Northern California Art Therapy Association
2010 Summer Newsletter
PRESIDENT'S UPDATE
This spring and summer have been busy for me as I've been continuing to work with the CCCL on the transition of the LPCC bill to becoming a license. If you are interested in the latest news from the CCCL, be sure to register in their database so you can receive updates in a timely manner. Here are some highlights from the latest Counselor Licensure Update:
Webinars:
Thanks to all who participated in the four Webinars that CCCL conducted in the month of May (and hosted by yours truly!). Counselors who attended reported that this information was helpful in understanding the new license and particularly the grandparenting requirements. The May 27th Webinar is now posted on the CCCL website <caccl.org>. After you click on View Webinar, you will have a choice to listen and view the Webinar or to just view the slides at your own pace.
Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS): CCCL Board Members have been attending BBS Board and Committee Meetings. Implementation issues regarding the LPCC license are on every agenda. CCCL continues to enjoy a good working relationship with BBS Board Members and staff and we appreciate their readiness to learn about our profession and to work out the details of implementation of our new license. Some of the issues we have been working on are discussed below.
Potential delays in responding to applications:
This year’s budget hearings resulted in the reduction in the number of staff the BBS requested to hire to implement the LPCC program. The BBS had planned to hire 12 new employees to write the necessary rules and regulations, develop applications, answer applicants' questions, etc., but the Legislature only approved 5 positions. Additionally, funding for these positions will not be available until January 1, 2011. This has meant that, in order to implement the LPCC program on time, the current BBS staff has added our work to their regular duties. The new employees will be hired and trained as thousands of applications are rolling in. The lack of sufficient staffing means that the BBS will be unable to respond to applications in a timely way, possibly meaning delays of several months before applicants will be advised as to the status of their application. Applicants for the LPCC will need to be patient and understand that the BBS staff is doing its best in a very challenging situation.
BBS staff suggests that an applicant’s best chance to be processed quickly is to submit a complete application, so staff encourages all LPCC applicants to carefully review the application instructions to ensure that they submit a complete application. The BBS plans to have applications available about October 1, 2010, however, many of these forms are specified in regulation, so they cannot implement the forms until the regulations are approved by the Office of Administrative law. The BBS anticipates having staff available to answer LPCC questions after January 1, 2011. It is continually adding information to its website www.bbs.ca.gov, so be sure to check it on an on-going basis
Examinations:
The testing consultant hired by the BBS has determined that, although there are differences in the professions, that an exam is not necessary for MFTs and LCSWs wishing to grandparent into the LPCC license. The testing consultant is now evaluating the national counselor exams to see if they will be recommended as the exams for LPCC licensure after the grandparenting period. That report is expected at the July 28-29 BBS Board Meeting. We are hopeful that the BBS will adopt the national exams and the social workers are also working to have their national exam accepted for licensure in California.
NBCC will now administer the NCE and the NCMHCE the first two weeks of the month, rather than only the first week. See Exams for Grandparenting Exams on <caccl.org> for testing sites, registration forms, etc. Since the grandparenting period is short, NBCC will not require the usual three-month interval between failing an exam and re-taking it.
The six-unit practicum requirement in pre-1996 degrees:
SB 788 requires that qualifying degrees for licensure include six-units of supervised practicum or fieldwork within the degree. This requirement cannot be made up outside the degree. It has come to our attention that many degrees granted before 1996 only contained three units of practicum or fieldwork. Since the practicum cannot be made up outside the degree, a significant number of experienced counselors, who could otherwise meet the requirements for grandparenting, would not be able to be licensed for the lack of three units of practicum. CCCL appealed to the BBS Policy and Advocacy Committee, which was sympathetic to the situation and directed staff to draft language that would amend the grandparenting language in our law to allow just three units of practicum for pre-1996 degrees for grandparenting only. If the full BBS Board approves this amendment later this month, the next step will be to amend a bill, which the BBS already has in the legislative process, so this issue will be resolved in time for the grandparenting period. There are still some hurdles, but if this all goes as we hope, the practicum requirement for those with degrees issued before 1996 could be 3 semester units (4.5 quarter units) for grandparenting only. We will know by early October if this legislation, with our amendment, has passed.
Fulfilling the Core Content Areas:
BBS has requested that university counseling programs submit a form indicating course numbers and titles of their courses, which fulfill the core content areas required for licensure. These lists will be posted on the BBS website, as a way for counselors to see which courses from their graduate program may apply. The BBS will make the final determination, based on syllabi, as to whether each core content area has been sufficiently met with the courses submitted. Most counseling programs will have one three-semester-unit course that fulfills the requirement in its entirety. More than one course may be applied to a content area to supplement units or subject matter. These supplemental courses may be used several times, however, a course used to satisfy one content area in its entirety may not also be used to fulfill another content area in its entirety. For instance, a three semester-unit course in Group Counseling meets the core content area of Group Counseling Theories and Techniques, so it cannot also be applied to Counseling and Psychotherapeutic Theories, even though counseling theory is referenced in the Group Counseling course. Each of the nine core content areas must be satisfied with at least 3-semester units (or 4.5 quarter units) for a total of at least 27 semester units (or 40.5 quarter-units).
MFTs and LCSWs, seeking grandparenting as LPCCs, must complete coursework in the counseling core content areas. Courses from these degrees may be more difficult to identify as meeting the counselor core content areas, so the BBS will make decisions based on syllabi.
The Work is Not Complete!
Successful passage of the counselor licensure bill has been CCCL’s goal and purpose for the last eight years. Now that the bill has passed, many assume that our work is over. That is what we were hoping, too! However, CCCL has been as busy as ever this year, working on implementation issues with the BBS, educating counselors about the requirements and monitoring legislation that might affect our new law. Now we find that state codes will need to be amended to include LPCCs, so that they can be reimbursed by third parties, so they can be included in the Evidence Code, which protects client-counselor privilege, etc. Amending these codes will need to be done through legislation over the next ten years! We are currently researching and prioritizing these codes, so that we can sponsor legislation for the most important codes next year. It has become clear that we will need to continue to do the work that we have been doing for the last eight years, and we will continue to need your support. Look for more on this later this year.
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In regards to this last item, NorCATA will continue to serve as an affiliate counseling organization on the CCCL Board and will be making another financial donation before the end of the year. This means we're holding another Legislative Silent Auction that will take place at the American Art Therapy Association's conference in Sacramento in November. Look for more details in the Silent Auction piece elsewhere in this newsletter on how you can help by donating items. Thank you again for all of your support in these ongoing efforts!
Happy Summer!
In May Richard Carolan facilitated our second annual ethics workshop. We met in Taube Hall on the NDNU campus for three hours of discussion and art making. The day was thought-provoking and rich and immensely important for each of us professionally and personally.
Our next workshop will take us to the Art Therapy Institute of the Redwoods to make eco-art with Linda Chapman. There will be a potluck lunch along with the experiential and a talk by Linda about its useful applications with different populations. Thanks to CCAT and Jane Vogel-Riley, NorCATA’s northern regional representative, who originally made the arrangements with Linda, we have a chance to come together in the magnificent redwoods for community and collaboration and fun!
Next, in November we Northern California art therapists gather in Sacramento with our colleagues from across the country and around the world when we attend the American Art Therapy Association annual conference. The local arrangements committee has been hard at work organizing some fabulous events for that week of November 3rd through 7th.
Looking ahead to 2011, our annual business meeting will be, as usual, at Fort Mason in San Francisco. We are very excited to have the American Art Therapy Association’s executive director, Susan Corrigan, coming to meet us and talk about the expanding vision for our national organization. After participants hurry off for a light lunch at Green’s restaurant or brown bag it by the Bay, the current president for AATA, Joan Phillips will lead a 3-hour workshop, the topic to be announced.
With warm wishes for a relaxing summer,
Deborah Sharpe
PUBLIC RELATIONS UPDATE
On Sunday, May 16, approximately thirty NorCATA members had the
pleasure of attending a workshop by Dr. Richard Carolan about Ethics
in Art Therapy. He began by offering that one’s morals are one’s felt
sense that has been reflected upon. He asked us to individually
consider the question: What are my responsibilities as an agent of
therapeutic change and as an art therapist? From that opening
thoughtful focus, we moved to small group discussion, during which we
shared our answers to the following prompt: I’m an ethical art
therapist and the basis of my saying that is.....
We proceeded to a role play. Dr. Carolan randomly assigned different
points of view related to the provision of art therapy. These
assignments were: Artist as therapist (from a spiritual/shamanstic
stance), Therapist AND artist (someone who knows best therapeutic
practice and integrates art), Art Therapy Supervisor, Client, and Art
Therapist hired by managed care (with fiscal oversight
responsibility). It was thought-provoking to explore these different
roles.
We were encouraged to become familiar with recent revisions in the ATCB Code of Professional Practice. Sections have been added on testing and electronic/digital media, and information in a section on individual practitioners has been re-distributed into other points in the document.
We then transitioned to our final activity. The directive was to create a mandala (with the many 2D and 3D media provided) examining the various facets that coalesce in providing a foundation for our work as ethical art therapists. An image of ourselves (our cores) was at the center of the mandala. Surrounding that image were depictions of the various pieces (the law, political views, gender, community, self as artist, self as business person, and shadow) and how they fit and balance with the core.
It’s necessary, beneficial and instructive to come together to consider these topics in community. Gratitude goes out to NorCATA for providing this opportunity.
By Ari-Asha Castalia and Stephanie Schultze
Ari-Asha Castalia, BS, CI/CT
MFT/Art TherapistTrainee
ari.castalia@gmail.com
LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS UPDATE
Dear NorCATA Member,
When consulting recently with the Board of Behavioral Sciences on an unrelated matter, the Northern California Art Therapy Association was notified that the PCE number we have been using since 2001 for continuing education certificates is incorrect.
Approval was given by the BBS to write and send a letter with the correct PCE number to participants of past workshops sponsored by NorCATA. If you need a copy of the letter, I can either send you an electronic or a paper copy for your records. Please send your request (and your mailing address if you would like me to mail you the letter) via this email.
We regret any inconvenience to you. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me here, and I will be happy to answer them.
Sincerely,
Deborah Sharpe
Director of Programs
programs@norcata.org
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Spring 2010 Ethics Workshop with Dr. Richard Carolan
Participant Review
PROGRAMS REPORT
Hello NorCATA Members!
We hope that your summer has been fun and relaxing! The Board has been working through the summer to provide our members with great programs and a truly great AATA conference in November!
On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Stacey and Lisa for all of their hard work on our website and membership database. Stacey has been diligently working on creating our amazing website, providing members with up to date information and program registrations. Lisa has also been hard at work answering member questions and suggestions about our new on-line membership. We would like to thank all of you for your patience as we update our technological outreach.
In the spring, we held a presentation by Richard Carolan on art therapy and ethics. The program was incredibly well attended and provided a wealth of information on thinking about the ethics around art therapy. If you requested CEUs for the conference, please refer to our website for more information on how to obtain your CEU certificate. This will be the first time NorCATA is providing on-line registration, payment and CEU certificates for an event.
The conference plans are well underway and we are thrilled with the festivities this year. The Local Arrangements Committee has been hard at work on our Night on the Town, Service Project and Day Trip. Ron Lay and Kristin Menne will be presenting at Napa State Hospital for the day trip, along with other art therapists, and combined with a trip to the Hess winery and gallery, not to mention lunch! The Night on the Town will include a NorCATA Members Only Art Show! The theme for the show is, ‘Soul Awareness.’ Lisa Cresson and I have been working on creating an opportunity for a members only art show as part of the Art Walk. Stay tuned for the flyer!! The Service Project at the conference will support the Sacramento Food Bank. We will be creating sculptures out of food from donations from attendees. The LAC is looking forward to supporting the food bank. If you have not already, please register for the conference! Registration is easy on the AATA website.
Our fall workshop, Eco-Art Therapy Adventure, will be held on Saturday, August 28th from 10:30-2:30. Linda Chapman and CCAT will host this workshop at the Art Therapy Institute of the Redwoods in Medocino County. Stay tuned for more information about registration and details.
Look for more information about our annual board meeting in January and other conference plans. Have a great fall!
Amy Rogers, MFT, ATR-BC
President
NEWSLETTER CONTENTS
MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
Hello NorCATA Community!
I am excited to announce that we currently have 129 members and counting! Thank you all for your patience and support as we developed our on-line membership application and database. Many have contacted the board with feedback and support and we appreciate your active participation and kindness. Recently the site has been reconstructed to address issues with the profile and to create an art therapy supervisor search. Please complete your profile as without your input the NorCATA board does not have your name or personal information. Also if you wish to be listed as an art therapy supervisor visit NorCATA.org and log in. You then can select “Manage your profile” and there will be an option to be listed as a supervisor.
I will be sending out e-mails in the upcoming weeks to announce new features available on the website and to provide tips to make the process of creating your profile and enjoying member benefits easier.
Hope you enjoy these last days of summer,
Lisa Giovannetti
Greetings NorCATA Members!
There are so many awesome things happening right now, I'm not sure where to begin! We have an impressive lineup of quality events coming your way in the coming days and months. I am looking forward to connecting with local art therapists as well as art therapists from around the country and the world! It will be exciting to share and learn about all the good work we've been doing and strengthen our bonds as a professional community. That being said, this summer's Eco-Art Workshop with Linda Chapman is days away! I'm hoping that online registration has been going smoothly and that attendees of the Ethics workshop with Dr. Carolan were able to complete the online program evaluations and download ceu certificates. Please send us your feedback regarding this process via email to programs@norcata.org.
We are also looking forward to the 2010 American Art Therapy Association conference in Sacramento! It's right around the corner, so hopefully y'all are registered and have secured your accommodations. You won't want to miss out on this year's action! The Local Arrangements Committee (LAC) and members of your Northern California chapter of AATA have been working overtime to make this year's conference a FUN and memorable experience!
We want to thank those of you who have already donated items for our silent auction fundraiser. Get ready to contribute to and/or bid on a spectacular variety of booty (aka: loot, treasure, cool stuff). The proceeds will be divided between the Northern California chapter of the American Art Therapy Association and the Legislative Affairs Fund.
Your NorCATA representatives are committed to the process of bringing your chapter into the year 2010 and beyond, starting with the implementaion of a paperless system. We believe this transition will benefit the membership by 1) cutting costs, 2) limiting the use of natural resources, 3) increasing organizational efficiency, 4) providing a wider range of member benefits, 5) strengthening the art therapy community by 6) providing more opportunities for communication, education, and collaboration.
Your patience during this significant change is quite impressive and appreciated! We sincerely empathize with any frustration and/or difficulty you may be experiencing during this transition. Thank you for your words of encouragement and your continued support and membership.
Finally, we encourage you to:
*Complete and manage your online profile to enjoy full membership benefits.
*Contact your regional representatives and connect with your local art therapy community today! Create strong professional networks and initiate and/or participate in meaningful art-based activities in your area. Let us know what's happening in your region so we can post your happenings on the website!
*Watch for regular NorCATA updates via email regarding membership, programs, legislative affairs, and more!
Bye for now!
Stacey Thompson, Director of Public Relations
