Scheduled Programs and Learning Institutes
About our Conference Programs
We offer a variety of conference programs at this conference. Programs are designed for professional counselors who work in a variety of settings including private practice, primary and higher education, criminal justice, community mental health centers, hospitals, nursing homes, managed care facilities, and more. Whether you work in private practice or come from a school counseling or education background - there is something for you! All conference programs are eligible for LPC, NBCC, SBEC, LMFT, LCDC, SW, LSSP, and Psychologist continuing education (CE) hours. A CE certificate will be provided to all in-person and virtual attendees.
Program questions? Email carrie@txca.org.
Program List
All programs are 1.5 hours unless otherwise noted. Conference programs will take place on Thursday, Nov. 2 and Friday, Nov. 3. Learning Institutes are available to in-person attendees on Wednesday, Nov. 1 (earn 6.5 CE hours for $130).
In-Person vs. Virtual Programs
A suite of pre-selected programs will be available to in-person attendees but will also be recorded for the virtual audience. Recorded programs will not be streamed live, but instead will be available for viewing by the end of each day. All other programs are in-person attendance only (e.g., Poster Session and Learning Institutes). Look for "*Recorded" in the list below.
Conference Program
Conference programs are listed by Programs and Learning Institute.*This list is subject to change.
Wednesday - Learning Institutes
Thursday
- 8 - 9:30am
- 12:30-2:00pm
- 1-4:00pm (3-hour programs)
- 2:30-4:00pm
- 4:30-6:00pm
WEDNESDAY LEARNING INSTITUTES
Wednesday - Nov. 1
A. TMHCA Presents: Professional Identity & Specialized Services – Find Your Niche in Counseling
Time: 9:30-5:00pm
Room: Montrose
Topic: Counselor Professional Identity and Practice Issue (CE requirement category: Ethics)
Presenter(s): Olivia Wedel; Lori Hollingsworth; Joanne Christian; Marty Jeane
The benefits of offering specialized services warrants education and training for counselors in private practice as well as those considering private practice. Having a ‘niche’ can assist with sustainability in private practice, enhancing professional identity development, and meeting mental health needs in underserved areas and populations. Handouts will be provided.
B. Putting It On the Sand: Exploring Sandtray in Group Supervision
Time: 9:30-5:00pm
Room: Tangelwood
Topic: Counselor Professional Identity and Practice Issue (CE requirement categories: Ethics; Supervision; Cultural Diversity)
Presenter(s): Vanessa Colburn; Mónica Rodríguez Delgado; Adrienne Backer
Let's dig in! Experience through visual and kinesthetic learning opportunities the use of Sandtray in supervision and self-care practices. We will review the Discrimination Model (Bernard, 1979) and engage in the use of Sandtray prompts developed for a ten-week protocol for exploring counselor identify, culture, theory, and more!
C. Take Back Your Life: How to Leave the Grind and Build a Balanced Private Practice
Time: 9:30-5:00pm
Room: Memorial
Topic: Counselor Professional Identity and Practice Issue (CE requirement category: Ethics)
Presenter(s): Brandy Mounts; Craig Mounts; Christy Losey
Need more balance in your life? Thinking about starting your own private practice? Of course you have the heart, but do you have the business strategy? Let us teach you our methods to running a sustainable private practice so you can love your work AND love your life!
D. TACES Presents: Leading Supervision with the 3 C's (Creativity, Culture-Consciousness, & Connection)
Time: 9:30-5:00pm
Room: Sugarland
Topic: Helping Relationships in Counseling (CE requirement categories: Ethics; Supervision; Cultural Diversity)
Presenter(s): LaShondra Manning; Terra Wagner
Presenters will demonstrate how the 3 C's (Creativity, Cultural-Consciousness, and Connection) can assist supervisors in being more effective utilizing principles of relational cultural theory. This presentation will be experiential and provide activities appropriate for all supervisory stages. Participants will learn activities that may be adapted for in-person or online supervision.
E. What Do You Mean Wellness is an Ethical Imperative?
Time: 9:30-5:00pm
Room: Clear Lake
Topic: Human Growth and Development Theories in Counseling (CE requirement category: Ethics)
Presenter(s): Betty White
Counselors encourage wellness practices with clients. However, in the busyness of our daily lives and the demands of our careers, we forget that our OWN wellness practices impact our ability to meet the needs of our clients. Spend some time on your own wellness for your clients' sake!
THURSDAY 90-MINUTE PROGRAMS
Thursday - Nov. 2
1. Complaint Proofing Your Practice
Time: 8:00-9:30am
Room: Westchase
Topic: Counselor Professional Identity and Practice Issue (CE requirement category: Ethics)
Presenter(s): Laurel Clement
This program is presented by an attorney and LPC-S who has been practicing before the LPC Board for approximately 15 years. The most frequent complaints will be identified and discussed and suggestions for tightening up your practice will be offered.
2. First Responder Cultural Competence and Treatment Considerations
Time: 8:00-9:30am
Room: Meyerland
Topic: Counselor Professional Identity and Practice Issue
Presenter(s): Cyndi Doyle
First responders and departments seeking to partner for mental health services for first responders require culturally competent clinicians. Learn the unique challenges of each discipline, how conditioning that keeps them safe on the job impacts them negatively, spillover that impacts connection in relationships, interventions, and resilience strategies.
3. Is it Inevitable? Supporting Students and School Staff in Preparing for School Violence
Time: 8:00-9:30am
Room: Briargrove
Topic: Counseling Theory/Practice and the Helping Relationship (CE requirment category: School Counseling)
Presenter(s): Adrienne Backer; Danelle Patterson; David Schwab; Unique Williams
As incidents of violence plague our schools and communities, many school districts have mandated policies for crisis preparation. School counselors and community mental health partners who collaborate with schools and serve student clients will benefit from learning research-based strategies to support students and school staff in preparing for school violence.
4. Integrating Existential Psychotherapy into Practice
Time: 8:00-9:30am
Room: Kingwood
Topic: Counseling Theory/Practice and the Helping Relationship
Presenter(s): Christopher Taylor
It's more than just death, meaning, purpose, and passion. The foundations of existential psychotherapy can be daunting and difficult to understand. This session will help you to develop a framework for understanding the basic philosophical underpinnings of existential psychotherapy and how to integrate them into your practice.
5. Maximizing Your Potential: How LPC-Associates Can Own and Grow Their Practice in Texas
Time: 8:00-9:30am
Room: River Oaks
Topic: Counselor Professional Identity and Practice Issue (CE requirement category: Ethics)
Presenter(s): Amanda Trost; April Nguyen; Jungeun Lee
LPC-Associates can now own their practice & receive direct payment under an LPC-Supervisor's supervision as per the new Texas ruling. Our presentation will walk you through how to set up and operate an LPC-Associate owned practice under supervision, including how to adhere to legal and ethical standards.
6. Professional Identity Made Possible: Advocating For Inclusivity in Counseling and Supervision
Time: 8:00-9:30am
Room: Hunters Creek
Topic: Counselor Professional Identity and Practice Issue (CE requirement categories: Supervision; Cultural Diversity)
Presenter(s): Loretta Bradley; Lori Hollingsworth; Bret Hendricks
Professional identity is common but often overlooked and does not occur by chance. This session explores how professional identity may be embedded in counseling, ethics, and supervision principles. This presentation will focus on the need to understand and advocate for incorporating professional identity, counseling, and supervision through a creative activity.
7. Counselors Connecting with Teens Through Technology
Time: 8:00-9:30am
Room: Montrose
Topic: Helping Relationships in Counseling
Presenter(s): Cory Martin; Maike Holleck
Develop the skills and technological expertise to connect with adolscent populations. Build rapport and deepen the therapeutic healing relationship through genuine connection and interventions based on technology and gamifying methods.
8. Come Play With Us! A Playful Approach in Counseling Children
Time: 8:00-9:30am
Room: Tanglewood
Topic: Counseling Theory/Practice and the Helping Relationship
Presenter(s): Christina Villarreal-Davis; Lisa Remey
In this presentation, the presenters invite child counselors to 'Come Play with Us!' as we briefly describe the foundations of play therapy and the therapeutic powers of play. Next, the majority of our time will be spent on describing and playing out three playful/creative approaches in counseling children.
9. The Social Determinants of Mental Health and Counseling Practice
Time: 8:00-9:30am
Room: Memorial
Topic: Social and Cultural Foundations in Counseling
Presenter(s): A. Stephen Lenz
A sense of personal well-being is shaped by the conditions that define our lived experiences. While clients often experience growth from individual interventions, a holistic approach to addressing upstream risk and protective factors has potential for client care. This session will provide an overview of SDMH theory, assessment, and intervention.
10. Kids & Queens: The Queer Culture Wars & Ethical Implications For Counselors *Recorded
Time: 8:00-9:30am
Room: Sugarland
Topic: Social and Cultural Foundations in Counseling (CE requirement categories: Ethics; Cultural Diversity)
Presenter(s): Nathaniel Smith
Recent legislative sessions saw anti-LGBTQIA bills introduced to the Texas legislature impacting youth (ACLU, 2023). These bills seek to reduce access/eliminate visibility and accessibility to queer cultural resources. We explore how counselors can advocate for youth's access to cultural and community resources as a counseling intervention and route to advocacy.
11. Taking Care of Our Own: Addressing Counselors' Mental Health *Recorded
Time: 8:00-9:30am
Room: Clear Lake
Topic: Counselor Professional Identity and Practice Issue
Presenter(s): Katye Galloway; Mariah Marquez
Counselors spend much of their time taking care of others. Who takes care of them? Let's talk about how critical it is to monitor our own and each other's mental health and discuss new, creative ways to practice self-care.
12. Helping Improve the Texas Model through Counselor Educator and School Counselor Feedback!
Time: 12:30-2:00pm
Room: Texas DE
Topic: Counselor Professional Identity and Practice Issue (CE requirement category: School Counseling)
Presenter(s): Ernest Cox; Elias Zambrano; Lesley Casarez; Angela Powell; Jennifer Akins; Jeffrey Martinez; Tonie Hutzler; Jill Adams
The Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs is required in counselor education preparation programs (TAC 239.15). Counselor educators, school counselors, and interested individuals are invited to participate in activities designed to share thoughts and ideas on the Model's utility and evaluation as a teaching tool.
13. Changing Gears: Manage Burnout and Generate JOYY
Time: 12:30-2:00pm
Room: Westchase
Topic: Career Counseling and Lifestyle Development (CE requirement categories: Ethics; Supervision)
Presenter(s): Vanessa Colburn
Broaden your professional experiences and Generate JOYY by attending this session! We will visit the elements of stress, burnout, compassion and Rolfe's Reflective Model; briefly exploring these topics from the point of view of healthcare workers. Come identify simple ways we can show up for each other in supportive community.
14. Internet Addiction: Exploring its Evolution, Current Research, and Assessment
Time: 12:30-2:00pm
Room: Meyerland
Topic: Assessment in Counseling
Presenter(s): Jonathan Rea; Thomson Ivins; Rochelle Cade
Clients present to counseling struggling with use, overuse, abuse, or addiction to the internet. Yet, no formal diagnosis exists in the DSM-5-TR for this issue. In this presentation, join us to learn about a brief history of internet addiction, current research and diagnostic considerations, and assessments useful for clinical practice.
15. Is it Okay to be Black Now? Navigating Racial Code-Switching in the Counseling Relationship
Time: 12:30-2:00pm
Room: Briargrove
Topic: Social and Cultural Foundations in Counseling (CE requirement categories: Cultural Diversity)
Presenter(s): Ana Salazar; Elizabeth Okoye-Ezeoke; Sharon Mata; Briana Rodriguez
Presenters will engage participants in an interactive exploration of the impact of racial code-switching in counseling relationships and mental health. Participants will gain a toolkit of strategies to use in navigating racial code-switching in the context of their counseling relationships.
16. Update from the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors
Time: 12:30-2:00pm
Room: River Oaks
Topic: Counselor Professional Identity and Practice Issue (CE requirement categories: Ethics; Supervision)
Presenter(s): Steven Hallbauer
Panel presentation and Q&A with Board members on rule changes and current issues affecting LPCs, including status of State of Texas membership in the Interstate Counseling Compact
17. Engaging Clients with Dyslexia and other Learning Disorders: An Experiential Lesson
Time: 12:30-2:00pm
Room: Hunter's Creek
Topic: Social and Cultural Foundations in Counseling
Presenter(s): Jill Wiseman; Toni La'Zurs
Participants will gain a deeper understanding of specific learning disorders through an experiential simulation. The cognitive, communication, and relational aspects of LD that impact a client's daily functioning and the counseling relationship will be discussed. This presentation is appropriate for counseling professionals working with adults, adolescents, and children.
18. Ruptures in the Therapeutic Relationship: Effect on Outcomes and Methods of Repairing *Recorded
Time: 12:30-2:00pm
Room: Sugarland
Topic: Counseling Theory/Practice and the Helping Relationship
Presenter(s): Jungeun (Jay) Lee; April Nguyen
Rupture episodes, or a breakdown in the therapeutic alliance, and the extent to which they are repaired are strongly associated with therapeutic outcome measurements. This educational session invites counselors to learn to recognize ruptures; understand their impact on therapeutic outcomes; and empower their practice with viable methods of repairing.
19. Feeding the Body and Soul: Expressive Arts Body Image Groups for Adolescents with Eating Disorders *Recorded
Time: 12:30-2:00pm
Room: Clear Lake
Topic: Group Counseling Theories and Processes
Presenter(s): Emily Horton
Eating disorders continue to impact youth at staggering rates, with 13.2% of adolescents meeting DSM-5 criteria for an eating disorder. This presentation will offer expressive art interventions to meet the layered body image needs of adolescents battling anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, or nonspecific eating disorders.
THURSDAY 3-HOUR PROGRAMS
Thursday - Nov. 2
20. Neuroprejudice: Managing biases and prejudice through multicultural ethical practices
Time: 1:00-4:00pm
Room: Kingwood
Topic: Counselor Professional Identity and Practice Issue (CE requirement categories: Ethics; Cultural Diversity)
Presenter(s): Adrian Lira; Megan Garzaglass
The program will explore the connection between neuroanatomy and prejudice. Presenters will discuss the importance of adopting culturally-appropriate practices in their work with clients, and offer guidance on the self-regulation of stereotypes, biases, and prejudice. Additionally, presenters will demonstrate ethical dilemmas via video and case demonstrations.
21. Ethics, Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation: Reporting in Texas
Time: 1:00-4:00pm
Room: Montrose
Topic: Counseling Theory/Practice and the Helping Relationship (CE requirement category: Ethics)
Presenter(s): Catherine Earley; Tara Fox
In 2022, Texas DFPS confirmed 56,944 child abuse victims and 182 fatalities. Mental health providers are mandated to report even when in doubt. This presentation will prepare mental health professionals to understand the prevalence of abuse in Texas, reporting laws, and our ethical mandates regarding abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
22. Dialectical Behavior Therapy: Applications and Interventions for Couples Counseling
Time: 1:00-4:00pm
Room: Tanglewood
Topic: Counseling Theory/Practice and the Helping Relationship
Presenter(s): K. Michelle Hollenbaugh; Kimberlee Mincey; Julia LeClair; Layna Landers
In this session, participants will learn how the basic tenets of DBT have been adapted for couples counseling, and how to successfully implement DBT with couples, including multicultural considerations. Participants will interact, practice, and discuss specific DBT skills and techniques, and leave with usable ideas for their clinical work.
23. Translating the language of play: Treatment plans and diagnosis in play therapy
Time: 1:00-4:00pm
Room: Memorial
Topic: Assessment in Counseling
Presenter(s): Hayley Stulmaker; Katherine Purswell
Treatment planning when counseling children can be tricky. Oftentimes, there's input from caregivers, teachers, and the client. Additionally, in child-centered play therapy, counselors don't impose their expectations onto children. This presentation will help you assess children to translate their language of play into the adult language of treatment plans.
THURSDAY 90-MINUTE PROGRAMS
Thursday - Nov. 2
24. Ethical Decision Making: Knowing and Understanding Minimal Standards and Best Practice
Time: 2:30-4:00pm
Room: Westchase
Topic: Counselor Professional Identity and Practice Issue
Presenter(s): Christopher Taylor
If we don't plan to succeed we plan to fail. Understanding ethics and knowing where the rules are is one thing. Learning how to apply them is far more complex. This presentation will offer a proven model for sound ethical decision making.
25. Preventing Adolescent Intimate Partner Violence: Implications for School Counselors
Time: 2:30-4:00pm
Room: Meyerland
Topic: Counseling Theory/Practice and the Helping Relationship (CE requirement categories: Ethics; Cultural Diversity; School Counseling)
Presenter(s): Wendy Helmcamp; Krystal Humphreys; Cooper McClung
School counselors are required by law to educate students on dating violence. You will learn how to train students, parents, and teachers about how to prevent and intervene with intimate partner violence and cyber abuse. Gaining knowledge about this important topic will empower you to help save adolescent lives.
26. Career, Supervision, Family, & Diversity Ethical Principles: An IB-Social Justice Leadership Model
Time: 2:30-4:00pm
Room: Briargrove
Topic: Social and Cultural Foundations in Counseling (CE requirement categories: Ethics; Supervision; Cultural Diversity)
Presenter(s): aretha marbley; Loretta Bradley; Bret Hendricks; Nicole Noble
The presenters use clinical experiences and a case study to demonstrate how to apply an Inclusion, Belonging, and Social Justice (IB-SJ) model and ethical codes, values, and guiding principles in career, family, supervision, and diversity mental health counseling to the current practice, theories, research, and cultural competencies those core areas.
27. TCA Presidents Present: Expand your servant leadership, expand your professional counselor skills
Time: 2:30-4pm
Room: River Oaks
Topic: Counselor Professional Identity and Practice Issue
Presenter(s): Katherine Bacon; M. Elsa Soto Leggett; BJ Barksdale; Le'Ann Solmonson
Interested in a creative way to grow the application of your professional counselor skills? Looking for an interactive way to explore servant leadership? This session is for you! Come learn how TCA can help enhance your servant leadership, strengthen your counselor identity, and expand your service to clients and community.
28. Crisis Management in Neurodiverse Student Populations
Time: 2:30-4:00pm
Room: Hunters Creek
Topic: Counseling Theory/Practice and the Helping Relationship (CE requirement category: School Counseling)
Presenter(s): Steffanie Lane; Elizabeth Rogers
Crisis management is a top priority in campus safety discussions across the country. However, in planning for the neurotypical majority, the emotional needs of neurodivergent students experiencing crisis may be missed. This program will empower attendees to create an inclusive crisis management strategy, fostering the needs of neurodiverse student populations.
29. Current Trends in Texas Ethics *Recorded
Time: 2:30-4:00pm
Room: Sugarland
Topic: Counselor Professional Identity and Practice Issue (CE requirement category: Ethics)
Presenter(s): Kathy Ybanez-Llorente; Chris Wilder
Members of the Ethics Committee will present on trends to educate and increase awareness on ethical practices and professional conduct among TCA members. Ethical issues will be drawn from recent ethical violation complaints in Texas. A question-and-answer portion of the presentation will engage attendees in the discussion of ethics.
30. Unwanted, Consensual Sex for Heterosexual Women in Long-term Committed Relationships *Recorded
Time: 2:30-4:00pm
Room: Clear Lake
Topic: Counseling Theory/Practice and the Helping Relationship (CE requirement category: Cultural Diversity)
Presenter(s): Heather Trepal; Shandra Harris
Many healthy women without histories of trauma who are in long-term, committed relationships report consenting to unwanted sex. Presenters will address pervasive sociocultural norms that perpetuate this problem and strategies to help clients explore belief systems and the long-term effects of engaging in unwanted sex.
31. Examining the Effectiveness of the Managing Your Self Program for Improving Adolescent Mental Health
Time: 4:30-6:00pm
Room: Westchase
Topic: Research and Program Evaluation (CE requirement category: School Counseling)
Presenter(s): James Ikonomopoulos; Sharon Mata; Bethany Atkinson; Isabel Santos
In this presentation, we will discuss the key components of the Managing Your Self Program, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), positive psychology, and goal-setting techniques. We will also share case studies of adolescents who have participated in the program and their experiences and outcomes.
32. EMDR therapy with Neurodiverse Clients
Time: 4:30-6:00pm
Room: Meyerland
Topic: Counseling Theory/Practice and the Helping Relationship (CE requirement category: Cultural Diversity)
Presenter(s): Amanda Martin; Jose Carbajal; Jordan Shafer
The presentation provides a review of recent research on the use of EMDR with neurodiverse populations, tips for working with neurodiverse clients, an overview of the EMDR protocol for use with Autism, and a live demonstration of a preparation exercise.
33. Sex Trafficking: What is it? Where do I start?
Time: 4:30-6:00pm
Room: Briargrove
Topic: Counseling Theory/Practice and the Helping Relationship
Presenter(s): Devon Romero; Claudia Interiano-Shiverdecker; Priscilla Prasath
Presenters will share their own empirical research related to sex trafficking (ST) and offer insights into: (a) foundational knowledge, (b) overview of the impact of ST on mental health, and (c) considerations for counselors working with clients who are at-risk, experiencing, or who have already left the life of ST.
34. Mutually Beneficial: How Counseling Student Interns Can Enhance Your Practice
Time: 4:30-6:00pm
Room: Kingwood
Topic: Helping Relationships in Counseling (CE requirement category: Supervision)
Presenter(s): Kara Hurt; Rachael Whitaker; Helen Ullrich;
Collaborations between clinical practices and counselor education programs can meaningfully expand your practice to meet the overwhelming need for mental health care in our communities while fostering the development of the next generation of counselors. This session provides guidance on key issues relevant to innovative practitioners and clinical directors.
35. Divorce Counseling for Children and Adolescents: Ethics, Treatment Strategies, & Parent Consultation
Time: 4:30-6:00pm
Room: River Oaks
Topic: Counseling Theory/Practice and the Helping Relationship (CE requirement category: Ethics)
Presenter(s): Jennifer Baggerly; Jade Hajovsky; Ve-Sha Gibson
Parental divorce can have a negative mental health impact on children and adolescents for years. Workshop presenters will explain ethics of care and ethical decision making after divorce; treatment strategies of play therapy, expressive arts, DBT and ACT; and skills for parent consultation to prevent parent alienation.
36. Experiences in Therapy of Adult Children of Immigrants: Implications for Practice
Time: 4:30-6:00pm
Room: Hunters Creek
Topic: Social and Cultural Foundations in Counseling (CE requirement category: Cultural Diversity)
Presenter(s): Kelly Clifford; Jessenia Garcia; Alexis Croffie
The researchers will present preliminary findings exploring sociocultural, historical, and environmental factors that affect second-generation Americans seeking mental health services. Specifically, the presenters will provide a deeper understanding of the experiences and unique challenges regarding stigmas, help seeking behaviors, bicultural identity, mental health literacy, and how it impacts therapy.
37. 'I Got A Story To Tell': Exploring the Experiences of Black Male School Counselors in Public Schools
Time: 4:30-6:00pm
Room: Montrose
Topic: Social and Cultural Foundations in Counseling (CE requirement categories: Cultural Diversity; School Counseling)
Presenter(s): Torrenzo Moore
Recruiting and retaining minorities in the counseling profession can be a valuable resource to address ethnicity and cultural issues in the mental health setting. This presentation will focus on the unique experiences of Black males and the positive impact they make on students in their roles as school counselors.
38. When Being Rural Means Being Different: Telehealth and Rural Ethics
Time: 4:30-6:00pm
Room: Tanglewood
Topic: Counselor Professional Identity and Practice Issue (CE requirement categories: Ethics; Cultural Diversity)
Presenter(s): Christine McNichols; Karl Witt; Kristopher Garza
Counseling via telehealth is touted as a catch-all solution for rural mental health. Though potentially beneficial, it comes with unique considerations for practitioners and clients. Session participants will examine the use and frequency of rural telehealth, opportunities and barriers, ethical concerns and best practices, and culturally responsive strategies.
39. What Gabby Petito, Johnny Depp, and Darrel Brooks Must Teach Us About Domestic Abuse
Time: 4:30-6:00pm
Room: Memorial
Topic: Counseling Theory/Practice and the Helping Relationship (CE requirement categories: Ethics; Cultural Diversity)
Presenter(s): Tabitha Westbrook
Patterns of domestic abuse and coercive control continue to be missed by therapists. Several high-profile cases and recent research underscore the need for clear understanding and training in this area. This program is a must for all therapists and will provide a comprehensive overview of this topic and treatment considerations.
40. I Graduated, Now What? Navigating the Maze of Finding, Interviewing and Selecting an LPC-Supervisor *Recorded
Time: 4:30-6:00pm
Room: Sugarland
Topic: Counselor Professional Identity and Practice Issue (CE requirement categories: Ethics; Supervision)
Presenter(s): Mike Moyer
Designed for participants who are about to graduate, recently graduated and/or those starting the LPC process. Participants will be taken through the LPC associate process from A-Z including Application process; finding a supervisor; accruing hours and ethical and legal considerations for LPC associates and supervisors.
41. Expanding Your Impact Beyond the Therapy Room! *Recorded
Time: 4:30-6:00pm
Room: Clear Lake
Topic: Counselor Professional Identity and Practice Issue
Presenter(s): Cyndi Doyle; Kate Walker
You want to serve more people you're attracting but fear failing and burnout. You need a clear counselor identity, brand, and growth plan! Learn to ethically market, successfully move through imposter syndrome, understand systems to funnel in ideal clients, and products to impact them resulting in diversity of income.
FRIDAY 90-MINUTE PROGRAMS
Friday, Nov. 3
42. Ages and Stages: Child Counseling at Different Developmental Periods
Time: 8:00-9:30am
Room: Westchase
Topic: Human Growth and Development Theories in Counseling
Presenter(s): Katherine Purswell; Hayley Stulmaker
There are many child counseling skills and techniques out there, but how do you know how to apply them to your specific client? This presentation will give you tools to tailor your child counseling work to each child client's unique developmental needs.
43. I'm a fraud': The Role of the Imposter Phenomenon in the Counseling Profession
Time: 8:00-9:30am
Room: Meyerland
Topic: Counselor Professional Identity and Practice Issue
Presenter(s): Wannigar Ratanavivan; Esther Mutombo; Richard Ricard; Marysa Luis
The imposter phenomenon (IP) is a psychological state in which individuals have difficulty internalizing success. The IP impacts both students and professionals, regardless of their experience. Hence, a discussion of the IP and its impacts on individuals' well-being is necessary. Various ways to address the IP will also be discussed.
44. Mental Health, Systems, and School-based Consultation: Current Social Justice Issues and Perspective
Time: 8:00-9:30am
Room: Briargrove
Topic: Social and Cultural Foundations in Counseling (CE requirement category: Ethics; Cultural Diversity; School Counseling)
Presenter(s): aretha marbley; Tran Le; R. Patrice Dunn; Susie Marquez
The presenters identify current social justice issues in consultation and provide full bibliography for each issue. Then, they apply case consultation and use their experiences as counselors to demonstrate how to apply consultation practice, theories, and research. The workshop culminates with simulations and case study exercises appying a consultation model.
45. Making the Unseen, Seen: Identifying Hidden Symptoms of Complex Trauma
Time: 8:00-9:30am
Room: Kingwood
Topic: Assessment in Counseling
Presenter(s): Jessica Endres
Complex trauma symptoms can hide in plain sight, such as dissociation, relationship difficulties, or a changing sense of self. Limited DSM diagnostic criteria can make comprehensive assessment of complex trauma challenging. Together we will walk through diagnoses, hidden symptomatology, and treatment needs to better recognize and treat complex trauma.
46. Chronic Pain: Trauma-Sensitive Somatic Counseling Interventions
Time: 8:00-9:30am
Room: River Oaks
Topic: Counseling Theory/Practice and the Helping Relationship
Presenter(s): Nevine Sultan
One in five adults suffers from medically unexplained pain symptoms. Trauma-sensitive counseling that explores the role of the brain, memory, and early life experiences may facilitate change in client relationships with fear, anxiety, and pain. We discuss evidence-based somatic interventions reinforced by the therapeutic alliance to support transformation of experience.
47. The School Counselor's Roadmap: An Ethical Decision Making Model
Time: 8:00-9:30am
Room: Hunters Creek
Topic: Counselor Professional Identity and Practice Issue (CE requirement categories: Ethics; School Counseling)
Presenter(s): Kimberly McGough; Tim Brown
On a daily basis school counselors find themselves at the crossroads when facing ethical dilemmas. Attendees will utilize an ethical decision making model that will provide route guidance to navigate future ethical dilemmas while applying the most recent ethical codes and standards that guide the school counseling profession.
48. How Affirmative Solution Focused Brief Therapy serves the LGBTQ+ population in counseling
Time: 8:00-9:30am
Room: Montrose
Topic: Counseling Theory/Practice and the Helping Relationship
Presenter(s): K. Michelle Hollenbaugh; Maike Holleck; Elizabeth Okoye-Ezeoke
As one of the most historically underserved groups, LGBTQ+ clients require evidence-based treatments. Therefore, participants will learn about the history and unique concerns of LGBTQ+ clients and leave with an understanding of how to integrate Solution Focused Brief strategies with Affirmative Therapy, to meet the needs of LGBTQ+ clients.
49. Blessed or Stressed? Providing Culturally Competent Care to Spiritual/Religious LGBTQ+ Individuals
Time: 8:00-9:30am
Room: Tanglewood
Topic: Counseling Theory/Practice and the Helping Relationship (CE requirement categories: Ethics; Cultural Diversity)
Presenter(s): John Harrichand; Justin Lockhart; Mary Whiting
This research-driven presentation focuses on working with LGBTQ+ individuals applying narrative therapy and minority stress theory via a case study to illustrate culturally competent practices. The presenters will facilitate discussions pertaining to the complexity of integrating spirituality into counseling for this marginalized group.
50. Enhancing Emotional Intelligence to Improve First-Year College Student Attrition
Time: 8:00-9:30am
Room: Memorial
Topic: Counseling Theory/Practice and the Helping Relationship
Presenter(s): Joshua Watson; Justen Schroeder; Allison Joyal; Ke'Tavion Humber
Researchers have identified first-year students' positive adjustment experiences as a critical factor for attrition. Emotional intelligence is a protective factor for emerging adults during this time of transition that supports positive adjustment. In this session, attendees will learn how to enhance students' emotional intelligence and support their successful college adjustment.
51. Meeting the Unique Needs of Students with Disabilities in and Outside of the Classroom *Recorded
Time: 8:00-9:30am
Room: Sugarland
Topic: Counselor Professional Identity and Practice Issue (CE requirement category: Cultural Diversity)
Presenter(s): Kelsey Webb; Gemarco Peterson
As the counseling profession continues to focus on embracing multicultural frameworks, a deeper exploration is needed to ensure that disability related curriculum is introduced beyond the surface within counseling programs. This presentation will highlight the importance of counselors in training understanding disability contexts, disability related terms, and practical application.
52. The Foundation of Couples Counseling: Where to Start and Where to Go *Recorded
Time: 8:00-9:30am
Room: Clear Lake
Topic: Counseling Theory/Practice and the Helping Relationship
Presenter(s): Susan Henderson
Participants who want to begin working with couples, but have no background, will benefit from this session. Participants will be introduced to systemic thinking, common ethical issues, and how to manage the counseling room. Various counseling techniques will also be presented that address communication, conflict, and intimacy.
53. Updates from the Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists
Time: 12:30-2:00pm
Room: Texas A-E
Topic: Counselor Professional Identity and Practice Issue (CE requirement category: Ethics)
Presenter(s): Jodie Elder
Hear from members of the Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists about recent rule changes and the licensing process from initial application to upgrading to full licensure and/or supervisor. Learn about CE and supervision requirements, as well as common ethics violations and how to avoid them. You'll leave this session equipped to practice ethically as an MFT!
54. See ADHD: A Dis/Ability in Higher Definition
Time: 12:30-2:00pm
Room: Westchase
Topic: Helping Relationships in Counseling (CE requirement category: Ethics)
Presenter(s): Kate Rodriguez; Kelsey Barrera
ADHD: Evidence on the rising over-diagnosis in children, experiences of those living with ADHD, and the lack of education parent/guardians of children with ADHD receive. Information will acknowledge gaps in research and the need for skills training workshops. To conclude, there will be evaluation of techniques to apply with families.
55. Creative Ways for Incorporating Self-Compassionate Self-Care Practices into a Counseling Practice
Time: 12:30-2:00pm
Room: Meyerland
Topic: Counselor Professional Identity and Practice Issue
Presenter(s): Wannigar Ratanavivan; Ada Uzondu; Dominique Cuellar; Richard Ricard
Counselors' quality of life and clinical effectiveness can easily be affected by emotional and personal demands. Therefore, maintaining personal and professional wellness requires self-care. Attendees will learn creative ways to incorporate self-care through self-compassion into counseling practice. Counselors' self-care applicable to the ACA code of ethics will be discussed.
56. Culture on my Couch: Counselors Supporting Intercultural Adoptive Families
Time: 12:30-2:00pm
Room: Briargrove
Topic: Social and Cultural Foundations in Counseling (CE requirement category: Cultural Diversity)
Presenter(s): Brandy Mounts; Carrie Proctor; Tina McGruder; Dominique Caminos
Lean in and engage with meeting the growing needs of intercultural adoptive families. Approximately 40% of adoptive families are intercultural, working to integrate heritage, race, culture and/or ethnicity. Learn about the intricacies of intercultural adoption, while expanding multicultural competence to better support adoptive families in celebrating their own unique identity.
57. The Future of School Counseling: Our Profession is in Trouble and Needs Our Help (Call for Advocacy)
Time: 12:30-2:00pm
Room: River Oaks
Topic: Counselor Professional Identity and Practice Issue (CE requirement category: School Counseling)
Presenter(s): Melissa Brennan; Carla Smith; Brandi Rechtorovic; Sandra Ramirez
School counselor program enrollment is declining while clinical mental health counseling programs continue to grow. Texas students need their school counselors now more than ever. This session will consider ways school counselors and school counselor educators can intervene. Strategies for identifying and treating school counselor burnout will also be considered.
58. It Pays to be Rural: Challenging Urbannormativity Through a Community Cultural Wealth Lens
Time: 12:30-2:00pm
Room: Hunters Creek
Topic: Social and Cultural Foundations in Counseling (CE requirement category: Cultural Diversity)
Presenter(s): Brandi Sawyer
Rural populations have traditionally been viewed from a deficit-oriented lens in the field of counseling research, and perceived as lacking strengths and skills possessed collectively by urban individuals. The Community Cultural Wealth model helps counselors conceptualize rural clients as possessing inherent strengths; leading to enhance counseling and advocacy.
59. From Desire to Resolution: Working with Body Image and Sexual Concerns *Recorded
Time: 12:30-2:00pm
Room: Sugarland
Topic: Counseling Theory/Practice and the Helping Relationship
Presenter(s): Lauren McLean; Sehrish Ali
Body image and sexual concerns are common issues many individuals face, and these concerns can have a significant impact on one's well-being. This presentation will provide an overview of best practices in working with body image and sexual concerns and will offer practical strategies for working with clients.
60. The Rural Rules: Best Practices for Ethics, Supervision, and Practice in Rural Areas * Recorded
Time: 12:30-2:00pm
Room: Clear Lake
Topic: Counselor Professional Identity and Practice Issue (CE requirement categories: Ethics; Supervision; School Counseling)
Presenter(s): Tara Fox; Katye Galloway
Do you ever feel like you have to be a Swiss Army Knife in order to meet the needs of your clients who live in rural communities? Rural counselors have to become mental health generalists. Rural providers must understand cultural differences, practical challenges, and professional responsibilities for ethical rural practice.
FRIDAY 3-HOUR PROGRAMS
Friday - Nov. 3
61. TAADA Presents: The Evolution of the Professional Counselor over the Lifespan
Time: 1:00-4:00pm
Room: Kingwood
Topic: Counselor Professional Identity and Practice Issue (CE requirement category: Supervision)
Presenter(s): Susan Lilly; Patricia Johnson
The professional identity development of counselors is a complex process involving the integration of professional identities with personal attributes situated within a professional community. The purpose of this presentation is to examine the evolution of the professional development of counselors across the lifespan and identify challenges to that evolutionary process.
62. TxSAIGE Presents: Current Issues in Counseling LGBTGEQIAP+ Clients
Time: 1:00-4:00pm
Room: Montrose
Topic: Social and Cultural Foundations in Counseling (CE requirement category: Cultural Diversity)
Presenter(s): Michael Lesher; Elizabeth Owens; Abigail Smith
If you have heard the acronym LGBTQ+, had questions about sexual, affection, intersex, or gender expansive (SAIGE) identities, or are curious about affirming care and wanted to know more, then this program is for you.
63. Counseling and Supervision: Ethical Decision-Making and Self-Care for Counselors and Supervisors
Time: 1:00-4:00pm
Room: Tangelwood
Topic: Counselor Professional Identity and Practice Issue (CE requirement categories: Ethics; Supervision; School Counseling)
Presenter(s): Bret Hendricks; Loretta Bradley; Lori Hollingsworth
Professional counselors and supervisor frequently face complex ethical dilemmas. In this presentation, participants learn how to make ethical decisions that are research-based and culturally-appropriate. Participants will also learn the importance of personal stress-management to manage their compassion fatigue and burnout. Discussion will be encouraged and handouts will provided.
64. An Adlerian Approach to Empowering Children through Positive Parenting
Time: 1:00-4:00pm
Room: Memorial
Topic: Counseling Theory/Practice and the Helping Relationship
Presenter(s): Courtney Guhl Huckabay; Madison Villanueva
Presenters will introduce an Adlerian focused positive discipline approach to parenting. Attendees will learn how to assist parents to identify the mistaken goals of children and how to choose the most appropriate and empowring response to their child's behavior.
FRIDAY 90-MINUTE PROGRAMS
Friday - Nov. 3
65. Supervising LPC-Associates: Providing Mental Health Counseling in Schools
Time: 2:30-4:00pm
Room: Westchase
Topic: Counselor Professional Identity and Practice Issue (CE requirement categories: Ethics; Supervision; School Counseling)
Presenter(s): Traci Test; Leah Philley; Lauri Anderson
Dual role expectations of the LPC and school counselor may be confusing. Join us as we explore dual role ethical implications and requirements for TX LPC-Associates in schools. Includes tips for supervision activities while supporting the needs of school counselor interns in addressing barriers from campus, district, and university perspectives.
66. Baby Steps Toward Healing: Latin Dance Group Intervention for Postpartum Mothers
Time: 2:30-4:00pm
Room: Meyerland
Topic: Social and Cultural Foundations in Counseling (CE requirement category: Cultural Diversity)
Presenter(s): Emily Horton; Carolina Gisela Robledo
World dance, including Latin dance, elicits profound therapeutic healing and de-colonizes counseling spaces. Latin dance can be used as a therapeutic intervention for postpartum mothers as they move toward physical and emotional healing. Come to this research-based, interactive presentation ready to move!
67. Counselors Lead with Inclusion: Making it Possible By Serving Clients with Physical Disabilities
Time: 2:30-4:00pm
Room: Briargrove
Topic: Social and Cultural Foundations in Counseling (CE requirement category: Cultural Diversity)
Presenter(s): Wayne Smith; Deborah Daniels
Traditional models of therapeutic intervention are not relevant for clients with physical disabilities. Being physically disabled is a unique experience and therapeutic interventions need to be inclusive to be truly effective. We will cover well-rounded counseling practices that are informed by lived experiences of physically disabled clients.
68. Getting Dirty: Using Horticultural and EcoWellness Interventions
Time: 2:30-4:00pm
Room: River Oaks
Topic: Counseling Theory/Practice and the Helping Relationship
Presenter(s): Melanie Harper; Naomi Medina
The natural world provides an endless source of sustenance, but often clients and counselors have distanced themselves from this natural source of healing. This program will describe the relationship between nature and wellness and provide participants with some ecowellness and horticultural interventions that can ease mental distress.
69. The Roots of Violence: Bullying, Gangs, Violence, Hate Crimes and Kids Killing Kids
Time: 2:30-4:00pm
Room: Hunters Creek
Topic: Counseling Theory/Practice and the Helping Relationship
Presenter(s): Jill Riethmayer
Violence is escalating - everywhere. Come explore the roots of violence, identify social toxins that contribute as well as learn to identify the patterns of violence. Take a closer look at specific warning signs as well as the healing process for 'hurt kids' to heal.
70. Another Glass Ceiling Shattered: A Multisystemic Relational Approach to Lifespan Development *Recorded
Time: 2:30-4:00pm
Room: Sugarland
Topic: Human Growth and Development Theories in Counseling (CE requirement category: Cultural Diversity)
Presenter(s): Diane Smedley
Women have transcended the dilemma of family or career. However, counseling maintains a traditional conceptualization of high-achieving women's lifespan development. This constructivist grounded theory study investigated the lifespan development of high-achieving women. The implications of the resulting multisystemic relational conceptualization of lifespan development on counselor education and counseling are explored.
71. Ethical and Practical Deployment of AI in Professional Counseling Settings *Recorded
Time: 2:30-4:00pm
Room: Clear Lake
Topic: Counselor Professional Identity and Practice Issue (CE requirement category: Ethics)
Presenter(s): Charles Crews; Ian Lertora
This technology heavy program provides an overview of the ethical and practical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in professional counseling. Practical application and fundamental ethical implications will be explored through AI technology development, AI prompting, and how AI will change mental health care in schools and clinical settings.