Touchstone Foundation’s 3rd Annual Symposium Builds Pathways into Lancaster County’s Mental Health Workforce and FREE CEU Sessions
Peer-to-peer event connects students, emerging professionals and experienced clinicians through career exploration, mentorship, networking and professional development
Symposium at a Glance
Friday, October 16, 2026 | 9:00 AM–3:00 PM | IU13, Lancaster
One day. Multiple opportunities to explore, connect and advance your mental health career.
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3 FREE CEU Sessions — Youth Suicide Prevention; Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; and Ethics in Clinical Supervision
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Career Fair — Meet local organizations offering employment, internships, programs and career resources
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 10/05/2026
Contact: Casey Flores, Communications & Development Manager
Office: (717) 397-8722
Email: cflores@touchstonefound.org
Web: https://touchstonefound.org
Cell: (720) 560-7267
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Touchstone Foundation’s 3rd Annual Symposium Builds Pathways into Lancaster County’s Mental Health Workforce and FREE CEU Sessions
Peer-to-peer event connects students, emerging professionals and experienced clinicians through career exploration, mentorship, networking and professional development
Lancaster, PA — October 5, 2026, A career in mental health can begin with a simple question: Could this be a path for me? But moving from curiosity to a career requires opportunities to explore the field, understand education and licensure requirements, build professional relationships, and find mentors along the way.
On Friday, October 16, 2026, the Touchstone Foundation will bring those opportunities together at its 3rd Annual Touchstone Foundation Symposium, held at IU13 in Lancaster from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Our interactive, peer-to-peer event brings together high school students, undergraduate and graduate students, early-career professionals, licensed clinicians and seasoned mental health professionals to learn from one another and build connections across Lancaster County’s mental health community.
A central part of the day is the Career Fair, where attendees can meet local mental health and community organizations, explore internships and employment opportunities, discover career resources, and begin building their professional networks.
Registration is now open for attendees, and a limited number of Career Fair tables are still available for organizations interested in connecting with Lancaster County’s emerging mental health workforce.
The Symposium advances two goals of Touchstone Foundation’s talent pipeline work: helping people explore and progress through mental health career pathways and creating stronger mentorship opportunities for young people and early-career professionals.
Three CEU Opportunities. One Day. No Cost.
For graduate students, early-career professionals and licensed mental health professionals, this year’s Symposium offers a unique opportunity to access three FREE continuing education sessions in one place.
Attendees can deepen their professional knowledge through sessions focused on Youth Suicide Prevention, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Ethics in Clinical Supervision — while also connecting with peers, mentors, employers and community organizations throughout the day.
Bringing continuing education, career development and networking together in one event makes the Symposium an especially valuable opportunity for those building or advancing a career in mental health.
For anyone on the path toward a mental health career, this is an opportunity to learn, connect, and grow — at no cost.
Creating Connections at Every Stage
The Symposium is designed to meet participants wherever they are on their journey.
High school students can explore careers in psychology, psychiatry, social work, nonprofit service, advocacy, and related fields. Undergraduate and graduate students can learn about internships, clinical experience, supervision and licensure pathways, including LSW, LCSW, LAPC, LPC, and LMFT. Early-career and licensed professionals can continue building their skills and professional networks while connecting with the next generation entering the field.
Throughout the day, participants will meet local professionals and agencies, explore internship and employment opportunities, and make connections that can continue beyond the event.
Mentorship is a central part of that experience.
Touchstone Foundation is expanding opportunities to connect young people and emerging professionals with mentors who can offer insight, encouragement and practical guidance as they navigate education, career decisions and professional development.
The result is an event where participants are not simply hearing about careers — they are meeting the people who can help make those careers feel accessible.
From “Find Your Pathway” to “Know Your Why”
The day begins with an opening session from 9:00–9:30 a.m., followed by “Find Your Pathway” from 9:45–10:30 a.m. Participants will separate into four tracks tailored to high school students, undergraduates, graduate students and new professionals, and licensed professionals.
From 10:45–11:45 a.m., graduate students, new professionals and licensed professionals can attend a continuing education session on Youth Suicide Prevention, presented by Amanda Katchur, PsyD, MPH. High school and undergraduate participants will attend “Build Your Network & Find a Mentor,” focused on developing professional relationships and understanding how mentorship can support their next steps.
A Lunch, Career Fair & Networking session from 11:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m. will connect attendees with local agencies and resource providers offering information about internships, employment, programs and other opportunities.
Beginning at 12:50 p.m., Lakeesha Bair-Myers will lead a continuing education session on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for graduate students, new professionals and licensed professionals. High school and undergraduate participants will simultaneously participate in “Know Your Why,” exploring the experiences, interests and values shaping their career goals.
High school participants will conclude their day at 1:30 p.m. to accommodate school transportation.
The Symposium concludes from 2:00–3:00 p.m. with Valerie Minnich presenting Ethics in Clinical Supervision.
Eligible attendees will also have opportunities to earn free continuing education credits, expanding the Symposium’s professional development opportunities for those already working in the field.
One Community, Many Points Along the Journey
What makes the Symposium distinct is the range of people it brings into the same space.
A high school student considering psychology may sit alongside an undergraduate looking for an internship. A graduate student navigating supervision can connect with a licensed clinician who has already completed that process. An experienced professional can become a mentor to someone just beginning to imagine their place in the field.
Those interactions are at the heart of the Symposium.
By creating opportunities for people at different stages to explore, connect, learn and mentor one another, Touchstone Foundation aims to make the journey into a mental health career more visible and connected — while strengthening the community of professionals supporting Lancaster County’s youth.
Event Details
3rd Annual Touchstone Foundation Symposium
Friday, October 16, 2026
9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
IU13 | Lancaster, Pennsylvania
The Symposium is designed for high school students, undergraduate students, graduate students, early-career mental health professionals and licensed professionals interested in career exploration, mentorship, networking and professional development.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Casey Flores
Communications & Development Manager
Touchstone Foundation
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Touchstone Foundation is a nonprofit organization that has focused on elevating the mental well-being of youth and children in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania for 25 years. Visit our website for more information: https://touchstonefound.org.
