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

I have worked in the mental health field since 1999 , earning a master ’ s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2006 and completing a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision in 2016 . My professional experience includes working with adults and children living with co-occurring disorders . As I specialize in transgender clinical mental health counseling , I have directed several clinics for services for LGBTQIA + populations requiring ongoing community advocacy , education , and connection to services .

My clinical experience has contributed to further growth as a director of operations for the Westchester Medical Center and Whiting Maximum Security Forensic Hospital . I have worked as an educator for various clinical mental health counseling programs as well as substance use programs since 2010 . I am currently a fulltime associate professor at the University of Bridgeport . In every position , I advocate for social justice issues to enhance equitable clinical treatment , to build community connections , and to assist marginalized populations with having direct feedback to community health issues .

As a member of AMHCA , I have participated in state , regional , and national conferences , and I am a member of AMHCA ’ s Credentialing and Certification Board . My goals for my term as president include :

• Advocating for connection to services for marginalized populations enduring systemic oppression and generational trauma .

• Enhancing connection between

AMHCA and other national organizations to improve access to clinical tools for CMHCs and to improve overall quality of treatment .

• Improving connection between AMHCA and state counseling chapters to enhance communication , advocate for portability , and identify the local needs of those being served .

In addition to being the recipient of several awards and honors , my community service has included providing training to local mental health agencies across Connecticut and New York regarding creating an affirming treatment environment for LGBTQIA + populations . I have also offered additional specialized training regarding mental health treatment of transgender clients , as well as free trainings to companies in Western New York for substance use counselors to enhance their skills in Motivational Interviewing .

North Atlantic Region Director : Cynthia L . Jamison , LPC , LCADC , MAC , SAP , CCFC , CRAT

As part of the mental health field for more than 45 years , I have worked with people of all ages in many settings : inpatient , outpatient , day treatment programs , homeless shelters , and community mental health centers .

In addition to being a substance use professional , I have worked with incarcerated individuals in federal , state , local , and private correctional facilities in Maryland , D . C , and Virginia , where I treated individuals whose problems included traumas , substance use disorders , trafficking victims , and other mental health issues . This vulnerable population challenged me in many ways ; as a result , I became a dedicated advocate who evoked many changes throughout my tenure . One example is the program I started for the children of incarcerated females at the D . C . Correctional Treatment Facility . My proposal to begin family therapy for the children and mothers helped to repair , continue , and nurture the bonds of the parents and children , which data showed both populations desperately needed .

In addition to receiving several awards , I am connected to numerous organizations that facilitate change and work to better mental health techniques , care , and legislation . Currently , I am a member of the D . C Mental Health Counselors Association , where I served as temporary treasurer , secretary , and president . I am also a Master Addiction Counselor with the National Association of Drug and Alcohol Counselors ( NAADAC ). As a member of AMHCA , I currently serve on the Credentialing and Certification Board , and I am a Clinical Mental Health Specialist in three areas : Substance Use and Co-Occurring Disorders , Couples or Family Counseling , and Trauma Counseling .

As North Atlantic Region Director , I will strive to reach as many mental health professionals to work on improving communication not only within the region I represent , but also with the other AMHCA regions so that we are working as a community . Other regions may have ideas that can help us to improve membership , diversity , and how we advocate for the people we serve .

I also plan to work with our region to encourage relationships with institutions of higher learning to help upcoming clinical mental health counselors attain their licenses and be competent in working with the changing demographics occurring in our regions . Lastly , I would like to see AMHCA work toward understanding the importance of social justice for the diverse populations and cultures that we now serve . continued on page 7

6 The Advocate Magazine Spring 2021 American Mental Health Counselors Association ( ( AMHCA )) www . . amhca . . org