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LEAD ARTICLES

t Recovery, and Marriage and Family. The schedule was built around the reali ties professionals face every day: clients dealing with chronic stress, anxiety, trauma, fractured relationships, digital overload, grief, spiritual confusion, and long-standing patterns that do not easily change. Sessions connect bib lical truth with clinical research and practical methods that attendees can take back to their offices, churches, ministries, and communities. This year’s plenary speakers include Daniel Amen, M.D., Curt Thompson, M.D., John Townsend, Ph.D., George Barna, Ph.D., Jack Graham, D.Min., Siang-Yang Tan, Ph.D., Sharon May, Ph.D., and many others from counseling, medicine, coaching, ministry, and research. Among the conference highlights is the Clinical Symposium on Neuroscience and Overcoming Toxic Thoughts, featuring Dr. Caroline Leaf and neurosurgeon Dr. Lee Warren, hosted by Dr. Zach Clinton. This plenary symposium will examine how thought patterns affect the brain, emotions, behavior, and spiritual life. It will give counselors and coaches practical ways to help clients replace destructive patterns with healthier ones. On Thursday, September 10, more concentrated six-hour specialization counselor training and coaching certificate intensives will be offered. Each includes a morning and an afternoon session, allowing participants to spend a full day on a single area of practice. Three-hour pre-conference workshops will also run in the morning and afternoon. Topics include attachment and relational trauma, anxiety, grief, burnout, conflict, ethics, parent-child estrangement, and faith-integrated care. Continuing Education credits are available through eligible sessions, intensives, workshops, and ticketed events. The conference is also built for connection, which matters in a profession where most of the work happens behind closed doors. Counselors and coach es carry concerns that are hard to discuss outside the field, and time with colleagues who understand that weight can be as valuable as formal training. Optional breakfast buffets each morning will provide attendees with an easy place to meet before the day begins, and the exhibit hall offers an opportu nity to explore new books, programs, tools, and organizations serving the Christian counseling community. Two ticketed “Lunch and Learn” events will offer focused teaching in a smaller, more conversational setting. On Friday, September 11, from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m., Matthias Barker, M.A., will present “Understanding Parent Child Estrangement,” examining the cycles of disconnection, unresolved shame, fear, and communication habits that keep families stuck, and offer ing a clearer framework for approaching these cases with care. On Saturday, September 12, at the same time, Linda Mintle, Ph.D., will present “Hope and Healing for Anxiety in a Stressed-out and Overwhelmed World,” placing the rise of anxiety within its wider cultural setting and considering how faith, relationships, and practical care can support clients who feel persistently overwhelmed. Friday evening will bring a Night of Worship and Dessert Social with Tasha Layton. After a full day of workshops and plenary sessions, this will be a chance to worship together, share dessert, and enjoy unhurried conversa tion with other attendees. For AACC members, the Mega National Christian Counseling Conference is an opportunity to sharpen professional skills, learn from trusted leaders, and spend time with others who share a commitment to Christian care. With the conference so close, intensives, luncheons, special events, and overflow hotel rooms remain available only while space permits. We look forward to seeing you in Arlington for three days of learning, connection, worship, and renewed purpose! ;

A PUBLICATION OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF CHRISTIAN COUNSELORS

President: TIM CLINTON VP of Publications/Editor-in-Chief: MARK CAMPER Advertising Director: KEISHA QUEEN

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Published quarterly by American Association of Christian Counselors, Inc., P.O. Box 739, Forest, VA 24551. AACC is an organization of evangelical pro fessional, lay, and pastoral counselors dedicated to promoting excellence and unity in Christian counseling. To ensure the confidentiality of all individuals mentioned in case material, names and identify ing information have been changed. Unsolicited manuscripts and poetry are not accepted. A query letter must be sent first, describing a proposed manuscript. Unfortunately, any unsolicited manuscripts will not be returned. CHRISTIAN COUNSELING CONNECTION grants permission for any original article (not a reprint) to be photocopied for use in a local church or classroom, provided no more than 250 copies are made, are distributed free, and indicate CHRISTIAN COUNSELING CONNECTION as the source. Advertising deadline for display advertising is approximately six weeks before the month of publication. Please call for exact deadline dates. All advertising must be prepaid. If you have comments or questions about the content of CCC, please direct them to the Senior Editor. The views expressed by the reviewers, authors, or advertisers do not necessarily reflect those of the American Association of Christian Counselors, and a review in this publication does not imply an endorsement. AACC and this publication do not assume responsibility in any way for members’ or readers’ efforts to apply or utilize information, suggestions, or recommendations made by the organization, its members, publications, or other resources. All rights reserved. Copyright 2020.

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