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URGENT ACTION NEEDED: Preserving Telehealth Access

Make our voices heard with over 1,000 emails to Congress this week on the importance of preserving telehealth access! Telemental health services, a lifeline for millions during the pandemic, are now in jeopardy. Federal waivers that expanded access to these services are set to expire unless Congress acts swiftly to include extensions in the upcoming continuing resolution. If these flexibilities lapse, both mental health professionals and their clients will face new barriers to care—reducing access, interrupting treatment, and impacting
vulnerable populations disproportionately.

Take Action!


Praxis II Fee Waiver Request for School Counseling Students

Professional School Counseling Students can visit ETS Fee Waiver Information to learn more about the eligibility requirements and application process to request a fee waiver. It is crucial that students read through all the information provided, as there are several requirements for eligibility.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Students must be receiving financial aid.
  • They should be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program and able to provide a current Enrollment Verification Certificate (note that those with a master’s or doctoral degree are ineligible).
  • Students need to provide the 2025-2026 FAFSA Submission Summary showing an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $3,000 or less.
  • They must be required to take a Praxis test by an authorized score recipient.

How to Apply for a Fee Waiver:

  1. Complete the Fee Waiver Request Form (PDF) (see the attached flyer).
  2. Obtain a current Enrollment Verification Certificate (contact the UNCP registrar’s office). It must include a school seal, National Student Clearinghouse watermark, or the signature of the registrar.
  3. Obtain the 2025-2026 FAFSA Submission Summary.
  4. Submit your request by email: scan all documents, attach them to your email, and send to PraxisFeeWaiver@ets.org.

Students are eligible for a fee waiver only once during a testing year, and there are a limited number of waivers available per test date and institution. All requests are processed on a first-come, first-served basis


Graduate Student Engagement Opportunity: SEED Workshop Series

The SEED Series invites graduate students to design and present workshops connected to their program interests, areas of research, or professional expertise. These workshops are offered to undergraduate student leaders, giving graduate students a platform to share knowledge, build connections, and contribute to the broader Wake Forest community.

Participation provides graduate students with the opportunity to:

  • Share their academic and professional expertise in an accessible workshop format
  • Gain valuable teaching, facilitation, and leadership experience
  • Strengthen their CV/resume through applied leadership and engagement work
  • Connect with undergraduates and support their growth as campus leaders

Thrive at Wake Forest

Thrive At Wake Forest is our shared vision for the health and wellbeing of our community. Thrive uses a Collective Impact Model to bring this vision to life. The Collective Impact Model is when a group(s) comes together to pool their talent, energies, and resources to address complex social issues by learning, thinking, and working together. Again this year, we are hosting information sessions to learn how to get involved in our campus-wide coalitions that focus on topics including mental health, substance use and misuse, hazing prevention, interpersonal violence prevention, basic needs and access, physical wellness and peer education.  We invite the entire campus community to join us at one of the Coalition Informational Sessions. Coalition co-chairs will share the mission and goal of each group and provide opportunities for engagement.  

For more information, visit Our Shared Vision web page.


Mindful Wake Classes

MindfulWake classes are FREE and open to all Wake Forest University students, faculty, and staff. Attendance at all four sessions is required. Classes are limited to 12 students and registration is on a first-come, first served basis. Note that in-person and virtual classes are available. Once you register, expect an email one or two days before class begins with further instructions and room location. MindfulWake classes are taught by instructors certified by the Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults, using their MIEA/Koru curriculum.

Please see the class schedule and additional information here!


Association for Play Therapy (APT) E-Student Membership

Did you know that students are eligible for a  complimentary Association for Play Therapy (APT) E-Student membership?

Go to www.a4pt.org to learn more about it.

As an E-Student member, you’ll enjoyed the following benefits:


Adolescent Gambling and Gaming Series – Online, Self-paced Training

Course Description: This course will take behavioral health clinicians through seven modules providing psychoeducation, evidence-based treatment modalities, screening tools, and evidence-based prevention tools and strategies. The modules will also explore how the brain is impacted by both substance misuse and behavioral addictions and provide an understanding of how the power of advanced technology, marketing, advertising, and persuasive design coupled with commercial interests have made an impact on our lives in both positive and negative ways. Behavioral health clinicians will learn to discuss the online world by incorporating language in media literacy and the importance of a healthy media diet, and be left with a feeling of hope found in research, evidence-based practices, and community partnerships.
Modality: This is an online self-paced training located at https://bhs.unc.edu

Modality: This is an online self-paced training located at https://bhs.unc.edu

Time: 8 hours total

Target Audience: This intermediate level training is behavioral health clinicians seeking ways to incorporate psychoeducation, screening, and treatment modalities into their work in problematic behaviors in gambling, gaming, and digital media.

Learn more about this opportunity at their website.


Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Gambling Disorder – October 23, 2025

Date: October 23, 2025
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm EST
Contact Hours: 1

Speaker: Dr. David Ledgerwood
  Training Description: Few rigorous clinical trials have been conducted to identify effective psychological treatments for gambling disorder. However, cognitive behavioral therapies are the most frequently studied and have the most evidence for their effectiveness. In this presentation, Dr. Ledgerwood will provide an overview of the scientific literature related to CBT for gambling disorder. He will also touch on the importance of combination (e.g., with motivational interviewing) treatments and CBT approaches for co-occurring disorders (e.g., PTSD). Dr. Ledgerwood will also provide an overview of frequently used cognitive-behavioral techniques used in gambling disorder treatment.
 Target Audience: Mental health professionals including psychologists, clinical social workers, licensed professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, substance abuse counselors, pastoral counselors, school counselors, as well as clergy, school administrators, recreational therapists, peer support specialists and all those interested in learning about problem gambling.
Learning Objectives:
1. Learners will have an understanding of the theoretical background of CBT for gambling disorder.
2. Learners will be aware of the scientific literature demonstrating the effectiveness of CBT for gambling.

Registration Fee: No cost/Free but participants are required to pre-register for each training.

Association for Play Therapy 2025 Fall Conference – November 7-8, 2025

Friday, November 7th – 3:00 – 6:15 PM

Topic: Supervision in Play Therapy

This presentation will discuss the Play Therapy Competencies as a guidepost to examine the crucial topics in play therapy supervision including ethical issues, self-compassion, and evaluations.

Led by: Rebekah Byrd, Ph.D, LPC, LCMHC, NCC, RPT-S and Kristie Opiola, Ph.D, LPC, RPT

Saturday, November 8th – 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Topic: Using the AIP Model in Play Therapy to Support Emotional Regulation in Children

This presentation provides a clear overview of EMDR and its standard protocol, then explores adapting it for children using age-appropriate techniques and real-world examples—ideal for those curious about EMDR, new to EMDR, or seeking to strengthen their skills with younger clients.

Led by: Christa Phipps Ph.D., LCMHC-S, RPT-S, NCC

Register for the Association for Play Therapy Conference here.


LCCNC Networking Event – November 15, 2025

Networking Event – Winston Salem, NC
Saturday, November 15 – Saturday, November 15
01:00 PM – 04:00 PM Eastern
Forsyth County Central Library
660 West 5th Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
UNITED STATES
Click Here to Register

Join us for the LCCNC Networking Event on Saturday, November 15th, from 1:00-4:00 PM at the Forsyth County Central Library (660 West 5th Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101). 

This engaging afternoon is designed to connect professionals, foster collaboration, and celebrate achievement within our community. The event will begin with a warm welcome, followed by refreshments and interactive breakout sessions, where attendees can engage, share insights, and expand their professional network.

During the event, LCCNC will proudly announce the recipients of the 2025 LCCNC Awards and present them with their awards. Additionally, the Nancy Howell Scholarship recipients will be revealed, honoring excellence and dedication in our field.

Don’t miss this opportunity to network, celebrate success, and be inspired!


Spring 2026 NHC Fellows Program Application Now Open Through December 1, 2025

The application cycle for Cohort 5 of the New Hanover County Fellows Program is now open for the Spring 2026 semester! This program offers an incredible opportunity for graduate-level students who are passionate about supporting mental and behavioral health in our community.

The Mental Health Provider Fellows Program and the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Fellows Program were created to help increase the number of qualified professionals serving New Hanover County and to expand access to critical services for residents. Through forgivable financial assistance, our goal is to support aspiring providers in their academic journey and build long-term capacity in the local behavioral health workforce.

The online application portal is open now through December 1, 2025, and we kindly ask that you share this opportunity and the attached flyer with students, colleagues, and partners who may be interested.

To learn more and access the application, please visit: https://www.nhcgov.com/2592/Fellows-Programs


Apply for the Karr Scholarship – February 1, 2026

The Karr Scholarship provides financial assistance up to $500 for Wake Forest Master of Arts in Counseling and Master of Arts in Human Service students interested in attending professional conferences or professional development programs.

Applications must be received by one of the following deadlines: February 1, June 1, or September 1. Applicants may apply for one scholarship per academic year.

To apply, please contact Dr. Forti.


American Counseling Association 2026 Conference and Expo – April 9-11, 2026

Learn, Share and Connect at the ACA Annual Conference

Get ready to be energized and inspired while connecting with leading experts and peers from around the country at the 2026 ACA Conference & Expo.

Mark your calendars to join us April 9-11, in Columbus, Ohio, for the premier professional development and networking event for professional counselors. With thought-provoking presentations, enlightening discussions and meaningful opportunities to connect with your peers and colleagues, you will walk away feeling refreshed, renewed and ready to tackle the challenges facing you, your clients and the counseling community.   

Find more information about the conference on their website.