President's Welcome

Welcome to PAMHCA (The Pennsylvania Mental Health Counselor Association) – and to our new website! PAMHCA’s mission is to help members be better informed about issues related to licensure, and legislative, ethical and professional issues that affect you as counselors and students and the clients with whom you work. PAMHCA was reactivated in January, 2006 and re-energized by a new Board of Directors. We’re here to move the field of counseling forward!

Please let me know how PAMHCA can help you: feel free to e-mail me with any questions, ideas or concerns. I look forward to meeting and working with you on important issues related to our important work. We need your support and participation to continue our move forward. You as members are the important link that makes us a strong and vibrant organization.

Mary Ann Baron, PAMHCA President

Counseling News
Moving the field of counseling forward

Comments Solicited on MHSA Parity Law
The U.S. Departments of Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services are jointly requesting information to assist in developing regulations to implement the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA).  Enacted on October 3, 2008, the law prohibits health plans ... find out more...

Contact Congress to Urge Support for Seniors Mental Health Access Improvement Act!
...the first session of the 111th Congress presents us with our best opportunity in almost a decade to achieve our long-sought goal of Medicare reimbursement for licensed mental health counselors (LMHCs)!... find out more...

MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA CELEBRATES 100 YEARS
On February 19, 2009 Mental Health America celebrated a century of achievements and looked ahead to future victories at a special event held at the McClendon Center in Washington, D.C. The event featured speakers from the most prominent areas of the mental health movement, who highlighted past accomplishments and the challenges that lie ahead.

In 1909, Clifford W. Beers, a young businessman who experienced firsthand the treatment of individuals with a mental illness, founded Mental Health America (then called the National Committee for Mental Hygiene). It was the first association of its kind and the beginning of what we now know as the organized mental health movement in America.


MEDICARE MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING COVERAGE BILL INTRODUCED!
Legislation has been introduced in both the House and Senate to establish Medicare coverage of licensed professional counselors. FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN HELP PUSH THIS BILL! Click here for more informtaion.

NEW BI-MONTHLY ONLINE PROFESSIONAL BOARD NEWSLSTTERS
The Pennsylvania Department of State will no longer publish paper newsletters for Pennsylvania's 29 professional boards. Begining in March, you may view the bi-monthly electronic newsletters. Simply visit your Board web. To do so, go to www.dos.state.pa.us/bpoa, select Health-Related Boards from the left naviagation, and choose your profession. Health-related board newslettes will appear February, April, June, August, October and December.

ACT 108 - BECOMING A HIGHMARK PROVIDER
We have detailed instructions outlining the steps to take to become a Highmark Provider. Click here for more informtaion.