Oklahoma Counseling News

Newsletters

OCA Fall Conference Announced

Reflecting On Our Accomplishments: A Year In Review

OCA Summer Leadership Institute

Public Policy and Legislation

Oklahoma Mental Health Counselors Association Report

The OCA 2010-2011 fall conference theme is Healing Ourselves, Transforming Our World. The presenters Kay Caskey, ACSW and Laurie Young, MA, LPC are certified Holistic Health Specialists and nationally recognized experts on the subject of health and humor. Join us November 19th at the South Penn Moore Norman Technology Center for a great conference.
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Great things are happening at OCA. On this page, read highlights from our newsletter and stay up-to-date on what's going on. If you would like to read more, the entire newsletter is available for download at the bottom of the page.

November 19, 2010 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Oklahoma Counseling Association Fall Conference, November 19th, 2010 Moore Norman Technology Center 13301 S Pennsylvania Ave, OKC, OK, 73170.

The OCA 2010-2011 theme will be Healing Ourselves, Transforming Our World. The presenters are Kay Caskey, ACSW and Laurie Young, MA, LPC are certified Holistic Health Specialists and nationally recognized experts on the subject of health and humor.

Learn more on the Events Page.

By Dr. Marilon Morgan, President

As my term of office comes to an end, I want to reflect on our accomplishments. The Oklahoma Counseling Association (OCA) was an active and busy organization during 2009-2010. The Summer Leadership Institute, held July 17-18, 2009 at St. Crispin’s Oakerhater Lodge in Seminole, OK, was very successful. The theme for the institute was Professional Wellness: Maintaining Your Mind, Body, and Spirit. The summer institute’s two-day agenda included leadership sessions led by our Executive Directors Marilyn Kincade and Laressa Beliele; legislative updates given by Sherry Bynum and Georgene Dwyer; team building and personal awareness activities led by Dr. Sarah Deal and Dr. Ray Quiett; and the “Wellness Boot Camp” led by Dr. Connie Fox. The “Wellness Boot Camp” program addressed wellness from the physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and spiritual domains, and provided activities to enhance a healthy balance between these domains. The program examined the personal and professional wellness of the participants, and provided strategies not only for maintaining an attitude of wellness, but also for developing a culture of wellness.

For more information download the OCA Spring 2010 newsletter below.

July 16 – 17, 2010 St. Crispin’s Oakerhater Lodge, Seminole, OK

Plan now to attend Oklahoma Counseling Association’s Summer Leadership Institute at beautiful St. Crispin’s just East of Oklahoma City.

Each registration includes one-night lodging in a two-person room with twin beds and a private bath, leadership materials, and 3 meals.

Room space is limited; anyone wishing to register after June 30 must contact Marilyn Kincade at 405-257-6863 or 405-683-2118. Also, hotel rooms are available at the Best Western in Seminole (less than 7 miles from St. Crispin’s) for those wishing to bring their families. Hotel reservations can be made by calling 405-382-3139.

Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, July 16 and will conclude at noon on Saturday, July 17.

By Georgene Dwyer, OCA Co-Chair Public Policy and Legislation

At the ACA conference in Pittsburgh, Scott Barstow and Dominic Holt of ACA gave an update of current issues. Although LPCs and MFTs were not included in the health care legislation that was just passed, he let us know that there will be a good chance of being included in the next Medicare legislation later this year, possibly in October.

If you go to The Institute of Medicine’s website at: www.iom.edu/Reports/2010/Provision-of-Mental-Health-Counseling-Services-Under-Tricare.aspx you can find some information about that topic. HR 3839 (Tom Rooney, R-FL) has been introduced as part of this year’s defense authorization bill and ACA is trying to facilitate a counterpart in the Senate.

For more information download the OCA Spring 2010 newsletter below.

Connie Jung Fox, PhD, LPC, Past President, OKMHCA

On March 25, the Medical Advisory Committee (MAC) of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) voted unanimously to open individual Medicaid contracts to masters level licensed behavioral health practitioners(LBHP). Next the initiative must be passed by the OHCA Board of Directors (who meet on April 8th). Then the Governor has 45 days to sign it.

Up until now, only community mental health agencies could obtain Medicaid contracts with the OHCA. This is a momentous landmark decision for health care in Oklahoma! It will afford expanded access to behavioral health services for Medicaid recipients, especially in the under served rural areas.

For more information download the OCA Spring 2010 newsletter below.

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The following is a list of links to previous OCA Newsletters. Click on a newsletter title to downlaod a pdf file of the newsletter.