Paul T. Callister, PhD, CMHC
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Currently in clinical mental health private practice, providing individual, couples, and group therapy. Previous work included counseling at the Utah State Prison and at Valley Mental Health in a community mental health setting. Postgraduate education and experience in trauma informed care, couples counseling, and group work. PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, Oregon State University, 2021 and Masters in Counseling, University of Utah, 2010. I believe that mental health counseling can make a world of difference for individuals and families and that the field of mental health counseling can change the world.
ASSOCIATION EXPERIENCE
President Utah Mental Health Counselors Association, 2017-2018, and member of the board, 2014-present. As president, I focused on developing and executing a strategic plan that included: (1) strengthening counselor identity, (2) bringing key stakeholders onto the board, and (3) establishing financial viability. Member AMHCA, 2014-present. Made presentations at state and national association conferences and webinars, focused on trauma informed care and family and group dynamics.
GOALS
As AMHCA secretary, I will keep an accurate and comprehensive record of association activates, minutes, and agendas. In my opinion, association transparency is vital to the members of the association. I will ensure that the association documents are maintained, including the AMHCA Standards of Practice in Clinical Mental Health Counseling; the AMHCA Code of Ethics; and the Clinical Mental Health Counselors Declaration, which is the Hippocratic Oath for our profession.
I intend to have a positive influence on AMHCA and on our profession of clinical mental health counseling. This is a critical time for our field and there are significant challenges and opportunities. My overall vision for our profession is that we need (1) Federal recognition of Clinical Mental Health Counselors through Medicare reimbursement and (2) increased unity between AMHCA and other mental health related professional associations. As secretary I will add my voice and work in support of these and other key AMHCA initiatives.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Awards and Honors
Member of the Utah Mental Health Counselors Association (UMHCA) Hall of Distinguished Service. Award given at the UMHCA Fall Conference, October 15, 2021. Salt Lake City, Utah.
Publications and Presentations
Callister, P. (2022, January 12). Effective Leadership in Group Therapy. Utah Mental Health Counselors Association Brown Bag Series, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Shi, Y., Bartkowiak, A., Goka-Dubose, E., Callister, P. T. (2021, October 22). Voices from the field: Lived experiences of counselor education doctoral students in a hybrid program. Association for Counselor Education and Supervision conference, Atlanta, Georgia. http://www.aces2021.net/
Callister, P. T. (2019, March 15-16). Introduction to Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy. Utah Mental Health Counselors Association Annual Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah. https://umhca.org/event-2868498?CalendarViewType=0&SelectedDate=12/6/2019
Callister, P. T. (2018, March 23-24). Clinical skills to stabilize clients in the early stages of psychotherapy. Utah Mental Health Counselors Association Annual Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah. https://umhca.org/event-2385583?CalendarViewType=0&SelectedDate=12/6/2018
Callister, P. T. (2016, June 10-11). Introduction to Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Utah Mental Health Counselors Association Annual Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah.