2023 Conference Sessions
*** Denotes Ethics Session ***
Friday CEs Available - 6
Saturday CEs Available - 5

Friday Workshops
9:30am - 5:30pm
Light Hors D'oeuvres will be served during the afternoon

So, You Want To Be A Supervisor: Foundational Supervision Skills and Deliberate Practice- Beyond the Basics

Presenter: Tammy Scheidegger, Ph.D., LPC, NCC

This intensive workshop will provide attendees with essential information for stepping into the role of "supervisor" with confidence.  We'll explore how to set up a supervisory contract, deliver your informed consent to supervisees, and how to discontinue the relationship if that becomes warranted. We'll take a look at best practices in clinical supervision and explore the state statutes related to conducting supervision.  Finally, we'll engage in discussion and role plays to unpack critical components of how to actually conduct a supervision session. 

Saturday
Breakout Session 1
9:30am - 10:30 am

1) Creating a Culture of Connection

Presenter: Jodi L Huebner, MA, LPC

In May of this year the US Surgeon General deemed loneliness, isolation and lack of connection a public health crisis in our country. This is a call to action for all counselors to improve assessment of each client’s social and supportive connections in order to improve our client’s mental health as well as to work toward building healthier cultures of connection.

2) Sexual Exploitation/Trafficking and the Long-Lasting Effects on Mental Health

Presenters: S. Michele Cohen, PhD, MA, LPC, LCPC; Elaina "Meier" Meier, M.A., M.S., LPC, NCC

This training will introduce participants to the definition of human trafficking. Statistics will be offered for human trafficking in the U.S. We will review the types of trafficking and traffickers and the specific conditions around sexual exploitation and trafficking and types of trauma and trauma responses related to sex trafficking. Details will be offered on the impact of sexual exploitation and being involved int he criminal justice system. Therapeutic interventions for working with Complex PTSD and dissociative spectrum disorders will be reviewed; including triphasic model for counseling. Finally, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000 will be reviewed along with other advocacy topics.

3) Current Ethical Perspectives in Addiction Treatment *** 

Presenter: Bryan M. Stephey, MA, MLS, CAGS, LPC, AADC, NCC, CCMHC, CCTP, CSOTP, CJSOTS 

Dreading your next required ethics presentation? Looking for something more dynamic and engaging? Join us for an engaging look at ethical codes and decision making models and the attitudes that shape how we use them!

Breakout Session 2
10:45am - 11:45am

1) Take Action! A Guide to Professional Counselor Advocacy ***  

Presenters: Dr. Amanda J. Falkers Ed. D., LPC, SAC, ACS; Dr. Stephanie Thorson-Olesen Ph.D. 

According to the ACA Code of Ethics (2014), there is a call for advocacy! You are invited to bring your laptop or phone for this hands-on session to utilize government affairs resources, identify legislature, and contact representatives. Handouts will be provided with current state and federal legislature.

2) Let’s Talk about SEX in ther-a-py! Exploring why Counseling Sexology needs to be a priority from the Intake, especially for counselors NOT specializing as sex therapists!

Presenter: Nichole Fritt , M.A., LPC-IT

Everyone deserves accurate information regarding sexual health however, confusing cultural messages can create harmful misconceptions. Additionally, counseling training programs typically leave professionals underprepared and uncomfortable broaching sexual health. Few clients need specialists, the majority need confident professionals with a few competencies. This session targets professionals interested in gaining sexology competencies.

3) Understanding the Social Aspects of LGBTQ+ Individuals’ Self-Acceptance

Presenter: Marion E Toscano, PhD, LPC(WI), LCPC(MD), NCC 

This session will focus on social factors of LGBTQ+ individuals’ self-acceptance, Safety and Connection and how they interact with common psychological concerns such as depression, anxiety, and stress. Some suggestions on how counselors and counselors in training can assess these factors in their work with clients will also be explored.

Breakout Session 3
1:45pm - 2:45pm

1) Trauma, PTG, and resilience through expressive therapies: Using the Self Reflective Activity with mason jars to facilitate healing

Presenter: Ashleigh Bruns, PhD, LPC

This hands-on session will demonstrate the use of Reflective Self Activity with mason jars and application to clients developing PTG after trauma while participants build their own mason jar. Participants will gain a conceptual tool kit to facilitate in-person and/or telehealth counseling with attention to ethics and multiculturally competent counseling.

2) Turning Professional Passion into Purpose: Counseling Organizations and You!

Presenters: Victoria Sepulveda, PhD, LPC, CSAC, NCC; Paul J. Young, MS, LPC, NCC

Membership in professional organizations are part of supporting our professional identity as counselors. Come join current members of the WCA Executive Board to learn more about getting involved in WCA and ACA. During this session, leadership styles, communication skills, leadership trajectories, and WCA's history and future vision will be discussed. This is a great time to network, learn about why we do what we do, and get excited about leadership and advocacy!

3) Bringing Balance to the Force: Contemporary Psychodynamic for LGBTQIA

Presenters: Tyler W. Secor, MS, LPC; Anna K. Kraft, MS, LPC, SAC-IT, NCC; Anissa M. Jurewicz, MS, LPC-IT, NCC 

Affirmative counseling for LGBTQIA folx is critical in the backdrop of the current social and political climate both locally and nationally. Historically, psychodynamic interventions have been misused to harm and oppress diverse folx, particularly the LGBTQIA community. In this session, presenters will offer pathways to restore the social justice essence of psychodynamic counseling to address common misconceptions and reclaim psychodynamic counseling for LGBTQIA folx.

Breakout Session 4
3:00pm - 4:00pm

1) Stop Shoving it Under a Rug! Ways to discuss culture in the counseling session.

Presenter: Miya Rogers, MS, LPC, NCC 

When we are conceptualizing our clients, students, and supervisees, we must always view them through a multicultural lens, and we must ensure that we are implementing social justice frameworks throughout our experience. Singh et al., (2019) highlights that counselors must manage acknowledging the effects that oppression has caused on the daily lives and functioning of our clients. Brinkman & Donohue (2020) discusses further the importance of having students to explore beyond individual intersectionalities and to explore how socio-political and societal influences impact the lives of our clients. When collaborating with any client, student, or supervisee, we must be aware of their cultural and varying identities to ensure that we are conceptualizing them appropriately. Utilizing theoretical theories without the implementation of a social justice framework reinforces oppression and colonialization that individuals from marginalized communities experienced and continue to live through. We must hear and respect their stories and identities.

2)Screening tools: How to identify masters level students in need for additional statistics support

Presenters: Connie Z Guerrero, MS, LPC-IT, CRC, NCC; Marion E Toscano, PhD, LPC(WI), LCPC(MD), NCC

Screening tools may prove to be beneficial for masters level counseling students. Learn about the development of a statistics screener aimed at identifying students in need of additional support prior to enrollment in a masters level statistics course.

3) Untangling the Webs of Trauma

Presenter: Tracey Atkinson, LPC 

Tracey will share her personal story of childhood sexual abuse that created tangled webs of distorted thinking and destruction. She will provide psychoeducation and handouts on navigating the world of trauma, negative impacts of early childhood development and trauma across the lifespan. Tracey will discuss professional experiences that reinforce the need for more advocating and change, within the home environment, school systems and society as a whole, regarding trauma.