The world's premier Christian counseling conference! — Going to be the best World Conference ever — Sellout crowd of over 7,000 expected! — Nearly 1,500 already registered and climbing every day — Outpacing our 2025 "United" World Conference — The world's premier Christian counseling conference! — Going to be the best World Conference ever — Sell out crowd of over 7,000 expected! — Nearly 1,500 already registered and climbing every day — Outpacing our 2025 "United" World Conference —

September 7 – 11, 2027

Rosen Shingle Creek – Orlando, FL

“The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows those who take refuge in Him.” – Nahum 1:7 ESV

Breaking News: Hotel Reservations Now Open!

The magnificent Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel & Conference Center is open for the AACC 2027 Goodness of God 40th Anniversary World Conference, Sept. 7-11, 2027. This is shaping up to be our best world conference ever. We can’t wait for you to join with us in the most magical place in the world, Orlando, Florida!

Registrations for Pre-Conference Workshops and Specialization Intensives Opening Soon!

Hear from World-Class Speakers Such As

Tim Tebow
Tim Timberlake
Chonda Pierce
John Bevere
Shannae Anderson, Ph.D.
James Berry, D.O.
Monty Burks, Ph.D.
Zach Clinton, Ph.D., LPC

25 Tracks • 175 Workshops

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$279

AACC Members

$269 + $10 fee per registration applied at checkout

$549 On-Site Registration

$319

Non-Members

$309 + $10 fee per registration applied at checkout

$549 On-Site Registration

$159

Spouse/Student/International

$149 + $10 fee per registration applied at checkout

$549 On-Site Registration

3 Reasons to REgister

Savings

Special savings rates are available for limited amounts of time. Get in now!

Selection

Workshops are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Popular workshops fill up fast!

Space

Rooms at Rosen Shingle Creek sell out quickly. Reserve your room today and stay on-site!

“We can’t wait to gather together in Orlando, FL, to celebrate 40 years of God’s faithfulness! Stay on-site at the magnificent Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel & Resort. This is shaping up to be our best world conference yet!”

Dr. Tim Clinton

Conference Tracks

1. Abuse, Violence, and Trauma Assessment
Track Leader: Heather Gingrich, Ph.D.
Track Coordinators: Shannon Wolf, Ph.D., Molly-Catherine Goodson, M.A., Esq., and Tricia Thornton, M.A.
Possible Topics: Boundary Setting and Vicarious Trauma for Clinician Burnout; Nervous System Regulation; Mental Health for First Responders and Frontline Workers; Spiritual Abuse and Religious Trauma; Trauma-informed Care in Clinical and Ministry Settings; Complex Trauma and Recovery; Compassion Fatigue and Secondary Traumatic Stress; Trauma and Attachment Wounds; Trauma-informed Approaches for Churches and Faith Communities; Safety, Stabilization, and Emotional Regulation; Abuse Disclosure, Documentation, and Reporting; Healing from Coercive Control and Manipulation
2. Substance Use Disorders, Addiction, Relapse, and Recovery
Track Leaders: David Jenkins, Psy.D., and James Berry, D.O.
Track Coordinators: John Eklund, M.S.W., and Brian Kelley, Ph.D.
Possible Topics: Psychedelics for Trauma and Ethical Issues in Substance Use Treatment; Medical Treatments for Substance Use; Cutting-edge Treatments for Addiction and Recovery; Cannabis Use and Psychosis; Relapse Prevention and Long-term Recovery; Substance Use, Shame, and Spiritual Formation; Family Systems and Addiction Recovery; Medication-assisted Treatment and Faith-based Care; Dual Diagnosis and Co-occurring Disorders; Recovery Support in Churches and Communities; Emerging Drug Trends; Accountability, Community, and the Role of Discipleship in Recovery
3. Grief and Loss, Crisis Response, and Disaster Recovery
Track Leaders: Jennifer Ellers, M.A., and Kevin Ellers, D.Min.
Track Coordinators: Michele Louviere, M.Div., Susan Zonnebelt-Smeenge, Ed.D., Robert DeVries, Ph.D., Sabrina Black, M.A., and Pamela Pyle, M.D.
Possible Topics: Evidence-based Treatments for Grief and Loss; Perinatal Mental Health; School Shootings and Mass Shootings; Complicated Grief and Prolonged Grief Disorder; Crisis Response in Schools, Churches, and Communities; Disaster, Mental Health and Spiritual Care; Grief After Sudden or Traumatic Death; Ambiguous Loss and Family Disruption; Grief Across the Lifespan; First Responder Crisis Support; Faith, Hope, and Meaning-making After Loss
4. Emergency Mental Health: Awareness, Prevention, De-escalation, and Postvention
Track Leaders: Mark Mayfield, Ph.D.
Track Coordinators: Diane Sharp, Ed.D., Blake Gilland, M.D., and Brooke Gilland, M.A.
Possible Topics: Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention; Emergency Medicine and Psychosis; Risky Behaviors and PTSD; Psychotic Breaks and De-escalation Techniques; Safety Concerns for Clinicians; AI-induced Psychosis, Prevention, and Intervention; Crisis Assessment and Safety Planning; Lethal Means Counseling; Non-suicidal Self-injury; Acute Psychiatric Emergencies; Emergency Mental Health Protocols for Churches and Ministries; Threat Assessment and Risk Management; Collaboration with Medical, Legal, and Community Responders
5. Compulsive Behaviors and Behavioral Addictions: Trends, Assessments, and Treatment
Track Leaders: Jim Cress, M.A.
Track Coordinators: Rhona Epstein, Psy.D., Troy Haas, M.Div., Debra Laaser, M.A., and Mike Vaughn, M.A.
Possible Topics: Evidence-based Treatments for Problematic Pornography Use; Eating Disorders and GLP-1 Medications; Gaming and Social Media Addictions; Compulsive Sexual Behaviors in Marital Counseling; Behavioral Addictions and Assessment Tools; Obsessive-compulsive Patterns and Scrupulosity; Shame, Secrecy, and Recovery; Compulsive Technology Use; Emotional Eating and Body Image; Accountability and Relapse Prevention; Compulsive Behaviors in Adolescents and Young Adults; Integrating Clinical Care, Discipleship, and Community Support
6. Sexuality, Sexual Interventions, and Sexual Health
Track Leaders: Corey Gilbert, Ph.D., and John Thomas, Ph.D., Ph.D.
Track Coordinators: Cliff Penner, Ph.D., Joyce Penner, R.N., M.N., and Mark Yarhouse, Psy.D.
Possible Topics: Healthy Sexuality in Marriage; Evidence-based Treatments for Unwanted Sexual Desires; Mental Healthcare for Detransitioners; Autism and Gender Dysphoria; Medical Issues Affecting Sexual Satisfaction in Marriage; Mental Health and Hormones; Sexual Desire, Intimacy, and Attachment; Sexual Dysfunction and Clinical Treatment; Sexual Trauma and Healing; Theology of the Body and Christian Sexual Ethics; Sexual Communication in Marriage; Infertility, Pregnancy, and Reproductive Grief; Pornography Recovery and Sexual Restoration; Compassionate Care for Complex Sexuality Concerns
7. Love, Intimacy, Pre-marital Counseling, and Marriage Enrichment
Track Leaders: Sharon May, Ph.D., and Ted Cunningham, MACE
Track Coordinators: Robert S. Paul, M.S., Elias Moitinho, Ph.D., Greg Smalley, Psy.D., and Les Parrott, Ph.D.
Possible Topics: Healthy Conflict Resolution in Marriage; Divorce, Remarriage, and Family Estrangement; Multicultural Issues in Pre-marital and Marital Counseling; Biblical Understanding of Marriage; Premarital Counseling Models and Assessments; Communication, Trust, and Emotional Safety; Spiritual Intimacy and Shared Faith Practices; Financial Stress and Marital Health; Marriage Mentoring and Church-based Marriage Care; Rebuilding Friendship and Romance; Conflict, Forgiveness, and Reconciliation; Strengthening Marriages Across Seasons of Life
8. Family, Parenting, Family Systems and Therapy
Track Leaders: Chinwe Williams, Ph.D., and Bill Buker, Ph.D.
Track Coordinators: Ron Deal, M.MFT., Dee Dee Mayer, D.Min., and Jim Burns, Ph.D.
Possible Topics: Family Estrangement and Healthy Boundaries; Political Issues and Family Therapy; Connecting as a Family in a Digital World; Autism and Family Systems; Military Families and Mental Healthcare; Family Flourishing Models; Parenting Children and Teens in a Changing Culture; Attachment-based Parenting; Family Systems and Intergenerational Patterns; Blended Families and Co-parenting; Parent and Adult Child Relationships; Technology, Screens, and Family Connection; Neurodiversity and Family Dynamics; Faith Formation in the Home
9. Couples in Crisis, Relationship Conflict, and Marital Recovery
Track Leaders: Leslie Vernick, M.S.W.
Track Coordinators: Debra Fileta, M.A., Sheri Denham, Ph.D., W. Jesse Gill, Psy.D., and Caitlin Overfelt, Ph.D.
Possible Topics: Infidelity and Marital Repair; Autism and Marriage; Emotional Abuse in Marriage; Narcissism and Marriage; Betrayal Trauma and Recovery; Discernment Counseling; High-conflict Couples; Rebuilding Trust After Deception; Boundaries, Safety, and Reconciliation; Personality Differences and Marital Distress; Couples Therapy for Complex Cases; Attachment Injuries in Marriage; Spiritual Abuse and Marital Power Dynamics; Separation, Restoration, and Wise Clinical Care
10. Youth Mental Healthcare: NextGen Issues and Interventions
Track Leaders: Chap Clark, Ph.D., and Kathy Koch, Ph.D.
Track Coordinators: Adrian Hickmon, Ph.D., Daniel Sweeney, Ph.D., Summer Kuba, Ph.D., and Kerry Bowles, Ph.D.
Possible Topics: Digital Overload, Screen Fatigue, and Attention Health; Bed Rotting, Doomscrolling, and Mental Health Issues; Parenting the Prodigal; Shame, Body Image, and Physical Health; Loneliness in Teens; Sexual Content Consumption and Teen Brains; Brain Health for Kids and Teens; School Counseling; Anxiety, Depression, and Emotional Regulation in Youth; Self-harm and Suicidal Ideation; Bullying, Peer Pressure, and Social Media Stress; Identity Formation and Faith Development; ADHD, Autism, and Learning Differences; Supporting Parents of Struggling Teens; Youth Ministry and Mental Health Collaboration
11. Biblical and Theological Foundations, Chaplaincy, and Pastoral Care
Track Leaders: Ron Hawkins, D.Min., Ed.D., and Ian Jones, Ph.D., Ph.D.
Track Coordinators: Kari MacKenzie, D.Min., Michael MacKenzie, D.Min., and Ed Welch, Ed.D.
Possible Topics: Cultural Polarization and Political Conflict in Pastoral Counseling; AI in Our Churches; Chaplaincy Work with First Responders; Autism, ADHD, and Neurodiversity in Ministry; Psychedelics in Therapy and the Spiritual Aspects of Treatment; Theology of Suffering and Hope; Scripture, Soul Care, and Clinical Wisdom; Pastoral Care for Mental Health Crises; Confession, Repentance, Forgiveness, and Grace; Church-based Support for Families in Crisis; Chaplaincy in Hospitals, Military, Schools, and Community Settings; Ethical Boundaries in Pastoral Counseling; Spiritual Discernment in Complex Care
12. UPDATED! Spiritual Formation, Interventions, and Discipleship
Track Leaders: Gary Oliver, Th.M., Ph.D.
Track Coordinators: Mark McMinn, Ph.D., Margaret Nagib, Psy.D., Gary Thomas, M.A.
Possible Topics: Spiritual Deconstruction; Stress Management and Spiritual Disciplines; Rest and Sleep; Human Flourishing; Family Estrangement and What the Church Can Do About It; Church-based Mental Health Support; Discipleship and Emotional Maturity; Spiritual Practices for Anxiety, Grief, and Stress; Lay Counseling Models and Training; Caring for Ministry Leaders; Burnout Prevention in Ministry; Prayer, Scripture, and Spiritual Interventions; Community, Belonging, and Healing; Building Sustainable Care Ministries
13. UPDATED! Mental Health Coaching, Lay Counseling, and Church-based Care
Track Leaders: Siang-Yang Tan, Ph.D.
Track Coordinators: Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D., Kristi Gaultiere, Psy.D., Kenny Mauck, M.A., Keisha Wright, CMMHC, and Jim Sells, Ph.D.
Possible Topics: Emotional Recovery Coaching; Stress Management and Emotion Regulation Coaching; Digital Coaching and Virtual Delivery; Coaching for Family Estrangement; Wellness and Nutritional Coaching for Mental Health Issues; Gerontology Coaching; Coaching for Resilience and Life Transitions; Mental Fitness Coaching; Coaching for Burnout Prevention; Faith-based Coaching Models; Coaching Ethics and Scope of Practice; Group Coaching and Peer Support; Coaching Clients through Uncertainty and Change; Integration of Coaching, Counseling, and Referral Networks
14. Counseling Skills, Techniques, and Empirically Supported Treatments
Track Leaders: Gary Sibcy, Ph.D.
Track Coordinators: Donna Gibbs, Ph.D., Richard Hoffman, Ph.D., and Anita Knight Kuhnley, Ph.D.
Possible Topics: Practical Skills for Transference and Countertransference; Brain Injury and Concussion Protocols; Moral Injury in Clinical Care; Skills for Working with Autistic Clients; Counseling in an AI World; Psychoeducation Reimagined; Building Rapport and Therapeutic Alliance; Evidence-based Treatment Planning; Emotion Regulation Skills; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Faith Integration; Solution-focused Interventions; Trauma-informed Clinical Skills; Group Counseling Techniques; Telehealth Skills and Best Practices; Managing Difficult Clinical Conversations
15. Clinical Assessment, Research, and Evidence-based Practices
Track Leaders: Harold G. Koenig, M.D.
Track Coordinators: William Hathaway, Ph.D., Everett L. Worthington, Jr., Ph.D., and Shaunti Feldhahn, Ph.D.
Possible Topics: Assessing for Spirituality; Human Flourishing Research and Application; Long COVID and Mental Health Effects; Research on AI in Mental Health; Psychedelics and Trauma Treatments; EMDR; The Mental Health Effects of Inflammation; Clinical Assessment and Diagnostic Clarity; Measurement-based Care; Outcomes Research in Christian Counseling; Evidence-based Treatments for Anxiety and Depression; Differential Diagnosis and Case Conceptualization; Assessment of Trauma, Addiction, and Personality Disorders; Integrating Research, Practice, and Faith; Ethical Use of Assessment Tools
16. NEW! Psychiatric, Medical, and Medicinal Mental Healthcare
Track Leaders: Karl Benzio, M.D.
Track Coordinators: Linda Mintle, Ph.D., E. John Kuhnley, M.D., Warren Kinghorn, M.D., Th.D., and Teresa Ramerth, M.D.
Possible Topics: Medical Treatments for PTSD; New SSRI Research and Clinical Practice Implications; Use of Peptides in Medical Practice; Gerontology and Mental Health; Wearables and Medical Data for Mental Health Purposes; Safely Eliminating Psychotropics; Metabolism and Mental Health Interventions; Mental Health and Functional Medicine; Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine; Hormones, Inflammation, and Mental Health; Integrative Psychiatry; Collaborative Care Between Counselors and Medical Providers; Nutritional and Lifestyle Psychiatry; Ethical Issues in Emerging Medical Treatments
17. UPDATED! Brain Health, Neuroscience, and Medical Research
Track Leaders: Timothy R. Jennings, M.D.
Track Coordinators: Daniel Amen, M.D., Curt Thompson, M.D., and Lee Warren, M.D.
Possible Topics: Concussion Protocols and TBIs; The Rise of Dementia in Younger Populations; Brainspotting; Body Movement and Neuroscience; Brain Health and the Arts for Wellness; The Gut-Brain Connection; Neuroplasticity and Counseling; Brain Health Across the Lifespan; Sleep, Memory, and Emotional Regulation; Neurobiology of Trauma and Attachment; Movement, Exercise, and Mental Health; Medical Data, Wearables, and Clinical Decision-making; Dementia Prevention and Cognitive Health; Neuroscience-informed Faith-based Care
18. Personality Disorders, Comorbidities, Complex Issues and Cases
Track Leaders: Fred DiBlasio, Ph.D.
Track Coordinators: Amy Feigel, M.A., Seigel Bartley, Ph.D., and Shannae Anderson, Ph.D.
Possible Topics: The Narcissistic Spectrum; Personality Disorders and Marital Therapy; Personalized Treatment for Difficult Cases; Borderline Personality Disorder; Narcissistic Abuse and Recovery; Complex Case Conceptualization; Treatment-resistant Depression and Anxiety; Managing Clinical Impasses; Working with High-conflict Clients; Co-occurring Disorders and Diagnostic Complexity; Therapeutic Boundaries and Safety; Personality Disorders in Family and Church Systems; Consultation and Supervision for Difficult Cases
19. UPDATED! Human Flourishing and Resilience: Positive Psychology, Performance, and Well-Being
Track Leaders: Zach Clinton, Ph.D., and Catherine Hart Weber, Ph.D.
Track Coordinators: Chris Adams, Ph.D., Ed Garrett, Psy.D., and Ashley Lynn, Ph.D.
Possible Topics: Nutritional Psychology; Practical Human Flourishing Techniques; Workplace Stress and Well-being; Immunity’s Effect on Mental Health and Resilience; Positive Psychology and Christian Formation; Grit, Motivation, and Goal Setting; Resilience After Adversity; Rest, Rhythm, and Sustainable Performance; Sports Psychology and Performance Coaching; Mental Toughness and Emotional Agility; Lifestyle Interventions for Well-being; Flourishing in Families, Churches, and Workplaces; Gratitude, Hope, Meaning, and Purpose
20. UPDATED! Christian Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theories and Models of Faith-based Clinical Mental Healthcare
Track Leaders: Nicolene Joubert, Ph.D.
Track Coordinators: Eric Johnson, Ph.D., Joshua Knabb, Psy.D., Megan Clunan, Ph.D., and Jeffery Boatner, Ph.D.
Possible Topics: Theories of Faith-based Clinical Techniques; Models for Faith Integration in Mental and Medical Care; Christian Psychology and Clinical Practice; Biblical Anthropology and Mental Health; The Role of Virtue in Counseling; Christian Understandings of Emotions, Shame, Guilt, and Redemption; Faith, Suffering, and Meaning-making; Spiritual Practices in Clinical Care; Integrative Models of Christian Counseling; Theology and Evidence-based Treatment; Christian Perspectives on Mental Illness; Clinical Applications of Grace, Hope, and Transformation
21. UPDATED! Social Work, Special Populations, Multicultural and Global Competencies
Track Leaders: David King, D.S.W., and Wei-Jen Huang, Ph.D.
Track Coordinators: James Long, Th.D., Lois Dodds, Ph.D., and Laurel Shaler, Ph.D.
Possible Topics: Ethical Reporting for Domestic Violence; Treatment of Neglect; Evidence-based Treatments for Race-based Trauma; Working with Minorities; Community-based Interventions; Cultural Humility and Competence; Foster Care and Adoption; Poverty, Access, and Mental Healthcare; Social Isolation and Community Support; Immigration, Refugee Care, and Trauma; Advocacy and Case Management; Family Violence and Community Safety; Cross-cultural Counseling in Faith-based Settings; Racial Reconciliation and Christian Care
22. UPDATED! Ethics, Advocacy, and Public Policy: Clinical Practice, Counselor Education, and Supervision
Track Leaders: Mercy Connors, Ph.D.
Track Coordinators: Fernando Garzon, Psy.D., Ryan Burkhart, Ed.D., Jeanneane Maxon, J.D., Esq., and Bill Lile, D.O.
Possible Topics: Therapist Self-disclosure of Values in Clinical Care; Counselor Education for Real-world Cases; Supervision Standards for Faith-based Clinicians; Ethical Decision-making in Complex Cases; Informed Consent and Client Autonomy; Confidentiality, Documentation, and Risk Management; Ethical Use of Telehealth; Advocacy and Public Policy in Mental Health; Training the Next Generation of Christian Counselors; Supervision Models and Best Practices; Counselor Wellness and Impairment; Legal and Ethical Issues in Faith Integration; Navigating Value Conflicts in Clinical Practice
23. NEW! AI, Cyberpsychology, Technology, and Practice Management
Track Leaders: Jason Van Ruler, M.A.
Track Coordinators: Ingo Tophoven, Ph.D., and Blake Fraser, M.S.
Possible Topics: Ethical Use of AI in Clinical Practice; New Technological Advances in Practice Management; Marketing in an AI Counseling Chatbot World; AI Documentation Tools and Clinical Notes; Client Privacy, Data Security, and Confidentiality; Digital Ethics and Informed Consent; Technology-assisted Care and Clinical Boundaries; Practice Growth in a Changing Digital Marketplace; AI, Search, and Online Visibility for Counselors; Telehealth Platforms and Client Experience; Automation Without Losing Personal Connection; Evaluating Digital Mental Health Tools
24. Professional Life Coaching and Consultation
Track Leaders: Sylvia Hart Frejd, D.Min., and Georgia Shaffer, M.A.
Track Coordinators: Ashley Elliott, M.S., Chuck Elliot, M.A., Dina Jones, M.A., and Justin Tilghman, Ph.D.
Possible Topics: Coaching Around Uncertainty and Change; Using AI Without Losing the Human Element in Coaching; Group Coaching; Mental Fitness Coaching; How to Stand Out in Life Coaching; Coaching Assessments and Tools; Career and Vocational Coaching; Spiritual Formation Coaching; Relationship and Marriage Coaching; Wellness and Lifestyle Coaching; Coaching Business Development; Client Retention and Referral Strategies; Coaching Ethics and Scope of Practice; Building a Distinctive Coaching Brand
25. Executive and Leadership Coaching and Organizational Psychology
Track Leaders: Mark Crear, Ph.D., and John Townsend, Ph.D.
Track Coordinators: Johnny Parker, D.S.L., Michelle Thompson, Ed.D., and Terra Mattson, M.A.
Possible Topics: Coaching the Narcissistic Leader; Work Stress and Organizational Models for Change; Healthy Leaders Produce Healthy Teams; Executive Coaching and Emotional Intelligence; Servant Leadership and Christian Leadership Models; Toxic Leadership and Organizational Health; Burnout Prevention for Leaders; Team Dynamics and Conflict Resolution; Organizational Culture and Change Management; Leadership Development in Ministry and Business; Resilience and Decision-making Under Pressure; Psychological Safety in Teams; Coaching High-capacity Leaders; Building Healthy Workplaces and Flourishing Organizations

All New Location!

Register today and stay on-site!

The best place to celebrate AACC’s 40th Anniversary is at the magnificent Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel in Orlando, Florida!

Rosen Shingle Creek (Main Site)

The Rosen Shingle Creek is the main location for the AACC 2027 World Conference. Stay on-site to be in close proximity to the plenary sessions. pre-conference & track workshops, and the exhibit and sponsor hall.

To register, click the link or call 866-996-6338 and mention “AACC 2027 World Conference” to get the group rate.

The Rosen Centre Hotel

2.4 Miles (10 minutes) from the main hotel. Free shuttle service to the Rosen Shingle Creek is available daily.

Call toll-free (800) 204-7234 and mention “AACC 2027 World Conference” or the code 7764816.

The Rosen Plaza Hotel

2.8 Miles (12 minutes) from the main hotel. Free shuttle service to the Rosen Shingle Creek is available daily.

Call toll-free (800) 204-7234 and mention “AACC 2027 World Conference” or the code 7343785.