Attending one of the conferences for counselors held in 2017 is a great way to learn more about the field in general and to make connections with other professionals. Many of these conferences are only open to licensed counselors, which means that you need to keep the requirements in your state to obtain a counseling license. These conferences take place in major cities across the country.
American Counseling Association
One of the top conferences for licensed counselors is the one held by the American Counseling Association. The 2017 event takes place in San Francisco, California and will run from March 16 through the 17. The ACA also has a smaller pre-conference that is open to those working for learning institutes that takes place right before the main conference. It will include keynote speakers like Irvin Yalom and Jessica Pettitt. You can also attend learning sessions and other special events at the conference.
American School Counselor Association
The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) is professional organization open to licensed counselors working in elementary, middle and high schools. Counselors from across the country will attend the 2017 conference, which occurs July 8-11. If you cannot attend the event in person, you can register for the virtual conference. The ASCA lets guests log in and watch all the speeches and workshops from their home or work computers. The conference will also include displays and presentations from companies that make products suitable for schools and school counselors.
Related resource: Top 10 Masters in Counseling Degree Programs
American Association of Christian Counselors
Though the American Association of Christian Counselors is smaller than some of these other organizations, it still boasts a membership of nearly 50,000 counselors. Those counselors focus on treating patients while using the principles of the Christian faith. One of the conferences it will host in 2017 is called Break Every Chain. Held in Nashville, the conference takes place near the end of September. Guests will learn how to spend more time with their patients and how to break the chains that hold them down. You’ll learn more about removing negative stereotypes from your head and how to give your patients the best care possible.
Mental Health America
Thousands of licensed counselors will spend June 14-16 in Washington DC for the annual Mental Health America. Subtitled Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll, it focuses on the drug treatments used today. Guest speakers will talk about their own struggles with addictions to sex, gambling, drugs and alcohol. Other speakers will talk about the top treatments used today and how to identify the needs and issues surrounding the recovery of your patients. This Mental Health America event will include professional therapists as well as celebrities and authors.
National Council for Behavioral Health
If you work in mental health or behavioral counseling, you should attend conferences for counselors like the one put on by the National Council for Behavioral Health. NCBH will put on its annual NATCON Conference in Seattle on April 3-5 in Seattle. According to its official website, the keynote speakers scheduled to appear include Tom Insel, Linda Rosenburg, Judy Collins and Kimberly Johnson. The event, which takes place at the Washington State Convention Center, will also feature workshops and classes for licensed counselors. You can register for the event and book your hotel room on the official website.
No matter what field of counseling you work in, you can find conferences designed just for professionals like you. These events let you learn more about new treatments and methods of helping your patients. As the top conferences for counselors now have websites, you can find more about those events and even sign up for one online.
