2025 Conference Information

Wednesday, May 7th, 2025 – Pre-Conference Sessions (online only)

Thursday, May 8th & Friday, May 9th, 2025 (main program)

Sheraton West Des Moines Hotel (in person) and Zoom Events (online)

1800 50th St. West Des Moines, IA 50266 | 515-223-1800

This year IMHCA has brought back some of the greatest hits from past conferences. We invited previous speakers to return to share their knowledge, skills, and expertise on topics previously presented or give us a remix of previous presentations. We invited new speakers to bring us a new spin on a topic that may have inspired them in the past.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Attend the Conference

Using Zoom Events for Registered Attendees

Emails with the Zoom Events links and information have been sent to all attendees as of Wednesday, April 30th. It will have a calendar invite for you and a link to join. If you do not see this in your inbox, please check your spam/junk folders and then contact imhcaconference@gmail.com for additional assistance. Your email would look like this:

From: Zoom Events <noreply-zoomevents@zoom.us>
Date: Wed, Apr 30, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Subject: Reminder for Zoom Events: 19th Annual IMHCA Conference
To: <YOUR EMAIL HERE>

Clicking the “Join” button on your invite will take you to this screen. Add the required information to enter.

This process is the same for all participants whether you are accessing only the pre-conference session virtually or the whole conference.

Schedule

Wednesday, May 7th, 2025	Pre-conference
5:30 PM – 8:45 PM	Option 1: Law & Ethics of Clinical Use of Artificial Intelligence: Implications in Clinical Practice (3.0 CEs) OR Option 2: Mental Wellness for Clinicians: Overcoming Burnout and Compassion Fatigue (1.5 CEs) and Let’s Talk Teletherapy (1.5 CEs)
Thursday, May 8th, 2025
7:15 AM – 8:15 AM	Registration, Breakfast, Visit Exhibitors, optional Yoga
8:15 AM	Welcome and Opening Remarks
8:30 AM – 11:45 AM	Keynote (3 CEs) with a short break
12:00 PM – 1:15 PM	Lunch and Annual IMHCA Board Meeting
1:15 PM – 2:45 PM	Breakout Session #2 (1.5 CEs)
2:45 PM – 3:15 PM	Break / Visit Exhibitors & Sponsors
3:15 PM – 4:45 PM	Breakout Session #3 (1.5 CEs)
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM	Awards Event
Friday, May 9th, 2025
7:30 AM – 8:30 AM	Registration, Breakfast, Visit Exhibitors, optional Yoga
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM	Legislative Update in the Main Ballroom (.5 CE)
8:30 AM – 8:45 AM	Welcome and Opening Remarks
8:45 AM – 10:15 AM	Breakout Session #4 (1.5 CEs)
10:15 AM – 10:45 AM	Break / Visit Exhibitors & Sponsors
10:45 AM – 12:15 PM	Breakout Session #5 (1.5 CEs)
12:15 PM – 1:15 PM	Lunch
1:15 PM – 2:45 PM	Breakout Session #6 (1.5 CEs)
2:45 PM – 3:15 PM	Break / Visit Exhibitors & Sponsors
3:15 PM – 4:45 PM	Breakout Session #7 (1.5 CEs)

Program

See more detailed descriptions, objectives, session times here.

Awards

IMHCA recognizes the service, dedication, and excellent work of LMHC’s and mental health advocates across the state of Iowa with annual awards. The awards will be given at the IMHCA Conference 2025 Conference Information on Thursday May 8th, 2025 at a special dedicated event from 5pm – 7pm at the West Des Moines Sheraton Hotel. All are welcome to attend! Come celebrate the nominees.

Ammenities at the Conference!

Sarah White will once again be leading morning yoga. We will have some extra yoga mats if you would like to partake. Bring a change of clothes if you would like! There will be ample space to change after.

May 8th 7:15 AM – 8:15 AM

May 9th 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM

Thank you, Sarah White from Balanced Mind and Body Counseling and Yoga.

This year we will have two spaces for our bonus content. Britney Brown is back with her snarky stationary and creative gifts. Shop with her in her pop-up store.

Join Abundant Health Massage and Body for brief massages (tips accepted) and Life Distilled to learn about and purchase essential oils and apothecary essential in our Zen Den and second bonus space. There will be great vibes and good deals in this room. Thank you to our three businesses for this amazing bonus content at the conference.

Lodging and Accommodations

The Sheraton West Des Moines Hotel is offering an IMHCA conference room rate for all attendees, sponsors, and exhibitors at $134 +tax for a standard room. Rooms are assigned on a first-come, first served basis. We recommend booking as soon as possible to ensure you are able to get the room rates. Rooms are available, book online here. Rates are for King rooms with sleeper sofas or two queen rooms. Parking is included. Room rates end April 16, 2025.

Sponsor and Exhibitor Opportunities

Read the full prospectus here for a detailed explanation of our conference and various package details.

2025 Conference Prospectus

Already know what you are looking for? Click the buttons below.

Want to SPONSOR?

> All 2025 IMHCA Conference Sponsors…

are recognized on the IMHCA Conference Web site, social media, and during the virtual event. Read more by clicking the button above.

Want to EXHIBIT?

> As an exhibitor you will…

be provided with a table in our Exhibitor space with great traffic flow and incentivized interaction with attendees. Your rate will also cover breakfast, lunch, snacks, and beverages for up to two people per day. Read more by clicking above.

Thank you to our lunch sponsor:

CE Hours: IMHCA issues certificates of attendance, publishes objectives of the courses, and uses experts in the field. These standards make it possible for licensed mental health professionals in Iowa to receive CEs based on state licensure standards (LMHC, LMFT, and LISW). See our “conference program full descriptions” for additional session information. IMHCA has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 2060. IMHCA is solely responsible for all aspects of the program. This Conference has up to 15.5 CE hours if all sessions are attended.

Iowa Mental Health Counselors Association (IMHCA) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 2060. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC are clearly identified. IMHCA is solely responsible for all aspects of the program.

Policies

COMPLAINT POLICY: All members and consumers are encouraged to communicate concerns with the annual conference as they arise with committee members. All conference attendees will be provided the opportunity for feedback at the conference with a survey issued to all participants. All complaints regarding the Iowa Mental Health Counselors Association Annual Conference should be emailed to Rebecca Spiess (our conference chair) at imhcaconference@gmail.com. Please include your name, contact information (email address and phone number), and the details of your complaint. Please allow two business days for a response.

REFUND POLICY: Refunds are limited to conference fees paid only. Refunds do not include any travel, lodging, transportation, or other fees paid independently of conference registration. On-site conference registration fees and no-shows are non-refundable. To qualify for a full refund of registration fees paid less a $50 administrative fee, a written cancellation must be received by the IMHCA Executive Director no later than 11:59 PM CST on April 23, 2025. Absolutely NO refunds will be given after April 23, 2025. Cancellation and refund requests should be sent via email to imhcaexecutivedirector@gmail.com. (When you contact imhcaexecutivedirector@gmail.com, please forward your transaction or receipt from PayPal to speed up the process and ensure accuracy.)

SUBSTITUTIONS: Registrations may be transferred to another conference participant for a fee of $35. Substitution requests must be submitted in writing to imhcaexecutivedirector@gmail.com. The request must be submitted by the original registrant and include the name and contact information (including email address) of the substitute. The deadline for submitting substitutions is April 30, 2025, by 11:59 PM CST. The substitute must qualify for the same rates as the original registration (for example a general attendee cannot be a substitute for a student).