FMHCA's Dos and Don'ts of Lobbying for the Counseling Profession

Description: Professional advocacy is essential for the wellbeing of the counseling profession and the general public.  FMHCA is calling on it's membership to make contact with legislators, introducing themselves and offering FMHCA as a resource for issues impacting our profession and our clients, but if you're like most counselors, you haven't been trained on how to have an impactful interaction with legislators.  You might also feel nervous or insecure about doing so.  Presented by members of FMHCA's Government Relations Committee (GRC) who have experience interacting with legislators, this webinar was designed build your confidence, so you can interact meaningfully with legislators and other government officials.  You'll learn about professional advocacy and it's importance to the profession, watch role plays illustrative effective and ineffective interactions with legislators, and learn how to deliver an "elevator pitch" to legislators.

CE Broker Tracking #: 20-1246470

This event is sponsored by FMHCA, an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider. FMHCA NBCC Provider# 2058. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified.  FMHCA is solely responsible for all aspects of the program. This course is approved by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling, LMHC, LMFT, LCSW – FMHCA CE Broker #: 50-748

Learning Objectives:

1. Define professional advocacy, and describe it's importance within the counseling profession.
2. Avoid "pitfalls" when interacting with legislators.
3. Contact a legislator and facilitate a brief, meaningful, and relevant conversation with them about mental health.

Dr. Aaron Norton is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with certifications in addictions, alcohol and drug counseling, rehabilitation counseling, clinical mental health counseling, trauma treatment, forensic mental health evaluation, forensic behavioral analysis, telehealth, and forensic psychometry. He chairs FMHCA’s Government Relations Committee and serves as Executive Director of the National Board of Forensic Evaluators, Assistant Professor of Instruction at the University of South Dept. of Mental Health Law & Policy, and International Counseling Task Force Chair for the American Mental Health Counselors Association.  He has several years of experience lobbying for the profession on the national and state level.

Laura Peddie-Bravo, LMHC, NCC is the Past President of the Florida Mental Health Counselors Association, FMHCA. She is also a member of FMHCA’s Government Relations Committee, and has served since 2021. She has experience lobbying on behalf of FMHCA, and has experience interacting with local, state and national legislators. Laura graduated from The University of Central Florida’s CACREP accredited Counselor Education program in 1998, obtained her NCC credential in 1999, and obtained her license in 2001. Prior to serving on the FMHCA Board, Laura served on her local FMHCA Chapter board, The Mental Health Counselors of Central Florida, (MHCCF), for many years. Apart from volunteering for the Mental Health Counseling profession, Laura owns a private practice, The Bravo Counseling Group, LLC, in Winter Park, Florida. Among her specialties are Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, Post Partum conditions, and working with clients and families with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Demetrius K. Jifunza, MS, LMHC is a current member of FMHCA’s Government Relations Committee. He has experience interacting with local, state, and national representatives. He was an instrumental figure in the passing of 2018 Amendment 4, which restored voting rights to formerly incarcerated citizens. Demetrius Jifunza graduated from The National Louis University, Tampa campus in the Clinical Mental Health Program where he is also currently in his last year of pursuing his doctorate in Counseling Education and Supervision. Demetrius Jifunza also serves as the committee chair for the Suncoast Mental Health Counselors Association. He is currently employed at CAN Community Health as a mental health provider and he is in private practice, at Jifunza Counseling Services, PLLC.

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