NBCC Visions is our official newsletter. It is published electronically every month and delivered to all NCCs via email.
Stay up to date on NBCC and Affiliates’ latest activities. If you did not receive the latest issue, please log in to your Credentialing Gateway account to update your contact information.
We are proud to honor Dr. Christian Chan and Dr. Meredith Rausch with the Servant Leadership Award, recognizing their exceptional dedication to advancing the counseling profession and mentoring counselors-in-training. This prestigious award celebrates their impactful contributions and commitment to service.
Clare Merlin-Knoblich, PhD, NCC, discusses the importance of incorporating social justice into counselor supervision and ways that educators can help counselors-in-training become more effective and self-aware.
The Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities (SAIGE) advocates for LGBTGEQIAP+ counselors and clients and seeks to dismantle barriers to counseling and resources by building a more inclusive counseling profession. Public Policy Committee Chair Gene Dockery recently spoke with Visions correspondents about SAIGE’s work.
Rachel Coleman, MS, EdS, NCC, LCMHCA, Director of Career Development and Education at Duke University and owner of Dreaming Tree Counseling, PLLC, shares how her passion for both student success and counseling intersected to create a career in student affairs counseling.
A job analysis serves as the essential intersection between the behaviors, tasks, and responsibilities of counselors in the field and the assessment of knowledge necessary for safe and effective practice. Counselors are invited to take part in phase one of NBCC’s job analysis for the NCE and NCMHCE by attending a job analysis focus group. Sign up for a focus group and help shape the development of the foundational assessments for national certification and licensure for professional counselors.
Shengli Dong, PhD, shares his thoughts about what it means to be mindful and how supervisors and counselors-in-training can benefit from remaining nonjudgmental, aware, and present in their work.
The Professional Counselor (TPC) Dissertation Excellence Awards recognize original research that significantly contributes to the counseling profession. In this 11th year of the award program, TPC conferred two Dissertation Excellence Awards, one for qualitative research and one for quantitative research.
CM&F has been protecting health care professionals since 1919 with comprehensive, affordable liability insurance. Learn more about how counselors, counseling students, and supervisors can benefit from CM&F’s expertise and programs and receive discounted rates on outstanding liability insurance.
NBCC’s peer-reviewed journal The Professional Counselor (TPC) provides an exceptionally collaborative review process for new and established authors. Find out how TPC can help your research reach the widest audience possible to transform counseling and impact the scholarly discourse while ensuring you have a positive and engaging publishing experience.
The NBCC Leadership Excellence for Counselors by Counselors Award recognizes leaders whose contributions to the counseling profession have made a tremendous impact on counselors and the populations they serve. From spending years advocating for Medicare reimbursement to training more leaders, read about what the 2024 award recipients have accomplished in their careers.
Jacob Ulczynski, NCC, CHP, LPC, and his team work to help individuals with disabilities live their best lives. He discusses his thoughts on counselors becoming Medicare providers and other considerations for counselors.
Over 38,000 professional counselors have opted in as Medicare providers since enrollment opened at the beginning of the year.
Counselors are invited to participate in focus groups to provide input for the counselor job analysis and succeeding content for the National Counselor Examination (NCE) and the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE).
NBCC recently partnered with the African Southern Union Southern Africa Regional Office (AU-SARO) to train school workers in Malawi and Zambia to become Mental Health Facilitators.
The Counseling Compact now includes 37 states! This update answers the most common questions about when and how counselors will be able to practice between compact states.
Counselors have the ability to advocate for the needs impacting the profession. NBCC’s Government Affairs Department offers different opportunities so you can play a role in this important work. Whether you’re passionate about supporting initiatives at the state, federal, or global levels, there’s a space for you to champion counselors .
Learn more about efforts by policymakers and proposed legislation that would extend Medicare coverage for pandemic-era telehealth policies through 2026.
NBCC recently participated in efforts to promote mental health before members of Congress as part of Hill Day 2024 in Washington, D.C.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released the 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule, which determines payment for services to health care and mental health providers.
Through her personal experiences with cerebral palsy and her professional expertise in counseling, Ellie Potts, MS, NCC, CRC, shares her insights on how counselors can advocate for equitable access in educational settings for those with disabilities.
Ableist microaggressions are an important aspect of cultural experience for people with disabilities, yet they are often overlooked by the counseling profession. We spoke with counselor educators and researchers Jennifer Cook, Melissa Deroche, and Lee Za Ong about their research into this subject and its relevance for counselors.
Uncover the inspiring stories behind the NBCC Innovations Awards, honoring those who are transforming the counseling profession through cutting-edge research, dynamic community partnerships, and original clinical practices. Learn how these trailblazers are addressing mental health needs and fostering a more inclusive counseling environment.
In the latest installment of NBCC's Counseling Confab, National Certified Counselor and Dance Movement Therapist Kim Rothwell shares about her experience utilizing movement as an aid for patients with Alzheimer’s to manage stress, process emotions, and enhance well-being.
The National Board for Certified Counselors and Affiliates is addressing bias and diversity in examinations through their Examination Sensitivity and Bias Review Committee. Through the committee, NBCC’s examinations are assessed to ensure they are representative of diverse populations and provide equal opportunities for counselors-in-training throughout the country.
The American Rehabilitation Counseling Association (ARCA) strives to promote the best practices for working with disabled clients. Its Disability-Related Counseling Competencies are an informative resource to help counselors understand the special considerations for working with this population.
Over 7 million individuals under 65 with disabilities are covered by Medicare, and counselors are poised to provide mental health care to those in need. We’ve compiled some resources to help you learn more about this population.
As the daughter of a former Army paratrooper and recruiter, Tia Porterfield, EdD, NCC, BExSc, MFLC, LCMHC, learned about the challenges faced by service members, veterans, and their families. Today, her passion is helping military-connected clients navigate the unique stressors that can be part of the experience.
Military, veterans, and their families face high suicide rates. To better help this population, counselors should be aware of cultural risk factors and other concerns. Dr. Rebekah Cole shares information about suicide and contributing factors in military-connected communities to help counselors be prepared to serve this population.
Through his personal and professional experiences, Tim Spalla, MA, LPCC, a former Army Ranger who completed multiple combat deployments to Iraq and is also a past member of the U.S. Special Operations Command, enlightens us on the numerous ways counselors can serve military-connected populations and how to get started.
Have you ever wondered how decisions are made at your state Licensure Board? This series of articles by guest writer Brian Carnaham provide a window into the processes and perspective of state's regulatory structure.
The NBCC Propelling Mental Health, Powering the Future: School Counseling Award was awarded to Denise Hawkins for her impactful work supporting students' mental health and promoting equity in education. Her recognition underscores the vital role of school counselors in addressing mental health and fostering academic success.
As a school-based military and family life counselor in South Carolina, Kate Owen, NCC, LPC, helps students from military families to cope with the unique challenges they face. Read more about her work and what she’s learned from her experiences.
NBCC offers a wealth of resources to support counselors and counselors-in-training. Last month, NBCC staff members had the opportunity to attend the American Counseling Association’s 2024 Conference & Expo. NBCC staff spoke to counselor educators, counselors, and counselors-in-training about various available resources and how NBCC can support their practice.
AI technology promises many uses in the mental health field but also poses new ethical risks. We spoke with NBCC Director of Ethics Dr. Brenden Hargett and counselor educator Dr. Jeffrey Parsons about how counselors can ethically implement the right AI applications in their practice.
NBCC had the opportunity to recognize and celebrate the winners of the first ever NBCC Counseling Awards. These individuals have prioritized the needs of others, demonstrated innovation in the counseling profession, and worked to expand access to mental health resources.
Zori Paul, PhD, NCC, LPC, enlightens us on the growth of artificial intelligence in counseling and how to best utilize it for success with clients.
NBCC’s new Code of Ethics Self-Assessment, set to launch in May 2024, will help ensure counseling students, professionals, and faculty fully understand and adhere to our Code of Ethics.
With our shared mission of providing a resource for professional counselor identity and practice, NBCC, ACES, and CSI are excited to offer this opportunity to our students, counselors, and supervisors.
Over two webinars, Drs. Erin Emery-Tiburcio and Matthew Fullen educated attendees about fundamental principles and advanced applications in mental health treatment for older adults.
Aiesha Lee, PhD, NCC, LPC, discusses the long-term effects of trauma on mental health and important considerations regarding trauma-informed counseling.
We recently spoke with Cheryl Step, MS, NCC, NCSC, LPC, a trauma-informed care training and consultant professional, on her insights, experiences, and successes utilizing early screening tools.
Individuals seeking asylum in the United States because of their LGBTQ+ identity are likely to bear multiple traumatic experiences. Based on his published research, Dr. Mina Attia shares important considerations for counselors working with this population.
NBCC is accepting applications for the Examination Sensitivity and Bias Review (ESBR) Committee. Members meet semiregularly to ensure that examinations are fair, representative, and as free of bias as possible.
This year’s Symposium was held in Washington, D.C., with the chosen theme of Empowering Voices and Expanding Access.
The Counseling Foundations virtual career fair brings together counselors and employers from across the country to connect and discuss career growth. Registration is free for job seekers, and multiple packages are available for employers.
NBCC and the Medicare Mental Health Workforce Coalition are offering two informative sessions today and tomorrow on addressing the mental health needs of older adults. Both webinars are being held in collaboration with the E4 Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Disparities in Aging.
Taneka Fuller, NCC, NCSC, LPC-S, and Susan Jones, MA, NCC, LPC, share their insights and experiences introducing and utilizing creative therapies in their work as school counselors.
Robyn Spodek-Schindler, NCC, LPC, LPAT, ATR-BC, discusses her work as an art therapist and what counselors can learn from a client’s creative work.
Suzanne Degges-White, PhD, NCC, LCPC, shares her thoughts on the integration of expressive arts in counseling, its benefits for clients, and advice for fellow counselors.
Guest writer Brian Carnahan is Executive Director of the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, & Marriage and Family Therapist Board. He shares with us some of the changes to counseling licensure that have occurred since the pandemic and explores continuing challenges for licensure and regulation.
Music is a universal art form that can offer benefits for any population. We spoke with NCCs Michael Brooks and Aaron Temple about how they have incorporated music generally and for specific populations.
The NBCC Foundation will be hosting their annual Bridging the Gap Symposium from March 14–16, 2024. This year’s Symposium will be held in Washington, D.C.
Professional coaching providers can contribute to the development of the Board Certified Coach Examination (BCCE) by taking the BCCE job analysis survey. This ensures the BCCE stays relevant and reliable in certifying future BCCs.
The Chair of NBCC’s Board of Director’s, Monalisa McGee-Baratta, reflects on the previous year and looks forward to the possibilities of 2024.
Dr. Matthew Fullen, an Associate Professor in counselor education at Virginia Tech, talks about shifting the paradigm in how we work with older adults.
Aimee N. Callicutt-Keesler, MS, NCC, LCAS-A, LCMHC-A, discusses counseling older adults with substance use disorders and the challenges in working with these clients.
Through earning the Board Certified-TeleMental Health Provider (BC-TMH) credential, you can increase your knowledge of the best telehealth practices and expand your reach as a counselor.
NBCC recently held the Medicare 601 webinar, “The Enrollment Process for Counselors and MFTs.” The webinar was sponsored by the Medicare Mental Health Workforce Coalition (MMHWC).
NBCC has awarded three CACREP grants to clinical mental health counseling programs to assist them with the cost of obtaining their initial accreditation.
Daun Kwag, MA, NCC, shares her insights on how cultural identity impacts mental health, the importance of culturally relevant counseling, and how we can improve our cultural competence.
NBCC Foundation volunteer Kathryn Fellows, NCC, LPC, generously donated $10,000 to fund a new master’s-level fellowship for a New Jersey counseling student who identifies as Black or African American and is committed to serving the state’s inner cities.
2022 NBCC Foundation Minority Fellowship Program Fellow Allison Joyal, MS, NCC, LPC-A, has been chosen as the December Fellow of the Month by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
The virtual conference brought together counselors and other mental health professionals from all over the world. Together, they explored training, practice, and research geared toward increasing mental health equity. The conference saw a 30% increase in participation from previous years.
NBCC is proud to continue our work with partners in Mexico and to introduce our collaboration with Dr. Vijonet Demero, supporting his mission to promote mental health awareness in Haiti.
Michael Brooks, PhD, NCC, LHMC, LPC-S, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, was presented with the prestigious 2023 Outstanding Teaching Award from the Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (SACES).
Letitia Browne-James, PhD, NCC, BC-TMH, LMHC-S, founded LBJ Behavioral Services to provide no-cost counseling services to diverse uninsured and underinsured clients throughout her state of Florida. We spoke to her about her experience and the need for pro bono services.
Counselor educator and author Dr. Linda Holloway shares about her vision to provide a safe space for children to explore emotions and foster mental well-being through storytelling.
Two counselors well-versed in working with disaster survivors share their insights about counseling in the wake of a disaster and supporting communities in need. Linda Diaz, PhD, NCC, CCMHC, LPC-S, and Theodore P. Remley, Jr., PhD, JD, MEd, EdS, NCC, LPC, share their experiences in communities impacted by disaster to help counselors who feel called to serve in those areas.
National Certified Counselors and authors Dr. Warren Wright, Dr. Jennifer Hatchett Stover, and Dr. Kathleen Brown-Rice share their personal and professional experiences and insights with race-based traumatic stress and its effects in their work.
NCCs, supervisors, and counseling students will have the opportunity to receive discounted rates for professional liability insurance through CM&F Liability Insurance.
The nature of the work of counselors puts them at risk for developing compassion fatigue and burnout. Self-care is essential not only for our health and well-being, but also for providing the best care for clients. Julius A. Austin, PhD, NCC, LPC, who coauthored the book Counselor Self-Care , recently .
Kathleen Driscoll, PhD, NCC, ACS, BC-TMH, LCMHC, provides insight on prioritizing herself and how fellow counselors can do the same.
All too often, caregivers prioritize the needs of others over their own self-care. Research has shown that caregivers face higher rates of stress and often hold full-time jobs in addition to their caregiving responsibilities. We spoke with counselor Juan Olivera about the challenges and techniques that apply to helping caregivers improve their self-care routine.
Counselors can enhance their clinical skills and marketability with the Board-Certified TeleMental Health Provider (BC-TMH) credential. Beginning in November, register for the newly formatted TMHE to earn your BC-TMH.
The Medicare Mental Health Workforce Coalition (MMHWC) and NCMW recently held the Medicare 501 webinar, “New Engagement Opportunities for Community Behavioral Health Centers With Counselors and MFTs Under Medicare.”
The NBCC Minority Fellowship Program will award up to 90 fellowships of up to $20,000. Applications are now open for master’s- and doctoral-level counseling students.
Anna Lieber, NCC, CCMHC, LCMHC, discusses the crisis of suicidal ideation among older adults and important considerations for counselors when working with this population.
Research has consistently found that the LGBTQ population experiences greater rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidality than the general population. Recent surveys reveal additional details about this crisis. We spoke with Dr. Clark Ausloos about the implications for professional counselors.
Suicide rates among active military members, veterans, and family members have increased significantly in the past two decades. Avery Rosser, MS, NCC, LPC, CPCS, shares his insights on prevention techniques.
Clinical supervisors play an important role in supporting supervisees who may have experienced the loss of a client to suicide. Dr. Camila Pulgar Guzman shares advice counselors and supervisors can implement when faced with the suicide of a client.
NBCC and the NBCC Foundation will host their annual international virtual conference from Nov. 29–Dec. 1, 2023, and NCCs are eligible for a 20% registration discount.
Proper documentation of supervision is necessary for counselors and their supervisors to uphold the highest ethical standards. We spoke with Anthony P. Onorato, MA, LPC, ALPS, AADC, to gain insights into successful documentation of supervision.
The Association for Counselor Education and Supervision has been supporting counselors since 1952. ACES President Margaret Lamar shared with us about recent and upcoming offerings and opportunities, as well as a renewed emphasis on supervisor support.
Counselors may experience vicarious trauma at any point in their careers. Supervisors must be alert to the signs in both themselves and their supervisees. In this article, researchers Samara Richmond, Amber Samuels, and Elizabeth Crunk share advice about this danger.
The loss of a client to suicide is devastating for a counselor. Supervisors can help their supervisees cope with these postvention techniques.
Strong counselor–client relationships are built on a foundation of honesty and trust. However, differing social values can challenge these relationships. Devona M. Stalnaker-Shofner, EdD, NCC, LPC, helps us explore how supervisors can assist in navigating these tough conversations.
Sherritta Hughes, PhD, ACS, LPC, is an Approved Clinical Supervisor in New Jersey. She started her own small business, Counselor Education, Supervision, and Development (CESD), LLC and nonprofit organization, Hughes Integrative Wellness, Inc., and continues to be an innovator in the counseling profession.
Mental Health Academy’s Virtual Suicide Prevention Summit will take place Aug. 26–27. The summit is brought to you by MHA through collaboration and cooperation with NBCC and Affiliates, the American Counseling Association, the American Association of Suicidology, and the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.
The Professional Counselor (TPC) recently recognized the winners of its annual awards, the Dissertation Excellence Awards and the Outstanding Scholar Awards.
NBCC and Affiliates celebrate the outstanding work of the NBCC Communications Department and the editorial staff of The Professional Counselor (TPC), who recently won eight 2023 APEX Awards for Publication Excellence.
Autrese Thornton, BCC, shares her thoughts on advocacy and what she’s learned working in the human services field for more than 25 years
This year marks a historic degree of federal investment in mental health. A combination of legislation and executive actions will provide funding for programs and grants across numerous government agencies.
Now that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for the 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, NBCC and the Medicare Mental Health Workforce Coalition are here to answer your questions about enrollment. Join us on Aug. 17 at noon EDT for our Medicare 401 webinar.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs finalized Occupational Series 0183 and began hiring mental health counselors under their own designation for the first time in history. Though significant progress has been made, work to have the series adopted by the entire federal government remains.
Dr. Kylie Dotson-Blake, the President and Chief Executive Officer of NBCC and Affiliates, recently spoke with James Laughman, President and CEO of PerformCare, a member company of the Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness, about issues affecting counseling and managed care behavioral health plans.
The Interstate Counseling Compact now includes 29 member states, with several more states still considering compact legislation. To support the compact’s progress, NBCC has committed $150,000 per year for 3 years toward its operating costs.
Counselor educator Carlos P. Zalaquett, PhD, Lic, LMHC, shares how being an engaged advocate for the counseling profession is necessary to ensure that future clinicians are representative of underserved communities who may not have traditionally had access to mental health services.
Alonzo Turner, MS, EdS, NCC, LCMHC, QS, is a doctoral student at Syracuse University pursuing a PhD in counseling and counselor education. We spoke to him recently about his unique path into the counseling profession and his hopes for prioritizing spirituality in its curriculum.
CACREP has released its 2024 Standards for program approval, which will take effect July 1, 2024. The effective date will begin a 2-year transition period.
The Medicare 301 webinar provided expert presentations on the Medicare provider enrollment process and the annual Physician Fee Schedule. This is part of a series of events to help prepare counselors and marriage and family therapists to receive Medicare reimbursement beginning in 2024
NBCC Visions is a resource for counselors, counselor educators, and counseling students. This monthly newsletter provides up-to-date legislative news about the profession; communicates information on certifications, scholarships, and volunteer opportunities; and shares ideas on successful counseling techniques.
Log in to your Credentialing Gateway account to update your contact information and make sure that you don’t miss out on the latest news!
The Counseling Confab feature is dedicated to National Certified Counselor guest writers with stories of successes; challenges; and advice, tips, and tools for other counselors. Our hope is to pique your interest in a new modality to study, provide practical tools to use in sessions, and strengthen your confidence in working with different populations.
Those interested in contributing should email newsletter@nbcc.org with their article for review. The structure of the articles that we feature is flexible, and we hope that writers are able to highlight their work and construct their stories in their own voice, in a way that speaks to their strengths. We ask that you limit your article to 1,500 words or less. Should your submission be approved, it may be edited for formatting or space reasons.
There is no doubt that counselors do amazing work within their communities. Publishing articles and books; developing presentations, workshops, and training programs; receiving awards and other recognitions—NCCs are truly vital contributors in the mental health profession.
The stories that we hear are incredibly inspiring, and we want to share them! If you are interested in being highlighted in the NCC spotlight, or if there is an NCC that you would like to nominate, please contact us.
If you have had an interesting journey into the profession of counseling, work with underserved populations, advocate for your clients and for the profession, or specialize in a particular modality, we want to share your story! Email newsletter@nbcc.org with information on why you would make a good candidate to highlight.