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58th Annual PCA Conference
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Saturday, November 7
 

7:00am EST

Registration Desk Open
Saturday November 7, 2026 7:00am - 6:00pm EST

Saturday November 7, 2026 7:00am - 6:00pm EST

7:30am EST

Breakfast is Served!
Saturday November 7, 2026 7:30am - 9:00am EST
Please join us for the keynote breakfast. Breakfast service will begin at 7:30AM and the Keynote presentation will begin at 8AM. 
Saturday November 7, 2026 7:30am - 9:00am EST

8:00am EST

Keynote Presentation
Saturday November 7, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am EST

Saturday November 7, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am EST

9:15am EST

9:15AM Education Sessions and Roundtables
Saturday November 7, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am EST

Saturday November 7, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am EST

9:15am EST

From the Counseling Chair to the Executive Seat: Ethical and Practical Challenges in Leadership Transition (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
As counselors increasingly move into leadership roles, many find themselves navigating executive responsibilities without formal training in business or organizational leadership. This session examines the ethical, practical, and cultural challenges of this transition, highlighting the risks of practicing beyond scope in leadership contexts. Participants will explore key leadership competencies, identity shifts, and strategies for developing the skills necessary to lead effectively and ethically in business and nonprofit environments.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Marcella Rolle PhD, LPC, NCC

Dr. Marcella Rolle PhD, LPC, NCC

Executive Director, Cornerstone Counseling Ministries
Dr. Marcella Rolle is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Executive Director of Cornerstone Counseling Ministries in Easton, PA, where she leads clinical services, supervision, and faith-integrated programming. She holds a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision and has extensive... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am EST
  60 Minute Education Session
  • global Y

9:15am EST

Revamping PCA Member Services: Strengthening Member Engagement (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
Member retention is an essential aspect of the longevity of the Pennsylvania Counseling Association. Maintaining our member community involves fostering a sense of belonging and commitment to PCA, its mission, and critical initiatives. This session overviews the efforts of a PCA Emerging Leader capstone project that assessed current  member communications and engagement to inform the promotion of 
member retention, increase volunteer engagement in PCA committees, participation in programming, and foster a more connected PCA community.


Speakers
avatar for Patrice A. Bryan, MS

Patrice A. Bryan, MS

Doctoral Candidate, Duquesne University
Patrice A. Bryan (she/they) is a child/family counselor and doctoral candidate in Counselor Education and Supervision at Duquesne University. Their work as a clinician and future counselor educator is informed by systemic frameworks, seeking to amplify marginalized narratives to inform... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am EST
  60 Minute Education Session

9:15am EST

Sexuality and Cancer: Addressing the Young Adult’s Experience With and Around Cancer (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
This presentation offers a deeply personal and clinical exploration of intimacy following a cancer diagnosis. As a breast cancer survivor, BRCA2 gene carrier, and Certified Sex Therapist, Dana Kirkpatrick bridges the gap between the patient experience and professional recovery.

Participants will move beyond the clinical "end of treatment" to explore the "New Normal"—a phase where survivors learn to feel okay with themselves again through self-care and mindfulness. The talk addresses the "duck syndrome"—appearing calm on the surface while "paddling furiously" underneath—and provides a roadmap for navigating the Kubler-Ross Grief Cycle, body image shifts, and the physical side effects of surgery and chemotherapy. By sharing her own timeline from mastectomy to reconstruction, Dana empowers others to reclaim their sexuality and self-worth.
Speakers
avatar for Dana Kirkpatrick

Dana Kirkpatrick

Owner, LPC, CST-S, Calm Pittsburgh
Dana is a licensed mental health professional and a Certified Sex Therapist with a deeply personal connection to her work. As a breast cancer survivor and carrier of the BRCA2 gene, she brings a unique perspective to the intersection of oncology and intimacy. Her personal jo... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am EST
  60 Minute Education Session
  • global Y

9:15am EST

The 4th Wave of Healing with Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques for Emotional Regulation. Taking Cognitive Behavior Therapy to the Next Level (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
Psychotherapy does not have to be boring. If you are tired of listening to the same story over and over again, then use clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques to help your client have cognitive shifts in one session.
Emotional Freedom Techniques is considered to be the 4th wave of healing meaning nothing like it has existed until 1993 when created by Gary Craig. The approach involves manual stimulation of acupuncture points with imaginal exposure, cognitive restructuring and neuro linguistic programming. 
Recent years have seen an emergence of strong evidence for PTSD, anxiety and depression. The number of therapists incorporating clinical EFT into their practice is cited as “tens of thousands” (Leskowitz, 2016, p. 191)
 
CBT is about thinking differently to make different choices. Imagine if your client has not been able to shift to new thinking. EFT will help them have cognitive shifts easily and safely.  Insurance companies support this evidenced based method.
Speakers
avatar for Joan Kaylor, MSEd, LPC, LMHC, DCEP

Joan Kaylor, MSEd, LPC, LMHC, DCEP

Licensed Professional Counseling - Owner/CEO, JoanKaylor, MSEd, LPC, LMHC Counseling and Consulting
Joan Kaylor, MSEd, LPC, LMHC is a licensed mental health counselor and holistic psychotherapist serving clients in Pennsylvania and Florida. She is the founder of Joan Kaylor, MSEd, LPC, LMHC Counseling, where she integrates evidence-based psychotherapy with mind-body and energy-based... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am EST
  60 Minute Education Session
  • global Y

9:15am EST

The Shame We Carry Alone: How to Reclaim Fulfillment for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders in America (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
This presentation explores the impact of intergenerational trauma and unspoken shame within AANHPI communities, shaped by colonization, war, immigration, and cultural expectations. Attendees will gain insight into how these experiences manifest as mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and perfectionism, and learn to recognize common trauma responses. The session will also introduce culturally informed, evidence-based healing approaches—including mindfulness-based trauma therapy and prolonged exposure—to foster self-awareness, self-compassion, and lasting resilience.
Speakers
avatar for Maria Reyes, LPC

Maria Reyes, LPC

Founder/Trauma Therapist/Clinical Director, Resilient Mind Works Counseling
Maria Majet Reyes, MS, LPC is an immigrant, former paramedic, and trauma therapist who merges her passion for humanitarian service with her expertise in mindfulness-based trauma therapy, prolonged exposure therapy, and guided imagery. She helps high achievers break free from perfectionism... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am EST
  60 Minute Education Session
  • global Y

9:15am EST

The Unexpected Journey: When Pregnancy and Birth Becomes Trauma (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
The perinatal period is a time of profound transition and vulnerability, making it a high-risk period for the onset or exacerbation of mental health concerns, especially when unexpected events happen during pregnancy or childbirth. Individuals at increased risk of developing a perinatal mood and anxiety disorder are those who have experienced fertility challenges, perinatal loss, pregnancy and birth complications, and those who have babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. For many, these unexpected events during pregnancy and childbirth can be experienced as trauma. This session offers an overview of perinatal trauma, its impact on individuals and family systems, and trauma-informed, evidence-based approaches for care. Through lecture, case examples and discussion, participants will gain practical strategies to better support clients navigating the often unexpected emotional complexities of the perinatal period.
Speakers
avatar for Emily Spencer, MS, NCC, LPC, PMH-C, BC-TMH

Emily Spencer, MS, NCC, LPC, PMH-C, BC-TMH

Lily of the Valley Wellness
Emily is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Pennsylvania and a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Maryland. She holds specialized certifications as a Perinatal Mental Health Provider (PMH-C), EMDRIA-certified EMDR therapist, Board Certified Telemental Health Provider (BC-TMH... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am EST
  60 Minute Education Session
  • global Y

9:15am EST

Title - The World of Human-AI Counseling: The Impact of AI on Counselors (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
This presentation will focus on the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on counselors. The benefits and risks of AI usage in clinical and personal settings will be discussed. Participants will engage in a discussion to come up with strategies to engage in cognitive activities that can help mitigate dependency on AI. The attendees will complete a fillable prompt with preferred strategies to engage and enhance cognitive skills in the AI era. Counselors can utilize this information to help clients, supervisees, and peers form strategies to balance AI consumption. 
Speakers
avatar for Arsh

Arsh

IUP
Arsh is a doctoral candidate at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She is the current graduate student representative for the North Atlantic Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (NARACES). Arsh also serves on the NARACES wellness committee, and the Pennsylvania Counseling... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am EST
  60 Minute Education Session
  • global Y

9:15am EST

Utilizing Creative Supervision Techniques to Reduce Anxiety and Increase Self-Efficacy in Emerging Counselors (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
Emerging counselors and counselors-in-training often experience high levels of anxiety which, in turn, impact self-efficacy and the development of counseling skills. This session will focus on providing counselor educators and supervisors with a variety of evidence-based creative supervision frameworks and strategies to help mitigate anxiety in new counselors. Participants will learn how to incorporate a variety of creative supervision techniques such as mindfulness, vision boards, sandtray, and self-care plans into their supervision practices. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in an experiential learning activity which can be easily incorporated into counseling supervision sessions in a variety of settings.
Speakers
avatar for Brenda Cappy Gruhn, PhD, LPC, NCC

Brenda Cappy Gruhn, PhD, LPC, NCC

Owner/Therapist, Cappy Counseling & Wellness
Brenda Cappy Gruhn is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), and a certified Pennsylvania Professional School Counselor. She is also a Certified Mindfulness Instructor with the Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults. Brenda holds a master's... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am EST
  60 Minute Education Session
  • global Y

9:15am EST

Welcome to the Journal of the Pennsylvania Counseling Association (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
The editors of the Journal of the Pennsylvania Counseling Association (JPCA) welcome PCA members to attend an education session focusing on scholarly writing. Attendees will learn how to apply to be journal reviewers, how to submit an article for possible publication, and some pro writing tips. PCA members will also be introduced to the new journal editorial team. New projects will be discussed.
Speakers
DK

Dr. Katharine Byrd

Katharine Byrd serves as an Associate Editor of the Journal of the Pennsylvania Counseling Association. She is a recent Ph.D. graduate in Counselor Education and Supervision whose work centers on counselor development, professional dispositions, and clinical training. She also Kate... Read More →
AC

Angie Conrad, Ph.D., LPC

Editor of the Pennsylvania Counseling Association, Pennsylvania Counseling Association/Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Angie Conrad is a Licensed Professional Counselor counseling individual and families of all ages. She recently completed her Pd.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision at Indiana University of Pennsylvania where she has also been adjunct teaching in the Clinical Mental Health... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am EST
  60 Minute Education Session
  • global Y

9:15am EST

Administration of EMDR in Group IOP to OP Continuums of Care (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
This session explores the adaptation of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for use in group settings within Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) and step-down Outpatient (OP) specialty groups. Participants will learn how to implement group EMDR protocols while maintaining clinical safety, conducting appropriate assessment, and managing risk in higher-acuity populations. The presentation will highlight phased treatment adaptations, resourcing strategies, dissociation screening, and containment techniques that support stabilization while allowing for trauma processing in a group format. Attendees will leave with practical tools for integrating EMDR into continuum-of-care programming while adhering to ethical and evidence-based standards.
Speakers
AV

Anthony Vajda, PhD, LPC

Core Faculty, Antioch University
Dr. Anthony Vajda is part of the core faculty team of the CES program at AU-Seattle with expertise in multicultural counseling, social justice advocacy, and trauma-focused work. His research focuses on racial and ethnic disparities in mental health care, social determinants of health... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am EST
  60 Minute Roundtable
  • global Y

9:15am EST

Between Neutrality and Attunement: Navigating Political Conversations in Therapy (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
With an increasingly complex social climate, clients often bring political and systemic stressors into therapy and may directly ask about a therapist’s beliefs or values. Counselor training has traditionally emphasized neutrality to protect the therapeutic alliance; however, clinicians frequently encounter moments in which avoiding these topics feels distancing, while disclosure risks shifting focus away from the client. Clinicians are therefore navigating clinical ambiguity rather than following a clear rule: how to remain client-centered when a client’s lived experience is intertwined with broader social context.


This roundtable invites counselors to explore the ethical and relational tensions that arise when political or value-based questions emerge in therapy. Through guided discussion, participants will examine common clinical dilemmas, share experiences, and reflect on how different responses impact the therapeutic relationship. Emphasis will be placed on attunement, client autonomy, and minimizing unintentional harm while navigating these conversations in a changing social climate.
Speakers
avatar for Rachel Gerrity, MA LAPC NCC

Rachel Gerrity, MA LAPC NCC

Outpatient Therapist, Counseling Collective
Rachel Gerrity is a trauma-informed outpatient therapist at The Counseling Collective in East Petersburg, Pennsylvania. She earned her master’s degree in Clinical Counseling from Alvernia University and is currently working towards full licensure. Rachel is also a National Certified... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am EST
  60 Minute Roundtable
  • global Y

9:15am EST

Beyond the Binary: Supporting Transgender Clients through the Gender Constellation (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
You've heard of the genderbread person, the gender unicorn now get ready for the gender constellation! The gender constellation offers a more nuanced and intersectional approach to gender exploration than traditional gender models. In this roundtable, you will learn about the gender constellation and have the opportunity to complete your own gender constellation in this interactive roundtable discussion. Lastly, we will review ways to apply this to client work, supervision sessions, and classroom education. 
Speakers
DT

Dr. Tish Weikel, Ed.D., LPC, NCC, ACS

CEO & Licensed Professional Counselor, Phoenix Counseling Services, LLC
Dr. Tish Weikel (she/her) is a licensed professional counselor, educator, and advocate with over 15 years of experience serving diverse client populations across Pennsylvania. She is the founder and CEO of Phoenix Counseling Services, a holistic, LGBTQIAP+ affirming care practice... Read More →
avatar for goose Linneman, MA, LAPC

goose Linneman, MA, LAPC

Mental Health Counselor, Alexandra R. Darion LLC
Goose (they/them) is a queer & trans, neurodivergent mental health therapist and yoga teacher. They are interested in the intersecting considerations of queer & trans and neurodivergent clients. Goose is inspired by their own mental health experiences and the experiences of their... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am EST
  60 Minute Roundtable

9:15am EST

Culturally Responsive Supervision: Theory and Application in a Changing World
Saturday November 7, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
This interactive session will explore the competencies and practices that define culturally responsive supervision in today’s evolving professional and clinical contexts. Grounded in Anci and Ladany’s (2010) Multicultural Framework for Counselor Supervision, we will examine key theoretical principles and consider their application through a practical vignette designed to foster discussion and reflection. Participants will engage in group dialogue to identify strategies for enhancing cultural knowledge, awareness, addressing power dynamics, and promoting equity within supervisory relationships. Attendees will leave with concrete, actionable tools to integrate culturally responsive approaches into their own supervisory practice.
Speakers
avatar for Scarlett Iglesias Hoyos

Scarlett Iglesias Hoyos

Doctoral Candidate, The Pennsylvania State University
Scarlett Iglesias Hoyos, MS, LCPC (NV), CADC-I, CPGC-I, NCC is a doctoral candidate specializing in immigration, mental health, and trauma, focusing on supporting Spanish-speaking counselors in training and Latino immigrants. Her clinical practice and advocacy address the cultural... Read More →
avatar for Cassandra Y. Kam

Cassandra Y. Kam

Doctoral Candidate, The Pennsylvania State University
Cassandra Y. Kam, MEd, MS, CRC, LMHC, NCC, is a doctoral candidate in the Counselor Education program at PSU.  Cassandra previously worked as a state and federal vocational rehabilitation counselor, an ADA/504 disability coordinator, and as a services supervisor for community-based services for individuals with intellec... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am EST
  60 Minute Roundtable
  • global Y

9:15am EST

Embracing Inquiry: Transforming Counselor Development Through Socratic Dialogue (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
This presentation aims to bring Socratic questioning to the forefront of clinical mental health counseling and position its use as a multidisciplinary tool to explore and expand competencies related to counseling practice, social and cultural diversity, and diagnostic processes. Participants will learn about Socratic questioning as it’s defined, the many ways it’s already implemented in counseling work, and discuss the implementation throughout clinical training programs.
Speakers
avatar for Sheba Antony

Sheba Antony

Doctoral Student and Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Pennsylvania State University
Sheba is a South Asian American licensed mental health counselor, specialized in the treatment of eating disorders and co-occurring concerns. With five years of clinical experience and a current doctoral student in counselor education and supervision, Sheba advocates for fat-positive... Read More →
avatar for Elizabeth Prosek PhD, LPC, NCC

Elizabeth Prosek PhD, LPC, NCC

Professor, Pennsylvania State University
Elizabeth A. Prosek (she/her/hers), PhD, LPC, NCC, is a Professor of Education and Professor-in-Charge of Counselor Education at Penn State University. Her research interests include counseling military populations; community engagement and program evaluation; co-occurring presenting... Read More →
avatar for Sloan Ferron MA, LAPC, NCC

Sloan Ferron MA, LAPC, NCC

Doctoral Student & Liscensed Associate Professional Counselor, Pennsylvania State University
Sloan Ferron, MS, LAPC, NCC, is a doctoral student at Pennsylvania State University and a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor at Nickischer and Associates. With training in trauma-focused clinical mental health counseling, she blends Black feminist, liberatory, and community-driven... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am EST
  60 Minute Roundtable
  • global Y

9:15am EST

Outside the Box: Using Board Games in the Counseling Space (and the ones I tried so you don't have to!) (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
Ever look at a board game and think, "I wonder how I can make this therapeutic"? Me too! This session is about what I've learned as a school counselor and clinical mental health counselor who uses games in session regularly. We'll review research on games in counseling and discuss practical ways to integrate them into counseling sessions. I'll also share some of my favorite (and lesser-known) games that I use in my practice!
Speakers
avatar for Sarah Powers, MS, NCC, LPC

Sarah Powers, MS, NCC, LPC

Doctoral Student; Clinical Mental Health Counselor
Sarah Powers, MS, LPC, NCC is a 4th year doctoral student at Adams State University in the Counselor Education and Supervision PhD program. A lifelong Pennsylvania resident, she resides near Philadelphia and earned her master’s degree in School Counseling from the University of... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am EST
  60 Minute Roundtable
  • global Y

9:15am EST

When Leaders Are Cut Down: Exploring Tall Poppy Syndrome in the Counseling Profession (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
Tall poppy syndrome (TPS) - or the tendency to criticize, exclude, or undermine individuals who achieve success - has been widely documented across disciplines but remains underexplored within the counseling profession. This session presents findings from a phenomenological study examining the lived experiences of female leaders in counseling who have encountered TPS in professional contexts.


Drawing on participant narratives, the presentation highlights how TPS manifests through relational dynamics such as criticism, exclusion, and negative messaging, often leading leaders to modify their behavior, downplay achievements, or withdraw from opportunities. At the same time, participants described experiences of growth, resilience, and strengthened leadership identity, illustrating the complex, dialectical nature of success and scrutiny.


Attendees will gain insight into TPS within counseling environments, its implications for leadership development and retention, and considerations for fostering more supportive and equitable professional cultures.
Speakers
avatar for Sarah Bell, PhD, LPC

Sarah Bell, PhD, LPC

Director of the Pathways Center, Waynesburg University
Sarah Bell is the Director of the Pathways Center (student support) at Waynesburg University, where she has worked since 2015. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), National Certified Counselor (NCC), and Certified Career Services Provider (CCSP). Sarah holds a PhD in Counselor... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 9:15am - 10:15am EST
  60 Minute Roundtable
  • global Y

10:30am EST

10:30AM Roundtables
Saturday November 7, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EST

Saturday November 7, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EST

10:30am EST

Enhancing Self-Efficacy Among Substance Use Disorder Counselors in Times of Change (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
This session addresses urgent behavioral health workforce challenges with specific emphasis on substance use disorder (SUD) counselor self-efficacy in bolstering a resilient and competent workforce. By strengthening SUD counselor self-efficacy, Pennsylvania will be well positioned to retain skilled clinicians, improve service delivery, and navigate ongoing transitions in behavioral health care. Drawing on current workforce trends and evidence-informed practices, the session will highlight strategies to strengthen SUD counselor competence, confidence, and leadership capacity.
Speakers
avatar for Devon Bowser

Devon Bowser

Dean of Assessment, Program Director for the Master of Arts in Counseling, Program Director for the Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling Education, and Professor, Waynesburg University
Dr. Devon Bowser earned a Bachelor of Arts from Indiana University, Ph.D., a Master of Arts from Franciscan University, and a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Duquesne University. Dr. Bowser serves as the Dean of Assessment, program director for the Master of Arts... Read More →
avatar for Kelley McNichols

Kelley McNichols

Assistant Director of Graduate Counseling Programs, Clinical Coordinator, and Associate Professor, Waynesburg University
Dr. Kelley McNichols earned an undergraduate degree in Criminology and Pre-Law from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Science in Education with a concentration in Community Counseling from Duquesne University, and a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Duquesne... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EST
  60 Minute Roundtable
  • global Y

10:30am EST

From Trainee to Clinician to Educator: A Shared Reflection on Navigating War, Grief, and Growth in Times of Crisis (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
This co-facilitated roundtable explores how clinicians and educators are shaped by personal, community, and global crises. Through reflections on war, suicide loss, pandemic-era training, and workplace grief, participants will engage in dialogue about professional identity, meaning-making, and growth in the helping professions. We will share lived experiences across multiple levels of crisis: personal milestones such as childbirth and graduation; community losses including the deaths of a coworker and a student; and global upheavals such as the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing international conflicts. Participants will be invited into a reflective dialogue about how such moments of rupture can become sites of resilience, redefinition, and growth. This roundtable aims to create space for shared storytelling and critical reflection on what it means to train, practice, and teach in a profession that is continually shaped by crisis and change.
Speakers
avatar for Phuong Bach, Psy.D, M.Phil.Ed., M.S.Ed.

Phuong Bach, Psy.D, M.Phil.Ed., M.S.Ed.

Postdoctoral Fellow, Princeton University Counseling and Psychological Services
I received my Doctorate of Clinical Psychology from the George Washington University’s Clinical Psychology and my Master’s level training in Counseling Psychology and Education from the University of Pennsylvania. I currently serve as a Postdoctoral Fellow at Princeton University’s... Read More →
avatar for Miranda (Xiaofeng) Wang, M.Phil.Ed, LPC, NCC

Miranda (Xiaofeng) Wang, M.Phil.Ed, LPC, NCC

Private Practice Mental Health Counselor, Adjunct Faculty at University of Pennsylvania
Miranda Wang is a private practice mental health counselor, clinical supervisor, and educator whose work spans therapy, supervision, training and higher education. She serves as adjunct faculty at the Graduate School of Education, University of Pennsylvania, and worked as the Assistant... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EST
  60 Minute Roundtable
  • global Y

10:30am EST

Reframing Resilience: An Ecological Approach to Treatment Planning with Military Spouses (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
Military families play a vital role in sustaining force readiness, with spouses providing key stability for children and overall family functioning. Spouse mental health strongly influences child wellbeing and satisfaction with military life, yet resilience messaging often focuses on individuals rather than systems. This session introduces counselors to an ecological approach to treatment planning with military spouses, emphasizing strengths and vulnerabilities across contextual domains to better support family wellbeing.
Speakers
avatar for Elizabeth Prosek PhD, LPC, NCC

Elizabeth Prosek PhD, LPC, NCC

Professor, Pennsylvania State University
Elizabeth A. Prosek (she/her/hers), PhD, LPC, NCC, is a Professor of Education and Professor-in-Charge of Counselor Education at Penn State University. Her research interests include counseling military populations; community engagement and program evaluation; co-occurring presenting... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EST
  60 Minute Roundtable
  • global Y

10:30am EST

Unmasking the Catfish: Key Considerations and Practices when Working with Online Deception in Counseling (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
Catfishing, or online deception, is an increasingly prevalent presenting problem for individuals in counseling. Online deception is the practice of creating a fabricated personality or exaggerating aspects of one's identity to attract individuals online. Online deception can be used for both romantic and financial gain. This presentation will explore key background information on online deception.  It will explore catfishing from both a theoretical and a social construct, facing our clients.  It will also explore the characteristics of both victims and perpetrators and the impact AI may have on online relationships. Finally, this presentation will present counselors, counselors-in-training, and supervisors with treatment recommendations and practices.  
Speakers
avatar for Derek J. Parker, PhD, LPC, NCC, ACS

Derek J. Parker, PhD, LPC, NCC, ACS

Assistant Professor, Liberty University
Dr. Derek Parker is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Pennsylvania.  He spent about a decade working with children, adolescents, and their families before transitioning to the field of addiction. He received his master’s degree (MA) in Professional Counseling... Read More →
avatar for Eric J. Camden, PhD, LPC, NCC, ACS

Eric J. Camden, PhD, LPC, NCC, ACS

Associate Professor, Liberty University
Dr. Camden is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and approved clinical supervisor (ACS) in Virginia and is a National Certified Counselor (NCC). He holds a PhD in Counselor Education & Supervision and is an associate professor in Liberty University’s Clinical Mental Health... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EST
  60 Minute Roundtable
  • global Y

10:30am EST

What We Needed, What We Know: A Conversation on Supporting Graduate Student-Parents in Counselor Education (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
Graduate student-parents in counselor education navigate the dual demands of academic training and caregiving, often with limited support. This 60-minute roundtable, is facilitated by PhD student-mothers and invites participants to share lived experiences, reflect on key challenges and transitions, and discuss strategies for fostering more supportive learning environments. Through collaborative dialogue, this session aims to build community and generate practical insights for better supporting student-parents in counselor education. 
Speakers
XZ

Xin Zou, LPC (PA), LMHC (IA)

Penn State University
Xin Zou (she/her/hers) is a mental health counselor and a doctoral student in the Counselor Education program at Penn State and serves as a clinic supervisor at the Dr. Edwin L. Herr Clinic. She holds master's degrees in Professional Counseling from the University of Pennsylvania... Read More →
avatar for Courtney Dixon, LPC (PA), LCPC (MD)

Courtney Dixon, LPC (PA), LCPC (MD)

Doctoral Student, Lead Clinic Supervisor, The Pennsylvania State University
Courtney Dixon (she/her/hers) is a doctoral student at Penn State’s Counselor Education program as well as the lead clinic supervisor at the Dr. Edwin L. Herr Clinic. Courtney earned a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Johns Hopkins University in 2021... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EST
  60 Minute Roundtable
  • global Y

10:30am EST

10:30AM 90-Minute Education Sessions
Saturday November 7, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm EST

Saturday November 7, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm EST

10:30am EST

Beyond Talk Therapy: Bringing the Body Into the Healing Process (1.5 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
Did you ever have a client who could beautifully explain their trauma, has all the insight in the world, and is still completely dysregulated? That’s not resistance. That’s their nervous system. When trauma lives in the body, healing must involve the body.
This experiential session introduces counselors to the integration of somatic therapy and Polyvagal Theory as powerful tools for trauma-responsive and regulation-focused care. While traditional talk therapy emphasizes cognitive insight, emerging neuroscience highlights the critical role of the body in processing and resolving distress. Participants will explore how nervous system states shape client experiences, behaviors, and therapeutic engagement.
Grounded in the work of Stephen Porges and Pat Ogden, this session will bridge theory and practice by translating complex neurophysiological concepts into accessible, clinically applicable interventions. Attendees will learn how to recognize autonomic states in session, support regulation, and incorporate body-based strategies to enhance safety, connection, and healing.
The workshop will conclude with practical, ready-to-use somatic interventions that clinicians can immediately integrate into their work with clients across diverse settings.
Speakers
DT

Dr. Tish Weikel, Ed.D., LPC, NCC, ACS

CEO & Licensed Professional Counselor, Phoenix Counseling Services, LLC
Dr. Tish Weikel (she/her) is a licensed professional counselor, educator, and advocate with over 15 years of experience serving diverse client populations across Pennsylvania. She is the founder and CEO of Phoenix Counseling Services, a holistic, LGBTQIAP+ affirming care practice... Read More →
AM

Alli Monn, NCC, LAPC

Licensed Associate Professional Counselor, Phoenix Counseling Services
Alli Monn, NCC, LAPC, is a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor at Phoenix Counseling Services. She earned her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Shippensburg University in December 2025. Alli works primarily with children and adolescents, while also... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm EST
  90 Minute Education Session
  • global Y

10:30am EST

Defining Professional Counselor Identity: Voices from the Field (1.5 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
What it means to be a counselor is often difficult to grasp, and previously primarily been an academic endeavor. Adding their voices, Licensed Professional Counselors articulated what they believed defines being a counselor.  In addition to discussing the study’s findings, the session will engage in a critical discussion about how these findings might compare to participants’ experiences, and what this might mean for the future of the profession.
Speakers
avatar for Nicola A. Meade, PhD., NCC, LCPC

Nicola A. Meade, PhD., NCC, LCPC

Assistant Professor, Rosemont College
After working as a Domestic Violence Advocate in Oregon, Nicola Meade, PhD, LCPC (MD), NCC, studied at Loyola University Maryland.  She then achieved her PhD from Old Dominion University, where she was an instructor, and began researching counselor identity formation.  She has two... Read More →
avatar for Zahide Sunal, PhD, NCC

Zahide Sunal, PhD, NCC

Assistant Professor, University of Texas at Tyler
Zahide Sunal, PhD, NCC has a 10 years' experience in the field of counseling.  In this time frame, she has developed her own counselor identity, have been practicing as a counselor, and working as supervisor, counselor educator, and researcher. Her research agenda primarily focuses... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm EST
  90 Minute Education Session
  • global Y

10:30am EST

Food for Thought: Where Mental Health and Nutrition Care Connect (1.5 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
Mental health and nutrition are deeply connected. In this session, a counselor and a dietitian explore how collaboration across fields has the potential to benefit all clients. We will explore various modes of collaboration, including bringing a dietitian on board in private practice or community mental health settings to participate as a provider and consultant. In addition to this, we will discuss the bidirectional relationship between nutrition and mental health, the logistics behind collaboration, and how to ensure that collaboration is beneficial to all involved.
Speakers
TL

Taralee Loveridge, MS, RDN, LDN

Outpatient Registered Dietitian, Independence Health
Taralee Loveridge works as an outpatient registered dietitian for the Independent Health System at the Well Being Center. She began her career as a registered dietitian in 2022, working at UPMC McKeesport in their Behavioral Health and Rehab Detox unit. She has always been passionate... Read More →
JB

Justin Buehrle, MA

Justin Buehrle (he/him) holds a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Prior to this, Justin earned his Bachelor of Science in psychology, with a minor in sociology, from Pennsylvania Western University. His clinical and research... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm EST
  90 Minute Education Session
  • global Y

10:30am EST

From Awareness to Action: Counseling at the Intersection of Immigration Enforcement Policy and Practice (1.5 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
This session examines the impact of expanding immigration policies and enforcement on migrant individual and community wellbeing. Participants will learn about the role counselors can play as advocates in this shifting sociopolitical landscape. Participants will be encouraged to reflect on their beliefs and advocacy competencies while gaining insight into the history of U.S. immigration law and current topics, including 287(g) agreements, surveillance, and protective legislation. Using the ACA Code of Ethics and Advocacy Competencies as a foundation, presenters will engage participants in exploring counselors’ ethical responsibility and actionable strategies to support migrants across micro, meso, and macro levels. The session will also introduce resources to assist counselors in their advocacy work while promoting their own mental wellbeing.
Speakers
AE

Amanda Eilers

Amanda (LAPC, NCC) is passionate about serving the community and currently works as a counselor in an Inpatient psychiatric hospital.  She also works in a private practice where she specializes in trauma, attachment issues, and the particular needs of foster parents. She has years... Read More →
LH

Lan Huynh

Master's student, Arcadia University
Lan Huynh (she/they) is a graduate student in the Master of Arts in Counseling program at Arcadia University, specializing in trauma. Lan received their B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Cognitive Neuroscience from Temple University. Lan is currently completing their clinical internship... Read More →
avatar for Patricia Brenner, Ph.D.

Patricia Brenner, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Kutztown University
Patricia Brenner (Ph.D.) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Counselor Education and Student Affairs at Kutztown University and the Coordinator of the School Counseling Program.  She is a former IU trainer and specialist in conflict resolution and response to intervention... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm EST
  90 Minute Education Session
  • global Y

10:30am EST

Honoring Voice and Choice: Ethical Counseling with Neurodivergent Clients (1.5 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
How do counselors balance supporting clients’ authentic selves while helping them navigate a neurotypical world? This interactive session explores that tension through the lens of the ACA Code of Ethics, offering practical strategies for real-world dilemmas involving autonomy, consent, and advocacy. Participants will also gain insight into PA Act 61 of 2023 and its impact on guardianship and decision-making. Grounded in neurodiversity-affirming, culturally responsive care, this workshop equips counselors to ethically support neurodivergent individuals through change and transition.
Speakers
avatar for Maleita Olson, LCSW, NADD-CC

Maleita Olson, LCSW, NADD-CC

Chief Operating Officer/ Psychotherapist, Spectra Support Services LLC/ Moringa Institute
Maleita Olson, LCSW, is a co-founder and current Chief Operating Officer at Spectra Support Services, LLC, a community agency offering various mental health services with a specialty in serving those with neurodivergence and/or intellectual disability. She is also the Compliance Officer... Read More →
avatar for Patricia J. Gonzalez, LPC, MT-BC, NADD-CC

Patricia J. Gonzalez, LPC, MT-BC, NADD-CC

CEO/ Psychotherapist/ Music Therapist, Spectra Support Services LLC/ Moringa Institute
Patricia is the Co-Founder, Co-Owner of two businesses: She is the Chief Executive Officer of Spectra Support Services, LLC and the CE Program Administrator for the Moringa Institute.. In these roles,  she leads professional training and continuing education for behavioral health... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm EST
  90 Minute Education Session
  • global Y

10:30am EST

Navigating the Complexities of Counselor Education in the 21st Century: Shaping Tomorrow’s Counselors Through Innovation and Insight (1.5 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
Counselor education is experiencing rapid transformation as programs adapt to technological innovation, evolving student needs, and shifting professional expectations. Consistent with the theme “Embracing the Journey: Leading Through Change and Transition,” this session explores how counselor educators can thoughtfully navigate emerging changes in the training landscape. Key topics include the growth of online and hybrid instruction, the increasing presence of artificial intelligence in higher education and counselor training, and evolving gatekeeping responsibilities within counselor education programs. Participants will meet faculty from a CACREP-accredited counselor education department who will introduce and examine ethical, pedagogical, and professional considerations associated with these developments and discuss strategies for maintaining strong professional standards while embracing innovation. This presentation highlights the leadership role of counselor educators in guiding the profession through periods of transition while preparing future counselors for a rapidly evolving practice environment.
Speakers
avatar for Todd Whitman, Ph.D., LPC-(PA), LCPC-(MD), NCC, ACS, BC-TMH

Todd Whitman, Ph.D., LPC-(PA), LCPC-(MD), NCC, ACS, BC-TMH

Professor and Chair, Shippensburg University
Dr. Whitman received his bachelor’s degree in Psychology and French Literature from Colgate University in 1990. After stints in the corporate business world in San Francisco, CA and Syracuse, NY, Todd decided that he wanted to consider other vocations. He took some time off to ride... Read More →
avatar for Ford Brooks, Ed.D., LPC, NCC, CADC

Ford Brooks, Ed.D., LPC, NCC, CADC

Professor, Shippensburg University
Ford has been a faculty member in the Department of Counselor Education at Shippensburg University since 1997. Prior to his tenure at Shippensburg University, he was an addiction counselor in Richmond, Virginia for thirteen years and taught adjunct for seven years in the Department... Read More →
avatar for Kelly Dryzal, Ed.D, LPC, CIS-R, CMNCS

Kelly Dryzal, Ed.D, LPC, CIS-R, CMNCS

Faculty, Shippensburg University
With over 20 years of experience as a licensed mental health counselor, Dr. Kelly Dryzal, Ed.D, LPC has dedicated her career to supporting individuals through compassionate, evidence-based trauma informed care. She is currently a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Pennsylvania... Read More →
avatar for Matthew R. Shupp, Ed.D., NCC, BC-TMH, ACS, LPC-(PA), LCPC-(MD)

Matthew R. Shupp, Ed.D., NCC, BC-TMH, ACS, LPC-(PA), LCPC-(MD)

Professor, Shippensburg University
Dr. Matthew R. Shupp (re-)joined Shippensburg University in 2013 after serving as a student affairs professional for 12 years in a variety of institutional settings. His previous professional experience includes the community college, for-profit, private, and public higher education... Read More →
avatar for Shannon Shoemaker, Ph.D., LCPC, (MD), MD Board Approved Supervisor, LPC, (VA) LMHC (MA), NCC NCC

Shannon Shoemaker, Ph.D., LCPC, (MD), MD Board Approved Supervisor, LPC, (VA) LMHC (MA), NCC NCC

Assistant Professor, Shippensburg University
Dr. Shannon M. Shoemaker joined Shippensburg University in 2025 after serving in faculty roles across a range of educational and clinical settings, including CACREP-accredited counseling programs, K-12 school systems, and private clinical practice. Her academic career reflects a sustained... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm EST
  90 Minute Education Session
  • global Y

10:30am EST

Promoting Healing and Resilience among Boys and Men Who Have Been Sexually Assaulted (1.5 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
This session will address the widespread yet under-recognized problem of the sexual abuse of boys and sexual assault of men. Data will be summarized, showing that nearly 11% of boys and 25% of men in the U.S. experience sexual victimization, often leading to significant psychological, behavioral, and somatic issues. The presenter will explain how constricted norms of masculinity contribute to shame, under-reporting, and barriers to help-seeking in these populations. A strength-based, recovery-oriented approach to counseling will be described.  Key features of this approach include trauma-informed understanding, sensitive therapeutic engagement, evidence-based interventions, family involvement, and ethical practice that can help sexually victimized boys and men to reclaim a sense of personal power, rebuild trust in others, and develop healthier, more flexible models of masculinity. 
 
Speakers
avatar for Mark S. Kiselica, Ph.D., HSPP, NCC, LPC

Mark S. Kiselica, Ph.D., HSPP, NCC, LPC

Professor of Psychology, Penn State Harrisburg
Dr. Mark S. Kiselica is a Professor of Psychology at Penn State Harrisburg. Prior to his current position, he served as the Director of CACREP-accredited programs in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling at Ball State University and The College of New Jersey.  Dr... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm EST
  90 Minute Education Session
  • global Y

10:30am EST

Safety, Connection, and Growth: Cultivating Supervisory Alliance and Trust through Trauma-Informed Supervision (1.5 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
There is a need for a supervision model that enables a deeper supervision process, builds supervisory alliance, and trust for counselors experiencing trauma or a crisis. A trauma-informed supervision model will be presented to discuss the use of TIS principles to enhance the supervisory alliance and trust. There will be a focus on how to utilize respect, dignity, trust-building, emotional support, and collaboration as supervisory practices to enhance trauma-informed supervision and build a working alliance. Furthermore, a discussion on practices of how to support counselor wellness and address shared traumatic reality, secondary traumatic stress, or vicarious trauma in supervision. The presentation will include an interactive discussion of the application of the trauma-informed model. The purpose of the presentation is to inform the participants about trauma-informed supervision and provide an application of the model to practice.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Leslie Cogorno, Ph.D., LPC

Dr. Leslie Cogorno, Ph.D., LPC

Associate Professor, Johnson University
Dr. Leslie Cogorno, Ph.D., LPC, is an Associate Professor in the MA Counseling Program at Johnson University, where she also serves as CACREP Coordinator. A bilingual clinician fluent in English and Spanish, Dr. Cogorno immigrated from Chile and brings a rich multicultural perspective... Read More →
avatar for Dr. Shawna Smithbauer, Ph.D., LPC

Dr. Shawna Smithbauer, Ph.D., LPC

Assistant Professor, Anderson University
Shawna Smithbauer, Ph.D., LPC, is an Assistant Professor at Anderson University in their Clinical Mental Health program and serves as their clinical coordinator. Dr. Smithbauer has a private practice through Living Water Counseling, specializing in trauma-informed care, wellness... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm EST
  90 Minute Education Session
  • global Y

10:30am EST

The ACA Code of Ethics 2026: What Has Changed? (1.5 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
The Counseling Profession uses a code of ethics to help ensure client safety and wellbeing as well as the wellbeing of professional counselors, counselor educators, counseling students, and counseling researchers (ACA, 2014, 2026; Mabe & Rollins, 1986). The ACA Code of Ethics helps to guide ACA members in the ethical decision-making process, defining professional counseling, and outlining what is expected of professional counselors (ACA, 2014, 2026).
The ACA Code of Ethics “holds ACA members to the highest professional ethical standards in the practice of counseling” (ACA, 2026 p. 1). As such, the ACA Code of Ethics is updated at least every ten years to remain relevant to the professional practice of counseling and the clients we serve.
This session will highlight the significant changes made in the revision of the ACA Code of Ethics (2026) using PowerPoint presentation, discussion, and handouts. The target audience members are professional counselors, counselor educators, counseling researchers, and counseling students.
This presentation ties into the theme “Embracing the Journey: Leading Through Change and Transition” because this is precisely what we are asking attendees to do…embrace the changes made in The ACA Code of Ethics (2026) and transition their practice of counseling accordingly.
The Counseling Profession uses a code of ethics to help ensure client safety and wellbeing as well as the wellbeing of professional counselors, counselor educators, counseling students, and counseling researchers (ACA, 2014, 2026; Mabe & Rollins, 1986). The ACA Code of Ethics helps to guide ACA members in the ethical decision-making process, defining professional counseling, and outlining what is expected of professional counselors (ACA, 2014, 2026).
The ACA Code of Ethics “holds ACA members to the highest professional ethical standards in the practice of counseling” (ACA, 2026 p. 1). As such, the ACA Code of Ethics is updated at least every ten years to remain relevant to the professional practice of counseling and the clients we serve.
This session will highlight the significant changes made in the revision of the ACA Code of Ethics (2026) using PowerPoint presentation, discussion, and handouts. The target audience members are professional counselors, counselor educators, counseling researchers, and counseling students.
This presentation ties into the theme “Embracing the Journey: Leading Through Change and Transition” because this is precisely what we are asking attendees to do…embrace the changes made in The ACA Code of Ethics (2026) and transition their practice of counseling accordingly.
Speakers
NS

Nellie Scanlon, PhD, LPC, NCC, ACS

Assistant Professor, Carlow University
Dr. Scanlon has a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision. She has over 23 years of experience in the counseling field both as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and as a Certified School Counselor. She has worked in high schools, community counseling agencies, college counseling... Read More →
LL

Lynn Linde, EdD

Chief of Professional Practice, American Counseling Association
Dr. Lynn Linde is the Chief of Professional Practice for the American Counseling Association. She oversees professional issues related to counseling and ethics and is the project lead for the Counseling Compact. She holds a bachelors in Psychology from Clark University and a master’s... Read More →
MG

Marcelle Giovannetti, Ed.D., NCC, CADC, LPC, ACS, CCTP-II EMDR

Associate Professor, Messiah University
Dr. Marcelle Giovannetti is an Associate Professor at Messiah University’s Graduate Counseling Program in Pennsylvania. She also works part-time as a clinician in private practice. She has presented on numerous occasions at national, regional, state and local conferences. Dr. Giovannetti... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm EST
  90 Minute Education Session
  • global Y

10:30am EST

When Lived Experience Enters the Counseling Classroom: Integrating Structural Trauma and Experiential Knowledge into Counselor Education (1.5 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
Counselor education programs increasingly enroll students whose lives have been shaped by structural trauma, incarceration, early parenthood, domestic violence, adverse childhood experiences, loss, and systemic inequities. These students enter the classroom not as blank slates but as practitioners-in-formation who carry experiential knowledge with profound clinical relevance. Yet the professional socialization process embedded in counselor training may inadvertently suppress these perspectives, pressing students toward standardized professional identities at the expense of the authentic insight that first drove them into the field.
 
This presentation examines a critical question facing counselor education today: Are CACREP-accredited programs and their educators equipped to honor, sharpen, and integrate students lived experiences with structural trauma, or do current training paradigms risk muffling those perspectives, producing clinicians who are credentialed but disconnected from the human complexity they will encounter in practice?
Speakers
avatar for Divine Lipscomb, M.Ed., NCC, LAPC

Divine Lipscomb, M.Ed., NCC, LAPC

Graduate Assistant, Penn State University
Divine Lipscomb, M.Ed., NCC, LAPC, is a doctoral candidate in Counselor Education and Supervision at Penn State University and a licensed mental health therapist serving rural Central Pennsylvania. A TEDx speaker, published researcher, and the first Black and first formerly incarcerated... Read More →
avatar for Teree Lipscomb

Teree Lipscomb

Graduate Assistant, Penn State
Teree Lipscomb is a graduate student in the Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Schools and Communities program at Pennsylvania State University. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies with a minor in Rehabilitation and Human... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 10:30am - 12:00pm EST
  90 Minute Education Session

12:15pm EST

PCA Awards Lunch
Saturday November 7, 2026 12:15pm - 1:45pm EST

Saturday November 7, 2026 12:15pm - 1:45pm EST

2:00pm EST

2PM Poster Sessions
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST

Saturday November 7, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST

2:00pm EST

A Framework for Counseling Emerging Adults: Results and Implications from a Grounded Theory Study
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST
Emerging adulthood (ages 18–29) represents a critical developmental period with specific mental health  and developmental needs. Counselors often receive limited training on developmentally responsive approaches for working with emerging adult clients. This session presents the  findings from a grounded theory study which developed a framework for working with emerging adult clients. The model highlights establishing safety, validating age normative experiences, providing psychoeducation and processing young adults’ identity development and values. Attendees will learn to apply developmentally informed conceptualizations and counseling techniques that can be integrated into clinical practice with emerging adult clients. 
 
Speakers
avatar for Arsh

Arsh

Doctoral Candidate, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
I received my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. During that time, I worked as a graduate assistant in the Department of Counseling and in an Autism Spectrum Support Lab. My role for the graduate assistantship at the Department... Read More →
avatar for Katie Bucher

Katie Bucher

Masters Student In Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Katelyn Bucher, BA, MA is recent graduate of the CACREP-accredited counseling program at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. During her time at IUP, she served as the President of the Iota Upsilon Pi Chapter of the Chi Sigma Honor Society. Her research interests include emerging... Read More →
avatar for Ella Durst

Ella Durst

Licensed Associate Professional Counselor (LAPC), Counselor Education and Supervision PhD Student, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Ella Durst is a graduate student in Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s (IUP) Counselor Education and Supervision PhD Program. She graduated with their master’s in clinical mental health counseling from IUP and formerly served as the president for their local CSI chapter, Iota... Read More →
avatar for Matthew L. Nice

Matthew L. Nice

Associate Professor, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Matthew L. Nice, PhD, LPC, NCC, ACS, is an associate professor with the Department of Counseling and Human Development at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and chapter faculty advisor for IUP’s Chi Sigma Iota Chapter, Iota Upsilon Pi. He is a licensed professional counselor, a... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST
  Poster Session
  • global Y

2:00pm EST

ADHD Into Adulthood: Past The Typical Years
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST
This learning module examines ADHD across the lifespan, emphasizing its persistence into adulthood and associated functional impacts. It explores factors contributing to underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis—particularly among women and marginalized populations—and highlights the importance of distinguishing ADHD from commonly co-occurring conditions. The module also reviews evidence-based assessment tools and diagnostic strategies, including retrospective symptom evaluation, and integrates strengths-based, neurodiversity-informed approaches to support effective and holistic ADHD management.
Speakers
avatar for Les Jones, NCC, LAPC

Les Jones, NCC, LAPC

Les Jones, NCC, LAPC, is a mental health counselor at Connect Counseling in Gettysburg, PA, and a group facilitator for the online IOP Charlie Health. He specializes in men’s mental health and complex trauma. He is completing his EdD in Counselor Supervision & Education at Shippensburg... Read More →
avatar for Alicia Duhon, MA, MA, LPC, NCC

Alicia Duhon, MA, MA, LPC, NCC

Alicia Duhon, MA, MA, LPC, NCC, is a doctoral student at Shippensburg University, where she is advancing her training in counselor education and supervision. She holds two master’s degrees and is both a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a National Certified Counselor (NCC... Read More →
avatar for Rosie Owoc Hromanik, LAPC, NCC

Rosie Owoc Hromanik, LAPC, NCC

Rosie Owoc Hromanik, LAPC, NCC is a trauma informed, psychodynamic therapist at LifeStance Health in Warrington, Pennsylvania, providing compassionate and evidence-based care to individuals and families creating a supportive space where clients can navigate challenges and develop... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST
  Poster Session
  • global Y

2:00pm EST

Am I a Therapist or a Counselor? Defining Professional Identity for Advocacy and Action in Clinical and Public Settings.
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST
The counseling field has long struggled with inconsistent professional language and identity which has led to a misunderstanding of who counselors are and how we are the same and different from other helping professions. This session will focus on two studies spanning eight years reporting the differences in counselor language that is used throughout the field. The studies show an inconsistency throughout the field that questions counseling unity and the confusion that we are showing the world. Counseling unity affects all parts of the field including how we see ourselves, how our clients and the public interact us and our field, how third-party payers use vague language to lower reimbursement rates, and the future of teaching and supervising in our field. We will discuss best practices for educators and supervisors to use to help create a stronger and more unified identity for the counseling profession.
Speakers
avatar for Ryan Bowers, Ph.D., LPC, NCC, CAADC, CSOTP

Ryan Bowers, Ph.D., LPC, NCC, CAADC, CSOTP

Assistant Professor and Program Director (IU) / Clinical Director (HFP), Immaculata University / Hearthfire Psychology, PLLC
Ryan Bowers is an Assistant Professor and Program Director of the Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision program at Immaculata University, as well as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Pennsylvania, a National Board-Certified Counselor, a Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug... Read More →
avatar for Nicole Yoder

Nicole Yoder

Ph.D. Student (IU) / Clinical Counselor (MC), Immaculata University / Magnolia Counseling
Nicole Yoder is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a second-year student in Immaculata Univeristy’s Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision program. Nicole graduated from Kutztown University’s CACREP-Accredited Marriage, Couples, and Family Counseling program. Nicole... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST
  Poster Session
  • global Y

2:00pm EST

Cultivating Cultural Competence: A Master’s Level Intervention
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST
Students’ ability to apply the MSJCCs could be aided by practice. The current study investigates the alterations within students that participate in a process group designed to assist them in increasing their multicultural competency. Presenters will describe how a group designed like the one under study could aid counselor educators in meeting CACREP standards and preparing their students to enact ethical standards. The hypothesized outcome students will obtain when going through the group will be described. The group’s framework and intended outcome will also be detailed.
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST
  Poster Session
  • global Y

2:00pm EST

Finding the Words: Mental Health Clinicians’ Experiences with Disclosing Cancer Diagnoses
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST
This presentation will discuss the findings of a phenomenological study that examined how mental health professionals navigate receiving cancer diagnoses while working clinically with clients. Specifically, this presentation will focus on themes related to the lived experience of these individuals and their experiences of broaching self-disclosure during this challenging time. The themes will examine the decision to disclose or not disclose to clients, the impact of self-disclosure to clients, how the clinicians navigated conversations with their employers about their diagnosis, and what could have made the participants' experiences of navigating their professional life better during this time. The presenters will also explore the clinical implications and suggestions for colleagues, supervisors, and those who might find themselves in a similar situation navigating a medical disclosure.  
Speakers
avatar for Em Boring

Em Boring

Counselor in training, Lebanon Valley College
Em is a recent graduate of Lebanon Valley College who is beginning her career as a counselor. 
DS

Dr. Shannon Strohl

Assistant Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Lebanon Valley College
Dr. Shannon Strohl is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) with a clinical focus in EMDR, CPT, trauma, and attachment. Dr. Strohl is also an Assistant Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Lebanon Valley College... Read More →
AT

Amya Tuckey

Amya is a recent graduate of Lebanon Valley College who is beginning her career as a counselor. 
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST
  Poster Session
  • global Y

2:00pm EST

From Canvas to Counseling: Cultivating Competent Counselors Through Creative and Experiential Methods.
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST
This session explores the integration of creative, experiential, and art-based techniques to support counselors in training to have reflective experiences in the classroom. The need for this learning supports the CACREP standard 3.A. 11. “self-care, self-awareness, and self-evaluation strategies for ethical and effective practice” (CACREP, 2023). These later could be techniques that they then use with clients to support their clients. There is research that shows that utilizing creative-based techniques, especially with vulnerable and special populations, can improve the counseling process.  This session explores the integration of creative, experiential, and art-based techniques to support counselors in training to have reflective experiences in the classroom. The need for this learning supports the CACREP standard 3.A. 11. “self-care, self-awareness, and self-evaluation strategies for ethical and effective practice” (CACREP, 2023). These later could be techniques that they then use with clients to support their clients. There is research that shows that utilizing creative-based techniques, especially with vulnerable and special populations, can improve the counseling process.  
Speakers
MW

Miranda Weaver M.S. LPC

Duquesne University
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with more than a decade of specialized experience in inpatient behavioral health. I currently serve as the Manager of Clinical Care Services at UPMC Northwest, where I oversee the Extended Acute Care program and provide consultation on clinically... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST
  Poster Session
  • global Y

2:00pm EST

From Self‑Efficacy to Employment: Practical Social Cognitive Career Theory Strategies for Disability-Inclusive Counseling
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST
This presentation will explore the career-related needs of individuals with disabilities from a systemic perspective, paying special attention to multifaceted organizational, personal, and systemic barriers. Presenters will highlight with relevant case examples how to apply Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT; Lent et al., 1994) in career counseling with this population and practical strategies to enhance client self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and personal goals. Contextualized by structural and systemic inequities, presenters will discuss the core tenets of SCCT and provide strategies for applying SCCT when conducting career counseling with clients with disabilities. 
Speakers
AR

Aaron Redis

Graduate Student, University of Scranton
Aaron has a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a concentration on mental health at Southern New Hampshire University and a master’s in organizational leadership from the University of Maine at Presque Isle. He currently works full-time as a Crisis Specialist in the greater Scranton... Read More →
avatar for Megan Whitbeck

Megan Whitbeck

Assistant Professor, University of Scranton
Dr. Megan A. Whitbeck is an Assistant Professor in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Graduate Program at the University of Scranton in the Department of Counseling and Human Services. Dr. Whitbeck has a PhD in Counseling and Counselor Education from the University of North Carolina... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST
  Poster Session

2:00pm EST

Generative Conversational Artificial Intelligence (GC-AI) and Attachment
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST
This session addresses the unique aspects of generative conversational artificial intelligence (GC-AI) systems in relation to users’ personal consultation and/or emotional connection, unique viewpoints of GC-AI systems users regarding acceptable uses for GC-AI, and how individual attachment patterns of GC-AI systems users may influence types of use and individual mental health outcomes. Attendees will learn of the unique viewpoints of GC-AI systems users in the study, how attachment styles may influence how individuals use GC-AI systems, potential mental health outcomes of regular GC-AI systems use for personal consultation and/or emotional connection, and potential strategies for addressing clients’ over-reliance on GC-AI systems for personal consultation and/or emotional connection resulting in lack of a human support system or poor mental health outcomes.
Speakers
avatar for Robin S. Archer, PhD., LPC

Robin S. Archer, PhD., LPC

Assistant Professor, Gannon University
Robin S. Archer is an assistant professor of clinical mental Health counseling at Gannon University, where she serves as the Clinical Experiences Coordinator. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor with nearly two decades of clinical experience. Robin is an EMDRIA Certified Therapist... Read More →
avatar for Mei Miyatake

Mei Miyatake

CMHC Graduate Student, Gannon University
Mei Miyatake is a master’s student at Gannon University and an international student from Japan, studying clinical mental health counseling with a strong passion for mental health advocacy. Her academic interests include parenting styles, attachment patterns, and trauma, with a... Read More →
avatar for Micki Webster

Micki Webster

Gannon University
Micki Webster is a master’s student at Gannon University from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, studying clinical mental health counseling, with a strong passion for supporting mental health and wellness across diverse populations. Her academic interests include child and adolescent grief... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST
  Poster Session
  • global Y

2:00pm EST

I’m so Bored with the PCA! How Boredom Can Help Us Be Better Counselors?
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST
“Mom I’m bored!” “This is sooo boring!” Who has not said or heard these phrases? This 60-minute roundtable discussion will explore the history of boredom as a construct in the psychology and counseling literature and how reframing boredom might actually be generative of stronger therapeutic alliance, provide increased safety for our clients, and yield immense clinical value. 
Speakers
avatar for Joseph Van Hannak, MA, LPC, NCC

Joseph Van Hannak, MA, LPC, NCC

Counselor/Faculty, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Joseph Van Hannak, MA, LPC, NCC is a Licensed Professional Counselor, licensed in Pennsylvania and a National Certified Counselor with over a decade of experience in diverse positions. Joe brings a wide array of work history and clinical training. Joe currently works as a tenure-track... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST
  Poster Session
  • global Y

2:00pm EST

Integrating Mindfulness into Student Support: Practical Strategies for Higher Education Professionals
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST
College students face growing amounts of stress, anxiety, and overwhelm, especially at times when they are transitioning. In this session, you will learn accessible, applicable mindfulness skills that higher education professionals can use while working directly with their students. The presenter has worked with first-year college students teaching mindfulness practices and will share with participants some of those same exercises (e.g., body scan, using your senses to ground yourself, cultivating self-compassion, practicing gratitude). By the end of the session, participants should have useful resources to help support the overall health and wellness of their students and create a more mindful atmosphere within their campus community.
Speakers
avatar for Amy Patton

Amy Patton

Associate Director of Admissions, Wilkes University and Graduate student seeking a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at University of Scranton, University of Scranton
Amy works in admissions at Wilkes University, where they support prospective students through the college search and transition process. They are currently a graduate student at the University of Scranton pursuing a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Their professional... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST
  Poster Session
  • global Y

2:00pm EST

It Takes a Campus: Building a Collaborative Model to Support Students with Disabilities
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST
College students with disabilities often face greater academic distress, lower campus engagement, and limited social support compared to their peers. This roundtable will highlight the Student Disability Support Collaborative (SDSC), an initiative that trains counseling students to connect peers with psychosocial, academic, and career resources. Participants will explore strategies for building cross-campus partnerships, strengthening competencies in disability support, and expanding equitable services. The discussion will also review current outcomes and practical approaches for developing collaborative care models that improve student success, inclusion, and career readiness. 
Speakers
avatar for Sheba Antony

Sheba Antony

Doctoral Student and Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Pennsylvania State University
Sheba is a South Asian American licensed mental health counselor, specialized in the treatment of eating disorders and co-occurring concerns. With five years of clinical experience and a current doctoral student in counselor education and supervision, Sheba advocates for fat-positive... Read More →
avatar for Thor Larson

Thor Larson

Graduate Student, Herr Clinic/Student Disability Collaborative Intern, Graduate Assistant - Student Disability Resource Center, Pennsylvania State University
Thor is a Counseling Education student and graduate assistant with the Student Disability Resource Center at Pennsylvania State University. He holds an MA in Urban Planning from the University of British Columbia and has a background in community art engagement, special education... Read More →
avatar for Maria Elfrida, M.Ed

Maria Elfrida, M.Ed

Doctoral Student in Counselor Education Program, Graduate Research Assistant, Doctoral Supervisor for Counseling Practicum, Pennsylvania State University
Maria is a doctoral student in the Counselor Education program at Pennsylvania State University. She earned her master's degree in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling from Penn State in 2023. Her research focuses on global mental health, including mental health... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST
  Poster Session
  • global Y

2:00pm EST

Leading Through Change and Transition: Creating Psychological Safety for LGBTQ+ Counseling Students
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST
How can counselor educators lead through change and transition while supporting LGBTQ+ counseling students? This session highlights the role of psychological safety in the classroom and introduces the AUIP framework, offering practical, actionable strategies to reduce harm, increase inclusion, and create affirming learning environments that support student growth and engagement. 
Speakers
avatar for Bridget D Van Cook

Bridget D Van Cook

Bridget Van Cook is a counselor and clinical director with a focus on trauma-informed care and inclusive practice. Her work emphasizes psychological safety, cultural responsiveness, and supporting marginalized populations, including LGBTQ+ individuals. She is passionate about counselor training and fos... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST
  Poster Session
  • global Y

2:00pm EST

Master-Level Students’ Journeys Through Change and Transitions
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST
This topic applies to first-year and currently enrolled master-level counseling students in a graduate school program - facilitating conversations about their expectations for personal and professional development and their responsibilities as counselors-in-training (CITs), along with implications for counselor educators.
Speakers
avatar for Amber Conner, M.A.

Amber Conner, M.A.

Psychotherapist, Doctoral Student, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
My name is Amber Conner, and I was born and raised in New Jersey. In order to fully pursue my dreams, as a counselor and counselor educator-in-training, I decided to move out of state, and attend one of the best universities. With that said, I am a first-year doctoral student studying... Read More →
avatar for Chinar Mehta, MSc

Chinar Mehta, MSc

Psychotherapist, Doctoral Student, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
The presenter is a second-year Ph.D. student in Counselor Education and Supervision at Indiana University of Pennsylvania . She has over three years of experience as a mental health therapist, working with first responders diagnosed with PTSD, as well as with elderly and general populations... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST
  Poster Session
  • global Y

2:00pm EST

Memory Distortions and Cognitive Bias in Couple Conflict: A CBT Approach
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST
This session explores how memory distortions and cognitive biases shape conflict in romantic relationships. Drawing on cognitive psychology and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), it highlights how partners reconstruct past interactions in ways that intensify negative beliefs and communication patterns. Participants will be introduced to practical CBT-based strategies to identify and restructure biased relational narratives, promoting healthier communication and relationship functioning.
Speakers
SS

Sera Sezgin

Clinical Psycholoogy Master's Student, Penn State University Harrisburg
Ms. Sera Sezgin is a Penn State Harrisburg master's student studying clinical psychology. She is currently conducting research at the Personality and Stigma Labs, where she focuses on psychological and cognitive processes associated with mental health and memory. Her areas of interest... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST
  Poster Session
  • global Y

2:00pm EST

Migration as Meaning: An Existential Approach to Counseling Latin American Immigrants
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST
Latine immigrants experience significant psychological stressors relating to migration like acculturative stress, identity conflicts, and discrimination. Because of these, approaches in mental health services need to be crafted in a way that both honors Latine cultural values and supports the individuals themselves. This session posits existential therapy as a culturally responsive approach for Latines seeking mental health services. Specifically, it will explore the concepts of meaning-making, responsibility, identity development, and authenticity and how those are congruent within traditional Latine culture. The presentation will explore how the existential therapeutic framework can be implemented in sessions with immigrant clients who are facing issues surrounding their relationships, cultural identities, and sense of purpose and meaning.
Speakers
avatar for Vanity Hernandez

Vanity Hernandez

Ms. Vanity Hernandez is a current graduate student in the MA Clinical Psychology program at Penn State Harrisburg. A graduate of Hollins University, Ms. Hernandez earned her B.S. in psychology and focused much of her undergraduate research on Latin American children and families... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST
  Poster Session
  • global Y

2:00pm EST

Reentry, Equity, and Healing: Supporting Justice-Involved Youth Through Counseling Practice
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST
Justice-involved youth experience high rates of mental health needs, trauma exposure, and systemic barriers that can complicate successful community reentry. This session examines reentry as a critical transition point and highlights the evolving role of counselors in supporting youth across systems. Grounded in current research, participants will explore how structural inequities shape outcomes and how trauma-informed and developmentally responsive practices can promote healing and reduce recidivism. Emphasis will be placed on interdisciplinary collaboration and continuity of care to better support youth navigating the shift from detention to community, aligning with the counseling profession’s need to adapt to complex and changing client needs.
Speakers
avatar for Divine Lipscomb, M.Ed., NCC, LAPC

Divine Lipscomb, M.Ed., NCC, LAPC

Graduate Assistant, Penn State University
Divine Lipscomb, M.Ed., NCC, LAPC, is a doctoral candidate in Counselor Education and Supervision at Penn State University and a licensed mental health therapist serving rural Central Pennsylvania. A TEDx speaker, published researcher, and the first Black and first formerly incarcerated... Read More →
avatar for Stefanie Rene Salyer, Ed.S., LBS

Stefanie Rene Salyer, Ed.S., LBS

Doctoral Candidate, Pennsylvania State University
René Salyer, Ed.S., LBS is a Ph.D. candidate in Special Education: ABA and a master’s student in Clinical Mental Health and Rehabilitation Counseling at Pennsylvania State University. She is a licensed behavioral specialist and former K–12 special education teacher with extensive... Read More →
avatar for Teree Lipscomb

Teree Lipscomb

Graduate Assistant, Penn State
Teree Lipscomb is a graduate student in the Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Schools and Communities program at Pennsylvania State University. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies with a minor in Rehabilitation and Human... Read More →
avatar for Joy Gray, PhD, LPC

Joy Gray, PhD, LPC

Adjust Professor, Pennsylvania State University
Joy Gray is a licensed professional counselor in Pennsylvania who received her doctorate degree in Counselor Education from the Pennsylvania State University in 2024. She currently works as an outpatient clinician in community mental health and as an adjunct professor teaching practicum... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST
  Poster Session
  • global Y

2:00pm EST

Reframing Religious/Spiritual Abuse: A Structural Family Therapy Approach
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST
Religious and spiritual (R/S) abuse is increasingly recognized as a significant source of psychological, relational, and spiritual harm; however, clinical approaches to treatment remain underdeveloped and largely focused on the individual. This presentation conceptualizes R/S abuse as an inherently relational and systemic phenomenon enacted through patterns of authoritarian leadership, boundary violations, social isolation, and enforced obedience. Using Structural Family Therapy (SFT), we conceptualize the relational harm of R/S abuse, demonstrate how these patterns mirror dysfunctional family patterns, and outline a path towards healing using principles from SFT.  
Speakers
avatar for Kaylee Van Gent, MA, LAPC, NCC

Kaylee Van Gent, MA, LAPC, NCC

Graduate Research Assistant, Penn State University
Kaylee Van Gent is a second-year doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision at The Pennsylvania State University. She holds a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Slippery Rock University (2022) and brings 4 years of clinical experience from both private... Read More →
avatar for Sarah Shrewsbury-Braxton, PhD

Sarah Shrewsbury-Braxton, PhD

Assistant Professor, Pennsylvania State University
Dr. Sarah Shrewsbury-Braxton (Dr. SB) is an Assistant Professor of Counselor Education at Penn State. She earned her Ph.D. in Counselor Education from The Ohio State University, her M.S. in School Counseling, Pre-K – 12, from Tennessee State University, and her B.S. in Psychology... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST
  Poster Session
  • global Y

2:00pm EST

The Resilient Mind: Holistic Strategies for Socialization and Healing in Later Life
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST
In the United States, about a quarter of adults 65 and older experience social isolation, meaning they have few or no social relationships. This is different from loneliness, which is the feeling of lacking meaningful connections, and the two do not always occur together.
According to the United Health Foundation (2025), Pennsylvania has a social isolation risk score of 57 among adults 65 and older, indicating a moderate level of risk based on factors such as poverty, living alone, disability, and marital status; higher scores mean greater risk. 
This poster presentation presents a comprehensive proposal to support the aging population by focusing on geriatric counseling. Current single modality approaches often fail to capture the multi-dimensional nature of aging, which encompasses identity loss, physical decline, social isolation, and technological displacement.
I am advocating for an assimilative-integrated approach, a flexible model that maintains a theoretical core with a person-centered approach while integrating the most effective tools from various therapeutic disciplines. The proposed poster will visually map this model, showcasing a tiered support structure:
  1. Foundational Support: Through a structured psychoeducation for both elderly clients and their families, fostering understanding of the aging process.
  2. Specialized Interventions: Focusing on individual counseling specific to cases of grief and trauma, incorporating group counseling for shared experience, and combating isolation.
  3. Creative & Experiential Therapies: Proposing the strategic inclusion of music therapy for cognitive stimulation and laughing therapy in group sessions for physiological and psychological release.
  4. Social & Generational Bridging: Finally, the poster illustrates practical methods to help the elderly socialize, share feelings and sentiments surrounding transitions in late adulthood, identify what has helped them cope with changes, and identify elements of hope for the future.
  5. Highlighting the importance of holistic care, through meditation to navigate complex negative thoughts pertaining to life as an elderly person. This poster presents a compelling, professional roadmap, essential for practitioners, researchers, and advocates dedicated to implementing innovative, compassionate approaches that effectively empower the elderly population.
Speakers
avatar for Harsha Erumbassery

Harsha Erumbassery

Graduate Assisstant, Graduate student, Shippensburg University
Current Master's student in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, with a background in Bachelor's of Homeopathic Medicine from Rajive Gandhi University of Health Sciences, India. Passionate about Geriatric Counseling, Couples and Family Counseling using an Assimilative Integrated Theory... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST
  Poster Session
  • global Y

2:00pm EST

Understanding Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder as an Outcome of Child Sexual Abuse
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST
This presentation examines how a history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) can be linked to the manifestation of obsessive-compulsive symptoms in adulthood. It explores how trauma-related themes, such as control, responsibility, contamination, and safety, can shape and cause obsessions and compulsions. Emphasis is placed on understanding OCD symptoms as responses to earlier experiences linked to trauma, with implications for further trauma-informed care and research.
Speakers
avatar for Romina Gamarra

Romina Gamarra

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Graduate Student, University of Scranton
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Graduate Student at the University of Scranton
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST
  Poster Session
  • global Y

2:00pm EST

Unraveling Mysteries of Adolescent Substance Use: Reviewing the ABCD Study Findings
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST
This presentation will explore some of the findings that have emerged from Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study (ABCD). This National Institute of Health (NIH) study has been designed to do a deep dive into the cognitive development of the adolescent brain with some focus involving substance use. This study offers some ground breaking outcomes on the trajectory of developmental change throughout the adolescence period. The ABCD Study is the largest long-term study involving the adolescent brain ever conducted. It consists of 21 different sites across the United States and includes 11,885 child/adolescent participants. These adolescent research subjects were recruited when they were 9 or 10 years old. According to NIH, understanding the relationship between alcohol, substance use and other mental health issues in adolescents is becoming evermore critical to this understudied segment of the population. The study is attempting to track these participants throughout their adolescent years and into young adulthood. The overall aim of this research investigation is ambitious in the form of seeking to establish the baseline standards for what should be considered normal brain development. It addition to understanding substance use development in this segment of the population, it is also attempting to provide further understanding sex and gender influences involving adolescent brain development, as well as adolescent cardiovascular and hematologic health. This workshop is designed for clinical mental health counselors, school counselors, and any Counselor involved in the health, well-being, and success of children. The presentation will use study results to help contextualize issues and findings of the development of alcohol and substance use over time, and to facilitate questions and answers for attendees.  
Speakers
EY
TR
AK

Abigail Kassalen

Student, Geneva College
Ms. Kassalen is a student in the Master of Arts in Counseling program at Geneva College. She earned a bachelor's degree from Duquesne University in 2023. 
avatar for Kerry Gragg, M.A., NCC, LPC

Kerry Gragg, M.A., NCC, LPC

Substance Abuse Counselor, Gateway Rehabilitation Center
Kerry Gragg is a full time substance abuse counselor for Gateway Rehabilitation Center. She has been in this role for the past few years, and has extensive experience in providing group counseling. Ms. Gragg is currently enrolled in Liberty University's Counselor Educator Education... Read More →
JK

James K. Matta, Ed. D., NCC, LPC

Professor, Geneva College
The primary presenter is currently the track coordinator of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, and program director, in the Master of Arts in Counseling at Geneva College. He formerly served as the Senior Research Principal at the Pittsburgh Adolescent Alcohol Research... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm EST
  Poster Session
  • global Y

2:30pm EST

2:30PM Education Sessions and Roundtables
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST

Saturday November 7, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST

2:30pm EST

“Who Is My Safe Haven?" Attachment Needs in the Era of AI and Influencer Culture (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
The digital age has transformed how individuals form and experience attachment bonds with others. Increasingly, clients report significant connections with podcasters, online creators, influencers, and even AI-based chatbots. While these parasocial relationships may provide a sense of belonging, they can also reinforce attachment avoidance and displace opportunities for reciprocal connection.


Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT), an attachment-based model developed by Sue Johnson and advanced through the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT), offers a structured framework for working with attachment longings and emotional regulation at the individual level (Johnson, 2019). This presentation will conceptualize parasocial and AI-mediated bonds as adaptive attempts at emotional regulation rooted in attachment needs. This presentation will also explore how EFIT interventions can help clients move from one-directional digital attachment toward relationship to self and then, hopefully, reciprocal relationship to others.


Through clinical case illustration of EFIT process moves and guided discussion, attendees will learn how to assess attachment function within digital relationships, identify avoidance and protest cycles reinforced by online engagement, and facilitate corrective emotional experiences that expand relational risk-taking. Ethical considerations related to AI use and digital dependency will also be addressed. This session responds directly to the counseling profession’s need to adapt clinical frameworks to evolving technological and relational landscapes.
Speakers
avatar for Nick Summa, PhD LMFT LPC

Nick Summa, PhD LMFT LPC

Clinical Director, Congruent Relationships Counseling & Wellness
Nick Summa is the Clinical Director of Congruent Relationships, a group practice specializing in relational healing. He is dually licensed as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and is an AAMFT Approved Supervisor. His clinical work centers on s... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
  60 Minute Education Session
  • global Y

2:30pm EST

Adapting Mental Health Therapy Approaches for Autistic Clients (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
Many autistic adults struggle to find therapists who understand their needs. This training shows clinicians how simple, evidence‑aligned adjustments can prevent harm, improve engagement, and strengthen care for autistic clients—and for everyone they serve.
Speakers
avatar for Heather Conroy, LCSW

Heather Conroy, LCSW

Co-Founder and Executive Director, Evolve Coaching
Heather (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who, since 2006, has worked with Autistic and other neurodiverse children, adolescents, and adults on their paths towards self-defined success. She is proud of the work Evolve is doing to support not only individuals, but also... Read More →
AL

Alicia Logue, MA, BCBA, NCC, LPC

Consultant, ASERT, Western Region
Alicia is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Board Certified Behavior Analyst with over 20 years of experience helping children, adolescents, and families. She is a consultant and trainer with the ASERT Collaborative in the Western Region, and also a therapist in private practice... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
  60 Minute Education Session
  • global Y

2:30pm EST

Affirmation Without Harm: Gender Euphoria, Disordered Eating, and Ethical Treatment with Trans and Gender-Diverse Clients (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
Transgender and gender-diverse individuals experience disproportionately high rates of disordered eating and eating disorders (Watson & Arcelus, 2024). This is often shaped by intersecting experiences of gender dysphoria, minority stress, body surveillance, and limited access to affirming care (Yesildemir and Akbulut, 2023). While much of the clinical literature has centered on alleviating dysphoria, emerging research and community-informed practice highlight the protective and therapeutic role of gender euphoria, the felt sense of affirmation, comfort, and joy in one’s gendered experience.
 
This session explores how gender euphoria can function as both a buffer against disordered eating behaviors and, at times, a complicating factor when attempts to modify the body intersect with restriction, over-exercise, or compensatory behaviors. Presenters will examine how disordered eating may develop or intensify in pursuit of gender affirmation, particularly when desired physical changes are constrained by biological, financial, medical, or sensory limitations.
 
Special attention will be given to clinical work with neurodivergent trans and gender-diverse clients, for whom common affirming practices (e.g., binders, tucking, long hair, certain clothing textures) may introduce sensory distress rather than relief. The session will also address self-of-the-therapist considerations, including clinicians’ emotional responses to persistent dysphoria, perceived loss of functioning related to hormonal or surgical interventions, and the ethical tension between affirmation and harm reduction.
 
Through case examples, clinical frameworks, and evidence-based discussion, participants will leave with practical strategies to support embodied care that promotes gender euphoria without reinforcing disordered eating patterns while sustaining therapist attunement, humility, and resilience.
 
Speakers
DT

Dr. Tish Weikel, Ed.D., LPC, NCC, ACS

CEO & Licensed Professional Counselor, Phoenix Counseling Services, LLC
Dr. Tish Weikel (she/her) is a licensed professional counselor, educator, and advocate with over 15 years of experience serving diverse client populations across Pennsylvania. She is the founder and CEO of Phoenix Counseling Services, a holistic, LGBTQIAP+ affirming care practice... Read More →
avatar for goose Linneman, MA, LAPC

goose Linneman, MA, LAPC

Mental Health Counselor, Alexandra R. Darion LLC
Goose (they/them) is a queer & trans, neurodivergent mental health therapist and yoga teacher. They are interested in the intersecting considerations of queer & trans and neurodivergent clients. Goose is inspired by their own mental health experiences and the experiences of their... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
  60 Minute Education Session
  • global Y

2:30pm EST

Brief Therapy for Emotional Dysregulation (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
This session is dedicated to providing a foundational model for clients who suffer from emotional dysregulation issues including depression, anxiety, anger management, and low self-esteem. The goal is to present a working model that enhances clients understanding of the core issues that cause dysregulation symptoms in a way the expedites their ability to help themselves.  Participants will learn key lighthouse formulas that will help guide clients through improvements with self-harm, emotional outbursts, negative self-talk and other emotional regulation issues.
Speakers
avatar for Jonathan Getz LPC, NCC

Jonathan Getz LPC, NCC

Psychotherapist II, LPC, St. Luke's Health Network
Jonathan Getz has been a licensed Professional Counselor for 20 years.  Prior to that he was an educator and coach.  Jonathan was the clinician in charge of created the working clinical model for the School Justice Program that runs in the Lehigh County.  He has had his own private... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
  60 Minute Education Session
  • global Y

2:30pm EST

Embracing Innovation: Using AI Simulation to Lead Counselor Training Through Change and Transition (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
This session explores the integration of AI simulation within counselor education as a means of leading through change and transition in training practices. Grounded in experiential learning theory and counselor competency development, the presentation will examine how AI simulation can support skill acquisition, reduce student anxiety, and increase accessibility in both online and in-person programs. Participants will gain insight into how simulation can bridge the gap between foundational coursework and practicum readiness, particularly in programs navigating shifts in delivery formats and student engagement.
Speakers
avatar for Brittany Hoover PhD, LPC, CCTP

Brittany Hoover PhD, LPC, CCTP

Students, Miss
Brittany N. Hoover, PhD, LPC, ACS, NCC, CCTP is a counselor educator, licensed professional counselor, and clinical supervisor with expertise in trauma-informed care, counselor training, and college mental health. She currently serves as a Mental Health Therapist at Penn State University- New Kensington and Program Coordinator... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
  60 Minute Education Session
  • global Y

2:30pm EST

Polyvagal PLAY™: Regulating the Room Before the Work Begins (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
This experiential session introduces Polyvagal Theory through Polyvagal PLAY™ (Pause, Listen, Activate, Yield), a framework that uses breath, rhythm, sound, movement, and intentional play to support nervous system regulation in helping relationships. Participants don't just learn about co-regulation, they experience it. Through laughter yoga, rhythmic group practices, and guided reflection, this session demonstrates how cues of safety can be woven into everyday clinical and educational moments. Counselors, educators and students leave not just with knowledge, but with a felt sense of what regulation actually feels like, and how to help others access it.
Speakers
avatar for Sarah Buffie, MSW, LSW

Sarah Buffie, MSW, LSW

Founder/Lead Trainer, Soul Bird Consulting
Sarah Buffie, MSW, LSW, Soul Bird ConsultingSarah is a licensed social worker, trainer, and consultant with more than a decade of frontline experience in child welfare, trauma-responsive systems, and relational practice. She creates spaces where learning happens not just intellectually... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
  60 Minute Education Session
  • global Y

2:30pm EST

Sex Positive Clinical Intake for Beginners (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
Though sexuality applies to everyone is some capacity, it is often not covered well enough throughout graduate training. Most master’s level clinicians operate with one elective in Human Sexuality and all additional training is up to the individual to engage with on their own time. Therefore, counselors may feel uncomfortable or unqualified to discuss sex and sexuality with their clients. This session will talk about sex positivity and will provide practical clinical intake questions and assessments to help mental health professionals better prepare to talk about issues related to sexuality in session.
Speakers
avatar for Sarah Dalton

Sarah Dalton

Full Professor, The Chicago School
Sarah E. Dalton earned her doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. She also earned her master's degree in community counseling from the same university. Dr. Dalton has worked in a number of community counseling settings including... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
  60 Minute Education Session
  • global Y

2:30pm EST

Supervision Reimagined: Leading Through Change in the Age of AI (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
The counseling profession is in the midst of rapid transformation as artificial intelligence reshapes how we conceptualize, document, and reflect on clinical work. This session invites supervisors, educators, and clinicians to embrace this journey of change by exploring how AI can be integrated into supervision in ethical, intentional, and developmentally appropriate ways. Through applied examples and guided reflection, participants will consider how to lead supervisees through uncertainty, foster critical thinking, and maintain strong professional identity during transition. Emphasis is placed on leadership, adaptability, and ensuring that innovation enhances—rather than replaces—human connection.
Speakers
avatar for Shannon Shoemaker, PhD, LCPC, LMHC, LPC, NCC

Shannon Shoemaker, PhD, LCPC, LMHC, LPC, NCC

Assistant Professor, Shippensburg University
Dr. Shannon Shoemaker is an assistant professor at Shippensburg University. She earned her BS in Psychology and M.Ed. in Counselor Education at Bridgewater State College and a doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision from The Pennsylvania State University. She has over fifteen... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
  60 Minute Education Session
  • global Y

2:30pm EST

We Don't Talk About Trauma Training: What Counselor Educators and Supervisors Need to Know About Preparing Counselors to Treat Trauma (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
Despite the widespread prevalence of trauma—with up to 70% of the global population experiencing at least one traumatic event—counselors-in-training (CITs) consistently report feeling underprepared to provide trauma counseling services (Benjet et al., 2016; Foster, 2017). Research indicates that only 18% of CITs feel competent to utilize evidence-based trauma interventions, and only 28% feel prepared to counsel child victims (Foster, 2017). Meanwhile, 73.3% of CACREP-accredited programs lack a dedicated trauma course (Mathew et al., 2023). This session presents findings from the first systematic review of trauma training in counselor education, synthesizing 12 peer-reviewed articles published since CACREP first mandated trauma content in 2009.
Speakers
avatar for Courtney Dixon, LPC (PA), LCPC (MD)

Courtney Dixon, LPC (PA), LCPC (MD)

Doctoral Student, Lead Clinic Supervisor, The Pennsylvania State University
Courtney Dixon (she/her/hers) is a doctoral student at Penn State’s Counselor Education program as well as the lead clinic supervisor at the Dr. Edwin L. Herr Clinic. Courtney earned a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Johns Hopkins University in 2021... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
  60 Minute Education Session
  • global Y

2:30pm EST

“Just wait until they find out I have no idea what I am doing”: An open discussion about imposter phenomenon among counselors and emerging leaders
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
Imposter phenomenon (IP), which is described as a feeling of professional fraudulence, is a common experience of novice and experienced counselors, supervisors, counselor educators, and leaders within the counseling profession. This has a profound impact on an individual’s professional identity development, career satisfaction, and sense of belonging. Despite this commonplace experience within our field, there continues to be hesitancy and stigma associated with sharing imposter feelings. 
This session aims to engage in a discussion with fellow counselors-in-training and professional counselors as we seek to lessen the burden of imposter phenomenon. Whether you are a counseling student with limited clinical experience or a seasoned professional, this roundtable discussion will raise personal awareness of this phenomenon. Due to a lack of sufficient research, this roundtable serves to inform future direction of mitigation of imposter phenomenon among helpers and leaders in our field. 
Speakers
avatar for Amanda Steigerwalt, BS

Amanda Steigerwalt, BS

Amanda is a second-year Masters student at Immaculata University studying Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a special interest in working with children, adolescents, and families. She uses her decade of experience working in creative direction, design, and visual literacy to... Read More →
avatar for Lauren Herman, BS

Lauren Herman, BS

Lauren is a Masters student at Immaculata University pursuing a degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She also works as a graduate assistant for the university’s newly established Counselor Education and Supervision PhD program. With former education in biochemistry and molecular... Read More →
avatar for Noah Schoch, Ph.D., LPC

Noah Schoch, Ph.D., LPC

Assistant Professor, Immaculata University
Noah Schoch, Ph.D., LPC, is a core faculty member at Immaculata University’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program and the Counselor Education and supervision Ph.D. program. He serves as an assistant professor and clinical facilitator of fieldwork within both programs. His clinical... Read More →
avatar for Paige Lilly-Ivens, MA, LPC

Paige Lilly-Ivens, MA, LPC

Paige is a current PhD student at Immaculata University pursuing Counselor Education and Supervision. She is also the Bethlehem Facility Director, Quality Assurance Director, and Clinical Supervisor at Mid-Atlantic Rehabilitation Services, an outpatient substance use treatment facility... Read More →
CH

Cicely Holston, MA, LPC, NCC

Cicely is a current PhD student at Immaculata University pursuing Counselor Education and Supervision. Cicely is the owner of her private practice, Phoenix Wellness LLC dba Cicely Holston Counseling in Berks County, PA. Cicely’s practice specializes in working with individuals who... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
  60 Minute Roundtable
  • global Y

2:30pm EST

Beyond Performing Wellness: Counselor Impairment, Professional Identity, and Sustainable Practice in Times of Change (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
Counselors are trained to promote wellness, yet many practice within systems that quietly undermine their own sustainability. This session examines counselor impairment not simply as individual burnout, but as a disruption in professional identity integration shaped by systemic pressures. Drawing from research on impairment, professional identity development, and trauma-informed systems, participants will explore how counselor education, supervision, and leadership must evolve to support ethical, sustainable practice in an era of rapid change.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Curtis Lee Taylor, PhD, LPC (PA), LPCC (OH), NCC

Dr. Curtis Lee Taylor, PhD, LPC (PA), LPCC (OH), NCC

Founder & Executive Director, Authentic Wellness & Empowerment
Dr. Curtis Lee Taylor, PhD, LPC (PA), LPCC (OH), NCC, is a licensed professional counselor, educator, and founder of Authentic Wellness & Empowerment in Erie, Pennsylvania. His work focuses on counselor wellness, workforce sustainability, and reforming structural barriers that contribute... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
  60 Minute Roundtable
  • global Y

2:30pm EST

Embracing the Journey of Counselor Supervision: Leading Ethical Practitioners Through Change and Transition (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
This presentation will take a deeper dive into Section F of the ACA Code of Ethics. Specifically, counselor supervisors, trainers, and educators will be introduced or reintroduced to the ethical implications relating to supervision, training, and teaching. In addition, special attention will be given to the ethical responsibilities of counselor educators and supervisors to recognize personal and professional dispositional issues, provide difficult feedback, remediate concerns, and gatekeep the profession. 
Speakers
avatar for Julie A. Cerrito, Ph.D., NCC, NCSC, ACS

Julie A. Cerrito, Ph.D., NCC, NCSC, ACS

Associate Professor and School Counseling Program Coordinator, Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Cerrito is an Associate Professor and School Counseling Graduate Program Coordinator at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania - Bloomsburg. She brings 25 years of experience to the field in her work as a counselor, educator, supervisor, and leader. 
Having served as a professional school counselor in Pennsylvania public schools for 12 years and as a counselor educator for 13 years, Dr. Cerrito has built collegial connections with counselors across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and around the nation. She has taught numerous... Read More →
avatar for Richard Joseph Behun, Ph.D., LPC, NCC, ACS

Richard Joseph Behun, Ph.D., LPC, NCC, ACS

Associate Professor and School Counseling Program Coordinator, Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Behun has a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision as well as two master’s degrees in School Counseling and School Administration from Duquesne University. He also holds a third master’s in law from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Dr. Behun is licensed as... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
  60 Minute Roundtable
  • global Y

2:30pm EST

Multicultural Competence for Clinical Counselors (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
This workshop introduces clinical counselors to the principles and practices of multicultural competence, emphasizing culturally responsive care across diverse client populations. Participants will explore how cultural identities—including race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, and socioeconomic status—shape client experiences and the counseling relationship. The workshop integrates key guidelines from the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics, particularly standards related to cultural sensitivity, nondiscrimination, and counselor self-awareness (e.g., Section A.4.b. and Section E.5.b.). Through case reflective exercises, attendees will strengthen their ability to recognize bias, adapt interventions, and uphold ethical responsibilities in multicultural counseling practice.
Speakers
avatar for Jeremy Nesmith

Jeremy Nesmith

Jeremy Nesmith, M.Ed., LAPC, Cpl USMC (Ret.), is a dynamic professional counselor, ordained Christian prophet, and fitness educator with a passion for personal transformation, spiritual growth, and holistic well-being. With a Master of Education and licensure as an Associate Professional... Read More →
KR

Kimberly Romero

Kimberly Romero is a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor (LAPC) who holds a Master of Education (M.Ed.) and has served as a secondary school counselor for over 24 years. She primarily works with students ages 16–18 from diverse backgrounds, providing comprehensive support... Read More →
DL

Dr. Latinia Shell

Assistant Professor of Counseling, Grand Canyon University
Bio- Dr. Latinia M. ShellDr. Latinia M. Shell is a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in teaching and counseling across school, college, and community/mental health settings. With a strong academic background, Dr. Shell holds a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
  60 Minute Roundtable
  • global Y

2:30pm EST

Neurodivergence, Disability, and Sexuality: Using Intimacy and Kink As Emotional and Physical Regulation Skills
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
In this presentation, participants will learn to understand the unique intimacy needs of clients who are chronically ill, disabled, and/or neurodivergent. This presentation will cover practical clinical skills and conversations to assist clients in learning how to use intimacy, sex, and kink for emotional and physical regulation. 
Speakers
AT

Ann Turoczy, Ph.D, LAPC

Courageous Conversations
Ann Turoczy, Ph.D, LAPC is a Pre-Licensed Counselor. She earned a Ph.D. in General Psychology and an M.Ed. in Counseling Psychology. My career in behavioral health and education has spanned over two decades. Ann utilizes an integrative, trauma-informed approach that includes Narrative... Read More →
avatar for Amber Lynn Connell, MA, LPC

Amber Lynn Connell, MA, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor and Owner, ALC Counseling and Therapy
Amber Lynn Connell, MA, LPC is a Licensed Professional Counselor in PA with 18 years of experience providing individual, family and group counseling to teens, young adults, and families. She specializes in working with clients who are members of the LGBTQ+, ENM, and kink communities... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
  60 Minute Roundtable
  • global Y

2:30pm EST

Understanding CPTSD in a Gender-Informed Lens: Understanding Divergent Trauma Responses for Clinical Practice (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
Explore how gender socialization shapes CPTSD presentations. This session highlights key differences in trauma responses and offers clinical strategies for more accurate case conceptualization and effective application in mental health care.
Speakers
avatar for Alex Dang

Alex Dang

MS, LAPC, NCC
Alex Dang is a graduate of Duquesne University’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling master’s program and is currently pursuing a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision at the same university. He works extensively with clients struggling with suicidal ideation, anxiety, depression... Read More →
avatar for Gabriella Myers-Gilbert

Gabriella Myers-Gilbert

MS, NCC, LPC
Gabriella Myers-Gilbert, MS, NCC, LPC, is a doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision at Duquesne University. She works as an outpatient therapist, providing services to individuals and couples across a range of clinical concerns. Her clinical focus includes personality... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
  60 Minute Roundtable
  • global Y

2:30pm EST

We Don't Shame, We Question: Practical Applications for Treatment of Queer, Kink, and ENM Populations (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
This presentation explores strategies to strengthen the therapeutic alliance with clients who identify as queer, kinky, or engage in ethical non-monogamous relationships. Attendees will gain practical skills, including evidence-based treatment interventions and other actionable techniques, to provide competent, affirming, and effective support for these populations.This presentation explores strategies to strengthen the therapeutic alliance with clients who identify as queer, kinky, or engage in ethical non-monogamous relationships. Attendees will gain practical skills, including evidence-based treatment interventions and other actionable techniques, to provide competent, affirming, and effective support for these populations.
Speakers
avatar for Laura

Laura "Veronica" Temons

Clinician, Ellie Mental Health
Veronica earned her Bachelor of Arts in psychology in 2013 from Eastern University and is a regular guest speaker in the program’s psychopathology class. She went on to Immaculata University, where she earned her Master of Arts in clinical mental health counseling in 2018 and was... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST
  60 Minute Roundtable
  • global Y

3:45pm EST

3:45PM Education Sessions and Roundtables
Saturday November 7, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm EST

Saturday November 7, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm EST

3:45pm EST

“Why Clinicians Feel Unprepared: Moving Beyond Training Gaps to a Model of Preparedness, Confidence, and Persistence” (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
Mental health clinicians frequently report feeling underprepared to work with complex and emotionally demanding issues such as grief, trauma, suicide, and high-risk relational systems. This presentation introduces a conceptual model of clinician preparedness that moves beyond knowledge and skill acquisition to include confidence, emotional readiness, and sustained engagement. Drawing on self-efficacy theory and emerging research on persistence (grit), participants will explore why traditional training approaches often fall short and how experiential learning and supervision can better support clinician development. Practical implications for training, supervision, and clinical practice will be discussed.
Speakers
avatar for Zack Elisio, PhD, LMFT-S

Zack Elisio, PhD, LMFT-S

Faculty Member; Clinican; Clinical Supervisor, A Nurturing Mind; Philadelphia Child and Family Therapy Training Center
Zack Elisio, Ph.D., LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist, educator, and AAMFT Approved Supervisor with extensive experience in clinical practice, supervision, and training. He currently serves as a faculty member and clinician/supervisor, providing clinical education... Read More →
avatar for Kristy Gual, MFT, JD, MBA

Kristy Gual, MFT, JD, MBA

Clinican, A Nurturing Mind
Kristy Gaul, MFT, works with individuals, couples, and families in private practice at A Nurturing Mind in West Chester, PA. Prior to becoming a therapist, Kristy served as a corporate attorney for over a decade in both private practice and in-house, and before becoming an attorney... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm EST
  60 Minute Education Session
  • global Y

3:45pm EST

Counseling Immigrants during Turbulent Transitions: Best Practices for Fostering Support, Safety, and Healing (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
Our country has become a hostile place for immigrants.  The purpose of this session is to raise awareness about the strain and trauma experienced by immigrants and the legal rights of immigrants, and to suggest ethically sound and culturally sensitive advocacy counseling with immigrant populations. The presenters will also discuss self-care strategies counselors can use to keep themselves safe and mentally strong amid the emotionally challenging work of supporting immigrants who are living in constant fear. This session will conclude with information about how counselors can partner with immigrant services organizations to serve and advocate for the rights of people in immigrant communities.
Speakers
avatar for PAAPA ASANTE

PAAPA ASANTE

Lecturer of Psychology, University of Health and Allied Sciences in Ghana
Paapa Yaw Asante is a Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Health and Allied Sciences in Ghana. His academic background is in social psychology, and his research focuses on men’s mental health, well-being, and help-seeking behaviors in diverse cultural contexts. He is currently... Read More →
avatar for Mark S. Kiselica, Ph.D., HSPP, NCC, LPC

Mark S. Kiselica, Ph.D., HSPP, NCC, LPC

Professor of Psychology, Penn State Harrisburg
Dr. Mark S. Kiselica is a Professor of Psychology at Penn State Harrisburg. Prior to his current position, he served as the Director of CACREP-accredited programs in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling at Ball State University and The College of New Jersey.  Dr... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm EST
  60 Minute Education Session
  • global Y

3:45pm EST

Embracing the Journey Within: Epigenetics, Trauma, and Leading Clients Through Change and Transition (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
This educational session explores the intersection of epigenetics, trauma, and counseling practice, highlighting how lived experiences—including adversity, stress, and resilience—can influence gene expression and shape client outcomes across the lifespan. Participants will gain a foundational understanding of epigenetic mechanisms and their relevance to trauma-informed care, including intergenerational patterns and the biological embedding of stress.
Grounded in the conference theme “Embracing the Journey: Leading Through Change & Transition,” this session equips counselors with practical, evidence-informed strategies to support clients navigating change, healing, and identity development. Attendees will learn how to translate complex biological concepts into accessible psychoeducation, empowering clients to reframe their experiences and foster resilience.
Through case examples, reflective exercises, and applied interventions, participants will leave with tools to integrate an epigenetic lens into clinical work, supervision, and advocacy—supporting meaningful transformation across diverse counseling settings.
Speakers
avatar for Brittany Hoover PhD, LPC, CCTP

Brittany Hoover PhD, LPC, CCTP

Students, Miss
Brittany N. Hoover, PhD, LPC, ACS, NCC, CCTP is a counselor educator, licensed professional counselor, and clinical supervisor with expertise in trauma-informed care, counselor training, and college mental health. She currently serves as a Mental Health Therapist at Penn State University- New Kensington and Program Coordinator... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm EST
  60 Minute Education Session
  • global Y

3:45pm EST

LGBTQIA+ Affirmative Counseling: Identity Development and Ethical Practice (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
Understanding LGBTQIA+ mental health and identity development requires a foundation in human development from conception to the end of life—including brain mapping and gender affectional patterns—which offer insight into behavior and inform therapeutic interventions. Ethical treatment planning involves recognizing the complexities of the coming out/disclosure process for youth and adults, assessing safety factors, and identifying support systems. Affirmative counseling strategies must be tailored to the individual, with practical applications that uphold ethical standards and minimize risk across diverse developmental stages.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Sarah Gerloff

Dr. Sarah Gerloff

Adjunct Professor of Psychology and Licensed Professional Counselor, Alvernia College
Dr. Sarah Gerloff, PhD, LPC, NCCLicensed Professional CounselorDr. Sarah Gerloff is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a PhD in Counseling Education and Supervision and a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling.She is a doctoral-level clinician with specialized training in... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm EST
  60 Minute Education Session
  • global Y

3:45pm EST

Resilient Care: Burnout in Clinical Practice (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
Burnout is not a personal failure — it is an occupational hazard, and for counselors it is a matter of when, not if. This session offers a frank, evidence-based look at burnout, compassion fatigue, secondary traumatic stress, and moral injury as they uniquely affect mental health clinicians. Drawing on current (≤5-year) research, participants will learn to differentiate these overlapping phenomena, recognize the progression from stress to habitual burnout, and apply practical, evidence-supported recovery and prevention tools. From micro-recovery practices and nervous-system resets to values-guided boundary-setting and community connection, this session equips clinicians at every career stage with a personalized roadmap for sustainable practice — because the most effective tool we bring to our clients is a well-resourced version of ourselves.
Speakers
avatar for Jodie Hnatkovich, LPC, PMH-C, ASDCS

Jodie Hnatkovich, LPC, PMH-C, ASDCS

Executive Director + Clinical Therapist, Forward Wellness Counseling and Consulting Services, LLC
Jodie Hnatkovich, LPC, PMH-C, ASDCS, is a therapist, educator, and founder of Forward Wellness Counseling and Consulting Services. She specializes in perinatal mental health, trauma, grief, and supporting neurodivergent individuals, with particular focus on pregnancy and infant loss... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm EST
  60 Minute Education Session

3:45pm EST

Resourcing Through Connection: Integrating Relational Cultural Theory and EMDR for Socially Just Trauma Treatment (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
This session explores the integration of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) with Relational Cultural Theory to reimagine resourcing as a culturally responsive, socially just clinical practice. Participants will examine how traditional EMDR resourcing strategies can be expanded to account for power, positionality, and systemic oppression. The session will highlight ways to co-construct resources that are relational, culturally grounded, and responsive to clients’ lived experiences, particularly for marginalized populations. Attendees will gain practical tools for integrating equity-centered resourcing into EMDR phases of treatment while maintaining fidelity to evidence-based practice.
Speakers
AV

Anthony Vajda, PhD, LPC

Core Faculty, Antioch University
Dr. Anthony Vajda is part of the core faculty team of the CES program at AU-Seattle with expertise in multicultural counseling, social justice advocacy, and trauma-focused work. His research focuses on racial and ethnic disparities in mental health care, social determinants of health... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm EST
  60 Minute Education Session
  • global Y

3:45pm EST

Sonic Voice: Music, Identity, and Meaning-Making in Counselor Education During Times of Change (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
This session introduces Sonic Voice, a framework that positions music as a tool for reflection, emotional regulation, and identity development in counselor education. Grounded in Paideia philosophy and critical Black studies, this presentation explores how music supports Black counselor-educators as they navigate academic spaces marked by change and transition. Participants will engage in a brief experiential activity and learn practical strategies for integrating music into teaching, supervision, and reflective practice.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Vincent Sears, PhD, LMHC

Dr. Vincent Sears, PhD, LMHC

Assistant Professor of Counselor Education, Henderson State University
Dr. Vincent Sears is a counselor educator, mental health therapist, and scholar whose work explores the intersection of music, identity, and counselor education. His research introduces the concept of Sonic Voice, a framework that examines how music functions as a reflective, regulatory, and meaning-making practice for Black counselor-educators navigating academic and professional spaces.Drawing from humanistic, culturally responsive, and experiential approaches, Dr. Sears integrates musi... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm EST
  60 Minute Education Session
  • global Y

3:45pm EST

The Pelvic Floor Keeps the Score: Mental Health Considerations of Pelvic Floor/Sexual Dysfunction (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
Clients with a history of sexual trauma are at an increased risk of developing pelvic floor dysfunction and/or functional somatic disorders. This interdisciplinary session will increase clinicians' awareness of the somatic effects of sexual trauma. Clinicians will learn how to screen for pelvic floor dysfunction, mental health tools to support pelvic floor recovery, and when to refer out to pelvic floor specialists. Additionally, this workshop will discuss the nuanced pelvic floor considerations of queer and transgender clients. This workshop will include experiential learning opportunities (e.g., gentle stretching, breathing exercises).
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Acacia Urian, PT, DPT

Dr. Acacia Urian, PT, DPT

Dr. Acacia Urian, PT, DPT (she/they) is a physical therapist, educator, and yoga teacher based in West Philly. She specializes in treating pelvic floor dysfunction, chronic pain, and bodies with complex medical histories and mental health co-morbidities. She is passionate about making... Read More →
avatar for goose Linneman, MA, LAPC

goose Linneman, MA, LAPC

Mental Health Counselor, Alexandra R. Darion LLC
Goose (they/them) is a queer & trans, neurodivergent mental health therapist and yoga teacher. They are interested in the intersecting considerations of queer & trans and neurodivergent clients. Goose is inspired by their own mental health experiences and the experiences of their... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm EST
  60 Minute Education Session

3:45pm EST

Career Development Across the Lifespan: Helping Students Find Joy in the Journey
Saturday November 7, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
Students don’t just choose a career — they grow into one. This session explores how career development unfolds from early childhood through adolescence, highlighting the developmental stages that shape interests, identity, and future pathways. Join us as we connect these stages to today’s rapidly changing career landscape, showing how educators and counselors can help young people build the mindsets and skills they need to thrive.
Speakers
avatar for Julie A. Cerrito, Ph.D., NCC, NCSC, ACS

Julie A. Cerrito, Ph.D., NCC, NCSC, ACS

Associate Professor and School Counseling Program Coordinator, Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Cerrito is an Associate Professor and School Counseling Graduate Program Coordinator at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania - Bloomsburg. She brings 25 years of experience to the field in her work as a counselor, educator, supervisor, and leader. 
Having served as a professional school counselor in Pennsylvania public schools for 12 years and as a counselor educator for 13 years, Dr. Cerrito has built collegial connections with counselors across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and around the nation. She has taught numerous... Read More →
avatar for Richard Joseph Behun, Ph.D., LPC, NCC, ACS

Richard Joseph Behun, Ph.D., LPC, NCC, ACS

Associate Professor and School Counseling Program Coordinator, Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Behun has a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision as well as two master’s degrees in School Counseling and School Administration from Duquesne University. He also holds a third master’s in law from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Dr. Behun is licensed as... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm EST
  60 Minute Roundtable
  • global Y

3:45pm EST

Challenging Masculinity Norms: A Feminist Counseling Approach to Engaging Men in Therapy (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
This session explores how masculinity norms influence men’s mental health engagement and presents feminist-informed counseling strategies for reducing stigma and supporting male clients in therapy.
Speakers
avatar for William Tyler Johnson Doctoral Candidate MS LPC

William Tyler Johnson Doctoral Candidate MS LPC

Doctoral Candidate, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
William Tyler Johnson is a counselor and doctoral candidate in the Counselor Education and Supervision program at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). They teach in counseling programs at Marshall University and Robert Morris University (RMU). Their clinical and research interests... Read More →
avatar for Delaney F. Sullivan

Delaney F. Sullivan

Licensed Associate Professional Counselor (LAPC), Doctoral Student in Counselor Education and Supervision (PhD), Good Thoughts Therapeutic Services, PLLC
Delaney Sullivan is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor (LAPC) in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. She comes from a rural town in southwestern Pennsylvania. She is currently enrolled in a Counselor Education and Supervision doctoral... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm EST
  60 Minute Roundtable
  • global Y

3:45pm EST

Culturally Competent Counseling with Asian American Clients (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
This 60-minute roundtable session invites participants into an open, thoughtful discussion on providing culturally relevant counseling for Asian American and Asian adoptee clients. Together, we will explore challenging and often unspoken questions around culture, identity, stigma, family dynamics, and the therapeutic relationship. Attendees will be encouraged to reflect on their own assumptions, share experiences, and engage in honest dialogue about what it means to practice therapy in a culturally responsive and meaningful way. This interactive format centers curiosity, humility, and connection, creating space to learn from one another while deepening our ability to support Asian American and Asian adoptee clients with greater awareness and authenticity. 
Speakers
avatar for Grace Kim

Grace Kim

Associate Professional Counselor
As a Korean American U.S. Army veteran and therapist, I take a human-centered, integrative approach to counseling that emphasizes the connection between mind and body. My work is shaped by both lived experience and clinical training, guiding the work I do with clients facing anxiety... Read More →
avatar for Andrea Kirsch, LPC

Andrea Kirsch, LPC

Owner/Therapist, Andrea Kirsch, LPC
Hello! My name is Andrea. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor based in Pennsylvania and also licensed to serve clients who reside in New Jersey. I received my bachelor's degree in psychology from Penn State University, and my master's degree in counseling psychology from Delaware... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm EST
  60 Minute Roundtable
  • global Y

3:45pm EST

Evolving Trauma Treatment: Integrating EMDR into Modern Counseling Practice (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
This interactive roundtable session brings together three Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)-trained counselors to engage participants in a dynamic discussion about the evolving role of trauma-informed care in counseling. The presenters will share insights from their clinical work across diverse populations, addressing how EMDR can be adapted to meet the needs of clients from varying cultural, socioeconomic, and identity backgrounds. 
Speakers
ET

Elise Tate MS LAPC

Professional Counselor, Mindful Therapy Solutions
Elise Tate, MS, LAPC, is a professional counselor who provides psychotherapy to adolescents and adults. Her clinical work is grounded in psychodynamic theory and integrates attachment-based, relational, and systemic perspectives to support a deeper understanding of intrapersonal and... Read More →
avatar for Meg Loceff MS LPC NCC

Meg Loceff MS LPC NCC

Doctoral Student, Duquesne University
Meg Loceff is a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor (LAPC) in Pennsylvania and Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC). Meg graduated from the University of Pittsburgh Greensburg with her Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She then went on to graduate school at Carlow University... Read More →
avatar for Rachael Dittmar MS, NCC, LPC

Rachael Dittmar MS, NCC, LPC

Professional Counselor
Rachael Dittmar, MS, NCC, LPC, is a professional counselor specializing in attachment and relational-based work with both individuals and couples. She is trained in Gottman Method Couples Therapy (Level 1) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), allowing her to effectively... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm EST
  60 Minute Roundtable
  • global Y

3:45pm EST

Limiting and Liberatory Language: Our Word Choice Matters (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
The preliminary information regarding this in-process mixed-methods study will offer attendees foundational information about why limiting and liberatory language is important when discussing the identities and experiences of counseling participants. The goals of the presentation are for attendees to analyze conscious language that liberates, to articulate the value of developing conscious language practices to facilitate their responsibilities and thus adhere to standards, and acquire readily operational conscious language development tools currently being used by professionals in the editing field and analyze the guides’ applicability to conversational language (Yin, 2024).
Speakers
avatar for Emily Johnson

Emily Johnson

Graduate School Counseling Alumni, Rosemont College
Emily Johnson is a community based mental health counselor in Philadelphia serving families and young children experiencing housing insecurity. She has an MA in Counseling from Rosemont College and a Pennsylvania School Counseling Certification. She has seven years of teaching experience... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm EST
  60 Minute Roundtable
  • global Y

3:45pm EST

Navigating Current Challenges in Clinical Supervision: Ethics, Technology, and Evolving Practice (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
This session examines current challenges in clinical supervision, including telehealth, artificial intelligence, workforce pressures, and ethical complexities. Participants will engage in case-based learning and gain practical, research-informed strategies to enhance supervision effectiveness in an evolving counseling landscape.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Stephen Kiuri Gitonga

Dr. Stephen Kiuri Gitonga

Associate Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania at Lock Haven University Campus, Lock Haven, PA
I am a counselor educator with over 15 years of experience as a faculty in CACREP-accredited clinical mental health counseling programs. I hold the Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) credential, and I am licensed to practice as a counselor in ID, UT, and PA. I play the faculty advisor... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm EST
  60 Minute Roundtable
  • global Y

3:45pm EST

We Didn't Learn This in Collage: Promoting Self-Care (1 CE)
Saturday November 7, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm EST
Session Feedback (for CEs)
This session aims to use collage as a form of psychoeducation to promote intentional, restorative, self-care for both counselors and their clients. Our session will stimulate the neurotransmission of dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins re-enforcing the benefits of creativity on intentional self-care. 
Speakers
AC

Angie Conrad, Ph.D., LPC

Editor of the Pennsylvania Counseling Association, Pennsylvania Counseling Association/Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Angie Conrad is a Licensed Professional Counselor counseling individual and families of all ages. She recently completed her Pd.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision at Indiana University of Pennsylvania where she has also been adjunct teaching in the Clinical Mental Health... Read More →
RP

Rachael Pursell, LPC, MA, NCC

Rachael Pursell (she/her) is a counselor at a practice near Pittsburgh, PA and doctoral candidate at IUP in their Counselor Education and Supervision program. She has clinical experience with adults and trauma, being trained in EMDR. Rachael has taught both master’s and bachelor’s... Read More →
Saturday November 7, 2026 3:45pm - 4:45pm EST
  60 Minute Roundtable
  • global Y

5:00pm EST

Division and Committee Meetings
Saturday November 7, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm EST

Saturday November 7, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm EST

6:00pm EST

CARIA Reception
Saturday November 7, 2026 6:00pm - 7:30pm EST

Saturday November 7, 2026 6:00pm - 7:30pm EST

7:30pm EST

Grad Student Social
Saturday November 7, 2026 7:30pm - 8:30pm EST

Saturday November 7, 2026 7:30pm - 8:30pm EST
 
58th Annual PCA Conference
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