Presenters & Sessions

2026 MR-CA Annual Conference

Mental Health Beyond Borders: From Crisis to Connection

Mediterranean Region Counselors Association (MR-CA) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7006. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Mediterranean Region Counselors Association (MR-CA) is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

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5 Crisis Helpers & Hurts: Identifying healthy ways to cope and connect during a crisis (1.0 CE)

Mrs. Annetta Benjamin Guillen Garcia, MA, LPC, NCC

The presentation will cover the positive and negative ways to navigate and connect through a crisis. Students, teachers, counselors, and mental health professionals will be able to identify healthy ways to cope during a crisis.

Annetta obtained her bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s degree in Pastoral Counseling from Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia. After completing her graduate degree, Annetta received her Clinical License as a Professional Counselor (LPC) and Certification as a National Counselor (NCC) in Virginia. She specializes in counseling children, adolescents, and young adults with behavior, academic, self-esteem, coping, communication, bereavement, eating, and anger issues. She also counsels’ adults, couples, and the elderly with spiritual, bereavement, communication, family, relationships, depression, self-esteem, body image, and anxiety concerns. Annetta has been in private practice at Benjamin Counseling Center, LLC, for 14 years and has been a Clinical Supervisor for Residents in Counseling, Undergraduate and Graduate student interns. Over the past few years, Annetta has added the title of Life Coach, Professional Speaker, and Author. She published her first book and journal, "5 Helpers 5 Hurts: A Guide to Improve Your Thoughts & Feelings," and the "5 Helpers 5 Hurts Journal: A Notebook to Track Your Thoughts and Feelings," which are both available on Amazon.com.

As professional speaker, she provides mental health and wellness education at colleges, elementary and high schools, churches, corporations, international conferences, and various community centers. Annetta has been featured on several podcasts, radio, and YouTube channels regarding her success as an entrepreneur. To book her as a speaker or to interview Annetta visit www.AnnettaSpeaks.com

A Discourse Analysis into the Motivators of a diaspora during a Crisis (1.0 CE)

The presentation examines the unprecedented mobilization of the Jamaican diaspora following a major hurricane as an example that demonstrates how communities function as essential, rapid-response humanitarian actors during international crises. Prompted by the immediate flood of online and media information, the diaspora instinctively leveraged their pre-existing social and digital networks to quickly provide culturally informed aid. The presentation uses discourse analysis of social media, news reports, and community texts to assess and understand this response, investigating the motivators that drove increased involvement from individuals with distant ties to the country. Furthermore, it considers diaspora response to crises across the globe and identifies factors crucial for maintaining community bonding, collective efficacy, and long-term commitment to the relief effort.

Dr. Philippa Chin is the MS Counseling Program Director and an Assistant Professor with Barry University. She holds a BA in History from the University of the West Indies (Jamaica), a M.Ed. in Couples, Marriage, and Family Counseling, and a Ph.D. in Counselor Education from William & Mary (U.S). (Virginia). is a licensed professional counselor (LPC), a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) and a national certified counselor (NCC). Her clinical experience includes addiction therapy, trauma informed care, couples and family therapy. Dr. Chin is the President of the Virginia Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (VAMCD), an editorial board member for the Family Journal, and an associate mentor with the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) Leadership Academy. Dr. Chin's research exploring ethnic/racial identity, family therapy, and social justice within counselor education, has been presented at national and international conferences, and published in peer-reviewed journals.

Dr. Yahyahan Aras is an Assistant Professor of Counseling at Barry University. He holds a BA in Counseling Psychology and Guidance from Selcuk University (Turkey), a M.Ed. in Counseling Psychology from Rutgers University, and Ph.D. in Counselor Education from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. He has worked with K-12 students both in Turkey and in the U.S. in addition to working with student athletes and nursing students in college settings. His research interests include social justice identity development of counselors, counseling immigrants and refugees, mentoring in counselor education, and international students.

AND...ACTION! Using Creative Therapy and Expressive Arts Media to Navigate Race Based Trauma. (1.0 CE)

The presentation will focus on utilizing creativity, expressive arts, cinematherapy, rap music, and film/video-based therapy to address racial trauma in clients. Participants will be equipped with a toolbox of activities. Case studies will be used to identify different types of racism and racial trauma, and focus will be placed on enhancing client communication skills, expressing feelings, and healing the trauma of those clients who have experienced racial trauma. Advocacy initiatives will be provided.

Eugenie Joan Looby, PHD, LPC, NCC, ACS is a Professor of Counselor Education in the Department of Counseling, Higher Education Leadership, Educational Psychology, and Foundations at Mississippi State University, where she has been a faculty member for over 25 years. Her clinical experiences include working with individuals across the developmental spectrum (children, adolescents, adults) and providing individual, group, and family counseling for personal, social, and developmental issues across in-patient and out-patient settings. She has numerous publications, including a co-authored textbook on multicultural counseling and has delivered presentations, workshops, and training sessions on counseling and clinical topics to a diverse audience. Her research interests span multiculturalism and diversity, treating sexual trauma, spirituality, gender concerns with underserved and rural women, rehabilitation matters, and social justice/advocacy counseling.

Jasmine Carter, MS, P-LPC, NCC isa staff counselor with Student Counseling services at Mississippi State University. She is pursuing a degree in Counselor Education and Supervision at Mississippi State University. Her research interests include intergenerational trauma, marriage and family counseling, and incarceration.

Kimberly Gray is a former school counselor, and currently Staff Counselor with Student Counseling Services at Mississippi State University. She received her BA in Communication, and her MS in School Counseling, from Mississippi State University, where she is pursuing a degree in Counselor Education and Supervision.

An Integrated Relational approach: Utilizing EFT Strategies and a Sociocultural Attuned Therapy for Perimenopausal Sexual Problems in Couples with a Woman of Color

(1.0 CE)

The presentation introduces an integrative model combining Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and the Socioculturally Attuned approach to address perimenopausal sexual functioning through a holistic, intersectional framework. EFT promotes emotional safety and strengthens attachment bonds, fostering intimacy and connection between partners (Johnson & Zuccarini, 2009). The Socioculturally Attuned model situates relational distress within larger systems of culture, power, and identity, illuminating how societal inequities and gendered expectations affect sexual well-being (McDowell et al., 2018; Knudson-Martin et al., 2019).

Participants will explore composite clinical strategies to help couples navigate the emotional, physical, and cultural dimensions of sexual wellness during perimenopause. This integrative approach equips clinicians to assess relational patterns, enhance communication, and incorporate culturally responsive practices that promote sexual health and relational resilience among women of color and their partners in midlife.

Dr. Beda Bjorn, PhD, LMHC, QS is an Assistant Professor and a dedicated counselor educator and supervisor with over a decade of experience in clinical mental health counseling, specializing in trauma-focused interventions. She is committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment where emerging counselors can thrive academically, professionally, and personally. As a Qualified Supervisor and private practice owner, Dr. Bjorn is recognized for her mentorship through intrapersonal recall processing frameworks, helping counselors-in-training develop self-awareness, competence, and ethical integrity. Her scholarship focuses on counselor development, supervision models, and sex-positive clinical education

Beyond Borders of Disconnection: Cultivating Connection and Multicultural Competence in Supervision Through Relational-Cultural Theory (1.0)

The session will introduce the Relational-Cultural Theory (RCT) as a framework for restoring connection, mutuality, empathy, and multicultural competence in supervision. Participants will explore practical strategies to navigate power dynamics, identity, and cultural barriers while fostering growth and authenticity in supervisory relationships. The session offers connection-centered tools for counselor educators and supervisors seeking to build inclusive, relationally attuned, and mutually empowering supervision practices across diverse settings.

Courtney Conway, M.S., LSC (Tennessee), is a Licensed School Counselor and Ph.D. Candidate in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Her research and teaching center on school counseling, supervision, multicultural competence, and relational approaches to counselor development. She has served as an instructor of record for undergraduate and graduate counseling courses, co-developed addiction education modules, and facilitated both individual and triadic supervision for clinical and school counseling students.

Courtney’s current research explores connection, prevention, and counselor wellness through relational-cultural and strength-based frameworks, with a focus on K–12 school contexts and rural Appalachian populations. She has presented nationally on Relational-Cultural Theory in supervision and multicultural responsiveness in counselor education.

An active member of Chi Sigma Iota, the American Counseling Association, and the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, Courtney is committed to fostering growth, empathy, and connection across cultural and professional borders.

Bridging Neurodiversity Gaps: Connecting Counselor Educators, Counselors, and Clients (1.0 CE)

The presentation focuses on integrating neurodiverse affirming approaches within counseling education and clinical practice that promote connection, affirmation, and meaningful inclusion. Participants will examine common neurodiverse experiences in academic, professional, and counseling settings.

Dr. Rosanna Sanchez John, Ed.D., LCPC, ACS, NCC is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Maryland, an Approved Clinical Supervisor, and a National Certified Counselor. She earned her Doctor of Education in Counselor Education and Supervision from Marymount University. She is an Assistant Professor of Counseling at Trinity Washington University. In addition to her academic role, she owns a private practice providing bilingual services in English and Spanish to adolescents, young adults, couples, and families. Her clinical work focuses on anxiety, trauma, family transitions, cultural adaptation, ADHD, and mood disorders. Dr. Sanchez John has presented nationally and internationally on racial identity, traditional spiritual practices, and the Latinx community. Her professional interests include multicultural counseling, Afro-Latinx identity development, neurodiversity, and the integration of religion and spirituality in counseling.Dr. Rosanna Sanchez John is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LPC), Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) in Maryland, and a National Certified Counselor (NCC) who earned her Doctor of Education in Counselor Education and Supervision at Marymount University. Rosanna is an Assistant Professor at Trinity Washington University. Rosanna conducts mental health services in both English and Spanish to adolescents, adults, couples, and families. She has been working intensively with anxiety, trauma, adjustment issues, family transitional issues, cultural adaptation, crisis assessment and intervention in both the government sector, non-profit organizations, and private practice. Rosanna has presented at numerous international and national conferences, on racial identity, traditional spiritual practices, Latinx community. Her professional interests include multicultural counseling, racial identity development in Afro-Latinx and diverse populations, religious and spiritual issues in counseling.

Hajira Baig is a graduate student in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Trinity Washington University, with a Master of Science in Health Psychology from the University of Michigan. She is a Career Ambassador at Trinity’s Career Services, offering career guidance, resume support, and professional development workshops.

With experience as a Community Mental Health Promoter and Former Fulbright Scholar, Hajira has worked extensively in community outreach, cross-cultural communication, and trauma-informed care. Fluent in multiple languages, her professional interests include client-centered care, mental health advocacy, and cultural sensitivity in counseling.

Bridging Systems of Support: School Counselors’ Advocacy in Promoting Mental Health Beyond Borders (1.0)

The presentation situates school counselors and clinical counselors in the school setting as pivotal change agents who can bridge systemic gaps between education, family, and community mental health resources. Drawing from contemporary U.S. counseling frameworks and advocacy competencies, presenters will discuss the professional identity of school counselors and clinical counselors in the school setting as advocates, collaborators, and systems leaders. Using case illustrations and current research, the session will demonstrate how school counselors and clinical counselors in the school setting can move beyond crisis management toward proactive, systemic advocacy—addressing stigma, promoting equity in service access, and cultivating cross-sector partnerships.

Jung (June) H. Hyun (she/her), Ph.D., LPC (GA), LMHC (WA), ACS, NCC is an associate professor in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at St. Bonaventure University. Entering her 17th year of teaching in counselor education programs, Dr. Hyun's primary courses include basic counseling skills, counseling theories, group counseling, multicultural counseling, and systems theories. She also supervises practicum and internship students. Dr. Hyun's scholarly work focuses on multicultural counseling and social justice issues, counselor supervision, school-family-community (SFC) partnerships, and promoting resiliency among Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islanders. Professionally, she has been actively involved in the American Counseling Association, the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development, the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, and the Association for Assessment and Research in Counseling, serving in various leadership roles and presenting at conferences. Her clinical experience includes providing mental health counseling to children and adolescents in both community-based and school-based settings using play therapy and conducting workshops for Asian immigrant parents and caregivers.

Dr. Szu-Yu (Darlene) Chen is an Associate Professor in the Counseling Department at Palo Alto University, a bilingual (English/Mandarin) licensed counselor, and a registered play therapist specializing in children and families. Her research and presentations focus on play therapy, play-based teacher interventions, multicultural issues in counseling and supervision, and the mental health issues and advocacy of immigrants. Her most recent work includes the application of play therapy to children exposed to attachment trauma, teacher-child relationships, and children’s social-emotional and behavioral problems.

Dr. Zachary Pietrantoni is a nationally certified counselor and licensed school counselor who serves as an Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator in the school counseling program at Florida International University (FIU). He is also the principal investigator of Project Pathways, which is a comprehensive training program designed to address the mental health crisis by increasing the number of highly qualified culturally and linguistically diverse school counselors in South Florida. Zachary teaches and supervises school counselors and trainees in comprehensive school counseling programs to ensure equitable and inclusive school-based mental health services in K-12 settings. He also serves as a consultant with schools on the design, implementation, and evaluation of school counseling services. Zachary is active in publishing and presenting research related to school counselor training and development. He began his career as an elementary school counselor, where he worked collaboratively to implement multi-tiered systems of support to ensure equitable and inclusive education for all students.

Building Trauma-Informed Approaches in Correctional Environments (1.0 CE)

The presentation will explore practical strategies for promoting trauma-informed principles such as safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and empowerment, into daily correctional practice. It will highlight how trauma-informed care supports not only the mental health and rehabilitation of incarcerated individuals but also the wellbeing and resilience of correctional staff.

Kirill Martynov, MS. Ed., LMHC, NCC, CASAC-G is a licensed mental health counselor in the state of New York, a National Certified Counselor, and holds a specialty certification in addiction counseling. He is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Counselor Education and Supervision at Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia. Kirill earned his master’s degree in clinical Mental Health Counseling from St. John’s University in Queens, NY, and his bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University at Buffalo. With nearly a decade of experience in the mental health and substance abuse field, he has worked across a variety of treatment settings throughout the New York region. A multilingual therapist, Kirill has provided counseling services in both English and Russian.

He currently serves as a counselor with the Department of Corrections in Westchester County, NY, where he provides assessment, case management, intervention, orientation, treatment planning, individual and group therapy, and discharge planning for clients and their families. In addition to his clinical work, Kirill is active in Marymount University’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, where he serves as a graduate research assistant and co-instructor for counseling basic skills courses.

Centered & Seen: Affirming Counseling Practices for Transgender Survivors Sexual Assault Survivors (1.0 CE)

The presentation is developed from a study that was done recently, utilizing Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) and had eight transgender sexual assault survivors explore the meaning made throughout positive counseling experiences, as well as recount their lived experiences. These experiences lead to 5 central themes that are the focus of this session to inform gender affirming care, counseling for sexual assault survivors, and other ways of advocating for transgender sexual assault survivors and empowering this underrepresented community. Transgender survivors often face barriers to accessing care, cross-cultural stigma around identities, and borders within mental health systems (i.e., gatekeeping, discrimination, and lack of provider competency). Globally, transgender individuals experience higher rates of sexual violence, higher exposure to hate-motivated trauma, and mental health disparities. This presentation shows how counselors can dismantle these borders by offering inclusive, culturally responsive, and identity-affirming treatment. The heart of this presentation and theme is moving from trauma to empowerment for all survivors of sexual violence globally.

Adrienne Graham, PhD, LPC, NCC, is an Assistant Professor within the University of Nevada, Reno’s Counselor Education & Supervision program. Her research and clinical expertise focus primarily on sexual violence, including resiliency, education, advocacy, and prevention, with a special interest in collegiate populations. She is a social justice counselor and views counseling and teaching to make a difference among counselors in training. She is the co-chair of the American College Counseling Association’s (ACCA) Clinical & Supervision Training committee, Chi Sigma Iota (CSI) Chapter Development Committee member, Chapter Faculty Advisor (CFA) for the Alpha Omega Mu CSI chapter, and a member of ACA and several other divisions. She has presented at the national and local levels on survivor advocacy and trauma-informed practices.

Centering Clinical Supervision as an Ethical Imperative: Protecting Clients, Supporting Counselors, and Elevating the Profession (1.0 CE)

The presentation examines the ethical foundations of supervision, explores common dilemmas faced by supervisors and supervisees, and demonstrates how ethical supervisory practices reduce risk, improve client outcomes, and promote counselor development. Using case examples across diverse settings (community mental health, private practice, college counseling, and telehealth), participants will examine how ethical lapses in supervision manifest and how structured, culturally responsive models of supervision can address these challenges. Attendees will leave with a practical framework for ethically grounded supervision, tools for fostering reflective practice, and strategies for navigating gray areas—such as dual roles, documentation, supervisee impairment, and power dynamics. The interactive session integrates discussion, short activities, and applied scenarios to support supervisors and counselors seeking to strengthen their ethical decision-making and supervision practices.

Dr. Matthew R. Shupp is a Professor in the Department of Counselor Education at Shippensburg University (Pennsylvania, United States) where he serves as coordinator of the College Counseling & Student Affairs specializations and the doctoral program in Counselor Education and Supervision. Dr. Shupp’s research interests focus on inclusive supervision in student affairs, multicultural competence, student leadership development, and holistic college student experiences. He was selected to the Fulbright Specialist Roster (2021-2025) and recently returned from Suez Canal University in Egypt where he assisted with the university's first-ever clinical counseling center.

Crossing Systems, Holding Stories: An Autoethnographic Study of Interdisciplinary Behavioral Health in Children and Adolescents (1.0 CE)

Dr. Stephanie Chalk is the Associate Director of the School of Counseling at Marymount University and the founder and owner of Two Rivers Psychotherapy and Consulting in Virginia. She obtained her PhD in Counseling and Supervision from James Madison University in 2020, following an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from George Washington University. She also holds a post-graduate certificate in Neuroscience and Trauma from Tabor College and a Professional Certificate in Strategic Management from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. She has also taken courses in mathematics for machine learning and coding with Python and has an interest in the use of technology in psychotherapy and counselor education. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Virginia and approved by the Board of Counseling in Virginia to provide clinical supervision for both LPC and LMFT residents.

Dr. Chalk has worked in a wide range of clinical settings, including private practice, therapeutic school, PHP/IOP, and community health clinics. She serves children, adolescents, adults, and families, and has extensive continuing education in existential theory, cognitive behavior therapy, child custody evaluation, and parental reunification therapy for parental alienation following divorce or separation. Dr. Chalk uses neuroscience and trauma-informed lens in her work as a counselor.

Dr. Chalk has multiple peer-reviewed journal publications and presentations both nationally and internationally. She has won multiple awards for her teaching, research, and service to the profession from Marymount University, James Madison University, and the Mediterranean Region Counselors Association. She has held leadership positions in multiple counseling organizations, including the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA), the Association for Humanistic Counseling (AHC), and the Mediterranean Region Counselors Association (MR-CA). Her research interests include race-based trauma, posttraumatic growth, neurodivergence, medically underserved populations, and international counseling and counselor education.

The presentation is based on an autoethnographic study examining interdisciplinary behavioral health practice across multiple professional roles, including research, applied behavior analysis, crisis intervention, and clinical mental health counseling in the care of children and adolescents. The presentation explores how youth and families experience mental health care across systems that are often fragmented, under-resourced, and misaligned. Key themes include the limitations of behavior-only approaches to mental health, the role of trauma and chronic stress in shaping emotional and behavioral responses in youth, and the profound influence of social context on mental well-being for children and their families. The presentation highlights relational strategies such as co-regulation, listening, understanding, and validating as essential tools for ongoing care across disciplines and settings, particularly when individuals are emotionally dysregulated or navigating multiple systems simultaneously. Considerations for counselors and allied health and education professionals will be discussed.

Culturally Informed Rural Mental Health Advocacy: Barriers, Challenges, and Solutions. (1.0 CE)

The presentation will examine the intersection of rural community culture and the challenges associated with mental health service delivery. Attendees will delineate advocacy strategies for addressing and removing systemic barriers to successful mental health outcomes and services for global populations in rural communities.

Eugenie Joan Looby, PHD, LPC, NCC, ACS is a Professor of Counselor Education in the Department of Counseling, Higher Education Leadership, Educational Psychology, and Foundations at Mississippi State University, where she has been a faculty member for over 25 years. Her clinical experiences include working with individuals across the developmental spectrum (children, adolescents, adults) and providing individual, group, and family counseling for personal, social, and developmental issues across in-patient and out-patient settings. She has numerous publications, including a co-authored textbook on multicultural counseling and has delivered presentations, workshops, and training sessions on counseling and clinical topics to a diverse audience. Her research interests span multiculturalism and diversity, treating sexual trauma, spirituality, gender concerns with underserved and rural women, rehabilitation matters, and social justice/advocacy counseling.

Khyla Barnes is the Preventions Specialist for the Alcorn Substance Abuse Prevention Program (ASAPP) at Alcorn State University in Mississippi. She is a certified Preventions Specialist (CPS) and Family Life Educator (CLE-P). Her academic background includes a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Science in both Child and Family Studies and Clinical Menta Health Counseling. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision.

Jasmine Carter, MS, P-LPC, NCC isa staff counselor with Student Counseling services at Mississippi State University. She is pursuing a degree in Counselor Education and Supervision at Mississippi State University. Her research interests include intergenerational trauma, marriage and family counseling, and incarceration.

Developing Competent Bilingual Counselors: Clinical Best Practices (1.0 CE)

The presentation provides an overview of effective training approaches and best practices in training bilingual counselors. Through brief examples and practical guidance, this session highlights how bilingual counselors can strengthen connection, improve client engagement, and reduce barriers to care. This session demonstrates how linguistically attuned counseling supports diverse communities and enhances access to meaningful mental health support.

Yenitza Guzman, Ph.D., LPC, NCC, PEL is an assistant professor at Northern Illinois University. Dr. Guzman has over a decade of clinical experience working with youth in Chicago Public Schools. She has worked with bilingual populations as a counselor and supervisor. Dr. Guzman also has experience teaching a variety of graduate courses in both the school counseling and clinical mental health counseling programs. Dr. Guzman has presented at local, national, and international conferences.

Kristin Lee, MS, LPC, NCC is a second-year doctoral student at Northern Illinois University. Kristin has over a decade of experience working as a bilingual special education teacher in suburban public schools outside of Chicago. She is currently working as a clinician providing bilingual mental health services. Kristin is an adjunct instructor teaching master’s courses in clinical mental health counseling as well as the lead graduate teaching assistant supervising the counseling minor for undergraduate students. Kristin has presented at the local and national level.

Empowering Adults to Manage Meltdowns (2.0 CEs)

The presentation will explore what is happening in those moments so that we can begin to understand how to respond to meltdowns in a way fosters connection and regulation. We will explore strategies to connect to the kid in even the biggest moments and our role as the co-regulator, so that you can facilitate moving from crisis to connection, all the while seeking to empower you to feel confident in your ability to equip the other adults in your world to do the same.

Hayden Ahlbrandt, LPC, LCMHCA is a certified Synergetic Play Therapist, who got his start working as an elementary level school counselor. He specializes in working with children who are exhibiting symptoms of hyper-arousal such as anxiety, meltdowns, defiance, behaviors, and low frustration tolerance among others. Through his work, he has developed a passion to empower adults to navigate and support these symptoms as well, which he does through social media (@lowtideplaytherapist) and his course, The Managing Meltdowns Academy.

Envisioning the Next Chapter: Expressive Arts Interventions for Retirement Adjustment and Identity (1.0 CE)

Elizabeth Brokamp, PHD, LPC, NCC, ACS, BC-TMH, is an Assistant Professor in Counseling program at Gwynedd Mercy University. She works remotely from Virginia where she maintains a part-time online private practice that informs and energizes her teaching and supervision. Dr. Brokamp's clinical experience and specialties include working with women, treating anxiety, depression, and reproductive trauma, and aging and mental health. Her research interests include online and trauma-informed pedagogy in counselor education, gatekeeping, mental health and aging, belonging, and the study of social systems.

Family Systems and Intergenerational Trauma: Parenting, Attachment, and Emotional Patterns in African American Households. (2.0 CEs)

The session examines how intergenerational trauma shapes African American family systems, influencing attachment, discipline, communication, emotional regulation, and parental expectations. Participants will explore how centuries of historical trauma—combined with modern stressors such as systemic racism, community violence, mass incarceration, and economic strain—create patterns that are often misinterpreted or pathologized in clinical settings.

Clinicians will learn practical strategies to support families across generations, including attachment repair, emotion-focused work, family-based trauma interventions, and culturally aligned communication approaches. Using case examples and research, the session provides concrete skills for recognizing trauma patterns, engaging caregivers, and promoting long-term healing and connection within African American families.

Jared Washington is a Licensed Professional Counselor and is The Mental Health Director for Armor Healthcare at Dekalb County Jail in Atlanta, GA. He has over 15 years of experience in the Mental Health field and has worked in various clinical settings such as private practice, psychiatric hospital, community mental health agencies and foster care. Mr. Washington has participated in various panels, conferences and TV shows discussing mental health and social justice. He also authored the book, Heal or Repeat: Breaking the Cycle of Intergenerational Trauma. Mr. Washington has developed a passion for educating communities on mental health and its impact over 10 years ago. His goal is to connect underserved communities with resources as well as empower them to advocate for themselves.

Fostering wellness: Building authentic connections for managing crisis outcomes (1.0 CE)

The purpose of the presentation is for participants to explore crises in daily life and examine how to build authentic connections with the community, professionals, and others to improve wellness outcomes. We conceptualize crises through the lens of the Indivisible Self Wellness Model's Social Self and Coping Self (Sweeney & Myers, 2004). Join us to learn about and engage in the practice of building authentic relationships and coping strategies that mitigate the adverse consequences of crises and foster wellness.

Dilani Perera, Ph.D., is a Full Professor of the Counselor Education Department at Fairfield University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor in Connecticut, USA. Additionally, she holds certifications as a National Certified Counselor, a Master Addiction Counselor, and a Board-Certified Telemental Health provider through the National Board of Certified Counselors. She is a Counselor Educator with 20 years of experience, training students to conceptualize and develop a wellness perspective when working with clients. Dr. Perera has over 50 publications in various areas to supplement training for professional counselors. Dr. Perera is a member of multiple professional counseling organizations. She has presented at international, national, regional, and local levels. She is the current past president of International Association of Addictions and Offender Counselors, a division of the American Counseling Association.

Rebecca E. Michel, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor and Associate Chair of the Counseling Program in the College of Education at DePaul University. She also serves as the Editor of the Journal of Employment Counseling, Chi Sigma Iota Delta Phi Upsilon Advisor, and a CACREP Liaison. Her scholarship, teaching, and service center around career and relational development, social emotional learning, and transformational teaching practices. She has coedited one book, coauthored one book, and written twenty articles and thirteen book chapters, in addition to delivering over seventy counseling conference presentations to regional, national, and international audiences. Rebecca utilizes Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) as a framework to foster authentic and sustainable community partnerships both locally and internationally (see Russell & McKnight, 2022). She has taught over fifteen community-based service-learning counseling courses and partners with Chicago-based nonprofit agencies to support the career and social emotional development of job seekers living in poverty. She also co-developed “Lift as You Climb,” an interdisciplinary initiative at DePaul University that provides community-engaged leadership, wellness, and social emotional training for pre-service teachers, counseling students, and high school students. She has led or co-led sixteen professional and study abroad trips for counseling students, counselors, and educators to Ireland, Italy, Portugal, France, Thailand, and Cambodia. For the past ten years, she collaborated with the University of Holy Cross and the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP) to host the Counselling and Psychotherapy Conference at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland.

Dr. Nancy E. Sherman is an Emerita Professor of Education, Counseling, and Leadership Emerita Professor at Bradley University. Before retiring in 2023, she taught in the M.A. in Counseling program for 30 years. Dr. Sherman served in several administrative positions at Bradley University, including Faculty Ombudsperson, Department Chair, Associate Dean for Distance Education, and Counseling Director. She has taught as an Adjunct professor at Walden University, Fairfield University, and Bradley University. In 2015, Dr. Sherman completed her third Fulbright Award teaching at Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University in Kaliningrad, Russia. Her first and second Fulbright Awards were in Latvia and Romania, respectively. Dr. Sherman’s research has been widely published and presented. She is the second author of Your Supervised Practicum and Internship: Field Resources for Turning Theory into Practice, 3rd ed., published in 2023. Her latest co-authored journal article, "Trauma Curriculum Integration in Counselor Education: A Delphi Study,” was published in 2024 in the journal Trauma Counseling and Resilience.

From "Checkbox" to Connection: Applying Broaching Strategies to Build Trust Across Cultural Borders (1.0 CE)

The session moves beyond theory to address a common clinical challenge: how to initiate difficult but necessary conversations with clients. Many clinicians struggle to discuss sensitive topics or unspoken differences without it feeling forced or like a "checkbox." Drawing from recent empirical studies and the presenter's own research on client perspectives, we will explore the harm caused by "missed opportunities," where important aspects of a client's identity or experience are overlooked, and contrast this with tangible strategies for broaching that build genuine connection. Participants will learn to use broaching as a powerful tool to strengthen the therapeutic alliance, initiating conversations with curiosity, navigating complex client identities, and using self-disclosure appropriately to build trust. This interactive session will analyze common pitfalls and provide an opportunity to apply new, effective broaching techniques designed to move the therapeutic relationship from disconnection to deep, authentic connection, using a case study.

Yun-Zhuo (Zoey) Liu is a doctoral candidate at Kent State University and an adjunct professor. She is independently licensed in two states. She has served a diverse group of clients in college counseling, community crisis centers, school, and private practice. She is currently conducting research on broaching and consensual non-monogamy. Her bilingual and international background gives her a unique perspective on diversity, equality, and inclusivity. Zoey’s research is grounded in her commitment to inclusion in the counseling field, social justice, and bridging the gap between research and practice.

From Crisis to Connection: Addressing Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders in Clinical Practice (1.0 CE)

The session will offer an overview of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, including suicide risk, postpartum psychosis, and screening tools for assessment. Attendees will also explore common perinatal stressors and identity shifts, gaining practical strategies to support clients in the early stages of parenthood. Aligned with the conference theme, Mental Health Beyond Borders: From Crisis to Connection, this presentation invites counseling students, practicing counselors, clinical supervisors, and counselor educators to expand their understanding of perinatal / maternal mental health – transforming moments of crisis into opportunities for deeper connection for clients during the early stages of parenthood.

Emily Spencer, MS, LPC (PA), LCPC (MD), NCC, PMH-C, BC-TMH is a licensed professional counselor and certified EMDR therapist with specialized training in perinatal mental health and trauma. She earned a master’s degree in clinical Mental Health Counseling from Shippensburg University in 2013 and is currently pursuing an Ed.D in Counselor Education and Supervision. Emily is the owner of Lily of the Valley Wellness, a private practice focused on maternal and women’s mental health, perinatal loss, and trauma recovery. She is also passionate about clinical supervision, professional development, and advancing counselor training, regularly presenting at regional and national conferences.

From Crisis to Connection: The power of EMDR and IFS integration to cross internal and external borders (1.0 CE)

The presentation will include a brief overview of each modality (EMDR and IFS), including their evidence base. Practical strategies for integration, highlighting how EMDR and IFS can be combined to support clients in moving from crisis and fragmentation toward connection and wholeness, will be presented. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with a case presentation demonstrating the integration of EMDR and IFS in clinical practice. The case will illustrate how this approach can help clients build connections both internally (among their parts) and externally (with others), facilitating healing from past trauma. Special attention will be given to how this approach can be adapted for diverse populations, supporting clients in moving from crisis to connection—regardless of cultural or geographic borders.

Dr. Paige Bentley is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, where she also serves as Director of Counseling & Well-Being Services for the school. In addition to her academic and leadership roles, Dr.

Dr. Bentley holds a Ph.D. in Counseling & Counselor Education from UNC Greensboro, a master’s in counseling, and a bachelor’s in communications from Wake Forest University. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor (LCMHCS) in North Carolina an EMDR Certified Therapist and Consultant, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, a Level 3-trained IFS therapist, and a Registered Yoga Teacher. She also holds advanced certifications in mindfulness and psychotherapy, coaching (ICF Associate Certified Coach, Board Certified Coach, Certified Professional Co-Active Coach), and holistic stress management.

Prior to her current roles, Dr. Bentley served as Associate Director/Clinical Director of Health and Counseling Services at UNC Asheville and as Senior Mental Health Counselor at UNC School of the Arts. She also brings a decade of experience in journalism and public relations. She is a facilitator on an NIH-funded grant exploring the impact of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for individuals with migraine and developed similar programs for people living with Multiple Sclerosis. Her scholarly work includes published book chapters and peer-reviewed articles on mindfulness, stress management, and compassion. Dr. Bentley owns a thriving private practice, providing personal counseling and professional coaching to individuals and organizations.

Global Pathways to Healing: Counseling Strategies for Children and Caregivers Affected by Parental Incarceration (1.0 CE)

The session is about advancing a cross-cultural, trauma-informed approach to mental health practice. Drawing from U.S. and international research, it situates counseling within a global human rights framework through instruments such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Bangkok Rules, and the Children of Incarcerated Parents Bill of Rights. The presentation expands global mental health literacy by introducing strength-based, culturally responsive interventions for caregivers and children affected by parental incarceration; an issue transcending national boundaries yet not deeply discussed among mental health providers in a global context. Emphasizing resilience, hope, and holistic care, the session calls for an “all-hands-on-deck” global response, uniting counselors, researchers, and caregivers in building compassionate, trauma-informed systems of support.

Dr. Avon Hart-Johnson is a distinguished scholar, counselor educator-in-training, community advocate, and author whose work bridges healing, justice, and systemic transformation. She holds a Ph.D. and currently serves as contributing faculty and doctoral mentor at Walden University. With over 15 years of group counseling-centered experience as a board-certified human services practitioner and nonprofit leader, Dr. Hart-Johnson has facilitated psycho-educational and trauma-informed support groups within Washington, D.C.’s Residential Reentry Center for women, providing counseling and reentry support to individuals transitioning from incarceration. She has also led trauma-informed storytelling and bibliotherapy groups that use narrative as a therapeutic tool for healing and resilience. Deeply committed to advancing the counseling profession, Dr. Hart-Johnson is currently pursuing a second Ph.D. in Counseling Education and Supervision at Bowie State University, where her research and practice center on strength-based, culturally responsive counseling interventions for justice-impacted populations. Her long-term goal is to open a therapeutic practice in the Washington, D.C. area that integrates counseling, education, and advocacy for system-involved families. Her advocacy extends locally, nationally, and globally. As chair of Connecting 4 Justice: Advocacy in Action Coalition, she leads a national consortium addressing social justice across the mass incarceration continuum. She also serves as vice president of the International Coalition for Children with Incarcerated Parents; a global network focused on mitigating trauma and strengthening supports for youth affected by parental incarceration.

In April 2024, Dr. Hart-Johnson presented at the United Nations in Geneva, championing the rights of preschool children of African descent in U.S. schools and calling for trauma-responsive education reforms.

A prolific author with McFarland & Company, her works include African American Women with Incarcerated Mates: The Psychological and Social Impacts of Mass Imprisonment (2017) and Children of Imprisoned Parents: A Guide to Holistic Caregiver and Child Well-Being (2025), with a companion workbook designed to enhance caregiver and child mental health. With her integration of clinical insight, lived engagement, academic rigor, and global advocacy, Dr. Hart-Johnson advances a holistic, counseling-informed approach to justice, healing, and human dignity.

Mr. Geoffrey A. Johnson after retiring from the federal government, as a leader in law enforcement, I sought to contribute to my community by developing life skills curriculum and programming at a non-profit organization, helping individuals obtain their general equivalency diplomas (GED) and secure employment. Mr. Johnson has also been a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for at-risk foster children in Prince George’s County, Maryland. He has co-founded DC Project Connect, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to supporting families and children of incarcerated individuals. Mr. Johnson has led efforts to provide social support programs, mentorship, and advocacy for criminal justice reform.

A central guiding principle in his life is the motto of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.: “First of All; Servants of All; We Shall Transcend All.” Mr. Johnson I currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Counseling Education and Supervision at Bowie State University.

Global Perspectives on Suicide Prevention: Integrating Clinical Best Practices Globally (1.0 CE)

The session provides a global look at evidence-based suicide prevention strategies, highlighting public health models, community-based approaches, national initiatives, and university interventions. Participants will learn how multilevel, culturally responsive practices can reduce risk and strengthen connections from the individual to the international level. Practical guidance and real-world applications will help attendees enhance suicide prevention efforts within their own professional settings.

Dr. Amy Vogel is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida. She earned her master’s in clinical mental health counseling and her doctorate in counselor education and supervision and has over 10 years of experience providing crisis counseling and grief support services. She currently runs her own private practice, Healing Pathways Counseling & Consulting, providing individual therapy. Amy specializes in working with clients experiencing traumatic grief and disenfranchised bereavement. She is a certified Clinical Trauma Professional, a certified Thanatologist, and EMDR-trained. Amy has led community mental health initiatives, including suicide loss survivor support groups. She also serves on the board of Operation Solid 7, assisting with mental health support for veterans, first responders, and active-duty military.

Healing the Healers: Evidence-Based Approaches to Burnout and Compassion Fatigue in Mental Health Practice (1.0 CE)

The presentation will assist attendees to Spot the Signs and learn to recognize burnout and compassion fatigue in self and colleagues before they impact their work. Attendees will be able to learn how to put evidence into action and discover practical, research-backed strategies to prevent and manage professional stress.

Dr. Sr. Hellen Khisa is a professor of practice in the School of Counseling at Marymount University. She has been a counselor educator for three years at Marymount University. She holds a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision with Spiritual and Pastoral Integration from the Graduate Theological Foundation University in Sarasota, Florida. She also holds an M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia, an M.A. in Special Education and a B.A. in Special Education from Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pennsylvania; Diploma from National Teachers College, Nangongera in Tororo, Uganda, East Africa; Diploma in African Studies from Tangaza University in Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa.

How AI Is Redefining Career Readiness in Mental Health (1.0 CE)

The presentation explores how artificial intelligence can bridge global gaps in mental health education, professional readiness, and access to opportunity. By teaching counselors and behavioral health professionals how to ethically and effectively use AI tools for career development, we move from the crisis of professional isolation, burnout, and inequity toward connection through innovation, collaboration, and empowerment.

AI offers scalable, cross-border solutions helping practitioners overcome geographic, economic, and systemic barriers while fostering global competence and inclusion. Through practical examples and interactive discussion, this session demonstrates how technology, when used responsibly, can enhance human connection, expand access to mentorship and professional networks, and strengthen the global mental health workforce. Ultimately, this presentation reframes AI not as a threat, but as a connector linking people, possibilities, and purpose across borders.

Dr. Amber Dato is a licensed professional counselor, educator, and founder of Keys Behavioral Health, where she helps individuals and couples heal from infidelity and betrayal. With over twenty years of clinical and academic experience, she integrates neuroscience, emotional regulation, and narrative repair to guide clients toward renewed trust and self-worth. As Director of External Partnerships at Capella University, Dr. Dato leads national initiatives advancing counselor training and professional readiness. A frequent conference presenter and published author, her work focuses on post-betrayal growth, relational recovery, and evidence-informed approaches to rebuilding connection and resilience.

Identity Rootlessness and Belonging during developmental Crisis: Implications for the Family (1.0 CE)

Building on findings that monoracial parents face challenges in helping their children understand their ethnic identity, the presentation integrates relational cultural theory (RCT) with developmental models. By providing clinical techniques, this approach empowers parents to address identity rootlessness and build a strong foundation for mental well-being while mitigating the risk of identity crisis. Attendees will be able to identify reasons why identity rootlessness represents a developmental crisis during the family life cycle.

Implementing a Trauma Informed Lens in Clinical Practice: Experiences from the Field (1.0 CE)

The presentation will explore the use of trauma-informed practice in three distinct areas of clinical practice: medical trauma, substance use disorder, and intimate partner violence. This presentation will provide a definition and overview of trauma-informed practice, detail multiple approaches to using trauma-informed practice in clinical settings and provide insight into how trauma-informed approaches can be implemented in the treatment of intimate partner violence, medical trauma, and substance use disorder.

Ailish Riggs Dermody, MA, NCC is a 2nd year student in the Counselor Education and Supervision PhD program at Marymount University. As a Resident in Counseling in private practice she works with adults experiencing grief, trauma, substance use, and relationship issues. She also serves as a Grief Specialist with Experience Camps, facilitating clinical sessions for grieving children and their families. She is a certified equine facilitated psychotherapist and has developed and implemented equine facilitated groups for substance use, grief, and women in recovery. She earned her MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marymount University. She is currently serving as the Treasurer for MRCA.

Maya Khan, MA, NCC, LPC is a Licensed Professional Counselor and PhD Candidate in Counselor Education and Supervision at Marymount University’s School of Counseling. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Education, along with dual Master of Arts degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Forensic & Legal Psychology from Marymount University. With clinical experience supporting children, adolescents, and adults through trauma, grief, identity development, and life transitions, her work emphasizes cognitive-behavioral approaches, emotional regulation, and resilience-building. Maya’s research and professional interests center on trauma-informed care, group counseling, and culturally responsive clinical practice. She is passionate about counselor development, community mental health advocacy, and expanding access to high-quality, identity-affirming mental health services. Ms. Khan is currently the President of MR-CA,

Greta Christ, MA, MA, LPC, NCC, is a Certified Dementia Practitioner, an Advanced Grief Counseling Specialist, and a 2nd year PhD student in Counseling Education and Supervision at Marymount University. Her clinical experience includes providing therapeutic services to individuals facing concerns surrounding anxiety, depression, life transitions, grief and loss, medical illness, aging, spirituality, and interpersonal issues. She currently works in private practice, provides supervision to masters-level students at Marymount University’s Training Clinic, and serves as an adjunct professor of psychology at Marymount University. Greta is the current Secretary of MRCA.

Interdisciplinary and Multicultural Review of Violence Against Women, Best Practices for Global Interventions (1.0 CE)

The presentation will cover a review of International Best Practices for Global Interventions for violence against women and Identify overarching principles concerning screening, assessment, and intervention strategies for victims of intimate partner violence.

Dr. Aboagye is an Assistant Professor at Marymount University’s Counseling Department. Her research concentrates on family systems, spirituality and wellbeing, professional identity development, student growth, academic achievement, mental health, and healthy aging. Dr. Aboagye is a fellow in aging research with the Marymount University Center for Optimum Aging and a recipient of the MSI Fellow award from the NIH Resource Center for Minority Aging Research National Coordinating Center (RCMAR NCC). She is a member of the American Counselor Association (ACA), the North American Society for Adlerian Psychology (NASAP), and the Gerontology Society of America (GSA). Dr. Aboagye is also Past President of MR-CA. Alongside her academic activities, she offers clinical counseling services at a substance abuse treatment center in Maryland.

Moving Beyond Survival: Strategic Self-Care Planning for Professional Longevity and Ethical Practice (2.0 CEs)

The presentation will address the modern reality of pervasive societal and professional stress that often leads mental health practitioners, educators, and human service workers into the debilitating zone of Compassion Fatigue and Burnout. Moving beyond mere theoretical self-care, this session frames the maintenance of personal well-being as a critical professional ethical mandate. Participants will receive the knowledge and practical tools required to shift their focus toward Compassion Satisfaction and sustainable practice. The session is distinguished by its evidence-informed approach, integrating personal risk assessment using concepts from the ACE (Adverse Childhood Experience) Score and the Resiliency Index. Attendees will move from passive learning to active planning by utilizing hands-on assessment and planning tools to immediately develop a strategic, daily self-care blueprint. Furthermore, the workshop will facilitate an analysis of how professional ethics apply to personal self-care, including a critical discussion on maintaining boundaries and well-being in the context of persistent technology utilization and the digital age. This workshop is essential for any professional committed to long-term efficacy and ethical integrity in high-stress roles.

Dr. Lara Vanderhoof social work educator and justice advocate. She earned her Bachelor of Social Work (1992) and Master of Social Work (1997) from Roberts Wesleyan College (now Roberts Wesleyan University) in Rochester, New York, and completed her Doctor of Social Work at Capella University in 2015. Dr. Vanderhoof began her teaching career as an adjunct instructor in the Master of Social Work program at Roberts Wesleyan while working full-time in child welfare. She serves as Social Work Program Director and Associate Professor of Social Work at Tabor College. Previously, Dr. Vanderhoof is the Chief Academic Officer at Central Christian College of Kansas. Throughout her career, Dr. Vanderhoof has taught a wide range of courses, including introduction to social work, sociology, social work practice, social welfare policy, human development, group treatment, field seminar, marriage and family, child welfare, general psychology, and counseling courses. In addition, Dr. Vanderhoof is a Kansas Supreme Court Approved Mediator providing pro bono services with youthful offenders and their families. She focused her research in the following areas: anti-human trafficking awareness, education, and prevention; restorative justice services, and the ethical impact of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and social work practice. Dr. Vanderhoof is a leader of the Set Free Movement, an anti-human trafficking non-profit organization (locally and globally positioned).

Navigating the Supervision Maze: What to Look For, What’s Required, and How to Know if a Supervisor is a Good Fit (1.0 CE)

Clinical supervision is a requirement for pre-licensed counselors engaging in clinical practice but many newly graduated counselors are often lost when it comes to knowing what to look for in a supervisor and how to find one. Counseling graduates are often surprised by the amount of supervision required for licensure as well as the cost, which can be high if supervision is not provided by their site. Questions about what supervision should look like and the role the supervisor plays in practice are often not answered in clinical mental health counseling programs; this leaves the door open for unwanted surprises for new counselors. In this presentation, participants will learn about supervision requirements and potential costs, be able to take steps to find an ethical and board-approved supervisor and gain an understanding of what to look for in a supervisor to get the most out of the supervisory relationship.

Participants will learn about the requirements and costs of supervision, be able to navigate the necessary steps to find an ethical and board-approved supervisor and gain an understanding of what to look for in a supervisor to ensure a good fit for beneficial supervisory relationship.

Ailish Riggs Dermody, MA, NCC is a 2^nd year student in the Counselor Education and Supervision PhD program at Marymount University. As a Resident in Counseling in private practice she works with adults experiencing grief, trauma, substance use, and relationship issues. She also serves as a Grief Specialist with Experience Camps, facilitating clinical sessions for grieving children and their families. She is a certified equine facilitated psychotherapist and has developed and implemented equine facilitated groups for substance use, grief, and women in recovery. She earned her MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marymount University. Ailish is currently serving as the Treasurer for MRCA.

Supervising Grief Work Across Cultures: Navigating Global Expressions of Loss (1.0 CE)

The presentation will focus on diverse grieving practices and how supervisors can use this knowledge to guide their supervisees in providing culturally competent grief work.

Dr. Mirian Campos has a passion for providing mental health support to Spanish speaking communities who are often underserved due to language barriers. Dr. Campos also has experience working with cancer patients and their loved ones in the hospital setting. Dr. Campos is currently working for a private practice in D.C providing bilingual tele-health services. Dr. Campos’ clinical specialties and research interests include work focusing on grief and loss, compassion fatigue and burnout, supervision, oncology counseling, working with healthcare professionals, and providing counseling in Spanish. Dr. Campos is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Virginia (LPC) and Approved Clinical Supervisor in Virginia. Dr. Campos has received trainings in Sand tray Therapy and Equine-Assisted Therapy. Dr. Campos is also an Assistant Professor at Marymount University, where she serves as a faculty co-advisor for Marymount’s CSI chapter Chi Sigma Iota.

Supporting Survivors to Rise Above Coercive Control and Break Relationship Cycles (1.0)

The session will examine why survivors return, uncovering the attachment, fear, shame, cultural influences, and unmet needs that sustain these cycles. Participants will gain practical, trauma-informed interventions that promote empowerment, resilience, and safety while supporting survivors in rebuilding healthy connections. Through clinical insight and applied strategies, attendees will leave better equipped to help clients move from crisis to healing and autonomy.

Maya Khan, MA, NCC, LPC is a Licensed Professional Counselor and PhD Candidate in Counselor Education and Supervision at Marymount University’s School of Counseling. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Education, along with dual Master of Arts degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Forensic & Legal Psychology from Marymount University. With clinical experience supporting children, adolescents, and adults through trauma, grief, identity development, and life transitions, her work emphasizes cognitive-behavioral approaches, emotional regulation, and resilience-building. Maya’s research and professional interests center on trauma-informed care, group counseling, and culturally responsive clinical practice. She is passionate about counselor development, community mental health advocacy, and expanding access to high-quality, identity-affirming mental health services.

The Courage to Challenge: Psychological Safety in Educational and Counseling Spaces (1.0 CE)

The session includes an overview of the existing literature on psychological safety, emphasizing its significance for school counselors’ well-being, job satisfaction, and effectiveness within advocacy roles. We will then present results from a national survey of school counselors. The study examined relationships between psychological safety and key occupational variables, including burnout, turnover intentions, job satisfaction, work engagement, personal efficacy beliefs, life satisfaction, and stress. Finally, we will discuss the implications of these findings, highlighting practical strategies through which administrators and school counselors can foster a culture of psychological safety. Enhancing psychological safety has the potential to promote school counselors’ well-being and job satisfaction, strengthen their modeling of ethical and professional dispositions, and support sustained engagement in advocacy for students and the counseling profession.

Moreover, the cultivation of psychological safety within school counselors aligns with the Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies (MSJCC; Ratts et al., 2015). The MSJCC framework emphasizes the creation of inclusive environments in which school counselors feel empowered to share authentically, engage in advocacy, and pursue systemic change without fear of reprisal. The ability of school counselors to model multicultural and social justice praxis is essential for preparing future counselors to advocate effectively for their clients and to lead efforts that promote equity and social justice. Thus, psychological safety constitutes a critical foundation for school counselors’ capacity to engage meaningfully in this work.

Dr. Patrick R. Mullen is a professor and chair of the Department of Counseling and Special Education. He teaches a variety of courses with a focus on counselor education and supervision and school counseling. Dr. Mullen draws inspiration for his work based on his experiences as a school counselor, his work within alternative education programs, and his time as a faculty member. He holds his Pupil Personnel Services License for School Counseling through the Virginia Department of Education. Dr. Mullen is also a National Certified Counselor, a National Certified School Counselor, and an Approved Clinical Supervisor. He presents at state, regional, and national conferences in counseling and education, along with publishing articles in scholarly journals. Furthermore, he is on the editorial board for Counselor Education and Supervision, Journal of Counseling and Development, and Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development. He is also an Associate Editor for Counseling and Values.

The Double Strain of Distance: Mental Health Support for OCONUS Military Families During Deployment (2.0 CEs)

The presentation aims to educate mental health professionals on the unique challenges and strengths faced by military families living outside of the continental US, and skills/techniques/resources involved in assisting them with the delicate balance of experiencing a family member deploying while living in a country they are unfamiliar with and where they may lack support. Attendees will gain skills, strategies, and resources to help families build support networks, adapt to new environments, and maintain relational stability despite distance. In doing so, the presentation contributes to a deeper understanding of how mental health professionals can foster meaningful connection for clients living far from home and navigating stressors on multiple fronts.

Dr. Danielle Winters completed her dissertation study on developing consensus on best practices when using neuro-informed therapy interventions in the treatment of combat trauma at Old Dominion University. Her primary research areas include neuro-informed therapy techniques (EMDR, Prolonged Exposure, neuro-CBT, etc.) and all aspects of treating military personnel and their families, including the effect parental deployment has on military children, the relationship habits of adults who grew up in military families, and the effectiveness of certain group interventions in helping develop mirror neuron responses in combat veterans. Dr. Winters is a Resident in Counseling (VA) and has practiced clinically for 7+ years. She is a Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist (CCTS) with special interest in treating trauma and personality disorders. Her primary approach to counseling is one that encourages self-empowerment and personal growth within her clients.

Ms. Samelia Spencer is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner (LSATP) in Virginia, serving individuals, families, and couples with stress, trauma, addiction, grief/bereavement, depression, anxiety, life transitions, and relationship concerns. Ms. Spencer has worked as a clinician in behavioral health hospitalization, private practice, community mental health services, and the school system. She specializes in military mental health, providing trauma, addiction, stress, depression, and anxiety care for service members. Ms. Spencer received her BA in Psychology from Norfolk State University and her MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from South University. She is currently a PhD student in Counselor Education and Supervision at Regent University. She is an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Counseling Association (ACA), the Association of Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES), and the Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS). She is also a member of Chi Sigma Iota (CSI), the international honor society for counselors. She serves as the Co-chair of the Multicultural Committee for the Alpha Omega Lambda Chapter. Ms. Spencer utilizes a person-centered and strength-based approach in her practice. She integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). She also integrates holistic, creative expression, mindfulness-based approaches, and other therapeutic practices based on individual preferences and needs.

Danielle Postemski is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran (8 years of service) and third-year graduate student in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Regent University. She holds a B.S. in Criminology with a minor in Psychology.

Danielle has diverse clinical experience serving children and women with severe mental illness, managing a group home for women with schizophrenia, and later directing a residential program for adult male sex offenders. Additional experience includes practicum training at Cottage Therapy. Danielle is dedicated to trauma-informed care, offender rehabilitation, and supporting underserved populations through evidence-based counseling and blends military discipline with extensive work in forensic and severe mental health settings.

The Game of Managing Stress (1.0 CE)

The session will illustrate the utilization of games/teamwork to reduce stress and making connections. The fundamentals of stress management will be introduced (including breathing exercises, muscle tension awareness, nature therapy, and visualization demonstrations). The presentation of the importance of stress management within the wellness model will provide an experiential creative activity along with reflection and feedback on managing stress.

Dr. Jones-Trebatoski has been in counseling private practice for over 25 years. The presenter has been a counselor educator and supervisor for 20 years. She holds degrees in the Art and Counseling fields. Counseling contracts included state agencies, county agencies, mental health disaster relief, and community pro bono counseling for underserved populations. The presenter was a clinical director for several outpatient hospitalizations and specialize in stress management, clinical hypnosis, animal assisted therapy, and in the creative processes in counseling. The presenter is a LPC-Supervisor and has supervised many new professionals towards full licensure. The presenter holds numerous certifications and is an active member and presenter at professional organizations at the local, state, regional, national, and international levels. She has been involved in several professional counseling committees/boards (local-international levels) that promote the humanistic approaches in mental health and counselor education. She has been recognized by counseling field for the work provided to communities in need, including the European Branch-ACA: Out Standing Counselor Award; the Resolution Award (H.R. No. 1493) by State of Texas for Humanistic Counseling, and the Association for Humanistic Counseling (AHC) Humanistic Clinician of the Year Award. The presenter has been an active advocate for 20 years in Human Rights for individuals challenged with intellectual, mental health, and substance use disorders.

The Intimate Partner Violence Stigma Scale: An Overview and Implications for Counselors in the US and Spain (1.0 CE)

The session will focus on an instrument that can be used by mental health professionals in the US as well as those outside of the US, particularly Spain. The presenters are two scholars who have worked and written together and who offer their unique perspectives to session participants who are interested in using a scale that has been developed and validated and is ready for clinical use. The session aligns with the conference theme as the instrument can be used for both those who have experienced trauma and crisis as well as those who may have experienced other types of stigmas and are looking for ways to overcome stigma.

Dr. Allison Crowe is a Professor in the Counselor Education Program and Department Chair in the Department of Interdisciplinary Professions at East Carolina University. I a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Supervisor in North Carolina and a Past President of the North Carolina Counseling Association. I have published over 60 peer-reviewed scholarly journal articles, many of which focus on topics related to mental health concerns and the stigma that surrounds these. My book, Overcoming the Stigma of Intimate Partner Abuse, with Routledge Mental Health Press shares resources, stories, and research on the process of overcoming the stigma of trauma, specifically related to domestic violence. I have served as co-PI for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, school-university-community-based grant programs totaling over $1.2 million in the past five years. I am passionate about school-university-community based partnerships, especially those that impact underserved regions and people and deal with mental health. I have successfully collaborated with school districts, law enforcement agencies, community mental health agencies, medical centers, and non-profit organizations in grant programming and have the expertise, leadership experience, research background, and clinical training to carry out the proposed research project.

Dr. Lara Murvartian Carrascal is a psychologist and postdoctoral researcher known for her work on gender-based violence. She is associated with research in the fields of psychology, mental health, and gender studies in Spain and within European projects. She is a registered health psychologist (Psicóloga sanitaria) and a postdoctoral researcher. Her Research primarily centers on intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW), public stigma, and the factors involved in professional assistance for victims and survivors. She is involved with the ENGAGED project (Horizon Europe), the Human Activity Laboratory-Identity, Health and Social Change, and the Iberoamerican Network for Research on Mental Health and Gender. Her doctoral dissertation focused on public stigma towards victims and survivors of gender-based violence by the professionals who assist them. She has published research articles in academic journals, including work on the relationship between gender, training, experience, and acceptance of myths about IPVAW. Initiatives: She has been involved in educational and awareness initiatives, such as co-educational theater, to combat gender inequality in university communities.

The NASW Code of Ethics/Professional Ethics as it relates to the use of AI in social work/mental health practice.(1.0 CE)

The presentation explores the ever-changing environment technological tool namely, AI (Artificial Intelligence) and the impact and incorporation in the field of social work and other helping professions. Important considerations and examinations will be explored as it relates to the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics/professional ethics and the intersectionality of AI in social work practice. Technology continues to advance and refine and impact the profession as result, social workers/mental health providers must be equipped for how to best respond when ethical decision-make intersects with the concern and potential benefit presented by AI. This workshop explores the ethical landscape of the role of AI tools, how AI can strengthen the values of social justice efforts, consider confidentiality, and privacy concerns. Case studies, engaged dialogue, and practical steps participants will gain comprehension for how to navigate this intersection, navigate the ethical responsibilities when utilizing AI tools in social work practice. How will you navigate this intersection between social work practice and AI technology?

The Use of Sociodrama for Relational Violence Prevention in Adolescents and Young Adults (1.0 CE)

The presentation will explore the intentional use of sociodrama—an educational theatre approach—as a powerful and creative method for addressing relational violence and other mental health concerns. Unlike traditional counseling methods, which typically focus on individuals, couples, families, or small groups, sociodrama engages participants at a communal and macro level. This approach fosters meaningful connections among participants, characters, and audience members.

The sociodrama performances highlighted in this presentation address critical crises, including suicide, bullying, stalking, domestic violence, teen dating violence, and eating disorders. The artistic nature of sociodrama provides a unique medium for examining these issues in ways that transcend cultural, linguistic, and geographic boundaries, promoting dialogue and understanding across borders.

Dr. Tara Jungersen is a Professor in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program in the Department of Counseling at Nova Southeastern University College of Psychology. She completed her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Tennessee, and her M.Ed. in Community Counseling at the University of Virginia. Prior to joining the faculty at NSU in 2009, she worked extensively in community behavioral health facilities providing crisis intervention, mental health, trauma, substance abuse, and domestic violence services across several levels of care. Since that time, she has trained and supervised clinical mental health counseling students and chaired the department through first-time program accreditations. Her current research focuses on intimate partner violence, trauma, and violence prevention using sociodrama. She is currently co-authoring the fourth edition of the Survivor Therapy Empowerment Program, a trauma-informed treatment program for survivors of gender-based trauma and serves on the Broward Domestic Violence Council. She is currently the Editor in Chief of Trauma Counseling and Resilience, the journal of the International Association for Resilience and Trauma Counseling (a division of the American Counseling Association). She is a Florida Licensed Mental Health Counselor, a Florida Qualified Supervisor for the Mental Health and Marriage and Family professions, a Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor, and a National Certified Counselor.

Training Counselors in Spiritual and Religious Competence. (1.0 CE)

The presentation will examine the rationale for including spirituality in counseling, recent efforts to developing professional and ethical training resources for counselors, how these tools were developed, and how counselors, supervisors, and educators can use them to develop their sense of comfort and competence to address them in clinical and educational contexts.

Jesse Fox, PhD, earned his doctorate from the University of Central Florida and spent several years on the faculty at Loyola University Maryland in the Department of Pastoral Counseling before joining Stetson in 2017. He has experience working with a range of clinical populations including college counseling, outpatient addiction treatment, community mental health and private practice. He is a project leader for the Spiritual and Religious Competency Project, a $5.1 million grant funded by the John Templeton Foundation. Since 2020, Dr, Fox has served the Executive Director of the Episcopal Counseling Center, a non-profit counseling center serving the DeLand, Florida Community since 1987.

Turning Crisis into Connection: WDEP with Suicidal Youth on the Spectrum (1.0 CE)

The presentation will provide general information on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and suicidality within this population, followed by a discussion and demonstration of how the WDEP framework can be utilized in counseling.

Patricia A. Robey, Ed.D., LPC, CTRTC, is a full professor in the Division of Psychology and Counseling at Governors State University. She is also a Licensed Professional Counselor and a senior faculty member and trainer for Glasser Institute for Choice Theory – US and William Glasser International. Pat has authored and co-authored numerous articles and book chapters on applications of choice theory and reality therapy and is lead editor of the book Contemporary Issues in Couples Counseling: A Choice theory and Reality Therapy Approach.

Ahmet Can, Ph.D., LPC, NCC, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Counseling at Governors State University and is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Illinois. He is also the track leader in the School Counseling specialization at GSU. Dr. Can has worked as a school, college, mental health counselor, clinical supervisor and counselor educator in a variety of settings including a primary, middle, and high school, college counseling center, private practice, and higher education. Dr. Can’s major research and scholarship areas of interest include counselor education and supervision, school counseling, cross cultural counseling, international college students and psychological well-being. He is an active member in several professional organizations including the American Counseling Association (ACA), Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES), Chi Sigma Iota (CSI), Illinois Counseling Association (ICA), and Illinois School Counseling Association (ISCA).

Neslihan Karakan Can is currently a third-year international doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision at Ohio University. I completed my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Guidance and Psychological Counseling in Turkey, where I also worked as a psychological counselor for over a decade. My experience includes working with children with developmental disorder including ASD, ADHD, and intellectual disorder, their families, and schools in a special education and rehabilitation center. I have had the honor of serving as the president of the CSI Alpha Chapter for the 2024-2025 academic year. Currently, I am an intern in the CSI Leadership and Intern Program, contributing to the Leadership and Advocacy, Publication (Exemplar), CSI Bookshelf, Chapter Development, and State/Regional Networking Grants committees. My research at Ohio University focuses on refining counseling techniques and developing effective treatment approaches for individuals on the autism spectrum. I was awarded the CSI Alpha Chapter Outstanding Doctoral Student Award for the last two years and received the Patton College of Education’s and Ohio Counseling Association’s Graduate Student Award this year. I plan to strengthen my professional identity by aligning with the ACA's mission of promoting excellence in counseling and advocacy for diverse populations.

Unburdened Beyond Borders: Reimagining Mental Health Through Advocacy and Connection (1.0 CE)

The presentation focuses on how counselors can help unburden individuals and communities carrying the weight of trauma, inequities, and systemic oppression. It explores the ways mental health practice extends beyond geographic and cultural borders, emphasizing the counselor’s role in fostering advocacy, resilience, and belonging. By centering culturally responsive strategies and social justice frameworks, the session highlights how mental health professionals can move beyond traditional boundaries to create spaces of wellness and connection across diverse populations. The session reframes mental health beyond borders as an intentional practice of advocacy and connection. Drawing from clinical expertise in trauma and identity development, participants will engage with strategies for fostering resilience across diverse populations. Through case vignettes, interactive dialogue, and the application of social justice frameworks, the session highlights how counselors can transform burdens into belonging and cultivate sustainable pathways of wellness across communities.

Dr. Baines is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified School Counselor, and EMDR-trained trauma specialist with advanced training in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She holds a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Sam Houston State University, where she also earned her undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice. She completed her Master of Arts in Counseling at Prairie View A&M University.

Dr. Baines brings over 15 years of experience in education and mental health, with a deep commitment to supporting students, families, and communities through trauma-informed, culturally responsive care. She currently serves as a Counselor Educator at Antioch University, where she teaches and mentors clinical mental health counseling students with a focus on social justice, advocacy, and identity development.

A passionate educator, clinician, and advocate, Dr. Baines is committed to empowering counselors across all settings to lead with authenticity, equity, and courage—so they may become catalysts for healing and sustainable change in the lives of those they serve.

Dr. Baines is also the founder and owner of A. Baines Counseling & Consulting, PLLC, where she provides clinical services to adolescents and adults navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Her areas of clinical expertise include trauma-informed counseling using EMDR, grief work, and supporting clients through complex identity development and systems-related stressors. She is especially passionate about working with individuals who carry the emotional labor of caregiving and advocacy roles and is deeply committed to healing not just individuals—but the communities they are a part of.

She is the past president of the Spring Creek Counseling Association and a sought-after speaker, presenting locally, statewide, and internationally on trauma, antiracist counseling practice, and social justice supervision.

Wellness Without Healthism: Navigating Wellness Counseling Values with a Critique of Healthism (1.0 CE)

The presentation will focus on the tensions between wellness counseling values and healthism. Healthism is a form of discrimination that moralizes perceived health choices and places pressure on an individual to achieve "health" without regard to the systemic and social barriers impacting individual health. The aim of the presentation is to provide increased awareness about how healthism may implicitly manifest in wellness-oriented practice, leading to more disconnection and health disparities for individuals who do not fit the culturally idealized version of health. This presentation also aims to provide insights about how health and wellness can be understood in more inclusive, non-pathologizing ways to promote connection and wellbeing among diverse groups.

Lyndsay Deal is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Georgia (U.S.), a National Certified Counselor, and a Board-Certified Telemental Health Provider. Lyndsay earned her Master of Education in Counselor Education with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Georgia Southern University, and she is Counselor Education and Supervision Ph.D. candidate at Auburn University. Her research interests are related to weight and health bias in counselor education and practice, and her dissertation focused on effective educational strategies for reducing weight bias among counselors-in-training.

When Intelligences Combine: Ethical Applications of AI in Counseling Research and Education (1.0 CE)

As the role of AI’s is expected to expand, counselors and counselor educators have an ethical imperative to understand how it can be used in the field and how to manage the associated risks. The aim of the presentation is to provide information on AI’s many features and better prepare counselors to thoughtfully and ethically incorporate AI tools into counseling research and education.

When politics become personal: Supporting clients experiencing political anxiety (1.0 CE)

The presentation will provide therapists a deeper understanding of political anxiety and provide practical, ethically grounded strategies for supporting clients experiencing these struggles.

Dr. Jimena Schroeder is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in the state of North Dakota, as well as holding a license to supervise new clinicians. Jimena utilizes an integrative approach and a social justice lens to therapy. She currently works in a private practice setting providing services to adults and adolescents, as well as at an inpatient hospital setting as an intake counselor.

Where are the Superheroes? How labyrinths are utilized in counseling (1.0 CE)

The presentation will provide a conceptual framework for the counselor in the development and implementation of a creative insight through the use of metaphors. Fundamentals of creative therapy will be discussed.

Jones-Trebatoski has been in counseling private practice for over 25 years. The presenter has been a counselor educator and supervisor for 20 years. She holds degrees in the Art and Counseling fields. Counseling contracts included state agencies, county agencies, mental health disaster relief, and community pro bono counseling for underserved populations. The presenter was a clinical director for several outpatient hospitalizations and specialize in stress management, clinical hypnosis, animal assisted therapy, and in the creative processes in counseling. The presenter is a LPC-Supervisor and has supervised many new professionals towards full licensure. The presenter holds numerous certifications and is an active member and presenter at professional organizations at the local, state, regional, national, and international levels. She has been involved in several professional counseling committees/boards (local-international levels) that promote the humanistic approaches in mental health and counselor education. She has been recognized by counseling field for the work provided to communities in need, including the European Branch-ACA: Out Standing Counselor Award; the Resolution Award (H.R. No. 1493) by State of Texas for Humanistic Counseling, and the Association for Humanistic Counseling (AHC) Humanistic Clinician of the Year Award. The presenter has been an active advocate for 20 years in Human Rights for individuals challenged with intellectual, mental health, and substance use disorders.

The Mediterranean Region Counselors Association (MR-CA) is a unified partnership of diverse counseling professionals promoting the shared purpose of developing the counseling professionals to best serve their clients and the community at large in the Mediterranean region of Europe