GACA 44th Fall Conference


Rooted in Legacy;

Growing in Hope:

46 Years of Progress

in Addiction Recovery!

In-Person

Epworth-By-the-Sea

St. Simon's Island, GA

October 23-26, 2026

Up to 36 Live/Synchronous Conference (if you add the Pre and Post Conference Workshops) CE Hours/Clock Hours Approved by GACA, GSCSW, NAADAC and NBCC.  

CE Provider Approvals for CORE Hours:

GACA Addiction Counselors: Georgia Addiction Counselors Association

National Addiction Counselors:  NAADAC

Licensed Professional Counselors: National Board for Certified Counselors

Marriage and Family Therapists: Georgia Association of Marriage and Family Therapists

Social Workers: Georgia Society of Clinical Social Workers



SPECIAL CCIT TRACK

This conference provides the required 26 CE Hours* needed for the initial CCIT application for the discounted price of $250.00 for Members/$350 for Non-Members


*CCIT Track Registrants MUST register for "Ethics for Addiction Counselors,"   "Intro to CCIT Program," "Ethical & Legal Requirements Pertaining to 42 CFR Part 2," "Pharmacology for SUD Counselors," and "Telemental Health" courses.



SPECIAL CCS TRACK 

This conference offers 18 Clinical Supervision CE hours for 

GACA CCS recertification and Initial CCS Applicants

Supervision of Mental Health Issues for SUD Counselors (3 hrs)

Supervision Across the Generations (3 hrs)

From Client to Staff: Navigating the Clinical Supervision Process (3 hrs)

Clinical Supervision with Peer Support Specialists (3 hrs)

Clinical Supervision with Humility:  Ethics, Power and Accountability in Behavioral Health (3 hrs)

Holding the Container:  Trauma-Informed Supervision in Addiction Treatment (3 hrs)

 

SPECIAL Mental Health Informed (MHI) TRACK 

This conference offers 18.0 Mental Health Informed CE hours for 

GACA CACMHI Applicants

Trauma-Informed Care:  From Recognition to Recovery (3 hrs)

When the Plan Doesn't Work:  The Alex Study in Modern Addiction Care  (3 hrs)

Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (3 hrs)

Healing Historical & Generational Trauma (6 hrs)

Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of a Mental Health Accountability Court Treatment Curriculum (1.5 hrs)

When It's Not Resistance:  ADHD, Executive Function and Emotional Dysregulation in Treatment Settings (1.5 hrs)


Various Ethics Options 

This conference offers 28 Ethics CE hours for attendees.

Pre-Conference: Business Continuity, Client Records Protection and Practice Closure Planning for Behavioral Health  Providers (3 hrs)

Ethics for New Addiction Counselors (6 hours)

When the Plan Doesn't Work: The Alex Study in Modern Addiction Care (3 hrs)

CFR 42, Part II, HIPAA and Confidentiality (6 hrs)

Saturday Lunch Plenary: Advocacy, Ethics and Legislative Updates (2 hrs)

Ethical Gray Areas in Addiction Counseling: A Live Courtroom Debate! (2 hrs)

Clinical Supervision with Humility:  Ethics, Power and Accountability in Behavioral Health (3 hrs)

Post-Conference:  Ethical Uses of Technology and Behavioral Health Treatment: To AI or Not to AI that is the Question (3 hrs)



Reminder:  You must attend each workshop in its entirety to receive any CE Credit.

All Conference Sales are FINAL. No Refunds.


CLICK HERE For Conference Course Schedule

Please Continue Scrolling to the Bottom for Registration Options 

Lodging is not included in Conference fees.  For Lodging with Meals Included, 

see below:

Epworth by the Sea for your Convenient All-Inclusive On-Site Lodging with 3 Meals per day

Epworth is known for its natural scenic surroundings, complete retreat accommodations, state-of-the-art facilities with 3 meals included daily. Among America's most popular retreat and conference centers, Epworth is one of the most beautiful and graceful vacation spots in the magnificent Golden Isles.


If you have lodging needs different than the packages offered in the links, please contact Tiffany Flavell at Epworth by the Sea at 912-638-8688.  See link below for lodging.


Please keep in mind that Epworth-by-the-Sea is a retreat center, not a hotel, please be gracious in understanding if you call, it may take several days to receive a response.  Thank you.

For Lodging (All Meals Included with your Room) CLICK HERE

2026 GACA Fall Conference Presenters

Renee Eady, M.Ed., LPC, CMAC, CAC II, and member of MINT

PreConference Workshop: Business Continuity, Client Records Protection, and Practice Closure Planning for Behavioral Health Providers

CORE Track: Assessment as an Intervention

Pete Nielsen, LAADC

Post-Conference Workshop: Ethical Uses of Technology and Behavioral Health Treatment: To AI or Not to AI that is the Question

Dr. John Dyben, DHSC, MCAP, CMHP

Keynote Plenary: Addiction from a Public Health Perspective

Kimberly Alexander, MBA, LPC, CPCS, CMAC, ACS

Core Track: Zumba for Recovery

Supervision Track: Supervision Skills in Practice

Teresa Bradley, LPC, CPCS, CARES, CCM, MAC, TF-CBT

MHI Track: Trauma-Informed Care: From Recognition to Recovery

Jeff Breedlove CEO, The American Addiction Recovery Association

CORE Track: Advocacy, Ethics and Legislative Update

Dr. Patricia Brown, PhD, CACII, MAC, CCS

CCIT Track: Introduction to the CCIT Program

CCIT Track: Ethics for New Addiction Counselors

CORE Track: Cultural Diversity & Competency

David Burris, CMAC, CACII, CCS

CCIT Track: Ethical and Legal Requirements for the Revised 42 C.F.R. Part 2

Dr. Andrew Cox, LPC, LMFT, LCSW, CRC, MAC

MHI Track: Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of a Mental Health Accountability Court Treatment Curriculum

Stephanie DeSouza, MSW, LMSW

MHI Track: When It’s Not Resistance: ADHD, Executive Function, and Emotional Dysregulation in Treatment Settings

Jordan Detweiller, CAC II

MHI Track: Counseling on Access to Lethal Means

CORE Track: Treating Individuals with a Criminal Record

Liz Gallaspy, LCSW

CORE: Introduction to the TAC Project

Dr. Witni Jackson, LCSW, MAC

CORE/Ethics Track: Ethical Gray Areas In Addiction Counseling: A Live Courtroom Debate

MHI Track: When the Plan Doesn’t Work: The Alex Study in Modern Addiction Care

Supervision Track: Clinical Supervision with Humility: Ethics, Power and Accountability in Behavioral Health

Leslie Lunney, LPC, CPCS, CAC II, ACS, MAC, SAP

CORE Track: Mindfulness Matters

Dr. Estoria (Esther) M. Maddux, Ph.D., CFP(R), CAC-II

CORE: A Review of Financial Skills for Recovery

Tricia Mills, MA, MAC, SAP, CAC II

CORE Track: Hope That Heals

Kelly Michael Moselle, MA, MS, CAC II, CMAC, CCS, CMATS, CAMS II

CCIT Track: Telemental Health for Counselors

Tabatha Moss, CPS, FPM

MHI Track: Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of a Mental Health Accountability Court Treatment Curriculum

Michael Mumper, MBA Executive Director, Georgians for Responsible Marijuana Policy

CORE Track: Legislative Updates and Initiatives on Marijuana Policy in Georgia

Dr. Merrill Norton PharmD, DPH, ICCDP-D, CMAC

CCIT Track: Pharmacology of Substance Use Disorders: Medications, Mechanisms, and Clinical Applications

Linda P. Robinson, LCSW, CAC

PreConference Workshop: Business Continuity, Client Records Protection, and Practice Closure Planning for Behavioral Health Providers

Eric Rodgers, LPC, NCC, CPCS, BC-TMH, CMAC, GCDF, BCC

Supervision Skills in Practice

Jim Seckman, M.Div., MAC, CACII, CCS

CCS Track: Clinical Supervision with Peer Support Specialists

CCS Track: From Client to Staff: Navigating the Clinical Supervision Process

Aaron Strand, Filmmaker

CORE: Withdrawal: A Movie and Discussion with the filmmaker.

Lizz Toledo, LCSW, CCS

MHI Track: Healing Historical & Generational Trauma

Candice Whitaker, Executive Director of GARR

CORE Track: Understanding Recovery Residences: The Counselor’s Role in Long-Term Recovery

Dr. Nicole Wiesen, PhD, LMSW CCTS-I

CORE Track: Beyond the Sentence: Understanding Post-Incarceration Syndrome (PICS™) and Trauma-Informed Reentry

Jennifer Yaeger, LPC, CPCS, CMAC

Supervision Track: Supervision of Mental Health Issues for SUD Counselors

Supervision Track: Supervision Across the Generations

NAADAC

The Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC) represents the professional interests of more than 100,000 addiction counselors, educators, and other addiction-focused health care professionals.

NBCC ACEP No. 7302

Georgia Addiction Counselors Association has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7302. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Georgia Addiction Counselors Association is solely responsible for all aspects of the program.

GACA, The Georgia Association for Addiction Professionals

Georgia Addiction Counselors Associationn founded in 1980 is a not-profit member association providing credentialing, training, education, advocacy and support for addiction-focused professionals.

GACA is a statewide association for addiction counselors and other professionals interested in addiction, prevention, treatment and recovery.

Conference Registration Options

Pre-Conference Registration

  • This Pre-Conference workshop is available at the GACA member rate. Current GACA MEMBERSHIP WILL BE VERIFIED. If you are unsure if you are a current member, please call the office at (770) 434-1000

  • No PreConference selected

Conference Registration Options:

  • This is the entire conference available at the GACA member rate offering up to 30 CE Hours. Current GACA MEMBERSHIP WILL BE VERIFIED. If you are unsure if you are a current member, please call the office at (770) 434-1000

  • This is the entire conference at the non-GACA member rate offering up to 30 CE Hours.

  • You choose 2-days to attend from Sat., Sun., and/or Monday in any 2-day combination. This option includes the Plenary Session and both Lunch & Learn sessions but you will need to register for these sessions below to attend. Current GACA MEMBERSHIP WILL BE VERIFIED.

  • You choose 2-days to attend from Sat., Sun., and/or Monday in any 2-day combination. This option includes the Plenary Session and both Lunch & Learn sessions but you will need to register for these sessions below to attend.

  • You choose one day to attend. Choose courses that are scheduled on Sat., Sun., or Monday. This option includes the Plenary Session and both Lunch & Learn sessions but you will need to register for these sessions below to attend. Current GACA MEMBERSHIP WILL BE VERIFIED.

  • You choose one day to attend. Choose courses that are scheduled on Sat., Sun., or Monday. This option includes the Plenary Session and both Lunch & Learn sessions but you will need to register for these sessions below to attend.

  • This is for first time CCIT applicants only. DO NOT REGISTER FOR THIS OPTION IF YOU ARE ALREADY CREDENTIALED. With this option, you can only register for the following courses:
    Friday: Ethics for New Addiction Counselors
    Intro to the CCIT Program
    Saturday: Legal & Ethical Requirements Pertaining to 42 CFR Part 2, Lunch Plenary and Keynote Plenary
    Sunday: Pharmacology for SUD Counselors and Lunch Plenary
    Monday: Telemental Health for Counselors

  • This is for first time CCIT applicants only. DO NOT REGISTER FOR THIS OPTION IF YOU ARE ALREADY CREDENTIALED. With this option, you can only register for the following courses:
    Friday: Ethics for New Addiction Counselors
    Intro to the CCIT Program
    Saturday: Legal & Ethical Requirements Pertaining to 42 CFR Part 2, Lunch Plenary and Keynote Plenary
    Sunday: Pharmacology for SUD Counselors and Lunch Plenary
    Monday: Telemental Health for Counselors

  • Select the Pre and/or Post Conference Registration Separately.

Post-Conference Registration Options:

  • This 3.0 CE Hours post-conference workshop is available at the GACA member rate. Current GACA MEMBERSHIP WILL BE VERIFIED. If you are unsure if you are a current member, please call the office at (770) 434-1000

  • This 3.0 CE Hours post-conference workshop is available at the non-member rate.

  • No Post Conference Selected.

  • This is not your lodging registration link/fee. Please scroll up for the lodging link (the link will also be in your confirmation email) All on-site meals are included with your lodging fees - this includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack breaks.

  • There is a fee charged by the conference center for commuters. This fee will cover the Commuter fee, lunch on Saturday and Sunday and snack breaks. If you choose to eat at other meal times onsite you will be responsible for those additional meal costs paid directly to Epworth.

Remember to Select Your Course Option Below

  • that Continuing Education is part of my professional and ethical responsibilities. This requirement is for my betterment and for the welfare of my clients. It is not simply a box to check, but for my professional growth and development as a clinician.

  • that I can not miss more than 15 minutes of a training/workshop in order to receive CE credit, as per the regulations governing CE approvals.

  • As an attendee
    I must attend each workshop in its entirety to receive any CE Credit.

  • Regulatory Boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit.

  • Certain email providers and certain internet providers do not work as proficiently in the high tech world as others:
    Browsers:
    We utilize Zoom for our webinars. Zoom recommends the following browsers for peak performance: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Chromium Edge.

    Registration Emails:
    Older Email Providers often have difficulties when emails are sent to multiple recipients. This is the usual practice in sending out information, evaluations, handouts, etc. for our webinars. We recommend that you register utilizing using an email from one of the following providers: Gmail, Outlook or Yahoo. We highly discourage the use of Earthlink, Comcast.net or AOL email accounts for registration.

    You may set up free email accounts with any of the recommended providers: Gmail, Outlook or Yahoo. If you need assistance, please contact the GACA office.

Course Selections by Day

10/23/2026 Friday Pre-Conference 8:45 AM - 12:00 PM

10/23/2026 CCIT Track Registrations ONLY

Full Conference Begins

10/23/2026 Friday Afternoon 1:00 PM - 4:15 PM

10/23/2026 Friday Keynote Plenary 6:45 pm - 8:45 pm

10/24/2026 Saturday Early Morning - Two Options

10/24/2026 Saturday All Day

10/24/2026 Saturday Morning (Do not choose if you are registered for an All-Day course on Saturday)

10/24/2026 Membership Meeting, Awards and Financial Skills For Recovery

10/24/2026 Saturday Afternoon (Do not choose if you are registered for an All-Day course on Saturday)

10/24/2026 Saturday Evening Workshop 6:45 pm - 8:45 pm

10/24/2026 Bonfire and S'mores 8:45 pm - ?

10/25/2026 Sunday Early Morning - Two Options

10/25/2026 Sunday All Day

10/25/2026 Sunday Morning (Do not choose if you are registered for an All-Day course on Sunday)

10/25/2026 Lunch Plenary with Legislative Updates, Advocacy and Ethics; and Introduction to the TAC Project

10/25/2026 Sunday Afternoon (Do not choose if you are registered for an All-Day course on Sunday)

10/25/2026 Sunday Evening Workshop 6:45 pm - 8:45 pm

10/26/2026 Monday All Day

10/26/2026 Monday Morning (3 Hours) (Do not choose if you are registered for an All-Day course on Monday course)

10/26/2026 Monday Morning (1.5 Hours) (Do not choose if you are registered for an All-Day course on Monday course or the 3 Hour Course)

10/26/2026 Monday Post-Conference (3 Hours) (This requires an additional registration)

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