Year: 2025

#ADAA2026 Awards Applications are Open Now!

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Launch Your Career in Mental Health with Mentors, Peers, and Future Colleagues

Anxiety and Depression Conference

SUBMISSIONS

AWARDS APPLICATIONS

REGISTRATION

Be recognized as part of the next generation of leaders who treat, conduct research, and provide education in the fields of anxiety, depression, and related disorders.

The Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA) invites students, trainees, and early career professionals to apply to the #ADAA2026 awards programs:

Alies Muskin Career Development Leadership Program (CDLP):

Supports students and early career clinicians and researchers through leadership training and mentorship. Award includes: $1,000 cash award, free conference registration, two years of complimentary ADAA membership, a full day of small-group mentoring, recognition during the Conference, and more. Learn more about CDLP.

Donald F. Klein Early Career Investigator Award:

Recognizes the best original research in anxiety and depression. Award includes: $1,000 cash award, two year complimentary ADAA membership, free conference registration, recognition at the Conference, potential publication in ADAA’s scientific journal, and a poster presentation opportunity. Read how the Klein Award has impacted the careers of previous recipients.

ADAA Membership Award for Early Career Professionals:

Building the future of ADAA by supporting graduate degree students, interns, residents, postdoctoral fellows, and early career professionals who focus on anxiety, depression, and related disorders. Award includes: Free conference registration, two years of complimentary ADAA membership, and recognition during the Conference.

Apply for an Award Today

Important Dates

December 12 (5:00pm ET) – Awards Applications Close

Questions? Contact conference@adaa.org.

Invitation to the 77th Annual ICA Conference: “Liberation Counseling: The Continuity of Care”

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The Illinois Counseling Association (ICA) is excited to invite you to the 77th Annual ICA Conference, happening November 6–8, 2025, at the Renaissance Hotel in Northbrook, IL!

This year’s theme — “Liberation Counseling: The Continuity of Care” — calls future counselors like you to explore how our field is evolving into a coordinated ecosystem of care that uplifts communities, promotes liberation, and encourages collaboration across disciplines.

✨ What is ICA?
The Illinois Counseling Association is the leading professional organization for counselors across the state. As a student, ICA membership connects you to:

  • The latest licensure requirements and updates in state legislation

  • Affordable, on-demand trainings to build your skills before and after graduation

  • Opportunities to network with professionals, find mentors, and strengthen your resume

  • Statewide events, leadership opportunities, and advocacy work that puts you at the heart of change

If you haven’t joined ICA yet — now’s the perfect time to get connected!
👉 Learn more about ICA

💡 Why Should Students Attend?

🔹 Learn from Experts
Hear from dynamic presenters and practitioners shaping the future of counseling in Illinois. Get inspired by our keynote speaker, Dr. LaTonya Summers, in her bold message:
“We Got Next Now: Counselors Who Learn, Lead, and Liberate.”

🔹 Expand Beyond the Classroom
From the pre-conference panel on coordinated care to breakout sessions on clinical skills, cultural humility, and trauma-informed practice — you’ll gain insights that complement your coursework.

🔹 Build Your Professional Network
Meet other students, connect with supervisors, clinicians, and educators — and discover opportunities for internships, job leads, and mentorship.

🔹 Celebrate and Connect
Enjoy the ICA Awards Ceremony with complimentary appetizers — plus a free professional headshot to boost your resume and online profile!

🙌 Volunteer and Attend for Free!

Student volunteers are an essential part of our conference team! Here’s how it works:

  • You must be an ICA student member ($37.50/year). Sign up here if you’re not a member yet.

  • There’s a $10 deposit to secure your volunteer spot (refunded after your shift).

  • Once your shift is complete, you’re free to enjoy the rest of the conference — for free!

👉 Register to volunteer

For any questions, please reach out to ICA Association Director Kristin Carlson at ica@ilcounseling.org.

We can’t wait to learn, grow, and lead alongside you at this year’s ICA Conference — where the future of counseling is being reimagined.

See you there!

Illinois Counseling Association
PO Box 367, DeKalb, IL 60115
: (815) 787-8787  
Hours of Operation: M-F, 8am-4pm CST
      

Level Up Your Career at the ICA Annual Conference

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Connect, Grow, and Transform at the ICA Annual Conference
Invest in your professional growth and join a vibrant community of counselors on November 6-8, 2025 at the Renaissance Chicago North Shore Hotel in Northbrook, Illinois. This Annual Conference offers a unique opportunity to enhance your skills, expand your knowledge, and connect with fellow professionals. Immerse yourself in engaging workshops led by expert speakers, explore cutting-edge research and best practices, and discover innovative tools and techniques to better serve your clients. Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or just starting your career, the ICA Annual Conference provides invaluable resources, networking opportunities, and inspiration to elevate your counseling practice. Don’t miss this chance to recharge, reconnect, and reignite your passion for helping others—register now to secure your spot!
Earn CEs for Counselors, Social Workers, Psychologists, and Marriage and Family Therapists (PDs available for School Counselors).

Friday Keynote Speaker

LaTonya M. Summers, PhD, Licensed mental health counselor in North Carolina and Florida

 

Title: We Got Next Now: Counselors who Learn, Lead, and Liberate

Description: In her keynote address, Dr. LaTonya Summers uses nearly 30 years of professional counseling experience to inform the audience that we counselors don’t have next, we got now. Counselors will be inspired to use what they learn at the ICA conference to lead and liberate others through their leadership.

 

Meet the Keynote Speaker: Dr. LaTonya Summers is an award-winning associate professor and department chair of clinical mental health counseling at Jacksonville University. There, she brings nearly 30 years of clinical mental health and addictions counseling experience and conducts research on multicultural issues in counseling and supervision. Her work is featured in scholarly journals and at international and national professional conferences. She is the program director for the Center for Men’s Mental Wellness, a free counseling center where and she her students provide free counseling services for men who live in the “deadliest zip code of Duval County.”

She is the past president of the Florida Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development. She has served as an appointed member of the ACA Black Male Experience Taskforce, and Chair of the ACES Special Supervision Committee. She is the author of a core curriculum textbook, Multicultural Counseling: Responding with Cultural Humility, Empathy, and Advocacy. Her memoir, Black Again was released a few months ago. Summers founded the national annual Black Mental Health Symposium, a conference that equips mental health professionals with culturally specific skills to improve mental wellness in Black communities. Dr. Summers has been featured in O Magazine on the subject of authenticity in the workplace; and she conducted a TEDx Talk entitled Know Pain, Know Gain https://youtu.be/9b6pnlmR0-I.

 

Saturday Keynote Speaker

Nathaniel Gilham, EdD, LCPC

 

Title: Politicized Healing: Reframing the Role of Counselors in Social Justice Work

Description: Dr. Gilham, the former Clinical Director of the pioneering counseling center in the United States dedicated to addressing the trauma of state-sponsored violence, will discuss the role of mental health professionals in dismantling systems of harm. This center emerged from the experiences of survivors, many of whom were tortured into false confessions and subsequently exonerated after decades of wrongful imprisonment. The therapeutic approach developed through this work, termed Politicized Healing, was created collaboratively by survivors, their families, activists, scholars, and mental health professionals. As practiced at the Chicago Torture Justice Center – the sole US program focused on domestic torture victims – Politicized Healing integrates Community Counseling principles, utilizing community education and prevention, advocacy, psychotherapy, and policy change to facilitate healing. This model acknowledges the historical and ongoing trauma inflicted upon oppressed communities by social policies and institutions, recognizing its contribution to poor mental health. Politicized Healing has proven successful in empowering oppressed individuals to shift towards community engagement and healing, thereby challenging the isolation fostered by oppressive systems.

 

Meet the Keynote Speaker:

Dr. Gilham has been a Licensed Clinical Professional Counseling in Chicago since 1994. He was the first Clinical Director at the Chicago Torture Justice Center, from 2017 – 2024. Dr. Gilham provided individual, family, and group support for survivors of state-sponsored violence, and their families. He was the Co- Director of Family Counseling Institute 1994-2015, a private practice in south suburban Chicago and Merrillville, Indiana. Dr. Gilham served as a counselor educator from 2004 – 2020, and he served as an Associate Professor, and Director of Training for the Mental Health Counseling program at Argosy University. Dr. Gilham holds a doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Argosy University, a Masters of Art’s in Community Counseling from Northeastern Illinois University, and a Bachelor’s of Psychology from Loyola University. Dr. Gilham’s counseling practice has focused on intergenerational trauma, abuse and neglect within families, couples counseling, and counselor supervision. He is a past president of the Illinois Association of Couples and Family Counseling, and he is a member of the Chicago Association of Black Social Workers. Currently he maintains a private practice in Homewood, Illinois however he continues to run groups a Torture Survivors group using a treatment model referred to as Politicized Healing.

 

Conference Schedule
Main Conference on Friday and Saturday, November 7-8, 2025

Pre-Conference on Thursday, November 6, 2025 – separate registration is required
Friday – November 7, 2025

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Keynote Session

  • Duration: 60 minutes
  • Continuing Education (CE) Credits: 1
  • Location: Northbrook Ballroom

10:15 AM – 11:45 AM: Session 1

  • Duration: 90 minutes
  • CE Credits: 1.5
  • Location: Breakout Rooms

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Lunch

1:15 PM – 2:15 PM: Session 2

  • Duration: 60 minutes
  • CE Credits: 1
  • Location: Breakout Rooms

2:30 PM – 4:00 PM: Session 3

  • Duration: 90 minutes
  • CE Credits: 1.5
  • Location: Breakout Rooms

4:15 PM – 5:15 PM: Grad Student Presentation

  • Duration: 60 minutes
  • Location: Northbrook Ballroom
 Saturday – November 8, 2025

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Keynote Session

  • Duration: 60 minutes
  • CE Credits: 1
  • Location: Northbrook Ballroom

10:15 AM – 11:45 AM: Session 4

  • Duration: 90 minutes
  •  CE Credits: 1.5
  • Location: Breakout Rooms

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Lunch

1:15 PM – 2:30 PM: Session 5

  • Duration: 90 minutes
  • CE Credits: 1.5
  • Location: Breakout Rooms

2:45 PM – 3:45 PM: Session 6

  • Duration: 60 minutes
  • CE Credits: 1
  • Location: Breakout Rooms

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Session 7

  • Duration: 60 minutes
  • CE Credits: 1
  • Location: Breakout Rooms
 Earn up to 11 Continuing Education (CE) credits!

Sessions will be announced by August 8th

 

Conference Location
933 Skokie Boulevard
Northbrook, Illinois  60062
Free parking is available in the hotel parking lot.

If you are needing hotel accommodations, please use our link here to secure a discounted rate here:

https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1730916432306&key=GRP&guestreslink2=true

 

Conference Pricing

Fellowship Opportunity – NK Psychological Services

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NK Psychological Services is currently accepting applications for master’s and doctoral fellowship positions. Our two-year training program includes comprehensive therapy training and structured didactics for all fellows, with additional assessment specialization for post-doctoral fellows.

In addition to our fellowship cohort, we are building out our core clinical team with 1-2 permanent positions. While fellowship recruitment is our immediate priority, we are particularly interested in connecting with experienced clinicians who bring expertise in pediatric psychology and/or neuropsychological assessment.

Core staff positions at NKPsych require:
  • Solid comfort and experience with psychodynamic theory and practice
  • Full-spectrum clinical work across ages and modalities
  • Supervision and mentorship of fellows
  • Collaborative consultation within our clinical team
These are permanent positions with competitive compensation, designed for clinicians who value both clinical excellence and teaching.

Interested fellowship candidates should submit a cover letter, CV, and letter of reference to applications@nkpsych.com. Potential core staff members are welcome to reach out to Emily Newman directly at emily@nkpsych.com to discuss how they might contribute to our growing practice.

NIU PhD Program in Counselor Education & Supervision Info Session

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The CACREP accredited PhD program in Counselor Education & Supervision at Northern Illinois University is accepting applications for its Fall 2026 cohort. We will be hosting two virtual info sessions for prospective applicants:
Some highlights of our program include:
  • Funding: 100% of our doctoral students who request funding have been successful in securing graduate assistantships for the past several years. These are 10-20 hour per week paid positions during the fall and spring, with a tuition waiver that covers summer courses
  • Expert faculty mentorship: Our faculty are highly productive researchers, averaging 3.5 peer-reviewed publications per faculty member in the last year. Faculty provides hands-on research mentorship for doctoral students through co-authored manuscripts and conference co-presentation. Moreover, many faculty members hold elected leadership positions in national and regional counseling organizations.
  • Award-winning excellence: in 2025, we were honored by the North Central Association for Counselor Education & Supervision with the Innovative Counselor Education Program Award (Doctoral Program). Our doctoral students have also earned numerous prestigious accolades in the past year, including the ACA Glen E. Hubele National Graduate Student Award, multiple research grants (ACES, AARC Sponsored Scholarship Program, NCACES, Association for Play Therapy), NCACES Emerging Leaders, among others.
  • Program Structure: Full time doctoral students can complete the program in just three years. Our on-ground format offers vibrant in-person engagement complemented by hybrid online experiences for added flexibility.
  • Hands-on clinical experience: Our in-house clinic, the Community Counseling Training Center (CCTC), provides our doctoral students exceptional learning opportunities in providing clinical supervision and opportunities to conduct clinical research.
  • Long-standing accreditation: Our doctoral program has held continuous CACREP accreditation since 1987.
  • Vibrant community and resources: We have active student organizations such as the CSI Chapter Rho Alpha Kappa (CSI), NIU Counseling Association, and Black Counselors Association. Doctoral students also have the opportunity to earn a graduate certificate in Trauma-Informed Counseling
  • Ideal Location: Located in DeKalb, Illinois—just 60 miles west of downtown Chicago—our students can enjoy access to Chicago’s world-class cultural, professional, and recreational opportunities while living in a cost-effective, welcoming college town. Our diverse student and faculty body, drawn from urban, suburban, and rural backgrounds, fosters a rich, inclusive learning environment.
Prospective students must apply to our program through the NIU Graduate School, and if invited, attend our program’s virtual Pre-Admissions Workshop held in December for group and individual interviews. For admission to the Graduate School, you’ll need to apply, submit a written statement of goals, official transcripts, and three letters of recommendation (at least one from individuals holding a doctoral degree and/or able to speak to your academic aptitude). If you are an international student, you must also submit official English translations of your academic records and all test scores, including the TOEFL or IELTS. All applicants complete the Ph.D. applicant essay, and submit a résumé or CV.

Apply online

For the best opportunity to secure GA funding, please apply early.
Early admissions deadline: November 15
General admissions deadline: February 1
If you have any questions, please contact cahc_admissions@niu.edu
Counseling Programs Admissions Coordination Team
Counseling Admissions Office
cahc_admissions@niu.edu
815-753-5749
​Clinical Mental Health Counseling  ~  School Counseling
School Counselor Institute  ~ Trauma-Informed Counseling Certificate
PhD Counselor Education & Supervision  ~ Undergrad Minor in Counseling
Counseling and Higher Education Department
Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115

2nd Year Professional Practice Orientation for School Counseling – This Saturday Oct 4th!

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Professional Practice Orientation for School Counseling – This Saturday Oct 4th!

Hello Current Second Year School Counseling Students,

We look forward to seeing you all this Saturday! Please see the room number below, and make sure to bring your student ID in order to swipe into the building.

There will be a mandatory, in-person 2nd Year Professional Practice Orientation on Saturday, October 4th from 10:00 am – 12:30 pm. This meeting is mandatory for all school counseling students completing Practicum in Spring of 2026 and Internship in Fall 2026 – Spring 2027. It is required even if you have already attended this meeting in the past because there are changes and updates on key information year to year. This meeting will take place in person on Lincoln Park Campus. We will be discussing all things related to Practicum and Internship that you will encounter during your Professional Practice experience. Look for additional future communications on CSL News and via email and please plan accordingly.

Please reach out to Jay Lesenko jlesenko@depaul.edu if you will not be completing Practicum and Internship in 2026 – 2027 so you can be removed from the email list. Please reach out to Jay Lesenko jlesenko@depaul.edu or Dr. Hamm jhamm@depaul.edu if you have any questions.

Saturday October 4th

School Counseling Professional Practice Orientation

10am – 12:30pm

DePaul Lincoln Park Campus

College of Education Building

2247 N. Halsted St. Chicago, IL 60614 

Room #LL 103 (Lower Level)

Save the Date! Sat Oct 25th – 2nd Year Professional Practice Orientation for CMHC

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Professional Practice Orientation for CMHC- This Saturday Oct 25th!

Hello Current Second Year CMHC Counseling Students,

We are a few weeks away from our Professional Practice Orientation in October! We have confirmed the room for the Professional Practice Orientation- please see details below:

There will be a mandatory, in-person 2nd Year Professional Practice Orientation on Saturday, October 25th from 10:00 am – 12:30 pm. This meeting is mandatory for all CMHC students completing Practicum and Internship in 2026-2027. It is required even if you have already attended this meeting in the past because there are changes and updates on key information year to year. This meeting will take place in person on Lincoln Park Campus. We will be discussing all things related to Practicum and Internship that you will encounter during your Professional Practice experience in 2026 – 2027. Look for additional future communications on CSL News and via email and please plan accordingly.

Please reach out to Jay Lesenko jlesenko@depaul.edu if you will not be completing Practicum and Internship in 2026 – 2027 so you can be removed from the email list. Please reach out to Jay Lesenko jlesenko@depaul.edu or Dr. Hamm jhamm@depaul.edu if you have any questions.

Saturday October 25th

CMHC Professional Practice Orientation

10am – 12:30pm

SAC Rm#161

Schmitt Academic Center (SAC)

2320 N Kenmore Ave

Chicago, IL 60614

Advocacy in Action | Latest News and Updates

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Federal Updates

Update on Conversion Therapy Case Before the Supreme Court

On March 9, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review  to rule on the constitutionality of Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy for minors.

In August, ACA collaborated with the American Psychological Association, the Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities and other key stakeholders to file an amicus brief in the case to urge the Supreme Court to uphold Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy and affirm the authority of states to protect the health, safety and well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals by prohibiting this harmful practice.  about efforts to uphold Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy.

988 Day & the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Thank you for joining us in celebrating 988 Day to raise awareness about the . Thanks to you, 988 resources were shared over 1,000 times, and we sent over 250 letters to Congress in support of 988.

988 continues to offer free compassionate support for people in crisis 365 days a year — let’s continue to raise awareness and advocate for funding the Lifeline!

Medicare Providers – Counselors are Eligible!

Counselors can now apply to be a Medicare provider. 

State Updates

The Counseling Compact Is Now Live!

The Counseling Compact launched today, Tuesday, Sept. 30, with Arizona and Minnesota being the first of , prepared to start granting privileges to practice. Several additional states are expected to be online in the coming weeks and months.

 about the application process.

Thank you for all your hard work to make this a reality!

Connect with Other Advocates at Advocacy Power Hour

Advocacy Power Hour (APH) connects advocacy leaders and interested members with our team to discuss state policy updates, advocacy strategies at the state level and our national policy agenda.

The next APH is Thursday, Oct. 16, at 3 p.m. ET.

 for the next APH.

Events

Advocates in Action Month

October is Advocates in Action Month! It’ll be a jam-packed month with lots of advocacy opportunities leading up to our two flagship events: Hill Day and Spotlight on States. Share your advocacy stories throughout the month with #CounselorsAdvocate.

Stay tuned for more details about Advocates in Action Month.

Hill Day

Hill Day is approaching fast! Over 100 counselors will join us in Washington, D.C., Oct. 21-22, to advocate for mental health parity, counseling workforce development programs and grants, and telehealth. We look forward to showing why counselors are essential for healthy communities.

Spotlight on States

Hear from state legislators, ACA branches and ACA staff at our virtual Spotlight on States event on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 3 p.m. ET, for an in-depth discussion on what happened during the most recent legislative session. Attendees will leave with practical tips and tools to prepare for next year. 

Get Involved

Are you ready to advocate for the counseling profession? Here are steps to kickstart your advocacy journey:

Please note that trainings are an exclusive benefit for ACA members only.

ACA actively works on legislative and public policy issues that matter to our members. Priorities include Medicare reimbursement for counselors, the Counseling Compact and increased funding for mental health care.

American Counseling Association

2461 Eisenhower Ave.
Suite 300

Alexandria, VA 22314

(p) 800-298-2276 | (f) 800-473-2329

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Teaching Opportunity – Part-Time US History Position

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Lubavitch Girls High School (LGHS) in Chicago is currently seeking a part-time History teacher to join their faculty for the upcoming academic year.

They are looking for a candidate to teach a section of 10th Grade U.S. History twice a week. The class is scheduled to meet Wednesday 3:50-4:30, and Thursday 110:05-11:45. There are additional opportunities for more hours through substitution throughout the year if candidates are interested.

The ideal candidate will:

·  Have strong background knowledge in US History.

·  Be working toward or have completed a degree in education.

·  Bring prior classroom experience, including classroom management and unit planning

·  Commit to teaching with us for the full academic year.

·  Be comfortable working in a religious school setting.

A teaching license is not required for this role, but candidates should be comfortable taking on all tasks related to teaching (planning, grading, parent conferences and more).  There is plenty of room for flexibility and creativity in this role, but there is also collaboration, support and guidance from the team.

Interested candidates can contact Megan Burke directly at mburke@lghschicago.org for further information.