What a Summer this has been!  That was certainly more stormy weather than I would like to see.  I do love our turquoise blue skies, the likes of which can't be found anywhere else in America.

As you may be aware, the Colorado Mental Health Statute, which provides our right to practice as unlicensed psychotherapists, is up for its Sunset Review in the 2011 legislative session.  The review is when the Statute can be changed, from minor details to major ones, including removing our right to practice in Colorado.  If our rights are impaired our livelihoods will be impaired, and our ability to assist others, as well.

Can you afford to lose your practice?  What would you do if you had to give it up?  These are very important questions all of us need to be asking ourselves as the Review approaches.  And there are a lot of us, too.  In their Spring newsletter DORA reported there are a little over 2500 unlicensed psychotherapists in the database, more than psychologists, so anything that might jeopardize our right to practice affects many people.

CAP's primary mission is to protect our right to practice.  We do that by maintaining a lobbyist who keeps an eye on bills that get introduced in the Legislature, works with the legislators to try to head off bills that would be detrimental to us, represents us on the Mental Health Coalition, and works with the other groups to ensure we have their support.  

In the past we haven't had to spend a lot on lobbying as there wasn't any major threat to us.  The next two years are critical to us and we will need to have our lobbyist actively engaged, more so than ever before.  It will cost us close to $28,000 to cover the cost of our lobbyist for the two years.  That's a lot of money but the risk of losing our right to practice is far worse than the money spent.

It is going to take a lot of hard work and sacrifice to raise the money we need to pay for our lobbyist.  Remember, CAP is the ONLY professional organization that protects unlicensed psychotherapist's rights in Colorado.  Without our financial ability to represent you during the Sunset Review, how will you protect your interests?  Can you afford to do it alone?

If you haven't renewed your membership in CAP, please do so as soon as possible.  If you aren't sure about renewing, consider the alternative should we lose our right to practice.  If you know other psychotherapists who aren't members of CAP, please encourage them to join; it's in their best interest.  We need to increase our  membership by at least 150 - 200 to be sure we can cover the cost of our lobbyist for the full two years.  And if you are able, we would be grateful for any donation you could make.  Donations are tax-deductible.

Please help us protect our right to practice, our careers, our passion, and our incomes.
 
You are always welcome at the CAP Board  meetings.  If you are interested in joining us, please let me know by emailing me.

Take care,

Ed Robb
President of the Colorado Association of Psychotherapists

 

With CAP Vice President, Suzy Walz

Summer is an interim period between the Colorado legislative sessions. Yet it is still a time of work for CAP. This year we have been working to secure the best lobbying representative for unlicensed psychotherapists. The board is proud to announce that we have hired the Sovine-Miller lobbying firm to represent CAP.

The importance of having proper representation for unlicensed psychotherapists in the Colorado legislature is not to be underestimated. By having a constant presence at the capital, our interests are being safeguarded.

Our lobbyist watches over bills that are introduced that may affect how we practice. The lobbyist also meets with other mental health professionals and their lobbyists to stay abreast on issues and trends in the mental health field. This is the primary goal of the Colorado Association of Psychotherapists. This is where the majority of your dues are allocated.

At the end of this article you will find the biographies of Cindy Sovine-Miller and Stephanie Matthews. Take a few moments to read through their impressive qualifications and experience.

Both women have an incredible grasp of the legislative process, an infectious enthusiasm for representing CAP's best interests, and a willingness to reach out to other groups who are involved within our field of practice.

Our representatives will be speaking at our Annual Meeting which will be held on Saturday, October 17th from 6:30-10pm. More information about this is provided in the newsletter.

As always, if you have any questions or are interested in getting involved in this legislative area, please contact me, Suzy Walz at 720-308-5440 or send an email to Suzy@WholeHealthHypnotherapy.com

Cindy is a Political Consultant who specializes in the Colorado legislative arena with a wide range of abilities in all aspects of the policy-making process. She is an information broker with elected officials and other stake holders to work to influence sound public policy.

Cindy has an honest and collaborative communication style that has earned her a well respected reputation in the Colorado Legislature. Trustworthy relationships with elected officials and other legislative stakeholders transcend to the clients she represents.

Cindy brings a wealth of experience in the legislative arena with exuberance for public policy in a broad range of issues faced in today's legislative environment.  Cindy began her political career as a Legislative Aide to several state representatives in the Colorado General Assembly. 

While in earning her degree, she worked full time for Colorado Legislative Council, the nonpartisan research arm of the Colorado General Assembly. While at Council, Cindy coordinated the ballot process and assisted in staffing the House and Senate Health Committees. 

Cindy made the switch to lobbying in 2002 where she worked as the Colorado Health and Hospital Association's lobbyist until she began independently consulting. Over the course of her legislative career, Cindy has become a well respected lobbyist in the Health Care Industry, and has worked extensively in Water and Land Issues, Transportation, Economic Development and Education. 

Cindy has extensive experience in working with Associations; helping them to develop a highly effective government relations program with a strong grass roots effort.  Her commitment and dedication to advocating on behalf of her clients, coupled with her integrity and no-nonsense approach has made her a sought after asset in today's political environment.

Cindy Sovine-Miller
President
720.290.5327
cindy@sovinemiller.com

Stephanie Matthews is in her second year lobbying and sixth session working at the Capitol. She has worked as a legislator staffer, the Assistant to Senate Minority Leadership, and lobbyist. While working as a legislator staffer Stephanie was able to create lasting relationships with legislators and other staff.

Stephanie has a unique perspective on the political process from working on both sides of the glass. Stephanie has also worked in the community on elections and for a non-profit political organization as a community organizer. She has worked as staff on many different campaigns on every level from Denver City Council all the way to a presidential race.

Stephanie understands the effectiveness of citizen and strong grassroots participation on the legislative process. Stephanie is a Colorado native, an avid snowboarder, and currently a student at the University of Colorado at Denver.

Stephanie Matthews
Sovine Miller & Co Director of Policy and Communications
720.427.4864
stephanie@sovinemiller.com