Ouachita to host Christian Counseling Conference Feb. 22
February 13, 2013 - Ryleigh Salmon
Ouachita Baptist University’s Pruet School of Christian Studies will host its annual
conference on Issues in Christian Counseling Feb. 22. This year’s event will focus
on “The Caregiver Confronting Abuse” and is co-hosted by Henderson State University
and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
“It was my dream that we would be able to host a conference with New Orleans and Henderson,
pooling our resources to draw professionals to this area,” said Dr. Bill Viser, associate
professor of Christian ministries.
The conference provides mental heath professionals, social workers and nurses with
an opportunity to receive Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for the sessions they
attend as well as fellowship with pastors and other conference participants. “All
these professionals deal with abuse,” Viser added. “The theme will deal with abuse
in many different aspects and help the professionals be better equipped to address
abuse in their different professions.”
Every year, the number of conference participants has increased. “I see it continuing
to grow and grow,” Viser said. “It’s getting a good reputation and people are consistently
coming every year that came the first time, as well as new people.”
Participants will have the choice of picking four breakout sessions throughout the
day, led by health professionals from the host institutions as well as Central Baptist
College in Conway, Ark., and East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, Texas. Breakout
session topics are “Ethical Issues in Counseling: Christian Counseling in a Secular
World,” “Darkness to Light,” “Legal/Ethical Considerations in Today’s Health Care
Environment,” “Social Media and Ethical Implications for Counselors,” “Preventing
Sexual Abuse in the Church,” “Getting the Assistance You Need,” “Sexual Addiction
Among Christian Workers,” “Frameworks and Tools for Treating Survivors of Abuse,”
“Addressing the Spiritual Needs of Adults in Clinical Settings,” “Sexual Abuse in
the Church: Offering an Appropriate Ministry Response,” “Forgiving the Unforgiveable”
and “Pray for Me, Too: Intervention for Children Who are Sexual Perpetrators from
a ‘Faith-Informed’ Counseling Perspective.”
In addition to mental health professionals and pastors, students are welcome to attend
the conference. “We are inviting all students who are interested to attend for free,”
Viser added. “The students are really the future of the whole caregiving movement.”
There are two options for student attendance. Option one is free and includes attendance
at the sessions only. Option two requires a $15 registration fee and includes snacks,
all written materials, a catered lunch and a certificate of attendance. Students who
are seriously considering attending New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary after
graduation are also invited to a free dinner at Western Sizzlin’ on Thursday, Feb.
21, at 6 p.m. to meet faculty and members of the counseling department.
For pastors, the registration fee is $70, $90 with spouse, and also includes snacks,
written materials, a catered lunch and a certificate of attendance. For mental health
professionals, nurses and social workers, the registration fee is $100 and includes
all of the above resources plus eight available CEUs.
Register online at www.tinyurl.com/iccc2013 and for more information, contact Tracey Knight at [email protected] or (870) 245-5599.
By Ryleigh Salmon
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