The two-day event was a delightful mix of mingling, networking and insight featuring some of the most prominent figures in the field.
We had a blast meeting therapists from all over the country at various stages in their clinical careers. The Session Sites booth was a BIG hit—which may or may not have been in part due to our free squishy coffee cup stress balls. The variety of mini KIND bars didn’t hurt either…
Regardless of what drew people to our table, we were over the moon to interact with so many ambitious individuals dedicated to improving their craft and growing their businesses.
In case you couldn’t make it to this year’s MH Conference, there’s no need to feel left out. We have the full scoop!
What is the MH Conference?
Held annually in South Carolina since 2012, the Lowcountry MH Conference is a world-class event for mental health professionals from all corners of the mental health industry. With both in-person and virtual attendance options, it is widely regarded as one of the best professional development experiences in the business.
Attendee badges range from $200-400 per person, depending on when you register and which sessions you’d like to participate in. Worth every penny!
The MH Conference offers immense value for all mental health professionals and community members who have a passion and interest in the issues clients are coping with. The specialized itinerary and content covered is tailored for:
- Psychiatrists, Psychologists & Other Physicians
- Counselors
- Social Workers
- Nurses
- State Agency Professionals
- Addiction Professionals
- Healthcare Leaders
Let’s face it—private practice can be a lonely endeavor. Events like MH Conference provide an opportunity to socialize with peers and make lasting connections throughout the industry.
Meet the Organizers
MH Conference was founded by two non-profits, Mental Health HEROES and the Charleston Dorchester Mental Health Center over a decade ago. Together, they grew this training & professional development event from 180 attendees to what it is today.
The mission of Mental Health HEROES is to enhance and assist the efforts of the Charleston Dorchester Mental Health Center in helping patients recover from mental illness. We achieve this by providing support and funding for patients’ urgent needs, enabling them to concentrate on their recovery.
With two clinics and over 200 professionals, the Charleston Dorchester Mental Health Center (CDMHC) is a leading mental health treatment center in South Carolina, committed to serving Charleston and Dorchester Counties. Established in 1947, CDMHC offers essential services through a passionate team, ensuring care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay.
Proceeds earned from the MH Conference go to MHH’s mission of offering support and crisis care for adults, children, and families suffering from mental illness.
A Perfect Setting
You couldn’t ask for a more ideal backdrop for the MH Conference than beautiful Charleston. It’s an historic city with a flare for southern hospitality. The world-class local cuisine, storefronts and attraction are only outshined by the gorgeous weather.
Tucked away in the epicenter of Downtown Charleston is the Gaillard Center, a renowned venue for year-round music, dance, comedy, theater and (of course) industry events. Aside from a stunning and theatrical setting for two days of captivating sessions, Gaillard offered plenty of parking with walking proximity to some of the area’s best shopping, dining and hotels.
Conference Schedule
Before the event officially kicked-off on Thursday, the MH Conference hosted a handful of bonus sessions the prior evening. These intimate, limited-seating workshops covered a wide range of topics from substance abuse to ethics and social media—each promising enlightening perspectives and actionable takeaways for attendees to implement into their own practices.
The following two days of the MH Conference started with a light breakfast and networking. Attendees enjoyed a few morning sessions led by a diverse lineup of accomplished names in psychotherapy.
Mid-day breaks allowed people to get some fresh air and explore the plethora of dining options in this Downtown Charleston neighborhood. Those feeling particularly dialed-in to maximizing every minute of the MH Conference could also take advantage of various Lunch Sessions (talks, Q&A’s) each afternoon.
The final stretch of Thursday and Friday were bookended with more sessions, talks, workshops and even performances. It’s safe to say there was something for everybody at this event. Luckily for us, people still found time in this jam-packed schedule to stroll through the 80+ vendor booths in the exhibit hall.
Notable Speakers
This year’s MH Conference featured 19 speakers & performers in total, distributed across all disciplines and specialties. The stage in the main hall was a veritable carousel of talented thought leaders in the mental health space. Some standout names, to name a few:
- Ethan Kross, Ph.D.
Award-winning professor, psychologist & author - Chenxing Han
Buddhist leader, author & visiting fellow at University of Michigan - Carrie Wilkens, Ph.D.
Co-Founder of the Center for Motivation & Change, psychologist & author - James Hollis, Ph.D
Leading Jungian analyst & author - Chase Bryant
Award-winning American singer & songwriter - Dr. Debbie Joffe Ellis
Psychologist, author, & professor at Columbia University - Barbara Melton LPCS, LACS, NCC/MAC, CS
Leading therapist, educator, local legend - Jessica L. Schleider, Ph.D.
Founding Director of the Lab for Scalable Mental Health & professor at Northwestern University
Sponsors & Exhibitors
An event of this scale would not be possible without the support of corporate sponsors. Palmetto Lowcountry Behavioral Health has been their main supporter since the MH Conference’s inception.
Other amazing sponsors included Acadia Healthcare, Dottie’s Pharmacy, HopeWay, Live Oak Mental Health and Wellness, Genoa Healthcare, Humana Healthy Horizons™, Modern Minds and the list goes on.
Maybe we’re biased but the exhibit hall at Gaillard Center was the place to be during the Lowcountry MH Conference this year. So many awesome brands, startups and service-providers came together to provide tools & resources for therapists to help their clients better.
All under one roof, you could meet representatives from companies like Grand Canyon University, PAR Healthcare, MUSC Psychiatry, Alkermes, Pharmerica, Bristol Healthcare, Charleston Southern University and (you guessed it) Session Sites.
Walking the exhibit hall at MH Conference is about more than collecting free swag and candy. It’s about exclusive facetime with entities that work in your world. Therapy is a community and this is where connections are made.
Continuing Education
In-person and virtual attendees of the MH Conference can walk with more than inspired motivation. Many of the event’s sessions are approved by various licensing boards and accrediting bodies for earning contact hours.
LPC’s, LMSW’s, LMFT’s, PhD’s, MD’s, nurses and more can earn up to 15.25 professional hours just for attending. If you were looking for one last little nudge to participate next year, there you go!
Next Year’s Event
It’s never too early to start thinking about the next Lowcountry MH Conference. The 2025 event will be held in Charleston from July 30 – August 1 (so mark your calendar). As always, the organizers will be working diligently over the coming months to curate a program that educates, entertains and benefits the professionals who attend.
Subscribe to the MH Conference email list to stay informed about details, registration and more.
Of course Session Sites will be there again to demonstrate how a thoughtfully-designed website can elevate your private practice online. Be sure to stop by our booth and say hello!
Can’t wait? Schedule a tour with us today!