MMHCA Annual Report to Michigan Counselors

MMHCA: Our 2024 Achievements and Advocacy for Michigan LPCs

Dear Michigan LPC,

As 2024 comes to a close, we reflect on the progress MMHCA has made in advocating for and supporting Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) across Michigan. We’re excited to share highlights of what the MMHCA Board accomplished in 2024 with the support of our members.

In spite of the challenges we faced this past year we believe we have accomplished a great deal for Michigan LPCs in a fiscally responsible way. 

Please read the brief summary of 2024 Accomplishments below along with our goals for 2025. We will continue our efforts to uplift LPCs and build a thriving community of mental health professionals! 

MMHCA is a member driven, nonprofit, volunteer run organization. We welcome you to join our community and mission by becoming a MMHCA member by clicking here. 

Sincerely, 

Chris DeBoer, President

Dr. Katherine James, Past President

Krystin Sankey, Treasurer

Carol Berger, Secretary

Dr. Joy Creel, Member at Large

Dr. Larry Pfaff, Member at Large

Lauri Rowe, Member at Large

Dr. Elizabeth Teklinski, Education and Outreach Chair

MMHCANOW.org

MMHCA 2024 Accomplishments  

Advocacy & Professional Relationships

- Maintained active lobbying presence with our lobbyist, Acuitas. This includes regular meetings between our board and the lobbyist, and monthly legislative reports from our lobbyist to membership at public board meetings.

- Initiated an ongoing working relationship with Meridian Medicaid leadership to address systemic challenges for counselors

- Developed new partnership with NASW-Michigan to tackle insurance clawbacks and other common concerns

- Attended National Counseling Compact Commission meetings with our lobbyist

-Board members regularly attended Michigan Board of Counseling meetings

Transparency & Communication 

- Launched our new YouTube channel (@mmhcalibrary) featuring 14 resource/training videos in first year 

- Made all monthly board meetings public with recordings available on our YouTube channel 

- Lobbyist provided monthly legislative reports for members at board meetings

- Conducted two member needs surveys with published results (November 2023 and May 2024)

- Distributed comprehensive Supervisor Member Needs survey (results shared June 2024)

- Worked with MMHCA’s attorney to update the organization’s Bylaws. Sought input from membership. 

- New Bylaws available on our website. Click here to download them.

Workshops and Professional Development

- Offered Monthly Free Peer Consultation Group with Treasurer, Krystin Sankey (continuing in 2025)

- Offered Monthly Free Supervisor Member Consultation Group with Board member Dr. Pfaff (continuing in 2025)

- Delivered specialized free workshops for members:

  • Practice Owners Interviewing Workshop

  • Counselor Candidates Interviewing Workshop

  • Medicare Workshop (200+participants)

- Arranged free admission for MMHCA members to Psychiatry Reimagined National Conference (June 2024)

Member Resources & Support

- Began the MMHCA podcast featuring interviews with matter subject experts on relevant topics. Our first podcast featured LPC Kelly McGhee discussing her specialty involving pet loss grief. 

- Distributed three free “Counselor Resources” emails to members 

- Published two issues of Bridging Newsletter to Students

- Hosted successful regional networking event in Marshall 

- Shared proposed Bylaw changes and updates for member comment 

- Conducted member virtual Town Hall meeting

- Delivered special Mental Health Awareness Month Newsletter series (8 newsletters with readings and free resources - May 2024)

- Maintained regular monthly newsletters for members throughout the year

2025 Plans and Goals

In addition to continuing the resources we offered in 2024, we will be offering at least the following additional benefits in 2025:

Advocacy & Professional Relationships

- Expand our work with NASW-Michigan to pursue legislation to address insurance clawbacks 

- Explore further the National Counseling Compact, attend Compact Commissioner meetings and inform Michigan Counselors about the Counseling Compact

- Furthering our relationship with MDHHS Medicaid personnel to help understand and navigate systemic issues

- Expand on our working relationship with Meridian Medicaid leadership to offer free training and resources dealing with Medicaid 

- The Board will continue studying the impact to counselors/providers of large private equity companies such as Alma, Betterhelp and Headway getting involved in mental healthcare, as well as the way these companies impact clients' care and data privacy. This area of focus came from our research into the larger implications of the Counseling Compact to make sure that it's in the best interest of LPCs of Michigan and their clients. Other factors impacting this are AI and how companies may use this emerging technology to change the traditional model of care.

New Workshops and Professional Development

- Early 2025 a new Monthly Medicare for Counselors Group will begin, no charge for members, with Medicare expert, Dr. Elizabeth Teklinski 

- Implicit Bias training

New Member Resources & Support

- Expand regional networking events to other areas of Michigan including Lansing and northern Michigan!

- Continue MMHCA’s podcast. Upcoming podcasts: Jennifer Mitchell, MCBAP’s Executive Director regarding SUD counseling and certifications, and Chris DeBoer and CPA Sean Shahkarami regarding artificial intelligence and venture capital companies in the mental health field.

Please click here to view or share our complete report!

Please contact us at MMHCABOARD@mmhcanow.org with any questions.

MMHCANOW.org