*Registration is Closed. We have reached capacity.*

Join 150+ local School and Professional Counselors for the 2022 Winter Conference.

We are excited to announce that our keynote speaker, Jessica Jennrich, will provide a 2-hour session on Implicit Bias, meeting the new requirement from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).

By attending WMCA Winter Conference you will gain a better understanding of a variety of social and emotional struggles facing our youth, their families, and our communities at large. We will also spend time exploring counseling methodology, and you will be empowered to more efficiently establish, renew and maintain networking contacts within your profession.

February 23, 2022
8:00am – 3:00pm
Kent ISD – Educational Services Center (ESC)
2930 Knapp NE, GR 49525 – Parking lot #11

For School Counselors,  SCECHs will be available for all sessions.

7:30-8:15AM	Registration and Breakfast
8:15-8:30AM	Welcome Ashley VanBemmelen, WMCA President
Breakout Session #1 8:35-9:35AM	Taming Imposter Syndrome | Amy Pierce-Danders, MBA, GCDF, CCSP Equipping Students/Clients for Career Exploration | Krista Harmon Career Readiness Consultant, KISD (1.0 Career SCECH) Taking a Look in the Mirror: Self-Awareness Strategies to Cultivate Multicultural Competence in Counselors |Jenny Chien, Ph.D., LPC, LMHC, Kendra Jackson, Ph.D., LPC, LCPC, LMFT & West Loveland, Ph.D., LPC, LCPC, LMFT
9:35-9:45	BREAK: Please visit our Sponsors & Exhibitors
Keynote 9:45-11:45AM	Implicit Bias Training | Jessica Jennrich, Ph.D. Offered by the Office of Equity & Inclusion *meets the LARA licensing renewal requirements*
11:45AM-12:30PM	LUNCH BREAK
Breakout Session #2 12:30-1:30PM	Three Keys to Active Pain Management: How to Let Go, Show Up, and Move On using ACT | Evan Parks, Psy.D Reimagining Emotional Regulation | Joe Martino, LPC The Role of Limiting Beliefs in Anxiety & Depression | Nicole Fryling, MA, LPC United States Air Force Career Options & Benefits | Patrick Groff, TSgt US Air Force (1.0 Military SCECH)
Breakout Session #3 1:35-2:35PM	Adolescent SUD | Anthony Muller, MA, LPC, CAADC, CCS Reimagining Emotional Regulation | Joe Martino, LPC Equipping Students/Clients for Career Exploration | Krista Harmon Career Readiness Consultant, KISD (1.0 Career SCECH) United States Air Force Career Options & Benefits | Patrick Groff, TSgt US Air Force (1.0 Military SCECH)
2:35-3:00PM	Wrap Up & Door Prizes….. You MUST be present to win.

Implicit Bias Training

Program Summary

This training is dedicated to understanding implicit bias. This training is designed to help participants understand the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral roots and impacts of biases. Additionally, participants will learn tools and strategies to interrupt implicit biases and address microaggressions in ways that advance social justice and equity in one’s practice and within the counseling profession broadly.

Emphasis will be placed on interaction, group discussion, and case studies to aid in the application of identifying bias and making changes to one’s behavior. The theories and topics used are specific to this community, assisting in the long-term retention of these skills, and the ability of this particular population to recognize bias and to adjust their approach to diverse patient care.

In this presentation, participants will establish a framework for understanding concepts such as inclusion, equity, privilege, and microaggressions. Opportunities for participants to reflect on their own social identities such as race, ethnicity, gender identity, class, ability, citizenship, age, religion, etc. will be provided. Participants will explore how their identities and experiences with power, privilege, and oppression impact their decision-making and sense of agency. This foundational knowledge allows for a better robust understanding of systemic inequity, and encourages vigorous engagement with eliminating biased behavior and thinking.

Implicit Bias for Professional Licensing

This presentation has been designed to fulfill the requirements of the Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) general rule. In addition to being twp hours, and using the approved definition of implicit bias “an attitude or internalized stereotype that affects an individual’s perception, action, or decision making in an unconscious manner and often contributes to unequal treatment of people based on race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic status, age, disability, or other characteristic”, this presentation also uses several other measures of meaningful for LARA licensure.

About the Presentation