Picture: Hopkins County Schools/Facebook
School and mental health counselors from across the region recently gathered for the annual Spring Retreat, hosted by the West Kentucky Counseling Association. Held at 4-H Camp in Dawson Springs and Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, the two-day event gave counselors a chance to learn, connect, and recharge.
Association President Dr. Beth Fleming, a mental health counselor at Madisonville North Hopkins, coordinated the retreat, focusing on strengthening counseling practices and supporting counselor wellness. She presented a session on maintaining professional identity and preventing burnout in such a vital field.
Other highlights included practical workshops from area counselors. Grapevine Elementary Mental Health Counselor Kaitlyn Marks, who shared advice on implementing trauma-sensitive care, and West Broadway Elementary Mental Health Counselor Dr. Amanda Evans offered evidence-based strategies for building resilience—both for students and for counselors themselves.
Reflecting on the retreat, Dr. Fleming emphasized how caring for counselors helps the entire school community thrive. School officials said attendees left the event with new strategies, a sense of renewal, and a deeper commitment to helping students succeed.
