Education, Training, and Professional Development Continued from previous page
LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
Facilitated by Dr. David Markwell and Mr. Eric Rogers, co-chairs of the Leadership Development sub-committee, the Leadership Institute continued the online community over the past year by providing a series of six virtual leadership sessions in the following topic areas: effective communication as a leader; AMHCA governance information; conflict resolution styles and skills; coaching and mentoring others; building trust and rapport among colleagues; time management skills and strategies; increasing accountability and responsibility for self and others; building confidence and assertiveness in yourself and others; crisis management leadership skills; empowerment and delegation skills; creating motivation and drive among others; advocacy and social justice. The series of the sessions were accompanied approximately by 171 attendees alongside the experienced presenters and some of the AMHCA staff and board of directors in support. The Leadership Institute was instituted with the vision of Dr. Deirdra Sanders-Burnett during her tenure( 23-24) and is an initiative designed to educate, inform, and prepare both current members and emerging professionals.
CONFERENCE IN VEGAS
Chaired by Mrs. Courtney Ackerson, President( 25-26), the Annual Conference Planning Committee planned all year along to successfully host the AMHCA 2025 conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, June 24 through June 27, 2025 with the theme of“ Balancing Growth and Connection in Mental Health Counseling.” With over 530 attendees, AMHCA board of directors, staff, vendors and sponsors, and the mental health counseling community, it was full of opportunities for continuing education, leadership training, continued professional development, and community building.
AMHCA Past, present, and future Board Presidents pose for a picture at # AMHCA2025. From left to right: Carol Staben Burroughs(‘ 05-’ 06), Dr. Gray Otis(‘ 11-’ 12), Dr. Stephen Giunta(‘ 14-’ 15), Joe Weeks(‘ 17-’ 18), Dr. Beverly Smith Moore(‘ 21-22), Dr. Fred Dombrowski(‘ 22-’ 23), Dr. Yoon Suh Moh(‘ 24-’ 25), Courtney Ackerson(‘ 25-’ 26
2024-25 AMHCA Annual Report