Counselor Advocacy Tips

Scott E. Gillig and Susan Paez, Advocacy Committee Co-Chairs
Kenneth G. McCurdy, Advocacy Tips Column Co-Editor
CSI Exemplar-Spring 2005

The “Counselor Advocacy Tips” column is written to encourage members to share practical examples of counselor advocacy. The question, “What have you done to advocate for the counseling profession?” guides this column. Please submit your “Counselor Advocacy Tips” (100 words or less) by April 15, 2005 to Scott Gillig by email sgillig@mail.barry.edu or mail to Scott Gillig, Barry University, 11300 NE Second Ave., Miami Shores, FL 33161-6695.

The following submissions are outstanding examples of the advocacy efforts by Chi Sigma Iota chapters.

Advocacy Week

Rachel Hoffman, president, submitted Eta’s advocacy tip. The chapter conducts “Advocacy Week” held in January. The purpose is to educate future counselors about the importance of advocating for the field of counseling. Literature is distributed regarding important issues, and a computer with internet access is set-up in the Graduate Assistant office. Students are encouraged to visit the ACA website and send advocacy letters to their state representatives. Furthermore, the chapter officers give public presentations at local public libraries on issues relevant to mental health. Each presentation begins with a brief overview of the counseling field and roles of professional counselors. The chapter also conducts four workshops throughout the year which are open to both CSI members and non-members. CEU’s are provided and as an incentive to join the chapter, a discount is provided to those that apply for membership.

Class Presentations

Dan Barnhart, past president of Pi Alpha Chapter, provided an advocacy tip. Chapter members enrolled in a course titled “Issues in Mental Health Counseling” gather pertinent statistics and information concerning counseling in North Carolina and create brochures and information sheets. This information is presented to various members of the North Carolina Senate and House of Representatives. From this initial experience, members of the Pi Alpha chapter created an advocacy presentation which includes practical and technical ways that counseling and related organizations could promote more accurate awareness about human services. These methods included creating brochures and information sheets and sharing them with key government officials; creating more user-friendly websites for national and local counseling organizations; creating a marketing plan, including strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats; more attention to national awareness such as Mental Health Awareness Week and National Depression Screening Day; and more general public marketing such as public service announcements and commercials showing the efficacy of counseling as opposed to medication alone.

Getting Involved

Jessica Kramarik, president, submitted Gamma Upsilon Chi’s advocacy tip. A two part lesson on advocacy is presented to first year students enrolled in a course titled “Community Counseling.” The first part requires students to read “Advocacy for Counseling and Counselors: A Professional Imperative” (Myers, Sweeney, & White, 2002) and discuss the different types of advocacy. They are asked to create a list of possible topics that would be considered client or professional advocacy as well as, discuss the relationship between advocacy and empowerment. The second part requires students to become aware of various legislative actions by visiting list serves on the ACA and PCA websites and choose a topic of interest. They are asked to write letters of professional advocacy to their respective legislative bodies asking them to take an identified stance. The instructor supplies mailing addresses for the appropriate government officials and both the Community Counseling program and GUC chapter jointly mail the letters.

The Passing of a Strong Advocate

In bringing this edition of the Advocacy Tips to a close, we would like to note the passing of a strong advocate of the counseling profession. Dr. David Hall, counselor educator at the University of Scranton passed away this fall from an extended illness. Those of us who had the pleasure to know, work with, and learn from Dr. Hall can attest to his love, commitment and advocacy for the counseling profession. His mark will forever be felt in Pennsylvania where he championed the licensure effort. Through his guidance and continuous efforts encouraging the Pennsylvania Alliance of Counseling Professionals, counseling students, and other counseling professionals in Pennsylvania, the LPC is a reality and well deserved credential in the state. One of the greatest advocacy tips he gave to those around him was the saying: “If not you, then who?” We each can do our own small part to advocate for the counseling profession, as Dr. Hall did for licensure in Pennsylvania. Through all of our small parts, we can become a formidable force, and make significant changes as a profession and remember, “If not you, then who?” Please submit you advocacy tips so that others can benefit from your creativity and share in the advocacy efforts for the counseling profession.

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