The Mental Health Counseling program at Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus (IUPUC) is a sponsor for the Indiana Counseling Association’s (ICA) annual state conference in Columbus. This partnership shows IUPUC’s continual commitment to the health and welfare of our community. Since the inception of the mental health program, our graduate students have interned in our community, understand the mental health needs of our region, and upon graduation, remained in the community as employed professionals.

 

ICA’s 2016 conference, Healing Communities: Changing the Dialogue, features the healing nature of the counseling professional and what occurs when we look directly at ourselves and others versus looking away. Dr. Cheryl Warner, Associate Professor of Psychology, Mental Health Counseling shares, “Sometimes, a stigma exists when seeking to counsel; it is the belief that counseling focuses on individuals’ problems. Unfortunately, this view often overshadows the power of how our collective work heals and benefits communities.”

 

Warner continues, ‘“Our keynote speaker, Dr. Carolyn M. West, embodies our conference theme through her life work of educating and empowering ‘survivors and professionals to prevent all forms of violence and to help survivors heal themselves. We hope everyone will come out to hear about her life work.’”

 

Kevin McCracken is the associate director for the MA in Mental Health Counseling Program. He shares, “Our graduate program prepares students for licensure in IN as mental health counselors. The ICA promotes the professional growth of active professionals and students while also advocating for the profession. Because our goals align so closely, we are proud to be a sponsor of the annual ICA conference.”

A Thursday evening ICA’s 2016 pre-conference is suggested for individuals’ interested learning in-depth information.

Additionally, the ICA Board believes it is critical for all presentations to address diversity or multicultural issues as it relates to their topics or areas of interest.

 

The conference a very student-friendly conference and features student presentations in segments titled the “Student Corner.”

 

Students and professionals are welcome to attend will attend. The Thursday pre-conference is reasonably priced and provides Continuing Education Units (CEU). Professionals may also earn as many as seven CEU’s for the Friday sessions. Meals are included in the registration fee. The schedule and registration can access through http://www.indianacounseling.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club _id=94517&module_id=167713