IMCHA recognizes the service, dedication, and excellent work of MHC students, t-LMHC’s, LMHC’s and mental health advocates across the state of Iowa with their annual awards. We encourage you to nominate yourself or someone else to recognize their outstanding contributions to the profession by April 1, 2026.
The awards will be given at the IMHCA Conference 2026 Conference Information on Thursday May 7, 2026 at a special dedicated event from 5pm-7pm at the West Des Moines Sheraton Hotel.
Questions can be directed to IMHCA Past President
Mental Health Champion Award
Champion:
Verb: to fight or speak publicly in support of a person, belief, cause, etc.
Adjective: one who shows superiority or high quality
This award will be presented to a nominated Iowa mental health counselor or mental health advocate who shows exemplary dedication to the advocacy for individuals with mental health conditions, as well as furthering the field of mental health counseling through their individual and public professional efforts.
Emerging Mental Health Professional Award
Student: A person engaged in learning, especially one enrolled in an educational institution.
Emerging Professional: Someone in the early stages of their career, demonstrating promise and growth.
This Award recognizes an IMHCA member who has demonstrated the potential to become a dedicated leader of the counseling profession in years to come through public service, direct client work, and/or policy development.
Mental Health Counselor of the Year Award
Counselor: A professional who provides guidance and support to individuals facing mental health challenges.
Excellence: The quality of being outstanding or exceptionally good.
This award is to be given to persons who spend 51% of their time in direct counseling with clients and relevant consultation activities. This award is intended to recognize an individual who has provided outstanding counseling service, including consultation, to the public.
Professional Service and Leadership to IMHCA
Service: The action of helping or doing work for others.
Leadership:The ability to guide, inspire, and make an impact.
This award recognizes volunteers who have served IMHCA on a board or committee and shown their dedication and commitment to enhancing the field of mental health.
Counselor Educator of the Year
Counselor: A professional who provides guidance and support to individuals facing mental health challenges.
Educator: A professional who teaches, mentors, and develops future counselors through academic instruction, training, and scholarship within the field of mental health.
This award recognizes is given to persons who spend 50% of their time in academic pursuits; teaching, training, researching or program development. This award is intended to recognize outstanding humanitarian service to others in one of the above categories.
Clinical Supervisor of the Year
Counselor: A professional who provides guidance and support to individuals facing mental health challenges.
Supervisor: A licensed professional who provides oversight, mentorship, and evaluative guidance to counselors to ensure ethical, competent, and effective clinical practice.
This award recognizes is given to persons who actively supervise clinical mental health counselors, including counselors in training. This include practicum and internship supervisors, as well as temp licensed and licensed supervisors. This award is intended to recognize outstanding clinical supervision.
Please submit your nominations using the form below by April 1, 2026!