We’re excited to unveil the lineup for the 2027 FMHCA Annual Conference, taking place February 4–6, 2027, in Lake Mary! The Florida Mental Health Counselors Association (FMHCA) Annual Conference brings together mental health professionals from across Florida and beyond for three days of education, connection, and professional growth. This year, we’re making it easier than ever to join us with a hybrid conference experience, giving you the flexibility to attend in person or online. Whether you join us in the room or from wherever you are, you’ll have the opportunity to earn up to 27 CEUs, learn from industry experts, explore emerging trends and evidence-based practices, and gain practical strategies you can bring back to your work and practice. From engaging keynote sessions to specialized educational workshops, the 2027 conference lineup will explore the issues, innovations, and treatment approaches shaping the mental health counseling profession today. Looking to get even more out of your conference experience? Optional, in-person-only pre-conference workshops will be offered on February 3rd, giving attendees the opportunity to dive deeper into specialized topics before the main conference begins. We’re also excited to welcome organizations and businesses that want to connect with the mental health professionals attending this year’s conference. Sponsorship opportunities are available, offering valuable opportunities for visibility, engagement, and connection with our attendees. Take a look at what’s in store for 2027, and we hope you’ll join us for another exceptional FMHCA Annual Conference!
WEDNESDAY 2/3
PROGRAM
LOCATION
CEs
7:00 AM-8:30 AM
Registration & Badge Pick-Up
Hotel Lobby
7:00 AM-8:00 AM
Danishes & Coffee Provided by FMHCA
Grand Foyer
8:00 AM-12:00 PM
4 Hour Qualified Supervisor Update Presented By: Denny Cecil-Van Den Heuvel, PhD, LMHC, LMFT Separate registration required.
Salon GH
4 QS Update CEs
8:00 AM-4:00 PM
The Cost of Carrying It All: A Psychodrama Workshop for Burnout and High-Achieving Stress Presented By: Kerry Conca, LMHC, PAT & Aimee Johnson, LMHC, PAT Separate registration required.
Salon AB
7 General CEs 7 Psychodrama Training Hours
8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Bridging Body, Story, and Symbol Experiential Sandtray Practice in Play Therapy Presented by: Jackie Flynn, EdS, LMHC-S, RPT-S, RST-C/T Separate registration required.
Salon D
8 General CEs 8 APT CEs
8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Decoding the “Skitch” and the “Niggle”: A Somatic-Based Clinical Lab for Integrating IFS and Process-Based Therapy (PBT) Presented by: Rivka Edery, PsyD, LCSW, M-RAS, IFS Level I Separate registration required.
Salon C
8 General CEs
8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Experiential Therapy for Working with Relational Trauma Presented By: Susan “Suzi” Marsh Meffen, MSW, LCSW Separate registration required.
Salon F
8 General CEs
Day 1 (2/3): 8:00 AM-5:00 PM Day 2 (2/4): 8:00 AM-12:00 PM
Qualified Supervisor Training (QST) Presented By: Scott Jones, LMHC, CAP, Qualified Supervisor & Denny Cecil-Van Den Heuvel, PhD, LMHC, LMFT Separate registration required.
8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Required Courses for Re-Licensure Presented By: Aaron Norton, PhD, LMHC, LMFT, MCAP, CRC Separate registration required.
5:30 PM-7:30 PM
Dinner and Networking Join FMHCA staff and board members for an evening of dinner and connection at the hotel restaurant. This informal gathering provides an opportunity to network, build relationships, and engage with colleagues. Please note that dinner expenses are not included; each attendee is responsible for the cost of their own meal.
Orchid Room
Salon E
12 Supervisory CEs
3 Ethics, 2 Medical Errors, 3 Laws & Rules
Hotel Restaurant
THURSDAY 2/4
PROGRAM
LOCATION
CEs
7:00 AM-10:00 AM
Registration & Badge Pick-Up
Hotel Lobby
7:00 AM-8:00 AM
Grab & Go Breakfast Provided by Your Organization
Grand Foyer
8:00 AM-11:00 AM Keynote Session
Telehealth and Psychosis: Enhancing Care and Navigating Challenges in the Times of AI and Cultural Divide Presented By: Logan Bell, MS, LMHC, QS
11:00 AM-11:45 AM
Network with Exhibitors
11:45 AM-1:45 PM Keynote Session
1:45 PM-2:00 PM
2:00 PM-4:00 PM Breakout Sessions
4:00 PM-4:15 PM
The Work is Human: The Connection, The Practice, The Progress Presented By: Cortina Peters-Louis, PhD, LMHC-QS, LPC, CST Lunch Provided by Your Organization Break
3 Telehealth CEs
Grand Foyer
Salon DE
2 General CEs
Grand Foyer
The Neurobiology of Trauma and Somatic Treatment Approaches Presented By: Hillary Straus, LMHC, CTTP-II
Salon ABC
2 General CEs
Finding the Rhythm Again: Rebalancing Our Brains in an Instant Gratification World Presented By: Barry Reiman, PsyD
Salon FGH
2 General CEs
Breaking the Isolation Cycle: How to Solve Chronic Loneliness using Evidence Based Connection Tools Presented By: C. Dwight Bain, LMHC, NCC
Orchid Room
2 General CEs
Refreshment Break Provided by Your Organization Supporting the Support System: 10 High-Impact Counseling Strategies for Families of Neurodivergent Youth Presented By: Ali Cunningham Abbott, PhD, LMHC, QS & Kelly Everson, PsyD Werking Together: Examining GoodWerk's Culturally Responsive Supervision Model Presented By: Alfonso Ferguson, PhD, LMHC, LPC, ACS, NCC, QS & Ebony White, PhD, LMHC, LPC, ACS, NCC
4:15 PM-6:15 PM Breakout Sessions
Salon DE
Grand Foyer Salon ABC
2 General CEs
Salon D
2 General CEs
The Gut-Brain Axis in Counseling: Integrating Microbiome Research into Clinical Practice Presented By: Anjalie Sukhwa, LMHC, Doctoral Candidate
Salon E
2 General CEs
Simple Play Therapy Techniques for Non-Play Therapists: Tools You Can Use in Your Next Session Presented By: Andrea Mann, MS, NCC, LMHC-QS, RPT-S, CAdPT-A, RST
Salon FGH
2 General CEs
Harmonizing Therapy: Bringing Sound Healing into the Therapy Room Presented By: Gabrielle Juliano-Villani, LCSW
Orchid Room
2 General CEs
6:30 PM-7:00 PM
Counselor Educators Committee Interest Meeting An open meeting for FMHCA members who are also counselor educators to connect.
Salon D
7:00 PM-9:00 PM
Sip & Paint: Where Connection Meets Creation Separate registration required.
Salon E
TOTAL POTENTIAL CEs (THURSDAY): 9
FRIDAY 2/5
PROGRAM
LOCATION
CEs
7:00 AM-10:00 AM
Registration & Badge Pick-Up
Hotel Lobby
7:00 AM-8:00 AM
Grab & Go Breakfast Provided by Your Organization
Grand Foyer
8:00 AM-11:00 AM Keynote Session
Tools for Ethically Treating Religious Trauma and Spiritual Abuse Presented By: Lisa Compton, PhD, LCSW, CTTS, CFE & Taylor Patterson, PhD, LPC Chat & Chew Networking Mixer Small Bites Provided by Your Organization
11:00 AM-12:30 PM
12:30 PM-2:30 PM Breakout Sessions
2:30 PM-3:00 PM
3:00 PM-5:00 PM Breakout Sessions
5:00 PM-5:30 PM 5:30 PM-7:30 PM
Keynote Session
Join in and Win Learn about our active committees, discover how you can get involved, and be entered into a raffle just for attending!
Salon DE
3 Ethics CEs
COURTYARD & GRAND FOYER COURTYARD
When Clients Bring AI to Therapy: A Practical Framework for ClientCentered Collaboration Presented By: Michelle Pargman, MEd, EdS, NCC, LMHC
Salon ABC
2 General CEs
From Awareness to Action: Systemic, Cultural, and Individual Needs in BIPOC Communities Presented By: Mimi Culpepper, MA, LMHC, QS, CPC, MCAP, CCTP & Myesha Suckra-Dorbu, MS, LMHC, QS
Salon D
2 General CEs
Beyond the Uniform: Trauma-Informed Clinical Care for Survivors of Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Presented By: Paula Robinson, EdD, LMHC, LPC, NCC, CCMHC, BC-TMH
Salon E
2 General CEs
Socratic Dialogue in Clinical Supervision: A Culturally Responsive, Reflective Practice Approach Presented By: Christina McGrath, PhD, LMHC-QS & Frank Gorritz, PhD, LMHC, NCC, ACS, QS
Salon FGH
2 General CEs
When They Refuse Help: Legal Tools for Accessing Addiction and Mental Health Treatment Presented By: Jennifer Dale, Esq.
Orchid Room
2 General CEs
Refreshment Break Provided by Your Organization
Grand Foyer
When Identity Meets Instability: Affirmative Counseling for LGBTQIA+ Youth in Complex Contexts Presented By: Madison Alvarez Brunk, MA, LMHC, QS & Zachary Burns, MA, Registered Marriage & Family Therapist Intern
Salon ABC
2 General CEs
Embodied Counseling: Yoga Philosophy and Yoga Therapy in Mental Health Treatment Presented By: Theresa Teofilak-Wilson, LMHC, C-IAYT, LPC, MEd
Salon D
2 General CEs
From Conflict to Connect: A Practical framework for Effective Couples Therapy Presented By: Scott A. Welch; M Div, MA, LMHC
Salon E
2 General CEs
Harmonies of Healing: Using Music in Therapy Presented By: Cristin O'Brien, LMHC, MT-BC
Salon FGH
2 General CEs
Hope in the Midst of Trauma Understanding Polyvagal Theory Through the Shawshank Redemption Presented By: Sandra B. Stanford, LMHC
Orchid Room
2 General CEs
Break Who Is in the Therapist’s Chair? An IFS Approach to Counselor Reactivity and Self-Leadership Presented By: Coralis Solomon, PhD, LMHC, NCC, QS TOTAL POTENTIAL CEs (FRIDAY): 9
Grand Foyer Salon DE
2 General CEs
SATURDAY 2/6
PROGRAM
LOCATION
CEs
7:00 AM-10:00 AM
Registration & Badge Pick-Up
Hotel Lobby
7:30 AM-8:00 AM
Finish your Exhibitor Passport
Grand Foyer
8:00 AM-5:00 PM
From Intern to Clinician: Ethical and Clinical Foundations for Practice (8 Hour Laws and Rules) Presented By: Terrini M. Woods, LMHC Separate registration required.
Orchid Room
8 Laws & Rules CEs
8:00 AM-10:00 AM Keynote Session
FMHCA Membership & Awards Breakfast Provided by Your Organization Presented By: Bridget Glass, PhD, LMHC, ACS, FMHCA President, Corinne Mixon, DPL, FMHCA Lobbyist, FMHCA President Elect, & Diana Huambachano, LMHC, FMHCA Executive Director
Salon DE
2 General CEs
10:00 AM-11:00 AM
11:00 AM-1:00 PM Breakout Sessions
1:00 PM-1:15 PM
1:15 PM-4:15 PM Breakout Sessions
4:15 PM-4:30 PM
4:30 PM-6:30 PM
Keynote Session
Student Poster Board Session
Hotel Lobby
Connect with your Regional Director, Collect a treat!
Courtyard
Turn In Your Exhibitor Passport
Hotel Lobby
Caught Between Cultures: Trauma-Informed Clinical Work with Latinx Families Presented By: Ara Mascarenas, LMHC, NCC
Salon ABC
2 General CEs
The Digital Alliance: Ethical AI Integration in Counselor Education and Supervision Presented By: Bethany R. Russell, PhD, LMHC-QS, RPT, ACS & Sherdene Brown-Simpson, PhD, MFT, LPCC-S, LMHC, CHT
Salon D
2 General CEs
Changing the Brain Through Play, Curiosity, and Connection Presented By: Kelley Ryals, LMHC-S, NCC, ACAS, Mary Sears Taylor, LMHC, & Alyssa Locklin, Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern
Salon E
2 General CEs
Art Smart: An ethical and safe integration of art into clinical mental health counseling Presented By: Sherry Todd, PhD, LPC, ATR-BC, CTTS, Katie Stabile, LMHCQS, LPC, NCC, & Sharon Paz Pierson, EdD, LMHC
Salon FGH
2 General CEs
Refreshment Break Provided by Your Organization
Grand Foyer
Therapy 2.0: Integrating AI and Telehealth into Clinical Practice Presented By: Aaron Norton, PhD, LMHC, LMFT, MCAP, CRC
Salon ABC
3 Telehealth CEs
Digital Dopamine: Navigating the Intersection of Technology, Substance Use, and the Hijacked Brain Presented By: Janice V. Johnson Dowd, MSSW, LMSW
Salon D
3 General CEs
The Courage to Turn Inward: An IFS & Expressive Therapy Workshop for Therapist Renewal Presented By: Stefani Misiph, LMHC
Salon E
3 General CEs
Beyond the Diagnosis: Schema Mode Work with Personality Disorders in Everyday Counseling Practice Presented By: Maria Grish, PhD, LMHC
Salon FGH
3 General CEs
Break Intersecting Pathways of Violence: Understanding Complex Domestic Violence Presented By: Victoria Siegel, PhD, LMHC, LCPC, LPC TOTAL POTENTIAL CEs (SATURDAY): 9
Grand Foyer
Salon DE
2 Domestic Violence CEs