Alexandria, Va. (March 26, 2026) — The 2026 ACA Conference & Expo, the premier professional development and networking event for professional counselors, will feature 200+ education sessions, organized across 24 mental health and counseling topic areas. The signature event takes place from April 9–11 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio.
The conference will also feature a keynote address by former U.S. Air Force officer and bestselling author D.J. Vanas. Based on his new book “The Warrior Within,” Vanas — a member of the Ottawa Tribe in Michigan and president of Native Discovery Inc. — will share a unique, powerful perspective from Native American culture about what the warrior role is and how you can use it to transform how you show up in both your personal and professional lives.
SELECT EDUCATION SESSIONS INCLUDE:
Addressing Deportation Anxiety in Latine Clients: Tools for Clinicians, April 10, 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. ET
Living with the chronic stress of fear of deportation is linked to deleterious mental health consequences that counselors need to be aware of. Drawing on a rapid review of research and lived community experiences, presenters will discuss practical tools for providing culturally responsive, trauma-informed care to Latine immigrant clients and their families.
Digital Natives in Crisis: Girls, Social Media, Confidence & Mental Health, April 10, 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. ET
With 93% of teen girls using social media and 57% reporting persistent sadness, mental health professionals need practical, up-to-date tools to address this crisis. Drawing on The Girls’ Index survey of 17,500 girls and additional research, this session equips counselors with cognitive behavioral therapy adaptations for digital contexts, social media wellness assessments and boundary-setting strategies.
Building Competency and Community: Led by the Ohio Association for Resiliency and Trauma Counseling, April 10, 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. ET
This session highlights the work of the Ohio Association for Resiliency and Trauma Counseling (OARTC), the first state-level trauma counseling division formed in the U.S. OARTC leaders will discuss the division’s mission to advance trauma-informed competency and its vision for fostering a collaborative professional community centered on professional development, resource creation, counselor well-being, advocacy and social justice.
I Saw it on TikTok: Therapeutic Responses to Social Media Misinformation, April 10, 1:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. ET
With billions of online views of mental health content, clients increasingly present to counseling with social media-influenced perspectives. This session draws on research about the quality of content on TikTok when clients reference social media misinformation. Participants will develop approaches that help clients think critically about digital mental health information.
Hidden Tolls of Disaster on Children and Short-term Interventions, April 10, 4:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. ET
Children are more susceptible to environmental and emotional turmoil than adults and disasters often affect children more profoundly. Without effective intervention, many children experience post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and secondary trauma that can shape the course of their lives. This session focuses on short-term interventions that offer stability to help children develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Counseling First Responders, April 11, 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. ET
First responders often carry the unseen weight of trauma, stress and cultural barriers that keep them from seeking help. This session sheds light on the unique world of firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMS professionals, dispatchers and others who serve on the front lines of crisis.
Addressing Human Trafficking in Counseling: A Multidisciplinary Approach, April 11, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. ET
Human trafficking is happening in our communities — often in places people least expect. This session explores the realities of trafficking in Ohio and beyond, including how it can occur in everyday settings, not only in stereotypically “dangerous” areas.
Body Appreciation as a Path to Psychological Flourishing in Middle Age, April 11, 11:45 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. ET
Body image is often viewed primarily as a concern for young women; however, middle-aged adults also grapple with accepting their bodies, particularly as they experience the effects of childbearing, menopause and aging. This session reviews findings from a survey of middle-aged former collegiate athletes and extends those findings to practical strategies to help middle-aged clients increase body appreciation and enhance overall psychological wellness.
When Politics Gets Personal: Counseling Clients in a Divided World, April 11, 11:45 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. ET
In today’s polarized political climate, clients are increasingly bringing their fears and frustrations into clinical sessions. This session equips counselors with tools to navigate political content ethically, manage countertransference, and support clients coping with discrimination, activism fatigue, or ideological conflict, while fostering resilience, empathy, and healing in a divided world.
When Clients Choose Chatbots: Investigating AI Use in Mental Health Care, April 11, 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. ET
As tools such as chatbots and large language models become more widespread, increasing numbers of individuals are turning to them — sometimes instead of counselors and other mental health professionals — for support. This session examines the factors driving this shift, including affordability, accessibility, anonymity and reduced stigma, while addressing the ethical, clinical and professional implications for practice.
View the full agenda for the complete list of education sessions.
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About the American Counseling AssociationFounded in 1952, the American Counseling Association (ACA) is a not-for-profit, professional and educational organization that is dedicated to the growth and enhancement of the counseling profession. ACA represents more than 62,000 members and is the world’s largest association exclusively representing professional counselors in various practice settings. Driven by the belief that all people can benefit from the power of counseling, ACA’s mission is to promote the professional development of counselors, advocate for counselors, and ensure that ethical, culturally inclusive practices protect our members’ clients and all people who seek counseling services. For more information, visit the ACA website and read more about the Conference & Expo.