American Counseling Association Expresses Opposition to Overturn of Roe v. Wade

The Supreme Court decision striking down Roe v. Wade abolishes women’s constitutional right to choose to have an abortion without the undue influence of government. This decision will trigger some state regulations, which will make abortions outright illegal and/or limiting accessibility. Various jurisdictions have proposed laws and regulations that require clinicians report clients who have sought or are seeking an abortion, as it may be considered “aiding and abetting.” 

We recognize that the loss of access to safe, legal abortion may hinder the ability of women to participate within the workplace and society effectively and successfully. Unwanted pregnancies may affect women’s education, employment, earning prospects, and health. These effects would disproportionately fall on those who are already marginalized, those living in poverty, people of color, nonbinary, and transgender people, as well as those who live in medically underserved areas (e.g., few primary care providers, high infant mortality, high poverty). 

Overturning Roe v. Wade means we can expect an increase in economic hardship and insecurity that may lead to increased stress, lower life satisfaction, decreased work productivity, increased turnover, and decreased mental well-being. Professional counselors assist clients and students facing life’s challenges such as the deeply personal decision to have an abortion, and how to access such services.

The American Counseling Association (ACA) stands with every person, counselor, and client in pursuit of mental health care and wellness. Professional counselors are being placed in an unethical position. In counseling, clients are entitled to self-determination and to make decisions in the best interest of their health and well-being. Clients should have access to high-quality professional counseling without the fear of having their confidentiality unjustly waived. This requires safeguarding the integrity and trust built in the counselor-client relationship.

Professional counselors need to continue to practice ethically and obtain a legal consultation to determine their duty to confidentiality and privacy versus the conflict either in Roe v. Wade or the restrictions their state has put in place. Professional counselors may request an opinion from their State Attorney General who can give an official interpretation of the law.

 

The editorial staff of OCA’s newsletter present: 

The Counselor Connection (TCC), Volume 1, Issue 2

 

TCC editorial staff would like to thank everyone who contributed to our June 2022 issue.

 

We are accepting submissions via Google Form on a rolling basis for consideration for publication: https://linktr.ee/ohiocounseling/  

 

The deadline for consideration for publication in Vol. 1, Issue 3 (October 2022) is September 15, 2022. 

 

Submit your content to TCC via the link above TODAY!

 

How could we make TCC even better? Please send us an email (oca.mprm.cmte@gmail.com) with your feedback or let us know via OCA’s LinkTree!

 

Don't want to wait for the next issue of TCC to advertise your endeavors? We don't blame you!

 

Email the OCA MPRM Cmte. (oca.mprm.cmte@gmail.com), and we will advertise on your behalf on the OCA membership listserv and on OCA's social media platforms.

 

Follow OCA on social media: https://linktr.ee/ohiocounseling/ 

Dear OCA Members,  

I want to make you aware of these resources where you can get FREE OCSWMFT Board-Approved CEs.

I just conducted the following training that can be found here: 

Strategies for Preventing and Addressing Burnout, Compassion Fatigue, and Vicarious Trauma

It will soon be available here for self-paced study as well (until June 30th and possibly later): 

https://csw.osu.edu/continuing-education/2022-careline-training-series/

Last month I also conducted one on Nonsuicidal Self-Injury and crisis management and early intervention and it has been converted into a free self-paced course, which can be found here: https://osucosw.catalog.instructure.com/courses/careline-nonsuicidal-self-injury 

Note they have a number of interesting trainings coming up and other fabulous trainings recorded that you can listen to for CE

Hope this helps! It is such a great resource...I just had to share!     

~ Victoria Kress

The Ohio Counseling Association is calling for master’s and doctoral students to submit to the Graduate Student Poster Session being held at the 2022 All Ohio Counselors Conference Oct 17-19th! All graduate students are welcome to present on their research or areas of interest in the counseling profession. The Poster Session will be held at the Awards Reception the evening of Oct 18th. Click here for more information. 

Also, see the "Poster Presentation Guidelines" to help you design your poster. Proposals are due June 30 2022, and in order to be accepted you must be a member of OCA and register for AOCC by August 30, 2022. Please feel free to email Sam (Gress) Weisman s.gress@vikes.csuohio.edu with any questions you may have.

The Community Counseling Clinic at Youngstown State University  is providing FREE telehealth counseling sessions this summer.

Because we are offering Telehealth, we can provide services to people around Ohio.

We are a training clinic for students earning their degrees in counseling. As such, clients are screened and we can't see people with severe mental health needs or addictions who need services greater than what we can provide.

Please have interested clients email our department staff at:   communitycounselingclinic@ysu.edu

Coming in July 2022, suicide hotlines will be consolidated to 988. Citizens of Ohio can call, text, or chat via this 3 digit number. HERE is a fact sheet and HERE is a link to Mental Health Ohio's info page on this rollout.

Greetings OCA Members!

I’m excited to share an opportunity to promote counseling awareness and potentially win a reduced registration rate for AOCC 2022 through engaging with creativity!

OCA is hosting a digital poster contest to promote Counseling Awareness Month (April). Posters should be centered around the counseling profession and promote awareness. Submission will be accepted via email, with pdf, jpeg, or png formats preferred. Posters must be original works.

Submissions will be accepted March 1st through April 15th by 5pm. Email submissions to stacistessmer@gmail.com 

Once all submissions are received, OCA members will have the opportunity to vote on their favorite from April 18th though April 23rd. The winner will be announced on April 25th and will be contacted via email with details on their reduced registration to AOCC 2022.

I hope you all will consider participating!

Take care,

Staci

Planning to move to  anew job? Need a new challenge?  I just posted EIGHT new job openings in Cuyahoga and Lorain Counties with sign on and retention bonuses.

Check out our Career Opportunities webpage as there I post to this blog weekly. This is available to OCA Members Only so be sure you are logged in...

www.OhioCounseling.org - go to the FOR MEMBERS tab then click on Career Opportunities!

Don't miss all the  latest news on our FaceBook Page!  The MPRM Committee, led by Chase Morgan-Swaney is doing a GREAT JOB keeping us all informed of events, updates, and news for counselors of all types. If you have some news to share, be sure to use our FaceBook Page to share with your peers!

If you have clients that need your counseling services but they are heading to the Sunshine State for the winter, here is info on registering with the state of Florida to allow Telehealth counseling: https://floridasmentalhealthprofessions.gov/licensing/out-of-state-telehealth-provider-registration/

Thanks and a tip of the hat to member Jonathan Miller for this info!