🎭 Get ready to grow, groove, and gather — mark your calendar for the 2026 AHC Annual Conference!🎺

REGISTER HERE FOR THE CONFERENCE

The Association for Humanistic Counseling (AHC) invites you to join us for an unforgettable experience in the heart of New Orleans — where humanism meets harmony, and every connection inspires transformation.

"Cultivating Humanism in a Changing World: Empowering Counselors, Clients, and Communities"

As our world continues to evolve socially, culturally, and technologically, humanistic counseling stands as a compass for healing, growth, and renewal. Come celebrate empathy, authenticity, and connection while reimagining the future of counseling together!

📅 May 29–30, 2026

Emerging Leader Training will be held on Thursday, May 28th, from 1-5 pm EST

🎷 Meet Our Keynote: Dr. Mark Stauffer Takes the Stage🎷

Dr. Mark Stauffer is the Past President of the Association of Humanistic Counseling (AHC, 2018-2019) and received AHC's Humanistic Leadership Award in 2020. He currently is treasurer-elect of the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES). Mark has also served as co-chair of the American Counseling Association (ACA) International Committee and as a member of ACA’s climate change taskforce.  Mark’s first involvement with AHC was offering early-morning mindfulness sessions for C-AHEAD’s Day of Wellness program. He is a lay Dharma teacher in the Soto Zen tradition, in which he heads a youth and family program and leads wilderness and other intensive retreats.

Dr. Stauffer is a core faculty member in the mental health counseling program at Walden University, where he often teaches on crises, trauma, and disaster response. As a clinician, Mark worked in the Portland metro area in Oregon with low-income individuals, couples and families, houseless adults, and youth. He received post graduate trainings in existential-humanistic counseling as well as in ecological spiritual care through the Sati Center. Dr. Stauffer has co-edited several textbooks with David Capuzzi in the counseling field: Group Counseling (2019) Counseling and Psychotherapy: Theories and Interventions (2017, 2021); Career Counseling: Foundations, Perspectives, and Applications (2006, 2012), Foundations of Addictions Counseling (2008, 2012, 2016, 2019, 2025), Foundations of Couples, Marriage and Family Counseling (2015, 2020), Foundations of Group Counseling (2017), and Human Growth and Development Across the Life Span: Applications for Counselors (2016).

Mark lives outside of Portland, Oregon on a farm with his spouse Sonia, and two teen daughters. As part of a holistic balance, he loves learning and playing new sports, especially if they are chaotic.  He has played for Portland’s national team in Irish hurling, Australian rules football, as well as Gaelic football. His main sport has been “Touch” (rugby) and represented the United States in World Cups as a player (2011, Scotland; 2015, Australia) and as a referee (2019, Malaysia; 2024, England). He has embraced the craze in pickleball.

Again, we can’t wait to welcome you to New Orleans—come join us for an unforgettable keynote and an energizing conference experience!

💜🎭🎺⚜️🎷

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🍩 From beignets to breakthroughs—find your rhythm, your people, and your purpose at the 2026 AHC Conference in the heart of New Orleans.🎷

Hotel Website: Luxury Accommodations on Bourbon St. | Bourbon Orleans Hotel

Get ready to experience Southern charm with a spark of French Quarter magic!
Nestled between Jackson Square and Bourbon Street, this historic hotel blends 19th-century elegance with modern flair — perfect for a weekend of inspiration, connection, and celebration.

🏨 Book Your Stay at the Bourbon Orleans Hotel!

Ready to experience the heart of New Orleans? Reserve your room now for the 2026 AHC Conference at the historic Bourbon Orleans Hotel —

where connection meets culture!

✨ Book Your Room Here or call 855-771-5214
Rates available until the block is full or April 27, 2026. The price shown online includes room rate, resort fee, and taxes on the resort fee.

🎭Get a glimpse of where humanism meets hospitality! Explore The Bourbon Orleans Hotel — your soon-to-be home base in the French Quarter. 🎶

🎟️ 2026 Registration Rates – Register now🎟️

Let the Good Times Register!

Conference Registration Options & Rates

In-Person Registration

Category | Early Bird Advance On-Site
Member – Professional $165 $195 $225
Non-Member – Professional $215 $245 $275
Member – Student $85 $100 $120
Non-Member – Student $115 $135 $155

Online Registration

Category Online Early Online Regular
Member – Professional $105 $125
Non-Member – Professional $140 $165
Member – Student $50 $60
Non-Member – Student $70 $85

Join or renew your membership for the best conference rates!