Blog Viewer

For decades, the AMHCA Annual Conference has brought clinical mental health counselors together to learn, connect, and advance our profession. This year's conference in Portland was especially meaningful as we celebrated the 50th anniversary of an organization that has helped shape generations of counselors, leaders, educators, researchers, and advocates.

Over several inspiring days, attendees participated in educational sessions, explored the latest innovations from exhibitors, celebrated excellence through our awards program, welcomed new leaders during the Board induction ceremony, and reconnected with colleagues from across the country. Whether it was your first AMHCA conference or your fiftieth, Portland reminded us that one of the greatest strengths of our profession is the community we build together.

Chapter Leadership

The conference kicked off with Leadership Day, bringing together chapter leaders and volunteer leaders from across the country to exchange ideas, discuss the future of the profession, and strengthen the leadership network that supports AMHCA. Through collaborative discussions and shared experiences, participants left with new strategies to take back to their organizations and communities.

Preconference Learning

Before the official conference began, attendees had the opportunity to dive deeper into specialized topics through preconference workshops. These extended learning experiences provided practical tools, in-depth discussion, and hands-on instruction, allowing participants to build new skills they can immediately apply in their work.

Educational Sessions

Over the course of the conference, attendees explored a wide variety of educational sessions covering current research, emerging trends, clinical best practices, ethics, supervision, counselor education, and specialized areas of practice. The knowledge and expertise shared by presenters continue to strengthen the clinical mental health counseling profession and inspire excellence in practice.

Poster Presentations

The poster presentations highlighted innovative research, emerging clinical approaches, and student scholarship from across the profession. These sessions provided attendees with the opportunity to engage directly with presenters, ask questions, exchange ideas, and celebrate the important contributions being made by researchers and future leaders in clinical mental health counseling.

Exhibit Hall

The Exhibit Hall served as a hub for conversation, discovery, and collaboration throughout the conference. Attendees connected with exhibitors, explored new products and services, learned about valuable resources, and strengthened partnerships that support both counselors and the profession.

Reception

One of the greatest strengths of the AMHCA Annual Conference is the opportunity to connect with colleagues from across the country. At this year's reception, we heard from past presidents of the organization from the last several decades about their milestones, insights, and visions for AMHCA's future. Whether meeting someone for the first time or reconnecting with longtime friends, the reception reminded us that meaningful professional relationships are at the heart of our association.

Awards & Recognition

The conference also provided an opportunity to recognize the outstanding individuals whose leadership, service, scholarship, and dedication continue to advance the clinical mental health counseling profession. Congratulations to this year's award recipients, whose contributions exemplify AMHCA's mission and the highest standards of professional excellence.

While the conference may be over, the celebration is just beginning.

Help Us Celebrate 50 Years

Portland was just one chapter in AMHCA's 50-year conference story.

Over the coming months, we'll be taking a look back at the history of AMHCA (from advocacy to our publications) and our conferences (from memorable keynote speakers and host cities to changing conference programs and photographs that capture the evolution of our profession). We'll revisit how our organization has grown while continuing to fulfill the same mission: bringing clinical mental health counselors together to learn, collaborate, and lead.

Have a favorite AMHCA memory? We'd love to hear from you! Whether it's your first conference, a favorite photo, a mentor you met, or a publication, help us preserve AMHCA's history by sharing your story.

Complete our 50th Anniversary Memories Form

Celebrating 50 Years: Share Your Story – Fill out form