11/17/2016

Post Conference Announcement

Dear PCA Members:

It was good to see so many of you in State College this weekend at the largest PCA conference we have had. Those of you who were not able to attend were with us in spirit. While it was uplifting, as always, to spend the weekend with colleagues committed to the field of counseling and the people we serve, there was also a most decidedly somber tone as we all grappled with the aftermath of a contentious election and how to move forward. 

The board made the decision to provide time and space for us to come together to address this and to support each other. We offered a special session devoted to this conversation and spoke with members informally. It was clear that, regardless of one’s political choices, the backlash from the election has been intense. Many of us are struggling with trying to cope with our own reactions, care for our loved ones, and also find ways to affirmatively work with clients, students, and members of our communities who are particularly vulnerable, scared, and - in some cases - already victimized. 

I want to take this opportunity to stress PCA’s commitment to actively working for social justice in our state, our field, and our nation. We are aware that the near and perhaps distant future will ask a lot of the mental health professions. As counselors, it is our role to provide knowledgeable, culturally competent, and evidence-based services to all of our clients, both at the personal and the environmental levels.  It is also our role to advocate for those who are marginalized and to work toward systemic change where needed to ensure the dignity, humanity, and well-being of those who are vulnerable. The ACA Advocacies Competencies provide a useful framework (https://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/competencies/advocacy_competencies.pdf?sfvrsn=9).

In the spirit of inclusivity, PCA is also asking that everyone please remember to be respectful of divergent opinions as we work to move forward. Ultimately, any response from any of our members that does not call for respectful conversation, healing, and empathy does little to advance our initiatives. 

PCA will work as a branch and in cooperation with ACA to provide resources and sources of support to its members during this challenging time. Please be in touch with me, your state divisions, or any member of the board to let us know what forms of support would be most helpful. 

Hope all is well,

Charles Jacob, Ph.D.

President, Pennsylvania Counseling Association