Best Memories from ACEP Conferences: The Conference Can Change Your Life
As we prepare for the 2022 conference, ACEP members reflect on conferences past and how the conference has changed their lives. We hope these reflections will inspire you – and that the 2022 conference will provide an opportunity for you to create cherished memories of your own!
A Cherished Memory: It is Who You Meet (By Chance?)
I was attending my first conference with ACEP in June 2010 in San Diego, California. Dr. B. Raven Lee was leading a learning lab in a crowded room on "Transforming Suffering through Tibetan Practice with Breath, Movement and Sound". When the group began chanting, I felt my spine wake up, as a profound experience of love filled me. I started crying. The source came from behind me. I turned around and found the person behind me had been directing her voice towards me, and apologized due to the lack of space. Lucky me! It was the supremely talented and beloved sound healer Meg Deak, MCAT, LPC. We became fast friends, having shared this intimate experience. Sadly, Meg is no longer in the physical realm, but I feel her love and guidance nearby like a dear sister.
Lori Hops, ACEP President, CA
Introducing a Great Speaker: Over the top!
Introducing a former professor of mine at a 2014 conference mini keynote was the highlight of my time on the ACEP Board of Directors. Several years earlier, when I was a student in her class, Wendy Ann McCarty, PhD, an ardent supporter of ACEP, reintroduced me to EFT. This led directly to my joining ACEP. She is the former department head of Pre- and Perinatal Psychology (PPN), which is one of my specialties. Her talk on the complementary therapies of EFT and PPN for newborn trauma was spellbinding. The joy and exhilaration of presenting this remarkable educator to the audience was "over-the-top!”
Wade Cockburn, ACEP Development Committee Chair, TX
Remote Conference, Increased Connection
I had the pleasure of co-hosting the social and networking nights with Pam Altaffer during our virtual conference in 2021. I still smile when I think of how all of us connected by sharing parts of our identity. Participants shared jewelry, artwork, cherished items and possessions that represented their individual and cultural selves. Despite the physical distance caused by our remote format, we didn't feel distant from one another, as we all leaned in and shared vulnerable parts of ourselves. And we even got a few home tours along the way, something that we wouldn't have been able to share at an in-person conference.
Shawn Blue, ACEP DEI Committee Chair, PA
First Conference, Introductory Track: First Step to Becoming a Pro!
I think my favorite conference memory comes from my first conference in 2012. I went to find out more about energy psychology and EFT, specifically. At the time, I had very little knowledge about either. I admit that I was a bit skeptical when I observed a woman using a pendulum to decide which breakout session to attend. However, I decided to attend the Introductory track and am glad I did. I was impressed with the knowledge and competence of each of the presenters. It was enough to spur me on to enroll in an upcoming EFT training and I haven’t looked back.
George Limberakis, ACEP EFT Certification Committee Chair, UT
Inspiring Speaker
2021 conference: I really love HeartMath as a tool for client growth and it can help those who struggle with meditation. Being able to hear from Rollin McCraty himself the next directions in growth and research with their brilliant team of scientists is so exciting and inspiring. Seeing evidence of our connection to each other and to the earth and how our fields are in a rhythm should help many see that there is something to work we do in energy psychology. Love this work!
Kerri Husman, ACEP Board Secretary, IA
Connected, Even When Alone
During the conferences I enjoy the feeling of inclusion. Even when I attend the virtual conferences alone, I don't feel alone. There is a sense of community, just a feeling of belonging! With ACEP I feel as if I have found people who I can connect with and who understand me.
Linda Wolfe, ACEP Membership Committee Chair, NV
Familiar, Friendly Faces
I love returning to the conference year after year and seeing friendly faces from all over the world and learning about the interesting work people are up to using energy psychology and related techniques. Some of my closest friends are people I met at ACEP conferences.
Rachel Michaelsen, ACEP Humanitarian Committee Chair, CA
A Powerful Force
Bruce Lipton's keynote gave me inner joy hearing and experiencing how energy runs through all fields and joined together we make a powerful force for future healthcare.
Sarette Zacharia, ACEP Comprehensive Energy Psychology Committee Chair, AZ
My First ACEP Conference - I Found Home
The first time I attended the ACEP conference was when I came to the Comprehensive Energy Psychology training. I had already taken several modalities of training but always felt different from other therapists I knew. When I arrived at the CEP training and the ACEP conference, I finally felt like I fit in. Moreover, I finally learned how to integrate all the information I had learned at those other trainings into a comprehensive practice. All the speakers at the conference felt so genuine and everyone was so welcoming. It felt like I finally belonged. I was home.
Sherry O’Brien, ACEP Education Director, IN
A First, and a Blast!
My first conference was in the early 2000’s, a few years after my second child was born. I was welcomed in so many ways! I remember that I was fortunate to present (Tom Altaffer’s) Releasing with Love technique at a breakout. That evening I celebrated by dancing at the ACEP dinner/dance event. I ended up having so much fun with everyone, especially Greg Nicosia! Later, I heard that he talked to people about me possibly being on the Board and here I am back again but now as President Elect!
Pam Altaffer, ACEP President Elect, AZ
Energy Photos, Blown Mind
Thornton Streeter’ presentation at the 2015 (?) conference had me on the edge of my seat. He is an enthusiastic speaker. But even better, he shared images from a device he created that takes “pictures” of energy. He showed us a leaky energy field that looked like a hose; a scene from a morgue, which was a little sad; and a ghost from a haunted house – Goosebumps! I shared the conference recording with my skeptical teenage sons – their minds were blown, too.
Sarah Murphy, ACEP Communications Committee Chair, PA
What’s in store for 2022?
We have an exciting lineup of keynote speakers, invited presenters, and learning labs scheduled for this year’s conference – ACEP’s 24th! Come join us and earn CE’s while having fun – and maybe even having your mind blown! You can register for the 2022 conference – onsite in New Mexico, or livestreamed – here.
What is your favorite conference memory? We’d love to hear from you – send us your comments below!
