AACC 2023 “Know Hope” World Conference Tracks

Track Workshops 

  1. Abuse, Violence, and Trauma-informed Care 

Possible Topics: Physical, Sexual, Verbal, Spousal, and Spiritual Abuse; Abuse by Counselors/Ministers; Hiding and Denying Abuse; Neglect; PTSD; Dissociation; Recovered Memories; Secondary/Vicarious Trauma; Disasters and Accidents; Compassion Fatigue; War/Refugee Trauma; Spiritual vs. Secular Trauma Treatment; Critical Incident De-briefing 

  1. Addictions, Relapse, and Life Recovery 

Possible Topics: Styles of Addictive Disorders; Disease Model vs. Psychosocial Disorder vs. Moral Responsibility; Relapse Issues; Cutting-edge Detox Treatments; Polydrug Abusers; Ecstasy Abuse; OxyContin and New Drugs of Abuse; Sex Addiction; 12-step Programs and the Church; Role of the Holy Spirit and Accountability in Recovery; Harm-reduction Model 

  1. Grief and Loss, Crisis Response, Pandemic and Disaster Recovery 

Possible Topics: Styles of Grieving; Loss of a Child, Spouse or Parents; Sudden Death as Loss; Counseling with Cancer Victims/Terminally Ill; Pathological Grieving; Complicated Bereavement; Suicide; Survivor Guilt and Fostering Resiliency; Crisis and First Responder Training; Acute Stress; Natural Disasters; Domestic and Community Crisis Response 

  1. NEW! Suicide and Self-harm: Awareness, Prevention, and Postvention 

Possible Topics: Creating a Safety Plan; Assessment; Survivor Support; Non-suicidal Self-injury; Models of Suicide Prevention; Suicide Awareness; Lethal Means Restriction Counseling  

  1. UPDATED! Love and Sex: Men, Women, and Relationships 

Possible Topics: Differing Sexual Expectations; Lifelong Love; Emotional Closeness and Connection; Developing Sexual Communication Skills; Impact of Past Abuse and Sexual History; Gender and Sexual Responses; Sexual Dysfunction; Pregnancy and Infertility 

  1. Sexuality, Sexual Interventions, and Sexual Health 

Possible Topics: Sex Therapy; Pornography; Sexual Desire; Sexual Addiction; Impact of Past Abuse; Gender and Sexual Response; Teens and Single Sexuality; Theology of Sex; Same-sex Attraction; HIV/STIs 

  1. Pre-marital Counseling and Marriage Enrichment 

Possible Topics: Strengthening Marriage; Cultivating Love and Intimacy; Spiritual Oneness; Pre-marital Counseling; Marriage Mentoring; Conflict and Money Issues; Infidelity and Recovery; Divorce and Remarriage; Disaffection; Rebuilding Trust; Rekindling Romance; Marriage as a Safe Haven; Anger and Intimacy; Reconciliation and Forgiveness; Selflessness 

  1. Couples in Crisis, Relationship Conflict, and Marital Recovery 

Possible Topics: From Conflict to Collaboration; How to Build Honesty, Trust, and Understanding; Personality Differences; Family of Origin Issues; Characteristics of Lasting Relationships; Dating/Pre-marital Issues; Infatuation vs. Biblical Love; Gender Differences and Communication; Approval-seeking; Friendships; Importance of Christian Community 

  1. Family Health, Stepfamilies, Millennials, and Generation Z 

Possible Topics: Parenting Styles; Communication and Conflict Resolution; Generation Gap; Gender Roles; Uniqueness of Each Child; Remarriage and Blended Families; Children with Developmental Disorders; Attachment-based Parenting; Biblical Discipline; Sexual Education; Boundaries and Freedom; Parent and Adult Child Relationships; Balancing Marriage and Parenting; Counseling Gen Z; Millennials as Parents 

  1. UPDATED! Youth and Family Development: Issues and Interventions 

Possible Topics: Play Therapy; Obesity; Media and Culture; Birth Order Influence; Peer Pressure; Conduct and Oppositional Disorders; Attachment Disorders; Teen Sexual Behavior (Pregnancy, STDs, Abstinence); Suicidal Ideations; Self-injury; Eating Disorders; Substance Abuse; Impact of Parental Divorce; ADD/ADHD; School Problems; Bullying; Dating; Finding God’s Will; Children and Technology 

  1. Biblical Counseling, Theological Foundations, and Pastoral Care 

Possible Topics: Transformational Psychology; Spiritual Disciplines; Experiencing God; Biblical Mediation; Forgiveness; Theology of Spiritual Transformation; Role of Scripture in Counseling; Confession and Repentance; Biblical Change Processes; Idols of the Heart; Suffering and Faith; Resisting Temptation; Grace and Redemption; Healing Prayer; Chaplaincy; Clinical Pastoral Education 

  1. UPDATED! Spiritual Formation, Interventions, and Discipleship 

Possible Topics: Spiritual Doubt and Questioning; Hypocrisy and Legalism; Caring for Ministry Leaders; Preventing Burnout; Caring for Couples in Crisis; Spiritual Intimacy; Building Strong Families; Church-based 12-step Study Groups; Discipleship Programs; Spiritual Gifts in Counseling; Bringing People into God’s Presence; Emotional Healing; Spiritual Interventions 

  1. UPDATED! Mental Health and the Mission of the Church 

Possible Topics: Foundations; First Responder Core Skills; Pitfalls of Caregiving; Pastoral Burnout; Decreasing Stigma; Congregational Counseling; Ministering to Lay Leaders; Pastoral Counseling; Compassion Fatigue in Pastoral and Counseling Ministry 

  1. Counseling Skills, Techniques, and Empirically Supported Treatments 

Possible Topics: Rapport and Relationship Building; Empathy; Active Listening; Assessment and Goal-setting; Individual and Group Interventions; Emotion-focused Therapy; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Narrative Therapy; Existential Therapy; Solution-focused Therapy; Family Systems and Couple Counseling; Expressive/Art Therapies; Suicide Assessment 

  1. Clinical Assessment, Research, and Evidence-based Practices 

Possible Topics: Empirically Supported Treatments for Anxiety, Stress, Depression, Personality Disorders, and Psychotic Disorders; Bio/Psycho/Social/Spiritual Development; Dual and Differential Assessment; Research in Diagnostics and Treatment Planning; Eating Disorders; Addictions; EMDR; Biofeedback; Visualization; Outcomes-based Research; Models and Assessment of Christian Counseling; Brief vs. Longer-term Therapy 

  1. Psychiatry, Behavioral Medicine, and Collaborative Care 

Possible Topics: Managing Side Effects of Psychotropics; Psychopharmacology; Chronic Pain; Impact of Faith on Medical Healing; Psychosis; Split Treatment; Medical Psychotherapy; Mind/Body Issues; ADD/ADHD; Anxiety Disorders; Dementia; Sleep Disorders; Depression; Bipolar Disorder 

  1. Mental Health, the Brain, and Neuroscience 

Possible Topics: Applications of Neuroscience, Psychotherapy, and Brain Plasticity; Cutting-edge Research; Interpersonal Neurobiology 

  1. Personality Disorders, Challenging Issues, and Complex Cases 

Possible Topics: Evidence-based Practices; Recent Research; Diagnostic Tools; Borderline Personality Disorder; Narcissism; Bipolar Disorder; Treatment-resistant Depression; Counselor Skills and Techniques; Working with Difficult Clients; Therapeutic Models; Treatment Efficacy 

  1. UPDATED! Positive Psychology, Health, and Wellness: Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Flourishing 

Possible Topics: Sports Psychology; Performance; Weight Management; Mental Toughness; Energy Management; Focus; Goal setting; Imagery, Visualization, and Mental Practice; Motivation and Grit; Green Environments, Diets, and Exercise; Nutritional Counseling 

  1. UPDATED! Christian Psychology: Theory, Practice, and Integration 

Possible Topics: Models and Theories of Christian Psychology; Christian Spiritual Practices; A Biblical Understanding of Emotions; Christian Meditation and Anxiety; Christian Atonement Models; Shame, Guilt, and Redemption; The Christian Virtues; Self-revelation of God; Application of Theology in Clinical Practice; A Biblical Perspective on Mental Illness 

  1. Social Work: Current Developments, Trends, and Best Practices 

Possible Topics: Case Management; Policy and Advocacy; Welfare; Human Services; Recidivism; Evidence-based Interventions; Social Environment; Community Outreach and Development; Cultural Identity; Racial Trauma and Reconciliation; Foster Care and Adoption; Intervention Programs; Education; Family Violence; Social Isolation; Trauma-informed Care  

  1. UPDATED! Ethics and Practice Management: Advocacy, Policy, and Counselor Education 

Possible Topics: Clients’ Right to Self-determination; Dual Relationships; Confidentiality; Consent; Managed Care; Credentialing; Consultation-Referral-Termination; Harmful Counselors; Abortion; Assisted Suicide/Euthanasia; Sexual Misconduct; Alternative Therapies; Telehealth 

  1. UPDATED! Multicultural Counseling and Diversity: Special Populations and Global Competency 

Possible Topics: Racial Trauma; Cultural Sensitivity and Competency; Ethnicity and Identity Development; Oppression/Discrimination and Racism; Working with Minorities; Counseling African-American, Asian, Latino/a, and Middle Eastern Clients; Counseling those with Disabilities; Counseling Immigrants/Refugees; Social Justice Issues; Post-trauma Care Around the World 

  1. UPDATED! Professional Life Coaching and Consultation 

Possible Topics: Strategies to Reach Clients; Launching and Growing a Successful Coaching Practice; Coaching Assessments and Tools; Career Planning and Vocational Development; Marriage/Relationship Coaching; Leadership/Executive Coaching; Divorce Coaching; Health/Wellness Coaching; Spiritual Formation Coaching; Financial Coaching 

  1. Executive and Leadership Coaching and Organizational Psychology 

Possible Topics: Organizational Dynamics; Models of Leadership; Developing Leaders; Counterproductive Work Behavior; Training and Motivation; Performance Management and Job Satisfaction; Leadership in the 21st Century; Servant Leadership; Transformational and Authentic Leadership; Biblical Principles in Leadership; Healthy vs. Unhealthy Leadership