2027 Illinois Mental Health Counselors Association (IMHCA) Annual Conference

2027 Illinois Mental Health Counselors Association (IMHCA) Annual Conference is organized by Sacramento District Dental Society (SDDS) and will be held from Mar 05 - 06, 2027 at College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn, Illinois, United States of America.

Program Summary:
Counselors devote their careers to helping others heal and thrive, yet the demands of the profession can make it difficult to extend that same care to themselves.

In this energizing and interactive keynote, psychotherapist, entrepreneur, and former two-term IMHCA President Joyce Marter shares practical mental fitness strategies for cultivating greater resilience, wellbeing, financial health, purpose, and joy. Drawing from neuroscience, positive psychology, behavioral finance, mindfulness, and nearly 30 years in the counseling profession, Joyce explores how counselors can move beyond burnout prevention toward creating lives and careers that are genuinely sustainable and fulfilling.

Through storytelling, reflection, interactive exercises, and practical tools, participants will explore ways to strengthen boundaries, regulate stress, shift limiting patterns, reconnect with purpose, and create their own vision of holistic success.

Description:
In our overwhelming world, the demand for mental health support continues to rise. It is more important than ever to create conditions that allow us to care for ourselves and others in a sustainable way. Mindfulness and self-compassion are ideal practices for cultivating interconnected wellbeing. In this session, we will identify common misconceptions and consider creative ways to apply these skills to your professional contexts with integrity. Attendees will leave with customizable practices to support both client and personal wellbeing. 

Objectives:
After this session, mental health practitioners will be able to:

1. Define the concepts of mindfulness and (self-)compassion in the context of mental health practice.
2. Identify obstacles to and common misconceptions of mindfulness, (self-)compassion, and emotional resilience skills.
3. Apply mindfulness and (self-)compassion techniques to professional context to support clients.
4. Create a personalized practice to support resilience, prevent burnout, and enhance holistic wellbeing.