ALCA Chapter I
Serving Colbert, Cullman, Franklin, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Morgan, and Winston Counties
Letter from the President
Dear Fellow Chapter I Members,
As we scurry and shop and deal with the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, we bring to you this quarter’s newsletter to keep us all connected, revisit the fun of the conference, and inform us of upcoming events and activities.
So how great was that conference? First of all, thanks to all who made such a showing of representing Chapter 1 with our shirts and lanyards. It was fun to be able to spot our chapter members easily. And those swag bags quickly became an exclusive fanciness that everyone wanted, so I’m so grateful to have been able to make that happen for y’all. You deserve it!! Thanks to all who came by the table and visited with us. Our creative Executive Council already has ideas for fun things to do next year at our table.
More thanks to all who attended the dinner at Dreamland BBQ during the conference. The room was more beautiful than I could’ve hoped, and it seemed like everyone had just a wonderful time. It was a great way to connect and unwind. Many more thanks to our anonymous sponsors and to Chi Sigma Iota for making it all possible. We are actively working on ensuring more sponsors for next year’s dinner, so please consider attending next year!
We will be holding our Winter Event at UNA to view Inside Out 2 on January 25th. We’ll have a few snacks and bottled waters available (because what’s a movie without snacks??) And we will have a chance to network with other counselors or discuss our favorite parts of the movie. There is no fee…just come and join the fun!
Save the Date for our Spring Workshop on Friday, March 21st. I’m working on making this very cost-effective for us, so keep your fingers crossed for that!!
Most importantly, please consider running for a position for next year’s Executive Council. WE NEED YOU! If you are interested in being a part of the fun, have ideas to share, or just like organizing and planning, please nominate yourself for a position in January. Or if you have a colleague that you think would be a good fit, warm them up to the idea of letting you nominate them. I’m honestly very grateful that I have been able to serve in this position, and I think there’s a position for everyone’s abilities.
Wishing you all a happy and healthy holiday season,
Michelle Bolton, LPC-S
ALCA Chapter I President
January 11: Executive Council Meeting
January 15: 2025-2026 Chapter 1 Officer Nominations Open
January 25: Winter Event: Inside Out 2 Screening
February 1: 2025-2026 Chapter 1 Officer Elections
March 21, 2025: Chapter 1 Spring Workshop
Explore other community programs and exciting events here !
Announcements
2024 ALCA Conference Highlights
The Alabama Counseling Association Conference in Montgomery was a blast!
Don't believe us? Just look!
Chapter 1 Award Winners
Congratulations to these members for making big moves in the Counseling profession!
Chapter 1 Outstanding Member Award
Laura Lopez
Selected to honor her hard work in reviving the chapter and the ongoing commitment she has to the counseling profession
Fannie R. Cooley Award for Distinguished Professional Development
Leslie Phillips
To recognize outstanding professional development
Dr. Ervin "Chip" Wood Professional Service Award
Liane Freels
&
Alisha Dreiling
To recognize outstanding service that reflects a significant contribution to the professional concerns of ALCA
Resolution Passed to Honor Dr. Quinn Pearson
Dr. Amy Davis submitted the following resolution, which was passed resoundingly:
Whereas, Dr. Quinn Pearson ended her tenure on May 10, 2024. She was a member of ALCA Chapter 1, ALSAIGE, ALACES, ALADA, ALAAOC, ALAMCD, ALSERVIC, ALCDA, and a past president of ALMHCA and ALASGW, where she served faithfully for many years.
Whereas, Dr. Quinn Pearson attended the University of New Orleans where she received a Master’s Degree and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Counselor Education and she attended the Tulane University where she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science. For the entirety of her career, she was a Licensed Professional Counselor in Louisiana and a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor in Alabama.
Whereas, Dr. Quinn Pearson was employed for 28 years as a counselor educator at the University of North Alabama where she served for 25 years as the faculty advisor for Chi Sigma Iota, 15 years as the CACREP liaison, 9 years as the Coordinator of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program, and 7 years as the department chair, and she participated in the Isbell Scholars program to establish three university scholarships. She received the ALCA Jean H. Cecil Award Distinguished Educator Award in 2005 and 2023.
Whereas, Dr. Quinn Pearson published 27 articles and Her article “Managing Depression During the Menopausal Transition” received the best article of the year award for the ADULTSPAN Journal. She delivered more than 130 presentations at the local, state, regional, and national level, and served as editor of the Journal of Mental Health Counseling.
Therefore, be it resolved that we, the members of Alabama Counseling Association encourage you to enjoy your retirement, get extra cuddles from your cats, share some of your time and talents with us, and remember we are always here for you.
Respectfully submitted, this 20th day of November, two thousand and twenty-four
THANK YOU DR. PEARSON!
ALCA Officers from Chapter 1
Did you know that Chapter 1 Members are part of the ALCA Leadership?
See what our members are doing!
Dr. Chris DaSambiagio-Moore, LPC-S
ALCA Vice President
ALCA 2025-2026 President Elect
Dr. Chris DaSambiagio-Moore, LPC-S, is an Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of North Alabama. Chris has clinical experience in college, career, addictions, and private practice settings. His professional interests include gaming and mental health, the impact of myth and fantasy on identity, the intersection of mental health and career counseling, and collegiate behavioral health. He is currently training in Jungian psychoanalysis and operates a small private practice in Florence, Alabama where he provides counseling from a psychoanalytic and depth psychology perspective. Chris resides in the Shoals with his partner and is a pup-parent to three dogs, including Lia who is currently being trained to serve as a future therapy dog.
Tennille Sullivan, NCC
President, ACDA
Secretary, AAADA
Tennille Sullivan is a Nationally Certified Counselor and serves as the District-wide Counselor and SIS Data Manager for Colbert County Schools. With a passion for a holistic approach to counseling, she is dedicated to supporting students' academic, emotional, and social growth. Tennille currently serves as the President of the Alabama Career Development Association, the Secretary for Alabama Association for Adult Development and Aging, and President of the UNA Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and recently exploring acting—though she prefers working behind the scenes. Tennille lives in Muscle Shoals with her husband and two children. She would like to express her deepest gratitude to her fellow counselors for their unwavering support and encouragement.
Chapter 1 & UNA Dinner
Thank you to the Upsilon Nu Alpha chapter of Chi Sigma Iota
for helping to sponsor the event!
Chapter 1 members showed up and showed out at the Chapter 1 & UNA Dinner!
Thank you to Chapter 1 Executive Council for planning this event and thank you to Dr. Amy Davis and Michelle Bolton for the door prizes.
Thank you to Dreamland BBQ for providing such excellent service and a cozy space.
And, of course....
Thank you all for making our chapter great!