News

We thank the many voices who have reached out to us regarding the May ORCA statement on the Israel-Palestinian conflict. We had previously made a statement to our community at our Fall Conference following the devastating events in early fall as well as the violence that occurred on October 7th, but see and acknowledge that this initial statement was not posted publicly on our website or social media. We apologize that this message was not available to our members and have sought to rectify this - it is now visible on our website blog.

We followed up with our May 8th statement after considerable feedback from our members regarding our lack of communication after the initial statement, especially following the changing landscape in this conflict since the October conference. 

The purpose of ORCA's statement made on May 8th, 2024 are as follows: 

• Awareness of Hostility: ORCA acknowledges the increase in hostility between Israel and Palestine.

• Impact Statement: The most recent statement indicates a strong stance on the part of ORCA regarding the current nature of the conflict. This is following our statement, made in October of 2024, where we condemned violence from all parties - including violence against Israel as a result of the attacks of Hamas. 

• Concern for Safety: ORCA has expressed again concerns for the safety of Palestinians and Israelis alike, particularly those with direct ties to individuals living in the areas of conflict. 

• Call for Peace: ORCA has expressed a desire for an end to violence and persecution based on ethnic and religious identities, both locally and internationally, underscoring our position as a helping organization committed to peace and the wellbeing of all communities.

• Role of Helping Professionals: The statement describes our organization’s stance against war and violence, emphasizing our role as counselors in addressing and mitigating trauma, including that caused by the conflict.

• Personal and Professional Call to Action: The statement encourages its members and the broader community to support victims of the conflict, either directly or through humanitarian efforts, while also taking care of themselves and their loved ones. 

We hope this message provides clarity on the intentions of the statement. We want to acknowledge that posts to our Instagram and Facebook pages regarding our statement were removed. As a volunteer led organization, we lack capacity to moderate our members on these forums, and were compelled to remove these posts due to some of the comments that were posted, both by members and the community at large. As therapists, we appreciate opportunities for supportive and constructive discourse, and hope that our members contribute on these platforms with respect and consideration to all community members.

We would like to share our support of our Jewish members and those who have reached out to us with fear and anxiety following the statement. We hope all members of our community can consider the historical and intergenerational trauma that affect all who are connected to the current conflict. Denouncing actions that cause harm or violate human rights, such as genocide, is a principled stance that seeks justice and accountability. Criticizing specific actions or policies of the Israeli government, like any other government, does not speak to how ORCA feels about our Jewish community members. ORCA aims to protecting the dignity and respect of all, including our Palestinian, Israeli, and Jewish community members, which we believe is crucial in advocating for human rights and peace. 

We would also like to refer you to ACA’s general position statement regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which, in addition, ORCA fully stands with and supports: 

"As an organization that advocates for the emotional needs of all people and holds close our commitment to social justice, the American Counseling Association (ACA) condemns the ongoing Israel-Palestinian conflict — including the violent attack on Israel that took place on October 7, 2023 — and the violence, displacement, deprivation and loss of life that pre-dated and has ensued since October 7. We acknowledge the collective trauma of the Israeli and Palestinian communities following decades of conflict and condemn the rise of anti-Jewish and anti-Arab rhetoric due to this current war.

Unfortunately, we live in a time with no shortage of violent conflict — both large and small scale — at home and abroad. The mental health effects are profound for those living in areas under the constant threat of violence. But the effects also ripple to those with direct connections to a region in conflict and even those who witness and absorb war-related death and destruction from a distance via the news and social media.  ACA has curated trauma-informed resources to assist counselors who are part of or who serve conflict-affected populations.

We believe that mental health is a human right and that citizens of this region deserve to live in an environment free of fear and violence. ACA appeals to leaders on both sides of this war to take immediate steps to end the violence and work toward sustainable peace and collective healing.”

We continue to stand in solidarity with all affected by this conflict. We hope that this clarity is helpful to you in understanding ORCA’s position and statements made by our organization. We encourage all members to reach out to our Human Rights Chair (humanrights@or-counseling.org) with any concerns that may affect the safety and well-being of our members.

ORCA has been aware of the increasing hostility between Israel and Palestine since this fall and has made efforts to address this within our community.  We recognize the impact that the genocide of Palestinian communities has on the international community and here locally in Oregon.  College campuses across the nation are demonstrating a cease-fire.  Palestinians and Israelis, and those with loved ones who live in Palestine worry for their loved ones' safety.  ORCA wishes for an end to violence and an end to hostility and persecution of people based on ethnic and religious identity. 

During the Fall conference, ORCA provided a statement against the hostility and sought to stand as helping professionals against war, violence, and the continuation of generational and acute trauma.  We shared this message with our community and wish to share now our updated statement calling for an end to hostility, violence, and occupation.  

As helping professionals, we strive to mitigate and address the trauma our clients experience.  The increased violence of the Israeli occupation of Palestine is causing loss of life, home, and well-being to Palestinian and Israeli families and impacting our global and local neighbors who care deeply about their well-being.  The trauma of war can only create and magnify our differences as people rather than centering us as neighbors on this shared earth.  The discord and pain of ideological difference, which leads to the murder of neighbors, friends, and family, is at play across the globe and is a reminder that the communities we live in may be at risk at any time to violence.  Each of us experiences this tragedy in our own unique way. As you strive to support the victims of this conflict, whether it be directly or through humanitarian organizations endeavoring to uphold human rights, may each of you take the time to care for yourself, as well as love and care for the people close to you.

As helping professionals, we strive to mitigate and address the trauma our clients experience.  The increased violence of the conflict between Israel and Hamas is causing loss of life, home, and well-being to Palestinian and Israeli families and impacting our global and local neighbors who care deeply about their well-being.  The trauma of war can only create and magnify our differences as people rather than centering us as neighbors on this shared earth.  The discord and pain of ideological difference, which leads to the murder of neighbors, friends, and family, is at play across the globe and is a reminder that the communities we live in may be at risk at any time to violence.  Each of us experiences this tragedy in our own unique way. May each of you take the time to care for yourself and love and care for the people close to you as you want to and can.

The Oregon Counseling Association is seeking nominations for the elected positions of President-Elect! This is your chance to get involved with professional development decisions and activities impacting counselors and therapists in Oregon.  ORCA is dedicated to promoting the counseling profession by being responsive to our members needs, fostering collaboration and collegiality across counseling degrees and specialties, nurturing a common purpose and a sense of unity within the counseling profession and advocating for counselors and their clients.  

If you are interested, you may self-nominate or encourage a colleague to nominate you. To be eligible, you must have attended a minimum of one ORCA Board meeting prior to the elections. 

Please complete the nomination form: Here

Nominations are due April 21, 2023 by 5pm PST

Voting will take place between April 24 and May 1, 2023, with the announcement of election results the week of May 8. New board officers are sworn in at the ORCA May 20, 2023 board meeting and retreat.  The leadership position begins  July 2023.  

Both positions are required to join ORCA and the American Counseling Association.  The President-Elect position requires you to be licensed as an LPC or LMFT (or will license during your Pres-Elect term).

 You can learn more about the Oregon Counseling Association at:www.or-counseling.org.

Board Positions open for election

PRESIDENT-ELECT -  We are looking for licensed LPCs or LMFTs (or soon to be licensed) that are passionate about leadership in this field and our organization.  You must be a member of ORCA & ACA, or plan to be.  This person must commit to a 3-year term on the ORCA Executive Council and attend Board meetings every other month.  The 3-year Presidential term is fulfilled by serving consecutively 1 year as President-Elect, 1 year as President and 1 year as Past-President. 

MEMBERSHIP CHAIR - The scope of the Chair’s responsibilities includes all matters relating to membership in ORCA. This Chair’s functions include encouraging professional counselors, interns and students to hold membership in the state and national associations, participating in ongoing membership recruitment and retention, maintaining a current membership database, cooperating with Divisions regarding mutual members, corresponding with members and responding to inquiries, and providing information about ORCA and its services to the membership.  This position is appointed by the President with approval from the Executive Council.  The Membership Committee Chair is a voting member of the Governing Board. Appointees must maintain current membership in ORCA. 

HUMAN RIGHTS CHAIR - The Human Rights Chair seeks to educate and inform the membership, as well as the general Oregon professional counseling community, regarding human rights and cultural diversity issues within the profession, as well as within the Oregon community of mental health. Additionally, the Chair shall, when possible and appropriate, be alert to and seek to proactively address societal trends and social issues that act as barriers to human rights and cultural

This position is appointed by the President with approval from the Executive Council. The Human Rights Chair is a voting member of the Governing Board. Appointees must maintain current membership in ORCA.

 

COMMUNICATIONS CHAIR - The scope of the Chair’s responsibilities includes maintaining and expanding the ORCA publications and social media outlets (eNewsletter, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and ORCA members listserv). This position presides over the Communications Committee which may include a Webmaster, eNewsletter Editor, and others.  Coordinates communication with the Fall Conference Chair; manages updates to the ORCA website; promotes board events and activities to the membership; and promotes public awareness of and support for the counseling profession. This position is appointed by the President with approval from the Executive Council.  The Communications Committee Chair is a voting member of the Governing Board. Appointees must maintain current membership in ORCA. 

Thank you for your support of the Oregon Counseling Association!

OREGON COUNSELING ASSOCIATION is pleased to announce the 

2023/2024 EMERGING LEADER (EL) PROGRAM 

Through a competitive application process, ORCA will select one outstanding newly licensed LPC or LMFT (eligible up to the first five years of licensure) to participate in the EL Program.  The selected individual will enhance leadership skills to support ORCA’s state-wide efforts promoting the counseling profession.  

APPLY HERE

As an Emerging Leader, you will engage in leadership development, and opportunities focused on fostering collaboration and collegiality across counseling degrees and specialties, nurturing a common purpose and a sense of unity within the counseling profession, and advocating for counselors and their clients. 

The year-long program equips you to seek nomination for ORCA’s 3-year term of President-Elect, President, and Past-President.  Only licensed counselors and therapists may be elected to this leadership term by ORCA's bylaws. ORCA seeks to promote the development of effective leaders who feel prepared to assume this executive board position.  

Emerging Leaders should demonstrate exceptional leadership qualities such as excellence in counseling, service, and professional leadership. EL awardees must commit to the one-year EL program.  As an EL participant, you will receive comprehensive benefits, including complimentary ORCA membership, CE trainings, and mentorship by another board member.    

To Apply:

The EL program is focused on early-career licensed counselors & therapists. To be eligible, you must be newly licensed up to the first five years of licensure.  Both LPCs and LMFTs are eligible to apply.  If selected, you must fulfill the one-year EL program commitment.  ORCA encourages individuals who identify with marginalized communities to apply.

After completing the program, EL awardees are then eligible for nomination to the ORCA President-Elect position and future service with the ORCA Board

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

You will be asked to submit the following:

• 1-page professional statement addressing how your professional experiences and future goals are aligned with the ORCA Mission.  Please include proposed initiatives you would like to develop as a leader of ORCA that would positively support the counseling profession and mental health advocacy in our state. 

• Professional resume or CV highlighting experiences in leadership, counseling, and service.

• License date, type, and license number

EL Program Benefits

The ORCA Emerging Leaders Program connects early-career professionals with leaders and board members from ORCA.  The EL awardee will also be awarded the following:

• Complimentary 1-year membership to ORCA. ($111 value)

• Complimentary registration to the Annual ORCA Conference (over $250 value)

• Complimentary registration to ORCA CE events such as Lobby Week and Ethics CE trainings (up to $200 value)

• Recognition in ORCA Newsletter 

• ORCA Board mentorship, along with ORCA Board voting ability

• Opportunity to help the EL committee with the development and execution of subsequent year’s Emerging Leader Programs. 

Requirements of EL Awardee

ORCA Emerging Leader Awardees will commit to a one-year program and will be required to attend the following: 

• a minimum 3 ORCA meetings within the fiscal year

• a minimum of 1 COPACT meeting within the fiscal year.

• EL Awardee will be assigned to work on an ORCA project and/or committee to provide service to ORCA. 

Timeline for EL Program selection and participation

The following outline is the timeline for the successful development and execution of the ORCA Emerging Leaders Program.

• February 1,  2023:  Call for applicants

• March 1, 2023: The application window closes, and the review of applicants begins. 

• April 1,  2023:  Committee Meets to decide an EL awardee

• April 30, 2023:  ORCA Emerging Leader awardee is notified, an announcement of the Emerging Leader awardee, EL invited to May Retreat. 

• May 20, 2023:  At ORCA Retreat, the EL awardee’s one-year term begins. 

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Questions? Please contact: pastpresident@or-counseling.org

Dear colleagues,

Conversion therapy (also known as reparative therapy, reorientation therapy, sexual orientation change efforts, or gender identity change efforts) is the discredited practice of using "therapy" or "counseling" to "treat" same-gender/sex attraction, gender non-conformity, and those identifying as being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or another sexual or gender minority. The Oregon Counseling Association opposes conversion therapy: It does not work, it causes harm, and it violates the ACA and AAMFT Codes of Ethics. It is an attempt to treat something that is not a mental illness; something that does not need treatment. 

Please see the information below on this momentous bill and follow ORSAIGE and ORCA for updates.

Thank you for your support.

Dr. Kaj Kayij-Wint, LMFT, ORCA President

Hello ORCA and COPACT members, 

We at the Oregon Counseling Association (ORCA) and the Coalition of Professional Associations of Counselors and Therapists (COPACT), the legislative and advocacy arm of ORCA, are deeply saddened and concerned about the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. No matter what each of our individual politics are, human and constitutional rights have been stripped from many persons living in the United States. The effects of overturning Roe v. Wade will disproportionately harm marginalized members of our communities who already face systemic issues in healthcare, housing, education, and more.  

ORCA and COPACT stand with people who no longer have the right to make their own healthcare decisions for their bodies and lives. In our own ACA Code of Ethics, we value the autonomy of our clients and their ability to make informed decisions for their healthcare. Along with the ACA, we recognize there will be serious repercussions for members of our communities affected by this decision and their families in regards to education, employment, economic security, and physical and mental health. 

While access to safe and legal abortions and reproductive care are still available in Oregon, that is not the case for our colleagues, friends, and family in other states. We seek to provide you with resources for yourselves, your clients, your students, and our community—please see below.

ORCA and COPACT are holding space for all of you. Our mission is to empower counselors and therapists, as well as those we advocate with and for every day. We will continue to do this important work, not just of improving access to quality mental healthcare, but also striving to support the basic human rights of our clients and community members. 

Please take care of yourselves and each other, 

Gianna Russo-Mitma, LMFT, COPACT President 

Dr. Jeffrey Christensen, LPC, ORCA President 

Dr. Kaj Kayij-Wint, LMFT, ORCA President Elect 

Tever Nickerson, LPC, COPACT Treasurer & ORCA Past President 

Greg Peterson, LPC, ORCA Pres Elect Elect  

Oregon Resources: 

Ethics consultation for clinicians: 

https://or-counseling.org/Ethics-Consultation-Request 

Forward Together: Rights, Recognition, and Resources For All Families supporting political action in Oregon: 

https://forwardtogether.org 

Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-columbia-willamette 

Oregon Abortion Access Fund

https://nwaafund.org/info/oregon

OHSU Center for Women’s Health

https://www.ohsu.edu/womens-health/abortion

National Supports: 

Ethics support for clinicians: 

https://www.counseling.org/knowledge-center/ethics 

Planned Parenthood: 

https://www.plannedparenthood.org 

Resources for Teens:

Teen Source:

https://www.teensource.org/

Planned Parenthood - Info for Teens:

https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/teens

Center for Young Women’s Health:

https://youngwomenshealth.org/

Power to Decide:

https://powertodecide.org/teen-talk

We are pleased to announce the 

2022/2023 EMERGING LEADER (EL) PROGRAM 

Through a competitive application process, ORCA will select one outstanding newly licensed LPC or LMFT (eligible up to the first 5 years of licensure) to participate in the EL Program.  The selected individual will gain leadership skills to support ORCA’s state-wide efforts promoting the counseling profession.  

As an Emerging Leader you will engage in leadership development and opportunities focused on fostering collaboration and collegiality across counseling degrees and specialties, nurturing a common purpose and a sense of unity within the counseling profession and advocating for counselors and their clients. 

The year-long program equips you to seek nomination for ORCA’s 3-year term of President-Elect, President, and Past-President.  By ORCA’s bylaws only licensed counselors and therapists may be elected to this leadership term. ORCA seeks to promote the development of effective leaders who feel prepared to assume this executive board position.  

Emerging Leaders should demonstrate exceptional leadership qualities such as excellence in counseling, service, and leadership in the profession. EL awardees must commit to the one year EL program.  As an EL participant you will receive comprehensive benefits including complimentary ORCA membership, CE trainings and mentorship by another board member.    

To Apply:

The EL program is focused on early-career licensed counselors & therapists. To be eligible, you must be newly licensed up to the first 5 years of licensure.  Both LPCs and LMFTs are eligible  to apply.  If selected, you must fulfill the one year EL program commitment.  ORCA encourages individuals who identify with marginalized communities to apply.

After completing the program, EL awardees are then eligible for nomination to the ORCA President-Elect position and future service with the ORCA Board

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

You will be asked to submit:

• 1-page professional statement addressing how your professional experiences and future goals are aligned with the ORCA Mission.  Please include proposed initiatives you would like to develop as a leader of ORCA that would positively support the counseling profession and mental health advocacy in our state. 

• Professional resume or CV highlighting experiences in leadership, counseling, and service.

• License date, type and license number

EL Program Benefits

The ORCA Emerging Leaders Program connects early-career professionals with leaders and board members from ORCA.  The EL awardee will also be awarded:

• Complimentary 1-year membership to ORCA. ($111 value)

• Complimentary registration to the Annual ORCA Conference (over $250 value)

• Complimentary registration to ORCA CE events such as Lobby Week and Ethics CE trainings (up to $200 value)

• Recognition in ORCA Newsletter 

• ORCA Board mentorship

• Opportunity to help EL committee with the development and execution of subsequent year’s Emerging Leader Programs. 

Requirements of EL Awardee

ORCA Emerging Leader Awardees will commit to a one-year program and will be required to attend: 

• a minimum 3 ORCA meetings within the fiscal year

• a minimum of 1 COPACT meeting within the fiscal year.

• EL Awardee will be assigned to work on an ORCA project and/or committee to provide service to ORCA.

Timeline for EL Program selection and participation

The following outline is the timeline for successful development and execution of the ORCA Emerging leaders Program.

• April 4, 2022:  Call for applicants

• May 1, 2022:  Application window closes, and review of applicants begins. 

• June 6, 2022:  ORCA Emerging Leader awardee is notified. 

• July 2022:  ORCA’s announcement of the Emerging Leader awardee and beginning of ORCA’s fiscal year. The EL awardee’s one year term begins. 

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Questions? Please contact: pastpresident@or-counseling.org

https://www.or-counseling.org

Nominations are now open for ORCA board leadership!

The Oregon Counseling Association is seeking nominations for the elected positions of President-Elect and Treasurer! 

This is your chance to get involved with professional development decisions and activities impacting counselors and therapists in Oregon. ORCA is dedicated to promoting the counseling profession by being responsive to our members needs, fostering collaboration and collegiality across counseling degrees and specialties, nurturing a common purpose and a sense of unity within the counseling profession and advocating for counselors and their clients.  

Board Positions open for election

PRESIDENT-ELECT
We are looking for licensed LPCs or LMFTs (or soon to be licensed) who are passionate about leadership in this field and our organization. You must be a member of ORCA & ACA, or plan to be.  This person must commit to a 3-year term on the ORCA Executive Council and attend Board meetings every other month.  The 3-year Presidential term is fulfilled by serving consecutively 1 year as President-Elect, 1 year as President and 1 year as Past-President. 

TREASURER
The scope of this elected office includes the primary responsibility of overseeing the management and reporting of the Association’s finances. The Treasurer presides over the Finance Committee (which includes, at a minimum, the Executive Council). The Treasurer must be knowledgeable with the use of Quickbooks.  This is a 2-year Board term.  This person must commit to attending the ORCA Executive Council meetings and ORCA Board meetings every other month.

If you are interested, you may self-nominate or encourage a colleague to nominate you. To be eligible, you must have attended a minimum of one ORCA Board meeting prior to the elections. The next ORCA Board meeting is scheduled for March 12, 2022. 

Nominations are due by March 31, 2022 by 5pm PST. You can complete the nomination form: Here

Voting will take place between April 4 and April 11, 2022, with the announcement of election results the week of April 18. New board officers are sworn in at the ORCA May retreat.  The leadership positions begin July 2022.  

Both positions are required to join ORCA and the American Counseling Association.  The President-Elect position requires you be licensed as an LPC or LMFT (or will license during your Pres-Elect term).