2026 Spring Registration Brochure

APRIL 14, 2026 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM Registration Brochure 7 SESSION 1.2: Managing Growth and Sustainability in Challenging Times: Recruiting, Retaining, and Growing Counselors from Within COURSE DESCRIPTION: Behavioral health agencies are navigating unprecedented workforce shortages while facing rising service demand, fiscal pressures, and staff burnout. This session explores practical, scalable strategies for recruiting and retaining clinical mental health counselors by intentionally “growing your own” workforce. Participants will learn how agencies across New Jersey are leveraging internal career pathways, Bachelor-level staff development, graduate student pipelines, and registered apprenticeships to build a sustainable counseling workforce. The session also examines how supervision models, wellness-centered workplace culture, and retention-focused policies support long-term staff engagement and organizational stability—especially during challenging times. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: At the end of this session, attendees will be able to: 1. Identify key workforce challenges impacting recruitment, retention, and counselor wellness in today’s clinical mental health environment. 2. Describe “grow-your-own” workforce strategies, including internal career ladders, graduate student pipelines, and registered apprenticeship models. 3. Explain how investing in staff development and wellness improves retention, morale, and organizational sustainability. Sandy Gibson, PhD, LCSW, LCADC Professor and Chair, Department of Online Counselor Education The College of New Jersey Morning Session (CONTINUED) NUMBER AND TYPE OF CREDITS This course is approved by the NJ Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies (NJAMHAA), as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #87719, NJAMHAA is responsible for all aspects of the programming. S P E A K E R TARGET AUDIENCE: Mental Health Professionals AUDIENCE TARGET LEVELS: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced