Conference Report—2007
The Tennessee Mental Health Counseling Association continues to work on providing quality, professional meetings that provide opportunity for professional growth and networking as well up to date information on licensure information for LPC in Tennessee.
Here is an update on how we are progressing on our goals for 2007-2008:
1. Increase membership in TMHCA and TCA
a. TMHCA has been able to provide a professional meeting each month since we set this goal at LDC. As of this date, we have provided nine meetings that have provided training, guest speakers and up to date information on licensure.
b. Each of the meetings have additionally been opportunities to earn contact hours and certificates were given.
c. Topics such as “working with Juvenile Sex Offenders” and “Attachment and Trauma Reactions” have been offered and featured licensed professionals from the community.
d. An incentive to become a member was included in the TCA preconference session where those who become TMHCA members could attend the William Glasser session for free.
e. Future plans for increasing membership include developing a handbook on getting licensed as an LPC in Tennessee that will be given with each new membership.
f. Ethics training was provided in December to meet the licensure requirements for LPCs.
g. All meetings offered an opportunity to meet new professionals in a comfortable environment. Most were meetings that provided a meal and guest speaker.
2. TMHCA is on record for providing 5 interest sessions for the TCA conference in November. In particular, the interest sessions for licensure include both a state health boards representative, as well as a member of the licensing board. A handbook based on this presentation is in the process of being developed as a membership incentive in the future.
a. TMHCA had three meetings to discuss/develop and propose interest sessions for the November TCA conference.
b. William Glasser was obtained by TMHCA to speak at the preconference session. Later, he was also requested to be the keynote speaker.
c. In addition to increasing membership to TMHCA via the preconference incentives, TMHCA has also purchased t-shirts to sell at the conference which state:
d. The luncheon arrangements have been completed including the purchase of TMHCA appreciation gifts/awards
3. Incentives to develop mental health leadership for TMHCA and TCA continue to be explored and formulated.
a. There will be three attendees to the Leadership Conference next July:
1) Dr. Mechelle Toles
2) Christina Burns
3) Bob Loos
b. Elections have been held and positions are as follows:
1) Christina Burns—President
2) Brandy Flynn—Membership
3) Mechelle Toles—secretary
c. Incentives for mental health professionals presenting at the conference will include assistance with payment of hotel room and appreciation gift.
TMHCA has put much of our financial resources into the November conference. While initially obtaining a grant for $2000.00, this money was returned to TCA to help with the expenses of bringing Dr. Glasser to the conference. We have additionally purchased t-shirts and appreciation gifts for TMHCA members out of our budget. We will also be purchasing a $50 door prize from our Division at the conference.
TMHCA is also planning on applying for another grant to assist in a state-wide mail-out to Tennessee LPCs as part of our continued plan to increase membership.
For more information about your regional chapter of TMHCA, contact Nancy Johnson at Nancyjohnson@meritan.org