On Sept. 27, 2019, Dr. John T. Spoede, Jr., LPC-S, LCDC, NCC, CSC (Licensed Professional Counselor- Supervisor, Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, National Credentialed Counselor, Certified School Counselor and the director, Center for Research and Doctoral Studies and assistant professor of Education) began his work as a part of the stakeholders for Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselors work study group. Dr. Spoede was one of five participants selected from across the state of Texas to help review, make suggestions about edits, and discuss future rules for the Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor in the Texas Administrative Code, Title 25: Health Services, Part 1: Department of State Health Services, Chapter 140: Health Professions Regulations, Subchapter I: Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor. This will be an ongoing work study group to collect information from stakeholders about suggested changes to the current rule. This is only one step in a multi-tiered process. The work-study group conducted its meeting at the office for the Texas Health and Human Services. This will be an ongoing process that will take several months to complete. The Texas Health and Human Services Department has a vision of “Making a positive difference in the lives of the people we serve” and a mission of “Improving the health, safety and well-being of Texans with good stewardship of public resources.” Dr. Spoede will continue to serve on this work-study group for the remainder of 2019 and into 2020. He considers it a privilege and honor to have been selected, and will make every effort to represent stakeholders at large to the best of this ability. The first meeting was held on Nov. 15 in Austin.
On Oct. 9-12, 2019, the American Association of Christian Counselors held its 2019 biennial World Conference at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. The Rise Up: Break Every Chain World Conference covered areas such as theology, psychology, counseling, coaching, pastoring, mentoring, and family therapy. This year, Dr. John T. Spoede, Jr., LPC-S, LCDC, NCC, CSC (Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor, Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, National Credentialed Counselor, Certified School Counselor and the director, Center for Research and Doctoral Studies and assistant professor of Education), was a track leader for the “Men, Women, and Aging, and Family Lifespan Development” track.
Dr. Spoede helped provide leadership to the development of the track, participate in the peer-review process for the track, and assisted with final selection of appropriate content. Additionally, Dr. Spoede presented a session entitled, “The Legal System: What Every Counselor Should Know.” The session provided information to mental health professionals about the court system; the description for the program stated, “Have you ever found yourself unsure of how to deal with clients involved in the legal system? This session will provide attendees with information about how counselors can function within the legal system. Basic terms and practical application will be presented.” The learning objectives for the course were that participants would
- List basic legal terms related to counselors in the legal system;
Describe the different roles mental health professional may play in the court system; - Apply best practices to issues related to their profession and professional obligations while functioning within the legal system.
- Further ethical decision-making models, ethical codes of conduct, mediation, and real-world scenarios were discussed.Learn more About the Conference and the Session
On Nov. 13-15, 2019. Dr. John T. Spoede, Jr., LPC-S, LCDC, NCC, CSC (Director, Center for Research and Doctoral Studies and Assistant Professor of Education) served as the senator for the Fort Bend Counseling Association at the Texas Counseling Association’s Professional Growth Conference in Fort Worth. During the Senate meeting, representatives from all the Texas Counseling Association chapters and divisions discussed business and voted on actions items for the organization. Additionally, the senators were involved in training related to the strategic plan for the organization, and how the strategic plan can be implemented through each chapter and division.
Dr. John T. Spoede, Jr., Dr. Roxy Riefkohl-Siegrist, and Dr. Stephanie Ellis presented a session entitled, “LPC- Supervisors Beware: Case Studies and Ethical Dilemmas.” The session reviewed ethical standards and real-world case studies related to supervision. Supervision involves many complicated dynamics, including severe clients, suicide, gatekeeping, dealing with deficiencies, providing services to clients one may never meet, and appropriate documentation. The session also covered information about the ethical decision-making model while giving special consideration to issues for counselor supervisors and interns.
Finally, Dr. Spoede was honored at the annual Texas Counseling Association awards ceremony, where he received the Distinguished Service Award for his work as senator for the Fort Bend Counseling Association, a local chapter of the Texas Counseling Association. Dr. Spoede served and completed his three-year term as senator. The commitment included providing leadership for the Fort Bend Counseling association, attending meetings and leadership meetings related to the chapter, participating in two senate meetings per year, and acting as a liaison between the local chapter and the Texas Counseling Association. He began his three-year term in 2016, and was reelected for a second term 2019.
On Nov. 15, 2019, Dr. John T. Spoede, Jr., LPC-S, LCDC, NCC, CSC (Licensed Professional Counselor- Supervisor, Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, National Credentialed Counselor, Certified School Counselor and the director, Center for Research and Doctoral Studies and assistant professor of Education) was elected as the president of the Texas Association for Adult Development & Aging (TADAA). His term started effective immediately. The Texas Association for Adult Development and Aging is a division of the Texas Counseling Association (TCA) that addresses adult, adolescent and child issues and issues related to development and aging across the lifespan. The TADAA website informs people about the mission of the organization by saying, “America is aging. Texas is aging. Counselors must be informed and ready to provide our clients with the latest research, as well as the support and strength to address those issues in their lives and the lives of their parents, children, and grandchildren. TAADA is there. TAADA and its leaders are working daily to provide the research and information. ‘To Do TAADA Today’ is more than a catchy slogan. It is a mantra to live by. Every minute of every day we are all growing older. The youngest children have problems related to aging. It is not a problem for ‘old people.’ It is a part of life. Every stage of life has its own unique problems and issues relating to the aging process.”
In the role of president, Dr. Spoede will be responsible for the overall vision, implementation of the visions, and recruitment of members to the organization. Additionally, he will coordinate the leadership team and their combined efforts to achieve the goals of both Texas Association for Adult Development and Aging and of the Texas Counseling Association.