2026 VASGW GROUP-A-RAMA CONFERENCE
Welcome to this year's VASGW’s annual conference dedicated to advancing group counseling! This is your chance to connect with fellow professionals, gain valuable insights from expert speakers, and explore innovative practices in group work. Don’t miss this opportunity to grow, learn, and collaborate!
SESSION A
10:45 -11:45 AM
A1/2 - Small Group Sleuths: Using Data to Solve Student Needs
Kim Crumbley, MEd School Counseling & Laura Rankhorn EdS School Counseling
A3 - Group Counseling Techniques for International Populations: Activities Based on Experts from the Field
*This presentation does not qualify for CE hours
Sarah Yi, Aidan Markley, GMU Master’s in Counseling students & Dr. Sam Steen, Professor at GMU and Director of the Research Action Consortium
A4 - Felt Belonging: Creating LGBTQIA+ Celebratory and Neuro-Affirming Group Processes
*This presentation does not qualify for CE hours
Hela Baer, LCSW & Anna Morrison, LMSW
A5 - The Nature of Group Healing: Integrating Ecotherapy and Systems Theory for Enhanced Therapeutic Outcomes
*This presentation does not qualify for CE hours
Iman Mostafa, GMU Master’s in Counseling student
A6 - A Guide to Facilitating Groups with Diverse Populations
Gregory C. Wright, Ph.D., LCPC, NCC
Culturally Responsive Group Facilitation
Population-Specific Group Adaptation Guide_____________________________________________________________________________________
SESSION B
12:30 -1:30 PM
B1 - Pokémon Power: Leveraging a Worldwide Craze to Engage Students in SEL
Becca Wilson, Licensed Professional School Counselor
B2 - From Storytelling to Resilience: Creative Group Techniques for Emotional Growth and Prevention
Dr. Maryam Majd, Developmental Psychologist
B3 - Group Counseling Leadership Skills for School Counselors
Dr. Sam Steen, Professor at GMU and Director of the Research Action Consortium
B4 - One-Hour Lifeline: Reflections of a Group Art Therapist Working in Inpatient Settings
Yonsenia White, LPC, LPCC, ATR, CMCC
B5 - Bridging Voices Through Group Work: Equipping Counselors for Bilingual Campuses and Classrooms
Joy Mwendwa, LPC; Sam Landa, Ph.D., LPC; Bosede Balogun, Ph.D.; Deepa Emmanuel, MA
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SESSION C
1:45 - 2:45 PM
C1 - Kimochis® in Action: Building Emotional Awareness and Connection Through Group Work
Becca Wilson & Richard Jones-Hang, Licensed Professional School Counselors
C2 - Healing in Community: Integrating Faith into Group Work
*This presentation does not qualify for CE hours
Irene Kiraithe-Muchene & Shelly Taylor, Masters in Clinical Mental Health students
C3 - Tips and Tricks to Make Managing Groups More Manageable
Johanna Druen, Licensed Professional School Counselor
C4 - Music, Marks, and Mandalas
Melissa Deaton Cook, LPC, NCC, ACS
C5 - No Member Left Behind: Broaching as the Path to Equitable Group Work
Syreeta Wright, EdS, LPC, CSAC, NCC
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