The NBCC Foundation hosted the 2026 Bridging the Gap Symposium: Eliminating Mental Health Disparities on Jan. 26–27 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

This year’s Symposium focused on workforce development, leadership, and community building.

Despite the travel challenges presented by last month’s winter storm, hundreds of Counselors and Counselors-in-training came together to participate in a range of workshops and discussion groups, with more than 100 presenters offering 50+ sessions. Presenters delivered action-oriented items for attendees to implement in their daily practice. 

“Even though we faced weather and travel challenges, the energy was palpable, the connections made were meaningful, and the presentations given were both productive and exciting, as always at Symposium,” says Isabel Gomez, NBCCF’s Vice President of Foundation and Professional Services.

Keynote presenters were Shanita Brown, PhD, NCC, LCMHC-S, who presented BRAVE Enough to Be Seen: A Trauma-Informed Leadership Model for the Counseling Profession, and Keith Dempsey, PhD, LPC, who presented Authenticity in Action.

Participants also had the opportunity to attend a second conference, as the 2026 Law & Ethics in Counseling Conference was taking place at a neighboring hotel. NBCC is a proud sponsor of this professional conference, which brings together Counselor Educators, Counseling graduate students, and Counseling practitioners to review the latest trends and developments in the areas of law and ethics in Counseling.

“The second line parade, a New Orleans tradition, between our two hotels was a particular highlight of this year’s symposium,” says Gomez. “Attendees left feeling fulfilled and excited, with renewed confidence in just how important their work is to the Counseling profession.”