Inaugural Student-Led Counseling Symposium Showcases Innovation and Leadership
Jennifer Johnson was the lead organizer for the symposium.
Palo Alto University's Counseling Department celebrated a milestone event with its first-ever "Commitment to Counseling: Student-Led Symposium." The three-hour virtual event featured 11 student presentations covering a diverse range of contemporary mental health topics, from the intersection of AI and therapy to specialized approaches for neurodivergent populations.
The symposium, which drew 60 registrants, was spearheaded by students Jennifer Johnson and Amanda Helton. Faculty members attended in support but intentionally stepped back to empower students to lead the discussions and share their research.
"I wanted to put together an event where students could uplift each other and show off the work that they were doing," says Johnson, the lead organizer. "The event was a great way to showcase topics that are meaningful to our current student body and the future of the counseling profession."
Presentations covered crucial topics including religious trauma, bisexual mental health, psychedelic integration training, and health anxiety in chronic conditions. The symposium also addressed emerging areas such as AI's role in mental health care and innovative approaches to parent-child communication.
Dr. Rachel Jacoby, Assistant Professor in the Counseling Department, praised the initiative: "I was truly inspired by the outstanding effort our students put into organizing and presenting their work. Jennifer initially brought up the idea of this symposium during a casual conversation at residency, and to witness her determination and hard work in turning that idea into a reality was incredible."
The success of this inaugural symposium highlights the innovative spirit and leadership potential within PAU's Counseling Department. "The students are already acting as advocates and leaders in our field, and it was amazing to have a space to discuss our passions with each other," Johnson notes.
This student-led initiative exemplifies PAU's commitment to fostering future mental health leaders who are prepared to address evolving challenges in the field of counseling.