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AMHCA Continues to Oppose Conversion Therapy, Disappointed by Supreme Court Ruling

By Whitney Meyerhoeffer posted 9 days ago
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AMHCA is disappointed by the recent Supreme Court ruling in Chiles v. Salazar . On March 31, 2026, the Supreme Court ruled that a stricter legal standard must be applied when evaluating laws banning conversion therapy—raising concerns about future protections for vulnerable youth. AMHCA continues to oppose conversion therapy, citing clear evidence of harm and lack of effectiveness, and remains committed to protecting the health and well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals. For additional research on the harms of conversion therapy, please refer to The Trevor Project’s analysis of the Supreme Court decision. In 2019 Colorado passed the Minor Conversion ...
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A Message from AMHCA's President: AMHCA is formally adjusting the timeline for proposals in the RFP.

By Whitney Meyerhoeffer posted 12-08-2025
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A Message from AMHCA's President: As part of our long-term vision for growth and sustainability, the Board has made the decision to explore the use of an Association Management Company (AMC). This was announced on October 10th and the Request for Proposals was published on November 11th. The Board is confident this direction will best position AMHCA for continued success and greater impact in the years ahead. We have collected questions as a part of the request for proposals and have published the answers. If you are an interested AMC looking to draft a proposal, please email president@AMHCA.org to receive the information. AMHCA has had a great response ...
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AMHCA Announces Plan for Executive Management

By Whitney Meyerhoeffer posted 10-10-2025
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Alexandria, VA - The AMHCA Board of Directors wishes to share an important update regarding the leadership and management of our association. In accordance with the Board’s strategic plan, AMHCA has decided to enact a plan for long-term executive management of the organization. As such, the Interim CEO/Executive Director role has concluded. The board has appointed an ad hoc committee to execute a plan for leadership continuity. Recent developments in staffing have expanded the plan to include the search, which includes event management. As part of our long-term vision for growth and sustainability, the Board has made the decision to explore the ...
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A Fond Farewell to Rebecca Woodson!

By Whitney Meyerhoeffer posted 07-31-2025
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After a decade of service, @Rebecca Woodson is stepping down from her role at the American Mental Health Counselors Association this July. Throughout her 10 years of service, Rebecca has worn many hats, serving as Director of Membership and later as the Director of the Office of Credentialing and Continuing Education and Director of Events. Under her leadership, AMHCA’s conferences expanded in size and scope, helping us reach more members and offer new ways to engage. She also played a key role in launching and sustaining our home study program and credentialing certifications, initiatives that support our members’ professional growth. “Rebecca’s work has ...
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JMHC Special Issue Call for Papers: International Counseling

By Whitney Meyerhoeffer posted 06-15-2023
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Special Issue Call for Papers: International Counseling The Journal of Mental Health Counseling is seeking manuscripts for a special issue on international counseling. We welcome proposal submissions for both empirical and non-empirical (e.g., conceptual, review) manuscripts. Deadlines Proposal Due (300 to 500 words): August 15, 2023 Invitation for Full Manuscript: October 1, 2023 Full Manuscript Due: February 1, 2024 Anticipated Fall 2024 publication Guest Editor Dr. Arne Weigold, Kent State University Details Over the past several decades, businesses have become increasingly global. The counseling ...
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Mental Health Access Improvement Act (H.R. 432) Passed with Ways & Means Committee

By Whitney Meyerhoeffer posted 09-23-2022
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On September 21, the House Ways and Means Committee held a markup that included the Mental Health Access Improvement Act (H.R. 432) . Here is a link to the markup of the Ways and Means Committee: https://waysandmeans.house.gov/legislation/markups/markup-worker-and-family-support-and-health-legislation This is a great milestone in the journey to get Medicare approved provider status! #Medicare #MentalHealthReform #AdvocacyUpdates #Advocacy
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Formal Roe V Wade Announcement from AMHCA

By Whitney Meyerhoeffer posted 07-06-2022
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The recent overturning of Roe V Wade has majorly impacted many people and CMHCs throughout the United States. We respect that the recent ruling can contribute to people feeling concerned for the future and worried about their bodily autonomy. AMHCA is committed to women's rights and advocates for safe and secure medical treatment which is agreed upon by individuals and their medical doctors. We denounce any attempts to limit human rights and promote a fair and equitable society. As this issue is a divisive topic, we remain committed to our ethical standards to not impose our own personal beliefs onto those we serve. We also remain committed in our approach to ...
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2022 AMHCA Board of Directors Election Results

By Whitney Meyerhoeffer posted 06-07-2022
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Thank you to all members who voted in our 2022 AMHCA election! We have collected all the votes and have results for you! It was a close race but we would like to congratulate and welcome @Deirdra Sanders-Burnett of Florida as the 2022-2023 AMHCA President-Elect! We look forward to hearing your vision and plans. Thank you to @Anthony Onorato who ran with Deirdra for the President-Elect position. Congratulations also go out to @Michael Pilcher of Florida as the Treasurer, @Luis Hines of Florida as the Director-at-Large and @Marianne Marlow of Washington as the Secretary! We are grateful for your continued service to the profession and to chapters ...
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AMHCA President and Interim ED/CEO, Dr. Smith recognized by the State of Georgia for Service in Mental Healthcare

By Whitney Meyerhoeffer posted 06-06-2022
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AMHCA Board President and Interim CEO/ED, Dr. Beverly Smith, was recognized by the State of Georgia at the Capitol for her service in mental healthcare in Georgia and nationally with AMHCA. Three awards were received (Proclamation from the Georgia Lieutenant Governor, Senate Ambassador Medallion from the Georgia Senate, and the Good Citizen Award from the Georgia Secretary of State) #AMHCANews #News
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The Window of Opportunity: Forces that Have Brought Urgency to Recognizing Mental Health Counselors as Approved Medicare Providers

By Whitney Meyerhoeffer posted 05-17-2022
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Over the last 15 years the Mental Health Access Improvement Act (S. 828 and H.R. 432) has been introduced in Congress which would codify marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors as approved and recognized providers in the Medicare program in order to receive reimbursement for treating older adults and people who qualify for disability under Medicare with mental health disorders. Unfortunately, Congress has not passed the legislation although it has received strong consideration in each chamber, but not at the same time. There has been frustration and impatience as we have seen little movement on our legislation over the last decade, ...
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Reminder: Call for Proposals for JMHC Special Issue on Gender and Wellness

By Whitney Meyerhoeffer posted 04-29-2022
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This is a reminder about the call for proposals for a special issue on of the Journal of Mental Health Counseling on the topic of gender and wellness. Proposals are due May 1; please see below for more information. For question, you can contact the journal Editor at editorjmhc@amhca.org . We look forward to receiving proposals! The Journal of Mental Health Counseling is seeking manuscripts for a special issue on gender and wellness. We welcome proposal submissions for both empirical and non-empirical (e.g., conceptual, review) manuscripts. Deadlines • Proposal Due (300 to 500 words): May 1, 2022 • Invitation for Full Manuscript: June 1, 2022 • Full ...
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Call for ACPC Subcommittee Members!

By Whitney Meyerhoeffer posted 04-19-2022
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The Advancement for Clinical Practice Committee (ACPC) is looking for AMHCA members with an expertise in the following areas to join subcommittees to develop standards in: Counseling members of the military Counseling couples and families Counseling individuals with developmental and learning disabilities We are seeking a team of about 4-6 committee members including representation from the ACPC committee and depending on response from the AMHCA membership who have expertise in the one of the three topics. If this is your area of expertise please fill out the form by Sunday, May 15th: https://airtable.com/shrlu0MDaVL9OBWsa #AMHCANew ...
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Maine Becomes Seventh State to Join Counseling Compact

By Whitney Meyerhoeffer posted 04-05-2022
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With the adoption of the Counseling Compact, Maine has become the 7th state to join. AMHCA thanks the Maine Mental Health Counselors Association for a job well done! http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?ld=1920&PID=1456&snum=130&sec3 #AdvocacyUpdates #Advocacy
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AARP Supports Mental Health Access Improvement Act Bill

By Whitney Meyerhoeffer posted 04-05-2022
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AARP was among several organizations last November that supported the passage of the Mental Health Access Improvement Act as part of their statement they submitted to the Senate Finance Committee in response to the RFI on behavioral health policy solutions. In a new article appearing in AARP’s Medicare Resource Center on “ Older Adults Struggle to Find Affordable Mental Health Care,” the authors included in their summary section “Time for Change” the following statement: “ And the proposed Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2021, introduced in the Senate, would widen the pool of providers that can deliver mental and behavioral mental ...
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AMHCA Statement Regarding the Recent Events in Ukraine

By Whitney Meyerhoeffer posted 03-04-2022
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As proponents of civil rights and social justice for humankind, AMHCA denounces the violence erupting from the invasion in Ukraine. Unfortunately, lives have been lost and many injured or left homeless. Widespread mourning is evident and some people have encountered barriers in seeking safety. Ukrainian families, adults, and children have been displaced at the same time as the world continues to be traumatized during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is expected that these events will have long-term effects on the people of Ukraine as well as on Russians and many others around the world. The mental health of the Ukrainians undoubtedly has been affected despite ...
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Comment Period for Revisions to Bylaws Now Open Thru August 27, 2021

By Whitney Meyerhoeffer posted 07-30-2021
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The AMHCA Bylaws provide the governing structure for the organization. The bylaws are periodically amended to ensure the mission and vision of AMHCA will be fulfilled in a strategic manner. There are seven proposed amendments to the AMHCA Bylaws that the Board of Directors is recommending. Please follow the link below to review the current bylaws, the proposed revision, and to submit comments. We encourage comments from members as well as official comments of a group or organization on all aspects of the proposed revisions. The comment period will close August 27, 2021. You can submit your comments through our online form at https://airtable.com/shrDSLdzOIRJtLrCR ...
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Welcome Dr. Beverly Smith, the 45th President of the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA)

By Whitney Meyerhoeffer posted 07-23-2021
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AMHCA is pleased to welcome the 45 th President of the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA), Dr. Beverly Smith. Dr. Smith has professional counseling experience in various settings including private practice, public education, corrections, community counseling, and in higher education. She is the owner and principal therapist of BSmith Consulting Group, LLC. Dr. Smith is an adjunct professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Mercer University teaching Psychopathology & Diagnosis, Cultural Perspectives in Counseling, and Ethics. She is a proud two-time graduate of Tuskegee University (B.S.-Biology, M.Ed.-Counseling & Higher ...
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AMHCA CEO Announces Retirement

By Whitney Meyerhoeffer posted 04-28-2021
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Alexandria, VA – The Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) has announced that he will be retiring effective July 9, 2021. Joel E. Miller, M.S. Ed., has led over 7,000 clinical mental health counselors who play a critically important impact on the lives of Americans with behavioral health conditions since 2013. Mr. Miller has been responsible for all operations of the organization and implementing strategic initiatives in support of the Board of Directors. He is the publisher of AMHCA’s Journal of Mental Health Counseling and The Advocate Magazine as well as many other research studies, ...
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AMHCA In the News: AMHCA CEO, Joel Miller, on Mental Health Month and Advocacy

By Whitney Meyerhoeffer posted 04-21-2021
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Thank you CounselingSchools.com and Matt Tyler Zbrog for interviewing AMHCA's Executive Director and CEO for this great article on advocacy leading up to Mental Health Month! Read the full article: https://www.counselingschools.com/blog/mental-health-month-advocacy-guide #mentalhealthcounsleing #mentalhealthmonth #advocacy #mentalhealth #counseling #counselors
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Senate Introduces Mental Health Counselors in Medicare Legislation

By Joel Miller posted 03-19-2021
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Bipartisan legislation that would include licensed mental health counselors (LMHCs), as well as licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs), as Medicare providers, has just been introduced in the United States Senate. The Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2021, S. 828, was introduced in the Senate by Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) and Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). Representative Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Representative John Katko (R-NY) introduced the companion legislation (HR 432) in January in the House . This bipartisan legislation would require Medicare to finally recognize LMHCs as Medicare-eligible providers of covered behavioral health ...
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