Please join us for VACP's Fall Conference, scheduled for October 14 and 15, 2022, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The theme of the Fall conference: “Practice what we preach, in terms of our mental health and self-care practices."     
Click here for the complete program

Online registration has closed. Please register onsite in at the Hilton Oceanfront.

Lodging Information

We are facing a national mental health crisis caused by a constant stream of dilemmas without a break over the last two years. The COVID-19 pandemic had a substantial impact on the lives of all Americans, causing disruption in work, education, health care, the economy, and relationships. Depression, anxiety, unstable moods, social isolation, and existential fear have shattered our sense of peace and exhausted our mental resources. Stress caused by the pandemic has been compounded by societal stressors that have been prevalent in the past several years. The majority of adults raise concerns about health care and chronic medical illnesses, job stability, mass shootings/school shootings, climate change issues, rising suicide rates, immigration, widespread sexual harassment/assault, changes in abortion laws, discrimination/racism, opioid/heroin epidemic, cost of living issues, concerns about the economy, and the growing need for mental health providers in our field. These issues are not unique to a particular group of people but have been pervasive in our communities. Therefore, it is increasingly more important for clinicians to practice and model self-care, essentially practicing what we preach. 

Therapists' personal self-care/mental wellness practices can impact several areas of functioning, including empathy for clients, therapeutic understanding, therapist skills, and self-awareness. When "we" are healthy, we model healthy coping skills and self-care practices for our clients and the communities we serve. Mental Health is even more important during these trying times of great stress, across gender, age, and socioeconomic status. Mental well-being can significantly impact our psychological, emotional, and social well-being, directly affecting how we feel and act daily. Mental health is a major factor when we make difficult choices, deal with stress, and relate to others in our world.  

The goal is for attendees to gain awareness and competencies beyond the idea that self-care/mental well-being should be an aspirational goal but an ethical imperative to inform our clinical decision-making. We are thrilled to have an outstanding program of presenters, including speakers from the board of psychology, presenting on regulation changes, with a particular focus on the standards of practice. The Fall Conference will offer several other beneficial presentations including, legislative advocacy for ensuring continuing telemental health, a self-care across the career span panel discussion with graduate school students, unmet practitioner demands for specified psychological services, strength-based approaches to treating chronic conditions, behavioral threat assessment to prevent violence, building resilience in our field, how to use a multidisciplinary approach to identify those at risk for threatening behaviors, black women and self-care, and the mental health consequences of overturning Roe v Wade. 

“The more you know yourself, the more patience you have for what you see in others” -Erik Erikson. I look forward to yet another opportunity for learning, serving our communities together, and advancing the field of psychology. 

Warm Regards,

Ridjie Chery, Psy.D., LCP, Continuing Education Committee Chair

Register Now!

Lodging Information

Please make your lodging reservations by Thursday, September 22nd to receive the discounted rate of $169* for city view or $189* for partial ocean view. Click here to book online or call (757) 213-3000 and mention VA Academy of Clinical Psychologists 2022 Virginia Beach Retreat.

*All guestroom rates are subject to state and local taxes, currently fifteen percent (15.0%), plus $2.00 per room per night occupancy tax.  Taxes are subject to change without notice.  For triple and quadruple occupancy there is a $20.00 additional charge per adult (18 years or older) per room per night, with maximum occupancy of four (4) persons per room.