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Mental Health Counselors (HUD Financially-Assisted Projects)
No person may for a fee, or as an employee, practice counseling without registering as a practitioner with the Department of Health, State of Washington. The secretary keeps an official record of all proceedings. That record contains a list of all applicants for registration or certification. The term “mental health counselor” means a person certified within the Washington state definition of that function. [01]
“Counseling" means employing therapeutic techniques for mental health counseling that assists individuals in the relief or adjustment of mental, emotional, or behavioral problems. It includes therapeutic techniques to promote sensitivity and awareness of self also the development of human potential. "Counselor" means any individual, practitioner, therapist, or analyst engaging in the practice of counseling. The State of Washington defines certified mental health counseling as providing professional mental health counseling services to individuals, singly or in groups. This definition covers fee earning and employed as mental health counselors.
Mental health counseling means the application of principles of human development, learning theory, group dynamics, mental illness etiology, and dysfunctional behavior treatment, for individuals or organizations. It covers the treatment of mental disorders and promoting optimal mental health and functionality. It can also include the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental and emotional disorders, educational prevention techniques, and “wellness techniques.” Counselors sometimes use wellness models to teach good physical and mental health. They contain instruction about proper diet, exercise, and habits.
Qualifications and Examination
Mental health counselors must possess these qualifications and hold a certified mental health counselor certificate:
1. A master's or doctoral degree in mental health counseling or a behavioral science master's or doctoral degree in a related field with the program equivalency based on nationally recognized standards; and
2. Two years of postgraduate practice of counseling under the supervision of a qualified mental health counselor-supervisor or other mental health professional concurrently with completion of the required program equivalency; and
3. Qualification by examination, submission of all necessary documents, and payment of required fees.
4. Attend mandatory continuing education before certification renewal. Certified counselors must obtain thirty-six clock hours of continuing education during the two-year reporting period immediately preceding renewal that includes professional ethics and law.
Nmesis.
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Judge James A. Doerty, Superior Court, State of Washington, issued two anti-harassment orders and contempt citations to censor this forum by prior restraint at the behest of Council House directors and their administrator. Mary Kay Becker, Washington Court of Appeals affirmed them. Washington Supreme Court reversed most of those decisions (30 Mar 06).
[Washington Supreme Court - Decision] [Background Information]
Using their financial power, the directors obtained SLAPP (strategic lawsuit against public participation) court orders and contempt citations using perjured testimony against the author of valid exposé. They then had him jailed in solitary confinement.
In this case, SLAPP consists of frivolous charges designed to bankrupt an opponent and create a prior restraint. The landlords have used this tactic on several occasions to try to cover up issues that affect all their tenants.
Doerty thwarted an appeal of his findings for more than five years by withholding court documents and other manipulation. The author/publisher claims judicial bias and arbitrary censorship that deny him his rights under the First Amendment to the US Constitution and Washington State Constitution. Doerty has challenged a principle journalism ethic - seek truth and report it - by denying a reporter’s First Amendment rights. Doerty then wrote biased decisions all without due process of law.
His findings enabled Council House directors to cover up crimes that they and their administrators allegedly committed. A Washington Supreme Court review has allowed the public to know the names of people involved in elder abuse. It will also give an ethical prosecutor an opportunity to consider felony charges of homicide by abuse against Council House directors and their staff. [Homicide by Abuse]
Homicide ranks as a class A felony punishable by a maximum sentence of life imprisonment in a state correctional institution or by a fine of fifty thousand dollars or both. Both the victim’s family and a Council House administrator benefitted financially by allegedly defrauding federal and state agencies prior to death of a resident. [Who Killed Jackie Nations?]
Doerty’s order precluded naming the people involved which forced redaction of copy pending review. Washington Supreme Court reversed the trial court decision which relieves restrictions on publishing details regarding resident deaths and other abuse.
Washington Supreme Court
Council House, Seattle - Summary
Supreme Court Decision #1
Supreme Court Decision #2
Civil Issues
Appellant [Trummel]
Respondents [Mitchell and Council House Inc.]
Appellant Reply [Trummel]
Contempt Issues
Appellant [Trummel]
Respondents [Mitchell and Council House Inc.]
Appellant Reply [Trummel]
Amicus Curiae
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA)
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)
National Union of Journalists/London Freelance Branch (NUJ)
Seattle Weekly
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