MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Greetings,

My name is Rashunda Miller Reed. It is a pleasure to serve as your 2023-24 LCA President.

My Appreciation. First, I would like to thank all LCA members who make up such a dynamic and diverse organization. When the world seems so fragmented, LCA is a professional home where we can get CE’s, maybe do a little complaining, and most of all connect with each other. I really appreciated being together again for last year’s conference with Dr. Tommy Fonseca. Next, I want to thank previous and upcoming leaders who step into various roles to keep our organization vibrant. LCA consists of several distinguished divisions and committees. I have served on several national boards and LCA is well respected in the counseling community. I also want to acknowledge LCA staff, in particular Diane Austin and Austin White who have been with LCA since the 90’s and make the magic happen! Next, I would like to acknowledge clients and students who trust us to be a part of their healing experience. I also want to put in a plug for other professionals who collaborate and support counseling. Lastly, I want to thank my parts and family. To everyone, I appreciate you.

How did I choose the theme? Help.Heal.Honor. Is more than a theme for me. They are gifts we offer to ourselves, colleagues, clients, and students. I see and hear about counselors helping healing and honoring all the time. I know that we can use a bit of those gifts too when I think about mass shootings, racial injustice, COVID-19, and daily life.

What are my presidential goals? As president, I hope to contribute to the organization by focusing on public relations initiatives to help the public know more about the work counselors do. I would love for LCA to be a household name. Sure, it may be a bit ambitious. Why not dream big? You might be wondering how I plan to do this. First, I will need to determine where we are now. That means checking in with existing leadership. It is also important to consider the needs, interests, and autonomy of divisions. My first initiative is to provide in-services to relevant groups such as educators, parents, businesses, and other organizations.My second initiative is to find ways to support site supervisors and siteswho support current LCA members who are graduate students and PLPCs. I would love for non-counselor to consider LCA as a key source for locating counselors, advocating for practices and policies that promote various ways to Help.Heal.Honor, and continuing efforts toward anti-racism and other –isms. You can read more about my presidential goals in the Louisiana Lagniappe. All members are invited to participate.

What is the invite?

  • Think about parts of you and others that might want Help.Heal.Honor.
  • Share contributions related to the above initiatives on the LCA Community Bulletin Board.
  • Share LCA with other counselors who might want a professional home and other relevant groups.
  • Share your expertise with LCA. Many positions can be learned as you grow into them.
  • Share when things that are going well, mid, and needs work. This helps to provide a balanced approach

To read Dr. Reeds bio, click here

Cheers,

Rashunda Miller Reed,  PhD, NCC, LPC-S, LMFT-SC

Vita

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