Historical development of the Bermuda Counsellors Association

The Bermuda Counsellors Association (BCA), is a non-profit charitable organization, which had its energetic, humble beginnings in March 1995 when five conscientious professionals met at the Devon Lane School. In an effort to continually advocate for the counselling profession in Bermuda, they came together with the desire to embody themselves as an organization. The initiators were Arlene Swan, Deonn Fubler, Winifred Simmons, Marilynn Smith and Barbara Hollis. It was recognized that many persons had obtained a Master's Degree in Counselling, qualifying them to work in various positions throughout the island. Therefore the establishment of an organization would provide the mechanism by which their profession would be validated.

In May of 1995, "The Concerned Counsellors", under the direction of Marilynn Smith, met at the Cathedral Hall in Hamilton. By then, this nucleus had grown to 20 counsellors from various counselling agencies such as EAP of Bermuda, Bermuda College, Ashton Associates and government and private school counsellors. Networking, validation as counselling professionals, accountability, ethical standards, confidentiality, as well as becoming registered as a group of professionals, were concerns that were addressed.

While in their rudimentary stage of development, the primary objective was to establish a chapter of the American Counselling Association (ACA) in Bermuda. Thus, the liaison between the two associations began. In August 1995, Dr. Marianne Mitchell, past president of the ACA, highlighted the tasks that needed to be addressed in order to become a branch of ACA. Her suggestions included: encouraging counsellors to become members of ACA, encouraging members to become certified by taking the National Board for Certified Counsellors examination, lobbying toward third party insurance, and meeting with government officials regarding certification and licensing requirements. A Steering Committee was elected to initiate the development of a constitution and through consistent efforts, creative ideas, and the quest for professional development and support, other counsellors were encouraged to become BCA and ACA members.

In January 11, 1996, "The Concerned Counsellors" met at the Bermuda Industrial Union under its official name, "The Bermuda Counsellors Association". Steps were put in motion to become a charitable organization, which would allow the Association to solicit funds from the public. The group met the first Thursday of each month and an Executive Board, was elected at each Annual General Meeting. In addition, several committees were formed to oversee the integral operations of the organization. These included the Membership, Constitution, Social, Professional Development, Newsletter, Fundraising, Public Relations, and Ethics Committees.

BCA has made significant strides over the years and continues to be committed to meeting the professional needs of its members and in doing so, seeks to collaborate, consult, and coordinate with other helping professionals on the island.

Past & Present Chair Persons

BCA Historical Time Line

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December    

January 

June   

First constitution created

Initial draft of Constitution created

First meeting at Bermuda Industrial Union Hall

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May      

October 

December

Constitution drafted 

First election of officers

Application for registered status
Official BCA Constiution completed

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May   

 

August 

September

October    

November  

December        

Logo designed
Registered Charity Status attained
Workshop Committee established

Presentation: Ethics and Standards of Practice by Peggy Jackson

American Counsellors Association Report by LeeAnn Simmons

Membership Committee established

Newsletter Committee established

First Christmas Social

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February 


March 

April   

July  

November

December        

Counseling Awareness Month Committee established
Workshop: Active Parenting

Counselling

Presentation: Critical Incident Stress Debriefing by Doris DeCosta

First Newsletter completed and distributed

Presentation: Stress Management by Elizabeth Hayes

Presentation: Bermuda Hypnotherapy Practice by Hilary Soars
The Children's Act of 1998 passed.
Membership Professional Development Survey

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March

April 

May   

June 

September    

October   

November

Presentation: EAP Services to Bermuda by Vena Darling

Presentation: Massage Therapy by Glenn Robinson

Presentation: Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy by Dr. Carol Shuman

Presentation: Celebrating and Caring for The Counsellor 
by Dee Martin

Workshop: Seven Habits of Highly Effective Families

Annual General Meeting (AGM)

Presentation: Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, (DSMV- IV) by Dr. Donald McKenzie

February  

April       

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Radio and community Bulleting Board Ads inviting the community to leave a message on the BCA voicemail if they needed assistance due to the after effects of Hurricane Fabian.

General Membership Meeting Presentation: Clinical Supervision – Presented by Dr. Michael McDonough

 

Group and Peer Supervision for BCA Members implemented

Tenth Anniversary Celebration 

 Letter sent to  Lt.Col. Burch Re: homelessness and the residents of Canadian Hotel

Guest Speaker : Tawanna Wedderburn – Acting Family therapist for child and Adolescent services: Discussion on Self Harm

Participated in Health fair held by Argus Insurance

2007   

Speaker- David Parker – clinical co-coordinator of Turning Point- Discussed and Introduced us to Bermuda Addictions Certification Board’s mandate .

 Counselling Awareness Month- Community Activity - Stress on the  Rock held at the Lindo’s  supermarket  and Supermart on Front Street. 

Met with the Permanent Secretary for the Social Rehabilitation Ministry,  Wayne Carey regarding proposed counselling Legislation.

Counselling Awareness Month- Community Activity - Stress on the  Rock   - Held at the Apothecary  South road Smith’s

Guest Speakers – Dee Martin Presented on her program – Listening with the Heart.

 - Tawanna Wedderburn and Ronelle Burgess of Bermuda Education and Health council Re:  Presented on the Licensure, accreditation and Legislation of Health Professionals

Long standing members:  Special Presentations for Marilyn Peggy Jackson, Marilyn Smith and LeeAnn Simmons.

            Sponsored and participated in Phenomenal Women’s Inc. National Men’s Day.

             Participated in Community against Violence Fair sponsored by WOVEN.

Co-sponsored a booth with the Bermuda Psychological Association  at The Annual ACE Career Fair.

Guest Speakers-  Laurie Shiell and Roseann Vickers  of the Physical Abuse Centre – updating the membership about their services’

            - Arleen Swan – Trauma Therapy

            Participated in a Steering Committee for developing a Crisis Intervention team organized under the leadership of Doris DeCosta.  Discussion of this team continues.

For the second consecutive year the BCA co-sponsored a booth with the Bermuda Psychological Association  at The Annual ACE Career Fair (October 2009 at the Bermuda College.