Call for Proposals Information

Submit EARLY for priority

Submission Priority Deadline:  December 4th, 2026

Acceptance Notification: December 16, 2026

Confirmation Required By:  December, January,  2027

Second Submission Deadline: January 22, 2027

Acceptance Notification:   February, 2027

Confirmation Required By:  March 19,  2027

Event Dates:    May 23, May 24 - May 28-, 2027

Location:         Savannah Marriott Riverfront

Address:         100 General McIntosh Blvd, Savannah, GA 31401

 

 Complimentary Attendance Policy:

As a presenter, you are eligible for complimentary attendance at the conference based on the length of your presentation:

• For a 1 - 1.5-hour presentation, you are welcome to attend for that day only.
• For a 3.0-hour presentation, you are welcome to attend for that day and the next day.
• For an all-day presentation (6.0 hours), you are welcome to attend for two consecutive days.

Compensation: No Financial Compensation except for keynote or negotiated special presentations.

The Licensed Professional Counselors Association of Georgia (LPCA) proudly presents the 39th Annual Convention & Regional Conference, the premier event for mental health professionals across Georgia and the Southeast.

Each year, hundreds and hundreds of counselors, school counselors, supervisors, counselor educators, students, and mental health advocates gather for four days of inspiration, education, and connection. This year’s theme, “Many Trees Make a Forest: Unity in Counseling,” celebrates our shared mission—standing strong together to support wellness, advocacy, and growth in the counseling profession.

Submission Guidelines for Presenters

While all presentations will be reviewed and considered to ensure a variety of presentations to engage attendees, please note that all proposals must follow guidelines and include the following information:

Presentation Title

Provide a clear and concise title that reflects the content and focus of your presentation.

Presentation Length

Select one of the following options:

• 6-hour Pre-Convention Session  (prefer Tuesday May 25 Presentation Date)
• 1.5-hour Presentation
• 3-hour Presentation

Category
Select one of the following categories for your proposal (Full Topic Descriptions are Below):

• A.I. Artificial Intelligence
• Ethics/Laws
• DSM, Symptoms & Conditions
• Assessments /Mental Health Evaluations
• Advocacy and Leadership
• Behavioral Addictions/ Substance Use
• Career/Workplace
• Children & Adolescents
• Counseling Theories & Techniques
• Marriage & Family
• Multicultural
• Practice Management
• Supervision
• Telehealth
• Working in School / University Settings
• Other (Please specify)

Abstract (300-500 words)
Provide a detailed description of your proposed presentation.  Experiential workshop presentation and key learning objectives, an overview of the topic, and how it will benefit the audience. Be sure to address any evidence-based practices or relevant research.

Learning Objectives
List 3-5 specific learning objectives for participants. These should clearly state what attendees will gain from the presentation in terms of knowledge, skills via active participation, or competencies gained. 

Presenter Information

Include the following for each presenter:

• Full Name
• Credentials (LPC, CPCS, etc.)
• Title/Position
• Organization/Institution (if applicable)
• Contact Information (Email & Phone)
• Biography Blurb (150-200 words) This will be published in the Convention Brochure
  

Co-Presenters (if applicable)  Provide the same information for any co-presenters.

Presentation Format

• Pre-Convention Institutes:  Presentations of 6.0 hours on Tuesday May 24, 2027*
• Demonstration/Skill Building Session: This type of presentation focuses on providing attendees with hands-on, practical skills that can be immediately applied in their clinical practice. These sessions involve live demonstrations, role-playing, or step-by-step instructions for implementing therapeutic techniques or interventions. Participants are encouraged to engage actively, practice the skills being taught, and receive feedback from the presenter.
• Workshop/Interactive Presentation: Workshops and interactive presentations are designed to involve attendees in an engaging, collaborative learning experience. Presenters use a mix of lecture, group activities, and discussions to explore a topic deeply, allowing for audience interaction and participation. This format encourages dialogue, problem-solving, and peer learning to reinforce concepts and ensure the practical application of ideas.
• Panel Discussion: A panel discussion brings together a group of experts who share diverse perspectives on a specific topic. Moderated by a facilitator, each panelist offers their insights, followed by a Q&A session with the audience. This format fosters discussion of multiple viewpoints, trends, and challenges within the field of mental health, providing a well-rounded exploration of the topic.

References/Resources
Include a list of at least 3 resources, references, or citations that support the content of your presentation.

Audio/Visual Requirements

Each room will be equipped with the following: 

1. Microphone on podium

2. Projector and Screen

3. Standard HDMI connection cable

Please bring a USB or your computer to integrate with A/V provided

Availability

Please select first, second, third time slot.
Indicate your availability/preferred presentation date, during the dates of the conference. This will help us schedule your presentation at a convenient time.

• Tuesday: All day 
• Wednesday or Thursday or Friday
• AM and/or PM 

Please understand we will make every effort for time and date placement but we can not guarantee an exact fit.  If you are flexible on the day and time, please indicate that on the submission form.  Thank you.

TOPIC DESCRIPTIONS:

• A.I. Artificial Intelligence: Presentation should explore any of the following areas such as the progressive role of artificial intelligence inserting itself in modern mental health care, delve into cutting-edge AI tools—from predictive diagnostics and virtual therapy assistants to automated clinical documentation with a cautionary disclaimer, analyze real-world case studies, address critical ethical concerns regarding data privacy and algorithmic bias, and if used, how to safely integrate AI to enhance patient outcomes without losing the human touch of you as a Professional Counselor
  
• Ethics/Laws: Explore current ethical standards and dilemmas in counseling, with a focus on real-world application. Topics may include boundary setting, confidentiality, professional conduct, and the evolving nature of ethics in response to emerging trends in mental health.
• DSM, Symptoms & Conditions: Present on the latest updates to the DSM, diagnostic criteria, and the identification of various mental health symptoms and conditions. This category is ideal for proposals that explore complex or emerging diagnoses and their implications for treatment.
• Assessments/Mental Health Evaluations: Cover the use of mental health evaluations or assessments in practice, including best practices for selecting and administering evaluations, interpreting results, and integrating assessment data into treatment planning.
• Advocacy and Leadership: Proposals may cover advocacy and leadership development and strategies for empowering counselors to advocate for their clients and the profession at the community, state, or national levels.
  
• Behavioral Addictions/ Substance Use: Address the growing recognition of behavioral addictions, such as gambling, internet addiction, or food-related disorders. Proposals can cover assessment, diagnosis, and treatment interventions for these conditions.
• Career/Workplace: Focus on career counseling, workplace mental health, and the challenges clients may face in their professional lives. Topics might include managing workplace stress, navigate career transitions, and/or insight to work-life balance. Tools for Counselors to bring back to their work.
• Children & Adolescents: Explore techniques and interventions tailored to working with children and adolescent populations. Topics might address developmental challenges, behavioral issues, trauma, and family dynamics that impact young clients.
• Counseling Theories & Techniques: Present on different theoretical approaches and therapeutic techniques used in counseling. This category is ideal for proposals that explore the application of specific models (e.g., CBT, REBT, Gestalt) or innovative therapeutic interventions for working with difficult clients.
  
• Marriage & Family: Examine counseling strategies focused on couples and families. Proposals could cover a wide range of topics such as communication skills, conflict resolution, parenting techniques, or systemic interventions. “What if” case scenarios.
  
• Multicultural: Discuss the importance of cultural competence in counseling, with an emphasis on serving diverse populations. Proposals can explore strategies for addressing the needs of clients from different cultural backgrounds, as well as integrating multicultural awareness into practice and supervision.
• Practice Management: Private Practice/provide insights on running a successful counseling practice. Topics could include strategies for managing business aspects such as billing, insurance, marketing, interns, and compliance, and the ethical issues related to practice management.
  
• Supervision: Presentation should be designed to elevate supervisory practice, include items such as a comprehensive blueprint for best practices in clinical supervision, balancing rigorous ethical and legal standards with actionable developmental strategies, explore core supervision models and learn practical techniques to navigate complex supervisory dynamics for empowering  the next generation of mental health professionals.
  
• Telehealth: Address the growing use of technology in mental health practice, including the issues of complicated hardware/software, legal and ethical considerations, and strategies for creating an effective therapeutic relationship in a virtual setting. Proposals may also examine the latest advancements in telehealth tools and platforms.
  
• Working in School / University Settings: Should provide interactive, hands-on training focused on practical skills, real-world application, and actionable tools rather than passive lecturing with tangible takeaways.
  
• Other: This category is open for innovative and interdisciplinary topics that do not fit neatly into the predefined categories. Proposals could cover emerging trends, unique approaches to counseling, or novel therapeutic interventions that provide value to mental health professionals.