Welcome to the Futures Conference

Group of five diverse students in graduation caps and gowns taking a selfie outdoors on a sunny day.

What is the IAMFT Futures Conference?

The Illinois Affiliation of Marriage and Family Therapists is hosting a one-day conference dedicated to celebrating and empowering our students and early career professionals as they embark on their respective journeys in Marriage and Family Therapy. We aim to provide a supportive and enriching program where our emerging talent can connect with our more long-standing members, gain valuable insights, and answer many questions to build a strong foundation for their future careers. Through a series of engaging sessions and networking opportunities, we strive to inspire the next generation of MFTs with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to succeed. Our organization is committed to fostering a community that values growth, innovation, and collaboration.

Register Now!

Futures Conference

January 30, 2026

9:00am- 5:00pm

17 N Dearborn St Chicago, IL 60602, USA

Workshop Topics

  • Let's Tackle Licensure

  • What The FAQ about Post-Degree Supervision

  • Crafting Your Career Journey as a Marriage and Family Therapist

  • Putting Your Best Foot Forward: Interviewing with a Private Practice

  • Private Practice Realities: Challenges, Proper Expectations and Finding Your Path

Networking Opportunities

  • Networking Lunch (lunch not provided)

  • Ask the Professionals - Q&A Panel

Please Note: You have the option to donate to Zeffy when you check out. This is not mandatory and you can either select a percentage or write in an amount (amount can be $0). Zeffy is a 100% free fee platform for non-profit organizations which means they do not charge a processing/transaction fee to the organization so your entire purchase goes to IAMFT. You can click here to learn more.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact the Conference Committee Manager illinoismft.conference@gmail.com prior to making a purchase. 

Schedule

9:00am - 9:30am

Registration/Check-In

9:30am - 10:20am

Let's Tackle Licensure

Dr. Karen Caffee

10:20am - 10:30am

Break

10:30am - 11:20am

What The FAQ about Post-Degree Supervision

Laura Tejada, PhD, LMFT, LCPC, AAMFT Approved Supervisor &

Jesse Waltz, LMFT, AAMFT Approved Supervisor

11:20am -11:30am

Break

11:30am - 12:20pm

Crafting Your Career Journey as a Marriage and Family Therapist

Stephanie Davingman

12:20pm - 2:20pm

Lunch (Provide Your Own)/Networking

2:20pm - 3:10pm

Putting your Best Foot Forward: Interviewing with a Private Practice

Kate Fish, LMFT, PMH-C

3:10pm - 3:20pm

Break

3:20pm - 4:10pm

Private Practice Realities: Challenges, Proper Expectations and Finding Your Path

Irene Schreiner, LMFT

4:10pm - 4:20pm

Break

4:20pm - 5:00pm

Panel Q&A - ask the Professionals

  • A cityscape at dusk with tall skyscrapers illuminated, a river running through the city with a boat on the water, and a bridge crossing over the river.

Why Should I Present at an IAMFT Conference?

1. Establish Expertise and Credibility

  • Presenting at our conference demonstrates your knowledge and skills in a particular area, helping to establish you as an expert in the field. It can enhance your credibility and visibility among peers, clients, and employers.

2. Networking Opportunities

  • Conferences attract professionals from various sectors of counseling and mental health, providing opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals. Presenting can spark conversations and lead to collaborations, mentorships, or job opportunities.

3. Contribute to the Field

  • Sharing your insights, research, or case studies helps advance the profession. You contribute to the collective knowledge and can inspire new approaches or innovations in counseling practices.

4. Professional Development

  • Preparing for a presentation deepens your own understanding of the topic. You'll refine your expertise, stay current on research, and develop new ideas while also receiving feedback from peers that can help improve your practice.

5. Boost Career Opportunities

  • Being recognized as a speaker at a professional event can enhance your resume, making you stand out for promotions, higher education roles, or leadership positions. It signals to employers or clients that you are engaged and passionate about your profession.

6. Sharpen Communication Skills

  • Presenting at a conference requires clarity, organization, and engagement. It challenges you to convey complex ideas in a way that is accessible to diverse audiences, improving your public speaking and teaching abilities.

7. Gain New Perspectives

  • Conference discussions often spark insightful questions and differing perspectives. Presenting provides an opportunity to get constructive feedback, which can broaden your understanding and lead to further growth in your area of expertise.

8. Stay on the Cutting Edge

  • As a presenter, you must stay up-to-date with the latest research, trends, and developments in your field. This can help you continuously evolve your practice and maintain a competitive edge in the industry.

9. Increase Influence in Our Community

  • Presenting allows you to shape conversations within the our profession. You can advocate for causes or topics you are passionate about, such as trauma recovery or innovative therapeutic approaches, influencing others to consider new ways of thinking or practicing.

10. Personal Fulfillment and Confidence Building

  • Successfully presenting at a conference can be incredibly fulfilling. It boosts your confidence, helps you grow professionally, and reinforces your commitment to making a meaningful impact in the counseling field.

The only way out is spiritual, intellectual, and emotional revolution in which, finally, we learn to experience first hand the interloping connections between person and person, organism and organism, action and consequence.

- Gregory Bateson