Certified Counselors and Hypnotherapists Advisory Committee

The advisory committee’s mission and purpose works to protect and improve the health of people in Washington State. The committee accomplishes this through a variety of activities working with the Department of Health, Health Systems Quality Assurance division.

Committee Information

Committee Information

The advisory committee consists of seven members. There are two certified counselors or certified advisers, two hypnotherapists and three public members who must be consumers and represent the public at large and may not hold any mental health provider credential per RCW 18.19.220.

The committee may, at the request of the secretary:

Provide advice on matters, such as applications for certification.
Approve an examination required for certification.
Recommend rules in accordance with the administrative procedure act, relating to standards for counseling care.

Reimbursement and compensation:

Reasonable allowances will be provided to cover reasonable and necessary subsistence and lodging expenses while engaged on official business.
Each member is eligible to receive compensation in an amount not to exceed fifty dollars for each day during which the member attends an official meeting of the group or performs statutorily prescribed duties approved by the chairperson of the group.

The committee meets four times a year. Meetings are typically scheduled in January, April, July and October during business hours.

All members are appointed by the Secretary of Health secretary. Each member of the committee must be a resident of Washington state. Professional members must have been actively engaged in their profession for five years preceding appointment. Appointments are for a term of three years. No one may serve for more than two consecutive terms.

If you or someone you know is interested in applying for appointment, complete the application for Board, Commission, Committee appointments (PDF).

Committee Members

Committee Members

Member	Term Expires
Drue Larson, certified counselor, chair	July 31, 2024
Betty Jensen, certified counselor	May 31, 2025
Sarah Prince, public member	May 31, 2025
Anthony Gitch, hypnotherapist	December 31, 2026
Hypnotherapist – vacant	-
Lisa Haglund, public member	July 31, 2027
Nichole Basile, public member	July 31, 2027

Committee Meetings

Meeting Schedule

All meetings begin at 9 a.m. unless otherwise noted.

Date and Location	Activity	Documents
January 17, 2025 at 9 a.m. - Hybrid meeting Department of Health 111 Israel Rd. S.E. Town Center 2, Room 153 Tumwater, WA 98501	Regular business meeting
April 11, 2025 at 9 a.m. - Hybrid meeting Department of Health 111 Israel Rd. S.E. Town Center 2, Room 153 Tumwater, WA 98501
July 18, 2025 at 9 a.m. - Hybrid meeting Department of Health 111 Israel Rd. S.E. Town Center 2, Room 153 Tumwater, WA 98501
October 10, 2025 at 9 a.m. - Hybrid meeting Department of Health 111 Israel Rd. S.E. Town Center 2, Room 153 Tumwater, WA 98501

Meeting Minutes