“Protecting the public, propelling the profession” was the theme of the 2021 Counseling Regulatory Boards Summit. The Summit, held in Denver, Colorado, welcomed regulatory members from 31 state professional counseling licensure boards from across the U.S.
Some of the themes from this year’s event included COVID-19 regulatory responses and lessons learned, efficiency in board operations, exam security, tiered licensure board structure, protecting the public, professional and ethical issues, and the challenges and opportunities of disciplinary hearings.
Mike Veny, Certified Corporate Wellness Specialist® and best-selling author, and James R. Puente, director, National Council of State Boards of Nursing, were this year’s keynote speakers.
Veny shared with the group his personal ongoing journey with mental illness. Woven into his presentation were techniques for overcoming the stigma and shame associated with mental illness. He also expressed the value of self-care, which he defined as “anything that you do for yourself when you’re not in the presence of a professional.” Drumming has served as an outlet to help Veny manage his anxiety and depression, and he shared a drum solo with the group.
Puente is an expert in health regulation and health compliance and the driving force behind the Nurse Licensure Compact. He was appointed director, Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), in 2009. His position at the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) is dedicated to the goals of the compact’s governing body, the Nurse Licensure Compact Commission. Puente has worked with health care compacts in a consulting capacity for many years, and noted that the Counseling Compact is “a learning process that will continue for some time.” During his presentation, he shared with regulators the lessons learned from the Nurse Licensure Compact.
“The 2021 Counseling Regulatory Boards Summit was a huge success,” says Tammi Lee, vice president of CCE Business Services and Partnerships. “Because of the continuing challenges with COVID, we had to plan our first hybrid event. We made a concerted effort to make our virtual attendees feel as much a part of each session as our onsite attendees,” she says.
“Networking among state board members is always the highlight of the Summit,” Lee says. “The Summit allows attendees to listen, learn, and offer shared experiences as well as different perspectives of state leaders regarding relevant topics of interest with the common goal of regulating safe and effective public practice.”
NBCC and CCE host the Summit to provide a space for board members to learn about trends and best practices in counseling and engage in brainstorming through structured networking opportunities. The organization has sponsored the event for more than 15 years.
Copyright ©2023 Center for Credentialing & Education | All rights reserved.
Manage Cookie Preferences