Kim Beck

When I started as president, I knew I was coming into a “dying” chapter. There were hardly anyone that came to the meetings, very few participated in activities. I had meetings and most of the time it was just me alone who would show up. I didn’t take this as defeat though. I found it as a challenge to tackle, I needed a secretary because mine quit!

I was sitting here trying to think of what to write and then it was time for a client to come in. I mentioned to her I was just doing a blog and couldn’t think of what to write. This seemed to get her creative juices flowing and she got all excited and said to me… you know how some people use their mental illness as an excuse for not being able to function , it’s true for some people but look at the deaf population…. They created a whole language for their “disability” and she said she is going to do the same, she’s going to use her weaknesses as strengths to build on and use them as positives. She wants to help others overcome their mental illness by using their symptomology.

This topic has been on my mind lately. The fact that ONLY LISW can treat Medicare clients while PCCs cannot. We are trained to treat many issues; in fact we may have more knowledge than LISW’s on some issues. I have my PhD in counseling yet am not allowed to work with Medicare clients. I had a few of my clients go to Medicare and I could no longer treat them because I’m not an LISW. I am an LSW (Licensed social worker) and a PCC-S. Why do I not qualify?

With permission from my client I am able to write this success. However names have been changed. Missy was a 13 year old girl with Reactive Attachment disorder, brought in by her aunt who she called mom. Her bio mom was a drug addict but did stay in contact with Missy. Even though Missy hated her. She still wondered what it would be like to live with her.

I am sitting In the lobby of the Cherry Valley lodge where our OCA meeting was held waiting for my ride home… I thought I should blog but wasn’t sure what to write about. I do know that I get energized from these types of meetings… just like at ACA… I think it is important to remain connected to others in the field and get involved in committees and such. I encourage anyone who hasn’t gone to an ACA event to definitely attend the one in Cincinnati next March. The time is well spent, attending workshops and networking. But more than that it maintains your professional identity as a counselor and you can walk away with new tools and techniques to use in your practice. If you have something to share you can present at the conference, it’s quite an experience. I presented at the New Orleans conference. It was good experience even though I feel I needed some improvement on my own presenting abilities, at least I conquered my fear of public speaking and can say I did it, put that one on my resume.