81. Legislative Priorities for Mental Health Counselors with Courtney Ackerson

In this episode, we sit down with Courtney Ackerson, a licensed clinical mental health counselor and the president-elect of the American Mental Health Counselors Association. Courtney shares insights into the work of the Iowa Mental Health Counselors Association (IMHCA), their legislative priorities, and the pressing mental health needs in Iowa. We also discuss the importance of joining professional organizations and how counselors can advocate for their profession. Plus, Courtney highlights upcoming events and ways listeners can get involved in supporting mental health initiatives. Tune in for an informative conversation on the future of mental health policy and advocacy in Iowa!

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Understand the complexities of behavioral health system challenges and how to navigate them effectively.
• Navigate the licensing process for mental health counselors with ease and confidence.
• Discover the vital role of professional organizations in enhancing counseling practice and advocacy.
• Explore the significance of integrating mental health services in schools for overall community well-being.
• Learn effective strategies for developing a strong and resilient mental health workforce.

The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:02 - Introduction to Behavioral Health Advocacy
00:05:13 - Importance of Professional Organizations
00:07:18 - Legislative Priorities for Mental Health Counselors
00:10:00 - Challenges in Aligning Licensing Regulations
00:12:46 - Accessing Legislative Information
00:13:07 - Importance of Following Legislative Bills
00:14:31 - Variation in Mental Health Practitioners' Scope of Practice
00:17:08 - Challenges in Obtaining Licenses Across States
00:19:28 - Impact of Policy Barriers on Mental Health Workforce
00:23:16 - Administrative Code Challenges and Impact on Mental Health Services
00:25:40 - The Complexities of Mental Health Policy and Legislation
00:26:13 - Realities of Legislative Change
00:26:51 - Collaborative Efforts for Policy Change
00:28:05 - Upcoming Events and Opportunities
00:30:08 - Importance of Self-Care for Mental Health Professionals
00:37:38 - The Value of Conferences and Networking
00:38:12 - Benefits of Mental Health Counselors Associations
00:38:34 - Call to Action and Engagement
00:38:49 - Conclusion and Future Episodes
00:39:22 - Closing Remarks

Links:

• IMHCA https://imhca.net/ 
• AMHCA: https://www.amhca.org/home 

Connect with Courtney:

https://www.facebook.com/courtney.ackerson.9/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtney-ackerson-lmhc/

Connect with us: 

https://ruralpolicypartners.com/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/linkedin.com/company/rural-policy-partners/ 

https://www.facebook.com/facebook.com/ruralpolicypartners

https://www.youtube.com/@ruralpolicypartners

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/g8ze7a8lqoo