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. Learning Objective One: Understand the differences between urban and rural ethics, supervision, and practice and how it's influenced the current composition of rural mental health care. Learning Objective Two: Identify barriers for mental health providers who work in rural areas and clients who live in rural communities. Learning Objective Three: Highlight social justice and advocacy competencies and discuss ways to advocate for rural populations. Learning Objective Four: Review the American Counseling Association's Code of Ethics through the years and how they have impacted rural counseling services. Learning Objective Five: Discuss supervision tactics to support supervisors and associates living or working in rural areas. Learning Objective Six: Explore creative ways for rural mental health providers to practice and partner with rural communities.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the differences between urban and rural ethics, supervision, and practice and how it?s influenced the current composition of rural mental health care.

2. Identify barriers for mental health providers who work in rural areas and clients who live in rural communities.

3. Highlight social justice and advocacy competencies and discuss ways to advocate for rural populations.

4. Review the American Counseling Association's Code of Ethics through the years and how they have impacted rural counseling services.

5. Discuss supervision tactics to support supervisors and associates living or working in rural areas.

Presenters:

Tara Fox, Ph.D., LPC Supervisor, Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator

Katye Galloway, Ph.D., LPC Supervisor, Behavioral Health Authority Director

The presentation will introduce a crisis counseling response model that can be effectively utilized in schools regardless of their size. Counselors will learn to assess and triage individuals into three levels and learn to utilize established crisis intervention protocols in a systematic way during a school crisis. 

Learning Objectives: 

1. Participants will be able to identify three different levels of crisis response: primary, secondary, and tertiary. 

2. Participants will understand effective interventions for individuals who have been impacted by the trauma and those who want to assist during a crisis. 

3. Participants will be able to triage individuals impacted by trauma and used established protocols to respond effectively.

Speakers

Beth Robinson, Ed.D., LPC-S, Certified School counselor, Colorado Christian University

Shauna Frisbie, Ph.D., LPC-S, Lubbock Christian University

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. 

Learning Objectives: 

1. Participants will learn five ways pervasive social and relational norms and pressures contribute to unwanted sex for heterosexual women in long-term, committed relationships. 

2. This presentation will identify three ways existing research for unwanted consensual sex is lacking or biased. 

3. This presentation will identify three main factors contributing to healthy sexuality and ways counselors can broach this subject with their clients.

Speakers:

Derek Robertson, PhD, LPC-S, Associate Professor, The University of Texas at San Antonio

Shandra Harris, Doctoral Student, The University of Texas at San Antonio

Explore the ethical complexities of SEO strategies in counseling practice marketing. Presenters will offer current research and insights into prioritizing integrity while enhancing online visibility. Attendees will gain practical knowledge to responsibly apply SEO techniques, ensuring ethical marketing practices that are aligned with client well-being and trust. 

Learning Objectives: 

1. The participant will understand the ethical implications of SEO practices in counseling practice marketing, discerning between strategies that prioritize integrity and those that may compromise professional standards. 

2. The participant will acquire knowledge of effective SEO techniques tailored to counseling practice marketing while maintaining ethical integrity, enabling them to enhance online visibility responsibly. 

3. The participant will learn to evaluate the alignment of SEO strategies with ethical principles in counseling practice marketing, enabling them to make informed decisions that prioritize client well-being and trust.

Speakers:

Kate Walker, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S, Kate Walker Training

Jennifer Fairchild, MA, LPC Associate

Abuse destroys one's sense of self. One way rarely talked about is the victim's sexuality. While often not an initial focus of treatment, it's an important aspect to explore. This session will help you understand the damage, the problems that arise, and help clients reclaim or gain sexual health. 

Learning Objectives: 

1. Participants will be able to describe the ways intimate partner sexual abuse harms a victim's sexual self. 

2. Participants will be able to identify problems that arise due to intimate partner sexual abuse. 

3. Participants will be able to explain strategies for helping victims reclaim or gain sexual health.

Speaker: 

Tabitha Westbrook, LMFT, LCMHC, LPC, CSAT, CCTP, The Journey and The Process

Journey into the depths of family dynamics! Uncover the complexities of family dysfunction and the resilience and strengths of individuals who break free from these cycles. With Resilience Portfolios and Family Systems frameworks, dive into generational dysfunction and evidence-based strategies to enhance the identification, evaluation, and treatment of struggling clients. 

Learning Objectives: 

1. Develop the ability to recognize common patterns of dysfunction within families across generations, explore their root causes, and assess the impact of intergenerational trauma, family dynamics, societal influences, and cultural norms with clients. 

2. Gain insight into the concept of cycle breakers, individuals who disrupt the cycle of dysfunction within their families, identify the factors that contribute to resilience and empowerment, and acquire evidence-based skills and techniques to facilitate healing and growth in clients who are working to overcome the effects of generational dysfunction. 

3. Recognize the intersection of various cultural identities (e.g., race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status) and their impact on clients who have identifiable ACEs from dysfunctional family environments and their needs.

Speakers:

Regina Tate LCDC, LPC-S, NewPath Therapy & Wellness

This presentation will focus on the new rule (681.91(d)) adopted by the LPC Board. This rule allows LPC-Associates to establish a private practice awhile completing their LPC-Associate. Using a case study, discussion will focus on how this change can impact ethics, supervision, and liability. 

Learning Objectives: 

1. Participants will be able to identify the appropriate regulations that govern supervision of LPC-Associates who desire to direct a counseling practice. 

2. Participants will be able to identify and mitigate potential risks involved in supervising a LPC-Associate in counseling practice. 

3. Participants will be able to properly prepare LPC-Associates for potential challenges they may face in running a counseling practice.

Speakers:

Stephen Jennings, PhD, LPCS, LSOTP, West Texas A&M University

S. Lynn Jennings, PhD, LPCS, LSOTPS, TTUHSC

Loretta Bradley, LPCS, LMFTS, NCC, Texas Tech University

Join us for a transformative session tailored for Texas counselors aiming to transition from school roles to Licensed Professional Counselors. Learn from a seasoned School Counselor turned LPC supervisor about key legal, ethical, and functional distinctions, and gain practical strategies for excelling in diverse counseling environments. 

Learning Objectives: 

1. Participants will learn the unique legal, ethical, and functional differences between school counselors and Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs). 

2. Participants will gain insights into the critical tools and strategies needed for a smooth and successful transition from one counseling role to another. 

3. Participants will receive tools to enhance their counseling skills and have an opportunity to engage in a Q&A session to address specific queries about adapting to role change

Speaker: 

Megan Guidry, LPC-S, NCC, CSC, AccelHealth

PTSD is part of a much larger picture for first responders. Symptoms present differently, leading to inaccurate diagnosis and treatment. Expand your first responder cultural competency, learning from a former first responder and expert, to distinguish differences, impact, and treatment of cumulative stress, burnout, moral injury, fatigue, and more. 

Learning Objectives: 

1. Analyze behaviors and beliefs presented by first responders through a trauma-informed and culturally competent lens. 

2. Distinguish differences in the definition and presentation of cumulative stress, compassion fatigue, low compassion satisfaction, burnout, moral injury, and PTSD as pertaining to first responders. 

3. Apply therapeutic treatment strategies and modalities for cumulative stress, compassion fatigue, low compassion satisfaction, burnout, moral injury, and PTSD as pertaining to first responders.

Speakers:

Cyndi Doyle, LPC-S, NCC

Ashley Stakes, LPC Associate

This insightful presentation will delve into the dynamic world of career counseling tailored specifically for Gen Z. In today's rapidly evolving landscape, understanding the unique challenges, preferences, and aspirations of Gen Z is crucial for effective career guidance. Participants will learn innovative strategies to empower resilience among Gen Z students. 

Learning Objectives: 

1. The participants will be able to understand the unique challenges and preferences of Generation Z (Gen Z) students in the context of career development. 

2. The participants will explore innovative approaches and technologies for career counseling tailored to Gen Z individuals. 

3. The participants will empower resilience and self-efficacy in Gen Z clients through effective career counseling strategies.

Speaker:

Wendy Helmcamp, PhD, LPC-S, CSC, Midwestern State University