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Friday, April 10 to Sunday, April 12, 2026

Marriott Albany Hotel
Albany, NY

Now Accepting Workshop & Poster Presentation Proposals

The NYMHCA Institute is excited to announce the call for workshop proposals for our 2026 Convention. "Charting the Course: Envisioning the Future of Mental Health Services" will provide opportunities for professionals to enhance their knowledge and skills in working in the mental health, social work, substance use disorder and addictions treatment and prevention, and related fields. This three-day event includes multiple breakout sessions, pre-convention courses, and opportunities for networking.

Breakout Workshops

1 hour educational workshops providing an opportunity for attendees to learn from an expert in an area related to mental health, social work, substance abuse, and other related topics.

Presenters are encouraged to share their expertise and knowledge in areas that include, but are not be limited to, clinical interventions and evidence-based practice; cross-disciplinary offerings from medicine, law, administration, education, behavioral and social sciences related to mental health counseling and social work practice; substance use disorder and addictions treatment and prevention; or patient communications, recordkeeping, and matters relating to law and/or ethics, which contribute to professional practice in mental health counseling, social work, substance use disorder and addictions treatment and prevention, and the health, safety, and/or welfare of the public. Breakout workshops must include at least two learning objectives.

Pre-Convention Workshops

3 or 6 hour intensive workshops that focus on a specific area of learning. Courses should allow for attendee participation.

Pre-convention courses are designed for an interactive experience for attendees to learn about a topic in a more in-depth manner than a breakout workshop. Presenters are encouraged to incorporate opportunities for group work, role/real play, real-time feedback, and other training modalities. Topics should be similar to those for breakout workshops and must have at least four learning objectives for a 3-hour workshop and 7 learning objectives for a 6-hour workshop. Facilitators of selected Pre-Conventoin Workshops will be paid for their time.

Poster Presentations

The NYMHCA Institute's Convention offers an opportunity for students to present research and other works to the Convention attendees.

Student attendees are invited to submit proposals for poster presentations for their recent work with their academic program or other institutional works. Poster presentations will be displayed during a designated time during the Convention. Students are invited to ask their academic advisors, professors, or other faculty who supported them during their work to present with them. It is recommended that a three-minute "pitch" is prepared and accompanies the poster.

Submission Instructions and Requirements

General Guidelines

  • Proposals may only be submitted once. Submitting the same content in multiple formats (e.g., as both a 60-minute session and a 3-hour pre-convnetion workshop) is not allowed.
  • An individual may be listed on no more than two (2) convention sessions, not including invited presentations.

Presenter Responsibilities

  • The lead presenter will serve as the primary contact for all communication with The NYMHCA Institute. This person is responsible for updating co-presenters regarding acceptance status, schedulinion g, and related information. All correspondence will be sent to the email address provided by the lead presenter.
  • Presenters must fall into at least one of the following qualification categories:
    • Category 1: Holds a graduate degree in a mental health discipline from a regionally accredited institution and is qualified to present based on education, training, and/or professional experience.
    • Category 2: Holds a graduate degree in a field directly related to the subject matter from a regionally accredited institution, with sufficient experience, training, and/or expertise to present on the topic.
    • Category 3: Has substantial relevant education, professional background, and/or training to present effectively on the proposed subject.
  • Presenters are responsible for their own costs (Convention registration fees, travel, lodging, meals, transportation, etc.).
  • Sessions must be offered without an additional fee. Charging attendees directly is prohibited.
  • Presentations must be educational and not promotional. Selling or advertising products or services during a session is not permitted. Exhibitor space may be purchased separately for marketing purposes.
  • Presenters are expected to attend and deliver their session in person at the 2026 Convention. Sessions may be scheduled at any time during the program.
  • All presenters must complete convention registration by March 6, 2026. Presenters will receive the Early Bird registration discount through the registration deadline.
    • Any presenter not registered by this date will be removed from the schedule. Presenter changes must also be reported by this date; changes submitted afterward may not appear in published materials.
  • Presentation content must be original or used with documented permission from the copyright holder. This includes, but is not limited to, images, video, audio, and social media content. By submitting, presenters grant The NYMHCA Institute permission to use these materials for professional development purposes.
  • Presenters confirm that all materials, data, and references included in their session are accurate and consistent with their profession’s current Code of Ethics.
  • Recording of live sessions is prohibited without prior written approval from The NYMHCA Institute.
    Note: The NYMHCA Institute reserves the right to edit titles, descriptions, and promotional content for accuracy, clarity, and style.

Disqualification Criteria

  • The same proposal is submitted more than once under different session formats.
  • Presenter names or identifying information are included in areas of the proposal other than designated contact sections, as the review process is conducted blind.

Session Proposal Guidance and FAQs

Tips

  • Aim for advanced content. The NYMHCA Institute gives priority to sessions that go beyond introductory material and provide participants with deeper, practice-ready knowledge or advanced skill development.
  • Plan for active participation. Strong proposals clearly outline how attendees will be engaged during the session and what practical tools, strategies, or insights they will gain.
  • Write a clear and engaging description. Session descriptions are often the deciding factor for attendees when selecting sessions, so ensure yours is concise, compelling, and easy to understand.
  • Be focused and precise. Summarize relevant research without lengthy reviews. Short, targeted references are more effective than extensive citations.
  • Prepare your draft carefully. Write your proposal in Word (or similar software), and use grammar and spell check before submitting through the online form.
  • Follow a three-part session framework:
    • Instructional content
    • Audience interaction/participation
    • Processing or application of the material learned
  • Keep a personal copy. Always save a complete version of your proposal for your own records before submission.

Headshot Guidelines

Photo Quality & Recency

  • Provide a recent, full-color photograph taken within the past six months.
  • Do not use filters or editing effects typically found on social media platforms.
  • Choose a clear, front-facing shot with a simple, uncluttered background.
  • Whenever possible, have someone else take the picture to ensure proper framing and sharpness.

Resolution & Dimensions

  • Images must be high-resolution and free of blurriness, grain, or pixelation.
  • Recommended dimensions: 3 x 4 inches.

Pose & Expression

  • Present a natural, professional smile with both eyes open.
  • Look directly at the camera with your full face visible.

Frequently Asked Quesitons

  1. How often will my session be scheduled?
    Each accepted proposal will be assigned a single presentation time during the convention. Sessions are not repeated.
  2. What is the review process for proposals?
    All submissions go through a blind peer-review process conducted by a committee of professionals. Proposals are evaluated using standardized review criteria to ensure fairness and consistency.

Please reference our Scoring Rubric while developing your workshop proposal. This rubric will be used by our reviewers to evaluate and determine the appropirateness of a workshop propsoal for the 2026 Convention. For more support, refer to our Proposal Resource Guide