2026 Association for Assessment and Research in Counseling Conference: Full Schedule

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If you are interested in sponsorship, please reach out to Leigh Holman, [email protected].

8:00am CDT

Beyond total scores using item-level symptom patterns to improve college mental health assessment

Friday September 18, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT

Trinity 2 Poster 10 @ [email protected]

This session applies latent profile analysis (LPA) to delineate distinct anxiety and depression symptom profiles among college students. Attendees will learn when LPA is most appropriate, how to select indicators, evaluate model fit, and interpret profile plots. We will also examine whether financial stress and international student status predict the profile memberships and whether stigma differs across profiles, highlighting implications for screening and targeted outreach.

Speakers

Cheolwoo Park

Friday September 18, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Trinity 2 Poster 10 [email protected]

Poster, 10

9:05am CDT

Exploring Youth Counseling Competency Development in Practicum and Internship-Level Trainees

Friday September 18, 2026 9:05am - 9:55am CDT

Trinity 2 Poster 10 @ [email protected]

One aspect of counselor competence is youth counseling competency (YCC) defined as the knowledge, skills, dispositions, and actions necessary to provide effective services to children and adolescents. Because trained counselors must be prepared to serve clients across the lifespan, YCC is a requirement of all professional counselors. Therefore, this study examined changes in trainees’ YCC throughout their practicum and internship courses and the role of direct hours with youth clients.

Speakers

Kaleb Thompson

Friday September 18, 2026 9:05am - 9:55am CDT
Trinity 2 Poster 10 [email protected]

Poster, 10

10:10am CDT

Understanding the Intersection of Disability, Diagnosis, and Mental Health

Friday September 18, 2026 10:10am - 11:00am CDT

Trinity 2 Poster 10 @ [email protected]

This presentation explores the intersection of disability and mental health, emphasizing how psychosocial, environmental, and systemic factors influence well-being and diagnosis. Attendees will gain an overview of current research, common barriers faced by individuals with disabilities, and counseling considerations that promote holistic, person-centered care within rehabilitation settings.

Speakers

Megan Thrasher

Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling Masters Student, Auburn University

Friday September 18, 2026 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Trinity 2 Poster 10 [email protected]

Poster, 10

11:15am CDT

Neurocounseling: A Psychoeducational Bridge Linking Brain Functioning and Mental Health

Friday September 18, 2026 11:15am - 12:05pm CDT

Trinity 2 Poster 10 @ [email protected]

Since first coined in 2014, “neurcounseling” has been a rapidly growing, evidence-based approach that bridges concepts of neuroscience with traditional talk therapy to promote an understanding of the brain’s structure and function as it relates to thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. This presentation will provide participants with a processing model showing how counselors can screen and assess a client’s neurobiological needs, which can then be addressed by the incorporation of neurocounseling.

Speakers

Kayla Turner

Friday September 18, 2026 11:15am - 12:05pm CDT
Trinity 2 Poster 10 [email protected]

Poster, 10

2:35pm CDT

Awareness and Integration: An IPA of CAST Advocacy Identity Development in Counselors in Training

Friday September 18, 2026 2:35pm - 3:25pm CDT

Trinity 2 Poster 10 @ [email protected]

This poster highlights research findings from an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of advocacy’s role in shaping the professional identity of counselors-in-training. Researchers explored the experiences of students who participated in the CAST Internship Program, which provides trauma-informed training to support clients impacted by trauma. Attendees will learn about the training program, participant narratives, and implications that highlight the multifaceted nature of advocacy.

Speakers

Christa Vento-Jones

Speakers

John Harrichand

Associate Professor, Montclair State University

John J. S. Harrichand, Ph.D., LPC (NJ), LMHC(NY), LPC-S (VA, TX), NCC, CCMHC, ACS, CCTP, is an Associate Professor, Graduate Program Co-Coordinator, and CSI Co-Chapter Faculty Advisor for Chi Sigma Mu Chapter in the Department of Counseling at Montclair State University. His research... Read More →

Friday September 18, 2026 2:35pm - 3:25pm CDT
Trinity 2 Poster 10 [email protected]

Poster, 10