SRU plans event

Breakout sessions include ethical and legal issues specific to school counseling.
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- More than 300 high school counselors from western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio will visit Slippery Rock University on Nov. 18 for the one-day Pennsylvania School Counselors Association Western Regional Conference under the theme "School Counselors: Fostering Resiliency."
The keynote speaker will be the Rev. Scott Seethaler, a Capuchin Franciscan priest, author and radio show host, who will discuss resiliency for counselors in a talk "The 3 R's of Counselors in Challenging Times."
Father Seethaler was the PSCAWRC speaker when the organization launched its first conference 10 years ago. His books include "L.E.N.T. [Lets Eliminate Negative Thinking]," "When Life Seems Overwhelming," "Leap of Faith," and "Wisdom and Wit for the Journey."
"This is a wonderful opportunity for counselors and graduate students in counseling to hear from the experts," says Dr. Ann Kemmerer, professor of counseling and development at SRU and a program originator. "We will offer more than 30 breakout sessions, and since we are now hosting our fifth conference, we have learned how to provide the information school counselors want and need."
The counseling steering committee is co-coordinated by Dr. Jered Kolbert, associate professor of counseling and development, and Dr. Julaine Field, assistant professor in the department. Both are SRU faculty.
SRU's department of counseling and development program in school counseling was recently approved by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs.
The national CACREP board promotes excellence in the professional preparation of master's level counseling practitioners. Programs receiving CACREP acceptance demonstrate a commitment to high admissions, academic and fieldwork standards and current best practices in counselor preparation and ongoing program improvement.
Breakout session
Planned breakout sessions include ethical and legal issues specific to school counseling, self-injury play therapy, bullying prevention, child abuse, cognitive, narrative and reality therapy, feminine gender roles and addiction.
Conference registration, open to all school counselors and graduate students enrolled in college counseling programs, begins at 8 a.m. in the University Union and ACT 48 (five hours) and National Board Certified Counselor credits are available to participants. To preregister, call Field at (724) 738-2275.