The Spring Conference sponsored by Louisiana Career Development Association (LCDA) and Louisiana College Counseling Association (LCCA) was held on April 18, 2009 and was a terrific success. We had 21 people attending the all-day conference held at Our Lady of the Lake College on Essen Lane in Baton Rouge. Here is a breakdown of the content sessions that were presented:
“Success Strategies for Students and Workers with ADHD” presented by Suzanne Hamilton, M. A., LPC, NCC. Suzanne works as a mental health counselor at Ascension Counseling Center in Gonzales, LA. She presented information on symptoms of ADHD, DSM-IV-TR criteria for ADHD, and counselor interventions and therapeutic techniques to use with ADHD clients.
“Using the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) to Assist Clients” presented by Amy Valentine, M. Ed., NCC and Beverly Sellers, M. A., NCC. Amy and Beverly both work at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond. All attendees at the conference did a quick checklist of preferences to determine their MBTI 4-letter code. Amy and Beverly then presented information about the traits of the MBTI code and how that can influence career choices and choosing a college major and how college counselors and career counselors can us this assessment in working with individual clients.
“Getting the Most from Holland Codes” was presented by Charles Caron, M.S., LPC, A. P. Charles has a private practice, Proactive Therapy Innovation (PTI) and has many years experience using Holland codes in helping clients make career choices. He gave the attendees a quick Vocational Preference Inventory (VPI) so that everyone could determine their Holland Code. Then, using a handout describing the six Holland Codes, discussed the characteristics and traits associated with each code and how a counselor could use this information to help clients explore their best occupational choices.
“Engaging and Retaining Higher Education’s Decision-Challenged Student” was presented by Tim Fields, LPC. Tim is an Academic Counselor in the University College at LSU and has 25 years experience working with freshmen and student athletes. Tim discussed the dilemmas facing college freshmen and how counselors can help them face these challenges. He also discussed how the Millennial student differs from the Generation X student and what affect these characteristics has on the counseling process.
The luncheon keynote speaker was Dr. Mary Feduccia, LPC. Mary is Director of the Career Services Department at LSU and President-Elect of LCA. Her topic was “Cultivating the Counselor Within You” and how to use the mind, body, spirit connection to enhance our effectiveness as a counselor. She described and engaged audience participation in using different tools to cultivate mindfulness including breathing, meditation and music. Mary discussed Chi and the energy centers of the body and earth.
As you can see, we had an excellent group of highly qualified counselors presenting these content sessions and everyone attending received valuable information to take back to their own setting to further enhance day-to-day interactions with their clients.
Submitted by:
Sharon W. Walker, LPC, NCC, MCC
LCDA President-Elect
