The Illinois Counselling 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 Counselling and Integrated Programs on the Chicago Campus, plans to share ways for counselors to Practise self-care and Utilise 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 Counselling 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 Counselling and the importance of finding joy in the work that they do.
- Identifying ways in which they can incorporate recovery principles to their Counselling praxis.
In addition to educating future practitioners at Adler, Dr. Kapalamula, who is a member of the ICA, is a licensed Counsellor 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 Counselling and Consulting Group, an organization that provides Counselling, psychoeducation and workshops to individuals in the community with a strong focus on destigmatizing mental health and educating communities of Colour 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 Counselling 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?”