Upcoming Webinars
Breaking the Cycle:
Leveraging Counselor Identify to Support Military Veterans
As a part of its Innovations in Counseling series, the NBCC Foundation invites you to a free webinar on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026, from 1–2 pm EDT. Live webinars are available at no cost, and documentation of 1 clock hour of continuing education is available for registrants who attend the full webinar.
Military veterans often face complex challenges as they transition to their civilian life and after service has ended. This webinar will explore the impact and severity of mental health concerns among veterans, and how Counselors can provide support. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the factors that contribute to these challenges, the barriers that veterans encounter, and evidence-based tools that can be applied across multiple settings.
In 2020, the age- and sex-adjusted suicide rate among veterans was 57.3% higher than among non-veteran U.S. adults. Post-traumatic stress disorder and inadequate Department of Veterans Affairs assistance have been identified as risk factors for suicide. National survey data indicate that approximately one quarter of veterans screen positive for a probable mental health or substance use disorder and fewer than one-third of those report current mental health care utilization. Treatment gaps are especially concerning among high-risk groups, including veterans endorsing suicidal ideation, of whom only a minority engage in current mental health treatment.
Given the complex mental health concerns of this population, a new paradigm is needed to support military veterans. Consideration is warranted regarding how veterans receive mental health support and the benefits that Counselors offer, with a focus on prevention and wellness. Distinct elements of the professional identity of Counselors, such as a focus on prevention, functionality, and wellness, offer a useful paradigm for addressing the mental health of veterans. Incorporating characteristics of military culture into these elements is essential to an informed approach to counseling this population. Evidence suggests the benefits of the Common Factors Framework in Counseling, especially client expectancy and the therapeutic alliance. Leveraging these elements of Counseling to create an innovative paradigm for supporting this population is warranted.
After this presentation, participants will be able to:
- recognize the unique culture of the military and its connection to the provision of mental health Counseling.
- determine the prevalence of mental health concerns within this population.
- identify wellness Counseling and common factors in Counseling and their application to providing mental health support for veterans.
Seth Hayden, PhD, NCC, CCMHC, ACS, LCMHC, CCCE
Dr. Seth C. W. Hayden is an Associate Professor of Counseling and Coordinator of the Clinical Mental Health Program at Wake Forest University. Dr. Hayden’s research focuses on the connection between career development and mental health. In addition, he examines the career and personal development needs of military service members, veterans, and their families. Dr. Hayden is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in North Carolina. In addition, Dr. Hayden is a past president of the Military and Government Counseling Association and National Career Development Association, both divisions of the American Counseling Association. He is co-author of Group Career Counseling: Practices and Principles (2nd. ed.) and Career Development for Transitioning Veterans and co-editor of Cognitive Information Processing: Career Theory, Research, and Practice. He is also the author of Integrating Career Development and Mental Health Counseling, published by the American Counseling Association.
Exercise and Mental Health:
Translating the Evidence into Clinical Practice
As a part of its Innovations in Counseling series, the NBCC Foundation invites you to a free webinar on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, from 1–2 pm EDT. Live webinars are available at no cost, and documentation of 1 clock hour of continuing education is available for registrants who attend the full webinar.
This webinar explores the growing body of research demonstrating the powerful relationship between physical activity, mental health, and performance across clinical, occupational, and athletic settings. Participants will examine the neurobiological, psychological, and behavioral mechanisms through which exercise influences mood, stress regulation, sleep, and cognitive functioning. Emphasis will be placed on translating evidence into practice, including how mental health professionals can ethically and confidently integrate exercise-informed interventions within their scope of practice. Practical applications, case examples, and implementation considerations will be discussed for clinicians working with depression, anxiety, and performance-related concerns.
After this presentation, participants will be able to:
- summarize the current evidence supporting the use of exercise as an intervention for common mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and stress-related disorders.
- describe the physiological and psychological mechanisms through which exercise influences mental health and emotional well-being.
- apply evidence-based strategies for assessing, recommending, and integrating physical activity into routine mental health treatment planning across clinical settings.
Joshua R. Lee, EdD, ACS, LPC
Dr. Joshua R. Lee is a Licensed Professional Counselor and owner of JR LEE Psychotherapy & Consultation, Ltd., where he provides psychotherapy, consultation, and clinical supervision. He has extensive experience across private practice, emergency mental health, corrections, EAP services, and healthcare leadership. His scholarly and clinical interests include depression, trauma, sleep, athlete mental health, and integrating exercise into mental health treatment.
Executive Function, Organizational Support, and Wellness Among Counselors With ADHD:
Implications for Workforce Sustainability
As a part of its Innovations in Counseling series, the NBCC Foundation invites you to a free webinar on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, from 1–2 pm EDT. Live webinars are available at no cost, and documentation of 1 clock hour of continuing education is available for registrants who attend the full webinar.
Counselor wellness is essential to ethical practice, delivery of quality care, and workforce sustainability. Current research suggests both individual cognitive processes and organizational environments influence Counselor well-being and professional functioning. This webinar presents findings from a quantitative study examining relationships among executive functioning, perceived organizational support, coping strategies, and wellness in Counselors with ADHD. Results highlight discrepancies between perceived and aspirational wellness and identify organizational support and coping strategies as key predictors of burnout and professional sustainability. These findings highlight the importance of both individual and systemic support in maintaining a healthy and effective Counseling workforce. Participants will explore practical strategies for supporting Counselors with ADHD. The presenter will discuss approaches to supervision, workplace advocacy, and organizational practices that promote wellness and Counselor retention, with particular attention to how supporting Counselor functioning enhances care access and quality.
After this presentation, participants will be able to:
- summarize key findings related to executive functioning, organizational support, and wellness among Counselors with ADHD.
- explain factors that contribute to burnout and wellness discrepancies among Counselors with ADHD.
- identify strategies to support Counselors with ADHD through supervision, professional development, and workplace accommodations.
Abigail Van Patten-Freeman, PhD, NCC, CCMHC, LPC-MH, LMHC
Dr. Abigail Van Patten-Freeman is an LPC-MH in South Dakota, LMHC in Iowa, a CCMHC and NCC, and an Assistant Professor of Counseling at South Dakota State University. Prior to starting at SDSU, Dr. Van Patten-Freeman was a licensed Mental Health Counselor in Iowa at an outpatient group practice for over 4 years. Dr. Van Patten-Freeman publishes and presents on the following topics: Counselor self-care; clinical supervision; relational cultural theory in supervision; Counselor burnout and wellness as a systemic issue; workplace support for Counselor wellness; and the impacts of executive function, emotional regulation, and organizational support on the wellness of Counselors with ADHD.
NBCC Foundation has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 805. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. NBCC Foundation is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Each state sets its own requirements for licensure, including continuing education requirements to maintain licensure. Questions about CE requirements for state licensure should be directed to your state board. You can find their contact information on our state board directory.
