From Internship to Leadership

Halfway through her presidency term at FMHCA, Dr. Deirdra Sanders- Burnett takes us back to her journey from internship to leadership.

Meet Deirdra

Deirdra Sanders-Burnett, Ph.D., L.M.H.C., has dedicated her life to assisting others to develop skills needed to live successful lives and make important choices that affect their lives. Dr. Sanders-Burnett is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Owner of Faith Counseling, LLC, Certified Professional School Counselor, Certified Teacher, Qualified Supervisor for Mental Health Counselor Interns, Adjunct Instructor for the University of South Florida, Regional Positive Behavior Support Facilitator for Polk County Public Schools, and a Florida Supreme Court Family Mediator.

Dr. Sanders-Burnett is a member of several non-profit organizations where she served on various committees in the areas of education, advocacy, public health programs and outreach. Her professional and community affiliations include the Florida Mental Health Counselor Association- President 2021, Sun Coast Mental Health Counselor Association- Past President, American Mental Health Counselor Associationmember, American Counseling Association-member, Florida Counseling Association- Membership Chair, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated, Gamma Phi Zeta Chapter, The Polk County Chapter of the Charmettes, Inc. Vice President. Kappa Delta PI International Honor Society in Education, Delta Epsilon Iato Academic Honor Society.

Deirdra has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in school, private practice, and community settings. She also possesses a solid background in education which includes teaching, administration, school counseling providing mental health counseling to students in schools, and administration. As an educator, her focus has been on providing students with academic instruction that she believes allows them to develop professionally, personally, and enrich their social/emotional development. Her work experience includes 38 years of service with Polk County Public Schools. Deirdra has 14 years of experience as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor.

Becoming Dr. Sanders- Burnett, LMHC

Deirdra has always known that she wanted to work the helping profession. Before graduating from Bethune-Cookman University with a Bachelor of Science in Exceptional Child Education with an Emphasis in Specific Learning Disabilities, Deirdra accepted a position as an Exceptional Student Education Teacher, teaching K-5 students with varying exceptionalities with Polk County Public Schools. After working closely with the School Counselor and enjoying learning, Deirdra accepted a school counseling position and continued her education resulting in her obtaining a Master of Arts in Special Education and Master of Arts in Guidance & Counselor Education, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction with and emphasis in Counselor Education and Psychology Cognate from the University of South Florida. Deirdra would later work in the capacity of a District level Exceptional Education Staffing Specialist and she now serves her school district as a Regional Positive Behavior Support Facilitator.

As Deirdra matriculated at the University of South Florida in College of Education Department of Psychological and Social Foundation of Education Counselor Education Program to become a School Counselor, she was introduced to the field of Mental Health Counseling by Dr. Mary Lou Taylor and Dr. Marti O’Brien. After completing her internship and obtaining licensure, Deirdra accepted a position as the Mental Health Counselor for the Districts’ Alternative Education Program where she later become one of the schools’ Administrators. Deirdra’s passion to serve her community and help people facing mental health issues led her to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and open Faith Counseling LLC, her private practice in 2007.

Deirdra's Internship

Deirdra’s large involvement in the youth/ intern sector of her community and beyond led us to ask about her own intern experience to which she responded: “I received a rich internship experience providing Mental Health Counseling services to students in a school setting and individuals in a private practice setting.” As she reflects on her Internship, Deirdra stated that she wishes that she would have broadened her experience by collaborating with other experts in the field working with diverse populations, using multiple counseling techniques, and practicing in various community settings. Although Deirdra did not attend 491 Board meetings and engage in advocating for legislative issues that impact the mental health profession, she learned the importance of attending the 491 meetings and encourages her interns to do the same. Furthermore, through trial and error, attending professional development workshops, and consulting with her colleagues Deirdra learned the business aspects of operating a private practice.

Having walked the path that RMHIs are currently walking, she encourages today’s interns to enjoy the journey, discover their passion and their purpose for working in the Mental Health Profession. “I embrace young leadership and continue to let students and interns know that we need emerging mental health counselors to enter the profession. I encourage my students and interns to develop relationships, avoid working in isolation, collaborate and consult with other experts in the field” Deidra states. “I provide them with strategies that will help them advocate for the profession of Mental Health Counseling. Foremost I advise them to know the laws that govern the counseling profession, maintain ethical practices, and avail themselves to continuous professional development opportunities. I urge RMHIs to schedule the time for self-care as they are caring for others” she continued.

Deirdra Sanders-Burnett. PhD., LMHC collaborates with Carlos Zalaquett, PHD., LMHC Past President of FMHCA

Meeting FMHCA

Dr. Carlos P. Zalaquett (previous President of FMHCA) introduced Deirdra to FMHCA when she was a student pursuing her doctorate at the University of South Florida. During one of their class sessions, Dr. Zalaquett elegantly spoke to the class about the benefits of joining a professional counseling association. He invited Deirdra to attend the monthly professional development training presented by the Suncoast Mental Health Counseling Association. After attending several professional development trainings, Deirdra was invited to become a member of SMHCA and attend a board meeting. Having a desire to become more active with SMHCA, Deirdra was nominated and elected to serve as Treasurer, then Vice President, and ultimately, became the President of SMHCA. As she attended SMHCA’s monthly professional development trainings and Board meetings she learned about the importance of becoming a member of FMHCA, AMHCA, and attend FMHCA’s Annual Conference. “My curiosity got the best of me and I desired to have the experience of attending this unique conference where I could learn from the experts in the profession of mental health counseling, receive CEUs and additional Certifications” Deirdra stated. While attending the conference, Dr. Zalaguett escorted her around the conference center, introduced her to the Board members, presenters,sponsor, vendors, encouraging her to become a conference volunteer. “He also, invited me to be his guest at the luncheon” Deirdra added. “Having been offered a seat at the tabled surrounded by a room of passionate professionals who cared for empowering each other and the clients they served, I knew that I was in the right place and needed to be a part of moving FMHCA’s vision and Mission forward. I also committed to developing the future direction of FMHCA. When nomination for the office of President-Elect for FMHCA, I gladly accepted the calling” she continued.

Deirdra Sanders-Burnett with Corinne Mixon Lobbyist, Rutledge Ecenia Mixon & Associates at FMHCA's Conference

Passion Meeting Purpose- A Message from Dr. Sanders-Burnett

I am a culmination of the goodwill of people who saw my potential. I am grateful for those who blazed a trail for me to follow and invested in my personal and professional development. As a child, my parents and ancestors instilled in me the value of helping and giving to others. I was amazed at how my father who traveled throughout the United States would meet people from all walks of life and engage in lengthy conversations with them. He taught me the art of listening and would prompt me to talk by saying, “I’ll give you a penny for your thought.” My mother instilled in me the value of obtaining an education, setting your goals high, and helping others. While attending Bethune-Cookman University the words of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune was etched in my mind “Enter to learn; depart to serve.” “Invest in the human soul. Who knows, it might be a diamond in the rough.” “We have a powerful potential in our youth.” While attending the University of South Florida, I continued to benefit from learning from master teachers and the time my Professors invested in molding me into the educator and counselor I have grown to be. Thank you, Dr. Herbert Exum, Dr. Tony Tan, Dr. Carlos P. Zalaquett (previous President of FMHCA) just to name a few. As an Adjunct Instructor, I have been blessed to teach at both Universities to pay these gifts forward and invest in the next generation of teachers and counselors.

I consider it both a privilege to serve as President of FMHCA and moral responsibility to give back to my profession. To enjoy working collaboratively with FMHCA’s leaders to help grow FMHCA, impact legislation, meet the needs of FMHCA’s members, and contribute to the quality of life of the clients we serve.

Marian Anderson once said, “Leadership should be born out of the understanding of the of those who would be affected be it.” As a servant leader of FMHCA, I strive to hear the voices of those I serve and meet their needs. As decisions are made, I constantly focus on the effects of my actions, the actions of the Board Members, and Executive Office staff onthe members we serve. I rely on the advice of Robert Putnam who promotes building a sense of community within a larger community, bringing people together, building consensus, developing the physical, human, and social capital of the community. If you attended FMHCA’s 20-day conference and attend FMHCA’s webinars, you are aware that we are enthusiastic about personal growth and professional development, continuing education for ourselves and our members.

FMHCA Legislative Advocacy Day Delegation 2020

COVID Presidency

Serving as President of FMHCA has been an experience greater than I could have ever imagined. While serving as President-Elect I enjoyed learning about the culture and operations of FMHCA and its relationship with the regional and national chapters. Attending state and national conferences allows me to experience the passion that my colleagues have for the mental health counseling profession and establishing our unique identity as Clinical Mental Health Counselors. I am grateful to be a part of a movement to expand mental health counselors’ scope of practice. Moreover, I am thankful to collaboratively work with a team of experienced Mental Health Counselor, leaders, dedicated Board of Directors, and office staff who are committed to advancing the vision and mission of FMHCA.

Although the COVID-19 Pandemic created enormous challenges, it also helped us to create new opportunities, think creatively, allowed us to penetrate barriers, expanded our reach using modern technology, and mold our future. As President of FMHCA, I relied on the creative and innovative skills of FMHCA’s Executive Office Staff. They smoothly transitioned the operations of FMHCA into the virtual world. We can conduct virtual board meetings, offer virtual webinars, hosted the Annual Conference virtually increasing our webinar and conference attendance. I have witnessed FMHCA increasing its membership to over 1,200 members. I also heard about the resiliency and dedication of my colleagues as they transitioned their private practices and agencies to telemental health and discovered creative ways to safely provide services to their clients.

I view FMHCA not only as an organization but also as a movement. Our founders and past leaders established a solid foundation to build on. As I reflect on and strive to achieve the day-to-day goals of FMHCA, I also invest in plotting the course to accomplish future goals. Within the next five years, I envision FMHCA growing its membership to include the over 13,000 Mental Health Counselors in Florida. I would like to see more Mental Health Counselors advocate for legislation that will expand Licensure Portability and Interstate Compact. I hope to see Certified and Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors recognized as Medicare Providers. I foresee FMHCA developing closer collaborations with AMHCA, FMHCA’s chapters, and other Professional Counseling organizations.

FMHCA Legislative Advocacy Day Delegation 2020

Moving Forward

As I continue my term as President, I look forward to working closely with FMHCA’s Regional Directors and committees as they conduct the affairs of the organization at the regional levels and facilitate the organizational structure and well-being of the state chapter. I also plan to collaborate with the leaders in the Regional chapters to identify their needs and ways that FMHCA can support them in meeting their goals. As the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) embarks on their new portability initiative, The Counselor Licensure Interstate Portability Endorsement & Reciprocity (CLIPER) Plan, I plan to work closely with FMHCA’s Board of Directors and Stakeholders to support the CLIPER Plan.

FMHCA Legislative Advocacy Day Delegation 2020