The Bridging the Gap Symposium supports counselors, counselor educators, and others in the profession in amplifying the voices of marginalized communities and promoting equitable access to mental health resources. Presentations and workshops will highlight evidence-based and culturally relevant practices and research that address ways to serve and bridge the gap for underserved communities, including underrepresented ethnic and racial groups, children, veterans, the elderly, military or rural populations, and LGBTQIA2S+ individuals.
Headlining the presentations are two keynote speakers, LaTonya Summers, PhD, NCC, LMHC, LCMHC-S, and Patsy Cunningham, MA, LPC.
Dr. Summers is an award-winning Associate Professor and Department Chair of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Jacksonville University and the Program Director for the university’s Center for Men’s Mental Wellness. Her keynote, “We Got Next Now: Counselors Who Lead, Learn, and Liberate,” will enable participants to experience an enhanced professional identity as a counselor as they lead and liberate others to eliminate mental health disparities.
Cunningham is a Behavioral Health Advisor at the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) in the Office of Special Health Initiatives and has over 18 years of experience in the behavioral health field. Her keynote, “Utilizing Workforce Initiatives to Improve Access to Behavioral Health Care,” will focus on HRSA’s efforts to address workforce challenges through initiatives that expand and strengthen the behavioral health workforce in areas with the greatest need.
In addition to counselors and counselors-in-training, attendees will include the NBCC Foundation Minority Fellowship Program awardees, who are master’s- and doctoral-level counseling students committed to working with underserved communities upon graduation.
“Connecting Fellows with all attendees and ensuring they are seen, heard, and aware of all available resources and opportunities continues to be a priority,” says Isabel Gomez, Vice President of Foundation and Professional Services.
Registration; attendee details; and sponsor, exhibitor, and partnership opportunities are available on our event website.