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WVCA Fall Conference & Retreat 2026

October 22-24, 2026

Canaan Valley Resort - 230 Main Lodge Road, Davis, WV 26260

We are so excited to continue to bring our conference to different parts of our beautiful state, and this year, we will be headed to the gorgeous Canaan Valley Resort! The fall colors should be in full bloom at conference time.

Canaan Valley Resort will offer attendees an ideal blend of professional development and leisure. When you're not attending conference sessions, you can take advantage of the variety of amenities the resort has to offer. Whether you want to take a scenic hike or wagon ride, try your luck tossing horseshoes, play a round of mini golf, show off your mad pool or air hockey skills, relax by the indoor pool and hot tub, or just sit outside and chill, there's something for everyone!

Register

All WVCA members enjoy discounted registration. Not a member? Join us!

Check out the Conference Program.

Hotel Accommodations

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Canaan Valley Resort Lodge. To book, go to https://www.canaanresort.com/, enter 10/22/2026 as the check-in date and 10/24/2026 as the check-out date. The next screen will have a box in the bottom left corner. Click on "GROUP" and then enter code WCA-AC941.

If you need to book a room for a shorter or longer period of time, or if you simply prefer to book by phone, you can call (304) 866-4121.

Interested in sponsoring?

Sponsorship opportunities can be found in the WVCA Store.

WVCA Awards

One of the best things about the counseling profession is its versatility. We are therapists, school counselors, educators, clinical supervisors, researchers, and advocates. And the WVCA Awards is an opportunity to give a shout-out to West Virginia counselors fighting the good fight in the various roles of the profession! Each year, WVCA issues the following awards:

WVCA Excellence in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Award
WVCA Excellence in School Counseling Award
WVCA Outstanding Counselor Educator Award
WVCA Outstanding Clinical Supervisor Award
WVCA Innovative Research Award
WVCA Distinguished Advocacy Award
WVCA Community Impact Award

You do not have to be a WVCA member, a counselor, or even located in West Virginia to submit nominations! Unless otherwise specified, nominees must work in the counseling profession in West Virginia or live in West Virginia and work in a border state.

Voting will open for active WVCA members only at 8:00 am EDT on Tuesday, 8/25/26 and will close at 5:00 pm EDT on Sunday, 8/30/26. The ballot will not be accessible until after 8:00 am on 8/25!

Vote

WVCA Marilyn Smith Emerging Leader Award. Attention COUNSELING GRAD STUDENTS! If you are currently enrolled and in good standing in a counseling graduate program (Master's or doctoral), we invite you to apply for this award. It is meant to recognize graduate students exhibiting exceptional leadership potential in their personal, professional, and academic careers.

Applicants must:

Be actively enrolled in a Master's- or doctoral-level counseling program and be in good standing.
Be willing and able to attend the WVCA conference in October.
Be a current WVCA member.
Fill out the application form, which will include uploading a resume/CV and at least 1 letter of recommendation from a faculty member.

Apply by 8/31/26!

Fun Times at the 2025 Conference

Photos from the WVCA Fall Conference 2025 at Stonewall Resort

Attendance Disclaimer: Registration and attendance at, or participation in, West Virginia Counseling Association (WVCA) conferences, meetings, and events constitutes an agreement by the registrant/attendee for WVCA to use and distribute, now and in the future, the registrant's/attendee's image or voice in photographs, videotapes, electronic reproductions, and audio of such events and activities to illustrate and promote the WVCA experience and products.