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FLORIDA COUNSELING ASSOCIATION

Mission

To promote the value of professional counseling as well as supporting and unifying professional counselors in all settings resulting in high quality practices in Florida.

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Upcoming events

Upcoming events

    • November 13, 2025
    • 8:00 AM
    • November 15, 2025
    • 5:00 PM
    • Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
    • 287
    Register

    Join us for the In-Person

    76th Annual Florida Counseling Association Convention!

    "Rewriting the Self:  Navigating Identity, Belonging, and Mental Health in a Society of Expectations"

    Thursday, November 13 through Saturday, November 15, 2025
    at the Westin Fort Lauderdale
    400 Corporate Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334

    We are excited to be returning to an in-person venue this year!  This year’s convention will be held over the course of three days. On Thursday, we will offer a full day of focused educational sessions. On Friday and Saturday, we will have full days of educational sessions and poster sessions focusing on this year's theme and improving counselor training, professional development and identity, and client care. 

    Attendees are eligible to earn up to 6 Continuing Education (CE) hours on Thursday during the Pre-Convention Session, and up to 14 CE hours during the Convention on Friday and Saturday. These CE hours are approved by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling, as well as by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). 

    We are honored this year to have as our Keynote speaker. . . . 

    State Senator Dwight M. Bullard 

    presenting

    "Silencing the Outside Noise: Prioritizing People Over Politics"

    On Friday night we will host our annual Awards reception.  It will be a festive evening!  There will be appetizers and drinks available.  

    On Saturday, November 15, we have more great presentations.  We are excited to have as our Plenary speakers from. . . .

    My Buddy Bench Project



    Presented by
    Victoria and Mary Portela

    "Small Bench, Big Impact: How a Youth-led Buddy Bench Program Supports Mental Health and Peer Connection"

    Registration. . . . 

    Our two-day full convention registration fee includes continuing education credits (upwards of 14 hours), breaks, and a ticket to Friday night's event.  Our Saturday Only registration fee includes CEs.  Please note, lunch is on your own all three days.   We are offering additional tickets for our Friday event at $74 for adults and $50 for children.  


    Please review carefully the various options for registration and select the appropriate option.  Please note, we are offering an Early Bird registration rate until Monday, October 13.  

    FCA Professional/Associate/1st Year Professional Members: $215

    FCA Student or Retired Members:  $150

    Non-Member Professionals:  $285

    Please note, all Presenters and VIP Registrants will receive a promo code to register.

    Hotel Accommodations. . . .  

    When you make your reservation, please inform the hotel you are with the Florida Counseling Association convention.  Please note, the last day to book your room for the convention is Wednesday, October 8, 2025Click here to book now!

    Registration Cancellation Policy. . . .

      To ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for all attendees, please familiarize yourself with the following registration policy.  Your registration fee provides access to all convention activities, including plenary and keynote speeches, educational sessions, networking luncheons, and the exhibit hall.  Registration fees are non-refundable, except in the case of a natural disaster (e.g., a hurricane, flood, tornado) that significantly impacts your ability to attend the convention.  In such cases, a refund will be provided upon submission of a formal refund request along with appropriate documentation.  We understand that unforeseen circumstances can arise, and we are committed to supporting our participants to the best of our ability.

      Please note:

      • A refund of 50% of the registration fee will be provided if the request is made 30 days prior to the FCA Convention in the case of a natural disaster.
      • A refund of 25% of the registration fee will be provided if the request is made 15 days prior to the FCA Convention in the case of a natural disaster.

      We eagerly anticipate your active involvement and contribution at this event as we convene to exchange insights, acquire knowledge, and further the advancement of counseling within our state. Your well-being and conference experience are of utmost importance to us, and we look forward to hosting you at the 76th Annual Florida Counseling Association Convention.

      We hope you will join us in Ft. Lauderdale!  It will be great to see everyone in person!  If you have any questions, please contact us.


    American Counseling Association Welcome Address

    by Dr. Lourdes Araujo, FCA President 2024-2025 

    From the Desk of the 2024-2025 FCA President

    A Heartfelt Reflection on ACA Conference 2025

    click to continue to read




    Message from FCA President 2025-2026



    Dear Members,

    Today marks the beginning of a shared journey, and I’m honored to serve as your President for the 2025–2026 term. As counselors, educators, advocates, and change agents, we stand at the intersection of deep personal work and broader systems change. Together, we hold space not just for healing, but for transformation.

    This year, I invite us to embrace the theme “Rooted & Rising: Reclaiming Wholeness Through Connection, Culture & Care.”  It is both a call and a commitment to remain grounded in who we are and to rise—individually and collectively—as we meet the evolving challenges of our profession and our world.

    Guided by the intentionality of this year’s Guidelines newsletter themes, we will explore:

    • Presence over performance as we engage in Digital Detox and Reconnection, reclaiming the sacred in-person moments that fuel our humanity.
    • Boundaries and balance as we confront The Cost of Caring, naming the impact of vicarious trauma while cultivating sustainable wellness.
    • Liberatory narratives as we go Beyond the Diagnosis, affirming that healing is not one-size-fits-all, but rooted in culture, story, and strength.
    • Radical renewal as we embrace Starting Again, honoring the beauty in reinvention, forgiveness, and post-traumatic growth.

    This year, we’ll continue amplifying culturally responsive care, community-driven advocacy, and systemic change. We’ll spotlight the power of story-telling, ritual, and resilience. And we’ll create space for dialogue, for discomfort, for reimagining possibility and purpose.

    To our new members: welcome! To our returning ones: welcome back! Your voice, your vision, and your value are essential to FCA. Together, let us build a community where we practice wellness and embody it. I look forward to learning with you, leading alongside you, and celebrating the collective wisdom that defines our profession.

    With gratitude and purpose,

    Alecia Rodriguez, PhD, LMFT, CST, NCC
    President, Florida Counseling Association
    2025–2026

    FCA GUIDELINES

    A Great Read!  Check out our latest issues:

    Winter 2025


    View past issues of FCA's Guidelines Newsletter

    Florida Counseling association

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    Mailing Address:

    Florida Counseling Association

    2750 Taylor Avenue

    Suite A-36

    Orlando, Florida 32806


    Florida Counseling Association is a non-profit organization, branch of the American Counseling Association.

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