Dear Healing Arts Professional,
Welcome to The Colorado Association of Psychotherapists bi-monthly newsletter. |
Spirituality in Psychotherapy*
There seems to be a growth of spirituality in psychotherapy here in Colorado. Many nonlicensed psychotherapists work with clients from a spiritual perspective. They see the roots of their clients' healing as coming from their own connection to the source (however they see it). It is important to think about being Spirituality Competent. Here are some ideas that come from ASERVIC, which is a division of the American Counseling Association. There is a Colorado Counseling Association, which puts on a great conference each year. Let me know what you think--questions and comments president@coloradopyschotherapists.com
Competency 1 - The professional counselor can explain the difference between religion and spirituality, including similarities and differences.
Competency 2 - The professional counselor can describe religious and spiritual beliefs and practices in a cultural context.
Competency 3 - The professional counselor engages in self-exploration of religious and spiritual beliefs in order to increase sensitivity, understanding and acceptance of diverse belief systems.
Competency 4 - The professional counselor can describer her/his religious and/or spiritual belief system and explain various models of religious or spiritual development across the lifespan.
Competency 5 - The professional counselor can demonstrate sensitivity and acceptance of a variety of religious and/or spiritual expressions in client communication.
Competency 6 - The professional counselor can identify limits of her/his understanding of a client's religious or spiritual expression, and demonstrate appropriate referral skills and generate possible referral sources.
Competency 7 - The professional counselor can assess the relevance of the religious and/or spiritual domains in the client's therapeutic issues.
Competency 8 - The professional counselor is sensitive to and receptive of religious and/or spiritual themes in the counseling process as befits the expressed preference of each client.
Competency 9 - The professional counselor uses a clients' religious and/or spiritual beliefs in the pursuit of the clients' therapeutic goals as befits the clients' expressed preference.
 President Colorado Association of Psychotherapists |
| Building The Legacy: The Development and Role of CAP
The Colorado Association of Psychotherapists has been instrumental in the development of nonlicensed psychotherapy in Colorado. In the mid-1990s there were a large number of unlicensed therapists in practice and at that time there were no restrictions or prohibitions except that they could not use the name of licensed (social worker, professional counselor, psychologist, etc.).
The state legislature made explicit that nonlicensed folks could practice under the law and had to work under the same restrictions in the law as licensed practitioners. One of the requirements was that all psychotherapists need to practice within the scope of their training, education or experience. The nonlicensed practitioners formed the Colorado Association of Psychotherapists (CAP) and hired a lobbyist to make sure that all revisions to the mental health law included provisions to protect their right to practice.
CAP has grown steadily in strength over the years and has worked WITH the other professional groups (social workers, psychologists, etc.) to take a unified stand on maintaining the existing system of both licensed and nonlicensed. Over time, CAP's presence and influence has grown and nonlicensed psychotherapy is firmly established in law and as part of the mental health system.
The law provides for different boards that regulate all practitioners. The nonlicensed board is the state Grievance Board. The state has done two "Sunset Reviews" of the mental health system and found that it works. It has also found that there is not significant difference in client grievances or therapeutic outcomes between nonlicensed and licensed practitioners. Today, the Colorado Association of Psychotherapists, continues to monitor laws that affect all psychotherapists practicing in the state.
The Colorado Association of Psychotherapists supports the freedom of innovative psychotherapists and healing arts practitioners to practice and the freedom of the public to choose a practitioner with safety. Colorado leads the country with a system that guarantees diversity and freedom in the practice of psychotherapy and the healing arts. The creation in Colorado of the profession of nonlicensed psychotherapy creates a doorway for diverse psychotherapies to move into mainstream acceptance in society.
President, Colorado Association of Psychotherapists | |
| President's Message
My passion has always been psychotherapy and the healing arts. Over the last fourteen years I have watched the Colorado Association of Psychotherapists grow in strength and focus as a professional organization. Today CAP serves to: EDUCATE the public as to the effectiveness, dependability and affordability of nonlicensed psychotherapy. PROTECT the public's right to choose from a wide variety of traditional and non-traditional therapeutic approaches. PROMOTE innovation in the field of psychotherapy. PROVIDE essential legal, theoretical and practical information to its members.
The issues that we are witnessing around Dual Relationships are not unique to Colorado. We have an opportunity here in Colorado to lead the nation in creating, as Dr Ofer Zur of the Zur institute says, "clear and accurate facts, information and guidelines about boundaries and dual relationships in psychotherapy and counseling. Fight the dogma and fear that has been dominating the issue of boundaries and dual relationships. Bring critical thinking and rationality to the discussion of boundaries and dual relationships. Increase the effectiveness of therapists and help attorneys, judges and experts comprehend the complexities of boundaries and dual relationships."*
The Dual Relationship clause of the Colorado Mental Health act and the way that it is being administrated needs to change. It is not empowering to clients, impedes therapists' rights to do commerce and interferes with the development of Experiential Psychotherapy. The Mental Health code is the labor code of the mental health Practitioners. It needs to support them. In DORA's duty to protect the public, it must be remembered that the practitioners are also part of the public and deserve to be protected.
This is a cause worth fighting for. We have come so far in Colorado. Nonlicensed Psychotherapy gives us an opportunity for great diversity in the healing arts. One of the great values of CAP is that as an association, we stand for our members. Because of the importance of the issues, I feel that my time of service is not yet ended. I have decided to stay on as president through June of 2008. This will give me the opportunity to help guide CAP's actions in developing legislation to make the changes that are needed to improve the working conditions for all psychotherapists. CAP needs your help. We need to increase our membership. There is indeed strength in numbers. If each member recruits a new member, the results will be incredible. If you need to reach me directly, email me here.
President, Colorado Association of Psychotherapists
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| CAP Board
The Colorado Association of Psychotherapists is in the process of forming a new board of directors. Several CAP Board meetings are scheduled through the month of July to give prospective board members an opportunity to attend the three meetings necessary to become board members. The meetings are scheduled at People House in Denver July 17th and July 30th. They will begin at 6:30 pm. Meetings are open to all members as well as the general public and are usually and hour to an hour in half in length.
After the new board is selected on the July 30th, the meeting schedule will probably return to a quarterly format. If you have any questions please email the president. |
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As a psychotherapist it is important to deal with our clients in the most professional and respectful manner possible. Here are a few basic tips to keep in mind:
· Dress in appropriate attire. A client wants to feel he or she is cared for by a qualified professional. For example, sexually appealing clothing can be both inappropriate and distracting. A professional outfit, which may feel a bit understated, can help a client feel comfortable.
· Answer the phone with a business tone. "Hello, this is Susan. How may I help you?" is a simple yet welcoming greeting if you are answering a combined home and office phone. If you have a separate business line you could answer, "Hello, this is Susan at the ABC Clinic. How may I help you?"
· Return calls promptly. This is a subtle yet important way to let your clients know you are there for them. You can have a personal policy to return calls the same day or at least within 24 hours. If you are out of the office for an extended period you can have someone reliable pick up and return your calls.
· Be prepared. Have intake forms and equipment ready when they walk in the room. For example, test the tape player for sound quality before they arrive. This way they know you are honoring their time and money.
· Be on time when starting and ending sessions. Make sure you are always ready five minutes early. A few minutes of meditation can always help you get centered. In your initial session let your clients know that you start and finish on time so they can plan their day accordingly. When your session time is up you can always ask their permission to go over a few minutes. In this way you are honoring your agreements.
We are all in this business because we enjoy people and relish in watching them grow. By asking yourself, "How would I want to be treated if I were the client?" you keep the client's perspective in mind.
By Greg Meyerhoff and
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Window office for rent: Cherry Creek area. Other suites rented by psychotherapists in the building for years.
Call Jan at 720-231-1000, or Tim at 303-956-5691. |
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