body Center Wins Grant to Study Treatment for PTSD and Depression in Veterans

Report of AMHCA's Executive Director & CEO:

AMHCA Needs You!
Regional Social Networking Is Here
VIP Speakers for July 23 - 25, 2009
Nominate a Peer or Yourself for an AMHCA Award

Student Corner: Adult Returning to College Finds Much to Admire About Online Graduate Student Program

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.

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