Southeastern Counseling Center to host mental health conference
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
by: Tonya Lowentritt 
SMITH TO SPEAK AT TERRELL CONFERENCE - Southeastern Louisiana University’s Counseling Center will present the fifth annual Terrell Conference on Jan. 6. Director of Addiction Services and Intensive Workshops at Pine Grove Behavioral Health Caroline Smith will serve as keynote speaker.
HAMMOND – The University Counseling Center at Southeastern Louisiana University
will sponsor the fifth annual Terrell Conference for Mental Health Practitioners Jan.
6, in the university’s Student Union.
Outreach Coordinator and Mental Health Counselor for the Southeastern UCC Marcela
Spicuzza, said conference highlights include the Terrell Award presentation, a full
day of continuing education opportunities for licensed professional counselors, and
other mental health professionals, in the areas of general, ethics and diagnosis,
as well as vendor expo and lunch networking events.
“Attendees will have the opportunity to network with reputable speakers who are
passionate about their subject matter,” Spicuzza said. “The Conference Expo will allow
mental health professionals to connect with agencies and centers dedicated to various
aspects of mental health treatment and recovery.”
Director of Addiction Services and Intensive Workshops at Pine Grove Behavioral
Health Caroline Smith will serve as keynote speaker. Her presentation, “The Amazing
Power of Self-Acceptance, Self-Attunement and Secure Attachment,” will focus on the
journey of neurobiological healing by using the science of attachment, whole person
wellness, and a deep connection with the authentic self.
Smith holds two master’s degrees from Ottawa University. She is a licensed professional
counselor, certified sex addiction therapist, and certified interventionist professional.
Smith has authored a chapter in the published book, “Mending a Shattered Heart” and
provided a plenary session for Ireland’s first Neuroscience and Addiction Conference.
Her theoretical perspective relies heavily on the neuroscience of attachment and internal
family systems theory.
Registration costs, which include special rates for students, and other details
can be found on the website southeastern.edu/terrellconference.
The conference honors Tom Terrell, former director for the UCC, for his work
with students, faculty and staff at Southeastern, as well as the leadership roles
he played with the Louisiana Professional Counseling Association. Terrell was instrumental
in developing the Louisiana licensure law for mental health professionals and played
a key role in achieving accreditation of the Southeastern UCC with the International
Association of Counseling Services.
“The UCC has worked with our university and mental health community partners
to bring another great conference for professionals, faculty, staff and graduate students,”
said Spicuzza. “We are excited to gather again to witness quality presentations and
network with vendors who are vital to our community.”
For more information please contact Spicuzza at recovery@southeastern.edu.
