KaRae' NMK Powers-Carey, PhD, BSN, RN, LCMHCS, LLP, LCAS, NCC, ACS, BC-TMH, was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and relocated to Cary, North Carolina, in 2007 where she continues to reside. Carey has been a practicing mental health clinician for many years. She earned her doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision with an emphasis in Child and Adolescent Mental Health and School Guidance Counseling from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan.

Carey practices her passion for facilitating holistic care in her multidisciplinary career as a clinical mental health counselor, professor, and RN. She has earned several college degrees including two associate degrees in social science, two bachelor's degrees (Psychology and Nursing), a master's degree (Clinical Psychology), and a Doctoral degree in Counselor Education and Supervision with an emphasis in Child and Adolescent Mental Health and School Guidance Counseling.

Carey is licensed as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor (NC), Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist (NC), Master's Ltd. Psychologist (MI), and Licensed Guidance School Counselor (MI and NC) and Registered Nurse (NC Compact, MI, VT). She also holds certifications as a Board Certified Telemental Health Counselor, Approved Clinical Supervisor, and Nationally Certified Counselor.

LoriAnn Sykes Stretch, PhD, LPC (VA), LCMHC-S (NC), NCC, ACS, BC-TMH, earned a PhD in Counselor Education from NC State University and an MS in Community and College Counseling from Longwood University. Stretch is an LCMHC-Supervisor (NC), Licensed Professional Counselor (VA), National Certified Counselor, Approved Clinical Supervisor, and Board Certified Telemental Health Provider. In addition, she is the President and conference co-chair for the Association for Creativity in Counseling and a member of AMCD's International Concerns Group. She has also served as Co-Chair for Counselor for Social Justice's Social Justice Advocacy Curriculum Taskforce and on the conference planning committee for the Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities (SAIGE). Previously, she has volunteered at the American Counseling Association (ACA) conference, served on the ACA Ethics Appeal Panel, presented at numerous ACA conferences, taught several invited preconference learning institutes, and served on the Cyber Taskforce.