Counseling and Therapy Practice: Members and Meetings
Board Members:

Stewart Sroufe, Board Chair, LADAC Professional Member  
Vergal "Chuck" Dawson, Vice-Chair, LMFT Professional Member
Sondra K. Allen LPCC, Professional Member
Deborah Schroder LPAT Professional Member
William Spies, LPCC Professional Member
Evangeline Felter, Public Member

Lori Chavez, Legal Counsel

This site is a service of Chuck Dawson and is in no way an official site of the state of New Mexico or the Counseling Therapy and Practice Board

Ask your self

For Chuck's LMFT site... CLICK HERE
AT RECENT 2017 BOARD MEETINGS WE:
		PASSED THE RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING AN OPIOID EMERGENCY TASK FORCE
		
		ACCEPTED NEW RULES THAT: 	 
		ALLOW WEB THERAPY AND SUPERVISION (VIRTUAL)
		CONSIDER THREE YEAR LICENSE RENEWAL (LESS CEU'S REQUIRED)
		ALLOW ALL CEU'S TO BE TECHNOLOGY NEUTRAL (ON LINE)
		ALLOW FOR PUBLIC SERVICE TIME CONVERTED TO CEU'S (PSCEU)
		ALLOW FOR LSAA TO OPT IN FOR THE NEW LCDCP PROVISIONAL LICENSE
		ALLOW FOR THE NEW LCDC INDEPENDENT LICENSES TO REPLACE THE LADAC
		
FOR MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS CLICK HERE


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THE OPIOID TASK FORCE 

The first meeting of the complete task force Was on Feb. 10th 2018 at 9am to 3pm Saturday.

The location was hosted by Paul Tucker at Turning Point Recovery.    (Thank you Paul)
Location:  Turning Point Recovery Center		 9201 Montgomery Blvd NE Albuquerque       


2-2-18   Talking notes at the board meeting of 

PRELIMINARY INDICATIONS OF THE TASK FORCE

The Chair and myself have been working on funding for prevention programs with the legislature to appropriate the equivalent of 25% of all drug settlement cases and drug asset forfeiture to the in school drug free zone identifying youth at risk programs.

The task force finds that the youth at risk for addictions is the wind under the wings of this horrific opioid crisis.  Feeding the crisis is the lack of intervention and prevention of youth bonding through addiction pathways at the grade school level.  

The bottom up approach is the lasting and limiting factor to break the growth of the crisis.  While each rung in the ladder of pain and addiction needs refinement the bottom is where the over 60,000 deaths last year began.

That narcan and suboxone are not solutions to the crises they can be essential aids in the middle of the ladder of addiction and pain management.

Nationally there is a call to overcome bureaucratic and paperwork barriers to effect solutions in this emergency.  There is a need for the task force to reach across licensing boards to get and share information about solutions can be funded, refined and implemented.

There is a need for a paradigm shift in public education about how to treat and stigmatization of persons at risk.  The task force is still debating the need for testing of students for drugs which is the indicator of the addiction pathway is in progress.  

LMFT specialized knowledge should increase in treatment for addiction in use as supervision of counselors and group work in treatment environments.  Family first skills!

Prevention is the best treatment key to the addiction both in human terms and economical costs.  Do the math.  Funding now is a cost savings over the long term and knowledge now will save lives and dollars ongoing.

This state has an army of highly skilled persons with over twenty years of education is behavior work.  Over 4,500 in the CTPB alone.  They should be mobilized to be used for Prevention, Screening for children at risk and treatment planning prior to the pathway to addiction feeding the opioid and social crisis.







Premise for the Child Questionnaire
“A call for identifying “Emotional and or physical Pain” in youth by trained licensed Clinical Counselors and interrupting the pathway to addiction.”


ORIGINAL RESOLUTION CALLING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT BY CT&PB OF A 
“COMMISSION ON THE OPIOID PUBLIC HEALTH POLICY FOR NEW MEXICO COUNSELORS” 

TWENTY FIVE PEOPLE THRU OUT NEW MEXICO AND CA, MEETING 2- TO 5 TIMES VIA PHONE/VIDEO/IN PERSON COVERING 15 TOPICS  OVER THANKSGIVING, CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS

1WORKGROUPAREASASSIGNMENTS.DOCX
Vergal C. "Chuck" Dawson, MA, LMFT # 0695
2-2-18
ASSIGNMENTS  AREAS OF OPIOID WORK

KEYs: INVENTORY CONTROL ACCOUNTABILITY			ICA
      PAIN MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS 	PMAT
	WEB CLEARING INFO OF AVAILABLE DRUGS (STREET)	WEB
	AT RISK SCREENING						ARS
	CERTIFIED LICENSEE ACTION PLAN				CLAP
	PERCENT AFFECTED 						PA
	COMMUNITY AVERAGE AGE MAJORITY			CAA
	MANAGED ACCESSIBILITY					MA


THE FIRST MEETING TOOK PLACE 2-10-18  AT THE TURNING POINT RECOVERY IN ALBQ VIA VIDEO/PHONE/PERSONAL ATTENDANCE

WE USED THE PREVIOUSLY ESTABLISHED PAIN LADDER TO GET OUR DIRECTIONS REFINED….. 


  Understanding the ladder the role of the Licensed Counselor in the 
“Ladder of Pain Management” 
1. The first rung on the addiction ladder is in Middle School where dealing with emotional pain from traumas, divorce, peer pressure etc. gateways into opioid use. Sales and supply begin with excess supply of a drug that creates its own demand for more use.     NOTE: THIS TURNED OUT TO BE WRONG “GRADE SCHOOL” IS THE INTERDICTION POINT!

Counselors: 
Looking in the family first will change the equation exponentially in the crisis ladder. School counselors trained for spotting risk can refer individuals to trained licensed counselors for intervention and treatment. Licensed counselors with the training can screen their practice for signs of persons at risk 
Recognize the problem: 

Test and screen for the problem Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment 
(SBIRT). Armed with education and intervention training, tools resources and networks.   WE HAD TO COME UP WITH OUR OWN DOCUMENT TO SCREEN FOR PERSONS AT RISK FOR ADDICTION THAT IS FEEDING THE OPIOID AND ADDICTION CRISIS.


2. The second rung of the ladder using bottom up solutions is in the school and on street as risk increases.   WE DO NOT KNOW HOW MANY YOUTH AT RISK ARE HOMELESS AS THEY TEND TO “COUCH SURF” AND MASK THE PROBLEM.

First Responders: 
Limit broken family trauma, having fire, police and EMTs screen for persons at risk and a network of counselors for intervention.    AND NARCAN EVERYWHERE!

3. The third rung of the ladder is the court system and those at risk. The trained counselor program with mandatory intervention, ongoing risk monitoring with counselors as a hub in providers network of support. 

Alternatives in pain management: 
Programs of non-pharmaceutical pain management tools/techniques for emotional and/or physical pain reduction or acceptance (massage, meditation, exercise, deflection etc.). Programs combining pharmaceutical and Non-pharma pain management.   A WEB BASED REFERRAL FOR NM  
Continued: 
4. The fourth rung are recommendations of withdrawal coordinated with counseling both in and outpatient treatment.    THE NEED FOR LMFT’S SUPPORTING TREATMENT.

Restoring the family, community and/or peer support: 
Removing victim and drug addiction stigma. Working to resolve emotional or pain issues of distress. Restoring independent life alternatives through education and employment.   ENHANCED TRAINING VIA CEU’S

5. The fifth rung is top down from death and dying. 

Trained counselors, Faith based institutions using opioids where risk reward is determined medically rewarding for quality of end of pain/life. 
Less in use less often.  PILL ACCOUNTABILITY

Hopefully one of the first goals of the Opioid Task Force will be to:

Put 100 or more Certified “Opioid Assessment and Treatment” individuals from the Educational Counseling,
Professional Art Counseling, Marriage Family Counseling, Professional Clinical Counseling, Drug Abuse Counseling and other specialist throughout the State of New Mexico.

Certifying screening and intake instruments for suspected “At Risk Individuals”

Designing CEU classes for certification of Specialists.

Designing Core Curriculum at the BA and MA levels.

Changes in Licensing Rules requiring OAT (Opioid Assessment and Treatment) Core education in NM.

Establishing a Panel for the purpose of identifying and screening existing providers to be certified in the field.

Establish the Website for the OAT list of referrals and information on the resources.

Temporary:  www.911nm.com/CTPB/





THE WORK GROUP DESIGNED WITH THE TASK FORCE A PRE-ADDICTION INTAKE FORM FOR THE COLLECTION OF INFORMATION FROM THE FIELD ON RISK INDICATORS FOR ADDICTION .  

WE BEGAN BETA TESTING THE INSTRUMENT IN THREE AREAS OF NEW MEXICO.


WE WOULD LIKE IT SEND TO ALL LICENSEES FOR SAMPLING THROUGH OUT THE STATE.


DRAFT DOCUMENT





AT THE SAME TIME ANOTHER GROUP WAS WORKING ON AN INSTRUMENT TO BE USED BY A SPECIALLY TRAINED COUNSELORS TO DETERMINE A YOUTH AT RISK FOR ADDICTION.  




This is a Draft Document

Developed for use by the State of New Mexico CT&PB Opioid Task Force.   2018

CHILD QUESTIONNAIRE “Clinical Use Only” 


Questions
Answers
Trait evaluated:
1
Lying the first time.
 No/YES
Trust/Fear





INSTRUCTIONS for use of Child Questionnaire


WORK GROUPS ARE CREATING THE ceu COURSE OF STUDY TO INDICATE THAT A COUNSELOR HAS THE SKILLS TO USE THE AT “RISK INSTRUMENT” AND INDICATE A TREATMENT PLAN OF PAIN MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVES AND PREVENTION OF THE PATHWAY TO ADDICTION

AT THE FIRST MEETING WE REFINED THE WORK GROUPS:












 the first goals of the Opioid Task Force will be to:

Put 100 or more Certified “Opioid Assessment and Treatment” individuals from the Educational Counseling,
Professional Art Counseling, Marriage Family Counseling, Professional Clinical Counseling, Drug Abuse Counseling, Massage Therapist and other specialist throughout the State of New Mexico.
Certifying screening and intake instruments for suspected “At Risk Individuals”
Designing CEU classes for certification of Specialists.
Designing Core Curriculum at the BA and MA levels.
Changes in Licensing Rules requiring OAT (Opioid Assessment and Treatment) Core education in NM.
Establishing a Panel for the purpose of identifying and screening existing providers to be certified in the field.
Establish the Website for the OAT list of referrals and information on the resources


! Vergal C. "Chuck" Dawson, MA, LMFT # 0695 THE OPIOID CRISIS RESOLUTION CALLING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT BY CT&PB OF A “COMMISSION ON THE OPIOID PUBLIC HEALTH POLICY FOR NEW MEXICO COUNSELORS” Given that the President has identified and announced a Public Health Emergency because of opioid use and deaths by overdose the CT&B Board calls for the establishment of a special Committee of volunteers and persons of special expertise to evaluate and suggest refinement of the roles of Licensed Counselors in proactive response to this emergency for persons at risk in the State of New Mexico. The Task Force to be activated for 300 days from establishment and can be extended by the Board if desired. The Opioid Task Force will be co-chaired by Members, Stewart Sroufe and Vergal “Chuck” Dawson. Members would be drawn from the counseling, substance abuse health providers, veterans, public, medical, legal, educational and other communities for specialized input. Proposed by: Vergal C. “Chuck” Dawson, LMFT, Member November 17, 2017 Counselors are on the front line as persons at risk show up in families first. Counselors work to improve the quality of life for those who are suffering from acute or chronic pain manifested through emotional and/or physical distress. Counselors can treat pain without pills if trained and or experienced. The goals of the committee will include: 1. Recognition of the problems a. Interim goals and objectives for solutions 2. Educational tools to deal with persons at risk a. Development of CEU and Certification programs to prepare providing counselors with treatment modality and training (how we address pain and the tools) b. Actions for overcome delays by quickly allowing temporary appointments of specialists c. Identifying tools and talents needed 3. Consolidating specialized knowledge a. Web hub based referral sources for pain relief counseling and substance abuse in New Mexico 4. Support and Recourses available a. Federal, State, Municipal, Faith Based, Independent programs, Providers 5. Identifying inefficiencies in the system delaying pro-actions 6. Tools and knowledge for prevention of (Opioid) addiction progression a. Identifying what feeds the problem and intervention b. Alternatives in pain management for providers (tools) c. Using the family to find persons at risk d. Alerting EAP’s for broader referrals to specialized providers. Continued; Page two: Notes: New Mexico State Epidemiologist Michael Landen said this week the database is being used more frequently and responsibly, with a notable decline in prescription practices for addictive opioid pain medications like hydrocodone or fentanyl that have been linked to a the national overdose epidemic.Jun 23, 2017 By Maya Holt & Kris Klarer / NM News Port New Mexico is in the grip of a statewide opioid epidemic. New Mexico drug overdose deaths involving opioids have nearly quadrupled since 1999, according to the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH). In the last five years, over 2400 people died from drug overdoses attributed to prescription painkillers like opioids that transfer to heroin use. According to drugpolicy.org, the number of overdose deaths involving opioid pain relievers or heroin in New Mexico has nearly doubled from 10 years ago. By MORGAN LEE, Associated Press SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The number of drug overdose deaths increased to 497 in 2016 from 493 the previous year in New Mexico, a state that has led the western United States in drug fatalities as it wrestles with opioid and heroin addiction. The overdose death rate remained unchanged during 2016 at 24.8 deaths per 1,000 residents, considering slight statewide population growth, the state Department of Health announced Wednesday. The rate of unintentional fatal drug overdoses — those not linked to suicides — showed a slight increase. Nearly three in four overdose deaths statewide involved opioids of some kind, including prescription pain medication and heroin. August 9, 2017 PNS SANTA FE, N.M. - The opioid addiction problems New Mexico has battled for years finally are getting some attention from the White House. President Trump was briefed on the issue Tuesday after a drug commission he appointed urgently recommended that he declare the opioid crisis a national emergency. Three years ago, New Mexico had the nation's second-highest death rate from opioid overdoses. David Morgan, Southwest public information officer for the state Health Department, said that number has improved, but New Mexico still ranks eighth in the nation. "We recognize that we are making progress here in New Mexico, but we also recognize that there is just so much more work to be done," he said. "We are still in the top 10 of having the highest overdose death rate for opioids in the country." For more: https://nmhealth.org/about/erd/ibeb/pos/ How to address pain and protect Patients for Counselors Scope of the Problem: Deaths by overdose, every 8 minutes, 180 deaths a day, over 30,000 a year Overdose deaths quadrupled over the last 20 years CDC says 66,000 deaths 2016 14 million have cancer, another 100 million suffer chronic pain. End of life is the beginning of excess opioid supply! Continued: Page three: Understanding the ladder the role of the Licensed Counselor in the “Ladder of Pain Management” 1. The first rung on the addiction ladder is in Middle School where dealing with emotional pain from traumas, divorce, peer pressure etc. gateways into opioid use. Sales and supply begin with excess supply of a drug that creates its own demand for more use. Counselors: Looking in the family first will change the equation exponentially in the crisis ladder. School counselors trained for spotting risk can refer individuals to trained licensed counselors for intervention and treatment. Licensed counselors with the training can screen their practice for signs of persons at risk Recognize the problem: Test and screen for the problem Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT). Armed with education and intervention training, tools resources and networks. 2. The second rung of the ladder using bottom up solutions is in the school and on street as risk increases. First Responders: Limit broken family trauma, having fire, police and EMT’s screen for persons at risk and a network of counselors for intervention. 3. The third rung of the ladder is the court system and those at risk. The trained counselor program with mandatory intervention, ongoing risk monitoring with counselors as a hub in providers network of support. Alternatives in pain management: Programs of non-pharmaceutical pain management tools/techniques for emotional and/or physical pain reduction or acceptance (massage, meditation, exercise, deflection etc.). Programs combining pharmaceutical and Non-pharma pain management. Continued: Page Four: 4. The fourth rung are recommendations of withdrawal coordinated with counseling both in and outpatient treatment. Restoring the family, community and/or peer support: Removing victim or drug addiction stigma. Working to resolve emotional or pain issues of distress. Restoring independent life alternatives through education and employment. 5. The fifth rung is top down from death and dying. Trained counselors, Faith based institutions using opioids where risk reward is determined medically rewarding for quality of end of pain/life. Less in use less often. for mail only chuck@chuckdawson.com for messages and fax only: Box 2480 Msg. (505) 898-9370 CORRALES NM 87048 www.chuckdawson.com Fax only: 898-9372 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The center of my practice is in Corrales, Rio Rancho river areas.
Contact info: 505-898-9370 Fax 505.898.9372 Email: chuck@chuckdawson.com Postal: Box 2480 Corrales NM 87048

for more email me
in the subject line put "Form Sub:"
email to: chuck@chuckdawson.com in subject line put "FORM SUB:"


Location is:
MAP TO 1 DONA MARTA OFFICE! there is little east bound traffic at the end of the meeting. Please RSVP chuck@chuckdawson.com or fax 898-9370 or voice 898-9370
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