Changes

We got a new puppy. His name is Maverick. Yes, from Top Gun. Chris and I love that movie! He's pretty cute and not afraid of anything. He's curious and love kids. His home is in the backyard, but he'll sleep in the garage through the cold winter months. It's fun to see Chris so happy.

My sister, Lori, had her baby last week. They named her Ashlee Ann. She was 7 lb. 1 oz. and 19 in. She's so little! I hope my babies are as perfect as Ashlee. She doesn't cry, she sleeps through most of the night, and loves when her big brothers and cousins hold her. It's fun to visit them.

I continue to get new clients. I'm getting 2 or 3 each week. I'm getting busier all the time. Keep the referrals coming!

Chris is 30!

Chris celebrated his 30th birthday yesterday. We had a birthday party last Saturday with a few close friends and family. I got him 2 new wedges for his golf game. He played with them several days before his birthday. Such a cheater! He did amazing work with them though. I'm lucky to have such a talented, patient golf coach.

Looks like I'm back to the drawing board for my private practice. I'm hoping to have it fully functioning by the end of May. Beacon didn't work out quite like I had hoped. Oh well. I've already had the private practice plans in my head for a year now. Once I'm an LPC, on May 23, 2009, I'll get this thing up and running. Chris has been very supportive throughout this whole thing. Who wants to help their wife clean out her office on their 30th birthday? No one! But, my husband did it anyway. There are SO many reasons I love this man. I swear, I love him more everyday.

Here's my logo, in case you hadn't seen it a few months ago. I'm ordering business cards & I'm just waiting to go! I'm hoping to be able to continue seeing the clients I started seeing while at Beacon. My phone number for my future business is: 801-616-3097. People can call with questions now.

I've also been asked to speak to Chris's aunt's stake. I'm presenting on Pornography and the Specific Issues Related to Women, such as romance novels, soap operas, etc. I'll be presenting to them with one of the counselors in the General Relief Society Presidency, on May 9th. What an honor!

I was also invited to present classes to my ward enrichment on Destressing Your Marriage, specifically improving communication skills. This meeting will be held on June 10th. This is a great opportunity to share my ideas, regarding the book I'm planning on writing, with others.

I hope everything works out! I'll be fairly unemployed for the next month or so getting licensed and the foundational work to open this practice going. But, hopefully after that I'll be able to make a dent in this lovely student loan of mine. :)

Mediation is scheduled for May 1st for my auto accident! I can hardly wait to get all of this behind me. I'm excited to finally have closure and to be able to make sense of it all. I pray my insurance company will offer some financial support for my ongoing physical injuries. Time will tell...

Tax Day

Tax day sucked for me this year, but it had nothing to do with taxes. Our basement flooded and work SUCKED!

It was a good day for others though. My sister sold her condo. Yay Lori! And Steven's sister, Becky, her her baby boy. She named him Zachery Steven.

GOOD news

I did it! I finally got my scores for the NCMHCE back. I passed! I also passed the Utah Professional Counselor Laws, Rules, and Ethics Exam last week. I'm mailing my application to become an LPC tomorrow! Not that anyone cares about my "official" scores, but I'm attaching them because I'm THAT proud!

Here's my scores on the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Exam (I needed a 104 & 130 to pass, I got a 130 & 156, respectively)


Here's my scores on the National Clinical Exam (I needed a 97 to pass, I got a 131)
Here's my scores on the UT Professional Counselor Laws, Rules & Ethics Exam (I needed 75% to pass, I got 85%)

I'm SO close I can taste it! I start working at Beacon FMH on March 2nd, but will be attending the Open House on Feb. 27th & 28th. Hopefully you've received an invitation to the open house?

On another happy note, I heard from my lawyer regarding my lawsuit today for my auto accident in Jan. 2001. The coroner in Idaho stated the police had done a "piss poor investigation" and he was positive I could not have been driving. This is great news and hopefully encourages my insurance company to help me out a bit. I'm getting tired of hurting. Only time will tell...

It's been a GOOD day!

Updates

My niece, Natalie, won the cutest baby contest! Thanks for your votes. And I'm truly sorry if you continue to get emails from UtahBaby. There's an email address, at the end of their emails, you can reply and request they take you off their list. :)

I took the NCMHCE last week. I have NO idea how I did and won't get my score for 6-8 weeks. AGH! The highlighters they gave us to use for the test didn't work. It was a frustrating day! But, at least it's over. Whew.

I start my new job on March 1st. I'm depending on referrals, so if you'd like to send people my way, I'd love it! We're having an open house the end of Feb. I'll post more information when I have it. I've mailed several of you the following:

Aimee Francom, CPCI
Beacon Family Mental Health
8915 South 700 East, Suite 203
Sandy, Utah 84070
801-938-5151

Dear Family and Friends,

It is my pleasure to introduce you to Beacon Family Mental Health, which is now my new place of employment! Beacon Family Mental Health is a new counseling agency, located in Sandy. I am excited about this current transition in my life and hope to be able to serve more clients, including Deaf clients.

After meeting with the founders of Beacon Family Mental Health, I was drawn in by their commitment to clients and vision of better care.

I’d also like you to know of the Beacon FMH Education Center. Many classes and workshops are available to individuals, couples and families for a nominal fee, with some classes being totally free of charge! Please see the enclosed class and workshop schedule. More classes may be offered in the near future. We assist all individuals, as we have clinicians fluent in American Sign Language, Spanish, and Portuguese. Lindsay Brand specializes in child therapy, and does an excellent job in working with children.

Also enclosed is a pamphlet outlining The Safe Harbor Treatment Program, which is designed to assist those with sexually addictive behavior. Sexually addictive behaviors can cause personal conflict, marital and family discord, depression, anxiety, anger and resentment. Please take a few moments to review these pamphlets. We treat all individuals and families with a variety of emotional struggles. My specific areas of expertise include Sexual Addiction, Pre-marital and Marital Counseling, and Grief and Loss.

Our fee schedule is identical to LDS Family Services. The fees are as follows: $70.00 per session, $105.00 for an initial assessment and $20.00 per session for participation in therapeutic groups. We accept most insurances.

I invite you to utilize Beacon Family Mental Health either for the needs of your loved ones or someone else you may know that might need assistance. We’d be delighted to meet with members of your family! Once you engage with the clinicians in our agency, you will also feel the hope and enthusiasm I experienced when learning of Beacon Family Mental Health. We hope to assist and empower others to make positive changes in their lives that are lasting.

We strive for excellence in serving you and are committed to providing the highest quality of treatment. We long to assist those who are in emotional pain and help empower them to create positive forward movement in their lives.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Sincerely,

Aimee Francom, CPCI

NEW Employment

OK, I was planning on opening a private practice...and I still may. I'm open to seeing people ANY time. I'm registered with the state and everything. And you saw my logo, it's amazing! But, with Chris and I planning to start a family in the near future, and the crappy economy, I'm nervous about taking out a small business loan. So, I decided to interview with a few places for a possible change in employment.

And...

Drum roll...

I've been offered a position with Beacon Family Mental Health in Sandy, UT. It's a new business. I'll participate in the establishment of a business, making opening a successful private practice later MUCH easier. I'll use both of my degrees as well. I'll do individual, couple, family, and group therapy. I'll also have the opportunity to give presentations, teach classes, and offer seminars. In addition, I'll help with marketing, organization development, and design. They even encouraged me to write the book I've been planning for some time now! And my personal favorite, I'd finally be able to see Deaf clients when I want.

The company's mission statement is "Emotional healing, for individuals and families, centered on Christ". I'll post the website when I've helped get it up and running. ;) It's similar to LDS Family Services, but I'll probably make more $. HA! I was quite impressed by this company. They seem to care about their employees, which is something I haven't felt in a LONG time. When explaining their business model to me, it sounds very much like a "private practice" feel, but without having to do the billing, scheduling, etc. I'm very excited!

Now, I have to get back to studying for the NCMHCE I'm taking on Jan. 17th. If I pass, I'm on my way to licensure as an LPC! I've completed my required hours, I've passed the NCE...I'm almost there!

New SUV

Chris & I found a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder in Colorado. Chris's dad was able to get it for us & Chris flew home to drive it back. It's great! I love this automobile. It's too bad I have to get in an accident to get a vehicle I like this much, but I guess I'll take it any way I can get it. I feel so spoiled. I can hardly wait to get something to pull behind it!