Suncoast Mental Health Counselors Association upcoming events

October VIRTUAL Book Club (Friday, October 09, 2026)

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown (Chapters 1–40)

So far, Secret of Secrets is a fast-paced mystery filled with hidden symbols, ancient secrets, and unexpected twists. Robert Langdon is drawn into a dangerous investigation that spans history, science, and art, as he races to uncover the truth before powerful forces can stop him. The first 40 chapters build suspense, introduce key players, and leave readers with plenty of questions and theories about what lies ahead.

Book Club Contact: swindall.david@gmail.com

October VIRTUAL Colleague Collab! (Friday, October 16, 2026)

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 16:30:00 GMT

JOIN THE COLLEAGUE COLLABORATION FOR A GREAT VIRTUAL EVENT!

Many of us, whether in agencies or private practice, can feel like we are sometimes “going it alone” and wish we could receive advice from our colleagues, especially on our most difficult cases. This is your opportunity to bring those tough cases and clients to your peers to seek feedback in a safe and confidential environment where all psychotherapists – clinical mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, social workers, and psychologists – can share their struggles and receive advice on their problem cases. No cases that need assistance? Bring your experience and expertise to share with your colleagues. Collaboration is a team effort that enlightens us all!

Enhancing Connection, Empathy, and Presence in Telehealth Counseling (Friday, October 16, 2026)

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 17:30:00 GMT

Friday, October 16, 2026

Online on ZOOM

1:30 PM - 4:30 PM EST

Description: This presentation offers a comprehensive exploration of how mental health professionals can cultivate deep, authentic connections in a virtual therapy setting. Grounded in the latest research and evidence-based approaches, participants will gain practical strategies and insights to address the challenges of building rapport, conveying empathy, and maintaining therapeutic presence through a screen.

Attendees will learn how to adapt core clinical skills for telehealth, including techniques for nonverbal communication, emotional resonance, and co-regulation in digital environments. Special attention will be given to working with diverse populations, managing cultural nuances online, and preventing screen-related burnout. Through engaging discussion, live demonstrations, and experiential exercises, therapists will leave equipped with tools to not only sustain but enhance their effectiveness and humanity in virtual practice.

Learning Objectives

Objective 1: Identify three evidence-based strategies for enhancing emotional connection and strengthening therapeutic presence in virtual mental health sessions.

Objective 2: Demonstrate an increased understanding of nonverbal communication techniques—including eye contact, vocal tone, and screen framing—that support empathy and rapport in telehealth environments.

Objective 3: Apply culturally responsive approaches to foster therapeutic engagement and safety for clients from diverse backgrounds during remote therapy.

Objective 4: Develop personalized rituals and self-care routines that help establish professional boundaries and mitigate screen fatigue and emotional burnout in a teletherapy context.

Presenter

Amanda Landry, LMHC, CAP, NCC

Caring Therapists

Amanda Landry is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Certified Addictions Professional, National Certified Counselor, and private practice consultant. She is the owner and CEO of Caring Therapists, a Florida-based group practice with several locations specializing in work with children and adults. Caring Therapists provides services for individuals, couples, and families, including individual therapy, psychological testing, and medication management.

In 2024, Caring Therapists was recognized as one of Inc. 5000’s fastest-growing companies. The practice is also a multi-year recipient of “Best of Florida.” Caring Therapists has been named a finalist for the prestigious 14th Annual GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch Award, and the Davie location is a multi-year winner of “Best of Davie.”

Amanda is the author of Guided Journal for Women with Anxiety and is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Emotionally Focused Couples Counseling, Trauma-Focused CBT, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. She specializes in treating anxiety and depression in teens and adults through a holistic and evidence-based approach.

Amanda is also the founder of My Private Practice Collective, an online Facebook community of over 26,000 members designed to connect therapists in all areas of private practice around the world. As a private practice consultant, she helps solo and group practices build smart, grounded, and efficient practices.

In 2018, Amanda was awarded Counselor of the Year by the Florida Mental Health Counseling Association. She is a board member of the Broward Mental Health Counselors Association and a member of the Florida Mental Health Counseling Association and the Mental Health Counselors Association of Palm Beach. She has assisted numerous Registered Interns with supervision and the development of independent practice and is a Qualified Supervisor in the state of Florida.

Amanda is an alumnae member of Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority, where she remains a long-time volunteer at both the local and national level. In 2022, she was awarded “40 Under 40” by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and remains active in philanthropic endeavors associated with the condition.

Personally, Amanda is married to fellow mental health professional Dr. David Landry, forensic psychologist, Senior Clinical Director, and co-owner of Caring Therapists. She is a loving mother to Ashton and Brooklyn. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, yoga, spending time with friends and family, and anything Harry Potter related.

CE Broker Tracking No. 20-1382630

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:

$15 Member

$30 Nonmember

$5 Student (with membership)
$10 Student Nonmember (no CEUs)

November VIRTUAL Book Club (Friday, November 13, 2026)

Fri, 13 Nov 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown (Chapters 1–40)

So far, Secret of Secrets is a fast-paced mystery filled with hidden symbols, ancient secrets, and unexpected twists. Robert Langdon is drawn into a dangerous investigation that spans history, science, and art, as he races to uncover the truth before powerful forces can stop him. The first 40 chapters build suspense, introduce key players, and leave readers with plenty of questions and theories about what lies ahead.

Book Club Contact: swindall.david@gmail.com

November VIRTUAL Colleague Collab! (Friday, November 20, 2026)

Fri, 20 Nov 2026 17:30:00 GMT

JOIN THE COLLEAGUE COLLABORATION FOR A GREAT VIRTUAL EVENT!

Many of us, whether in agencies or private practice, can feel like we are sometimes “going it alone” and wish we could receive advice from our colleagues, especially on our most difficult cases. This is your opportunity to bring those tough cases and clients to your peers to seek feedback in a safe and confidential environment where all psychotherapists – clinical mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, social workers, and psychologists – can share their struggles and receive advice on their problem cases. No cases that need assistance? Bring your experience and expertise to share with your colleagues. Collaboration is a team effort that enlightens us all!

Understanding Trauma-Related Dissociative Disorders: Facts, Health Outcomes, & Assessment (Friday, November 20, 2026)

Fri, 20 Nov 2026 18:30:00 GMT

Friday, November 20, 2026

Online on ZOOM

1:30 PM - 4:30 PM EST

Description: This foundational webinar is designed for mental health professionals seeking to improve their recognition of trauma-related dissociative disorders (DDs). Despite being common and often adaptive responses to overwhelming trauma, dissociation is misunderstood and even stigmatized, leading to poor treatment outcomes and significant, prolonged suffering for clients. This session will separate fact from fiction, providing an updated, evidence-based overview of the dissociative spectrum—ranging from PTSD (dissociative subtype) to Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). Participants will explore the underlying causes and the serious public health consequences of untreated dissociation, along with the positive outcomes associated with accurate diagnosis and specialized treatment.

Learning Objectives

Objective 1: List and describe eight (8) common dissociative disorders myths

Objective 2: Discuss and contrast dissociation and dissociative disorders

Objective 3: Describe and discuss major challenges in dissociative disorders assessment

Objective 4: Describe and contrast dissociative disorders assessment measures

Presenter

Hector Pereles, LMHC, LPC, NCC

New Living Counseling

Hector has continuously practiced psychotherapy as a licensed professional counselor in Georgia since April 2013 and as licensed mental health counselor in Florida since June 2024; Overall, Hector has practiced psychotherapy on a full-time basis since January 2010 and currently practices therapy at his private practice named New Living Counseling.

Hector began incorporating EMDR therapy into his professional practice June 2015 and since then it has become the main therapeutic approach of his practice. Hector became an EMDRIA Certified Therapist June 2019 and an EMDRIA Approved Consultant in Training March 2025.

Hector’s therapy practice focuses on adults of at least age twenty (20) years and the assessment and treatment of PTSD, Complex PTSD (CPTSD), dissociative disorders, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, behavioral (aka process) addictions, and mood disorders.

Hector’s EMDR therapy practice is informed by and integrates Internal Family Systems (IFS), the theory of structural dissociation, Polyvagal Theory, and, CBT, DBT, mindfulness, attachment, and somatic-based interventions within the context of a collaborative, holistic approach to treatment as the human nervous system undoubtedly includes both brain and body which are reciprocal and inseparable.

CE Broker Tracking No. 20-1382597

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:

$15 Member

$30 Nonmember

$5 Student (with membership)
$10 Student Nonmember (no CEUs)

Intro to Female Psychoendocrinology: Closing the Gender Mental Health Gap (Friday, February 19, 2027)

Fri, 19 Feb 2027 18:30:00 GMT

Friday, February 19, 2027

Online on ZOOM

1:30 PM - 4:30 PM EST

Description: This presentation provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of women's mental health based on the most up-to-date research and statistics. It introduces practitioners to The Gender Health Gap and the importance of female biorhythm knowledge as it relates to mental health. The focus of this work is centered around how practitioners care for naturally menstruating women in practice and how practitioners care for themselves, personally, in a female dominated industry. Practitioners will be introduced to Female Psychoendocrinology, a new field of research that aims to close the Gender Health Gap and improve healthcare outcomes for women. Participants will learn how to effectively address the bio-individual concerns of naturally menstruating women, how this care impacts global outcomes, and ways that their own self-care as practicing clinicians contributes to the mental health ripple effect.

Learning Objectives

Objective 1: State the current statistics regarding women's mental health outcomes.

Objective 2: Explain the Gender Health Gap and it's consequences.

Objective 3: Assess action steps to implement in practice that will improve women’s health outcomes.

Objective 4: Describe the mental health ripple effect and it's impact on global well-being.

Presenter

Kristen McAdams, LPC, WNPP

Kristen McAdams Therapy

Kristen McAdams LPC, WNPP is an integrative mental health counselor, quantum psychologist, and speaker who is passionate about intersecting mental health, wellness, and medicine. She is a mental health educator and co-instructor at Her Biorhythm alongside Dr. Kayla Osterhoff. Together they have coined a new field of research named Female Psychoendocrinology and are curating a Women’s Mental Health Certification Program aimed at closing the Gender Health Gap by educating practitioners in women’s hormonal health research.

CE Broker Tracking No. 20-1389338

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:

$15 Member

$30 Nonmember

$5 Student (with membership)
$10 Student Nonmember (no CEUs)