Professional Travel Grants for Graduate Students
Posts tagged VCA
Virginia Counseling Association Convention 2017
6 years
Hot Springs, Virginia
Going to the Virginia counseling associations annual convention at the Homestead resort was educational and quite a treat. I was able to attend a session on Friday, November 10 entitled “please don’t forget the T (in LGBTQ, that is!) : Understanding and collaboratively advocating for trans individuals.” The session on Friday evening was presented by Longwood’s own Kathleen McCluskey and Valerie Stolicker entitled “Empowering clients in the face of an uncertain political climate”. I was particularly interested in the discussion surrounding the town in which I call home, Charlottesville, Virginia, and the various perspectives represented. On Saturday morning I went to a session “Trans-affirmative counselor self-efficacy”. The presenter, Cory Gerwe, was extremely knowledgeable about the topic.
I really appreciated the audience participation in each of the sessions and building greater knowledge and understanding of important aspects of the career. I look forward to future conventions, with the chance that one day I may present a topic myself.
VCA Conference
6 years
I attended the Virginia Counselors Association conference in Hot Springs, VA at the Homestead. The conference had many exciting sessions and some so close together that it was difficult to choose which to attend. I attempted to attend in my classmate’s presentations as well as presentations I believed would help me professionally. One of the most interesting presentations that I attended was focused on the riot in Charlottesville, VA. The presentation was given masterfully by Longwood’s own Dr. Kat McCleskey and Valerie Stolicker the audience was so engaged that the presenters went over their time. Another presentation that I believe will help me professionally was a seminar on dialectical behavior therapy, which is primarily used to treat personality disorders as well as mood disorders. Though the technology failed during the presentation, there were a few experts in the audience that gave valuable information to counselors new to the therapy. Over the course of the conference, I learned so many new things about counseling and the clients that receive therapy. The networking opportunities were amazing, and I met counselors and counselor educators from all over Virginia. The conference was also fun; I got to enjoy the conference with classmates and other counselors that I met along the way.
VCA 2017
6 years
This November, I attended the 2017 Virginia Counselors Association (VCA) conference at the Omni Homestead in Hot Springs, VA. This was my second year attending this annual conference, however, it was my first year as a presenter. I presented with Dr. Lauren Wynne on counseling adolescents about sexuality and with Dr. Kat McCleskey on the integration of ASERVIC competencies into counseling practice. Working with both professors was a great experience and it was a very rewarding experience to share my knowledge with other professionals in the field. In addition to my own presentations, I was able to attend presentations on a variety of meaningful and important topics. Overall, the knowledge I gained was very valuable. Even better than all of the professional learning I was able to engage in, I was able to meet and socialize with a multitude of other Longwood students, professors, and alumni. I enjoyed meeting other Lancers and learning more about what others have done in the field with their Longwood training. I look forward to the possibility of attending VCA again next year, but this time hopefully I will be one of the alumni to meet!
Virginia Counselors Association Conference 2016
7 years
I had the pleasure of attending and presenting a poster at the 2016 Virginia Counselors Association (VCA) Conference in Williamsburg, Virginia. The conference was excellent overall, and particularly in the focus on LGBTQ related issues and in social justice issues faced in the counseling profession today. My presentation, about trauma assessment measures that are commonly used with children, was well received. It was particularly rewarding to have conversations about this with fellow professionals in the field who do similar work to my work in the school system. The ability to share ideas with these people was the most powerful thing that happened at the conference. The exchange of immediately useful ideas and information changed how I respond to a couple of common daily occurrences at my school.
Spending time with the professors, alumni, and current graduate students at the school was another positive. It was enlightening to have professional and personal conversations with people and to talk about where the Longwood program has been and where it is going.
VCA Conference 2016
7 years
On November 9-12, 2016 the Virginia Counselor’s Association Convention took place in Williamsburg, VA. The event included two keynote speakers, Kevin Hines and Dr. Michael Gillette, and nine education sessions, each with multiple sessions attendees could choose from. Four Longwood students currently in the program-Chris Barnes, Jessica Hamlett, Brittany Bishop, and Cameron Patterson-joined many Longwood Alumni and Counselor Education faculty for the weekend. Chris Barnes and Cameron Patterson were both honored as VCA student fellows and Barnes presented a poster on assessing trauma in children. Dr. McCleskey, Dr. Wynne, and alum Amrita Sethi collaborated to present a session on counselors working as allies for LGBTQQI clients and students. Dr. Doyle presented updates from the Virginia Board of Counseling. The event was a great success for Longwood University in education and representation. The next convention will take place November 9-11, 2017 at the Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, VA. All Counselor Education students, faculty, and alumni are encouraged to attend and represent Longwood! 
Virginia Counselors Association Convention 2014
9 years
The VCA convention was absolutely a remarkable experience. I believe every one should take the opportunity to attend one while a student or counselor. As a student preparing to indulge in the counseling field it was inspiring to be apart of such a big event. One gets the opportunity to notice numerous counselor come together and celebrate their accomplishments. They all seem to want to make an impact in children’s lives, as well as help those who need assistance. The atmosphere as I attended the three day convention remained positive through out the entire conference. Everyone was so welcoming, wanting to learn about one another and what position they play in schools or institutions. It was great to meet new people and find out their “stories” and where are they come from.
During the convention, I learned plenty while attending each of the session. Each presenter had a great topics to introduce and discuss; all worth listening and learning from. One of my favorite lectures dealt with adolescents and social media. It gave a great insight of today current trends and how adolescent use social medias such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and etc.If possible, I would want to attend again next year.
Virginia Counselors Association Annual Convention
9 years
This was my second year attending the VCA annual convention, and I loved it just as much if not more! The amount of information and professional skill building you receive by attending conferences are so invaluable. Particularly, I enjoyed the keynote speaker, James Lloyd. James touched on the importance of being an individual who enters a room and says “There you are!” rather than “Here I am!” This concept is so critical to not only the field of counseling but just to society as a whole. Additionally, James talked about how we can constantly advocate for ourselves as counselors, but also in believing in ourselves. For example, when creating a new password for a website or online account, we should try making it an affirmation about ourselves such as “I can do anything”. This way, we are exposed to this every day and are reminded of it constantly. Connecting with professionals in the field is a fantastic way to network as well as to encourage my growth in the profession. Connecting with Longwood alumni was a great bonus, as well as connecting with other graduate students studying at other Virginia graduate schools. I’m grateful for the opportunity to grow professionally and personally at the VCA conference!
Virginia Counselors Association (VCA Convention 2014)
9 years
(left to right) Lisette Bennett, Chelsea Carroll, Ashlie Robertson, and Elizabeth Forman
I attended the Virginia Counselors Associations (VCA) Convention in Williamsburg, Virginia. It was a wonderful, exciting, and educational experience. The convention began on Thursday and ended Saturday afternoon. It was a very valuable experience to be able to attend various sessions on different topics throughout the counseling field. I was able to attend eleven different sessions. I really enjoyed the keynote speaker, James Lloyd. James did a great job captivating and inspiring the audience. I also enjoyed the humor he blended into his speech. One of my favorite experiences during the convention, was having the opportunity to be able to converse with counselors practicing in multiple settings and agencies.
I really enjoyed that the convention was in Williamsburg, VA. It was nice to be within walking distance of Colonial Williamsburg. During the lunch sessions, it was very easy to walk to Colonial Williamsburg to get a bite to eat. Furthermore, it was nice to be able to spend time with fellow Counselor Education students and hear about the sessions they attended. Overall, I had a fabulous experience at the VCA Convention and I am so thankful that I was given the opportunity to be able to go and learn new techniques and ideas that are occurring in the counseling world. I look forward to implementing some of the ideas I was given into my current internship.