It is with a great sense of excitement and enthusiasm that we welcome you to the 14th Annual Counselors’ Institute!  Since it began, the Counselors’ Institute has sought to provide an opportunity for mental health counselors, school counselors, and counselor educators to receive quality continuing education without having to travel long distances.  We are so pleased to link arms with our sponsoring partners, UTB/TSC and the Tip-O- Tex Counseling Association, to design and present a conference that will provide area counselors with the latest research-based knowledge and skills they need to better serve their clients. 

We are working especially hard to ensure that this Counselors’ Institute will truly meet the needs of ALL South Texas counselors, regardless of their practice settings.  This year’s institute will offer something for everyone at each breakout session, following “strands” of continuing education for professional school counselors, mental health practicioners, and counselor educators.  These strands will be grouped in the following manner:  1) elementary school counseling & play therapy, 2) secondary school counseling & college/career education, 3) mental health counseling, and 4) areas of general interest.  

In addition to offering participants the opportunity to earn up to 15 hours of relevant, high quality continuing education, every effort is being made to provide flexible and affordable attendance options (including some great hotel rates!).  We’ve added a Thursday evening banquet where Dr. Dana Comstock will give her keynote address on an emerging counseling theory (Relational-Cultural Theory) that has practical implications for all of us.  A three-hour ethics session will be offered on Saturday morning, in an effort to better accommodate those in private practice or agency settings.

Our theme this year is “Forces in Counseling: Unity, Advocacy, and Wellness.”  We are all professional counselors with similar passions and training, despite our particular work specializations.  Let’s join forces this year and learn how to better advocate and care for ourselves and those we serve.  In addition to professional growth, we are building many opportunities to connect with one another, kick back a bit on the island, and have some FUN!

As president of RGVCA, I heartily encourage all counselors across the valley to attend and to join us in promoting the Counselors’ Institute.  In addition, I hope that you will consider becoming a member of the Texas Counseling Association and your local TCA chapter, if you have not already done so. Not only do we provide opportunities for professional growth, affiliation and leadership, we also advocate for and inform you of legislation and policy issues affecting counselors and the clients we serve.

Here’s to a fabulous, growth-fostering, fun-filled Counselors’ Institute!

Your 2007-2008 RGVCA President,

Vickie Lynn Purdy, M.S., LPC