INSIDE AMHCA
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AMHCA Issues Two New Standards : Forensic Evaluation and Gender Identity Counseling
“ In many judicial jurisdictions throughout the United States , there is a shortage of trained forensic mental health professionals to meet the demands of the criminal justice and family court systems , resulting in delays that risk violating defendants ’ constitutional due process rights ,” notes the 2021 AMHCA Standards for the Practice of Clinical Mental Health Counseling .
To remedy that shortage , one of the two new standards in the updated AMHCA Standards is Forensic Evaluation Standards and Competencies , written in partnership with the National Board of Forensic Evaluators ( NBFE )
www . nbfe . net . “ In the context of forensic evaluation , ethical principles are more broadly applied to all stakeholders of the legal process , not just the client ,” the introduction to the new standard states . “ This requires a paradigm shift for LCMHCs [ Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors ] who are more accustomed to client advocacy , thus underscoring the importance of specialized training in forensic evaluation .”
The other new standard included in the 2021 AMHCA Standards is Gender Identity Counseling Standards and Competencies , written by Cole Timonere , JD , NCC , a clinician and program director at ReCreate Life Counseling in Boynton Beach , FL . “ In an effort to articulate the distinction between gender and affectional or other identities , AMHCA has taken the pioneering approach of differentiating the standards ,” states the introduction to the Gender Identity standard , which spells out the knowledge and skills LCMHCs require to provide affirming and competent care to gender-expansive individuals .
AMHCA Standards for the Practice of Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Adopted 1979 Revised 1992 , 1993 , 1999 , 2003 , 2011 , 2015 , 2016 , 2017 , 2018 , 2019 , 2020 , and 2021
“ We are the first mental health counseling association to create and implement these standards and specialty certificates ,” said Angele Moss-Baker , LPC , LMFT , MAC , DCMHS-COD , AMHCA past president . She encouraged the creation of this standard during her presidency .
Aaron Norton , PhD ,
LMHC , LMFT , MAC , CRC , CFMHE , NCC , CCMHC , AMHCA ’ s Southern Region director and NBFE executive director , agreed . “ I think these standards really set us apart ... and will be most helpful for LCMHCs in the field as well as for counselor educators and supervisors .”
“ Essentials ” Book Is Updated ; New Version Is Now Available
To ensure that members of the profession , the public , insurers , employers , federal and state agencies , and other stakeholders understand the high-level , clinically skilled capabilities of LCM- HCs , AMHCA has updated “ Essentials of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Profession .” The 2021 version of the book includes an expanded section on “ What Distinguished Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors From Other Mental Health Professionals ” as well as the full 2021 AMHCA Standards , which includes a revised introduction and two completely new standards : Forensic Evaluation and Gender Identity .
The book contains all of the elements in the 2020 edition that earned it a rave review by Chi Sigma Iota , written by Erik Messinger and Maddie Vaughters , who describe “ Essentials ” as “ an outstanding
resource for both new and experienced counselors to gain a deeper understanding of the mental health community and foundational views of the clinical mental health counseling profession .”
The reviewers note that “ Within this text lies the groundwork for students just starting in their graduate programs to help grow in their careers . For the more seasoned professional , this book offers a pathway to achieve various levels of professional development within AMHCA . The authors work to strategically deconstruct common myths and concerns about the certification and credentialing process , which can be overwhelming for many new professionals .”
In addition to a career development guide , the book includes unabridged versions of the key documents of the profession — AMHCA ’ s Mission and Vision , AMHCA Standards for the Practice of Clinical Mental Health Counseling , AMHCA Code of Ethics , the AMHCA Statement on Reparative or Conversion Therapy , the AMHCA Clinical Supervision Disclosure Template , the AMHCA Ethical Decision-Making Model , and the Clinical Mental Health Counselor Declaration : A Hippocratic Pledge .
The Chi Sigma Iota reviewers conclude : “ Overall , AMHCA presents an easy-toread book that gives readers concrete information on the profession ” and “ is the perfect addition to any professional ’ s bookshelf as it provides many references bundled into one handy resource .”
8 The Advocate Magazine Spring 2021 American Mental Health Counselors Association ( ( AMHCA )) www . . amhca . . org