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Conference Schedule

WVCA Fall Conference & Retreat 2024

November 7-9, 2024

The Resort at Glade Springs - 255 Resort Drive, Daniels, WV 25832

Schedule of Events

November 7, 2024

8:30-9:00 am	Registration & Networking
9:00-9:15 am	Welcome (Dr. Kari Mika-Lude, WVCA President)
9:15-10:45 am	Opening Call to Advocacy (Allison Rosenstock, MPA - ACA State Government Affairs Manager)
10:45-10:55 am	BREAK
10:55 am-12:25 pm	Breakout 1a: Empowering Tomorrow's Counselors to be Theoretically Grounded, Professionally Licensed, and to Advance Their Careers (Dr. Jeff Garrett and Rebekah DeMattie) - *ALPS*
	Breakout 1b: Champions for Change: Leveraging Research for Advocacy in Professional Counseling (Dr. Kari Mika-Lude, Dr. Jerica Wesley, and Dr. Jonathan Lent)
	Breakout 1c: Military Mental Health, part 1 (Deana Thaxton Samms, MA, LPC and Chaplain Colonel Michael Allen - US Army, WV Army National Guard (ret.) - *Veterans*
12:25-1:45 pm	LUNCH (on your own)
1:45-3:15 pm	Breakout 2a: Exploring the Embodied Debris of Religious and Spiritual Trauma: Healing Through Somatic Experiencing and Narrative Trauma-Focused Therapy (Dr. Shelley Coleman)
	Breakout 2b: Best Practice: Updates to and Application of the ASAM Criteria (Bryan Stephey, MA, LPC, AADC and Dr. Kari Mika-Lude, LPC, AADC-S, ALPS)
	Breakout 2c: Military Mental Health, part 2 - *Veterans*
3:15-3:25 pm	BREAK
3:25-4:55 pm	Breakout 3a: Opioid Use Disorder in Pregnancy: An Opportunity for the Rebirth of Compassion (Dr. Gary Stoner)
	Breakout 3b: Verbal Aikido: Responding to Invalidation, part 1 (Diana Partington, MS.Ed., LPC-MHSP (TN)
	Breakout 3c: Yoga for Mental Health, part 1 (Tenikka Phillips, MA, LPC, ALPS)
4:55-5:05 pm	BREAK
5:05-6:35 pm	Breakout 4a: Language as a Counseling Skill (Karen Dominick, BA and Dr. Jerica Wesley)
	Breakout 4b: Verbal Aikido: Responding to Invalidation, part 2
	Breakout 4c: Yoga for Mental Health, part 2
6:35-7:30 pm	DINNER (on your own)
7:30 pm-???	Simple Pleasures: S'mores, Hot Chocolate, and Fellowship

November 8, 2024

8:00-8:30 am	Registration & Networking
8:30-8:45 am	Day 2 Welcome (Dr. Kari Mika-Lude, WVCA President)
8:45-9:45 am	Keynote (Diana Partington, MS.Ed., LPC-MHSP (TN))
9:45-9:55 am	BREAK
9:55-11:25 am	Breakout 5a: Navigating Imposter Syndrome: A Polyvagal Perspective for Clinical Supervisors, part 1 (Dr. Kari Mika-Lude, LPC, AADC-S, ALPS; Dr. Jerica Wesley, LPC, ALPS; Dr. Brandon Waggoner, LPC, ALPS, LPC-S (VA); Dr. Michelle Smith, LPC, ALPS; Amy Kennedy-Rickman, MA, LPC, ALPS; and Tenikka Phillips, MA, LPC, ALPS) - *ALPS*
	Breakout 5b: Surviving a Licensure Complaint (Jack Childers, MA, LPC) - *Ethics*
	Breakout 5c: Engaging Theories: Creative Approaches to Theory-Driven Counseling (Wilson Harvey, MA, LPC, Licensed School Counselor (VA)
11:25 am-12:30 pm	LUNCH (either on your own or Business Luncheon)
12:30-2:00 pm	Breakout 6a: Navigating Imposter Syndrome: A Polyvagal Perspective for Clinical Supervisors, part 2 - *ALPS*
	Breakout 6b: Generative AI 101: Responsible and Ethical Use in the Age of Ubiquity (Dr. Eric Beeson) - *Ethics*
	Breakout 6c: Creativity and Self-Care: Finding New Ways to Replenish and Refresh on a Daily Basis (Dr. Lori Ellison)
2:00-2:10 pm	BREAK
2:10-3:40 pm	Breakout 7a: Ethical Speed Dating: A Dynamic Approach to Enhancing Ethical Decision-Making Skills, part 1 (Dr. Brenda Everett and Lauren Pavlic, MA, LPC, NCC) - *Ethics*
	Breakout 7b: From Practice to Policy Work: How to Advocate for Change (Amy Kennedy-Rickman, MA, LPC, ALPS and Dr. Kari Mika-Lude)
	Breakout 7c: Sex is Sex Unless it's Not: Re-Establishing Intimacy in the Wake of Sex Addiction, part 1 (Dr. Jerry Dooley)
3:40-3:50 pm	BREAK
5:05-6:35 pm	Breakout 8a: Ethical Speed Dating: A Dynamic Approach to Enhancing Ethical Decision-Making Skills, part 2 - *Ethics*
	Breakout 8b: Food and Mood: Can Foods and Dietary Supplements Really Impact Mental Health Status? (Sharon Shelton, MA, NBC-HWC and Amy Kennedy-Rickman, MA, LPC, ALPS)
	Breakout 8c: Sex is Sex Unless it's Not: Re-Establishing Intimacy in the Wake of Sex Addiction, part 2
5:20-7:00 pm	BREAK/RESORT TIME
7:00 pm-???	President's Reception & WVCA Awards Ceremony

November 9, 2024

8:00-8:30 am	Registration & Networking
8:30-10:00 am	Breakout 9a: Holiday Survival Skills, part 1 (Diana Partington, MS.Ed., LPC-MHSP (TN))
	Breakout 9b: Metabolizing Loss: Food as a Collective Grief Ritual (Kailey Bradley, MA, LPCC-S, NCC, FT and Nancy Baur, MA, LPCC-S, LICDC)
	Breakout 9c: Strengthening Your Psychological Body Armor™, part 1 (Matt Maynard, MA, LPC)
10:00-10:10 am	BREAK
10:10-11:40 am	Breakout 10a: Holiday Survival Skills, part 2
	Breakout 10b: Can God be Ethical? The Ethical Dilemmas and Need for Spiritual Integration (Dr. Brandon Waggoner and Abigail Sedgwick) - *Ethics*
	Breakout 10c: Strengthening Your Psychological Body Armor™, part 2
11:40-11:50 am	BREAK
11:50 am-1:20 pm	Breakout 11a: The Intern is Here: Maximizing the Role of Site Supervisor (Renee Bair, MA, LPC (PA & WV), ALPS) - *ALPS*
	Breakout 11b: A Collaborative Gatekeeping Process in Fostering the Development of Counselors-in-Training (Dr. Jerry Dooley) - *ALPS*
	Breakout 11c: ~~From Bad Girl to Sex Worker: Labeling Theory and Women in Addiction (Amanda Poff, MS, MSW, LGSW)~~ *Cancelled*
	Breakout 11c: Accelerated Resolution Therapy: "Is This Magic?" (Christie Eastman, MA, LPC)

Exhibitor and sponsorship sign-up now open!

Visit the WVCA Store for details.

What else is going to be happening?

PUPPY THERAPY!

WVCA is partnering with The Humane Society of Raleigh County, a no-kill facility, to bring the goodest boys and girls to the conference! They will be on site on Thursday, November 7, 2024, from 12:00-2:00 pm. During that time, conference attendees are encouraged to stop by and pet the doggos, or better yet, adopt one and give them a fur-ever home!

There is no cost to participate in Puppy Therapy, but donations for the shelter are appreciated. They accept monetary donations, or you can check out their wish list if you'd prefer to donate items instead!

More details coming soon!

Simple Pleasures: S'mores, Hot Chocolate, and Fellowship

Gathering around a fire pit with friends creates a warm, cozy atmosphere perfect for enjoying quality social time. Enjoy the soothing backdrop of the crackling fire, with its heat warming the cool night air, and throw back to your childhood by roasting marshmallows, making ooey-gooey s'mores, and sipping hot chocolate. Join us for a nighttime snack and some laughs!

There is no cost to attend this event, but sign-up is required to ensure we have enough snacks for everyone! This event will be open to all conference attendees.

Reserve your spot!

Business Luncheon

The Business Luncheon will take place on Friday, November 8, 2024, during the lunch break. Attendees will enjoy lunch, updates from the WVCA Executive Board, and networking opportunities! The luncheon is open to all conference attendees, but WVCA members are especially encouraged to attend. Don't miss out - get your ticket, if you haven't already!

Complimentary Professional Headshots (Members Only)

WVCA is bringing in a professional photographer to take headshots! WE Photography will be on site Friday, November 8, 2024, from 12:30-5:30 pm. This is a members-only perk and will be by appointment only while supplies last.

Members: Reserve your appointment here.

Complimentary Chair Massages

WVCA is bringing in a professional massage therapist to provide chair massages to attendees! All your stress will melt away during your 15 minutes of bliss. This experience will be by appointment only. Appointments can be made on-site and will be available on a first-come-first-served basis.

If 15 minutes isn't enough, be sure to book your appointment at the award-winning Spa Orange at Glade Springs!

President's Reception

The President's Reception will take place on Friday, November 8, 2024, at 7:00 pm. Join us for an exciting evening filled with celebration , entertainment, and connection. Attendees will enjoy a delicious dinner, a cash bar, the WVCA Awards Ceremony, and live entertainment from DJ SOUNDSGOOD! Don't miss out - be sure to get your ticket(s), if you haven't already! The Reception is open to all conference attendees and their guests (guests will also need their own ticket for entry).

Each year, WVCA bestows the following awards: Excellence in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Award, Excellence in School Counseling Award, Outstanding Counselor Educator Award, Outstanding Clinical Supervisor Award, Innovative Research Award, Distinguished Advocacy Award, Community Impact Award, and the Marilyn Smith Emerging Leader Award. The Awards Ceremony is the highlight of the President's Reception, showcasing the contributions and achievements of the award recipients.

Activities at The Resort at Glade Springs

In addition to the spa, The Resort also offers a wide variety of activities including, but not limited to, archery, bowling, Bubble Soccer, a cinema, disc golf, Escape Rooms, hiking trails, laser tag, and more! Although accommodations can be made in-person, advance reservations are strongly encouraged, especially for archery, Bubble Soccer, laser tag, and the Escape Rooms. Advanced reservations can be made by calling (844) 668-5760.

Conference T-Shirt

Conference t-shirts are available for purchase at a slightly discounted rate upon registration or in the WVCA Store.

T-shirts may also be available for on-site purchase at full price. Please note that quantities and sizes may be limited for on-site purchase.