About

Two Exciting Components

The 2021 Counseling Conference is being held on June 4-6 AND June 11-12.

June 4-6 include half days of training - all VIRTUAL.

June 11-12 include 6 hours of intensive training, one training each day. This is being held at the Courtyard by Marriott Scottsdale. Setup will be designed for social distancing. Registration is limited at just 50 people each day.

Sessions Include

We have some outstanding presentations scheduled for the 2021 Counseling Conference!

- AzBBHE and Your Licensure

- American Counseling Association Update

- Bringing Advocacy into Everyday Practice: Scalability and Balance in Today's Arizona

- In the Best Interests of…Whom? When Confidentiality and Due Process Collide in Court Cases Involving Children

- Facilitating Healing, Resiliency, and Hope: Trauma Responsive Care

- Advanced Conflict Resolution Strategies and Techniques for Counselors

- Politics? Covid? NAH! Let's Talk About ETHICS Instead!

Conference Times

All virtual conference days shall be run on Arizona Time, with the day starting at 8:00 am Arizona Time with networking, exhibit time, and prizes.

To Register

CLICK HERE

Or go to www.azca.org | Training Tab | 2021 Counseling Conference - June | 2021 Conference Registration Form

What's Included

Included in the registration fee is access to all of the individual virtual sessions held within the conference. Once the conference live version is held, you may access available sessions on-demand as well at your convenience at no additional cost. Within the virtual session, you will have the ability to ask questions of the presenter(s) and download handouts for use during and after the session. The 2021 Counseling Conference will use a ZOOM format.

Full Counseling Conference Registration includes ALL 3 Virtual Days PLUS option to register for In-Person Intensives for a separate fee.

Where is this Offered

The 2021 Arizona Counseling Conference will be hosted on our www.CounselorCE.org website and use a ZOOM format. Each registrant will login to that website and click on the 2021 Counseling Conference event.

Cancellation, Substitution & Refund Policy

Registration cancellations prior to or on June 1 will incur no penalty. No refunds will be made on cancellations made after June 1 because logistical implementation and forfeited fees cannot be applied to future meetings due to IRS reporting requirements.

Substitutions are $25. All substitutions must be in writing and accompanied by a completed online registration form.

We look forward to "seeing" you in June at the 2021 Annual Counseling Conference!

CE Credits

This program offers 9 NBCC hours if you attend all virtual sessions.

Arizona Counseling Association has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 2003. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Arizona Counseling Association is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Sessions

Friday, June 4, 2021

8:00 am – 9:15 am
Networking Hall Login to Conference & Mingle

9:15 am
Welcome & Opening Remarks

9:30 am -10:30 am
AzBBHE and Your Licensure
Tobi Zavala, Executive Director, AzBBHE

Tobi Zavala has served as the executive director of the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners since 2010. Her goals for AzBBHE are to maintain the safety and welfare of the public, ensure applicants and licensees are treated fairly and equitably, and monitor behavioral health and licensing trends to keep the board aligned with federal and national standards.

10:30 am – 10:45 am
Sponsored Chat

10:45 am – 11:45 am
American Counseling Association Update
Richard Yep, Executive Director, ACA

Richard Yep, CAE, FASAE is the Chief Executive Officer of the American Counseling Association, the largest membership organization of professional counselors in the world. He currently oversees a staff of 63 and a $13 million budget. ACA has more than 56,000 members. Rich has worked for ACA for more than 25 years, the past 15 as the Association’s CEO. His previous roles at ACA involved public policy, marketing, and corporate planning. He is also the President of the American Counseling Association Foundation. Rich has presented on various issues impacting not-for-profit organizations relative to public policy, leadership development, ethics, membership retention, and product development. Rich’s professional affiliations include the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). He has been a member of the ASAE Marketing Council, is a past Chair of ASAE’s Committee on Diversity and Inclusion, and completed a term on the ASAE Board of Directors in 2013. Currently, Rich is on the Key Professional Associations Committee and a member of the ASAE Foundation’s Development Committee. He was named an ASAE Fellow in 2012. This year, Rich was nominated to serve on the Executive Committee of the United Nation’s Department of Public Information/Non-Governmental Organizations (DPI/NGO) which is a group comprised of organizations from around the world who work with the United Nations on issues of importance. In this capacity, he also serves as the Communications Chair for the Executive Committee. For ten years Rich served on the Board of Trustees of Excelsior College, an institution based in Albany, New York that is dedicated to adult learners. He is Chair Emeriti of the board. Rich holds an undergraduate degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Southern California.

11:45 am – 12:00 pm
Poster Presenter Interaction Time & Networking

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Bringing Advocacy into Everyday Practice: Scalability and Balance in Today's Arizona
Halina Brooke, MS, LAMFT, LAC

The past year has been full of intensity, change, and both new and re-emerging issues that impact the counseling profession and its vital work. This session will begin with an overview of key concerns that impact Arizona counselors and the clients we serve, including legislative issues and the growing traction for the interstate compact here in Arizona. After discussion of what advocacy means within the profession, participants will be guided through an activity to attune with the issues that matter to them and will uncover scalable, everyday ways to infuse advocacy into their practice. Participants will walk away with greater attunement to their own counseling values, practical strategies for connecting with others in community to advance shared goals, and a deeper understanding of how professional advocacy differs from partisan and political endeavors. Objectives: 1. Build awareness of current, local issues related to advocacy for the profession and the clients we serve. 2. Uncover ways to infuse advocacy into clinical practice and related roles. 3. Build insight into how personal counseling values can serve to inform participants' advocacy endeavors. 4. Understand the difference between political/partisan activism and professional advocacy.

Halina Brooke, MS, LAMFT, LAC is a Doctoral Candidate in Counselor Education and Supervision at Capella University. In addition to advocating at the legislature and serving/educating the public in the podcast sphere, her conference presentations include a lecture on de-stigmatizing the chronic illness experience in healthcare providers and a poster session on the trends and awareness around East Asian counseling modalities. Having taught undergraduate psychology lab from 2017 through 2019, she currently serves as teaching assistant in the Mental Health Counseling master’s program at Capella. A passionate advocate for the counseling profession and the populations we serve, Halina chairs our Legislative and Advocacy Committee.

1:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Student Poster Presentations

1:30 pm
Closing Remarks

Saturday, June 5, 2021

8:00 am – 9:15 am
Networking Hall Login to Conference & Mingle

9:15 am
Welcome & Opening Remarks

9:30 am -10:30 am
In the Best Interests of…Whom? When Confidentiality and Due Process Collide in Court Cases Involving Children
Ann Ordway, JD, PhD

This session is a preview of the 6-Hour One-Day Intensive Seminar to be held in-person on Friday, June 11 at the Marriott Courtyard Scottsdale.

Ann M. Ordway, JD, PhD is a core faculty member with the on-campus Counselor Education Department at the University of Phoenix. She was a practicing attorney for 25 years, with a practice focus on high conflict family litigation, including intimate partner violence, custody matters, and child protective services proceedings. Dr. Ordway is a family mediator, child advocate, and parenting coordinator. She is an active member of the American Counseling Association and has presented Learning Institutes at the annual conferences six years in a row. Ann is a Trustee for the Association of Creativity in Counseling, and the Chair of the Emerging Leaders Committee for the International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors. Ann is also on the board of Arizona Chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts.

10:30 am – 10:45 am
Sponsored Chat

10:45 am – 11:45 am
Facilitating Healing, Resiliency, and Hope: Trauma Responsive Care
Mary Vicario, LPCC-S

This session is a preview of the 6-Hour One-Day Intensive Seminar to be held in-person on Saturday, June 12 at the Marriott Courtyard Scottsdale.

Mary Vicario is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Supervisor (LPCC-S) and a Certified Trauma Specialist with over 30 years’ experience working with trauma survivors of all ages and ability levels and training on trauma informed care nationally and internationally. She has been a People-to-People delegate to China and Mongolia with the American Counseling Association and guest lectured and participated in a conference on human trafficking in Germany. She holds a Certificate in Traumatic Studies from Bessel van der Kolk’s Trauma Center at the Justice Resource Institute and has also been honored with a CASA award for cooperative casework. As a former teacher, clinician, and clinical director and now as the founder of Finding Hope Consulting, LLC, Mary has many years’ experience working with trauma survivors, addictions, and training.

11:45 am – 12:00 pm
Networking Break

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Advanced Conflict Resolution Strategies and Techniques for Counselors
Michael Aurit, JD, MDR and Karen Aurit, LAMFT

A skilled professional family mediator, informed by their clients’ relational dynamics and underlying conflict, designs nuanced interventions which reduce and prevent conflict to help clients achieve their defined goals.

This advanced program will explore an array of effective mediation strategies, carefully selected from our glossary of over 80 powerful interventions designed to facilitate conflict resolution. LPC's can successfully apply these strategies in their work with individuals, couples, and families. We will demonstrate how you can orchestrate balanced communication, deepen trust, and resolve conflict innovative, using targeted interventions.

Michael Aurit, JD, MDR, is Co-Founder and Director of The Aurit Center for Divorce Mediation in Scottsdale, Arizona. He is President of The Academy of Professional Family Mediators. He is also an adjunct professor at Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law. He currently serves as Ethics Chair of the Maricopa County Association of Family Mediators. He holds his Juris Doctorate degree from Pepperdine University School of Law and Master’s Degree in Dispute Resolution from the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine Law. Michael can be reached at Michael@auritmediation.com.

Karen Aurit, LAMFT, is Co-Founder and Director of The Aurit Center for Divorce Mediation in Scottsdale, Arizona. Karen is a Licensed Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. She specializes in mindfulness theory and stress reduction techniques. Karen is a member of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts and Arizona Association of Marriage and Family Therapy. She holds her Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University. Karen received her Mediation Certification from The Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University School of Law. Karen can be reached at Karen@auritmediation.com.

1:00 pm – 1:15 pm
Closing Remarks

Sunday, June 6, 2021

8:00 am – 9:15 am
Networking Hall Login to Conference & Mingle

9:15 am
Welcome & Opening Remarks

9:30 am -10:30 am
Politics? Covid? NAH! Let's Talk About ETHICS Instead!
Keith Cross, PhD

LICENSURE BOARD COMPLAINTS, RECORDS REQUESTS, AND SUBPOENAS! OH MY! How often has the social service agency water cooler drama included salacious topics such as these? By unintentionally spreading many myths and misinformation about counselor ethics, liability and risk management, many counseling professionals create and perpetuate liability anxiety contagion. This session will review the Second Edition Healthcare Providers Service Organization (HPSO) Counselor Liability Claim Report, which details the actual data (collected over the last 15 years) on the most common reasons for malpractice claims against counselors as well as the outcomes of those claims. As a result of this information, we will discuss specific ways to minimize your liability as a counselor so you can practice from a place of confidence rather than fear. This presentation will also include discussion of recent changes to the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners rules and statutes.

Objectives:
• Apply the results of the Second Edition CNA/HPSO Counselor Liability Claim Report: Second Edition to clinical practice.
• Describe two specific behaviors that can lead to board complaints and client malpractice claims.
• Based on the identified malpractice claims and board complaints, identify ten risk management strategies applicable to clinical practice.
• Learn the most recent rule and statute changes relevant to clinicians in Arizona.

Keith Cross, PhD is a faculty member in the Masters of Science in Counseling program at Prescott College. Keith is also the owner and Clinical Director of the Prescott Relationship Center, a group practice specializing in marriage/couples counseling. He earned his Masters and Ph.D. from Purdue University and he serves on the AZBBHE Marriage and Family Therapy Academic Review Committee Member. He is a board member of the Arizona Emotionally Focused Therapy Community.

10:30 am – 10:45 am
Networking Break

10:45 am – 11:45 am
Politics? Covid? NAH! Let's Talk About ETHICS Instead! Continued
Keith Cross, PhD

11:45 am – 12:00 pm
Sponsored Chat

Cummings

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Politics? Covid? NAH! Let's Talk About ETHICS Instead! Continued
Keith Cross, PhD

1:00 pm – 1:15 pm
AzCA Annual Business Meeting

1:15 pm
Closing Remarks

Intensives

Our Two Intensive Training Opportunities

Location: Courtyard by Marriott Scottsdale
This is being held at the Courtyard by Marriott Scottsdale. Setup will be designed for social distancing. So registration is limited at just 50 people each day.

Friday, June 11, 2021

In the Best Interests of…Whom? When Confidentiality and Due Process Collide in Court Cases Involving Children

Presentation Details

Summary
In this intensive, Dr. Ann Ordway will discuss the conflicting concepts of “best interests” of a child and “due process” for adults in family-based court proceedings. She will also examine the parameters of confidentiality when working with children in court-related matters or in court-involved roles, and will consider the natural consequences and impact to children when trusted adult professionals are compelled to release records or testify.

The Presenter
Ann M. Ordway, JD, PhD is a core faculty member with the on-campus Counselor Education Department at the University of Phoenix. She was a practicing attorney for 25 years, with a practice focus on high conflict family litigation, including intimate partner violence, custody matters, and child protective services proceedings. Dr. Ordway is a family mediator, child advocate, and parenting coordinator. She is an active member of the American Counseling Association and has presented Learning Institutes at the annual conferences six years in a row. Ann is a Trustee for the Association of Creativity in Counseling, and the Chair of the Emerging Leaders Committee for the International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors. Ann is also on the board of Arizona Chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts.

Schedule

8:00 am – 9:00 am
Registration and Networking

9:00 am – 10:30 am
When and How We Work with Children and Competing Obligations

10:30 am – 10:45 am
Networking Break

10:45 am – 12:15 pm
Working with Children in Court and Conflicting Concepts

12:15 pm – 1:00 pm
Lunch

1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Parameters of Confidentiality and the Impact to Children

2:30 pm – 2:45 pm
Networking Break

2:45 pm - 4:15 pm
A Possible Solution: Confidential Children’s Section Questions and Answers

Saturday, June 12, 2021

Facilitating Healing, Resiliency, and Hope: Trauma Responsive Care

Presentation Details

Summary
Trauma is now recognized as a near universal experience of individuals with behavioral health issues often resulting in a complex array of social, emotional, and behavioral challenges. Through understanding of the latest trauma research and careful translation into practice, we can help trauma survivors experience healing, resiliency, and hope. This training coordinates trauma informed care into a framework that can be used by anyone working with victims of trauma. It includes the three stages of positive trauma resolution (re-experience, release, and re-organize) and the five resilience factors found in people who move beyond their traumatic experiences. Trauma’s effect on brain chemistry, development, and relationships are explored, and since trauma is processed and stored in nonverbal parts of the brain, expressive, relational, and sensory based will be identified to benefit clients of all ages and ability levels. Service plan goals and objectives will also be presented to assist in bringing this treatment to your current work.

Objectives
Participants will be able to identify and address:

The centrality of relationships in human growth and development, how the quality of relationships affects brain development and the healing power of empathic connection.
The impact of trauma on brain development, attachment, and developmental milestones.
Cultural context and its impact physically, psychologically, and behaviorally
Trauma induced co-occurring disorders
The three stages of positive trauma resolution and how to address them with survivors.
The five resilience factors found in people who overcome and do not recreate their traumatic experiences.

The Presenter
Mary Vicario is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Supervisor (LPCC-S) and a Certified Trauma Specialist with over 30 years’ experience working with trauma survivors of all ages and ability levels and training on trauma informed care nationally and internationally. She has been a People-to-People delegate to China and Mongolia with the American Counseling Association and guest lectured and participated in a conference on human trafficking in Germany. She holds a Certificate in Traumatic Studies from Bessel van der Kolk’s Trauma Center at the Justice Resource Institute and has also been honored with a CASA award for cooperative casework. As a former teacher, clinician, and clinical director and now as the founder of Finding Hope Consulting, LLC, Mary has many years’ experience working with trauma survivors, addictions, and training. Receiving ongoing training at international conferences and Harvard Medical School since 1992, she has been bringing home to Ohio the latest in neuroscience and trauma research to create cutting edge training and programming for individuals of all ages and ability levels and the systems that work with them.

Ms. Vicario is a trainer and coach for the Ohio Child Welfare Training Program and co-authored the Foster Parents' Survival Guide, a textbook chapter in Counseling Children and Adolescents: Connecting Theory, Development and Diversity by Sondra Smith-Adcock and Catherine Tucker Eds through Sage Publishing, and other trauma informed articles and curricula. She has been an expert witness on abuse since 1989 and worked with Hamilton County Courts for eight years creating cross system care for the 300 most challenging youth in the county. Mary is a proud recipient of multiple grants to further develop and link trauma informed care across systems and communities in Ohio and is honored to provide Trauma Responsive Care Certification through the Tristate Trauma Network for anyone working with trauma survivors.

Schedule

Part 1 - Hardwired for Connection:

9:00 am – 10:30 am
The Impact of Relationships and Trauma on Brain Development, Attachment, and Developmental Milestones; The Prevalence of Trauma in Children’s Lives, and The Healing Power of Empathic Connection

10:30 am – 10:45 am
Networking Break

10:45 am – 12:15 pm
Trauma Induced and Co-occurring Disorders: Mood Syntonic vs. Mood Dystonic Abuse; PTSD vs. Complex PTSD; Biologically Based Fear Responses

Lunch

12:15 pm - 1:00 pm

Part 2 - The Healing Power of Empathy and Connection:

1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
The Three R’s of Trauma Recovery: Re-experience, Release, Reorganize with Relational, Sensory, Expressive and Cognitive Behavioral Interventions and sample Service Plan Goals and Objectives

2:30 pm - 2:45 pm
Networking Break

2:45 pm - 4:15 pm
The Five Resilience Factors and Relational, Expressive and Cognitive Behavioral Interventions

Speakers

Halina Brooke, MS, LAMFT, LAC, is a Doctoral Candidate in Counselor Education and Supervision at Capella University. In addition to advocating at the legislature and serving/educating the public in the podcast sphere, her conference presentations include a lecture on de-stigmatizing the chronic illness experience in healthcare providers and a poster session on the trends and awareness around East Asian counseling modalities. Having taught undergraduate psychology lab from 2017 through 2019, she currently serves as teaching assistant in the Mental Health Counseling master’s program at Capella. A passionate advocate for the counseling profession and the populations we serve, Halina joined the AzCA board as Chair of the Legislative and Advocacy Committee.

Keith Cross, PhD, is a faculty member in the Masters of Science in Counseling program at Prescott College. Keith is also the owner and Clinical Director of the Prescott Relationship Center, a group practice specializing in marriage/couples counseling. He earned his Masters and Ph.D. from Purdue University and he serves on the AZBBHE Marriage and Family Therapy Academic Review Committee Member. He is a board member of the Arizona Emotionally Focused Therapy Community.

Ann M. Ordway, JD, PhD, is a core faculty member with the on-campus Counselor Education Department at the University of Phoenix. She was a practicing attorney for 25 years, with a practice focus on high conflict family litigation, including intimate partner violence, custody matters, and child protective services proceedings. Dr. Ordway is a family mediator, child advocate, and parenting coordinator. She is an active member of the American Counseling Association and has presented Learning Institutes at the annual conferences six years in a row. Ann is a Trustee for the Association of Creativity in Counseling, and serves on the board of the Arizona Chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts.

Mary Vicario, LPCC-S, is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Supervisor (LPCC-S) and a Certified Trauma Specialist with over 30 years’ experience working with trauma survivors of all ages and ability levels and training on trauma informed care nationally and internationally. She has been a People-to-People delegate to China and Mongolia with the American Counseling Association and guest lectured and participated in a conference on human trafficking in Germany. She holds a Certificate in Traumatic Studies from Bessel van der Kolk’s Trauma Center at the Justice Resource Institute and has also been honored with a CASA award for cooperative casework. As a former teacher, clinician, and clinical director and now as the founder of Finding Hope Consulting, LLC, Mary has many years’ experience working with trauma survivors, addictions, and training.

Richard Yep, CAE, FASAE, is the Chief Executive Officer of the American Counseling Association, the largest membership organization of professional counselors in the world. He currently oversees a staff of 63 and a $13 million budget. ACA has more than 56,000 members. Rich has worked for ACA for more than 25 years, the past 15 as the Association’s CEO. His previous roles at ACA involved public policy, marketing, and corporate planning. He is also the President of the American Counseling Association Foundation. Rich has presented on various issues impacting not-for-profit organizations relative to public policy, leadership development, ethics, membership retention, and product development. Rich’s professional affiliations include the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). He has been a member of the ASAE Marketing Council, is a past Chair of ASAE’s Committee on Diversity and Inclusion, and completed a term on the ASAE Board of Directors in 2013. Currently, Rich is on the Key Professional Associations Committee and a member of the ASAE Foundation’s Development Committee. He was named an ASAE Fellow in 2012. This year, Rich was nominated to serve on the Executive Committee of the United Nation’s Department of Public Information/Non-Governmental Organizations (DPI/NGO) which is a group comprised of organizations from around the world who work with the United Nations on issues of importance. In this capacity, he also serves as the Communications Chair for the Executive Committee. For ten years Rich served on the Board of Trustees of Excelsior College, an institution based in Albany, New York that is dedicated to adult learners. He is Chair Emeriti of the board. Rich holds an undergraduate degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Southern California.

Tobi Zavala has served as the executive director of the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners since 2010. Her goals for AzBBHE are to maintain the safety and welfare of the public, ensure applicants and licensees are treated fairly and equitably, and monitor behavioral health and licensing trends to keep the board aligned with federal and national standards.

To Register

Registration Options

Full Counseling Conference - Virtual Sessions: June 4-6

Member: $149

Non-Member: $189 (includes membership for the remainder of the calendar year)

Student: $49

Student Poster Presenter: Free

Counseling Conference - Virtual Sessions: One Day Options

The rates for the One-Day Intensive Seminars are the same for both members and non-members.

Friday, June 4: $99

Saturday, June 5: $99

Sunday, June 6: $99

One-Day In-Person Intensive Seminars: June 11-12

The rates for the One-Day Intensive Seminars are the same for both members and non-members.

June 11 - Court Involved Cases and the Counseling Professional Intensive: $99

June 12 - Facilitating Healing, Resiliency, and Hope: Trauma Responsive Care Intensive: $99

June 11-12 - Both In-Person Intensive Seminars: $179