Sponsored and hosted by

Space for 50 in-person with no limit on online attendance. Those who choose the online option will be sent a Zoom link the morning of the symposium.

The Annual Spring Symposium will be presented on Saturday, April 19th, 2025 This will be an in-person/online event geared for student and interns, in the Tampa Bay Area.  This annual event is FREE!  It has been a life-saver for those taking the licensing exam and a welcomed activity of SMHCA for many years. Despite the local Florida focus of this symposium, the content will benefit Mental Health Graduate Students and Interns from other areas as well in Florida.

Learn what to expect after graduation, the benefits of belonging to professional associations, how to prepare for the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCCME), which is required for licensure in Florida. Stay up to date on legislation, and enjoy the opportunity to network with Qualified Supervisors and Agencies in the community for internship and employment opportunities. Students and Interns will be entered into a raffle to win the fee for a licensure exam or other prizes including a DSM5-TR.(Must be present to win/in-person.) 

Space for 50 in-person with no limit on online attendance. Those who choose the online option will be sent a Zoom link the morning of the symposium.

Symposium Schedule

 9:00 AM – 9:15 AM
Welcome and Preliminary Information about the Symposium
Demetrius Jifunza, LMHC (President Elect)

 9:15 AM – 9:30 AM
Getting Involved with the Profession
A brief discussion about SMHCA, FMHCA, and AMHCA 

 9:30 AM – 10:15 AM
Finding the Right Supervisor
Dr. Stephen Giunta

 10:15 AM – 11:00 AM
Preparing for the NCMHCE Licensure Exam
Dr. Linton Hutchinson, Counseling Exam

 11:00 AM – 11:10 AM
Break

 11:10 AM – 11:55 AM
Florida Legislative Update
Dr. Aaron Norton
(Lunch will be available to eat during this session.)

 11:55 AM – 12:40 PM
Algorithm for Successful Clinical Experience
Dr. Dasmain Joseph
(Feel free to continue eating during this session.)

️ 12:40 PM – 1:00 PM
Evaluation and Raffle

Qualified Supervisor & Agency Exhibitor

Tables for 2025 Spring Symposium

The Suncoast Mental Health Counselors Association would like to invite all Qualified Supervisors and Agency Representatives interested in hiring students or recent graduates to set up a free table and network at the annual Spring Symposium!

The Spring Symposium is an opportunity for you to market your supervision to graduate students, meet other supervisors for referral sources, all at NO COST to you.  There are a limited number of tables so register quickly!

Setup opens at 8:30 am. 

Learn what to expect after graduation, the benefits of belonging to professional associations, how to prepare for the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCCME), which is required for licensure in Florida. Stay up to date on legislation, and enjoy the opportunity to network with Qualified Supervisors and Agencies in the community for internship and employment opportunities. Students and Interns will be entered into a raffle to win the fee for a licensure exam or other prizes including a DSM5-TR.(Must be present to win/in-person.) 

Space for 50 in-person with no limit on online attendance. Those who choose the online option will be sent a Zoom link the morning of the symposium.

Symposium Schedule

 9:00 AM – 9:15 AM
Welcome and Preliminary Information about the Symposium
Demetrius Jifunza, LMHC (President Elect)

 9:15 AM – 9:30 AM
Getting Involved with the Profession
A brief discussion about SMHCA, FMHCA, and AMHCA 

 9:30 AM – 10:15 AM
Finding the Right Supervisor
Dr. Stephen Giunta

 10:15 AM – 11:00 AM
Preparing for the NCMHCE Licensure Exam
Dr. Linton Hutchinson, Counseling Exam

 11:00 AM – 11:10 AM
Break

 11:10 AM – 11:55 AM
Florida Legislative Update
Dr. Aaron Norton
(Lunch will be available to eat during this session.)

 11:55 AM – 12:40 PM
Algorithm for Successful Clinical Experience
Dr. Dasmain Joseph
(Feel free to continue eating during this session.)

️ 12:40 PM – 1:00 PM
Evaluation and Raffle

Address: 6550 W Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, FL 33634

Thursday, May 15th

Live In-Person & Online on ZOOM

12:30 PM - 3:30 PM EST

@USF's Teco Hall

4101 USF Willow Dr. Tampa, FL 33620

Sponsored by USF's Counselor Education

MA & PhD programs 

To park at 4101 USF Willow Dr., Tampa, FL 33620 (USF campus), visitors need to purchase a daily parking permit online. These permits cost $5.35 and are valid in any lot or space designated "D". Visitors can also use the Bull Runner transit system to get around campus. 

Description: Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions that often remain misunderstood and under-diagnosed. This presentation will explore the psychological roots, diagnostic criteria, and treatment modalities for eating disorders including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and other specified feeding and eating disorders (OSFED). Attendees will gain insights into the intersection of trauma, body image, and cultural factors, as well as evidence-based therapeutic approaches such as CBT, DBT, and family-based therapy. Emphasis will be placed on early intervention, interdisciplinary collaboration, and reducing stigma within diverse populations.

Learning Objectives

Objective 1: Identify the diagnostic criteria and behavioral warning signs of common eating disorders.

Objective 2: Describe the psychological and socio-cultural factors that contribute to the development and maintenance of eating disorders.

Objective 3: Apply evidence-based treatment strategies and ethical considerations in supporting clients with eating disorders within a mental health counseling framework.

Objective 4: Enhance therapeutic rapport and clinical sensitivity when working with clients that struggle with eating disorders.

Presenter

 

Dr. Nicole Kratimenos, LMHC, NCC,

QS, C-DBT, BC-TMH

Barry University/Sound Mind Counseling

Dr. Kratimenos obtained a BA in Psychology and Spanish and a MA in Rehabilitation & Mental Health Counseling from the University of South Florida. Dr. Kratimenos also holds an Ed.D. in Counselor Education & Supervision from National Louis University. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a Qualified Supervisor for the State of Florida. Dr. Kratimenos is certified in Cognitive Behavioral and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, is Board Certified in TeleMental Health Counseling and is a National Certified Counselor. She is trilingual and uses an eclectic approach in therapy and teaching. Dr. Nicole Kratimenos joined the Counseling program at Barry University in 2023 and is a Co-Advisor for Barry University's Chi Sigma Iota. She is the Past Secretary of the Florida Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (FACES), the Past President Elect and President of the Suncoast Mental Health Counselors Association (SMHCA), and the current Interim President of the Suncoast Mental Health Counselors Association (SMHCA). Some of her presentations include co-presenting at Florida Counseling Association (FCA) conventions on the topic of The Guilt of Ambivalent Reactions: Healing Ambivalent Loss in Transgender Families and at an Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) convention on the topic of Creative Adaptation: Adapting Multicultural Experiential Activities to Virtual Formats. Dr. Kratimenos has also participated in research focusing on dual-diagnosis treatment and the topic of psychological abuse.

CeBroker Tracking No. 20-1297021 This event is offered by SMHCA - Approved Continuing Education Provider - CE Broker Provider #: 50-13528.  This course is approved by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling, LMHC, LMFT, LCSW and Registered Interns.

Once payment is completed you will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom Meeting ID.  TRAINING FEES (members need to be logged in to be able to register at the member rate) Completed Registrations including Payment Guarantees Participation: $10 Member $25 Nonmember $0 Student (with membership) $5 Student Nonmember (no CEUs)