Valuing Our Services

Professional Experience Article

The work that Clinical Mental Health Counselors (CMHCs) provide is ongoing which supports individuals and families. As a university professor, I will often interview potential students who identify their prompting events which make them consider clinical mental health counseling as a profession. They indicate their desire to become a CMHC based on a passion for others and will often say “If I could just help one person, everything will be worth it” While I believe the potential student is very sincere, I usually chuckle at this and provide a response like “On your first day of your internship, during the first hour you’re there, you’re going to help one person What are you going to do then?” While this statement is often meant to conceptualize helping from an ongoing perspective, our work truly goes beyond the individual, group, and family services we provide to impact local, state, national, and international policies. There is a transition which usually occurs through the educational process where the student identifies that our work is not “just talking” but is lifesaving and absolutely necessary especially during this time.

While we are moving beyond the pandemic, researchers are still trying to fully assess the impact that people will experience going forward. The full and total disruption in daily life was traumatizing for some. As a result, we have seen increased rates of mental health problems, substance use, and increased loss of life across various populations. The demand for treatment has skyrocketed to unprecedented levels. Many states allowed for more flexible laws in order to assist those needing mental health treatment during the pandemic We are seeing some of these laws being rolled back to pre-pandemic expectations This can be confusing for potential clients and counselors who must make adjustments to their practices and agencies.

From a national level, AMHCA is continuing to work to advocate for the integrity of the counseling profession as some states have considered laws to end formal licensure for the helping professions (this also includes social workers and psychologists amongst other clinicians). While this is being proposed to help bridge the gap between supply and demand, AMHCA is working to connect with lawmakers to warn them of the potential dangers of untrained, unverified, unlicensed, and unaccountable individuals attempting to provide treatment to those who are suffering. Our licenses guarantee accountability to the profession and confirm safety to those who need help. The expectations for continuing education beyond licensure supports our ongoing clinical growth and development. Ending or limiting such licensure will have a detrimental impact on the health of the general public. I will often ask “Would you want your child to see an unlicensed surgeon if they needed a kidney transplant?” For those unfamiliar with the work we provide, they may struggle to see the analogy as they see our services as “just talking”.

The work that CMHC’s provide goes far beyond “just talking”. Many CMHC’s employed in hospitals who have worked closely with various specialized medical doctors have often seen limitations which occur in traditional medical treatment. Such limitations can include clients struggling to take medications as prescribed or make behavioral health changes increasing the likelihood of positive treatment outcomes. Many medical doctors are thankful to work directly with CMHCs to help their clients work on various stressors which impact both the mental health and physical health of the client. Our across discipline client focus contributed to clients processing their experiences and making behavioral changes which can improve the quality of their lives and improve their overall physical health These medical doctors will recognize the work that we do to be just as important and just as lifesaving as the work that they themselves are doing.

From the national perspective, AMHCA views the work that you do as equally as important as any medical doctor may provide. With increased awareness being brought to mental health through various media outlets, AMCHA will continue to advocate at the national level and connect with our chapters to provide state support as needed Among this advocacy also includes working with CMS to assure appropriate reimbursement when CMHCs are formally allowed to bill Medicare for mental health services.

While this article started with a somewhat lighthearted experience about future counselors wanting to help at least one person, AMHCA knows that the one person you help is linked with a greater system The work you do not only helps the individual, but has a ripple effect to their family and community AMHCA will continue to advocate for the integrity of the profession and increased reimbursement for our services as our services. We will continue to work for you at a national level as we know you are improving the lives of those you serve, their families, and communities. You are saving lives and we will continue to let the public and lawmakers know your work is just as valuable as any medical service.

Written By: Fredrick Dombrowski, PhD, LMHC, CASAC-M, LPC, LADC, NCC, CCMHC, MAC, ACS, BC-TMH, HS-BCP, ICADC, DCMHS

Fredrick Dombrowski is the AMHCA President and has extensive experience treating those living with co-occurring disorders since 1998 He has been a supervisor and director for multiple programs including inpatient, outpatient, and forensic treatment Currently a Department Chair at the University of Bridgeport, he is focused on experiential learning through a perspective of cultural humility and an equitable clinical care He has won several awards for his work with marginalized populations