Government Affairs

The Debt Ceiling Bill Passage May Impact Mental Health Care

Fri, 09 Jun 2023 13:25:04 Z

On June 3, 2023, President Biden signed H.R. 3476, the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023. Most people know this act as the debt ceiling bill. The American Counseling Association previously reported the impact that this compromise bill between Democrats and Republicans would mean for the counseling profession.

We now know that the passage of this bill will reduce funding for mental health care below the previous amounts approved in 2021 and 2022. There are safety-net programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) that have the potential to cause an impact on mental health care clients by a reduction of aid being provided.

Through the agreement made by Congress and the White House, funds that have been approved by the American Rescue Plan that have yet to be appropriated will be returned to the United States Treasury.

These programs include decreasing appropriations of an estimated $335 Million Dollars that support:

Access to pediatric mental health care.
Grant funding to improve mental health among health care workers.
Training healthcare professionals about substance use disorders.
Funding to colleges and universities that would expand mental health workers on campus.
Mobile Crisis Services programs.

Furthermore, the passage of this bill will decrease future funding to federal agencies over the next two fiscal years (2024-2025). The agencies affected are:

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA)
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Overall, this bill allows the country to avoid defaulting on loans, and to continue to pay its bills. However, the compromise has reduced key spending that supports the Mental Health profession, schools, and communities in need.

Though we cannot say for sure what the impact will be in the future, we do know that a reduction in programming will negatively impact many of the clients served by counselors, and potentially decrease or remove grant funds that some counselors rely on to conduct research and support their clients.

Over the next several years it is vital for the counseling community to stay involved and educate your legislators about the local, state, and federal level of the positive impacts made when there is an investment in mental health care, and our schools.

The American Counseling Association will continue to monitor the impact that the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 will make -- and we will do everything in our power to provide our decision makers with the information they need to effectively support the profession.

Debt Ceiling Negotiations May Impact Counselors and their Clients

Mon, 15 May 2023 15:07:05 Z

Currently in Congress negotiations continue around the nation's debt ceiling. As a professional counselor you may wonder how and if the negotiations in Congress may affect you, as well as what exactly the debt ceiling is.

The debt ceiling is a limit set by Congress on the amount of money that the US government can borrow to fund its operations. When the debt ceiling is reached, Congress must raise or suspend it to allow the government to continue borrowing money and paying its bills. Failure to raise the debt ceiling could lead to a default on US government debt, which could have grave consequences for the economy and financial markets.

In the past, negotiations over raising the debt ceiling have often been contentious, with both Democrats and Republicans using the issue as a bargaining chip in budget negotiations. The last major debt ceiling crisis occurred in 2019, when the government was briefly shut down due to disagreements over funding for a border wall and other issues.

House republicans led by Speaker McCarthy would like to issue a cap on government spending limits in future years. These limits would decrease spending on vital programs that support resources in critical areas such as schools, colleges and universities, federal substance use disorder centers, federally funded grants, and more.

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities highlighted the following cuts under the Plan:

Puts more than 10 million people (about half the population of New York) are risk of losing their health coverage.

Puts roughly 1 million older Americans at risk of losing vital food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the number rises when you include families with children.
Put an estimated 1 million families with children at risk of losing income assistance, pushing many deeper into poverty.
Forces cuts of $3.6 trillion (about $11,000 per person in the US) over the next decade to discretionary spending that funds defense, veteran’s health care, childcare, medical research schools, college aid, and transportation.

ACA will continue to work within the Friends of HRSA Coalition to advocate on behalf of the profession, and keep our members informed. It is important to stay informed about these developments and to contact your elected representatives to express your opinions and concerns. To do so please visit the ACA Action Center, scroll down to “Find Officials”, enter your information, and draft an e-mail to your Representative and Senators and ask them to:

Set the fiscal year 2024 funding levels at a rate that invests in programs that support meeting the needs of all humans, all while fostering economic growth.
Inform them that Nondefense spending is a small part of the federal budget that plays a key role in supporting child-care, rural development, k-12 educations, financial aid for college students, courts and reentry programs, and public health.

For more information or if you would like to become involved in ACA’s advocacy efforts, you can contact the ACA Government Affairs and Public Policy team at advoacay@counseling.org.

White House: Black Maternal Health Week Proclamation

Mon, 24 Apr 2023 18:39:16 Z

The White House signed a Proclamation for Black Maternal Health Week for April 11-17th. In the document, the Administration highlights the disparities among black mothers including the high mortality rate and decrease in maternal mental health and aims to raise awareness all Americans to raise awareness of the state of Black maternal health in the United States by understanding the consequences of institutional racism.

It is reported that one-in-five women in America experience maternal mental health conditions like postpartum depression, anxiety, or substance use disorder. As such, the Administration launched the Maternal Mental Health Hotline (1-833-9-HELP4MOMS) that connects individuals with professional counselors. In addition, the White House has expanded maternal mental health screening programs for postpartum depression, while partnering with community-based organizations to help pregnant people access addiction services.

Counselor Advocacy Matters to Medicare Reimbursement Success

Thu, 03 Nov 2022 18:49:12 Z

On Thursday, September 22, the American Counseling Association shared the promising news that the U.S. House Ways & Means Committee voted to move the House version of the Mental Health Access Improvement Act (H.R. 432) to full House consideration. This is a great step in the right direction. We must not become complacent with our current congressional engagement.

Counselor Advocacy Matters to Medicare Inclusion Success

Below are 5 simple steps you can follow to become a champion for the profession:

Visit the ACA website.
Click on the “Government Affairs” tab which is located directly under the ACA Logo.
Click on “Take Action”. Once on the Take Action page, scroll to the bottom of the page where it reads “Sign Up for Alerts”. Enter your e-mail address and zip code. Then, click on the arrow.
Enter your contact information in the designated boxes and click “save”. Congratulations, you are now signed up to advocate for the profession!
Go back to the beginning of the Take Action page and complete the alerts that are currently on the site. In the future, alerts will be sent to your email and you will be able to respond to them in under three minutes. Responses are sent directly to your legislatures.

Here are 2 resources you may utilize when talking to Congress:

We Have the Attention of the Federal Government

The American Counseling Association has been called on by Congress to lead by providing its members with the information they require to make an informed decision to support the counseling profession:

I. August 2021 ACA submitted this brief to the congressional committees with jurisdiction over our bills to outline Behavioral and Mental Health Needs for Medicare Beneficiaries.

II. April 2022 ACA completed a national survey and submitted it to Congress to demonstrate an increase to mental health access and greater cost savings once LPCs are enrolled as Medicare providers.

III. ACA has made numerous recommendations to CMS in support of the profession. These recommendations contributed to the CMS decision to propose allowable “general supervision” under the physician fee schedule.

IV. In addition to meeting with the administration, which prompted them to include Medicare Reimbursement for Counselors in the President’s proposed U.S. Health and Human Service Budget. ACA issued a letter to the Biden administration recommending improvements to mental health policy.

V. ACA sponsored a briefing to Congress along with members of the Medicare Mental Health Workforce Coalition to further educate Congress on the Medicare bill.

VI. ACA members successfully advocated to amend the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT ACT) to allow LPCs to provide services to Medicare clients in Federal Substance Use Disorder Centers.

Now What?

The counseling profession and the clients served by counselors can continue to rely on ACA to engage with congressional leaders to increase support for the Medicare reimbursement bills. Our job is to educate and empower legislators and regulators on the issues that protect and promote the counseling profession.

We will continue to:

Meet with legislators on the Medicare bills.
Tailor our strategic efforts toward the policy needs of the United States Congress.
Engage with you, the counselors, directly and indirectly.

Stay up to date on the ever-changing landscape of legislative affairs by:

Reading the Government Affairs article in the Counseling Today magazine.
Checking the ACA website for legislative updates.

Following us on social media.

Twitter: @CounselingViews
Instagram: @AmericanCounselingAssociation
Facebook: @American.Counseling.Association
LinkedIn: American Counseling Association

In addition to Medicare reimbursement, many of you are aware that the ACA works on several issues including but not limited to:

Funding the Counseling Compact
Increasing employment within the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
Setting the student to counselor ratio in our schools, and more.

Please be a champion for the profession and the clients you serve. Without your advocacy the chances of advancing legislation in support of the counseling community dramatically decreases.

To learn about how the ACA supports counselor needs legislatively, please visit the ACA website or view the ACA Hill Day recording. If you have questions or want to increase your advocacy efforts, please contact the ACA Government Affairs team via email at advocacy@counseling.org or call us at 800-347-6647.

Federal Government Awards $1.6 Billion for Communities Addressing Addiction and Overdose

Tue, 27 Sep 2022 15:50:23 Z

Last week, the Biden Administration awarded $1.6 billion in funding to address the nation’s worsening addiction and overdose crisis. The U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), will issue funding for prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery support to four federal programs.

SAMSHA’s State Opioid Response (SOR) grant program will allot formula funding to states to increase access to treatment medications of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). SOR will grant $1,439,500,000 to 58 states/territories for prevention and recovery support services. You can find a list of awardees here.

Funding will be awarded to SAMSHA’s Tribal Opioid Response (TOR) grant programs to increase access to treatment and recovery support services to Tribal communities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), data shows the deaths by overdose in American Indians and Alaska Natives rose to 75% above the national average. TOR will grant $54,976,150 to 102 Tribal entities to address these concerns. You can find a list of TOR awardees here.

Technical Assistance programs for SOR and TOR will receive $16.6 million in funding for education and training to states that provide free educational resources to communities and individuals. SOR/TOR Technical Assistance programs ensure the provision of evidence-based prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery support programs/services across the SOR/TOR programs.

Lastly, HRSA’s Rural Communities Opioid Response Program will grant $104 million to expand treatment and prevention services in rural areas for substance use disorders (SUD) and OUD. The Rural Communities Opioid Response Program is a multi-year initiative aimed at reducing the morbidity and mortality in communities with decreased access to resources.

In 2021, according to the CDC, more than 107,000 people died by overdose. The Biden Administration plans tackle this growing crisis and these funds will focus on providing evidence-based support and person-centered care.

For any questions, or if you would like to get involved in ACA’s advocacy efforts, please contact the ACA Government Affairs and Public Policy team at advocacy@counseling.org.

ACA Meets with White House Administration on Protecting Counselor Rights

Mon, 12 Sep 2022 17:25:46 Z

Following the United States Supreme Court ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade (via Dobbs v. Jackson), the American Counseling Association (ACA) issued a statement in opposition of the ruling. This statement focused on the need to protect Licensed Professional Counselors, and their clients.

“In counseling, clients are entitled to self-determination and to make decisions in the best interest of their health and well-being. Clients should have access to high-quality professional counseling without the fear of having their confidentiality unjustly waived. This requires safeguarding the integrity and trust built in the counselor-client relationship.”

ACA Latest News – June 24th, 2022

ACA remains committed to obtaining the appropriate support and guidance from the federal government for the counseling profession. Currently, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued guidance to protect patient privacy, and securing private health information.

ACA, along with the Mental Health and School Counseling community, appreciates the guidance. However, we believe additional clarity and protections are needed to protect Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs).

On Thursday, August 25^th, ACA met with the HHS Office of External Affairs, HHS Office of Civil Rights, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Office of Behavioral Health Division. The purpose of our meeting was to express our concern for the protection of the nation’s mental health professionals and school counselors when working with clients with reproductive rights concerns. From this meeting, we learned that HHS is committed to supporting the counseling profession and has committed to becoming a continued resource to ACA and our members. HHS is committed to working with the Department of Education to clarify support in our nation’s schools and universities, as well as helping to break down the current guidance to make it easier for the counseling profession to know and understand their rights as a mental health provider.

HHS also put ACA in touch with the White House Administration’s Gender Policy Council (WH-GPC). As of September 7, we have received word that the WH-GPC is committed to reviewing the policies in place, as well as providing answers to:

Ensuring that state laws in certain states do not remove counselor-client confidentiality.
Providing guidance on a clear definition of “aiding and abetting” to protect counselors from criminal prosecution, civil lawsuits, and fines for performing the sworn duties of their job.
Expectations of institutions receiving federal funding. (Colleges, Universities, and other institutions)

ACA members and all Licensed Professional Counselors should rest assured that the American Counseling Association will take all the necessary steps within our charter to protect and promote the profession. As our talks with the White House Administration continue, we will keep you informed and empower you with the information that you need to perform your job at a high level without fear or concern.

In the event that you are unsure of what to do, please consult with your state’s licensure board, an attorney that understands your state laws, or reach out by e-mail at ethics@counseling.org to request a consultation. If you would like to get involved with our legislative advocacy efforts, please e-mail advocacy@counseling.org.

988 Suicide Prevention Hotline Operational

Fri, 29 Jul 2022 18:35:36 Z

Beginning on July 16^th, 2022, the 988 Hotline began rolling out, connecting individuals experiencing a mental health crisis to trained mental health professionals. In 2020, Congress passed the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020 (S.2661) which established ‘988’ as the universal dialing code for national suicide and crisis prevention.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA), with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), led a study to determine the feasibility of a ‘911’ for suicide prevention and mental health. This study found that the former National Suicide Prevention Lifeline's wait time was too long and had a high unanswer rate.

The 988 Hotline will connect those experiencing a mental health crisis to a trained counselor and provide immediate help and resources for continued care. Further, 988 will reduce the use of law enforcement, public health and other public emergency services that historically experience overwhelmed system capacity. 988 will help reduce the stigma and barriers to access for those seeking mental health care and increase accessibility, especially for those in underserved communities (BIPOC, LGBTQ+, rural and impoverished communities, immigrants, etc.).

Anyone experiencing mental health crisis can call, text or chat ‘988’ to be connected to critical and life-changing services.

If you have any questions or would like to become involved in our advocacy efforts, please contact the ACA Government Affairs and Public Policy team at advocacy@counseling.org.

The White House Signs the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act

Tue, 05 Jul 2022 15:57:42 Z

On June 25^th, the White House signed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (S.2938), ending the thirty-year deadlock on gun reform legislation. In an effort to reduce mass casualties as a result of recent gun misuse, the Senate introduced a bipartisan gun proposal with provisions that focuses on strengthening background checks and increasing investments and resources for mental health. The bill would pass in the House of Representatives by a vote of 234-193 and in the Senate by a vote of 65-33. Soon after, President Biden signed this bill into law.

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act enhances and strengthens background checks on individuals purchasing a gun. Those under twenty-one years of age will require an additional background review process that investigates juvenile and mental health records. This includes the use of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) database and law enforcement records. Further, this bill closes the “boyfriend loophole” and places those convicted of domestic violence into the NICS database, therefore unable to purchase a gun.

Additional investments and support for mental health services and crisis intervention will be granted to states. States will receive nearly $250 million in funding for community-based violence prevention initiatives for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBC). The Department of Health and Human Services will be tasked with improving access to telehealth services under Medicaid to increase access to mental health services for children. Using evidence-based best practices for school safety, this bill aims to provide additional funding and transparency to protect schools and increase mental health services.

Further, the Department of Justice will allocate $750 million in funding to states for the implementation and creation of laws and systems that will reduce the risk of those who are a danger and ensure that those individuals do not have access to guns. This includes the creation of “mental health courts”, “drug courts” and “extreme risk protection order programs” that meet certain constitutional requirements under Crisis Intervention Orders.

If you have any questions or would like to get involved in our advocacy efforts, please contact the ACA Government Affairs and Public Policy team at advocacy@counseling.org.

HHS Offers Guidance of Audio-Only Telehealth

Fri, 24 Jun 2022 20:28:09 Z

On Tuesday, June 14^th, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through its Office for Civil Rights (OCR), issued guidance on how covered healthcare providers and health plans can use remote communication technologies to provide audio-only telehealth services when such communications are conducted in a manner that is consistent with the requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Rules, including when OCR’s Notification of Enforcement Discretion for Telehealth is no longer in effect.

This guidance will help individuals continue to benefit from audio-only telehealth by clarifying how covered entities can provide these services in compliance with the HIPAA Rules and by improving public confidence that covered entities are protecting the privacy and security of their health information.

While telehealth can significantly expand access to health care, certain populations may have difficulty accessing or be unable to access technologies used for audio-video telehealth because of various factors, including financial resources, limited English proficiency, disability, internet access, availability of sufficient broadband and cell coverage in the geographic area. Audio-only telehealth, especially using technologies that do not require broadband availability, can help address the needs of some of these individuals.

The guidance on how HIPAA rules permit health plans and covered healthcare providers to use remote communication technologies for audio-only telehealth can be found at: https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/guidance/hipaa-audio-telehealth/index.html.

If you would like to become involved in ACA’s advocacy efforts, please contact the ACA Government Affairs and Public Policy team at advocacy@counseling.org.

U.S. Senate Holds Hearing on Mental Health Care for Older Adults

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 21:12:37 Z

On May 19, 2022, the U.S Senate Special Committee on Aging held a hearing titled, “Mental Health Care for Older Adults: Raising Awareness, Addressing Stigma, and Providing Support.” During this hearing, Committee Chairman Bob Casey and Ranking Member Tim Scott highlighted the disparities among integrated mental health care in older Americans.

Nearly one in four older adults experience mental health conditions, and with greater social isolation and loneliness, exacerbated by COVID-19 as Chairman Casey pointed out, social isolation has the same effect on the body as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Further, in 2020, individuals 85 years and older have the highest suicide rate of all age groups. With this, challenges in fragmented health care systems, systemic ageism, and lack of integration between Medicare and Medicaid programs have caused roadblocks for older adults in accessing quality health care.

One of the testifying witnesses, Dr. Erin Emery-Tiburcio, suggests through expansion of provider eligibility to allow market rate reimbursement of master’s level counselors to provide mental health services under Medicare, this will permeate care coordination and greater access to mental health services for older adults. During questioning, Senator Mark Kelly highlighted the Mental Health Access Improvement Act as legislation that will close the gaps in Medicare to provide strengthened integration and accessibility of care, as well as provide more services to those in rural and underserved areas.

Further, Dr. Kenneth Rogers provided testimony during the hearing on the challenges of not integrating care and how through expansion of telehealth services, this would provide critical mental health care to older adults. Another testifying witness, Kimberly Williams, emphasized the need for increased training of health care providers specifically trained to treat older adults. As the population of older adults continues to grow, the need to integrate physical and mental health conditions continues.

If you have any questions or would like to get involved in our advocacy efforts, please contact the ACA Government Affairs and Public Policy team at advocacy@counseling.org.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Invests $25 Million in School-Based Mental Health Services

Fri, 06 May 2022 14:14:58 Z

On May 3^rd, 2022, HHS announced, through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Health Center Program, its’ expansion of investment towards strengthening partnerships between schools and health centers. To do so, HHS awarded $25 million to expand services that provide comprehensive physical and mental health care to children and youth. These funds will be granted to HRSA-funded health centers in underserved communities in an effort to reduce disparities and increase access to affordable health care. This announcement furthers the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to strengthening mental health throughout the country.

Across the U.S., mental health in children has declined over the years and COVID-19 has only exacerbated this issue. According to the American Medical Association’s journal JAMA Pediatrics, between 2016-2020,anxiety increased by 29% and depression increased by 27% in children and youth. With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, HHS investment in not only physical but mental health care highlights the importance of parity for children to grow up and learn in healthy environments.

If you have any questions or would like to get involved in advocacy efforts, please contact the ACA Government Affairs and Public Policy team at advocacy@counseling.org.

House and Senate Appropriations Committees Introduce FY 2022 Omnibus Package

Mon, 14 Mar 2022 20:14:10 Z

On March 9, 2022, the House and Senate Appropriations Committee released the text of the omnibus spending package, which contains all 12 fiscal year (FY) 2022 appropriations bills, totaling more than $1.5 trillion in federal funding through September 30, 2022. The package includes a 6.7 percent ($42 billion) increase in non-defense discretionary programs, including $213.6 billion in non-defense discretionary funding for Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS), a $15.3 billion increase over the FY 2021 package.

The non-defense discretionary funding also includes $1.28 billion dollars for the Student Support and Academic Enrichment block grant program under Title IV-A of ESSA, which is a $60 million increase over FY21. This flexible funding stream has allowed states and districts to invest in a multitude of evidence-based programs that offer the support students need to succeed and thrive academically, emotionally, and socially. The Title IV-A block grant program helps to support the establishment and retention of school counseling programs across the country.

We will closely monitor this issue and keep you informed. If you would like to learn more or become involved in ACA’s advocacy efforts, please contact the ACA Government Affairs and Public Policy team at advocacy@counseling.org.

House Ways & Means Committee Holds Hearing on America's Mental Health Crisis

Mon, 07 Feb 2022 15:35:23 Z

On February 2, 2022, the House Ways & Means Committee conducted a hearing entitled “America’s Mental Health Crisis,” during which the Mental Health Access Improvement Act (S.828/ H.R. 432) was mentioned.

During the hearing, the following witnesses testified:

Wizdom Powell, Ph.D., Director of the Health Disparities Institute and Associate Professor of Psychiatry, UConn Health
Deborah Steinberg, J.D., Health Policy Attorney, The Legal Action Center
Peggy Johnson, M.D., Chief of Psychiatry, The Commonwealth Care Alliance
Angela Sausser, M.S.W., Executive Director, The Public Children Services Association of Ohio
Deepa Avula, M.P.H., Director of the North Carolina Division on Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services at the North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services

In their opening remarks, House Ways & Means Chairman Richard Neal (D-MA) and Ranking Member Kevin Brady (R-TX) stated there is strong bipartisan support for efforts to address the current mental health crisis and acknowledged the nations mental health crisis has been compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some committee members disagreed about the root cause of the crisis, but several areas of bipartisan agreement emerged, including the desire to extend telehealth flexibilities beyond the public health emergency (PHE) and to strengthen the continuum of care for children suffering from acute mental illness. According to Chairman Neal, this hearing was the first in a series of hearings the House Ways & Means committee will hold on the subject.

Below is a summary of relevant discussion points from the hearing:

Addressing Gaps in Medicare Coverage

In his opening statement, House Ways & Means committee Chairman Richard Neal (D-MA) spoke about the importance of strengthening the mental health care continuum by increasing access to mental health providers like Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) and Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs). The Chairman stated that these types of providers can make a “huge impact on people’s lives and on their health.”

Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) spoke about the Mental Health Access Improvement Act. He began his line of questioning by noting that seniors suffer from substantial rates of mental illness, especially depression and anxiety, and named the limited supply of mental health professionals available to seniors as a primary driver of these disproportionately higher rates. Following these remarks, the Representative asked Deborah Steinberg how the inclusion of MFTs and LPCs under Medicare would improve access to care for seniors. She responded that MFTs and LPCs make up 40 percent of the mental health care workforce, thus their inclusion under Medicare would have a significant impact on access to care for beneficiaries.

Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA) did not explicitly mention LPCs and MFTs in her statements. However, she noted that coverage gaps under Medicare for behavioral health services have made it increasingly difficult for safety net providers to serve vulnerable beneficiaries. As Congress seeks to alleviate the burden on safety net providers, Rep. Sanchez asked Steinberg to name the most glaring barriers preventing Medicare beneficiaries from accessing mental health and behavioral health services. In response, she stated that limited provider coverage under Medicare is among the most glaring barriers. Later in the hearing, Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) expressed his support for widening the pool of providers available to Medicare beneficiaries by adjusting current Medicare payment and reimbursement policies.

Extending Telehealth Flexibilities

In his opening statement, Ranking Member Brady expressed his support for permanently extending telehealth flexibilities. The Ranking Member cited recent studies showing that one-third of seniors used telehealth to access mental health services during the pandemic. Rep. Kind also expressed his support for a permanent extension and stated that access to telehealth services is critical for those living in rural areas, particularly ranchers and farmers. Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE) concurred and added that maintaining audio-only telehealth services is critical for this population given that broadband access is inconsistent in rural areas.

In his line of questioning, Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Chair of the Health Subcommittee, highlighted the Lone Star Circle of Care in Austin, Texas, and stated the facility has seen a 48 percent increase in the use of telehealth for mental health services in the past year. The Representative noted that he recently introduced the Telehealth Expansion Act to ensure continued access to this form of care following the PHE, with appropriate guardrails to prevent fraud and abuse.

We will be closely monitoring all future Committee action on the issue. If you would like to learn more or become involved in ACA’s advocacy efforts, please contact the ACA government affairs and public policy team at advocacy@counseling.org.

HHS Announces $13M Grant to Increase Behavioral Health Care Access in Rural Communities

Fri, 28 Jan 2022 14:09:59 Z

On January 18, 2022, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), announced the availability of $13 million in funding to increase access to behavioral health care services and address health inequities in rural America. These services will include evidence-based, trauma-informed treatment for substance use disorder.

HRSA’s Federal Office of Rural Health Policy will make awards through the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) - Behavioral Health Care Support. Eligible applicants include entities such as rural health clinics, federally recognized tribes, tribal organizations, and community- and faith-based organizations.

Applicants can begin the RCORP-Behavioral Health Care Support application process on grants.gov and must apply by Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at 11:59 PM, ET. Visit the Notice of Funding Opportunity for more information.

Since 2018, the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program – a multi-year initiative administered by HRSA – has provided over $400 million in direct grants and technical assistance to rural communities addressing behavioral health care challenges, including substance use disorder. To date, the initiative has expanded access to substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery services in over 1,500 counties nationwide, with RCORP grant recipients serving over 2 million individuals in rural communities in fiscal year 2020.

For more information about efforts to address barriers to treatment for substance use disorder in rural areas, visit HRSA’s Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. To learn about the HHS Overdose Prevention Strategy, visit https://www.hhs.gov/overdose-prevention/.

If you would like to become involved in ACA’s advocacy efforts, please contact the ACA Government Affairs and Public Policy team at advocacy@counseling.org.

$103M Awarded to 45 Grantees through Biden-Harris Administration American Rescue Plan Funds to Promote Mental Health and Wellness Among Health Care Workers

Fri, 28 Jan 2022 14:08:00 Z

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) recently announced $103 million in awards to 45 grantees to increase the retention and boost staffing of health care workers in the U.S. These multi-year awards, which were secured by funding through the Biden-Harris Administration’s American Rescue Plan, will be used to implement evidence-informed programs, practices, and trainings that reduce burnout and promote mental health and wellness among the health care workforce, primarily in rural and underserved communities.

These awards are available from HRSA through three programs:

Promoting Resilience and Mental Health Among Health Professional Workforce – $28.6 million will be awarded to 10 grantees from HRSA to help health care organizations establish, improve, or expand evidence-informed programs and practices to promote mental health and well-being among the health workforce, and other employees.
Health and Public Safety Workforce Resiliency Training Program – $68.2 million will be awarded to 34 grantees to support customized evidence-informed professional development within health profession and nursing training functions. This program will support initiatives to reduce burnout and promote resilience among health care students, residents, health care professionals, paraprofessionals, trainees and public safety officers, such as firefighters, law enforcement officers, and ambulance crew members.
Health and Public Safety Workforce Resiliency Technical Assistance Center – George Washington University will be awarded $6 million from HRSA to provide tailored training and technical assistance to all 45 grant recipients.

View a complete list of the award recipients here: https://bhw.hrsa.gov/funding/health-workforce-resiliency-awards

Learn more about HRSA's funding opportunities.

Read the full press release from the Department of Health and Human Services.

Senate Finance Committee Receives 321 Public Responses to Barriers to Mental Health Care for Counselors

Tue, 04 Jan 2022 15:35:16 Z

Senate Finance Committee press release, titled “Wyden, Crapo Welcome Input on Addressing the Mental Health Care Crisis," highlights the 321 public responses to the initiative, including a letter from the American Counseling Association advocating for more federal inclusion and resources for counselors.

ACA Submits Comments on Congressional Initiative for America’s Mental Well-Being

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 20:00:13 Z

Recently, the American Counseling Association, along with members of the Medicare Mental Health Workforce Coalition, submitted comments on an initiative led by U.S. Reps. Michael Bennet and John Cornyn, which would modernize the delivery and financing systems for behavioral health and addiction care. The initiative is titled “A bold vision for America’s Mental Well-Being: Addressing the Medicare Mental Health Coverage Gap.”

ACA advocates for behavioral health reforms that encompass all age groups and believes that any successful strategy to address mental health care must include measures to ensure that older adults and people with disabilities receive the resources and services they need to be as healthy, independent and resilient as possible.

To become involved in ACA’s advocacy efforts, please contact the ACA Government Affairs and Public Policy team at advocacy@counseling.org.

ACA Responds to Senate Finance Request for Information

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 17:06:31 Z

The American Counseling Association (ACA) submitted a response to the Senate Finance Committee’s request for policy proposals to improve access to mental health and substance use disorder services. The response was addressed to Senator Ron Wyden, Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and Senator Mike Crapo, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee. We emphasized the importance of the Mental Health Access Improvement Act (S.828/H.R. 432) and the critical need to extend telebehavioral health services beyond the COVID-19 public health emergency.

The American Counseling Association applauds the Senate Finance Committee’s bipartisan commitment to addressing the urgent behavioral health care needs of all Americans, including seniors and people with disabilities, through an evidence-based approach.

Want to get involved in ACA’s advocacy efforts? Contact the ACA Government Affairs and Public Policy team at advocacy@counseling.org.

Representatives Newman and Stewart Champion Student Mental Health with New Bill

Tue, 30 Nov 2021 21:30:04 Z

Congresswoman Marie Newman (D-IL-03) and Congressman Chris Stewart (R-UT-2) have sponsored the Student Mental Health Helpline Act of 2021 (HR 5235) to address students’ mental health by providing a 24/7 mental health helpline.

SAMHSA announces $825M in grants to community mental health centers

Thu, 30 Sep 2021 18:58:30 Z

On September 28, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced the distribution of $825 million in grants to 231 community mental health centers (CMHC) across the country. A complete list of grant recipients can be found here. The grants will support efforts among CMHCs to:

Train behavioral health professionals to work with schools to address behavioral health issues for school-age youth at risk for severe emotional distress (SED)
Provide staff training on behavioral health disparities
Expand capacity and availability of crisis beds
Expand mobile crisis mental health services for vulnerable populations
Develop and implement outreach strategies and referral pathways for vulnerable populations and
Train and support peer staff to serve as integral members of the team to address mental health needs that may have arisen because of the pandemic

The funding, which comes from the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) of 2021 and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplement (CRRS) Act of 2021, reflects the Biden administration’s commitment to supporting and expanding access to mental health and behavioral support as Americans continue to confront the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information on the Community Mental Health Centers (CMHC) Grant Program or to become involved in ACA’s advocacy efforts please contact the ACA Government Affairs and Public Policy team at advocacy@counseling.org.

ACA Urges Congressional Leaders to Support the Tele-Mental Health Improvement Act

Mon, 30 Aug 2021 18:27:35 Z

The American Counseling Association (ACA) supports and is working to help pass the Tele-Mental Health Improvement Act (HR 2264/S. 660) which directly affects the work of licensed professional counselors and their clients throughout the country.

The Tele-Mental Health Improvement Act (HR 2264/S. 660) would require group health plans and health insurers to cover mental health and substance use disorder telehealth services during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The pandemic is exacerbating existing behavioral health issues and leading to new instances of individuals suffering from anxiety, depression, and substance misuse. Receiving in-person behavioral health care at this time continues to expose people to greater risk of contracting COVID-19 and the related risk of doing so could also imperil any therapeutic gains from in-person treatment. Allowing individuals to receive behavioral health treatment through telehealth will address the heightened risk of mental illness and substance use disorders while concurrently mitigating the spread of COVID-19.

The legislation would also extend all telehealth flexibilities for mental health and substance use disorders at least one year beyond the end of the public health emergency to maintain access to care. This will help better inform policymakers on telehealth policies that create equitable access to quality, evidence-based care and allow telephonic (audio only) services for mental health and substance use disorder services after the public health emergency ends.

In March 2021, the Mental Health Liaison Group (MLHG), of which ACA is a coalition member, sent a letter endorsing the legislation to Senators Tina Smith and Lisa Murkowsky. We will continue to monitor and update the legislation’s progress.

Want to get involved in ACA’s advocacy efforts? Contact the ACA Government Affairs and Public Policy team at advocacy@counseling.org.

House Appropriations Subcommittee Favorably Reports FY 2022 L-HHS Bill

Thu, 15 Jul 2021 21:23:10 Z

In her opening remarks, Appropriations Full Committee Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) emphasized the fact that the COVID-19 crisis has exposed critical shortfalls in public health infrastructure, as well as in mental health care. She also reaffirmed the need for continued investments in biomedical research to improve our resiliency in the face of future health crises. The appropriations bill, as currently drafted, would allot an additional $253.8 billion or (a 28% increase over fiscal year 2020) for programs and initiatives, including those to improve public health infrastructure, increase access to mental healthcare, and facilitate innovative biomedical research.

Below is a summary of the relevant sections of the bill:

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

The bill increases funding for every center and institute housed within the NIH by no less than 5%. Of particular note:

The bill appropriates $1.9 billion for the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
The bill appropriates $2.1 billion for the National Institute of Mental Health.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA)

The bill appropriates a total of $3.1 billion to carry out the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Act, which gives federally funded protection and advocacy systems (P&As) the authority to investigate abuse or neglect in facilities that provide mental health services.
The bill appropriates $5.4 billion to support substance abuse treatment and prevention.
The bill appropriate $243 million for substance abuse prevention programs.

Title IV-A Funding for School Counseling Programs

The Committee recommends $1,305,000,000 for Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE) State Grants, which is $85,000,000 above the fiscal year 2021 enacted level and the fiscal year 2022 budget request.

Full Committee Ranking Member Kay Granger (R-TX) and Subcommittee Ranking Member Tom Cole (R-OK) made their opening statements following Chairwoman DeLauro. Both members expressed serious concerns about the topline spending levels as well as the removal of the Hyde Amendment, a rider that has been historically included in L-HHS appropriations bills to prohibit spending federal money on abortion services.

Ranking Members Granger and Cole both stated that they would not support a bill that failed to include the Hyde Amendment as a rider. Ensuing debate will likely center on appropriate levels of federal spending and the removal of the Hyde Amendment. However, members from both parties appear to be aligned in their support for substantial investments in public health infrastructure and biomedical research to prepare for the next pandemic. Rep. Cole noted that he supports an even larger investment in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) than proposed in the bill.

The Subcommittee favorably reported the bill to the full committee by voice vote, with no members offering any amendments.

The White House Administration’s Policy Agenda During the First 100 Days – Part IV of IV

Wed, 05 May 2021 20:55:15 Z

The Biden-Harris administration has wrapped up its first 100 days in office. The American Counseling Association (ACA) continues to keep its commitment to members by updating you on the current administration’s policy decisions that are important to the counseling profession.

The administration has made a commitment to: 1) containing the COVID-19 pandemic, 2) leading a clean energy revolution to address the effects of climate change, 3) dismantling systemic racism, 4) improving the nation's economy, 5) reexamining immigration policy, 5) improving diplomatic relationships, and 6) expanding access to high-quality, affordable health care.

History was made with the administration’s diverse political appointments including the appointment of Gen. Lloyd Austin as the first Black Secretary of Defense, Xavier Becerra as the first Latino to lead the Health and Human Services Department, Deb Haaland as the first Native American Secretary of the Interior, and Pete Buttigieg as the first openly LGBTQ person to serve in a President’s Cabinet. Fifty-eight percent of the President’s appointees are women, 32% are naturalized citizens or children of immigrants, and 4% are veterans.

Now, looking at the fourth and final quarter of the first 100 days, what else has happened that matters to counselors? For mental health counselors who accept Medicaid, the President signed into law H.R. 1868, which removes the federal government’s ability to reduce the Medicaid (and Medicare) budget. On April 27th, the President also issued an Executive Order on Increasing Minimum Wage for Federal Contractors, taking a first step toward increasing the minimum wage nationwide. The President also signed an Executive Order on Worker Organizing and Empowerment. The order creates an advisory task force for reviewing processes such as union formation, collective bargaining, and amicable settling of disputes between employees and employers.

In addition to these most recent actions, the Biden-Harris administration continues to focus on protecting worker paychecks and increasing employment opportunities for all Americans during the pandemic. The American Counseling Association is currently working with the administration’s Government Accountability Office to assist in the review of licensed professional mental health counselors who work within the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs, and we continue to focus on communicating with the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Department of Defense as we work to protect, promote, and advance the counseling profession.

Last but certainly not least, the administration capped its first 100 days with a proclamation on National Mental Health Awareness Month underscoring its commitment to ensuring that people living with mental health conditions are treated with compassion, respect and understanding; acknowledging the current disparities in access to affordable, quality, and evidence-based mental health care; and outlining substantial funding for mental health care services.

Looking forward, we know there is a long road ahead. We will continue to work with our members and government officials to provide our expertise on issues that affect the counseling community such as creating safer and healthier schools for our children through greater mental health care access for students and addressing our country’s overall mental health care provider shortage. ACA will always be available to assist the current administration whenever called upon.

With the first 100 days behind us, what do we still want to know and where do we go from here?

You and your colleagues are an integral part of this process. We encourage all members of the counseling community to share your thoughts, questions and expertise with the Biden-Harris administration.

In addition, please sign up for ACA alerts and be sure to take action on all of our initiatives in support of the counseling profession.

If you have any questions for the ACA Government Affairs and Public Policy Team, please reach out to us at advocacy@counseling.org or call us at 1-800-347-6647.

Biden Administration Releases Top Line Budget Request

Fri, 16 Apr 2021 17:36:37 Z

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released President Biden’s topline request for fiscal year (FY) 2022 discretionary funding. OMB stated the complete President’s Budget will not be available in time for the start of the Congress’s annual appropriations and budget process and that this proposal reflects only one piece of the President’s broader agenda. The discretionary request proposes $769 billion in non-defense discretionary funding for FY 2022, a 16 percent increase over the FY 2021 enacted level.

Please find below a summary of the topline requests that may be of interest:

Department of Health and Human Services: The President’s 2022 discretionary request includes $131.7 billion for HHS, a 23.5 percent increase from the 2021 enacted level. This request includes appropriations for 21^st Century Cures Act and program integrity activities.

Strengthening Public Health Infrastructure and Meeting Crisis-Related Needs

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): The discretionary request includes $8.7 billion for the CDC to support core public health capacity improvements in States and Territories, modernize public health data collection nationwide, train new epidemiologists and other public health experts, and build international capacity to detect, prepare for and respond to emerging global threats.
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR): The discretionary request proposes $905 million for ASPR’s Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) to maintain replenishment of critical medical supplies and restructuring efforts initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Expands Access to Mental Healthcare: The discretionary request includes $1.6 billion, more than double the 2021 enacted level, for the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant, and additional funding to support the needs of those who are involved in the criminal justice system, resources to partner mental health providers with law enforcement and funds to expand suicide prevention activities.
Addresses Racial Disparities in Healthcare: The discretionary request includes “additional funding to expand access to culturally competent [health] care.” The discretionary request also includes $153 million for CDC’s Social Determinants of Health program to support States and Territories in improving health equity and data collection for racial and ethnic populations.

Defeating Other Diseases and Epidemics

Makes a Major Investment to Help End the Opioid Epidemic: The discretionary request includes $10.7 billion to support research, prevention, treatment and recovery support services, with targeted investments to support populations with unique needs, including Native Americans, older Americans and rural populations.

Department of Education: The President’s 2022 discretionary request includes $102.8 billion for the Department of Education, a 41-percent increase over the 2021 enacted level.

Investing in Young People and America’s Future

Prioritizes the Physical and Mental Well-Being of Students: The discretionary request provides $1 billion to increase the number of counselors, nurses and mental health professionals in schools.

Department of Labor (DOL): The President’s 2022 discretionary request includes $14.2 billion for DOL, a 14 percent increase from the 2021 enacted level.

Invests in High-Quality Workforce Training Programs

Registered Apprenticeship Programs: The discretionary request proposes “significant new investments” to build a strong workforce and increase opportunities for men and women by expanding funding to support Registered Apprenticeship. Specific funding levels are expected to be published in the complete President’s Budget in the coming months.

Department of Justice (DOJ): The President’s 2022 discretionary request includes $35.2 billion for DOJ, a 5.3 percent increase from the 2021 enacted level.

Committing to Criminal Justice Reform

Reforms the Federal Criminal Justice System: The discretionary request supports key investments in First Step Act (FSA) implementation, advancing the provision of high-quality substance use disorder treatment, reentry services and recidivism reduction programming. Specific funding levels are expected to be published in the complete President’s Budget in the coming months.
Invests in Community Policing, Police Reform and Other Efforts to Address Systemic Inequities: The discretionary request proposes to expand grants that support efforts to reform State and local criminal justice systems, including funding to support juvenile justice programs, drug courts and alternative court programs, public defenders and Second Chance Act programs. Specific funding levels are expected to be published in the complete President’s Budget in the coming months.
Combats the Gun Violence Public Health Epidemic: The discretionary request includes $2.1 billion for the DOJ to address the gun violence public health crisis plaguing communities across the U.S.

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): The President’s 2022 discretionary request includes $113.1 billion in discretionary funding for the VA, an 8.2 percent increase from the 2021 enacted level. The discretionary request also includes $111.3 billion in advance appropriations for VA medical care programs in 2023.

Protects Those Who Protected America

VA Medical Care: The discretionary request includes $97.5 billion for VA Medical Care, an 8.5 percent above the 2021 enacted level.
Prioritizes Veteran Suicide Prevention: The discretionary request includes $542 million for existing programs dedicated to veteran suicide prevention outreach, including funding to increase the capacity of the Veterans Crisis Line.
Supports Critical Healthcare Improvements: The discretionary request includes over $500 million within the VA Medical Care accounts to begin implementing new and recently expanded healthcare programs for veterans, including a new grant program for suicide prevention outreach, increased eligibility for emergency suicide prevention treatment, new investments in women’s health programs and certain expansions for homeless programs and services related to military sexual trauma. The funding would also further support the Department’s efforts to address substance use disorders.

While the President’s Budget is not mandatory for Congress to follow, it serves as an important document which highlights the Biden Administration’s priorities. We are still waiting for the President’s Budget fact sheets to be published and will share additional information as it becomes available. The House and Senate Appropriations and Budget Committees will be holding hearings, but the timing is uncertain without the full budget proposal. OMB plans to submit the official President’s Budget with additional detail in the months ahead. We will continue to monitor and update. If you would like to become involved in ACAs advocacy efforts, please contact the ACA Government Affairs and Public Policy team at advocacy@counseling.org.

VA Issues New Qualification Standards for Professional Counselors

Fri, 20 Jul 2018 16:47:54 Z

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) issued important new qualification standards for licensed professional counselors on April 3, a step the American Counseling Association has been pushing the agency to take for many years.

The revised standards enable licensed professional mental health counselors (LPMHCs) to fully participate in the VA health-care system, implementing a long-sought shift away from the department’s previous limited and piecemeal approach to working with licensed professional counselors.

“The ACA is very pleased that the VA issued these new standards,” American Counseling Association Chief Executive Officer Richard Yep said. “This marks a milestone in a public policy battle fought by ACA and its members for more than a decade.”

A Look at the New Standards

The revised standards clarify the scope of practice within the VA for professional counselors licensed at the independent practice level and enable professional counselors to work at supervisory levels and serve as program coordinators within the agency. In addition, the new standards enable the VA to recognize and accept doctoral degrees held by licensed professional counselors.

In a summary of the contents and major changes in the revision, the transmittal sheet on the standards noted “the addition of certain doctoral degrees as qualifying education and a Senior LPMHC assignment at the GS-12 grade level.”

“The new standards are effective on the date of this publication, however no action may be taken to convert or promote employees until training and guidance is received,” according to the transmittal sheet.

The new qualification standards will be incorporated into the electronic version of VA Handbook 5005, which is maintained on the Office of Human Resources Management web site.

ACA Members Were Instrumental

Yep praised ACA members for the key role they played in the development of the new VA standards.

“I’m grateful for the advocacy work done by ACA members on this issue,” he said. “This outcome could not have been achieved without their efforts. As a result of the hard work and perseverance of the ACA membership, the association has been able to fulfill its mission of making high-quality mental health care available to all of our nation’s veterans.”

Learn More

The new VA qualification standards for professional counselors are published here in their entirety: VA Qual Standards

ACA Resources for Counselors Working With Veterans, Military Families

FOR WORK WITH VETERANS

Counseling Today articles: Department of Veterans Affairs

Suicide Statistics Highlight Veteran Population’s Acute Need for Counseling, Inside and Outside of the VA (Sept. 2016)

VA Expands Policy to Allow Service Dogs (Aug. 2015)

Counseling Today articles: Military Clients

Ethical Considerations When Counseling Military Clients (Sept. 2017)

Hooah! Thoughts and Musings on Operation Immersion (Jan. 2017)

Controversies in the Evolving Diagnosis of PTSD (Feb. 2016)

Exploring the Impact of War (Sept. 2014)

A Passion to Serve: Veterans and Counseling Q+A (Feb. 2014)

Effective Treatment of Military Clients (Aug. 2013)

It’s Not All Guns and PTSD: Counseling with a Cultural Lens (Nov. 2012)

Journal of Counseling and Development articles: Military Clients

Meta-Analysis of Trauma-Focused Therapies for Treating the Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (June 2017)

Trauma Competency: An Active Ingredients Approach to Treating Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (June 2017)

Women in the National Guard: Coping and Barriers to Care (Jan. 2017)

Practice Briefs

The ACA Center for Counseling Practice, Policy, and Research offers Practice Briefs for ACA members. Practice Briefs, written by scholars in the counseling profession, are research-based summaries of best practices, evidence-based practices, and research-based approaches covering a wide variety of client-presenting issues and counseling topics. Each Practice Brief is several pages in length, includes references, and has been peer-reviewed by two co-editors before being accepted for publication. The Practice Briefs available to members include:

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

ACA Member Blog: Mental Health from a Combat Veteran Perspective

Duane K. L. France, an ACA member blogger, is a combat veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as a counselor working with veterans in Colorado.You can access his blog by clicking here.

ACA 2018 Conference Livestreaming Session: Military Clients

Soldier’s Heart: Counseling Combat Veterans at End of Life (April 2018)

DVD: Military Clients

Rooted Sorrows—Emotional Burden to Emotional Health: Veterans with PTSD (2010)

FOR WORK WITH MILITARY FAMILIES

Journal of Counseling and Development articles: Military Families

Systemic Barriers Faced by Women Trying to Leave Abusive Military Marriages (June 2017)

Webinar: Military Clients and Their Families

An Overview of Military Service Members and Their Families: How Mental Health Professionals Can Best Serve This Population (July 2017)