The Illinois Counseling Association (ICA) has invited Adler University faculty member Mtisunge Kapalamula, Ph.D., to serve as one of its keynote speakers during its 76th Annual Conference on Nov. 7-9 in Lisle, Illinois.

The annual event brings together over 300 counselors across Illinois for three days of professional development, continuing education, networking.

With a theme of “Recover, Rest, Rejoice,” Dr. Kapalamula, assistant professor in the Department of Counseling and Integrated Programs on the Chicago Campus, plans to share ways for counselors to practice self-care and utilize recovery principles.

“The things affecting our clients — from the stresses of an election year to our continued recovery from a pandemic — affect us as practicing counselors as well,” said Dr. Kapalamula. “So, this theme or idea of rest and self-care becomes even more necessary.”

Dr. Kapalamula said she hopes her keynote address provides several key takeaways for audience members, including:

• Developing an understanding of what recovery means in the 21st century as we move forward in the field of counseling post-pandemic.
• Conceptualizing what rest means to counselors and to their clients and exploring ways in which they can rest mentally and not just physically.
• Understanding what the idea of rejoicing means in the context of counseling and the importance of finding joy in the work that they do.
• Identifying ways in which they can incorporate recovery principles to their counseling praxis.

“To be recognized for something that just feels like it’s what we all need to be doing tells me there’s more work to be done,” said Dr. Kapalamula, who was among this year’s recipients of the Alfred Adler Social Justice Awards.

In addition to educating future practitioners at Adler, Dr. Kapalamula, who is a member of the ICA, is a licensed counselor in Indiana and Illinois, with a clinical focus on grief and trauma. She currently works with individuals and families presenting with various forms of psychopathology. She also serves as president of Lakeshore Counseling and Consulting Group, an organization that provides counseling, psychoeducation and workshops to individuals in the community with a strong focus on destigmatizing mental health and educating communities of color on the importance of mental hygiene.

In April, Dr. Kapalamula was awarded the Social Justice Award from Adler University for her commitment to equity and diversity, and her work in leading the Black Caucus, which seeks to improve the experiences of the Black community and the communities at large at Adler.

“I’m honored to be invited to be a keynote speaker by the ICA, which has been supporting the counseling profession since 1948,” said Dr. Kapalamula. “My goal is to help our counselors to ensure they understand the need for self-care because burnout is real. How can we take care of others if we don’t take care of ourselves first?”