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2026 RMACES Conference

About this event

2026 RMACES Conference

Albuquerque, New Mexico

September 30th- October 3rd


We're committed to ensuring all RMACES members and attendees can fully participate in our events. Please let us know if you need any accessibility concerns/requirements. This might include sign language interpretation, captioning, mobility access, dietary needs, or other supports. We'll work with you to make arrangements.

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  • Adenike Ololade Adedapo, M.Ed
    Adenike is a PhD Candidate, professional counselor, and researcher whose work focuses on maternal mental health. She serves as a doctoral-level supervisor and instructor for master’s students. As a Black woman of African descent, she brings meaningful cultural insight to her professional roles. Grounded in counseling profession’s core values of wellness, prevention, social justice, and advocacy, she is committed to advancing maternal mental health through clinical practice, supervision, and scholarship.
    Sessions
    • ED029 : Navigating the Academic Terrain: A Narrative Inquiry of International Doctoral Students in Counselor Education & Supervision Programs
    • ED031 : Preparing Counselors for Maternal Mental Health Care Across Diverse Populations
  • Carrie Alexander-Albritton, Ph.D., LCPC, NCC, CADC
    The presenter is a Professor of Counselor Education with 16 years experience. She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the state of Illinois, a Nationally Certified Counselor, and a Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor (CADC) in Illinois. Her scholarly and research interests include women and parenting in higher education, wellness, mentoring, substance abuse, and assessment and diagnosis.
    Sessions
    • ED063 : Creating and Executing a Comprehensive Supervision Series
  • Courtney Allen-Pavlak, Ph.D., LPC
    Courtney E. Allen-Pavlak, PhD, LPC holds a doctorate in Counseling and Counselor Education and a M.Ed/Ed.S in School Counseling from the University of Florida. She is a Professor at Adams State University in the School of Counselor Education. Before becoming a counselor educator, Dr. Allen-Pavlak worked as a school counselor and as a clinical mental health counselor for many years. As a counselor educator, Dr. Allen-Pavlak's primary areas of interest center on researching and incorporating Narrative theory and other creative techniques into counselor development, scholarship, and praxis. Dr. Allen strongly believes in the power of discourse to shape our identities and create change. In addition to teaching, she currently has a small private practice in counseling.
    Sessions
    • ED028 : Narrative Strategies to Develop Researcher Identity and Empower Effective Writers
    • PO015 : Beyond the Journal Article: Creative and Digital Pathways for Sharing Counseling Research
  • Heather Ambrose, Ph.D., LCMHC, LMFT, AAMFT Approved Supervisor
    Dr. Heather Ambrose holds a Ph.D. from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, TX where she majored in Counseling with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy. She is an Associate Professor in the School of Counseling at Walden University, where she has taught for 12 years. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, as well as an AAMFT Approved Supervisor. She has an expertise in training clinical supervisors in addition to providing supervision for counselors-in-training and counselors seeking licensure. Dr. Ambrose is a Past-President of the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) and the past secretary for ACES. She also serves as a Site Team Chair and a Site Visitor for the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). She currently volunteers as a leader for a youth support group for LGBTQ+ teens, where she provides positive support and mental health education to the attendees. Dr. Ambrose lives in Layton, Utah with her husband, their two greyhounds, and their cat.
    Sessions
    • ED095 : The Importance of Teaching Systems to Counselors-In-Training
    • ED088 : Shrinking Ethics: Boundary Tensions and Ethical Practice in Contemporary Care
  • Umut Arslan
    Ümüt Arslan earned his master's degree in school counseling and a doctoral degree in counselor education and supervision at the University of Montana. With professional experience as a school counselor and faculty member in both Turkey and the United States. During his graduate studies, he has worked with diverse cultural groups, including Native American communities on reservations, Job Corps participants, TRIO Program students, and international students (Humphrey Program, Kumamoto Program, and Xisong Program) to foster cross-cultural engagement and support student success. He received multiple accolades, including the Outstanding Foreign Student Award, Diversity Advisory Council Student Achievement Award, Bertha Morton Scholarship, and Tough Kids Cool Counseling Scholarship and was selected as a panelist for the American Counseling Association (ACA) International Student Panel. After his graduation, he worked in Turkey 8 years. During this time, he also collaborated with and presented on migration, inclusive education, positive psychology, and youth populations in Portugal, Poland, the UK, Azerbaijan, and Italy while serving as a faculty member. His research and publications focus on ethics, social-emotional learning, solution-focused brief therapy, career counseling, mindfulness, and positive psychology. He is a co-editor of the first evidence-based Turkish Counseling Ethical Codes; the Ethical Casebook: Basic Knowledge, Cases, and Analysis; and a co-author of The Best Divorce Book. Currently, Ümüt Arslan is an Associate Professor and School Counseling Program Chair at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. These days, he is dedicated to advancing research, teaching school counseling courses, and contributing to educational and counseling initiatives especially in rural schools. If the weather is sunny, you might spot him walking between the College of Education and the G.W. Frank Museum of History and Culture or on the trail between the Kearney Country Club Golf Course and UNK. On Saturdays, you might see him enjoying with his wife and son at Yanney Park, thanks to the City of Kearney.
    Sessions
    • ED090 : Strengths Based Suicide Approach in Schools: Advantages and Challenges
  • Julie Ballew, PhD, LCPC
    Julie Ballew, PhD, LCPC, CCTP, CCFP (she/her) has been working in the mental health field in a variety of settings since 2005. Her professional and research interests include: promoting resiliency, trauma recovery, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), anxiety, depression, clinical supervision, and couples counseling. Julie currently balances her group counseling practice with a clinical supervisor/adjunct teaching appointment in the Department of Counseling at the University of Montana. Additionally, Julie facilitates resiliency workshops and groups in a variety of settings. She can often be found along a mountain trail with her beloved husband, son, daughter and dog.
    Sessions
    • RT007 : Beyond Self-Care: Equipping Counseling Students with Tools for a Sustainable Career
  • Anna Bartkowiak, Ph.D., LCPC, RPT-S, CCDVC
    Dr. Anna Bartkowiak is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling at Montana State University. She is a Certified Clinical Domestic Counselor (NAFC) and Registered Play Therapy - Supervisor and has worked at the local domestic violence shelter, Haven, for the last 18 years.
    Sessions
    • ED036 : Stages of Becoming: Conceptualization and strategies for attending to counseling students' identity development.
    • ED082 : Escaping the “Uncanny Valley”: Why Mixed-Reality (MR) may be the technology of choice for counselor education.
  • Shing Yee Bay
    Current faculty at the University of Toledo. Current research focus on burnout and the ethical use of AI in Counselor Education.
    Sessions
    • ED052 : Building an Accountability-focused framework for ethical AI use in CE research
    • ED011 : Do We Really Know what Burnout is? Examining Conceptual and Methodological Challenges of Burnout in Counselor Education
  • Lindsey Bell, Ph.D., LPC (MO), LMHC (NM)
    Dr. Lindsey Bell is an Assistant Professor of Counseling and Educational Psychology at New Mexico State University. She has six years of clinical experience, is trained in EMDR, and specializes in working with LGBTQ+ populations and trauma survivors. As an educator, she is particularly interested in creating greater awareness of and sensitivity to our relational responsibilities as counselor educators and supervisors. Her research interests include counselor trainees' self-awareness development, humanistic and relational-cultural pedagogy and supervision, LGBTQ+ issues, and substance use and harm reduction.
    Sessions
    • ED062 : Counselor Trainees’ Self-Awareness Experiences in Clinical Supervision: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
  • Cassandra Bills
    Cassandra Bills, LCPC-S is a doctoral student at Idaho State University and school-based psychotherapist. She is experienced in providing compassionate, patient-centered care for adults, children and families. Bringing expertise in mental health support and emotional wellbeing, with skills in play therapy, DBT, and EMDR. Knowledgeable in providing therapeutic interventions for diverse populations, including crisis response and educational program development. Offering abilities in clinical supervision and collaboration to foster positive outcomes in school and community settings.
    Sessions
    • PO012 : Doctoral Student Preparation for Providing Multiculturally Informed Supervision in Counselor Education
  • Cindy Black, Ph.D.
    Cindy Black was born and raised in Wyoming. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Guidance and Counseling from Eastern New Mexico University and worked for 29 years as a public school counselor. She completed her Ph.D. at University of Nevada, Reno in 2025. Dr. Black currently serves as a counselor educator at New Mexico Highlands University, where she teaches courses in school counseling, orientation and ethics, and counseling skills through a synchronous online format. Her scholarship focuses on preparing future school counselors for contemporary practice, including training them to work effectively in online settings. Her current research examines how school counseling preparation curricula can be more closely aligned with the realities of professional practice.
    Sessions
    • ED087 : Reimagining School Counselor Education: Aligning Practice with Contemporary School Contexts
  • Jillian M. Blueford, PhD, LPC, NCC, CT, FT
    Dr. Jillian Blueford (She/Her) is a Clinical Associate Professor and Director of the School Counseling Program and related certificates at the University of Denver in Colorado. A Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, and Fellow in Thanatology, Dr. Blueford’s career spans education, clinical practice, research, and service. Since 2014, she has honed her expertise in grief counseling, supporting individuals and families across diverse settings, including schools, inpatient residencies, community agencies, and private practice. Her scholarship focuses on grief counseling training, trauma-informed grief counseling, and child and adolescent grief. Dr. Blueford’s research contributions include peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, webinars, panels, podcast features, and presentations at regional, national, and international conferences.
    Sessions
    • ED003 : Infusing Political Grief Counseling Into Practice
    • ED097 : Integrating Grief Counseling Best Practices into Counselor Education: From Endorsement to Implementation
  • Hyrum Booth, MS, LCPC
    Hyrum Booth is a doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Montana and is dually licensed as a Clinical Professional Counselor and School Counselor in Wyoming and Montana. He additionally works as a school counselor in a very rural K–8 school. His research interests focus on school counselor advocacy, rural mental health, and on developing mental health informed school interventions for problematic technology use.
    Sessions
    • ED015 : From Distraction to Development: Guiding School Counselors in Managing Student Digital Device Use
    • ED061 : Beyond Graduation: Developing Post Degree Supervision Networks for Early Career Rural School Counselors
  • Alli Bristow PhD, LSC, LCPC, NCC
    Alli Bristow, PhD, LSC, LCPC, NCC, is an Assistant Adjunct Professor in the Counselor Education and Supervision program at the University of Montana. She is a National Board Certified Counselor, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, and a licensed school counselor in Montana. Alli is a former school counselor and crisis therapist in Arizona and Montana. Her current research interests are in supporting school counselors in training in using evidence-based practices to improve retention and prevent burnout. Alli provides individual supervision to school counseling interns and was named the 2023 Montana School Counselor of the Year. She is a strong advocate for rural school counselors and is deeply committed to supporting students, families, and the school counseling profession
    Sessions
    • ED061 : Beyond Graduation: Developing Post Degree Supervision Networks for Early Career Rural School Counselors
    • ED074 : Supervising School Counselors in Rural Settings: An Integrated Developmental Model and Multicultural Lens on ASCA Practice
  • Laura Bruneau, PhD, LPC, LSC
    Trained in clinical mental health and school counseling, Dr. Laura Bruneau has a B.A. in psychology from Miami University, an M.Ed. in community counseling, and a Ph.D. in counselor education and supervision from Kent State University. Dr. Bruneau is passionate about training the next generation of counselors to be ethical, reflective, and engaged practitioners. Her specialty areas of interest include creativity in counseling, bibliotherapy, and animal-assisted interventions. She serves as Assistant School Director in the School of Counselor Education at Adams State University in Alamosa, Colorado, and enjoys mentoring doctoral students in their research and professional development.
    Sessions
    • ED028 : Narrative Strategies to Develop Researcher Identity and Empower Effective Writers
    • PO015 : Beyond the Journal Article: Creative and Digital Pathways for Sharing Counseling Research
  • Tessa Burris M.H.R, LPC, LAC, ICGC-I
    Tessa Burris (she/her) is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Colorado and Oklahoma, a Licensed Addiction Counselor in Colorado, and an International Certified Gambling Counselor with over 10 years of counseling experience, including supervision of counselors in training. She is pursuing her doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Northern Colorado. She specializes in working with adults navigating trauma, substance use, problem gambling, and the emotional patterns that can keep people feeling stuck or disconnected from themselves.
    Sessions
    • ED089 : Stepping Out of the Drama: Experiential Teaching of the Drama Triangle in Addictions Counseling
    • PO013 : Examining Diversity in the Supervisory Relationship
  • Rebekah Byrd
    Rebekah Byrd, Ph.D., LPC, (TN), LCMHC (NC), NCC, RPT-S, ACS (she/hers) is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Counselor Education and Director of the Institute for Play Therapy and Expressive Arts Education and Research at Sacred Heart University. She has been a counselor educator for over 15 years with over 20 years of experience working in the mental health field in varying capacities and settings including school settings as she continues to hold a license in school counseling. Her research specialization falls primarily in issues pertaining to children/adolescent counseling, play therapy, LGBTGEQIAP+ advocacy, school counseling, social justice/multicultural concerns, self-injury, and women’s wellness. She recently co-authored a textbook on counseling children and adolescents and edited a book about common encounters in school counseling and has written many journal articles and chapters for multiple texts. She serves on many national and statewide committees and just recently received the Service Award from the Association for Play Therapy.
    Sessions
    • ED046 : Training for Counseling Children and Adolescents: Best Practice, Ethical, and Legal Competency
  • Katie Christensen, PhD, CMHC, NCC
    Dr. Katie Christensen is an Assistant Professor in the CACREP-accredited Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Westminster University in Salt Lake City, UT, where she serves as Chi Sigma Iota Chapter Faculty Advisor. She earned a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Dr. Christensen specializes in grief counseling, reducing sizeism within the counseling profession, and supporting emerging counselors, which are showcased through her teaching, research, clinical practice, leadership, and advocacy efforts. Dr. Christensen is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in the state of Utah where she primarily works with adults and couples. She has presented at national and international counseling conferences on topics of grief counseling, sizeism within the counseling profession, and multicultural considerations in counseling and counselor education.
    Sessions
    • ED021 : Grief Counseling: Strategies for Designing & Teaching a Grief Counseling Course
    • ED017 : Gatekeeping - It All Starts with the Admissions Process
  • Ali Cissey Usman, Ph.D Student
    Ali Cissey USMAN is a doctoral student in counselor education and supervision whose clinical, teaching, and research interests center on emotional processes shaping counselor development. Scholarship examines the role of shame in social justice pedagogy and how unprocessed shame manifests in counselor education as defensiveness, withdrawal, anger, or moral injury. Practices clinically from a person-centered orientation, emphasizing empathy, congruence, and unconditional positive regard. Conceptualizes shame as an adaptive relational signal that emerges when identity, belonging, or moral self-concept feels threatened. Has facilitated graduate discussions on race, privilege, oppression, and cultural identity as a doctoral student and clinical supervisor, observing that many difficult classroom dynamics are affective responses rooted in shame rather than cognitive disagreements.
    Sessions
    • ED027 : Naming What’s in the Room: Educator Shame Resilience in Multicultural and Social Justice Teaching
    • ED006 : A Self-Deterministic, Relational Cultural Approach to Practicum Training
    • PO007 : SOMA Phase I: Developing Embodied Self-Awareness Training for Graduate Counselor Education
  • Bella Colson, M.COUN, LPC
    Bella Colson (she/her) is a doctoral student at Idaho State University and a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Idaho. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Boise State University and her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Idaho State University. Clinically, she enjoys providing individual counseling services to children and adolescents with eating disorders. Her research interests include best practices for treating eating disorders, crisis management, and the use of Dialectical Behavior Therapy in clinical supervision.
    Sessions
    • ED013 : Exploring Staying: Narratives from Experienced Counselors Treating Eating Disorders
    • ED050 : Ethical and Effective Work With Sexual and Gender Minority Clients with Eating Disorders
  • Desa Karye Daniel, PhD, LMHC (NM), LPCC (CO), NCC
    Dr. Dèsa Karye Daniel is an accomplished assistant professor at the University of Colorado Denver and a licensed mental health counselor in New Mexico and Colorado. With a focus on racial and ethnic dynamics within academic environments, her research delves into the experiences of Black and Brown college students, highlighting the unique challenges faced by Black womxn in leadership roles. Dr. Daniel's work investigates the effects of stress and racial battle fatigue on BIPOC womxn professionals, emphasizing the psychological impacts of systemic racism. She is a strong advocate for a more inclusive multicultural counseling curriculum and critically analyzes institutional responses to protests and the dismantling of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives on college campuses. Additionally, her research explores student and faculty attitudes toward pro-Palestinian advocacy, aiming to unpack the complexities of activism in contemporary contexts. Dr. Daniel earned her doctorate in counselor education from the University of New Mexico and holds dual master’s degrees from New Mexico State University. Beyond her academic pursuits, she provides affirming cultural care to communities in Colorado and New Mexico through direct clinical work and by supervising clinicians in training at Umoja Behavioral Health and Wellness.
    Sessions
    • PO011 : Evaluating a Psychedelic Wellness Training for Counselors: RCT Testing for Gains in Cultural Competence, Counseling Skills, and Evidence-Based Knowledge
  • Liz Dinwiddie, PhD, LPC, NCC
    Liz Dinwiddie holds a PhD in Counseling and Supervision from James Madison University and a Master of Arts in Counseling from East Tennessee State University. Dr. Dinwiddie is a licensed school counselor, Licensed Professional counselor, and Nationally Certified Counselor who has worked as a professional school counselor in a variety of K-12 settings and clinically specializes in child, adolescent, and family counseling. Dr. Dinwiddie is an assistant professor in the Counseling and Career Development master’s program at Colorado State University and the coordinator of the program’s School Counseling specialization. Her research focuses on school counselor professional identity development and centering student voice in the work of defining and supporting school counselor role in the ever-evolving mental health landscape of public education. Her research interests center on youth participatory action research and maximizing the effective integration of evidence-based mental health and wellness services in public education spaces.
    Sessions
    • ED038 : Supporting Professional School Counselor Identity in Blended Programs
  • Sarah Droege, MA, LPC, LAC, ACS
    Inspired by her time facilitating a psychoeducational support group for HIV-positive villagers during her time as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Naroosura, Kenya, Sarah has been involved in the professional mental health sphere for the past decade. Sarah completed a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Colorado, a Professional Counselor in the state of Missouri, a Licensed Addiction Counselor, and an Approved Clinical Supervisor. Her journey in the field has taken her through a variety of milieus, including a syringe exchange, a community corrections facility, a rural prison, and a return to East Africa to support grant-funded mental health development work on the island of Zanzibar. Upon moving to rural southeastern Colorado, Sarah designed and then administered all services provided by the Otero College Mental Health Counseling Office, offering this campus and its students access to its first-ever behavioral health support staff. Professional siloing and geographical isolation in this nuanced role led Sarah to recognize her own burnout risk and in 2023 she adapted this model to conceptualize the presently piloted Rural Mental Health Development Project (RMHDP). Today she supervises the team of nine licensed counselors and case managers which make up the RMHDP, helping to bring quality, in-person behavioral health services to rural community college students while prioritizing rural provider wellness.
    Sessions
    • RT019 : Rural Resilience: How Rural Colorado Community Colleges are Promoting Behavioral Health Wellness Among Students and Providers
  • Kelly Duncan, Ph.D., NCC, LPC
    Dr. Kelly Duncan serves as the Executive Director of the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. She has been involved in the profession of counseling for over 30 years and has worked as a counselor educator since 2003. Dr. Duncan had the privilege of serving as a counselor educator at three universities, coordinated a university counselor training clinic, and was a dean of a School of Education prior to joining the ACES staff. She was the executive director of a state counseling branch for 15 years. Her background in counseling and association management allows her to meld her skills in her current role. Since coming to ACES, Duncan has worked to highlight the work of the association more visibly and to facilitate collaborations between ACES and other counseling affiliate groups. She spearheaded the increase in research grant funding for members along with expanding ACES’s continuing education offerings resulting in its new learning management system. Promoting professional counselor identity and advocating for counselor educators and supervisors continues to be a key focus in her role as executive director. She is a licensed professional counselor in the state of South Dakota.
    Sessions
    • RT097 : Becoming a Leader: Leading for Maximum Impact
    • ED032 : Professional Counselor Identity: The Foundation of Effective Practice in Changing Times
    • RM004 : Dean's Forum
  • Michelle Dunn, PhD, LPC
    Michelle Dunn is a licensed counselor based in Denver, Colorado and New Jersey. She works with Forge Counseling Collective, where she specializes in supporting clients with complex trauma histories. In addition to her clinical work, she serves as a Supervisor in Forge Counseling Collective’s Training Program, mentoring practicum and internship students as well as externship counselors. She earned her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision (CES) from Capella University in November 2025. She is also an affiliate faculty member at Regis University, where she teaches in the undergraduate psychology program.
    Sessions
    • PO021 : Are you trauma-informed? Incorporating trauma-informed care principles and trauma content into your teaching practices using components of social cognitive theory
  • Rebecca Edelman, Ph.D., NCC
    Dr. Rebecca (Bex) Edelman is a Lecturer of Counseling and School Counseling Program Coordinator at Culver-Stockton College. She is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and Certified School Counselor in Maine. An experienced educator, supervisor, and practitioner, Dr. Edelman has authored peer-reviewed publications and book chapters on topics including counselor wellness, technology, Artificial Intelligence, and ecotherapy. Her research interests include multicultural school counseling, counselor identity, student-athlete wellness, and social justice.
    Sessions
    • ED091 : Taboo Talks: Talking about sex in counseling starts in the classroom
  • Adekemi Ekanoye, PhD, LPC, NCC
    Dr. Adekemi Ekanoye is an Assistant Professor of Department of Counseling, School of Mental and Behavioral Health at Regis University. She earned her doctorate from the University of New Orleans, Louisiana. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LPC) in Colorado with a passion for fostering growth, resilience, and emotional well-being in both individuals and aspiring professionals. She is also a member of the American Counseling Association and National Certified Counselor. Dr. Adekemi's research interests include international students' mental health and help seeking decision, social justice and advocacy, counselor cultural responsiveness, migrants and trauma, and cultural identity. She has worked with diverse students in different capacities as well as counseling clients. With expertise in clinical practice and teaching, I guide students and clients alike toward a deeper understanding of the human experience, promoting effective therapeutic techniques and ethical standards. As an educator and counselor, my work is grounded in constructivist pedagogy, client-centered, culturally responsive approach, and I am committed to advancing the field through ongoing research, advocacy, and the cultivation of compassionate, competent counselors. Whether in the classroom or clinical setting, I strive to create environments where individuals can explore, heal, and thrive. She continues to be aware of the role culture plays in individual life and experiences.
    Sessions
    • ED026 : Integrating Domestic Immersion into Multicultural Classroom: A Pedagogical Approach Fostering Cultural Sensitivity and Social Inclusion
  • Anna Elliott, PhD, LCMHC
    Dr. Anna Elliott's teaching and supervision is grounded in a social constructivist philosophy where collaboration and empowerment are central. Her coursework as an instructor has included intersectionality, family theories, rural counseling, diagnosis, trauma, and clinical lab courses. As an active mental health clinician, she specializes in working with families, adolescents, and trauma recovery from a relational-cultural psychodynamic approach. Dr. Elliott's research and scholarship centers around enhancing counselor development and improving and increasing mental health access. On a micro level, this involves exploring what factors enhance counselor-in-training development. On a macro level, her grant activity and research focus on how to systemically address mental health needs in rural communities.
    Sessions
    • ED036 : Stages of Becoming: Conceptualization and strategies for attending to counseling students' identity development.
    • ED079 : But How Do I Actually Do This? The Power of Purposeful Roleplay and Reflection in Counselor Training
    • ED083 : Finding Flow and Letting Go: Relinquishing Anxiety and Perfectionism through Improv
  • Katey T. Franklin, PhD, LSC, LCPC
    Dr. Franklin is an Asst. Professor in the Counseling Department at Montana State University, and has been a counselor in Montana for 20 years. She is the School Counseling Program Leader, the Director of the Center for Mental Health Research & Recovery, and School Liaison for the Rural Mental Health Preparation/Pathway Program. In both her research and service, Dr. Franklin is committed to understanding and supporting the unique mental and behavioral needs of rural school communities and Montana kids.
    Sessions
    • ED001 : "Don't I Know You?" Navigating Rural Ethics in School Counseling
  • Sandra Gavin, PhD, LPC, NCC, ACS
    Sandra Gavin, PhD, LPC, NCC, ACS, is an Associate Professor of Counselor Education at Adams State University. A Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, and Approved Clinical Supervisor, she teaches graduate courses in both the MA and PhD programs, including topics related to social justice and identity development in advocacy. Sandra’s research centers on enhancing counselors-in-training’s self-efficacy and competence in working with LGBTQIA+ populations and exploring the role of mentorship in counselor development. In addition to her academic role, she maintains a private practice serving diverse clients and clinical needs. She also serves on the Editorial Review Board for the Journal of LGBTQ Issues in Counseling and as the Trustee of Membership for the Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities.
    Sessions
    • ED085 : Meaning in Action: Fostering a Professional Counselor Identity Through Leadership and Advocacy
  • Aundrea Gee, MEd, CRC
    Aundrea L. Gee, MEd., CRC, is an Assistant Professor at Montana State University Billings and a Doctoral Candidate at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. She earned her master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Kent State. Her research interests include TBI acquired by adults during the mid-career stage of life, TBI and co-occurring mental health disorders, and disability advocacy.
    Sessions
    • ED002 : As Many Chances as It Takes: Mental Health, Stigma, and Incarceration
  • Kristine R. Gonzalez, PhD, LPC, BC-TMH
    Dr. Kristine R. Gonzalez is an Assistant Professor of Counseling for the Master of Arts in Counseling Program at Western New Mexico University. She received her PhD in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in May 2023. Dr. Gonzalez also has her own private practice and provides counseling to a diverse population of individuals as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas.
    Sessions
    • ED045 : Training Counselors for Rural and Underserved Communities via Telehealth
  • Jessica Gonzalez-Voller, PhD, LPC, NCC
    Jessica Gonzalez-Voller holds a Ph.D in education with an emphasis in counselor education from the University of Central Florida, and a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Gonzalez-Voller is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Nationally Certified Counselor who specializes in working with adults in outpatient/inpatient counseling settings, as well as working with family caregivers and persons with health disparities. Dr. Gonzalez-Voller has been an associate professor in the Counseling and Career Development master's degree program at CSU since 2015, and is Affiliate Faculty in the Colorado School of Public Health. She is currently the coordinator of the program's Clinical Mental Health Counseling specialization. Some areas of research interest include pyschosocial interventions for people with health disparities and underserved populations, client outcomes in counseling settings, and multicultural issues in counseling. Some held leadership positions include past president of the Florida Counseling Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development, and ad-hoc reviewer of referred journal
    Sessions
    • ED009 : Beyond the Clinic Room: Diverse Pathways for Earning Direct Client Contact Hours in Master’s‑Level Counselor Education
  • Misti Gossett-Thrower, PhD, LSC
    Dr. Gossett-Thrower (Dr. GT) is an assistant professor with Colorado Christian University. She is a Licensed School Counselor in Colorado, with over 20 years of experience as a school counselor. Dr. GT was a first-generation college student, which ignited her passion to serve primarily in schools with high populations of first-generation, low-income Latino students. With school counseling teams fueled by a growth mindset, Dr. GT was honored to witness first-generation students earn acceptance into highly selective institutions and earn millions of dollars in scholarships. Dr. GT also served as a site supervisor for practicum and internship students in middle and high school counseling programs. Her professional interests include equity and access for marginalized and first-generation students, school counseling program development, school counselor professional identity, and focused supervision of school counselors. She is excited to share her passion and knowledge with future school and clinical mental health counselors. Dr. GT resides near the beautiful Rocky Mountains with her husband and two dogs.
    Sessions
    • ED030 : Preparing Clinical Mental Health Counselor Educators to Ethically Teach and Supervise School Counselors in Training
    • ED067 : Evaluating Supervision Effectiveness in Counselor Education: Ethical, Practical, and Data-Informed Models for Faculty and Supervisors
  • Tiffany Gunnells, PhD, LPC, LAC
    Tiffany Gunnells, PhD, LPC, LAC is a licensed professional counselor and licensed addictions counselor with more than 20 years of experience in the behavioral health field. She is the Associate Director of Training and Internships at Divine Mercy University. After graduating from Ohio University’s Counselor Education and Supervision program, she spent many years in direct practice, program leadership, and clinical supervision before returning to counselor education. She enjoys the honor of guiding emerging counselors as they grow in confidence, skill, and professional identity. She stays grounded in the heart of the profession as a part-time counselor.
    Sessions
    • RT013 : The Training Playground: Using Humor and Playfulness in Counselor Andragogy and Supervision
  • Spencer Heindel, LPC, NCC
    Spencer Heindel, LPC, NCC is a doctoral student in Counselor Education & Counseling at Idaho State University. His clinical and scholarly work focuses on animal-assisted services, child and adolescent counseling, and men’s mental health. Spencer is actively involved in the Research on Anthrozoological Relationships (ROAR) Laboratory and is committed to advancing ethical, evidence-based practices in human-animal interaction and counseling. Spencer is a doctoral student specializing in animal-assisted services and clinical mental health counseling. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor with clinical experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in community mental health and university counseling settings. His research interests include animal-assisted therapy standards, animal-assisted play therapy, men’s mental health, and child and adolescent counseling. The presenter is actively involved in the Research on Anthrozoological Relationships (ROAR) Laboratory at Idaho State University, where he serves as Assistant Co-Director and as a mentor to developing professionals and researchers. He has contributed to multiple scholarly poster presentations at the international, regional, and state levels and is engaged in advocacy efforts related to ethical counseling practice and human-animal interaction.
    Sessions
    • PO014 : Educating Through Uncertainty: Preparing Counseling Students for Professional Identity Development Amid Legislative and Funding Instability
  • Christine Herzog, PhD, LPCC, NCC
    Dr. Christine Herzog is a nationally certified counselor through NBCC, a board-certified supervisor (AZ, MN, NM), a licensed professional clinical counselor, and an Assistant Professor of Counseling at NMHU. She has over 10 years of experience providing counseling to a variety of populations and 8 years of experience as a clinical supervisor. Dr. Herzog is a Certified Perinatal Mental Health Therapist and has completed training in Child Parent Psychotherapy. Her recent presentations include the 2025 ACA Supervision in Counseling Virtual Summit, providing two virtual trainings for NMMHCA, and co-presenting at the AMCHA 2025 annual conference. Christine currently serves as President of New Mexico's Mental Health Counseling Association.
    Sessions
    • PO022 : Voiceless No More: A Phenomenological Inquiry into the Lived Trauma Experiences of Adolescent Mothers in New Mexico
  • Carlos Hipolito-Delgado, Ph.D.
    Carlos Hipolito-Delgado is a Professor of Counseling at the University of Colorado Denver. His research focuses on the cultural competence of counseling students and the sociopolitical development of youth of color. He received his doctorate in counselor education from the University of Maryland College Park.
    Sessions
    • RT009 : Cultural Immersion: Competence at What Cost?
  • Marty Holin, PhD
    Marty Holin, PhD is a professor at Montana State University Billings with research interests including existentialism, relaxation and mindfulness, sound bath, PTSD, and LGBTQ+. Dr. Holin has a practice specializing in LGBTQ+, autism spectrum disorder, couples, and addictions counseling.
    Sessions
    • ED059 : The Impact of Sound Baths: A Mixed-Methods Study on Stress Regulation, Trauma Response, and Relaxation
  • Vasti Holstun, PhD, LPC, NCC, NCSC, ACS
    Dr. Vasti Holstun is an associate professor at Liberty University, a CACREP accredited counseling program. She is also the Past President of the Colorado Counseling Association. Prior to becoming a counselor educator, Dr. Holstun was a school counselor for 16 years. She is also a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice, where she continues to provide counseling to children, adolescents, and adults. Dr. Holstun publishes and presents at state and national conferences on the following topics: burnout, compassion satisfaction, and self-care for counselor educators, integrating spirituality in counseling, mental health in schools, and counseling supervision. She is an associate editor for the Journal of Humanistic Counseling.
    Sessions
    • ED058 : The Ethics of Knowing: Rethinking Epistemology, Positionality, and Equity in Counseling Research
    • ED071 : Role Drift and Reflective Practice: Using the Discrimination Model to Navigate Value Conflict in Supervision
  • Renee Howells, PhD, LPC, NCC
    Dr. Renée Howells (she/her) is an associate professor at Idaho State University. Her primary research interests center on topics of advocacy, accessibility, and working interdisciplinarily in mental health and higher education. She is particularly passionate about disability inclusion and cultural representation, with a focus on working with Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing communities. Her scholarship and clinical expertise surround the phenomenon of grief, loss, and trauma intervention throughout the lifespan.
    Sessions
    • ED007 : Artificial Intelligence in Practicum: Counseling Students’ Experiences in Clinical Fieldwork
    • ED051 : Big Data! Mental Health Research Outcomes using All of Us research data
  • Chris Hull, PhD, LPC (AR), NCC, ACS, CCTP
    Dr. Chris Hull is currently a Professor of Counselor Education and Family Studies at Liberty University (VA) and has held full-time counseling faculty and organizational/administrative leadership positions at John Brown University (AR), Denver Seminary (CO), Grace College (IN), and Argosy University (FL). He served on the Board of Directors for CACREP, including two years at the CACREP Board Chair, and is currently a CACREP Site Visit Team member. Dr. Hull has been active in leadership roles within ACES and ASERVIC as well as within his own community where he presently serves as Board Member for the Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Northwest Arkansas (SPSFNWA). He is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Arkansas and has held licensure as a professional counselor in the United States (US) since 2003. He is also a National Certified Counselor (NCC), Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS), and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP). Dr. Hull has specialized clinical training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Gottman Method Couples Therapy (Level 2), Interpersonal Neurobiology and Attachment, and treating addictions. He continues to research, write, and speak on topics related to spiritual competencies in counseling and supervision, counselor development and disposition, spiritual abuse and religious trauma, and emotionally healthy masculinity.
    Sessions
    • RT014 : Voices from the ACES Leadership Academy: Supporting emerging organizational and administrative leaders through group mentorship
  • Jeongwoon Jeong, Ph.D., LMHC (NM), NCC
    Jeongwoon Jeong is an Assistant Professor of Counselor Education in the Department of Individual, Family, and Community Education at The University of New Mexico. He received a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision and an M.A. in Educational Measurement and Statistics from The University of Iowa. He mostly worked with client populations who have depression, anxiety, and personality disorders in a variety of settings including a local mental health agency, a rehabilitation center, and an alternative high school. His scholarly work mainly focuses on addiction and mental health needs among underserved populations, multicultural and social justice counseling and counselor education, and counselor education pedagogy. He is serving as an editorial board member of the International Journal for the Advancement of Counseling and Counseling and the peer review board of the Journal of International Students.
    Sessions
    • ED053 : Delphi Method Research in Counseling and Counselor Education Field
    • ED037 : Supporting Doctoral Students in Building Research Agendas in Counselor Education
  • Veronica Johnson, EdD, LCPC, NCC
    Veronica Johnson (Roni) is a professor and chair of the Department of Counseling at the University of Montana, and a licensed clinical professional counselor. She has been a counselor educator for over 15 years. Roni's clinical experiences include group home work, college counseling, adult mental health, and couples counseling. Her teaching and research interests include clinical supervision and supervision training, development and maintenance of intimate relationships, professional ethics, and forgiveness in intimate relationships.
    Sessions
    • RT005 : A Decade of Data: Incorporating Intimate Relationship Education into Counselor Training
  • Sonah Kho, MS, NCC, PPC
    Sonah Kho is a doctoral candidate at the University of Wyoming and holds National Certified Counselor and Provisional Professional Counselor credentials. Identifying as an international counselor from an Asian background, she is dedicated to enhancing multicultural competency, advocating for minority graduate students, and supporting international students in counselor education programs through scholarly and conference activities.
    Sessions
    • PO004 : Lived Experiences of First-Generation BIPOC Counseling Students: An IPA Study
  • Alicia Kientz
    Alicia Kientz is a compassionate Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas. Her own love for learning— currently pursuing a PhD in Counseling Education and Supervision—fuels her passion for offering effective and compassionate care. When she's not in the office, you might find her reading a thriller, paddle boarding, or enjoying a competitive game night with friends. These parts of her life remind her of the importance of balance, creativity, and connection—values she brings into every part of her life.
    Sessions
    • LT003 : Scandinavian Self-Care: Implementing Hygge in the Lives of Counselors
  • Taewon Kim, Ph.D.
    Taewon Kim is a third-year Assistant Professor in the M.Ed. in School Counseling Program at the Department of Psychology at Utah State University. He completed his Master's degree in Educational Counseling at Seoul National University and has over three years of experience as a military counseling officer and supervisor in the Air Force. His research interests focus on multicultural counseling, school bullying, relationship factors and methodologies in counseling research. His dissertation was titled Counselors’ Collectivism/Individualism and Working Alliance: The Role of Self-Differentiation and Countertransference. He is an active member of professional organizations including the American School Counseling Association (ASCA), American Counseling Association (ACA), Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (AMCD), the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES), the Korean Counseling Association (KCA), and the Korean Counseling Psychological Association (KCPA).
    Sessions
    • ED024 : How Empathic School Professionals Become the Attachment Figures Students Never Had
    • ED042 : The Context Code: Unlocking Hidden Stories in Your School Data
    • ED077 : Who Gets Referred and Who Gets Missed? : Rethinking How School Counselors Identify Students for Targeted Support
  • Gena Lawson, MA, LPCC, NCC
    • Gena Lawson is a Doctoral Student in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of New Mexico and a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. Her research interests include trauma-informed care, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) applications in counselor education and supervision, and the impact of trauma on educational processes. With 13 years of teaching experience in secondary education, Gena currently serves as a graduate teaching assistant at UNM, where she is the instructor of record for Introduction to Human Services. As a clinical therapist specializing in working with adolescents and mandated clients, she has been pursuing Linehan certification and is a board-certified clinical supervisor at her agency in Albuquerque, NM. Gena is an active member of the American Counseling Association (ACA), Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES), and New Mexico Counseling Association (NMCA).
    Sessions
    • PO001 : Building Bridges, Not Walls: A Trauma-Informed Approach to Equitable Gatekeeping in Counselor Education
    • RT020 : When Clients Don’t Choose to Come: Supervision for Mandated Populations
  • Nancy Lee, MA, LPC, NCC, ACS, DipCFT
    Nancy is a doctoral candidate and adjunct instructor at Adams State University. She is also an adjunct instructor at Naropa University and a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice. Her clinical specialization is the treatment of anxiety, stress, and trauma. Her clinical approach integrates third-wave cognitive-behavioral therapies, contemplative psychology, and multicultural frameworks. She has a master's degree in counseling psychology from the University of Denver, a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Chicago, a diploma in Compassion Focused Therapy from the United Kingdom, and compassion certifications from Stanford University and the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion. Her clinical, academic, and community work reflect her values of compassion and cultural humility. Nancy is a frequent presenter, published author, and recipient of the 2024 National Board for Certified Counselors Minority Doctoral Fellowship.
    Sessions
    • ED096 : The AI-Augmented Dissertation: Leveraging LLM Technology in Counselor Education Doctoral Research
  • Shannon Lollar, PhD, LCPC, LPC, Certified CCPT-S, NCC
    Dr. Shannon Lollar is an assistant professor at the University of Montana. She teaches across the CACREP core, but really enjoys teaching counseling theories, and multicultural counseling. She has been practicing clinically for over 10 years, is EMDR trained, and works across the lifespan specializing in individuals who have experienced sexual trauma, first responders, and is a certified child-centered play therapist-supervisor, and is trained in child parent relationship therapy, and works with both children and families with their varying needs. Dr. Lollar also provides supervision for folks seeking CCPT certification as well as provisionally licensed counselors.
    Sessions
    • ED086 : Playing to Learn: Integrating Play Therapy Techniques into Counselor Education
  • Beth Loudon, M.Ed, LCPC, LMHC, NCC
    Beth Loudon is a doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Montana. She is a licensed clinical professional counselor in Montana and a licensed mental health counselor in Washington. Beth owns a private practice where she works with individuals experiencing OCD, anxiety, and relational trauma. Her research focuses on accurate diagnosis, as well as the integration of psychoeducation and relational education into educational settings to promote mental wellness.
    Sessions
    • ED019 : Gatekeeping in Virtual Spaces: Responsibilities of Internship Supervisors in Online Programs
    • RT005 : A Decade of Data: Incorporating Intimate Relationship Education into Counselor Training
  • Micheal Lovato, MA, LMHC, NCC, CMCC
    Michael Lovato, MA, LMHC, NCC, CMCC, is a Doctoral Candidate in Counselor Education at the University of New Mexico (UNM). He brings over 7 years of higher education experience, including veterans' affairs coordination, student success services, and crisis intervention specialist serving survivors of sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and hate crimes on campus. Michael currently works part-time as a Mental Health Counselor at Engage & Ignite Counseling and serves as a Graduate Assistant & Teaching Assistant at UNM. As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, he brings both lived experience and professional expertise to his advocacy and clinical work. He also currently serves as a Subject Matter Expert Reviewer for the American Counseling Association (ACA), and his research focuses on multicultural counselor education, supervision influence on professional counselor identity development, LGBTQIA+ BIPOC issues in counseling, and LGBTQIA+ military/veteran mental health issues.
    Sessions
    • PO001 : Building Bridges, Not Walls: A Trauma-Informed Approach to Equitable Gatekeeping in Counselor Education
  • Michele M. Mahr, PhD, CRC
    Dr. Michele Mahr is an assistant professor of Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling at Texas Tech University, Health Sciences Center. Her research interests include health promotion, addiction, substance use, and positive psychology. Dr. Mahr has published 3 counselor educator textbooks and has over 20 peer-reviewed publications within the counseling profession. She is currently a principal investigator for a research study on Earthing and is a Co-principal investigator on 3 other research projects at Texas Tech University, Health Sciences Center.
    Sessions
    • ED012 : Expansion and Knowledge: Evolving Attitudes Towards Therapeutic Psychedelics
    • RT010 : Exploring the Counseling Relationship: The Benefits of Earthing
    • RT022 : Beyond the Module: Core Competencies in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Training for Counselors.
  • Ashley Martin-Cuellar, Ph.D., LMFT
    Dr. Ashley Martin-Cuellar is a Senior Lecturer in the Family and Child Studies Program at the University of New Mexico, where she also serves as Clinical Director of the Manzanita Counseling Center and Program Coordinator for the Counselor Education Program. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 15 years of experience and is an AAMFT Approved Supervisor. Dr. Martin-Cuellar’s clinical work centers on cultivating relational, systems-based training environments for counselors-in-training. Her leadership integrates clinical practice, supervision, and program development to support both student growth and client care within the counselor education program and our university training clinic.
    Sessions
    • ED006 : A Self-Deterministic, Relational Cultural Approach to Practicum Training
  • Andrea McGrath, PhD, LPC, LAC, LIMHP
    Andrea McGrath, PhD, LPC, LIMHP, LAC is an Assistant Professor of Counseling at Doane University. She holds licenses for mental health and addictions counseling practice in Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska. Her focus of clinical practice is primarily with adults with co-occurring mental health and substance use concerns. Her research interests includes counselors/trainees in recovery from substance use, clinical supervision, and ethical practice in both substance use and mental health settings. She currently serves on the board of the Wyoming Counseling Association, Nebraska Counseling Association, and Rocky Mountain Association for Counselor Education and Supervision.
    Sessions
    • RT003 : Paranormal Activity: Exploring Pathology and Integration of Anomalous Experiences
  • Hana Meshesha, PhD, LPC, LAC, NCC
    Dr. Hana Meshesha is a faculty member in the Department of Counseling at Idaho State University. She earned her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Montana in 2023. Dr. Meshesha has extensive experience working with college students and individuals with substance use disorders, and previously served nearly a decade as a faculty member at the University of Gondar in Ethiopia, where she trained and supervised future mental health professionals. Her research interests include trauma, forgiveness, disability, clinical supervision, and international counseling. She currently serves as the Chapter Faculty Advisor for ISU’s Chi Sigma Iota chapter, Phi Omicron Chi.
    Sessions
    • ED007 : Artificial Intelligence in Practicum: Counseling Students’ Experiences in Clinical Fieldwork
    • ED051 : Big Data! Mental Health Research Outcomes using All of Us research data
  • Michael Morgan, Ph.D., LMFT
    Dr. Michael Morgan received his PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy from Purdue University in 2002. He has taught at the University of Wyoming's CACREP accredited MS and Ph.D. program from 2003 until 2025. Since 2025 he has been a core faculty at Saybrook University's CACREP accredited MS and Ph.D. program. He has a post-graduate certificate in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health from the University of Massachusetts, Boston and is level one certified in the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics from the Child Trauma Academy. His clinical experience includes both school counseling and clinical mental health work. He specializes in couples counseling and trauma-informed counseling. He received his LMFT in 1999 and has maintained a private practice since that time. He has published and presented both nationally and internationally on clinical supervision, trauma informed counseling, early childhood mental health, play therapy, and on critical role of empathy in counseling.
    Sessions
    • ED008 : Beyond Crisis Management in Suicide Prevention: Approaching Mobius Care through proactive Wellbeing Support in Client Safety-Planning
    • ED049 : Where Am I? Social Location as a key component in Counselor Cultural Identity and Culturally Affirming Counseling
  • Jennifer Murdock Bishop, PhD, LPC, NCC, ACS
    Jennifer Murdock Bishop is a professor and doctoral program coordinator at the University of Northern Colorado in Applied Psychology and Counselor Education. She is a 2007 graduate of the University of Wyoming with a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and received her MA in Counseling and BA in Housing, Fashion and Interior Design from Chadron State College. Her research interests include community engaged scholarship with graduate students, career transitions and college students, online learning, and the use of creative instructional strategies in counselor training. Recent publications include understanding the impact of career values on career satisfaction: Utilizing card sorts in career counseling in the Career Planning and Adult Development Journal and Collegiate athletes and career identity in Sport, Education & Society. Jennifer has earned 11 internal grants and two external grants to support her research. In the state of Colorado, Dr. Murdock is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Special Services Provider-School Counselor and nationally she is a National Certified Counselor, an Approved Clinical Supervisor, and a Certified Career Services Provider.
    Sessions
    • ED005 : A Career Readiness Rubric to Measure Counselor Dispositions
  • Kirsten Murray, Ph.D.
    The presenter is a Counselor Educator (19 years) and Counselor (25 years), currently serving as a Professor within the region. Scholarly interests include: establishing accessible counseling services for underserved populations, couple and family counseling, rural counseling practice, clinical supervision, qualitative research methodologies, and integration of the arts into counseling and teaching. She has published one book, multiple book chapters and papers, given many presentations, and received over 13 million in external grant funding.
    Sessions
    • ED069 : Poetry for Meaningful Learning
    • ED054 : Establishing a Counseling Clinic for Local Educators: Research Outcomes
  • Sojeong Nam, Ph.D., LMHC (NM), NCC
    Sojeong Nam, Ph.D., LMHC (NM), NCC, is an Assistant Professor of Counselor Education at The University of New Mexico. She earned her doctoral degree in Counselor Education and Supervision from The University of Iowa. Her research focuses on mental health disparities, with an emphasis on suicidality, mental health literacy, stigma, and help-seeking behaviors, particularly among underserved and underrepresented populations. Sojeong currently serves on the editorial boards of the Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development and the International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling.
    Sessions
    • ED037 : Supporting Doctoral Students in Building Research Agendas in Counselor Education
  • Tiffany Nielson, PhD, LPC, NCC
    Tiffany Nielson has a master’s degree in Marital, Couple and Family Counseling and a PhD in Counselor Education and Counseling from Idaho State University. She is licensed as a professional counselor in Illinois and Idaho and currently works as a telehealth counselor for the Counseling Center at Tree City. She is an associate professor at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. Prior to joining RMU, she taught for over 10 years as an associate professor and chair of the Department of Counseling and Social Work at the University of Illinois Springfield.
    Sessions
    • ED070 : Promoting Resilience Through Enhancing Supervisee Spiritual Development
  • Joshua Noe, MS, LPC, PEL-SC
    Joshua Noe, MS, LPC (IL & ID), PEL-SC (IL) is a first-year doctoral student at Idaho State University. His specialty practice area is school counseling where he is passionate about advocating for students, practicing school counselors, and school counseling students.
    Sessions
    • PO002 : Innovative and Playful Career Counseling Course Design
  • Kimberly Parrow, PhD, LCPC
    Kimberly Parrow, PhD, LCPC is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Center for Advancement of Positive Education (CAPE) and the Department of Counseling at the University of Montana. Grounded in the principles of positive education, Kim believes in the transformative power of cultivating positive skills and strengths to build resilience against life’s most challenging circumstances. She integrates evidence-based positive interventions with traditional therapeutic approaches to foster human flourishing and post-traumatic growth. Kim authored a comprehensive textbook for clinical mental health counseling that guides faculty, supervisors, and students in the practical application of an evidence-based relationship factors (EBRFs) model of care. She co-authored “Intimate Relationships,” an edited textbook designed for those seeking to understand and cultivate healthy relationships. Her clinical expertise is supported by her credentials as a certified clinical trauma professional, EMDR-trained clinician, and level 2 Gottman Method couples therapist. Kim earned her doctorate from the Department of Counseling, where she served as the distinguished Moser-McKinney Fellow of the Phyllis J. Washington College of Education & Human Services. She holds a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling, a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and a minor in human and family development. Her research, professional writing, presentations, and clinical work lie at the heart of human interaction, “The Relationship”. Through her commitment to positive education principles, Kim emphasizes the cultivation of character strengths, meaning-making, and collabRelative communication as essential components of relationship development and comprehensive mental health care.
    Sessions
    • ED034 : Rooted in Wisdom, Relevant Across Theories: Teaching Strengths-Based Practice as a Pan-Theoretical Tool in Counselor Education and Supervision
    • PO006 : Rivers of Wisdom: The Confluence Model for Tracing Positive Counseling Interventions to their Ancient Roots
  • Ashley A. Pechek, Ph.D., LPC, NCC, ACS
    Dr. Ashley Ascherl Pechek is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Colorado and has over 18 years of counseling experience. She is a National Board-Certified Counselor (NCC) and an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS). Her areas of expertise are working with at-risk youth and military families. Dr. Pechek earned her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision in 2018, and she is currently an Associate Professor at the Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, Lock Haven. In addition, she has taught in online CACREP-accredited programs for over a decade.
    Sessions
    • ED073 : Supervising in the Digital Age: Ethical Roadmaps for Telemental Health Training and Preparation
  • Jackie Peila-Shuster, PhD, LPC, NCC
    Jacqueline (Jackie) J. Peila-Shuster, Ph.D., LPC, NCC is an Associate Professor in the Counseling and Career Development graduate program at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado, USA. She has a Ph.D. with an emphasis in Counselor Education, an M.Ed. specializing in Counseling and Career Development, and a B.S. in Occupational Therapy. Jackie teaches courses in career development, career counseling, counseling skills, and counseling ethics; supervises counseling internship; and serves as the program chair as well as the career counseling specialization coordinator. She also serves as the co-chair of the Counselor Educator Academy for the National Career Development Association. Her areas of teaching and research interest include career counseling and development across the lifespan, counselor education, career construction, and life design.
    Sessions
    • ED080 : Deconstructing Dominant Discourses Using Career Construction Theory and Practice
  • Brian Powers
    Brian Powers is a doctoral candidate in Counselor Education and Supervision at Adams State University and a licensed school counselor in Colorado. He brings more than twenty years of experience as an educator, counselor, and facilitator of social‑emotional learning programs. His teaching and counseling work in K-12 and counselor education programs have shaped his interest in effective instructional practices that support belonging. Brian’s research focuses on how counselor educators promote a sense of belonging in asynchronous learning environments. He is committed to advancing inclusive, connection‑centered practices in counselor preparation.
    Sessions
    • ED092 : Teach Your Students Well: Fostering Belonging in Asynchronous Counselor Education
  • Lauren Prior
    Lauren has been working as a professional counselor for the last 15 years and comes with a wealth of knowledge and varying experiences in the counseling field. She has worked in many different settings, from inpatient addiction treatment, outpatient recreational therapy, community mental health clinics, and her own private practice that she still runs in Northern Colorado. She specializes in trauma and is trained in EMDR. She is also certified in PCIT and has a lot of experience with kids and family. She is now pursuing a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision and hopes to train up the next generation of counselors to do what she has been passionate about for many years.
    Sessions
    • ED010 : Do Counselors Feel Adequately Prepared to Handle Trauma Clients Upon Finishing Their Master's Programs? A Presentation of Research Findings.
    • RT016 : Advocating for Models of Supervision to Be Taught at the Master’s Level in a CACREP-accredited CMHC Program
  • Erika Provencio
    Erika Provencio, LPC is currently a doctoral student within the Counselor Education and Supervision program at the University of Cincinnati. Erika’s clinical work primarily focuses on substance use counseling for diverse clientele and has experience in working with children and adolescence. She has an interest in both art and play therapy. Through her clinical work, she has an interest in furthering research within the substance use field and counseling professional development. She has an extensive history in sports and has an interest in researching issues within sports and advocating for and with athletes at all competitive levels.
    Sessions
    • ED076 : The Apparatus of Supervision: Preparing Master’s Counseling Students as Active Leaders and Advocates
  • Xiaoxuan Qu, PhD, NCC
    Xiaoxuan Qu, PhD, NCC is an assistant professor in counselor education at the University of New Mexico. Dr. Qu's research revolves around counselor education, training, and andragogy. In particular, Dr. Qu studies the phenomena of constructing and developing professional identity and theoretical orientation to counseling and psychotherapy among practitioners and practitioners-in-training. She also explores the mechanics of training practitioners through creative andragogy and inclusive education.
    Sessions
    • ED060 : The scholarship of teaching and learning counseling theories: An interpretative phenomenological analysis
  • Meg Radunich
    Meg Radunich is a Clinical Mental Health Counselor and a doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision at Waynesburg University. She currently serves as an adjunct instructor at Utah Valley University, teaching master’s-level counselors in training. Meg brings over 12 years of experience in higher education career services, including director level roles at New York University’s Career Center and Boston University’s Career Center. Her research interests focus on how counseling programs prepare master’s-level clinicians for the job market, the role of career readiness within clinical supervision, and the extent to which counseling students feel informed about and prepared for career pathways beyond traditional clinical counseling roles. As a practicing mental health counselor, Meg specializes in career satisfaction and maintains a small clinical caseload of approximately 10 clients per week. She also integrates wellness-based perspectives into her work and is a registered yoga teacher.
    Sessions
    • PO003 : Licensure Is Not Enough: Examining Career Preparation in CACREP Counseling Programs
  • Cal Reynolds
    Cal Reynolds is a Lecturer II and Coordinator of the Basics in Addictions Counseling Concentration at the University of New Mexico. He also is pursuing his PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision at UNM. He is independently licensed in Oregon and New Mexico and a Board Registered Supervisor in Oregon.
    Sessions
    • RT018 : High Strung to High Performing: Supervising Early Stage Counselors-in-Training
  • Laura Rivas, LPC
    Laura is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Colorado. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Northern Colorado with emphasis areas in Couples & Family Therapy and Play Therapy.
    Sessions
    • ED065 : Enhancing Supervision Practices: Implementing the Counselor Competency Scale-Revised to Standardize the Assessment of Counselors-in-Training While Upholding Supervision Best Practices
  • Kenneth Roach, EdD, LCMHC
    Ken Roach is a Counselor Educator with more than 26 years of experience in the practice of clinical mental health counseling, and more than 22 years as full- and part-time faculty at three different universities. Dr. Roach’s education duties have involved program administration, curriculum development, and instruction and supervision of clinical mental health counseling graduate students. Clinical practice has included individual, family, and group counseling with adolescents and adults experiencing a variety of psychiatric disorders in a range of settings (private practice, community mental health, intensive in-home services, and in-patient psychiatry); populations have included ethnic minority and underserved families, adult and adolescent survivors of sexual violence, LGBTQ+ adults and adolescents, and individuals in faith/religion transitions. Professional service experience has included contributions to local, regional, and national organizations and boards, as well as expert witness testimony in criminal cases involving sexual violence.
    Sessions
    • PO008 : The Counselor's Quest: A Guide to Navigating Master's Counseling Programs
    • RT008 : Challenging Rape Myths in Counselor Education Programs
  • Ashley Roberts, PhD, LPC
    Counselor Educator and Director of Clinical Training for CMHC Program at North Park University
    Sessions
    • RT024 : Turning Tension into Connection: An RCT Approach to Counselor Trainee Dispositions
  • Monique Rodriguez, PhD
    Monique N. Rodríguez, Ph.D., LPCC, is an Assistant Professor of Counselor Education at the University of New Mexico. Her scholarship focuses on embodied self-awareness, interoception, counselor development, and experiential pedagogy. She directs the SANAR Lab, where she leads research on somatic approaches to counselor training, including the development of the SOMA Program (Somatic Orientation & Mindful Attunement) and the Counselor Embodied Self-Awareness Scale (CESAS). Dr. Rodríguez’s work integrates phenomenology, interoception, and relational field perspectives to advance counselor leadership and advocacy. She has presented nationally on embodied practice, self-awareness development, and experiential learning in counselor education. She currently serves as President-Elect of RMACES and is committed to developing embodied and culturally responsive training for the next generation of counselors.
    Sessions
    • ED027 : Naming What’s in the Room: Educator Shame Resilience in Multicultural and Social Justice Teaching
    • PO007 : SOMA Phase I: Developing Embodied Self-Awareness Training for Graduate Counselor Education
  • Kylie B. Rogalla, Ph.D., LPC, LCAC, NCC, BC-TMH
    Dr. Kylie Rogalla has been a Counselor Educator in CACREP-accredited counselor training programs for the past 13 years (2013 - present) and practicing as a licensed counselor for the past 17 years (2009 - present). She received a Ph.D. in Counselor Education & Supervision from the University of Northern Colorado (2015), including two doctoral minors in Higher Education and Student Affairs Leadership (HESAL) and Applied Statistics and Research Methods (ASRM). Dr. Rogalla specializes in intimate partner violence, trauma recovery, and unspoken forms of grief research. Her clinical experiences include crisis shelters for domestic violence survivors, alternative high school settings, and telemental health services for adults experiencing trauma and comorbid substance use concerns. Dr. Rogalla’s professional credentials include Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor (LCAC), National Certified Counselor (NCC), Board Certified Telemental Health (BC-TMH) provider, and she is Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy trained.
    Sessions
    • ED025 : Inclusion of School Counselors in Training (SCITs) within Clinically Dominant CACREP Courses
    • PO010 : The Impact of Therapy Dogs on Counselors-in-Training
  • Leandrea Romero-Lucero
    Leandrea is an Associate Professor for the 100% online CMHC program at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, Lock Haven Campus. Dr. Romero-Lucero has been with the program for 8 years and teaches a variety of courses to include Group counseling and Practicum and Internship. Dr. Romero-Lucero also has almost 20 years of clinical experience, with the last 10 as a clinical supervisor for all levels of counselors. Dr. Romero-Lucero's passion is in training in clinical supervision and educating the next generation of supervisors.
    Sessions
    • ED075 : Supervision in Sync: A Collaborative Approach for Ethical and Supportive Practice
  • Daniel Salois, LCPC, PhD
    Dan Salois, PhD, LCPC, is a faculty member at the University of Montana in the Department of Counseling. He teaches a range of classes including Fundamental Skills, Group Work, Diagnosis, and Counseling Theories. Dan enjoys supervising practicum students and interns as they move towards graduation and licensure. His research focuses wellness in three different areas: college students, educators in Montana, and athletes. He is currently involved in studies focusing on the impact mental health counseling may have for injury prevention in athletes, and burnout and secondary traumatic stress in educators. In his private practice Dan has a focus on working with athletes and student athletes as they navigate unique pressures to promote their mental health and perform in their given arena. He is also the Clinical Supervisor at Tamarack Grief Resource Center where he works with license eligible clinicians and clients.
    Sessions
    • ED054 : Establishing a Counseling Clinic for Local Educators: Research Outcomes
  • Scott Schaefle, Ph.D., LPC, LMFT
    The presenter holds a doctoral degree from a CACREP Counselor Education & Supervision program and holds a full-time faculty position in counselor education and engages in active scholarship in the areas of social justice and multicultural counseling. He is a licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. With over 20 years of experience, the presenter engages in culturally responsive teaching, program administration, research and supervision practices.
    Sessions
    • ED081 : Enhancing Learning Through Group Counseling Theory and Co-Teaching Strategies
    • PO011 : Evaluating a Psychedelic Wellness Training for Counselors: RCT Testing for Gains in Cultural Competence, Counseling Skills, and Evidence-Based Knowledge
  • Sabina Scott, Ph.D., CMHC, LCPC, NCC
    Dr. Sabina Scott is an Assistant Professor in the CACREP-accredited Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Westminster University. She holds a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Montana and brings extensive experience as a clinician, educator, and supervisor. Dr. Scott’s clinical practice has centered on addressing various mental health issues across individual, couples, and family counseling. In her teaching and research, she explores the intersection of gatekeeping, professional competence, cultural humility, and ethical practice. As a foreign-born educator from Kyrgyzstan, she advocates for culturally responsive approaches to counseling and counselor education, emphasizing the need for mental health equity. She has presented at national and international conferences on topics such as professional competence, multicultural considerations in counseling, and mental health advocacy. Dr. Scott is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Utah and Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in Montana, a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), and an active advocate for advancing mental health through teaching, supervision, and advocacy at local, national, and global levels. Her professional memberships include the American Counseling Association (ACA), the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES), Chi Sigma Iota (CSI), and Counselors for Social Justice (CSJ).
    Sessions
    • ED017 : Gatekeeping - It All Starts with the Admissions Process
    • ED084 : From "It Depends" to Defensible Practice: Teaching Ethics Beyond Ambiguity
  • Samuel Seefeld M.S. LPC (WI), ICS(WI)
    Sam Seefeld is an emergency mental health supervisor who leads 24/7 crisis services, including a crisis call line, mobile response, and therapeutic care. He also works directly with incarcerated individuals, providing group and individual mental health therapy. Sam brings extensive experience supporting individuals with severe and persistent mental illness and is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision at Adams State University.
    Sessions
    • LT004 : Artificial Insights
  • Kim Severn, PhD, LPC
    The presenter is a counselor educator, licensed school counselor, and licensed professional counselor with eight years prior experience as a PK–12 school counselor. Her scholarship focuses on suicide prevention and postvention in school settings, school counselor identity, and crisis response systems. She has conducted qualitative research using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and has presented regionally and nationally on suicide prevention, crisis leadership, and counselor preparation. Her work emphasizes culturally responsive training and interdisciplinary collaboration between school counselors and administrators during crisis events. She integrates research, practice, and supervision perspectives to translate findings into actionable recommendations for counselor education programs.
    Sessions
    • PO009 : The Experience of Responding to Student Death by Suicide: High School Principals at the Intersection of Professional Responsibilities and Emotional Response
    • RT001 : A 5-step model for counselors and counselor educators to intervene and address sibling abuse
  • Michelle Kelley Shuler Ph.D, LPC, LCDC, LAC, CPAT
    Dr. Michelle Shuler is an assistant professor of Addiction Counseling at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. She is currently a Certified Psychedelic Assisted Therapist and working toward the Psilocybin Facilitation Licensure in Colorado. Her research focuses on the integration of psychedelic therapy in counselor education and training.
    Sessions
    • RT022 : Beyond the Module: Core Competencies in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Training for Counselors.
  • Julie Silipo, PhD, LSC, NCC
    Julie Silipo is a Clinical Faculty Professor of Counselor Educator at the Adams State University. In addition to being a counselor educator since 2021, Silipo has worked as a high school counselor for 15 years within urban school districts in Colorado. Silipo’s dissertation focused on school counselor professional identity and competency attainment. Her research interests have continued in the area of School Counselor Professional Identity and School Counselor Training. Silipo has served as a site supervisor to multiple school counselors in training and continually seeks to bridge the gaps between training and professional practice.
    Sessions
    • ED039 : Supporting School Counselor-in-Training Theoretical Orientation Development
  • Tiffany Somerville, Ph.D., LPC
    Tiffany Somerville, Ph.D., LPC is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Southern Oregon University. Dr. Somerville received her Ph.D. in Counselor Education from the University of Missouri – St. Louis, and she is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Oregon. She has counseled children, adolescents, adults, families, and groups across a variety of clinical settings. Her primary clinical focus has been serving children and adolescents who have experienced significant abuse and trauma. She is certified in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy and trained in child-centered play therapy. Her research interests include the impacts of technology and social media on interpersonal relationships and child psychological well-being, creative expression in counseling, and analysis of research methodologies used in counseling. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, crafting, and spending time outdoors.
    Sessions
    • ED016 : Game-Based Learning in Counselor Education: Collaborative Strategies to Enhance Skill-Building, Knowledge, and Student Engagement
  • John Sommers-Flanagan, Ph.D., Professor and Director
    John Sommers-Flanagan is a professor of counseling at the University of Montana and author or coauthor of over 100 publications, including nine books and many professional training videos. His books, co-written with his wife Rita, include Clinical Interviewing (7th ed., Wiley, 2024), Tough Kids, Cool Counseling (2nd ed., ACA, 2007), and Suicide Assessment and Treatment Planning: A Strengths-Based Approach (ACA, 2021). He has published articles or commentaries in the New England Journal of Medicine, American Psychologist, Professional Psychology, and the Journal of Counseling and Development. In 2018, he produced a three-part, 7.5-hour suicide assessment and treatment training video for mental health professionals with Psychotherapy.net. John’s current work primarily involves promoting an evidence-informed strengths-based learning model designed to grow student and teacher strengths, skills, resources, and virtues, rather than growing more mental disorders (which we have enough of). In his wild and precious spare time, John loves to run (slowly), dance (poorly), laugh (loudly) and produce home-made family music videos. You can learn more about John and Rita’s latest venture, the Montana Happiness Project, at https://montanahappinessproject.com/
    Sessions
    • ED090 : Strengths Based Suicide Approach in Schools: Advantages and Challenges
    • ED043 : The Future of Counseling is Counseling for Happiness
  • Laura Squires
    I received my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Southeastern Louisiana University in 2005, Bachelor of Science from Louisiana State University in 2011, Master of Science in Counseling in Marriage, Family, and Couples Therapy from Southeastern Louisiana University in 2020, and my PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Holy Cross in 2025. My dissertation examined licensed professional counselors' lived experiences in the diagnostic process, focusing on how gender shapes it. I am a board-certified National Certified Counselor (NCC) by the National Board for Certified Counselors, and I have earned certification as a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional from Evergreen Certifications. I am also certified in Brainspotting. I am also a certified Menopause Mental Health Practioner (MMHPC) through Bria
    Sessions
    • RT023 : Teaching Gender How Gender Impacts the Diagnostic Process
  • Madeleine (Maddy) N. Stevens, PhD, LPCC/LPC, LPAT, ATR-BC
    Dr. Madeleine (Maddy) Stevens is an assistant professor at Adams State University and holds a Ph.D. in counseling and supervision, an MA in Art therapy, and a BA in liberal and studio arts. Dr. Stevens is a licensed clinical mental health counselor in two states and a licensed and nationally board-certified Art Therapist. In all she does, Dr. Stevens brings a creative arts-oriented approach, a humanistic lens, and an interest and commitment to compassion.
    Sessions
    • ED064 : Deepening & Expanding Supervision Perspectives: Strategies for Creative Case Conceptualization
  • Joanna Stowell
    Joanna Stowell is a second-year graduate student at Utah State University, pursuing a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in school counseling. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Brigham Young University and currently works at the elementary school level as a behavior support specialist and teacher’s aide while completing a 100-hour practicum in preparation for a third-year internship and graduation. Prior to her current role and practicum, Joanna supported refugee students in her local school district, serving as a refugee student advocate. She is an active member of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), the Utah School Counselor Association (USCA), and the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES).
    Sessions
    • ED077 : Who Gets Referred and Who Gets Missed? : Rethinking How School Counselors Identify Students for Targeted Support
  • Elizabeth Sump
    Liz Sump, LPC, M.A. is a licensed professional counselor renowned for her diverse skill set and adeptness in implementing various therapeutic modalities across a wide range of populations. With a background in wilderness therapy, Seven Challenges curriculum, and intensive training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) through the Linehan Institute, Liz brings a comprehensive approach to her psychotherapy practice in Hilo, Hawaii. Her experience spans from urban environments with Potomac Pathways Intensive Out Patient program in the greater D.C. metro area to community mental health in the rural community of Questa and Taos New Mexico, providing her with a nuanced understanding of opioid addiction and co-morbidity issues. Her hybrid treatment strategies, blending DBT, mindfulness, life skills, and experiential activities, demonstrate her commitment to addressing diverse needs within counselor education. With a focus on cultural diversity and socio-economic factors, Liz continuously evolves her modalities to offer holistic viewpoints in education. Liz is currently a Ph.D student at Adams State University.
    Sessions
    • ED018 : Gatekeeping and the Hidden Costs: Licensure Structures and the Professional Trajectories of Non-Licensed BIPOC Women Counselors
  • Charisse Tay Mitchell, LPC
    Charisse Tay Mitchell is the Clinical Executive Director of All Saints Recovery in Dallas, Texas. She is a PhD student in Counselor Education and Supervision at Colorado Christian University, with clinical and research interests in developmental trauma, attachment, addiction recovery, and counseling leadership. Her work integrates neurobiology- and trauma-informed care with a relational, faith-centered approach, with a focus on equipping counselors and future supervisors for ethical, practical practice.
    Sessions
    • LT002 : The Hidden Work of Gatekeeping: Emotional Toll and Payoff in Counselor Education
  • Matt Tis, PhD, LPC
    Dr. Matt Tis is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Applied Psychology and Counselor Education at the University of Northern Colorado. He holds a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Colorado. His research interests include improving CES admissions processes, advocacy for LGBTQ+ populations. Dr. Tis also maintains a small private practice in Castle Rock, CO.
    Sessions
    • RT012 : Inclusive Classrooms and Programs: Cultivating Safety and Building Trust in Counselor Education
  • Shantelle Tjaden, PhD, CMHC, C-AAIS
    Shantelle D. Tjaden, PhD, CMHC, C-AAIS, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology and Counseling at Utah Valley University and a licensed clinical mental health counselor in Utah and Idaho. She earned her PhD in Counselor Education and Counseling from Idaho State University. Her clinical and scholarly interests focus on the human-animal bond in counseling, animal-assisted interventions, trauma and crisis work, and the training and supervision of counselors-in-training.
    Sessions
    • ED033 : Research in Action: Integrating Counselors-in-Training into Collaborative Counselor Education Scholarship
  • Sharon Todd, Ph.D., LPCC-S (KY), CSC (KY), RPT™, CT/RTC, NCC
    Dr. Sharon Todd is an energetic counselor educator and Program Director for the Master of Arts in School Counseling at Colorado Christian University. She is a Certified School Counselor (KY), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (KY), board-approved clinical supervisor, Registered Play Therapist, and certified in Choice Theory and Reality Therapy. Dr. Todd has over 20 years of experience working with children and families in public school and private practice settings, specializing in counseling children and adolescents. Her professional interests include play therapy, trauma-informed care, human trafficking prevention and response, and the integration of religious and spiritual practices in counseling, as well as fostering creativity in adult education. She is particularly committed to bridging the gap between play therapy principles and practical, developmentally appropriate applications within the world of school counseling. Dr. Todd is a published author and presenter at international, national, state, and local venues and remains committed to lifelong learning and service through education, clinical practice, and community engagement. Dr. Todd resides in Kentucky with her husband and three daughters. She loves her goats, the color pink, and exploring God's creation around the world with her family.
    Sessions
    • ED040 : Taking School Counseling Case Conceptualization to New Heights
    • ED030 : Preparing Clinical Mental Health Counselor Educators to Ethically Teach and Supervise School Counselors in Training
  • Tammy Tolleson Knee, LCSW, EdS, BC-TMH
    Tammy Tolleson Knee is Clinical Faculty with the Center for the Advancement of Positive Education (CAPE) in the University of Montana’s Phyllis J. Washington College of Education. She holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Denver and an Educational Specialist degree from the University of Montana, and has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 1997. With almost 30 years of experience as an LCSW and 12 years as a Licensed Educator and School Counselor in Montana, Tammy has worked across three states in both educational and community-based settings, supporting the strengths and well-being of young people. She is a Board-Certified Tele-Mental Health Therapist, a certified trainer for the I Love U Guys Foundation’s Standard Response Protocol and Reunification, and a QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Instructor. Outside of work, Tammy enjoys listening to audiobooks while hiking, laughing with friends and family, and playing pranks with coworkers. She firmly believes that even in the midst of challenges, well-being can be cultivated.
    Sessions
    • ED023 : Happiness Through the Tiers: Reimagining MTSS for School Counselor Education
  • Bethany Townsend, PhD, LCPC, NCC
    Bethany has been a counselor educator since 2019, teaches CACREP core classes, has researched the classroom climate created when religion and spirituality are topics of conversation, and routinely discusses spirituality with students.
    Sessions
    • ED093 : The Art of Broaching: Helping Students Explore Religion and Spirituality
  • Samantha Monson Turner, M.Ed., Ed.S., LPC, NCC
    Samantha M. Turner, LPC, LPSC, NCC, is a licensed professional and school counselor based in Greenville, South Carolina, with over ten years of experience in both K–12 school counseling and clinical mental health settings. She practiced as a high school counselor for eight years before transitioning to private practice. Samantha specializes in trauma-informed care and is trained in EMDR and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). Her professional experiences inform her scholarly interests in school counselor burnout, professional identity development, and the ethical integration of spirituality and religion in counselor education. Samantha is currently a doctoral candidate in Counselor Education and Supervision at Adams State University, where she also serves as an adjunct instructor.
    Sessions
    • PO005 : Rethinking School Counselor Preparation: Bridging Training and Systemic Reality
  • Emma Vdoviak Markow
    Emma Vdoviak-Markow (she/her ) is a duel licensed in LPCC, LMFT, and Licensed Clinical Supervisor in California and New Mexico. She completed her Masters of Arts in Clinical Counseling and is continuing her education as a PhD Candidate in Counselor Education at the University of New Mexico. Her research interests include 1) counselor education andragogy; 2) clinical, supervisory, and educator competency, 3) and causes and impact of burnout on counselors, students, supervisees, and clients. She is currently an adjunct instructor at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, and maintains a small clinical caseload on her private practice.
    Sessions
    • ED004 : The Ethics of Safety Planning in a Time of Fear and Mistrust
  • Sunny Volano, LPC, CPCS
    Sunny Volano (she/her) is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor, and doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision at Adams State University. She owns and operates a rural private practice in North Georgia, where she provides trauma-informed counseling, supervision, and continuing education. Her clinical work focuses on trauma, religious coercion, and spiritual harm, and culturally responsive assessment across the lifespan. Her scholarship examines power, coercive control, and the ethical integration of spirituality in counseling practice and training. In counselor education, she integrates trauma-informed, experiential, and culturally sustaining pedagogies that emphasize relational accountability, cultural humility, and ethical decision-making.
    Sessions
    • ED047 : Trauma-Informed Indigenous Practices in Counselor Education: Relational, Cultural, and Decolonizing Approaches
  • Conner Vrba, PhD, LCPC
    My research and scholarship focus on the mental health of student athletes, with particular attention to well-being, resilience, and the identity and transitional challenges athletes face, including performance pressures, injury recovery, and career transitions. As a former Division I football player, I bring firsthand understanding of athletic culture to this work. These pursuits have led to the creation of an Online Athlete Counseling Graduate Certificate at Idaho State University, which will be available in Summer 2027. Clinically, I practice from a trauma-informed lens that recognizes the unique stressors in competitive sport and life, integrating Gestalt and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to support sustainable growth and authenticity.
    Sessions
    • ED020 : Going for Gold: Supporting Mental Health and Performance in Athletes
  • Ron Welch
    Dr. Ron Welch earned the Psy.D. and M.A. degrees in Clinical Psychology from Central Michigan University and has worked in the fields of clinical psychology and counselor education for over 25 years, having been a licensed clinical psychologist since 1997. Dr. Welch recently rejoined the faculty of Colorado Christian University in October of 2024, having previously served on the faculty of CCU from August 2003 through June 2008. During that time, he initially held the role of Assistant/Associate Professor and later became the Chair of the Psychology Department. Dr. Welch transitioned to Denver Seminary in 2008, where he served until 2024. During this time, he served in several roles, including Associate Dean of the Counseling Division, Co-Chair of the Counseling Division, and Professor of Counseling. He had previously also taught at Crichton College. Dr. Welch is the author of 10 Choices Successful Couples Make (Baker/Revell, 2019) and The Controlling Husband (Baker/Revell, 2014). Dr. Welch began his postdoctoral career in the Federal Bureau of Prisons, where he worked for seven years as a clinical psychologist. Since 2004, Dr. Welch has served the local community through offering counseling services. Since 2011, he has owned and operated his own private counseling practice in clinical psychology. , Transformational Marriage, PLLC. (transformational-marriage.com). He specializes in marital and family therapy, as well as individual men’s issues. He is the author of many journal articles and book chapters and has presented numerous papers at professional conferences. His current research and writing focuses on control and power in marital relationships and effective models of marriage. Dr. Welch has been married to his lovely bride, Jan, for over 39 years. Jan is retired, having been a teacher by calling and trade, specializing in children facing unique educational challenges. The couple has two sons, Britton and Brevin, and four grandchildren, all of whom they adore.
    Sessions
    • ED048 : What Do I Want to Be When I Grow Up? (The Opportunities and Challenges of Changing Careers Later in Life)
  • Marisa White PhD, LPC
    Dr. White has a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision. She has a strong counselor identity and has experience in the areas related to counselor education, including teaching, counseling, supervision, research, advocacy, and service to the profession. She is also a licensed professional counselor (LPC-Ohio). She has been teaching since 2006 and has taught a variety of classes at the bachelor, master, and doctorate levels. She also enjoys being a guest speaker and presenting information at local, state, regional, and national conferences. As a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC Ohio), she has worked with diverse populations including people with addiction disorders, clients who have been convicted of sexual offences, and clients with a HIV+ status. She worked primarily in outpatient community mental health serving marginalized client populations. Dr. White’s areas of expertise include counseling ethics, social justice advocacy in the counseling profession, and the use of technology in counseling.
    Sessions
    • ED014 : From Classroom to Courtroom: Training Counselors for Legal Realities
  • Stevie White M.Ed., LPCC, PPC, NBCC
    Stevie White, M.Ed., LPCC, PPC, NCC (They/Them/Theirs) is a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate with a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Montevallo. They are currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Northern Colorado, pursuing a degree in Counselor Education and Supervision, and the Past-President of CO-SAIGE (Colorado Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities). Stevie has cultivated expertise in a variety of therapeutic settings within mental health, and is willing to work with a diverse clients with needs including anxiety, depression, trauma, and grief. They have specialized competencies including LGBTQIA+ support, with a focus on queer identities, open relationship dynamics, sexuality, neurodivergence, and religious trauma. In their role as a Graduate Assistant, Stevie has experience with teaching as instructor of record for 4 years, and has been honored with the title of Lead Instructor for UNC's University 101 program in 2025, and received the Excellence in Teaching award the same year. Stevie has presented for multiple years at national conferences geared toward how to support students in transitioning to college. They have presented multiple times, both regionally and nationally for ACES/RMACES and was in the emerging leadership program in 2022.
    Sessions
    • ED041 : Teaching with Vulnerability: A Humanistic Strategy for Transformative Counselor Education Classrooms
  • Ariel Williams, PhD, LCPC
    Dr. Ariel Williams is an Assistant Professor, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, and Nationally Certified Counselor. She earned her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Montana in 2019. Passionate about teaching novice counselors, Ariel strives to create inclusive, challenging, and inspiring classroom experiences. She believes that strong relationships are at the core of learning, both in the classroom and in the counseling room. Ariel has been providing clinical counseling since 2012 and more recently has pivoted to practicing remotely through a telehealth platform with a holistic model of healing. While she identifies as a generalist and enjoys the diversity of working with all different kinds of people and presenting concerns, Ariel has a particular interest and training in working with people who have experienced trauma. Ariel uses her clinical experiences to inform teaching practices and is committed to staying up-to-date and informed by the most current research literature. Ariel’s research interests relate to the experience and process of counseling supervision, creativity in teaching and counseling, and counselor wellness.
    Sessions
    • ED094 : The End of the Traditional Paper: Building Authentic Assessment in Counselor Education
  • Monique Woodson
    Monique Woodson is a second year doctoral student from Las Vegas, NV. She is passionate about empowering future counselors and advocating for marginalized communities. With a strong background in multicultural counseling, clinical supervision, and behavioral interventions, she is committed to fostering inclusive learning environments that promote student success. Her expertise extends to research on the Strong Black Woman schema, stress, and coping among Black women, as well as the factors influencing Black students' success in counseling programs. As a mentor and leader, she strives to integrate theory into practice, ensuring that students develop the skills and confidence to excel in their careers. Through advocacy, education, and research, she is dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the field of counseling and counselor education.
    Sessions
    • ED068 : Invisible Labor, Visible Stress: Exploring the Emotional Load of Black Women Counselor Educators and Doctoral Students in Supervision
  • Chad Yates, PhD, LCPC
    My name is Dr. Chad Yates. I joined the ISU Department of Counseling in 2013. I received my Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Kent State University and my M.A. in Community Counseling from the University of Toledo. At ISU, I teach Prepracticum Counseling Techniques, Addictions Counseling, Group Counseling Techniques, Small Group Activity, and Advanced Psychological Testing and Assessment. I also supervise students within our practicum course. My research interests include educational practices in addiction and the treatment of substance use disorders. I also research the application of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) within counseling and addictions counseling. For a description of my current research and past research, please visit my ResearchGate page (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Chad_Yates). I enjoy providing service to ISU and my campus community. I currently serve as a Faculty Senator for ISU and as a board member of the ISU Human Subjects Committee. I also coordinate the ISU Safe Space Program. ISU's Safe Space program fosters an inclusive environment that challenges oppression and supports LGBTQ+ students by providing education and resources for faculty and staff at ISU committed to inclusion and equity. For more information about ISU's Safe Space Program and upcoming trainings, please visit our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/isusafespace/?ref=page_internal). I am fortunate to serve as the Counseling Coordinator of ISU’s Northwest Center for Fluency Disorders (NWCFD). The NWCFD offers a two-week interprofessional intensive stuttering clinic for adolescents and adults who stutter, which is a collaborative effort between the Departments of Communication Sciences and Disorders and Counseling at Idaho State University. This unique clinic is the first of its kind in the world that has Speech Language Pathologists and Counselors working together to treat the holistic needs of clients who stutter through Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a mindfulness-based mental health approach. Please visit our website for more information. My personal interests include hiking, camping, skiing, and golfing. I love living close to Yellowstone and Teton National Park. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my family.
    Sessions
    • RT011 : From Compliance to Meaningful Measurement: Understanding KPI Selection and Use in CACREP Counselor Education Programs
  • Ma Pan Yone, MA, LPCC
    Doctoral candidate in Counselor Education and Supervision with a strong foundation in multicultural practice, trauma-responsive care, and counselor development. Provides comprehensive biopsychosocial intake and risk assessment alongside developmentally attuned therapeutic services for children, adolescents, and adults within systemic and relational frameworks. Supervisory practice includes individual and family-based supervision of master’s-level counselors-in-training, real-time clinical observation with structured formative feedback, mid-session intervention coaching, post-session processing, competency-based review of recorded sessions, and clinical documentation auditing to ensure ethical integrity and client welfare. In addition, develops and facilitates applied professional trainings for caregivers and behavioral health professionals focused on trauma-informed caregiving, ethical and legal standards, documentation excellence, and foundational counseling competencies to strengthen emerging clinicians’ effectiveness and promote safe, accountable practice.
    Sessions
    • RT017 : From Roots to Reach: A Plant-System Model for Integrative Supervision and Mentoring
  • Gerard Bartlett, MA, LMHC
    Gerard Bartlett is doctoral student in counselor education at the university of New Mexico and is an LMHC with a master’s of arts in clinical mental health counseling. His research interests involve considering how to effectively integrate social justice advocacy and physical wellness into counselor education learning paths. He is also a Commander in the Albuquerque Police Department, responding to and managing crisis situations in the Albuquerque community.
    Sessions
    • ED004 : The Ethics of Safety Planning in a Time of Fear and Mistrust
  • Lindsey Bell, Ph.D., LPC (MO), LMHC (NM)
    Dr. Lindsey Bell is an Assistant Professor of Counseling and Educational Psychology at New Mexico State University. She has six years of clinical experience, is trained in EMDR, and specializes in working with LGBTQ+ populations and trauma survivors. As an educator, she is particularly interested in raising awareness of and sensitivity to our relational responsibilities as counselor educators and supervisors. Her research interests include counselor trainees' self-awareness development, humanistic and relational-cultural pedagogy and supervision, LGBTQ+ issues, and substance use and harm reduction.
    Sessions
    • ED006 : A Self-Deterministic, Relational Cultural Approach to Practicum Training
  • Cassandra Bills M.Coun, LCPC.
    Cassandra Bills, M.Coun, LCPC is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and doctoral student in Counselor Education at Idaho State University, where she is training to become a counselor educator and clinical supervisor. She earned her Master of Counseling degree and has experience working with diverse populations across clinical and community settings. Cassandra’s clinical interests include trauma-informed care, anxiety and mood disorders, relationship challenges, and supporting individuals navigating life transitions. She is committed to creating a safe, culturally responsive, and strengths-based counseling environment where clients feel empowered to grow and heal. In her professional work, Cassandra integrates practical therapeutic approaches with a client-centered philosophy, helping individuals build resilience, develop coping skills, and achieve meaningful change. Her doctoral training focuses on preparing future counselors, advancing ethical practice, and strengthening the counseling profession through teaching, supervision, and service.
    Sessions
    • RT011 : From Compliance to Meaningful Measurement: Understanding KPI Selection and Use in CACREP Counselor Education Programs
  • Lynn Bohecker
    Dr. Lynn Bohecker specializes in counselor education and supervision, and marriage and family counseling. She is full-time core faculty in counselor education and is the Director of The Counseling Center at Tree City Church of the Nazarene. She has taught graduate level research and supervision courses and presented both basic and advanced research workshops. Dr. Bohecker’s research interests include advanced clinical supervision, integrating spirituality in counseling, and Narrative Counseling approaches and she has peer reviewed publications on these topic areas. She is also senior editor for the new journal of Faith Integration in Counseling and former Associate Editor of the Journal of Humanistic Counseling. Dr. Bohecker teaches research methodologies for doctoral students and publishes research independently and with doctoral students.
    Sessions
    • ED058 : The Ethics of Knowing: Rethinking Epistemology, Positionality, and Equity in Counseling Research
    • ED070 : Promoting Resilience Through Enhancing Supervisee Spiritual Development
  • Charisse Bordeaux, MS, LPC-MH Supervisee, NCC, QMHP
    Charisse Bordeaux (she/her/hers), MS, LPC, NCC, QMHP, is a Ph.D. candidate in Counselor Education and Supervision at Adams State University and a clinical mental health counselor born and raised on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota. She is a co-founder of Tokata Etuŋwaŋ Wakaŋyeža Owičakiyapi (TEWO), a Lakota matriarch-owned mental health and consulting program focused on increasing access to culturally grounded counseling, education, and professional development in tribal and rural communities. Her work centers Indigenous children, families, and communities and the integration of Indigenous knowledge and ways of healing within the counseling profession.
    Sessions
    • ED018 : Gatekeeping and the Hidden Costs: Licensure Structures and the Professional Trajectories of Non-Licensed BIPOC Women Counselors
  • Laura Campbell, Ed. S., LCPC, CEDS
    I am doctoral student in Counseling and Counselor Education at Idaho State University as well as the Clinical Director of Center for Change in Boise, ID. As a third culture kid I grew up in Colombia and Mexico and came to the United States for college where I earned a BA in Art and Spanish from Taylor University and Master of Science and Education Specialist degrees in Counseling and Counselor Education from Indiana University. My sixteen years of clinical experience has focused on addiction recovery, dual diagnosis treatment, group processes, supervision and clinical program management. I am a clinical supervisor and am passionate about quality supervision and clinical skill development. My research areas of interest include ethical practice and supervision, teaching emotion regulation (ER) in counselor education and eating disorder treatment effectiveness.
    Sessions
    • ED013 : Exploring Staying: Narratives from Experienced Counselors Treating Eating Disorders
    • ED050 : Ethical and Effective Work With Sexual and Gender Minority Clients with Eating Disorders
  • Madeline Clark, PhD, LCPC-S, NCC, CCMHC, ACS
    Dr. Clark (she/they) is an Associate Professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She is a licensed counselor with supervisory endorsement in Nevada (LCPC-S) and Virginia (LPC), a board-certified clinical mental health counselor (CCMHC), a board-certified counselor (NCC), and Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS). She earned her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision (2016), a MSEd in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (2013) and a BS in Sociology (2009) from Old Dominion University. Her clinical experiences include in-patient and outpatient mental health services to include community-based, non-profit, and private practice settings. Her research interests include poverty and social class issues in counseling and how social class impacts client care and outcomes. She has published over 80 articles and book chapters in outlets such as the Journal of Counseling and Development, Journal of Mental Health Counseling, Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling, to include her text Multicultural and social justice counseling: A systemic, person-centered, and ethical approach. She has presented her work internationally, nationally, and locally over 100 times. She is a contributing producer for the Thoughtful Counselor podcast and an associate editor for the Journal of Counseling and Development. She has won multiple awards including the American Counseling Association (ACA) Best Practices in Research Award, the Ohio Counseling Association (OCA) Research and Writing Award, and the OCA Herman J. Peters Award for Innovation, among others. She is a past president of the Association for Assessment and Research in Counseling (AARC; 2022-23) and the current President-Elect of the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES). Dr. Clark loves animals and has a rescued staffie/pit mix named Remy and three cats (George, Babadook, and Gozer). In her non-working hours, you can find Dr. Clark doing CrossFit, spending time outdoors, and spending time with her partner Victor and daughter Maxine (4).
    Sessions
    • RT097 : Becoming a Leader: Leading for Maximum Impact
  • Yonka Clark, MA, PLPC, NCC
    Yonka Clark, MA, PLPC, NCC, is a counselor and doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision at Adams State University. Her work is grounded in a person-centered, relational approach with intentional attention to ethics, culture, and diversity. Yonka’s clinical and scholarly interests include counselor identity development, culturally responsive practice, and ethical decision-making in complex relational systems. She is committed to advocacy-informed practice and preparing counselors to engage clients with humility, presence, and cultural accountability.
    Sessions
    • LT004 : Artificial Insights
  • Desa Daniel, PhD, LPC
    Dr. Dèsa Karye Daniel is an accomplished assistant professor at the University of Colorado Denver and a licensed mental health counselor in New Mexico and Colorado. With a focus on racial and ethnic dynamics within academic environments, her research delves into the experiences of Black and Brown college students, highlighting the unique challenges faced by Black womxn in leadership roles. Dr. Daniel's work investigates the effects of stress and racial battle fatigue on BIPOC womxn professionals, emphasizing the psychological impacts of systemic racism. She is a strong advocate for a more inclusive multicultural counseling curriculum and critically analyzes institutional responses to protests and the dismantling of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives on college campuses. Additionally, her research explores student and faculty attitudes toward pro-Palestinian advocacy, aiming to unpack the complexities of activism in contemporary contexts. Dr. Daniel earned her doctorate in counselor education from the University of New Mexico and holds dual master’s degrees from New Mexico State University. Beyond her academic pursuits, she provides affirming cultural care to communities in Colorado and New Mexico through direct clinical work and by supervising clinicians in training at Umoja Behavioral Health and Wellness
    Sessions
    • ED081 : Enhancing Learning Through Group Counseling Theory and Co-Teaching Strategies
  • Kimberly Emery, PhD, LMFT, LAC, MAC
    Kimberly Emery, PhD, LMFT, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Master Addiction Counselor practicing in Colorado with her furry co-therapist, Ziggy. She is an assistant professor at Divine Mercy University. She specializes in trauma, addiction treatment, and sex offense specific treatment. Kimberly is an AAMFT Approved Clinical Supervisor and serves on the board of the Wyoming Association of Addiction Professionals.
    Sessions
    • RT013 : The Training Playground: Using Humor and Playfulness in Counselor Andragogy and Supervision
  • Courtney Fay, M.A.
    My name is Courtney Fay(she/her). I was born and raised in a suburb outside of Denver, Colorado. After high school, I moved to Los Angeles, California to attend the University of Southern California where I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Screenwriting with a minor in Psychology. To support myself while I chased that dream, I also worked as a college test prep (SAT/ACT) teacher in Los Angeles area high schools. It was there that I discovered my love for working with students in a school setting and helping them find their own dreams to chase. At the urging of many of the school counselors with whom I worked, I decided to pursue a degree in School Counseling. I returned to Colorado and began graduate school at the University of Northern Colorado. Currently, I live in Greeley, Colorado with my husband, our two children and one adorable puppy. The first two years of my career, I worked as a school counselor at Heath Middle School and Greeley Central High School before I accepted my current position at Chappelow K-8 Arts Magnet School where I just started my 14th year.
    Sessions
    • PO005 : Rethinking School Counselor Preparation: Bridging Training and Systemic Reality
  • M. Sylvia Fernandez, PhD
    Sessions
    • ED032 : Professional Counselor Identity: The Foundation of Effective Practice in Changing Times
    • CACREP01 : CACREP Table Talk
    • CACREP02 : CACREP Myths
  • Pam Fredericks
    Pam is a second-year graduate student at Utah State University studying school counseling. Because of her experiences in teaching elementary physical education, raising four fellow humans, family trials, and other life challenges, she has come to value the power of connection, empathy, and accountability. Through the years, she’s been active in her community by coaching various recreational youth programs, volunteering at school, church, and political events, and writing human interest stories for the local magazine. Since receiving her bachelor’s degree in the 1900’s, going back to school after nearly three decades has been an adventure but is so excited to be on this journey.
    Sessions
    • ED024 : How Empathic School Professionals Become the Attachment Figures Students Never Had
  • Aundrea Gee, CRC
    Professor Gee is a PhD ABD student at Kent State and an assistant professor at Montana State University Billings. Her research interests in traumatic brain injury, grief, counselor education pedagogy, and existentialism.
    Sessions
    • ED059 : The Impact of Sound Baths: A Mixed-Methods Study on Stress Regulation, Trauma Response, and Relaxation
  • Kristopher M. Goodrich, PhD, NCC, LPCC
    Kristopher Goodrich, PhD, NCC, LPCC, is the Dean and Professor of Counselor Education at The University of New Mexico’s College of Education and Human Sciences. He is a past president of the Association for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues in Counseling (now SAIGE), the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, and the New Mexico Counseling Association, as well as a Past Editor for the Journal for Specialists in Group Work. He is a Fellow of the American Counseling Association and the Association for Specialists in Group Work.
    Sessions
    • ED060 : The scholarship of teaching and learning counseling theories: An interpretative phenomenological analysis
  • Rebbecca Gossett, LPCC-S, NCC, RPT-STM
    Rebbecca Gossett has worked as a PreK-12 school counselor in New Mexico for over 11 years, primarily serving rural communities. For the past eight years, she has also practiced in private practice and is a Registered Play Therapist–Supervisor. While her work primarily focuses on children and adolescents, she has experience working with clients across the lifespan using Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), EMDR, sandtray, and expressive arts therapy. She has been an Instructor of Counseling at Eastern New Mexico University since 2024 and is currently in her third year as a doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision at Adams State University.
    Sessions
    • ED047 : Trauma-Informed Indigenous Practices in Counselor Education: Relational, Cultural, and Decolonizing Approaches
    • PO005 : Rethinking School Counselor Preparation: Bridging Training and Systemic Reality
  • Brian Hallberg
    Sessions
    • ED002 : As Many Chances as It Takes: Mental Health, Stigma, and Incarceration
  • Christina B. Harrell, PhD, LPC
    Christina Harrell is an Associate Professor and Program Chair of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Adams State University. She is a licensed clinical mental health counselor in private practice who works from a humanistic framework emphasizing authenticity, empathy, and respect for each person’s inherent worth. She is dedicated to supporting the personal and professional growth of emerging counselors through experiential learning, reflective practice, and the meaningful integration of theory and application. Her pedagogical approach, rooted in transformative teaching, nurtures self-awareness, cultural humility, and relational competence as essential foundations for ethical and compassionate counseling practice.
    Sessions
    • ED092 : Teach Your Students Well: Fostering Belonging in Asynchronous Counselor Education
  • Cassia Hendrickson MA, LPCC
    Cassia Hendrickson (she/her) is a Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate in the state of Colorado. She is pursuing a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Northern Colorado. She works with a diverse range of clients, including BIPOC, LGBQQ, children and adolescents, and clients who have endured sexual abuse, and domestic violence. Her primary therapeutic work includes trauma-focused therapy combined with self-compassion, creative arts, somatic work, and mindfulness. During her time as a masters-level intern and LPCC, she has had two supervisors at her workplace who use feminist/multicultural supervision models. This has continued to teach her the importance of healthy supervision and counseling with those who hold marginalized identities.
    Sessions
    • PO013 : Examining Diversity in the Supervisory Relationship
    • RT016 : Advocating for Models of Supervision to Be Taught at the Master’s Level in a CACREP-accredited CMHC Program
  • Elizabeth A. Horn, PhD, LCPC
    Elizabeth A. Horn, PhD, LCPC is a Professor at Idaho State University where she is the Associate Chair and Clinical Mental Health Program coordinator for the Department of Counseling. She has been a professional counselor for 25 years and a counselor educator for close to 20. While her primary research interests center around issues of grief and loss, she is heavily involved in mentoring the research agenda of her doctoral students whose interests vary. As such, she has several publications in peer-reviewed academic journals on topics ranging from death education to mindfulness in group work. She has presented numerous times at the national, regional, state, and local levels. She has twice been featured in Counseling Today for her expertise in grief counseling and is currently on the Grief and Loss Competencies Taskforce, a committee created by the Association for Adult Development and Aging, which developed the grief counseling competencies for the profession of counseling. She is also a partner in Grief and Loss Consultations LLC.
    Sessions
    • PO002 : Innovative and Playful Career Counseling Course Design
    • ED097 : Integrating Grief Counseling Best Practices into Counselor Education: From Endorsement to Implementation
  • Renee Howells, PhD, LPC, NCC
    Dr. Renée Howells (she/her) is an associate professor at Idaho State University. Her primary research interests center on topics of advocacy, accessibility, and working interdisciplinarily in mental health and higher education. She is particularly passionate about disability inclusion and cultural representation, with a focus on working with Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing communities. Her scholarship and clinical expertise surround the phenomenon of grief, loss, and trauma intervention throughout the lifespan.
    Sessions
    • ED051 : Big Data! Mental Health Research Outcomes using All of Us research data
  • Sarah Jimenez
    Sarah Jimenez is a first-year student in the M.Ed. in the School Counseling Program at Utah State University. She completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology and a minor in Spanish at Utah State University. She has spent the last four years working in K-12 school settings as a Spanish/English Interpreter as well as implementing and supporting Tier 2 interventions as an after-school club site supervisor, classroom aide, and undergraduate researcher in the USU School Mental Health Lab. She is an active member of two professional organizations: the American School Counseling Association (ASCA) and the Utah School Counseling Association (USCA).
    Sessions
    • ED077 : Who Gets Referred and Who Gets Missed? : Rethinking How School Counselors Identify Students for Targeted Support
  • Adasa Jorgenson-Pascual, LPC
    Adasa Jorgenson-Pascual, M.Ed., LPC Adasa Jorgenson-Pascual is a Licensed Professional School Counselor practicing in a K–12 charter school setting in Utah. She holds a Master’s degree in School Counseling and currently serves as a systems-oriented counseling leader, supporting academic, behavioral, and postsecondary readiness initiatives aligned with the ASCA National Model. Her work integrates data-informed decision-making, culturally responsive assessment practices, and collaborative school improvement planning. Adasa has particular expertise in multilingual learner advocacy, equitable assessment interpretation, and family engagement systems that center historically marginalized communities. She regularly disaggregates academic and behavioral data to identify opportunity gaps and works alongside administrative teams to align counseling interventions with schoolwide priorities. Her approach emphasizes contextualized data analysis, highlighting how omitted variables, cultural bias, and systemic inequities can influence interpretation and student outcomes. In addition to her counseling leadership, Adasa is the founder of Puentes y Raíces: Bridging Possibilities, a community-based initiative focused on empowering immigrant and multilingual families through education, mentorship, and advocacy. She is currently pursuing advanced study in educational leadership and policy, with research interests centered on assessment equity, culturally sustaining leadership, and systemic transformation in K–12 education.
    Sessions
    • ED042 : The Context Code: Unlocking Hidden Stories in Your School Data
  • Alicia Kientz, LPC
    Sessions
    • LT002 : The Hidden Work of Gatekeeping: Emotional Toll and Payoff in Counselor Education
  • Bryan Lamb, PhD, LCPC (MT), LPC (CO)
    Sessions
    • ED079 : But How Do I Actually Do This? The Power of Purposeful Roleplay and Reflection in Counselor Training
  • William Lane, PhD, LPCC, NCC, BC-TMH
    Dr. William B. Lane Jr. is an Assistant Professor and the Chair of the Department of Counseling at Western New Mexico University. He has a passion for building innovative counselor education curriculum. He has the Board Certified-TeleMental Health provider credential and developed the telemental health curriculum for WNMU. He has experience as a child advocate at a Child Advocacy Center, where he worked with a multidisciplinary team and provided counseling to children who experienced sexual abuse. He integrated mindfulness into his practice, integrates it into the classroom, and has authored and self-published a children’s book on mindfulness. His research interests include improving the supervisory working alliance, and he has presented on this topic at national and regional conferences. He is a member of the American Counseling Association, the Association for Counselor Education & Supervision, and he is the Treasurer for the Rocky Mountain Association for Counselor Education & Supervision.
    Sessions
    • ED045 : Training Counselors for Rural and Underserved Communities via Telehealth
  • Donghun Lee, Ph.D., NCC
    Dr. Lee currently serves as an assistant professor in the Department of Counseling at the University of Texas at San Antonio and has obtained his doctoral degree in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Arkansas. His primary research interests lie in the areas of professional identity and development, counselor burnout and wellness, multicultural counseling and social justice, and dispositional assessment. He is an active member of diverse counseling associations and is currently serving as an editorial board member of the Journal of Asia Pacific Counseling and the International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling.
    Sessions
    • ED053 : Delphi Method Research in Counseling and Counselor Education Field
    • ED037 : Supporting Doctoral Students in Building Research Agendas in Counselor Education
  • Melia Lever
    Sessions
    • PO004 : Lived Experiences of First-Generation BIPOC Counseling Students: An IPA Study
  • Paige Lowe, PhD, CMHC, NCC
    Sessions
    • ED033 : Research in Action: Integrating Counselors-in-Training into Collaborative Counselor Education Scholarship
  • Lana Marshall
    Lana Marshall is a Graduate Student at the University of Colorado Denver. Lana received her BA in Psychology and Sociology with a Minor in Business Administration at the University of Denver. She is most passionate about advancing research to uplift marginalized communities and increase accessibility to mental health care to underserved communities.
    Sessions
    • RT009 : Cultural Immersion: Competence at What Cost?
  • Denette Martinez-Guzman, LPC
    Denette brings 15 years of diverse clinical experience and expertise and is both a licensed professional counselor and a licensed addiction counselor in Colorado. She is certified in EMDR and has worked in many different leadership roles throughout her career. She is now pursuing a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision and is interested in continuing to advance her career and contribute to the field in significant ways.
    Sessions
    • ED010 : Do Counselors Feel Adequately Prepared to Handle Trauma Clients Upon Finishing Their Master's Programs? A Presentation of Research Findings.
  • Zachary McInerney
    Zac McInerney is a second year Counselor Education and Supervision doctoral student. With seven years’ experience working with diverse populations in the mental health field, he has been a professional counselor for five years and is fully licensed as a counselor in the state of Wyoming and Colorado. Zac has served as an instructor and co-instructor in clinical courses teaching on trauma-informed care, and he conducts research on the topic of trauma-informed care. Zac currently practices with clients, supervisees, students, and professional counselors following the principles of trauma-informed care.
    Sessions
    • ED008 : Beyond Crisis Management in Suicide Prevention: Approaching Mobius Care through proactive Wellbeing Support in Client Safety-Planning
  • Kari Mowbray, MA, Ph.D., LCPC, PMH-C
    Kari owns the group practice Wildroots Collective, where, using a feminist narrative lens, she supports parents in deconstructing the social expectations, pressures and misunderstandings experienced in parenthood to help them find empowerment, agency and joy amidst the challenges of pregnancy and parenthood. Kari's clinical focus is on perinatal mental health and women's issues. Her research on the experience of receiving perinatal mental health from a PMH-C concludes her doctoral dissertation process, where much of the focus was on perinatal mental health. Kari is a parent of two, and has experienced pregnancy losses in her own parenthood journey. Serving as the Vice-Chair on the PSI Wyoming Board and supervising and collaborating with PMH-Cs in her community is a passion of hers as she continues her work to support parents across rural regions of the country.
    Sessions
    • ED031 : Preparing Counselors for Maternal Mental Health Care Across Diverse Populations
  • Jayna Mumbauer-Pisano, PhD
    Jayna Mumbauer-Pisano is an associate professor in the Department of Counseling at the University of Montana in Missoula, MT. Her scholarship centers on graduate student wellness, child and adolescent counseling, and incorporating creativity in counseling.
    Sessions
    • ED086 : Playing to Learn: Integrating Play Therapy Techniques into Counselor Education
    • ED074 : Supervising School Counselors in Rural Settings: An Integrated Developmental Model and Multicultural Lens on ASCA Practice
  • Martin Munoz, Ed.D, LPC, LAC, ATP
    Dr. Martin K. Munoz is a Regis University faculty member with over 25 years of teaching experience as well as a practicing psychotherapist for over 30 years. Martin is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Addictions Counselor registered with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies and is in good standing. He has worked extensively with all adult populations and specializes in areas of depression and anxiety and substance abuse. Dr. Munoz has also been active in the community offering services to people of color and is dedicated to social justice issues.
    Sessions
    • ED026 : Integrating Domestic Immersion into Multicultural Classroom: A Pedagogical Approach Fostering Cultural Sensitivity and Social Inclusion
  • Kirsten Murray, LPC, PhD
    Kirsten Murray is a Counselor Educator (19 years) and Counselor (25 years), currently serving as a Professor within at the University of Montana. Her scholarly interests include: establishing accessible counseling services for underserved populations, couple and family counseling, rural counseling practice, clinical supervision, qualitative research methodologies, and integration of the arts into counseling and teaching. She has published one book, multiple book chapters and papers, given many presentations, and received over 13 million in external grant funding.
    Sessions
    • ED054 : Establishing a Counseling Clinic for Local Educators: Research Outcomes
  • Alison Nagliati, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Intern
    I am a graduate student intern completing my Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. As a developing counselor, my approach is rooted in compassion, authenticity, and respect for each individual’s experience, and I believe meaningful progress happens when clients feel genuinely understood within a consistent and supportive therapeutic relationship. I draw from evidence-based approaches including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), mindfulness-informed practices, and client- centered therapy to support clients in building insight, emotional regulation, and meaningful change. I value slowing down and creating space for reflection, both personally and professionally, and I bring this intentionality into my work with clients, remaining attentive to the small, meaningful moments that help people reconnect with themselves and others.
    Sessions
    • PO008 : The Counselor's Quest: A Guide to Navigating Master's Counseling Programs
  • Joshua Noe, MS, LPC, PEL-SC
    Joshua Noe, MS, LPC (IL & ID), PEL-SC (IL) is a first-year doctoral student at Idaho State University. His specialty practice area is school counseling, where he is passionate about advocating for students, practicing school counselors, and school counseling students. Presenter 2 is a doctoral student specializing in school counseling, holding dual licensure as a school counselor and a Licensed Professional Counselor. Their work experience has been as a school counselor working with students ranging from kindergarten to seniors in high school. The presenter’s research interests include career counseling, child-centered play therapy, rural counseling, and advocacy for school counselors. They have over 20 presentations discussing their work and research at the local, state, university, and international levels. The presenter has also written and received multiple grants to help fund peer-mentoring programs at both the high school and college level. They currently have a position as a grant review board member which provides funding to professional counselors in their home state.
    Sessions
    • PO014 : Educating Through Uncertainty: Preparing Counseling Students for Professional Identity Development Amid Legislative and Funding Instability
  • Kristie K Opiola, Ph.D., LCMHC, RPT | Associate Professor
    Kristie Opiola, Ph. D., LPC (Texas), RPT is an associate professor in the Department of Counseling at the University of Arkansas. She began her professional career as a certified child life specialist working with acutely and terminally ill children in hospital settings for 13 years. She switched careers and is currently teaching play therapy courses at UNC Charlotte. Her areas of teaching interest include play therapy, filial therapy, skill development, expressive arts. Research interests include play therapy and filial therapy with children who have experienced a variety of traumas (medical, relationship, adoption), community based play therapy interventions, and counselor-in-training skill development. Kristie is active in the Association for Play Therapy and Association of Humanistic Counseling.
    Sessions
    • ED046 : Training for Counseling Children and Adolescents: Best Practice, Ethical, and Legal Competency
  • Madison Paulsen, LPC
    Madison, LPC is a Ph.D. student in the Counselor Education and Counseling program at Idaho State University. Her scholarly interests center on supervision, and accreditation and program evaluation. Madison has worked as an LPC and has served as the lead for the Early Serious Mental Illness program for Region 6.
    Sessions
    • PO012 : Doctoral Student Preparation for Providing Multiculturally Informed Supervision in Counselor Education
  • Ashley A. Pechek, Ph.D., LPC, ACS, NCC
    Dr. Ashley Ascherl Pechek is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Colorado and has over 18 years of counseling experience. She is a National Board-Certified Counselor (NCC) and an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS). Her areas of expertise are working with at-risk youth and military families. Dr. Pechek earned her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision in 2018 from Adams State University and she is currently an Associate Professor at the Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, Lock Haven.
    Sessions
    • ED075 : Supervision in Sync: A Collaborative Approach for Ethical and Supportive Practice
  • Brittney Phillips, Ph.D., LPC-MHSP (TN), LPC (WY), NCC
    Brittney received her doctoral degree in Counseling and Supervision and her master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Tennessee Technological University (TTU). Brittney is currently licensed as a Licensed Professional Counselor, Mental Health Service Provider in Tennessee and a Licensed Professional Counselor in Wyoming. Brittney is a faculty member in the Counselor Education and Supervision program at the University of Wyoming. Her educational background includes a focus on child development and humanistic counseling strategies to support children’s overall development. Brittney’s research focuses on holistic wellness related to nature connection and EcoWellness. Additionally, her main research area explores the relationship between nature contact in childhood, positive and negative experiences in childhood, and various mental health experiences. Brittney has provided mental health services as a licensed counselor in an inpatient setting, intensive outpatient program, partial hospitalization program, private practice, and university counseling center.
    Sessions
    • RT014 : Voices from the ACES Leadership Academy: Supporting emerging organizational and administrative leaders through group mentorship
  • Stacy A. Pinto, PhD, LPCC, NCC
    Sessions
    • ED003 : Infusing Political Grief Counseling Into Practice
  • Sara Polanchek, EdD, LCSW
    Sara Polanchek is the Clinical Director in the Department of Counseling. In this role, she oversees the clinical supervision of the department’s counselors-in-training and directs the operation of the Counselor Training Clinic (CTC). She holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from Arizona State University and a Doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Montana.
    Sessions
    • RT005 : A Decade of Data: Incorporating Intimate Relationship Education into Counselor Training
  • Rachel Ratliff, PhD, LPC
    Dr. Rachel Ratliff is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling and Human Services at UCCS. A graduate of the University of Wyoming, Dr. Ratliff is an educator, practicing clinician and researcher. Dr. Ratliff's history in clinical work occurred within a hospital setting where she worked with patients 13 years of age and older with a variety of mental health concerns including suicidality, depression, anxiety, substance use, and other mental health issues that require hospitalization. Her scholarship focuses on sex positivity within counselor education programs and how to ensure that counselors are entering the field ready to address sexuality topics with their future clients. She is currently the Past Chair and Treasurer for the Western Region of the American Counseling Association.
    Sessions
    • ED091 : Taboo Talks: Talking about sex in counseling starts in the classroom
  • John Robbins, Ph.D., LMFT, AAMFT Approved Supervisor
    John Robbins, PhD, LMFT is an Associate Professor for Walden University's Clinical Mental Health Program. He is also President of PassageWise, LLC, a training and consulting company focused on guiding healthy and effective professional practices to mental health professionals and companies around the United States. Dr. Robbins is an AAMFT Clinical Fellow and Approved Supervisor, providing clinical supervision for professionals seeking licensure. He is a member of the AAMFT Ethics Committee and is appointed to the AAMFT Board of Directors beginning in 2027. Dr. Robbins’ professional passion is twofold: training student and Associate mental health professionals in the practice of marriage and family therapy and training supervisors in working with new counselors in the mental health field. Prior to joining Walden, he served as the Director of Clinical Training for the COAMFTE accredited MA-MFT program at Argosy University - Salt Lake City. Dr. Robbins has over 150 presentations focusing on counselor self-care, creative ways of practice, expanding maneuverability and range in the counseling room, maintaining a self-reflective habit as a clinician, at-risk adolescents, substance use treatment, and suicide prevention. In 2000, he received national acclaim in USA Today for his cutting-edge work in the area of integrating spirituality and psychotherapy. His book with Haworth Press, entitled The Power of Spirituality in Therapy: Integrating Spiritual and Religious Beliefs in Mental Health Practice, was published in 2004.
    Sessions
    • ED095 : The Importance of Teaching Systems to Counselors-In-Training
    • ED088 : Shrinking Ethics: Boundary Tensions and Ethical Practice in Contemporary Care
  • Blake Robbins, LPC
    Blake is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Colorado. Blake is currently pursuing his PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Northern Colorado, specializing in educational psychology.
    Sessions
    • ED065 : Enhancing Supervision Practices: Implementing the Counselor Competency Scale-Revised to Standardize the Assessment of Counselors-in-Training While Upholding Supervision Best Practices
  • Kelly Sue Roth, Ph.D.
    Dr. Kelly Sue Roth is the Department Chairperson for the Department of Anthropology, Sociology, Criminal Justice, and Social Work. She is also an Associate Professor and current student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, Lock Haven. She will be completing her practicum and internship at Gaudenzia’s Coal Township and Sunbury, PA locations.
    Sessions
    • ED073 : Supervising in the Digital Age: Ethical Roadmaps for Telemental Health Training and Preparation
  • Katrina Ruggles, Phd, LSC, LPC
    Dr. Katrina Ruggles is Clinical Faculty in the School of Counselor Education at Adams State University and is licensed in Colorado as both a Professional Counselor and School Counselor. With 26 years of experience in clinical mental health and school counseling, she brings practice-informed insight into counselor preparation. She teaches both clinical mental health and school counseling students across a variety of synchronous and asynchronous courses and intentionally works to infuse leadership and advocacy competencies throughout the curriculum. Dr. Ruggles has served on multiple counselor leadership boards and professional committees, including the Colorado School Counselor Association Professional Development Committee and Government Relations, supporting advocacy efforts at the state school board and within legislative committees. She also serves on a statewide leadership board of school counselor educators across higher education institutions and has contributed as a regional career curriculum leadership committee. Her work emphasizes preparing counselors-in-training to develop a strong professional identity as advocates and systems change agents.
    Sessions
    • ED085 : Meaning in Action: Fostering a Professional Counselor Identity Through Leadership and Advocacy
  • Juliet Sam-Wiah
    Juliet Sam-Wiah is a counselor-educator with a strong foundation in teacher education and guidance practice. She holds a Diploma in Basic Education from OLA College of Education in Cape Coast, Ghana, and earned both her bachelor’s degree and Master of Philosophy degree in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Education, Winneba (UEW). Juliet has four peer-reviewed journal publications and has participated in professional conferences, reflecting her commitment to scholarship, professional growth, and advancing effective mental health practice. With 16 years of teaching experience across multiple levels of education and 11 years of service as a school counselor, Juliet supports student wellbeing through developmentally responsive, ethically grounded, and culturally aware counseling approaches. She is well versed in facilitating professional development workshops for teachers, principals, and counselors, and has held leadership roles within trade unions, church settings, and professional associations. Building on more than a decade in school counseling, she is intentionally transitioning into clinical practice and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Counseling with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at New Mexico Highlands University.
    Sessions
    • PO022 : Voiceless No More: A Phenomenological Inquiry into the Lived Trauma Experiences of Adolescent Mothers in New Mexico
  • Claudia Seth, Ph.D., LPC (CO, TX), LSC (CO, TX), NCC
    Dr. Claudia Seth is a full-time faculty member at CCU and has worked in the mental health field since 2010. Prior to her current role, she served as an adjunct professor at another institution, teaching both undergraduate and graduate level courses. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes a holistic learning environment that fosters connection, community, application, and synthesis of the presented material. Dr. Seth specializes in the treatment of anxiety, trauma, stress, unhealthy relationship dynamics, and postpartum depression. She is bilingual and is a licensed professional counselor and school counselor in both Texas and Colorado. She has experience working with children and adolescents in both clinical settings and as a school counselor at the elementary and high school levels. She is a current member of the American School Counselor Association, the Colorado Counseling Association, and the Colorado School Counselor Association. She is committed to advancing bilingual counseling services through research, supervision, and clinical practice. She currently resides in Colorado with her husband and two children.
    Sessions
    • ED040 : Taking School Counseling Case Conceptualization to New Heights
    • ED030 : Preparing Clinical Mental Health Counselor Educators to Ethically Teach and Supervise School Counselors in Training
  • Michelle K. Shuler, LPC, LCDC, LAC, CPAT
    Dr. Michelle Shuler is an assistant professor of Addiction Counseling at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. She is currently a Certified Psychedelic Assisted Therapist and working toward the Psilocybin Facilitation Licensure in Colorado. Her research focuses on the integration of psychedelic therapy in counselor education and training.
    Sessions
    • ED012 : Expansion and Knowledge: Evolving Attitudes Towards Therapeutic Psychedelics
    • RT010 : Exploring the Counseling Relationship: The Benefits of Earthing
  • Rebekah Skinner, M.S., LPC
    Rebekah Skinner (she/her) is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Colorado who is pursuing a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Northern Colorado. She is passionate about the educational and supervisory aspects of the counseling field and seeks to thoroughly and thoughtfully assess and challenge approaches to each of these roles. Her experience primarily consists of working with clients of varying ages and backgrounds who are navigating life adjustments, trauma, anxiety and depression through an integrative and holistic approach.
    Sessions
    • PO013 : Examining Diversity in the Supervisory Relationship
  • Laura Stanley, Ph.D., Associate Professor (Gianforte School of Computing), Director or Human Interaction Lab
    Laura M. Stanley, Ph.D., CPE is a tenured Associate Professor in Montana State University’s Gianforte School of Computing and Director of the Human Interaction Lab. Her research spans human-centered AI, immersive technologies (VR/AR/MR), affective computing, digital health, and human–robot interaction, with an emphasis on safety, performance, and well-being. She previously served as an NSF Program Director for Human-Centered Computing and has led NSF-funded research; she is also a Board Certified Professional Ergonomist with prior IBM experience.
    Sessions
    • ED082 : Escaping the “Uncanny Valley”: Why Mixed-Reality (MR) may be the technology of choice for counselor education.
  • Jesika Stuart, PhD, LPSC, NCC
    Jesika Stuart, Ph.D., LPSC, NCC, is a Clinical Faculty member in the School of Counselor Education at Adams State University. Since 2021, she has prepared school counselors through teaching, supervision, and mentorship across practicum and internship experiences. Prior to counselor education, Dr. Stuart served as a high school counselor and department chair in Tennessee for six years. Her dissertation examined school counselor burnout and the role of supervision as a protective factor. She has extensive experience supervising counselors-in-training and remains committed to supporting the development of professional identity and theoretical grounding in school counseling practice.
    Sessions
    • ED039 : Supporting School Counselor-in-Training Theoretical Orientation Development
  • Dr. Diane Stutey, LPC, NCC, RPT-S
    Dr. Diane Stutey is an Associate Professor in the Department of Counseling and Human Services at University of Colorado Colorado Springs. She is a licensed professional counselor, licensed school counselor, registered play therapist-supervisor, and a national certified counselor. She was a school counselor in both elementary and middle schools and has worked as a play therapist in school and clinical settings. Her research interests include examining non-cognitive life stressors that impact children and adolescents in the school setting such as sibling abuse, grief and loss, suicide, and teen dating violence. She is also interested in examining the impact of preventative and creative interventions such as play therapy and canine assisted activities.
    Sessions
    • PO010 : The Impact of Therapy Dogs on Counselors-in-Training
    • RT001 : A 5-step model for counselors and counselor educators to intervene and address sibling abuse
  • Tamara Tolleson-Kneee
    Tammy Tolleson Knee is Clinical Faculty with the Center for the Advancement of Positive Education (CAPE) in the University of Montana’s Phyllis J. Washington College of Education. She holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Denver and an Educational Specialist degree from the University of Montana, and has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 1997. With almost 30 years of experience as an LCSW and 12 years as a Licensed Educator and School Counselor in Montana, Tammy has worked across three states in both educational and community-based settings, supporting the strengths and well-being of young people. She is a Board-Certified Tele-Mental Health Therapist, a certified trainer for the I Love U Guys Foundation’s Standard Response Protocol and Reunification, and a QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Instructor. Outside of work, Tammy enjoys listening to audiobooks while hiking, laughing with friends and family, and playing pranks with coworkers. She firmly believes that even in the midst of challenges, well-being can be cultivated.
    Sessions
    • PO006 : Rivers of Wisdom: The Confluence Model for Tracing Positive Counseling Interventions to their Ancient Roots
  • Krissy Treviranus, PhD, LMHC, LPC, NCC, ACS
    Dr. Krissy Treviranus is a counselor educator, clinical supervisor, and licensed mental health counselor whose work emphasizes creativity, inclusivity, and innovation in counselor education and clinical practice. They are an Assistant Professor at Adams State University, where they teach master’s and doctoral-level counseling courses and serve as Interim PhD Program Coordinator. Dr. Treviranus integrates reflexivity, creativity, and applied clinical insight into their scholarship and mentorship, supporting emerging scholars in developing meaningful, publishable work grounded in teaching, supervision, and clinical experiences. They have presented nationally and internationally on a range of topics, including inclusivity and creativity in teaching, clinical supervision, and group work.
    Sessions
    • ED064 : Deepening & Expanding Supervision Perspectives: Strategies for Creative Case Conceptualization
    • PO015 : Beyond the Journal Article: Creative and Digital Pathways for Sharing Counseling Research
  • Arianna Vokos, PhD, LCPC, LSC, NCC
    Arianna is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling. She is a Licensed School Counselor and Counselor in Montana. Over the past several years, she has worked in a local elementary school as a CSCT therapist and was an elementary school counselor. Arianna has a private practice that specializes in adult and teenage clients who are experiencing life transitions, have experienced trauma, are working on parenting, or are developing relationship skills. Her research focuses on navigating barriers in the supervision relationship. Outside of her professional life, Arianna enjoys road tripping, cooking for friends and family, and reading.
    Sessions
    • ED019 : Gatekeeping in Virtual Spaces: Responsibilities of Internship Supervisors in Online Programs
  • Christopher Ward, PhD, LPC, ACS
    Dr. Christopher J. Ward is an Assistant Professor of Counseling at National Louis University and serves as a faculty advisor for the National Louis University Counseling Association. He earned his Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Northern Colorado, with emphases in both Couple and Family Therapy and Play Therapy. Dr. Ward is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Colorado and currently provides therapy and supervision services through his private practice. He previously worked as a clinician in crisis services, substance treatment, and rural community behavioral health, serving diverse populations including veterans, clients with dual diagnoses, individuals experiencing homelessness, and those involved in the criminal justice system. His scholarly interests include counselor identity development, student persistence and engagement, and the relational experiences of counselors-in-training.
    Sessions
    • RT019 : Rural Resilience: How Rural Colorado Community Colleges are Promoting Behavioral Health Wellness Among Students and Providers
  • Andy Weas, PCLC
    Sessions
    • ED083 : Finding Flow and Letting Go: Relinquishing Anxiety and Perfectionism through Improv
  • Angela Weingartner, Ph.D., LPC
    Dr. Angela Weingartner is an Associate Professor and the Professional Counseling Program Coordinator in the Department of Applied Psychology and Counselor Education at the University of Northern Colorado. She is a licensed professional counselor and nationally certified counselor. Dr. Weingartner's research interests include increasing counselor-in-training self-efficacy surrounding risk assessment and utilizing the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) as a relationship building tool in supervision, leadership, and teaching
    Sessions
    • ED089 : Stepping Out of the Drama: Experiential Teaching of the Drama Triangle in Addictions Counseling
    • ED005 : A Career Readiness Rubric to Measure Counselor Dispositions
  • Dr. Liz Wiggins, PhD, LSC, LP
    Dr.Liz Wiggins is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed School Counselor and serves as core faculty in counselor education. She holds a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision and has extensive experience teaching across clinical mental health and school counseling programs. Her professional interests include counselor development, ethics in counselor education, supervision, and counselor wellness across the professional lifespan. Dr. Wiggins regularly presents at local, state, and national conferences and is actively engaged in curriculum development aligned with CACREP standards. Her current work emphasizes ethical and pedagogical considerations for counselor educators teaching across specialties, with a particular focus on supporting the wellness, sustainability, and long-term professional longevity of Licensed School Counselor (LSC) students within clinical mental health–informed training environments.
    Sessions
    • ED030 : Preparing Clinical Mental Health Counselor Educators to Ethically Teach and Supervise School Counselors in Training
    • ED067 : Evaluating Supervision Effectiveness in Counselor Education: Ethical, Practical, and Data-Informed Models for Faculty and Supervisors
  • Kara Wolff, PhD, LCPC
    o The second presenter is a professor, LCPC, and director of a graduate program in CMHC, has been teaching counseling students for over 15 years. She led the CACREP accreditation process at two institutions beginning with the initial program design through full accreditation. She has designed and taught online courses approved by Quality Matters. Her areas of research focus are on multicultural training and working to address systemic racism within institutional contexts. She has presented at regional and national counseling conferences and been published in a regional counseling journal. She co-edits a regional counseling journal.
    Sessions
    • RT024 : Turning Tension into Connection: An RCT Approach to Counselor Trainee Dispositions
  • Monique Woodson, LPC, NCC
    Monique Woodson is a second-year doctoral student from Las Vegas, NV. She is passionate about empowering future counselors and advocating for marginalized communities. With a strong background in multicultural counseling, clinical supervision, and behavioral interventions, she is committed to fostering inclusive learning environments that promote student success. Her expertise extends to research on the Strong Black Woman schema, stress, and coping among Black women, as well as factors influencing Black students’ success in counseling programs. As a mentor and leader, she strives to integrate theory into practice, ensuring that students develop the skills and confidence to excel in their careers. Through advocacy, education, and research, she is dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the field of counseling and counselor education.
    Sessions
    • ED029 : Navigating the Academic Terrain: A Narrative Inquiry of International Doctoral Students in Counselor Education & Supervision Programs
  • Dylan Wright, MA, LCPC, LSC
    A Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and advocate for positive psychology, Dylan Wright serves as the Community Liaison for the Phyllis J. Washington Center for the Advancement of Positive Education (CAPE). In this role, he shares his expertise through presentations and instruction. Dylan earned his M.A. in School Counseling from the University of Montana, where he was a key contributor to the research and curriculum development of the Montana Happiness Project, a precursor to CAPE. With a career spanning over two decades in tour production for the Missoula Children’s Theatre—where he coached and trained touring educators—Dylan brings a wealth of experience to his current roles. He also operates a private practice, consults for Families First and the Missoula Children’s Theatre, and volunteers as a Family Law Mediator for the Community Dispute and Resolution Center. When not working, Dylan loves to mountain bike and spend time with his wife and adult children.
    Sessions
    • ED034 : Rooted in Wisdom, Relevant Across Theories: Teaching Strengths-Based Practice as a Pan-Theoretical Tool in Counselor Education and Supervision
    • ED023 : Happiness Through the Tiers: Reimagining MTSS for School Counselor Education
  • Anda Zhao, MC
    A doctoral student in Counseling Psychology whose work centers culturally responsive counseling, clinical training, and supervision. Clinical experience includes providing individual counseling and conducting intake and risk-focused assessment within a trauma-informed, equity-minded framework. Supervision experience includes providing individual supervision to master’s-level counselors-in-training, live observation with structured feedback (including mid-session coaching and post-session debriefs), skills-based evaluation of recorded role-plays, and quality assurance of clinical documentation. Also designs and delivers intensive trainings on informed consent, risk assessment, core counseling skills/common factors, ethical decision-making, and HIPAA-aligned documentation to support beginner therapists’ growth and client safety.
    Sessions
    • RT017 : From Roots to Reach: A Plant-System Model for Integrative Supervision and Mentoring
  • Franchesca V. Anderson, LPC
    Franchesca V. Anderson is a Mexican-American counselor and emerging counselor educator. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Idaho and a doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision (CES). Her work focuses on grief and loss training, trauma-informed care, and teaching and supervision through a Relational-Cultural Theory (RCT) lens, with an emphasis on social justice and antiracist practice.
    Sessions
    • ED029 : Navigating the Academic Terrain: A Narrative Inquiry of International Doctoral Students in Counselor Education & Supervision Programs
  • Charisse Bordeaux, LPC-MH Supervisee, NCC, QMHP (SD)
    Charisse Bordeaux (she/her/hers), MS, LPC-MH Supervisee, NCC, QMHP, is a Ph.D. candidate in Counselor Education and Supervision at Adams State University and a clinical mental health counselor born and raised on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota. She is a co-founder of Tokata Etuŋwaŋ Wakaŋyeža Owičakiyapi (TEWO), a Lakota matriarch-owned mental health and consulting program focused on increasing access to culturally grounded counseling, education, and professional development in tribal and rural communities. Her work centers Indigenous children, families, and communities and the integration of Indigenous knowledge and ways of healing within the counseling profession.
    Sessions
    • ED047 : Trauma-Informed Indigenous Practices in Counselor Education: Relational, Cultural, and Decolonizing Approaches
  • Kristina Cartwright-Martin, M.A. LPC, NCC
    Kris Martin, MA, NCC, LPC, is a doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision at Adams State University. She currently serves as a high school counselor in Colorado, where she sits on the school leadership and MTSS teams, coordinates Section 504 services, and mentors emerging school counselors. In addition to her school-based leadership, she maintains a private practice specializing in adolescent mental health and suicide prevention. Her scholarly interests include counselor educator attitudes toward emerging technologies, counselor identity development, supervision, and systems leadership. Her current research examines counselor educators’ perceptions of AI-generated role plays and factors influencing technology adoption in CACREP-accredited programs.
    Sessions
    • LT004 : Artificial Insights
  • Sofie Cochran
    Sofie Cochran is a graduate Clinical Mental Health Counseling student at Regis University, finishing up her practicum and beginning her clinical experience. Her experience interning with Licensed Professional Counselors in schools across the state has provided her with expertise and knowledge regarding cultural sensitivity and intercultural communication. Her focus is on child-centered play therapy and humanistic approaches.
    Sessions
    • ED026 : Integrating Domestic Immersion into Multicultural Classroom: A Pedagogical Approach Fostering Cultural Sensitivity and Social Inclusion
  • Jenny L. Cureton, PhD, LPC, NCC
    Sessions
    • RT001 : A 5-step model for counselors and counselor educators to intervene and address sibling abuse
  • Jason Harshberger, PhD, LPC (WY)
    Dr. Harshberger is both a practicing counselor and also an assistant professor at Divine Mercy University. In these roles he is able to support clients and students in their journey toward living the life they are called to live. Dr. Harshberger feels that his teaching makes him a stronger counselor and that his counseling makes him a stronger teacher. He finds this to be a sweet spot in his professional endeavors.
    Sessions
    • RT013 : The Training Playground: Using Humor and Playfulness in Counselor Andragogy and Supervision
  • Jamal Horsley
    Dr. Horsley is a school counselor educator certified as a School Counselor in New York and New Jersey. He also holds an LPC-A in New Jersey and has extensive experience fostering adult learners’ growth through experiential learning theory in his role as Assistant Professor of Counseling at Western New Mexico University. Dr. Horsley earned his Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of the Cumberlands in 2024. As someone who was once an adult learner himself, Dr. Horsley deeply values creating a collaborative and inclusive classroom environment. He sees students as equal partners in their academic journey, helping them grow into professional school counselors and clinical mental health counselors. As a school counselor, Dr. Horsley believes every student can succeed on their own terms when equipped with appropriate educational supports, wellness resources, and accessible services. His research focuses on several key areas aimed at improving the field of school counseling, including clinical supervision for school counselors, leadership development for school counselors, student mental health crisis management, and the training and education of school counselor supervisors.
    Sessions
    • ED045 : Training Counselors for Rural and Underserved Communities via Telehealth
  • Bridgett Johnson
    Sessions
    • PO011 : Evaluating a Psychedelic Wellness Training for Counselors: RCT Testing for Gains in Cultural Competence, Counseling Skills, and Evidence-Based Knowledge
  • Alyson Leatherman, PhD, NCC
    Alyson J. Leatherman, PhD, NCC (she/her/ella) is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Counselor Education at Adams State University where she teaches asynchronous and synchronous graduate courses in clinical mental health and school counseling. Her professional experience includes 17 years as a high school counselor, and her scholarly interests include postsecondary planning, belonging, school counselor identity development, school counselor leadership, and qualitative research. She has presented at regional and national conferences on topics such as DEI leadership in school counseling, school counseling leadership silver linings during COVID-19, and supervising for wellness as anti-oppression. Alyson is a licensed K-12 professional school counselor in Oregon and currently serves as an Appointed Member of the College Board’s Counseling and Admission Assembly, Co-Faculty Advisor for the Alpha Sigma Chi chapter of Chi Sigma Iota, and Professional Development Committee Chair for the Oregon School Counselor Association.
    Sessions
    • ED085 : Meaning in Action: Fostering a Professional Counselor Identity Through Leadership and Advocacy
  • Melissa Luke, PhD, LMHC, NCC, ACS
    Melissa Luke, PhD, LMHC, NCC, ACS is a Dean’s Professor in the unit of Counseling & Human Services within the School of Education at Syracuse University. She is a National Certified Counselor (NCC), an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS), and both a New York state Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and certified School Counselor. Dr. Luke is an international leader in counselor education with ~250 publications and having delivered presentations and workshops in nine countries to date. She is a sought-after speaker for her expertise in identifying, understanding, and responding to the mental health and needs of historically underserved populations, including but not limited to those with marginalized identities. Dr. Luke was named Fellow in the Association for Specialists in Group Work (ASGW) in 2017 and the American Counseling Association (ACA) in 2018. In addition, Dr. Luke was the recipient of the 2021 American Educational Research Association (AERA)’s Distinguished Research Award, the Association for Counselor Education Supervision’s (ACES) 2023 Publication in Counselor Education and Supervision Award, the ACA’s 2024 Extended Research Award, and most recently ACA’s career recognition with the 2025 Thomas Hohenshil National Publication Award.
    Sessions
    • ED060 : The scholarship of teaching and learning counseling theories: An interpretative phenomenological analysis
  • Heather Martinez
    Heather Martinez is an independently licensed counselor, clinical supervisor, and current PhD student committed to shaping the next generation of clinicians through rigorous scholarship, character formation, and culturally responsive practice. With advanced training in counseling and counselor education, she integrates attachment theory, cognitive‑behavioral approaches, systemic models, and a deeply rooted biblical anthropology into both her teaching and clinical work. Heather is also trained in EMDR therapy, bringing trauma‑responsive, evidence‑based care into her practice and supervision.
    Sessions
    • LT002 : The Hidden Work of Gatekeeping: Emotional Toll and Payoff in Counselor Education
  • Denette Martinez-Guzman, LPC
    Denette brings 15 years of diverse clinical experience and expertise and is both a licensed professional counselor and a licensed addiction counselor in Colorado. She is certified in EMDR and has worked in many different leadership roles throughout her career. She is now pursuing a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision and is interested in continuing to advance her career and contribute to the field in significant ways.
    Sessions
    • ED010 : Do Counselors Feel Adequately Prepared to Handle Trauma Clients Upon Finishing Their Master's Programs? A Presentation of Research Findings.
  • Ambrin Masood
    I am Ambrin Masood, a tenured Professor and department chair for the Department of Rehabilitation and Human Services at Montana State University Billings. I have been teaching as a professor since 2009. My journey as a therapist began with my first Masters degree in Clinical Psychology in 1991. After coming to America I received my second Masters degree from the University of South Alabama in Experimental Psychology and then my third Masters from Auburn University in Psychological Testing. In 2010 I graduated from Auburn University with a PHD in School Psychology. I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who specializes in mental health therapy and psychological assessment for adults, adolescents, and children (ages 6+). I am a Nationally Certified Forensic Mental Health Evaluator (CFMHE) and certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). Twenty six years of training and expertise in mental health, therapy, psychological testing, trauma care and crisis intervention has allowed me to teach my students and support my clients in processing unsettling or traumatic experiences, building healthy coping strategies, and fostering a sense of safety and self-empowerment. I integrate trauma-informed care with evidence-based practices and draw on attachment theory and solution-focused approaches to help young people build confidence and resilience. I serve on the editorial boards of the Journal of Public Health Issues and Practices and Journal of Educational and Developmental Psychology. My main interest is in cross-cultural research and research on parenting and resiliency in children. I have authored articles in the areas of personality, mental disability, language and resiliency in youth. I have given back to my community through educating people about trauma, resiliency, culture, stereotypes and prejudice.
    Sessions
    • ED002 : As Many Chances as It Takes: Mental Health, Stigma, and Incarceration
  • Megan E. Maupin
    Megan Maupin is a Graduate Student in the Counseling program at the University of Colorado Denver. Megan completed their BA in Psychology at UT Austin, minoring in Women’s and Gender Studies. They are interested in community mental health care and serving LGBTQ+ youth.
    Sessions
    • RT009 : Cultural Immersion: Competence at What Cost?
  • Katie Mead, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Intern
    Katie Mead is an emerging clinical mental health counselor and a Master’s candidate at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. In her clinical residency, she specializes in supporting men navigating substance use disorders, providing evidence-based, recovery-focused therapy, and addressing complex co-occurring mental health needs through both group and individual interventions. With a professional background in executive leadership and venture capital, Katie brings a unique strategic perspective to the therapeutic space, focusing on the intersection of mental health and high-performance environments. She is particularly passionate about incorporating modalities such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and clinical hypnosis to help clients build resilience. Guided by a commitment to accountability and personal development, Katie strives to empower individuals to navigate transitions with clarity, purpose, and meaningful growth.
    Sessions
    • PO008 : The Counselor's Quest: A Guide to Navigating Master's Counseling Programs
  • Angelina Amoakowa Mensah, Mphil
    Angelina Amoakowa Mensah is a doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision at Idaho State University. Her clinical and research interests include multicultural supervision, counselor development, and equity in counselor preparation. She has experience providing supervision to counselors-in-training and contributing to research and program evaluation focused on culturally responsive supervision practices.
    Sessions
    • PO012 : Doctoral Student Preparation for Providing Multiculturally Informed Supervision in Counselor Education
  • Elaine Mora, PhD, LPC, LCPC, LCDC-I, NCC
    Dr. Elaine Mora, PhD is an assistant professor at Montana State University Billings. She recently completed her PhD in Rehabilitation Counseling at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) in 2025. She holds a Master of Science in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling and a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling with a Concentration in Addictions from UTRGV. She is Board Certified (NCC) and is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Chemical Dependency Counselor Intern in Texas. Furthermore, she is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Montana. Her research interests include male and female survivors of sex abuse, existentialism, narrative therapy, grief, psychosocial aspects of disability, multicultural diversity, addictions, forensic assessment, life care planning, and personal injury litigation.
    Sessions
    • ED059 : The Impact of Sound Baths: A Mixed-Methods Study on Stress Regulation, Trauma Response, and Relaxation
  • Kassandra Pontilo MA, LPCC, NCC
    Kassandra Pontilo (she/her) is an accomplished counseling professional and aspiring counselor educator and supervisor. She is pursuing her doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Northern Colorado. Her passion for research and dedication to scholarship is directly tied to her lived experiences. As a Filipina American with multiple marginalized identities, she is dedicated to social justice and advocacy work. Kassandra integrates her extensive background in wellness and diversity to explore critical issues impacting marginalized communities. Her research interests include multiculturalism, intersectionality, and the effects of whiteness in the counseling field.
    Sessions
    • PO013 : Examining Diversity in the Supervisory Relationship
  • Dr. Beth Robinson, Ed.D., LPC-S, SC
    Dr. Beth Robinson is a Professor of Counseling at Colorado Christian University. Dr. Robinson has an Ed.D. in Counselor Education and an M.Ed. in Educational Counseling. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor and a Certified School Counselor. In addition to her academic work, Dr. Robinson brings more than 35 years of experience working with traumatized children and adolescents. Occasionally you will find Dr. Robinson on the witness stand providing an expert opinion about a traumatized child. She loves children and has committed her time and energy to make sure they stay safe. She has written several books and articles and presented at state, regional, and national conferences. She loves having the chance to teach others through her writing and her presentations. Her research interests include the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences, effective interventions for traumatized children, and counselor education.
    Sessions
    • ED030 : Preparing Clinical Mental Health Counselor Educators to Ethically Teach and Supervise School Counselors in Training
    • ED067 : Evaluating Supervision Effectiveness in Counselor Education: Ethical, Practical, and Data-Informed Models for Faculty and Supervisors
  • Marcus Sappington, M.Coun, LPC
    I am a current doctoral student at Idaho State University. I also earned my master’s degree in counseling from Idaho State with an emphasis in clinical mental health and a Bachelor’s in psychology from Boise State University. I also am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Idaho. As a counselor I enjoy working with individuals and couples in the LGBTQ+ community. My research interests include human sexuality development and effectiveness of counseling education in teaching cultural competency.
    Sessions
    • ED050 : Ethical and Effective Work With Sexual and Gender Minority Clients with Eating Disorders
  • Leslie Stewart, PhD, LCPC, C-AAIS
    Sessions
    • ED033 : Research in Action: Integrating Counselors-in-Training into Collaborative Counselor Education Scholarship
  • o Matt Tis, PhD, LPC
    Dr. Matt Tis is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Applied Psychology and Counselor Education at the University of Northern Colorado. He holds a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Colorado. His research interests include improving CES admissions processes, advocacy for LGBTQ+ populations. Dr. Tis also maintains a small private practice in Castle Rock, CO.
    Sessions
    • ED005 : A Career Readiness Rubric to Measure Counselor Dispositions
  • Jamie Weltak, M.S., PCLC
    Jamie Weltak is a Counselor Education and Supervision PhD student at the University of Montana. Her research and professional interests are in play therapy and counselor identity development.
    Sessions
    • ED086 : Playing to Learn: Integrating Play Therapy Techniques into Counselor Education
  • Ashley Bennett
    Sessions
    • PO011 : Evaluating a Psychedelic Wellness Training for Counselors: RCT Testing for Gains in Cultural Competence, Counseling Skills, and Evidence-Based Knowledge
  • Ki Byung Chae, Ph.D., LPCC
    Sessions
    • ED077 : Who Gets Referred and Who Gets Missed? : Rethinking How School Counselors Identify Students for Targeted Support
  • Yehoon Jeong, MS
    Yehoon Jeong, MS, is a doctoral student in Counselor Education at the University of New Mexico. His research centers on college student mental health, suicidal ideation, crisis intervention, and mental health literacy. Drawing from both clinical and research experiences, he aims to develop evidence-based interventions that strengthen counselor training and promote community well-being. His work integrates research, education, and practice to advance culturally responsive mental health services.
    Sessions
    • ED006 : A Self-Deterministic, Relational Cultural Approach to Practicum Training
  • Tiffany Lopez, LPCC
    Tiffany is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor working with adults, children, couples, and high-acuity in-home clients. They are a PhD student in Counselor Education and Supervision. Grounded in lived experience and trauma-informed practice, they are passionate about resilience and advocacy, particularly for foster youth. Their work centers on helping individuals move beyond survival toward lasting growth and healing.
    Sessions
    • ED010 : Do Counselors Feel Adequately Prepared to Handle Trauma Clients Upon Finishing Their Master's Programs? A Presentation of Research Findings.
  • Brett McKell, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Intern
    Brett is a dedicated case manager and emerging clinical mental health counselor committed to serving you and families in moments of crisis and transition. Grounded in evidence-based practice and guided by compassion, he strives to be a steady presence in complex systems of care. His professional mission is centered on advocacy and empowerment- wanting to be the voice for the voiceless and the light for the hopeless. Through authenticity, accountability, and relational connection, Brett works to create spaces where individuals feel seen, heard and capable of meaningful change.
    Sessions
    • PO008 : The Counselor's Quest: A Guide to Navigating Master's Counseling Programs
  • Bonnie Nicholson, PhD, LPC
    Dr. Bonnie Nicholson is an Assistant Professor and the Professional Counseling External Placement Coordinator in the Department of Applied Psychology and Counselor Education at the University of Northern Colorado. Bonnie specializes in working with systems, including couples and family therapy. Bonnie is currently serving as the membership chair of RMACES. Areas of interest include cultural humility and broaching, intimate partner violence assessment, and best practices for working with blended families.
    Sessions
    • ED005 : A Career Readiness Rubric to Measure Counselor Dispositions
  • Adrienne Tauses, PhD, LCSW
    Adrienne Tauses, PhD, LCSW, is currently working as an adjunct faculty at the University of Montana and maintains a private practice in the community specializing in trauma and grief. She is currently involved in a new research protocol based on the neuroscience of the eye, addressing suppressed anger with clients struggling with traumatic experiences.Adrienne’s research interest is with mental health care and athletes. Specifically, how psychological stress can impact injury patterns and difficulty with recovery in athletes. Adrienne is also working as a clinical supervisor for 2nd year master’s students working specifically with educators in the community.
    Sessions
    • ED054 : Establishing a Counseling Clinic for Local Educators: Research Outcomes
  • Maria Tinervia
    I am a bilingual education professional, educator, and aspiring clinical mental health and school counselor with a deep passion for understanding human behavior, cultural identity, and the ways in which our experiences shape emotional well-being. Originally from Italy, my multicultural background has given me a unique perspective on the importance of cultural awareness, inclusion, and culturally responsive counseling practices. I am particularly passionate about cultural counseling and creating supportive spaces where individuals from diverse backgrounds feel seen, heard, and understood. My professional background in education, including experience in early childhood and K–12 settings, has strengthened my commitment to supporting students not only academically but also socially and emotionally. Working in schools has deepened my understanding of the connection between learning, behavior, mental health, and environmental influences, further fueling my fascination with behavioral studies and human development. As I continue my journey in clinical mental health and school counseling, I am driven by a desire to advocate for others, promote equity in education and mental health services, and help individuals navigate life’s challenges with compassion, cultural humility, and evidence-based support.
    Sessions
    • ED045 : Training Counselors for Rural and Underserved Communities via Telehealth
  • Camila Wohlford
    Camila Wohlford is a graduate student at Regis University, studying to obtain my Masters in Counseling and certificates in Play Therapy and EMDR. I have a desire to work with the Latino community, specifically children with trauma. In my free time, I love to read, garden, travel, and spend time with my pets.
    Sessions
    • ED026 : Integrating Domestic Immersion into Multicultural Classroom: A Pedagogical Approach Fostering Cultural Sensitivity and Social Inclusion
  • Adriana C. Zarate, LCPC, CMHC, NCC
    Adriana C. Zarate is a bilingual/bicultural Colombian-American counselor and emerging counselor educator. Licensed as an LCPC in Idaho and a CMHC in Utah, she is currently pursuing a PhD in Counselor Education & Supervision (CES). Her CES interests focus on bilingual counseling training, social justice-oriented teaching, and culturally responsive supervision. Clinically, she offers client-centered care grounded in EFT and feminist therapy, supporting couples and individuals navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, immigration, and cultural identity.
    Sessions
    • ED029 : Navigating the Academic Terrain: A Narrative Inquiry of International Doctoral Students in Counselor Education & Supervision Programs
  • Tavi Bradenburg
    Sessions
    • ED054 : Establishing a Counseling Clinic for Local Educators: Research Outcomes
  • Kristin Myers, PhD, LPC
    Kristin Myers is an Assistant Professor in the Applied Psychology and Counselor Education program at the University of Northern Colorado. Kristin has been in the education field for 23 years starting her career as a school counselor, working at the Colorado Department of Education in foster care education, and transitioning to a faculty role at UNC for the past 4 years and starting a private counseling and consulting practice. Kristin’s research interests include children and youth experiencing foster care, children and youth experiencing homelessness, preparing professional counseling master’s students in suicide prevention and intervention, and school counselor education.
    Sessions
    • ED005 : A Career Readiness Rubric to Measure Counselor Dispositions
  • Atanas Tannous
    Sessions
    • PO011 : Evaluating a Psychedelic Wellness Training for Counselors: RCT Testing for Gains in Cultural Competence, Counseling Skills, and Evidence-Based Knowledge
  • David Zimmerman, Mental Health Counseling Intern
    David began his professional career as an architectural designer before transitioning into teaching and mentoring youth and adult learners. Through this work and volunteer experience, he developed a passion for helping others manage stress, build resilience, and navigate change. These experiences led him to pursue graduate training in Clinical Mental Health Counseling as he prepares for a career as a professional counselor.
    Sessions
    • PO008 : The Counselor's Quest: A Guide to Navigating Master's Counseling Programs
  • Danielle Kahlo, PhD, LPC
    Danielle Kahlo, PhD, LPC is an Associate Professor in the Department of Applied Psychology and Counselor Education at the University of Northern Colorado and has been a member of UNC’s Professional Counseling faculty since 2009. Areas of interest include working with the Veteran population, therapeutic assessment, and resilience, with an emphasis on utilizing tools such as whole-health approaches to wellness, mindfulness, and self-compassion, both in clinical practice and in counselor education and development.
    Sessions
    • ED005 : A Career Readiness Rubric to Measure Counselor Dispositions
  • Matthew Walker, Mental Health Counseling Intern
    Sessions
    • PO008 : The Counselor's Quest: A Guide to Navigating Master's Counseling Programs
  • Teri Odle
    Sessions
    • LT002 : The Hidden Work of Gatekeeping: Emotional Toll and Payoff in Counselor Education
  • Dr. Victoria E. Kress
    Dr. Victoria E. Kress (she/her) is the elected 75th president of the American Counseling Association (ACA). She has been a counselor for 3 decades and a counselor educator for over 2 decades. She is the director of the clinical mental health and addictions counseling programs at Youngstown State University. She served two terms on Ohio’s counselor licensing board and was instrumental in updating Ohio’s counselor practice act. She has been the recipient of over 50 professional and community service awards, most of which for her advocacy, leadership, scholarship, community service, and mentorship initiatives. She has also received awards for her work with people who have intellectual disabilities, for empowering girls in her community, for her sexual assault prevention efforts, and for her child abuse advocacy work. She is a past president of Chi Sigma Iota International, the Association for Humanistic Counseling, the Ohio Counseling Association, and the North Central Association for Counselor Education and Supervision; she is a past ACA Midwest Region Chair; she is a past member of the American Counseling Association’s governing council; and she has chaired or served on 100+ counseling committees. Dr. Kress has engaged in legislative advocacy on behalf of the profession and these we serve for over two decades. She is also passionate about child advocacy, trauma-informed practices, growing counseling leaders, mentorship of developing counselors, and legislative advocacy.
    Sessions
    • RM003 : Keynote Session- Counselor Advocacy: Past Lessons, Present Impact, Future Possibilities
  • Marcela Kepič, PhD, LPC, NCC, ACS
    Dr. Marcela Kepič, LPC is a professor at the University of Arizona and a program director of MA counseling program. Her expertise lies in human development across the lifespan, with research focused on the life satisfaction and wellness of adults who experience trauma, loss, and grief. Dr. Kepic is a past president of the Association for Adult Development and Aging (AADA). She is also a member of state, national, and international professional organizations, including ACA, ACES, WACES, AMHCA and Arizona Counseling Association. She contributed to the development of grief counseling competencies for the counseling profession. In addition to contributing to peer-reviewed publications and presenting at national, international, and state conferences, Dr. Kepic serves as a reviewer for a few peer-reviewed journals and is a counseling program liaison for CACREP. She maintains her private practice serving couples and individuals with life challenges and is a passionate educator, supervisor, and mentor.
    Sessions
    • ED097 : Integrating Grief Counseling Best Practices into Counselor Education: From Endorsement to Implementation
  • Ajah Allen, M.A., Provisionally Licensed Counselor
    Sessions
    • ED018 : Gatekeeping and the Hidden Costs: Licensure Structures and the Professional Trajectories of Non-Licensed BIPOC Women Counselors

CE Info

46.25  Counselor Education Hours
1.25  Technology Hours
6  Advanced Clinical Practice Hours
3.25  Ethics and Law Hours
9  Research and Assessment Hours
20  Supervision Hours
22  Teaching Hours
1.5  General Session Hours

Each professional is responsible for the individual requirements as stipulated by his/her licensing agency. Please contact your individual licensing board/regulatory agency to review continuing education requirements for licensure renewal. Please note: You must attend "live" (in real-time) for the duration of the training to earn CE credits.

After the event, you will receive access to your evaluation and continuing education certificate via a personalized "attendee dashboard" link, hosted on the CE-Go website. This link will be sent to the email account you used to register for the event.

Upon accessing the CE-Go "attendee dashboard", you will be able to:

  • Complete evaluation forms for the event
  • Download your continuing education certificate in a PDF format

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the CE-Go platform, please contact CE-Go at 888-498-5578 or by email at support@ce-go.com Please Note: Emails for this event will come from "support@ceactivities.com".

If you have any continuing education related questions, please contact your event organizer.

Please make sure to check your spam/junk folder in case those emails get "stuck". We'd also suggest "Allowlisting" support@ceactivities.com. This tells your email client that you know this sender and trust them, which will keep emails from this contact at the top of your inbox and out of the junk folder.

Target Audience

This event is targeted towards counselor educators, students, clinical supervisors, and friends of RMACES.

Continuing Education Credit Hours are available from the following organizations

In-Person

National Board of Certified Counselors
Rocky Mountain ACES has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No 2071.
Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. RMACES is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Policies

Code of Conduct

The Rocky Mountain ACES Conference is committed to providing an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environment for all participants. We embrace diversity in all its forms and do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on race, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, socioeconomic status, or any other identity.




All participants are expected to conduct themselves in alignment with the ACA Code of Ethics and the core principles of counseling, fostering an atmosphere of trust, respect, and professionalism. Harassment, intimidation, or any form of demeaning behavior will not be tolerated.


We encourage attendees to speak up if they witness or experience any inappropriate behavior. Reports of misconduct will be taken seriously and addressed promptly. Individuals found to be in violation of this code may be asked to leave the conference.

Land Acknowledgement

RMACES acknowledges that we are gathering on land originally inhabited by the Tiwa Indians, also known as Tigua, who are a group of Tanoan Pueblo tribes who currently live in three geographic regions, including Taos and Picuris Pueblos in northeast New Mexico, Sandia and Isleta Pueblos near Albuquerque, and at Ysleta del Sur, near El Paso, Texas. 


We honor the sovereignty of each Native Nation, recognizing that every Nation is self-governing, with its own government, traditions, language, and cultural practices. We also acknowledge the broader Pueblo, Navajo (Diné), and Apache communities who maintain deep historical and contemporary connections to this region.


As visitors on this land, we recognize the enduring impacts of colonization and the continued resilience of Indigenous peoples, whose stewardship, cultural knowledge, and contributions remain essential to the well-being of these lands and the communities who call them home.

Our presence represents use of natural resources and access to land available due to cycles of disempowerment of Indigenous tribes in the United States. As we gather, we must demonstrate respect for this land, and for the tribal communities who have and do reside here. RMACES seeks to minimize our environmental impact associated with our event to the extent possible, and contribute positively to this land as visitors. 



Cancellation Policy

CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY

All registration cancellations and refund requests must be made by 11:59 PM MT on August 30, 2026 via email to rmacesconference@acesonline.net. Effective August 18, 2026, registrants who make requests prior to this date will receive a refund minus a $50 cancellation fee ($25 for Students). No refunds will be granted after August 30, 2026 (i.e., one month prior to conference).

Disclosures

Rocky Mountain ACES has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No 2071.

Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. RMACES is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
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2026 RMACES Conference
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  • Type
    In-Person Event
  • Location
    Marriott Albuquerque (2101 Louisiana Boulevard NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110-5401)
  • Date
    September 30 - October 03, 2026

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