Roanoke Area Counselors Association - ROACA

05/21/2026

We are proud to present the 2026 Nancy Quinn McCoy Humanitarian Scholarship to Emma Spangler of Lord Botetourt High School! Each year we award one local high school senior who has a passion for their community and intends to pursue a future in a helping field.
Emma has her sights set on being a school counselor and is already a positive influence within her community. Congratulations! We can’t wait to see how you to continue impact the world!

This yearly scholarship is made available by the proceeds from ROACA events. Thank you to everyone that attended an event to help raise money for our next generation of helpers!

04/25/2026

The Roanoke Area Counselors Association Spring Forum was a success!

This year’s theme was "Grounded in Community. Skilled in Complexity." The theme came to life as professionals from across the region gathered at the Maridor in Roanoke, VA for a day of learning, connection, and growth.

We were honored to host four engaging and impactful sessions:

Under Development: Serving Populations Needing Additional Considerations
Presenters: Drew Edwards, LPC; Noelle Edwards, MA

User-Friendly Approach to Psychodynamic Treatment for BPD
Presenter: David Southall, LPC

Complex Family Systems: Clinical Training on Parental Alienation
Presenters: Kim Piche, LPC, LMFT; Lisa Teegarden-Cabay, PhD, LCP; Heather Massey, LPC

Introduction to Animal-Assisted Counseling
Presenter: Trent Davis, PhD, LPC
Contributor: Abbey Lynch, BA

Thank you to our presenters for sharing their knowledge, and to everyone who participated and contributed to such a meaningful experience. We appreciate this community and its dedication to supporting clients with skill and compassion.

We look forward to continuing to learn together while building connections!

04/24/2026

📣 Calling all graduate counseling students and those who support them!

The Virginia Counselors Association is accepting applications for the 2026 Michele Dowdy Emerging Leader Program, a selective leadership and mentorship opportunity designed to support the next generation of counseling leaders.

Please apply or share with students you believe would benefit from this experience!

Deadline to apply: April 30, 2026

04/17/2026

Today is the final day to register for the Roanoke Area Counselors Association Spring Forum! Come to learn. Stay to reconnect. Leave with tools you’ll use immediately. This is approved for 5 NBCC CE's!

Register today before it closes!
https://www.vcacounselors.org/event/2026ROACAspringForum

Registration closes on Friday!

Some of the most important clinical work happens in the most complex spaces,
with clients who challenge us, systems that stretch us, and communities that deserve thoughtful, responsive care.

That’s exactly what this conference is about.

Join us for Rooted & Responsive: Strengthening Clinical Practice in Complex Communities: a day focused on building real skills for the work we’re actually doing.

Come to learn. Stay to reconnect. Leave with tools you’ll use immediately.

Register Now! Registration closes Friday 4/17!

https://www.vcacounselors.org/event/2026ROACAspringForum

04/15/2026

Registration closes on Friday!

Some of the most important clinical work happens in the most complex spaces,
with clients who challenge us, systems that stretch us, and communities that deserve thoughtful, responsive care.

That’s exactly what this conference is about.

Join us for Rooted & Responsive: Strengthening Clinical Practice in Complex Communities: a day focused on building real skills for the work we’re actually doing.

Come to learn. Stay to reconnect. Leave with tools you’ll use immediately.

Register Now! Registration closes Friday 4/17!

https://www.vcacounselors.org/event/2026ROACAspringForum