American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC)…Association of Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES)…Association for Creativity in Counseling (ACC)
As part of my Candidacy Portfolio, I was required to submit proposals for Professional Counseling Conferences. Attending and presenting at conferences is another way to develop my identity as a Counselor Educator. I submitted 3 proposals for conferences this fall and was accepted to all 3. I declined the one conference as it meant too much travel in a short amount of time. I also was co-presenter for a 4th that another peer submitted.
AACC was one of the conferences that I did not submit to present, but was so excited to kick off the fall by getting to meet several other LU students in person as well as meet a few LU professors.
The ACES Conference in Denver was the most stressful as this Felt Safety presentation was national level for other Counseling Professors. Dr. Kristy Ford was so kind to attend and take my picture (see above). She encouraged me with compliments after the session.
Next was a wonderful trip to Florida for ACC to present in 2 sessions with several wonderful LU colleagues! The sessions were scheduled back to back, so we relaxed on the beach where Ana Barend and I, with Dr. Sosin present by facetime, presented on some surfing imagery to build resilience and embodiment.
Then Deanna Eddy and I rushed to the other side of the hotel to present on using InnerActive Parts cards with IFS and EMDR. Both of these sessions were very well received and I so enjoyed the collaboration with my LU friends!
As I close this fall season, I am extremely grateful for the opportunities and the strengthened relationships with these dear friends. We are all excited about presenting again together in the future and are already brainstorming how to make that happen!
Erica Rhoads, PhD, LPC, NCC 