Open Letter to Public Members
Open Letter to Public Members
Dear Public Member,
Welcome to public service. I know it can be a lonely, thankless, no-paying job with long hours, but I'm glad to see you pick up the baton to run your leg of the race.
Unfortunately, based on observations over many years there seems to be a disconnect between two vital variables in the equation and I'd like to address those in hopes that it helps you during your multi-year hitch on the board.
The Board's Primary Role
The primary and stated purpose of the board is to protect me, Joe Citizen, from mental health counselors; to make sure they ply their trade in a professional and evidence-based manner. It's not licensing, BHEC administrative staff does that. The board's primary objective is to make sure the citizens of Texas incur no harm from the counselors that treat us. Everything else the boards are tasked with is a distant second on the priority list. It is my hope that you keep that in the forefront of your mind as you are presented with the myriad of topics for your consideration over the next 6 years.
The Only Role of the Public Member
What recourse do we have if the board needs to be reminded of their primary function; if they "go rogue" in whatever form that might take and need a little nudge to get back on track?
The public members of the board are that fail-safe. They are members of the public placed on the board by the Governor's office to consistently remind the professional members, through your presence and your interactions with them, that my/your well-being comes first and foremost.
You are the best line of defense that I have in keeping the professional members from failing to ask the difficult questions; from passing unnecessary regulations; from forgetting the primary reason they hold a seat. They will listen if you speak up, and the only way you can fail at your job is to remain silent.
Talk With the Other Public Members
It takes all of the public members acting in unity to do the job effectively. That's why there's typically 4 public members on a board. It is incumbent upon you to encourage them to speak up and ask the hard questions and insist on informed answers, if only by example, or you'll simply be outvoted on every issue.
There are non-board member licensees and public citizens like me who will speak up and support you, but we don't get a board vote so without you we are far less effective.
What You Are Not
You are not part of "a team". As much as counselors like everyone "to get along" you were not placed on the board to make friends or submit to the professional members' wishes. You're there to rock the boat if necessary.
Don't be intimidated or afraid to ask how things work in the counseling profession, either. Those are fair questions. Keep your interactions with the professional members professional and cordial, not confrontational, but don't allow anyone to bully you either.
You Got This
Thank you for volunteering to protect me and my fellow citizens. You lead and I will absolutely provide public support for you until it's time for you to hand the baton off to the next volunteer.
Joe Citizen
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About the Author
Phillip's background has blessed him with a variety of interests, skills, and tools to get things done. He spent 25 years in the printing and marketing industry before meeting Kathleen Mills in 2015. They quickly figured out that they made a pretty good business team and, owing to Kathleen's story, embarked upon a mission that would see the creation of PracticeMentors.us and eventually the Association for Mental Health Professionals.
