FAQ

1. What are the entry & criteria submission dates?
The rolling submission process for 2024 runs from mid-September through December.

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2. What are the criteria that awards are judged on?
Excellence awards are reviewed based on the following criteria: awards program theme, therapist accomplishments, meeting client needs/ratings, practice design, creativity, innovation, measurable outcomes and ease of replication.

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3. Who makes up the Honors and Awards Committee?
The Honors and Awards Committee is made up of various association members who expressed interest in serving on the committee, one Board advisor and one Awards Judge staff advisor are neutral. Committee membership is represented with a balanced number of college level LPC instructors and recognized experts and authors representing various modalities.

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To ensure the integrity of the Therapy Awards Program, Honors and Awards Committee members abstain from submitting for an award on behalf of themselves, their practice, affiliated organization and withdraw from the ranking and voting process in any category in which an award entry is received from their respective organization. Those serving on the VBA Board of Directors also abstain from submitting award entries on behalf of their respective organizations.  If you are a judge you cannot vote or advocate for an entrant you personally know or a practice you are affiliated with.  No contact outside of procedural with entrants is allowed.

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4. Can I submit supporting material beyond the awards application itself?
Beyond the submission form itself, supplemental information can be included. It must be in an electronic format that can be added as an attachment to the online form.  After your entry processes you will receive confirmation & a survey form.

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5. Can I submit a video?
Yes, as long as it is in the form of a link to the video.

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6. Can I submit my entry in more than one category?
Yes but, please first determine which single (or main one) category you feel your practice or approach best represents.

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7. Who can submit for an award?
Anyone who has been nominated and vetted through our screening process.  You must be an active mental health practitioner to first qualify.  Nominations are either peer generated or highly referred via community channels including clients, media and related professional input. You can nominate someone, or during the brief open period self-nominate.

 

8. How can I verify my awards entry status?
You can contact the Voted Best Awards at Entry@AwardsJudge.com - please indicate Therapy Awards date of entry.

 

9. When will I receive any feedback of whether I’m a winner or a finalist?
The Honors & Awards Review Team meet twice monthly. All those who have submitted for award consideration should be contacted by an assigned awards coach who will assist you with any additional requirements and next step opportunities.

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TIPS

How do I go about nominating someone or self-nominating for a Voted Best Award?
The process is very simple! All you need to do is go to the entry webpage during open nominations and click on the appropriate awards category.

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How should I approach filling out the online form?
One way is to create your answers in a word, google doc or PDF document and then copy and paste your answers into the online form. This will also provide you with a record of your answers. The form will automatically save as you go along so it does not have to be completed in one sitting.

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BEST PRACTICES FOR PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

1. Carve out Time – We know that most people submit very close to the deadline.  Our reviewers suggest scheduling time at least a few hours ahead of the deadline to draft out your submission for your practice description is a stress reducer!

2. Share some results and any impacts – include metrics that describe what was accomplished, how it is being measured, and/or what does success look like (if it’s still in progress). Your submission may be used for promotional materials if you are selected for an award, so be sure to use action verbs and include results, possibly a catchy title also goes a long way!  Keep your verbiage brief non-technical and geared towards positive results and healing outcomes.

3. Inform us what you learned  - what best practices can you share? What were some of the learnings in your experience that best describes your growth and expertise in the profession that you can safely tell us, and what surprised you?

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