University to host Smoky Mountain Counseling Association Conference, Feb. 15

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

(Feb. 3, 2014) — Area counseling professionals are invited to the eighth annual Smoky Mountain Counseling Association (SMCA) Conference Saturday, Feb. 15, at Carson-Newman University.

“I don’t know of any conference in East Tennessee as comprehensive for all areas of counseling,” said Dr. Michael Bundy, Carson-Newman’s assistant professor of school counseling and current president of the Tennessee Counseling Association (TCA).

The conference, which offers Continuing Education Units (CEU), includes a wide range of counseling sessions from ethics to mindfulness counseling, college/career counseling, supervision, crisis counseling, and many more.

“It is a great time to connect with other professionals as a networking opportunity as well as learn from experts in the field in breakout sessions,” said Melissa Scoble, president elect of the Smoky Mountain Counseling Association and Carson-Newman alumna.

All counseling professionals are invited to the professional development event held in Carson-Newman’s Stokely Memorial Building/Cafeteria from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This year’s conference, titled “Work Your Magic,” begins with comedian and magician Stephen Bargetze as keynote speaker. Bargetze speaks to some 45,000 students a year and uses magic to show today’s youth how drugs, alcohol and tobacco can affect their lives. His compelling story reaches students about the dangers of stereotypes and the importance of respect.

Lunch speakers include Lt. Col. Scott Bryant, Carson-Newman’s ROTC recruiting officer, and Carolyn Brewer, Carson-Newman’s program director of graduate studies in counseling.

Thirty breakout sessions cover a variety of counseling topics such as “Counseling Ethics in the Age of Social Media,” and “Quantitative Electroencephalography and Neurofeedback — Adding a new dimension to diagnostics and treatment for counselors.” Attendees may attend three, which can be counted toward CEU credit.

The one-day counseling event is a great opportunity for area counselors to fulfill CEU requirements while learning from the best professionals in the region, says Bundy.

The SMCA is a chapter of the TCA. They seek to unite regional counseling professionals and provide opportunities for professional growth and continued education.

The conference costs $50 before Feb. 9 for non-TCA/SMCA members. The cost at the door is $65. Discounts are available for TCA or SMCA members, students, retired professionals and presenters. Breakfast, lunch, snacks and CEU certificates are included.