National Conference Workshop Grid Now Available!
AACC 2026 Mega National
Christian Counseling Conference
FAITH AND
FLOURISHING
September 10 – 12, 2026
LOEWS HOTEL | Arlington, Texas
“March Gladness” Savings Deadline
March 31, 2026
AACC Members:
$269
$10 service fee applied at checkout
Non-Members:
$299
$10 service fee applied at checkout
Students & International: $149
$10 service fee applied at checkout
Nearly 1,250 already registered and climbing every day! Limited Seating – Get in now!
Breaking News: Just Added!
Brian Dawkins
Plenary Speaker
Blessed By the Best
Jeff Myers, Ph.D.
Plenary Speaker
Summit Ministries
Kathy Koch, Ph.D.
Plenary Speaker
Celebrate Kids
Linda Mintle, Ph.D.
Luncheon
DrLindaMintle.com
Mack Brock
Praise and Worship
MackBrock.com
Tyler VanderWeele, Ph.D.
Human Flourishing Symposium
Harvard University
Byron Johnson, Ph.D.
Human Flourishing Symposium
Baylor University
Harold Koenig, M.D.
Human Flourishing Symposium
Duke University
Dynamic Plenary Speakers
Hear from these and other world-class leaders in counseling & coaching
Daniel Amen, M.D.
Amen Clinics
George Barna, Ph.D.
Arizona Christian University
Jack Graham, D.Min.
Prestonwood Baptist Church
Siang-Yang Tan, Ph.D.
Fuller Theological Seminary
Curt Thompson, M.D.
The Center for Being Known
Sharon May, Ph.D.
Safe Haven Relationship Center
Mark Crear, Ph.D.
In the Zone
Shannae Anderson, Ph.D.
AACC
John Townsend, Ph.D.
Townsend Institute
Karl Benzio, M.D.
AACC
Jennifer Ellers, M.A.
AACC
Ron Hawkins, Ed.D.
AACC
Zach Clinton, Ph.D.
AACC
Tim Clinton, Ed.D.
AACC
… and more to be announced!
Built around the four streams of Counseling, Coaching, Recovery, and Marriage and Family, the AACC 2026 Mega National Christian Counseling Conference features a special focus on Neuroscience, Brain Health, Attachment, and Human Flourishing with specialization counselor training and coaching intensives, engaging keynote addresses from world-class leaders, powerful praise and worship, cutting-edge professional workshops, fellowship, and networking. It is shaping up to be one of our greatest events ever!
Our mission is to educate, empower, and equip today’s Christian counselors, leaders, churches, and parachurch organizations by creating a reservoir of knowledge, resources, support, and networking opportunities for marriage and family issues.
Whether it’s attending an Intensive or creating your own conference schedule, we promise you won’t be disappointed. The AACC 2026 Mega National Christian Counseling Conference is your chance to connect face-to-face with the Christian counseling community. My prayer is that you will join us to become better encouraged, trained, and equipped in the work God is calling you to fulfill. Mark your calendar now for September 10-12, 2026! See you in Arlington!
Tim Clinton, Ed.D., LMFT
President, AACC
TOP REASONS TO
ATTEND
- Experience an event that equips clinical, pastoral, and
lay caregivers with biblical and psychosocial insights. - Hear from some of the leading experts in counseling, coaching, recovery, and marriage and family.
- Discover practical tips and strategies to improve your
effectiveness when helping people move to personal wholeness, mental stability, and spiritual maturity. - Develop professional relationships with Christian counselors, coaches, pastors, and leaders from across the nation and around the world.
- Continuing Education credits are available.
“March Gladness” Savings Deadline
March 31, 2026
Intensives Training Sessions
6-Hour Specialization Counselor Training & Coaching Certificate Intensives
Each six-hour intensive training includes two sessions (8:30–11:45 AM and 1:30–4:45 PM on Thursday, September 10th)
Thursday, September 10, 2026
090. Attachment and Relational Trauma Treatment Specialist: Evidence-based Skills to Repair Trauma and Attachment Wounds
Shannae Anderson, Ph.D., and Gary Sibcy, Ph.D.
091. Navigating the Crossroads: Coaching Through Conflict and Change
John Townsend, Ph.D., and Michelle Thompson, M.S., PCC
092. Internal Family Systems Therapy: A Faith-based Approach
Ann-Marie Bowen, M.A., and Kimberly Lee, M.A.
093. Evidence-based Treatments to Rewire the Anxious Brain
Linda Mintle, Ph.D.
Pre-Conference Workshops
3-Hour Morning & Afternoon Sessions | Thursday, September 10th
Thursday Morning, September 10, 2026
8:30 – 11:45 AM
005. At a Crossroads: Ethical, Legal, and Advocacy Challenges for Faith-based Mental Health Professionals
David Jenkins, Psy.D., Jeanneane Maxon, J.D., Esq., and Ryan Burkhart, Ed.D.
006. Decision-making for Flourishing: Integrating Faith, Science, and the Spirit–Mind–Body Framework
Karl Benzio, M.D.
007. Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples (EFT-C): From Distress to Connection
Sharon May, Ph.D.
008. The Angry Client: Diffusing Hostile Emotions and Restoring Healthy Relationships
Gary J. Oliver, Th.M., Ph.D.
009. The Power of Social Connection: Assessing and Addressing Loneliness, Social Isolation, and Disconnection
Mark Mayfield, Ph.D., Brian Kelley, Ph.D., and Blake Fraser, M.S.
010. Neurotheology in Mental Health: Applying Brain-based Principles for Resilience, Recovery, and Human Flourishing
Harold Koenig, M.D., and Ron Hawkins, Ed.D., D.Min.
011. From Burnout to Breakthrough: Proven Strategies to Restore Energy, Focus, and Flourishing in Leadership
Mark Crear, Ph.D., and Johnny Parker, D.S.L.
012. Believing but Not Belonging: Christ-Centered Soul Care for Those Hurt by the Church
Eric Johnson, Ph.D., and Nicolene Joubert, Ph.D.
Thursday Afternoon, September 10, 2026
1:30 – 4:45 PM
016. The Flourishing Coach: Advancing Coaching Skills and the Personal Wellbeing of the Coach
Sylvia Hart Frejd, D.Min., Georgia Shaffer, M.A., and Catherine Hart Weber, Ph.D.
017. Parenting Under Pressure: Helping Parents Navigate Their Children’s Mental Health Journey
Chinwe Williams, Ph.D., and Mercy Connors, Ph.D.
018. The Neurobiology of Grief and Loss: Somatic and Experiential Treatment Interventions
Jennifer Ellers, M.A., and Kevin Ellers, D.Min.
019. Abuse, Trauma, and the Emotionally Destructive Relationship
Leslie Vernick, M.S.W.
020. Principled, Professional, and Personal Integration: Psychology and Theology in Clinical Practice
Siang-Yang Tan, Ph.D.
021. Wired for (Dis)connection: How Attachment, Trauma, and ADHD Shape the Emotional Brain
E. John Kuhnley, M.D., Anita Kuhnley, Ph.D., and Lisa Compton, Ph.D.
022. Flourishing in Sustainable Recovery from Pornography Use, Compulsive Sexual Behavior, and Partner Betrayal Trauma
Jim Cress, M.A., CSAT, Mike Vaughn, M.A., CSAT, and Sheri Denham, Ph.D., CSAT, CPTT-S
023. Strategies for Counseling Marriages in Distress
Robert S. Paul, M.S.
12 Conference Workshop Tracks
12 Workshop Tracks Led by the Best in Christian Counseling & Coaching
Conference Schedule
Wednesday, September 9th
5:00 – 8:00 PM – Conference Registration Open
Thursday, September 10th
7:00 AM – 7:00 PM – Conference Registration Open
8:30 – 11:45 AM – Intensive Training Session 1 and Morning Pre-conference Workshops
11:45 AM – 1:30 PM – Lunch Break
12:00 – 7:00 PM – Exhibit Hall Open
1:30 – 4:45 PM – Intensive Training Session 2 and Afternoon Pre-conference Workshops
6:00 – 8:30 PM – Opening Plenary Session
Friday, September 11th
7:00 AM – 7:00 PM – Conference Registration Open
8:00 – 9:30 AM – Conference Workshop 1
9:00 AM – 7:00 PM – Exhibit Hall Open
10:00 – 11:45 AM – Plenary Session
12:15 – 1:30 PM – Ticketed Luncheon*
2:00 – 3:30 PM – Conference Workshop 2
4:00 – 6:00 PM – Plenary Session
Saturday, September 12th
7:00 AM – 7:00 PM – Conference Registration Open
8:00 – 9:30 AM – Conference Workshop 3
9:00 AM – 7:00 PM – Exhibit Hall Open
10:00 – 11:45 AM – Plenary Session
12:15 – 1:30 PM – Ticketed Luncheon*
2:00 – 3:30 PM – Conference Workshop 4
4:00 – 6:00 PM – Closing Plenary Session
*Attendees must purchase a separate ticket to attend
New Location!
Loews Arlington Hotel
already 50% Sold out!
The AACC 2026 Faith & Flourishing Mega National Christian Counseling Conference is held at the beautiful Loews Arlington Hotel in Arlington, Texas
Book your rooms early & stay on-site!
Call the Loews Hotel at 1-800-345-9172 to book your rooms using our exclusive group rate. Code: AACC26
Loews Arlington Hotel
888 Nolan Ryan Expressway, Arlington, Texas, 76011