by ashley.marzullo | Apr 8, 2020 | Front Page, Press Release
Recently (April 3) the Executive Order written by Governor Baker was updated to include Mental a health Providers into the out of state Emergency Temporary License.Remember that this is so that you are able to abide by the MA e-counseling regulations.Please use the following link to print the application and submit to the email address on the form. https://www.mass.gov/doc/out-of-state-emergency-license-application-for-mental-health-practitioners/downloadI am pleased that these changes were made! Thank you to all who sent emails, spoke to clients about the need, and made phone calls letting legislators know about the challenges we faced during this already difficult...
by ashley.marzullo | Mar 18, 2020 | Front Page, Press Release
Dear Members, Mental Health providers are facing unique challenges as we move forward in providing care to clients and self-care to ourselves. While there have not been any clear guidelines provided to us, I am going to give you some resources as they are found on the Internet and within the AMHCA open forum as you continue to see clients. PLEASE NOTE: this is not a written policy and RIMHCA is merely providing resources and suggestions for moving forward with providing direct care to your clients during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is your professional responsibility to contact your insurance providers and liability carriers for specific regulations and guidance moving forward. Here are some considerations for your practice: Telemental Health Counseling. Telemental health sessions are an opportunity for concerned clients with adequate internet access to continue with their therapy and minimize exposure possible exposure to the virus. Anxiety and concerns about the spread of the virus can be heightened for some clients, and if you are able to provide distance counseling you may be able to mitigate additional mental health crises.Telemental Health PlatformsWhen using telemental health, note that you must use a platform that is HIPPA/HITECH compliant. Doxy (https://doxy.me), provides both a free version or you can pay $35 per month for the “pro” version, which includes the ability to screenshare with clients (if you want to show them something on the screen) and to conduct group sessions. Zoom also provides a free and paid version, however, the free version is not HIPPA-compliant. Zoom Healthcare is HIPPA-compliant and costs $200 a month (for up to 10 users)Many electronic practice management systems...
by ashley.marzullo | Aug 1, 2019 | Front Page, Press Release
Dear Colleagues, I heard at the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) National Conference that every; incoming president sets his or her agenda. Six (or was it seven?) years ago when I became president of RIMHCA I may have set an agenda but there’s no documentation. I do like to think that with the support of an amazing Board and an administrative wizard we may have accomplished many things—planned or serendipitous. A few highlights of this fiscal year: Membership is now at 157 (and includes several social workers)During this fiscal year seven topical Seminars were offered making it possible to earn 20 CEUS—half those required for license renewal. The Psychology of the Chakras: Yoga Philosophy meets Western Psychology presented by Coral Brown, LMHC Navigating Gender Identity with Clients: Expanding Practices for Mental Health Professionals presented by Dr. Michelle Crossley RIMHCA at RIC: Professional Pathways after Licensure presented by RIMHCA board members Kimberly Leandre, Phillow Lowry, and Todd Schmenk Using a Trauma Informed Framework for Working with Men presented by Chris Dorval, LCSW Working with Couples: A Therapist’s Greatest Challenge presented by Larry Shushansky, LCSW Using Visually-Mediated Strategies in Psychotherapy and Counseling: Interventions for Varied Clinical Populations presented by Dr. Charles Boisvert and Dr. Mohiuddin Ahmed What Mental Health Professionals need to know about Gender Affirming Care for their Child, Adolescent and Adult Clients presented by Michelle Forcier, MD and Jill Wagner, LCSW Four networking events were held throughout the state providing an opportunity for us to share our professional and personal experiences as colleagues and friends. Serving as President of RIMHCA has truly been an honor and a privilege. ...
by ashley.marzullo | Jul 19, 2019 | Front Page, Press Release
A letter from the Executive Director of the Mental Health Association of Rhode Island
by ashley.marzullo | Oct 30, 2016 | Front Page, Press Release
Being in private practice, you probably find yourself too often worrying about where your next client will come from. The whole process of getting enough clients seems random and out of control. And when you decide to focus on finding more private pay clients, the thought of filling your book seems even more scary and overwhelming. You know they’re out there, but you just don’t know where to look or how to start getting those private-pay clients through the door. In general, if you want to get clients, you’ve got to get noticed. People need to know why you are the best option for them. All of your marketing must answer the BIG question – “Why, given all of my choices (including doing nothing at all), should I do business with YOU?” The message you send in your marketing will be much more efficient and effective when you are “rock solid” about 3 critical things. Who you are, and what you do. When people ask what you do, don’t answer with your job title or description. Be prepared to give them the information they need, to know if you are for them. Tell them whom you serve and what BIG result people get when they work with you. Here is an example: “I help people with panic disorder take their lives back from their anxiety so they can live their best lives”. People who hear this from you immediately know if you are what they need Why you do it. You can reinforce and clarify your message by letting people know what you stand for, and why you get up in...
by ashley.marzullo | Aug 25, 2015 | Front Page, Press Release
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA), the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES), and the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) have jointly endorsed a plan for counselor licensure portability. This plan from leading counselor organizations establishes a regulatory platform allowing licensed counselors to move between and practice in multiple states. The AMHCA-ACES-NBCC portability plan is built on sound principles of quality assurance and national standards. The plan will promote acceptance of a license from another state when the individual holds a degree from a clinically focused counselor preparation program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP), holds certification as a National Certified Counselor, or meets standards adopted by the state board of counseling. Dr. Keith Mobley, president of AMHCA, states: “The AMHCA leadership commends the efforts of NBCC and ACES for collaborating on this agreement, as it demonstrates strides toward professional unification and portability of licensure. It has been the long-standing goal of AMHCA to seek consistently high standards among credentials for clinical mental health counselors so that our profession may benefit by achieving status equivalent to other practitioners in federally funded programs and gain license portability among states.” The sentiments are echoed by ACES President Dr. Tarrell Portman, who says: “the counseling profession has too long suffered from inconsistency in education and training standards. These varying requirements have hampered the growth of the profession and the ability of counselors to move across state lines. ACES is excited to be part of this strategic partnership to establish a national education and training standard for licensure portability.” “This...
