The Mental Health Track
The Mental Health
Track
Track
Chief Clinical Officer, Family First Adolescent Services
Mike found his passion for helping others through his own journey of healing and recovery. He started his career in the mental health field working with adult clients who suffered from complex trauma and PTSD, as well as chemical and process addictions. He has since traveled to India to study and become certified in Yoga and Meditation. Mike is a Florida Certified Addiction Counselor and an Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor through the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC). Mike is also a nationally Certified Trauma Professional and a NeuroAffective Relational Model® (NARM®) Practitioner, having consulted for the NARM Training Institute on the creation of workshop for the application of NARM® & Working with Adolescents.
Mike currently serves as Chief Clinical Officer for Family First Adolescent Services, a premiere residential treatment center in South Florida, where he utilizes his extensive training and experience in the field of trauma, somatic psychology, interpersonal neurobiology, and addiction treatment to inform the creation of individual, group, and family programming for teens and their loved ones at Family First. In addition, Mike is a national speaker, educator, and consultant on the topics of developmental trauma, addiction, and adolescent treatment for individuals and helping programs around the country.
Jerry Schwab is the CEO of High Watch Recovery Center in Kent, CT.
He has over twenty years of experience as an executive with non-profit healthcare organizations.
With Jerry at the helm, High Watch has experienced tremendous growth while remaining true to its mission as the world’s first treatment center founded on the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous. During Jerry’s tenure, High Watch opened its first-ever sober living opportunities, which it offers on four different properties. High Watch’s new detoxification center provides detox care for the first time in the organization’s history. Jerry and the High Watch team also opened “The Hilltop”, which is a partial hospitalization program situated in an ornate villa in the hills of Litchfield County, Connecticut.
“Wilson’s Bakery and Cafe” opened in the summer of 2021 and is dedicated to providing career opportunities for High Watch alumni and others in the program. Also in 2021, High Watch initiated an effort to educate the world about addiction by starting “High Watch Media”, which is focused on developing films and documentaries about recovery.
Outside of his work with High Watch, Jerry is very active in charitable social service organizations. Domestically, Jerry has served as a municipal Ethics Commissioner, as a Board member of the Pomperaug Health District, and as a member of the Connecticut Department of Public Health EMS Advisory Board and the Council on Alcoholism and Addiction.
As the CEO of Haven Wellness, Courtney Leak, LCSW works to transform the narrative around what healing is and when we deserve to receive it. She utilizes her vast knowledge of human development, trauma informed care and systems theory to create a framework that is person-centered, creative and experiential. Courtney has curated interactive and dynamic wellness experiences for individuals, couples, families and groups for over 14 years. She firmly believes that the client is the expert of their story and that if they can view their journey in truth, love and compassion without judgment, they will find their whole selves and the freedom to live a life of purpose and connection.
Courtney doesn’t just preach these beliefs to others, she works consistently to model her values in how she ethically and creatively runs her business, consciously raises her son, and how she intentionally shows up in her community. Whether she is developing new practices for healing with clients, sharing innovative concepts through speaking engagements, or allowing her inner child the freedom to engage in a Hamilton rap battle with her son, her goal is to live and work with authenticity, purpose and joy.
Areas of Expertise:
Sam Bierman is the Executive Director of Maryland Addiction Recovery Center and CEO of Innovo Detox. A graduate of Indiana University with a Bachelors of Science in Business Management, Sam started in the behavioral healthcare field as a Counselor Assistant at Caron Renaissance in Boca Raton, Florida. During his time at the non-profit addiction treatment center, Sam worked in direct client care, managed the medical office, eventually working his way up to Director of Operations and helping to open Caron Ocean Drive. Sam oversees the day-to-day operations of MARC as Executive Director, and the strategic direction for Innovo Detox as CEO. In addition, Sam sits on the Board of Directors for Encore Outpatient Services, a treatment facility in Northern Virginia co-managed by Maryland Addiction Recovery Center and Caron Treatment Centers, local Maryland non-profit organizations The Phoenix Foundation and Shalom Tikvah, serves on the membership committee of NAATP, the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers, and was named a Baltimore Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” Class of 2019 honoring Baltimore’s emerging business leaders.
Jim is a native of Buffalo, NY who has served the recovery community in a professional capacity for almost 20 years. Throughout his career, Jim has sought to remove the stigma of recovery and open the path to treatment for families and individuals. His experience in addiction treatment has touched all phases of the continuum of care, from establishing the first LGBT recovery residence in Minneapolis to leading families through the process of intervention as Chief Operating Officer of Addiction Intervention Resources, to multiple leadership roles at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, before finding his home at the Harmony Foundation in 2015.
As Chief Executive Officer at the Harmony Foundation, Colorado’s oldest residential treatment program, Jim has focused on increasing Harmony’s capacity to meet the unique needs of people who struggle with substance use disorder. Jim is proud of the work done by the Harmony team to modernize and expand services, including a robust Alumni Recovery Support Network and a thriving Intensive Outpatient Program. Jim has guided improvements to the Harmony campus, updating client housing and public spaces, bookstore, adding a mindfully constructed 12 Step trail, a disc golf course, and a labyrinth.
Jim’s passion for community engagement led him to a position on the Estes Park Restorative Justice board, supporting alternate opportunities for people to make amends to their community. Jim is honored to sit on the national boards of Treatment Professionals in Alumni Services (TPAS), a nonprofit group setting the bar for alumni services and the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP). Regionally, Jim is on the board of the Colorado Coalition of Addiction Treatment Providers.
Work at Harmony brought Jim and his family to Colorado, where they have set down roots in Allenspark. Jim and his husband Peter are pleased to be a part of the Estes Valley community and excited to be Coloradans.
Lizzy McGlothlin has worked in the behavioral health field for over 15 years in various administrative and leadership roles. She previously worked with Onsite since 2009, where she has served in admissions, marketing, programming, business development, and entertainment services.
In every area she has served, Lizzy has found success and impact. During her time in business development and entertainment services, she worked to connect professionals and clients alike to the work of Onsite. During her time leading the programming team, she brought efficiency and added structure to Onsite programs. Her efforts increased the number of programs offered, the quality of the experience, and the number of clients served.
Lizzy has a unique ability to balance both the strategic and relational thinking required to grow and sustain a high-performing team. She firmly believes that courage and vulnerability are essential leadership skills needed to meet the challenging demands of today’s organizations. She is passionate about connecting with people and helping them find the right next step in their emotional wellness journey. Lizzy’s recovery journey sparked her passion for helping others and inspired her desire to change and grow as a leader in this particular field.
“The Allure of Self-Destruction: How Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) Can Redefine Addiction Recovery”
Pain and suffering are ubiquitous, and the great secret is that many of us have an inner experience so unpleasant that we act in ways that temporarily please, but ultimately destroy us – body, mind, and spirit. Once an addiction or other disorder manifests, even the strongest motivation to change often results in countless unsuccessful efforts to recover. Understanding the various manifestations of the self-destructive urge, as well as theories describing its causes, is key to helping people move in valued directions in the presence of pain. This presentation will provide a summary of the ACT approach to addiction treatment and the research supporting it. Participants will practice evidence-based ACT techniques designed to build awareness of self-destructive thoughts, develop psychological flexibility, and create new cognitive-behavioral pathways to recovery-oriented living.
Learning objectives:
Annie Peters, PhD, LP, is Director of Research and Education at the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP) and Executive Director of the NAATP Foundation for Recovery Science and Education (FoRSE), leading the national effort to further understand substance use disorders through collaborative quality improvement and research. Dr. Peters is a clinical psychologist with 15 years of experience in substance use and mental health assessment, psychotherapy, education, and leadership.
Ruth Ann Rigby, CRS currently serves as the Chief Development Officer at BRC Healthcare in Austin, TX. She has been a leader in the behavioral health and addiction recovery field for over 24 years with 25 years in Recovery. She represents the very principles that she strives for every day—honesty, integrity, humility, and grace.
Rigby is a prominent figure in the addiction recovery and mental health industry working with some of the leading treatment providers in the nation. Most recently she was recognized by High Watch Recovery Center with the Marty Mann Award presented in the Fall of 2021. She has also been recognized by a Resolution from former Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant in 2020 for her dedication to fighting for those caught in addiction within our communities and nationally. Also in 2020, she was awarded the Fred R. French Award for Excellence presented by C4 Recovery Foundation for her outstanding service in the field of addiction with the emphasis on mentoring and/or educating others. Because of her consistent ethical and professional standards, she was recognized nationally at the 2018 Admissions and Marketing Symposium with the Silver Shoe Award. In 2008, she was appointed by former Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour to serve on the Mississippi Drug Court Advisory Board to offer her first-hand knowledge and insight into strengthening the Drug Court System.
Rigby has served on the board of numerous community organizations, church leadership committees, and behavioral health associations such as the Mississippi Association of Drug Court Professionals, Central Mississippi Chapter of the National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependency, Mississippi Association of Addiction Professionals, American Diabetes Association, National Alliance for Mental Illness (Mississippi Chapter) and National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers.
In her spare time, Ruth Ann serves on the Advisory Board for the Center for Hope and Healing at Broadmoor Baptist Church where she is on-call to work with any family that crosses her path. She is dedicated to fighting for those caught in addiction and ending the cycle of dependency. Her leadership in action has been proven repeatedly by her tireless energy and passion to change and save a person’s life. Ruth Ann, along with her husband LTC (Ret) Joseph Rigby, are cofounders of a 501c3 nonprofit organization called First Responders of Mississippi. They created this organization to help first responders (Individuals, Families and Agencies) in their greatest time of need with assistance, wellness, and hope.
Rigby and her husband Joseph along with their (3) Cocker Spaniels—Graciee, Cailee and Darbee reside in Madison County MS on their farm “Stil-Wurkin Farm”
Barry Jacobson, a former Executive for the Walt Disney Company, is the principal owner of Barry Jacobson Consulting. The firm provides insight and hands-on training to companies in building a culture of excellence, focusing on leadership and management practices, employee engagement, event operations, and customer-centric experiences.
While at Disney, Barry’s leadership roles included Disney Resort Operations, Food and Beverage, Convention Operations, Event Management, and Premium Services. As Director of Event Management, Barry was responsible for planning, organizing, and delivering events directly related to the Disney brand: Disney Corporate Retreats, Board of Director Conferences, Annual Shareholder Meetings, Investor Conferences, marketing press events, and theme park and resort grand openings teams: Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland, Disney’s California Adventure, and the Disney Cruise Line. Barry was selected to lead the Inaugural 2009 D23 Expo, Disney’s first-ever fan exposition held at the Anaheim Convention Center. Most recently, Barry launched the opening of these signature Disney experiences: Golden Oak, a private residential community, Club 33, Disney’s in-park membership clubs, and Disney’s Spa and Salon operations.
Barry’s career has taken him from Disney, the finest name in family entertainment, to the Dallas Cowboys, the greatest name in sports entertainment. As the Cowboys Vice President of Special Events, Barry was responsible for premium services for suites, private clubs, and corporate/stadium wide events, including hosting Superbowl XLV. He was also General Manager with ClubCorp, Director of Convention and Conference Management at Venetian and Palazzo Resort for the Sands Corporation, and Director of Meetings and Education for Meeting Professionals International (MPI).
Marvin Ventrell became the CEO of the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP) in 2015, continuing his 30-year career as a lawyer, association director, teacher, and addiction treatment executive. NAATP, founded in 1978, is professional membership association of addiction treatment providers whose mission is to provide leadership, advocacy, training, and member support services that ensure the availability and highest quality of addiction treatment.
Mr. Ventrell’s career has been devoted to advocating for populations in need and building legal and health care system responses to meet those needs. In addition to serving in executive leadership roles in several national social welfare and justice agencies, he has authored two textbooks on law and social justice, book chapters and professional articles on law, medicine, social services, behavioral health, and addiction treatment and recovery.
Prior to joining NAATP, Marvin served as Program Director at Harmony Foundation, and as a consultant to the CeDAR, both Colorado based addiction treatment centers. He has served as a consultant to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and has received distinctions including an American Bar Association National Advocacy Award, the National Council of Juvenile Court Judges Meritorious Service to the Children of America Award, the University of Colorado School of Medicine Award for Career Contributions, and the Innovator Award from given for impact in the field of recovery through innovation, commitment, and dynamic thinking. Under Mr. Ventrell’s leadership, NAATP has emerged as a powerful voice for addiction treatment under his vision of quality, professionalism, equity, and ethics.
He can be reached at NAATP National headquarters in Denver, CO at www.naatp.org, info@naatp.org, or 888.574.1008.
Greg is the award-winning filmmaker of feature length documentaries, The Anonymous People and Generation Found. In 2015, he executive produced the historic UNITE to Face Addiction Rally on the National Mall when tens of thousands of people including from around the world gathered alongside major musicians to end the silence surrounding addiction. He also produced the launch of the first-ever Surgeon’s General Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health: Facing Addiction in America. His work has been featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, ABC World News, LA Times, and countless other news outlets. He also serves as a member of the United States of Care’s Voices of Real Life advisory group.
Greg is a health policy consultant and communications specialist, providing strategic oversight and direction to numerous initiatives. Most notably, Greg manages the Alliance for Addiction Payment Reform, a national collaboration aimed at improving outcomes for patients, payers, and health systems, and served as a managing editor of the Addiction Recovery Medical Home Alternative Payment Model. Greg has over a decade of experience working with non-profits and government agencies on addiction. As person in long-term recovery from addiction himself, Greg’s work has been dedicated towards creating positive changes in access to quality health care and recovery supports for the over 20 million struggling. Greg received his master’s degree in addiction public policy and media production from New York University.
Jason is Vice President of Communications and Chief Marketing Officer at High Watch Recovery Center. He is a communications strategist with many years of experience in healthcare and advocacy.
Prior to his work at High Watch, Jason was a political operative with years of experience in campaign operations, press, social and digital media, grassroots organizing, and television and direct mail.
He has managed and advised candidates for U.S. Congress, state legislatures, and statewide office. He has also served as an advisor to state party initiatives and has overseen caucus campaign committee efforts.
Jason is a frequent presenter at conferences, seminars, and webinars speaking primarily about public affairs, advocacy, and the ethics of marketing. He is proud of the work that his team does
in maintaining close ties with alumni and in sharing High Watch’s expertise with colleagues both locally and around the world.
Nanette Zumwalt is currently recognized as one of the top interventionists and an industry expert, both nationally and internationally. Nanette began working in the field of mental health and addiction treatment nearly three decades ago as a direct care technician at inpatient acute psychiatric hospitals. With her vibrant and engaging personality, knowledge, experience, and sincere desire to help those in need, it is no surprise that her career has included various management titles throughout top national therapeutic schools and recovery programs.
Early on in her career, Nanette notes that she developed a specific passion for the “willing but not able” individuals struggling in treatment transitions. In 2002, Nanette began the journey of developing, building, and growing Hired Power. Under her care and leadership, Hired Power has taken the pioneering role in clinically supporting adolescents, young adults, and adults during the high risk and critical transition periods of recovery.
Daniel S. Valha is the CEO of KDV Consulting, a boutique consulting firm for the meetings industry.
Dan is the former Senior Vice President of Sales and Operations for the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) and the Veterinary Meeting and Expo (VMX). He led operations, leadership initiatives, and oversaw event operations, sales, customer service, and exhibits teams. VMX is the largest Veterinary conference of its kind and recognized as one of the top 20 medical conferences and expos in the world. In his previous roles, Dan oversaw meetings and events totaling $100+ million in revenue as Senior Vice President of Global Accounts at ConferenceDirect.
Dan served as Walt Disney World Resort’s Managing Sales Director, which included leading National Sales teams for all Disney properties, Disney Cruise Line, and Resorts around the globe, with a specific focus on the group and convention line of business. In addition, Dan directed the Sales and Marketing efforts as Hyatt Hotels Divisional Director of Sales & Marketing for the Northeast region.
Dr. Boff is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, a Certified Athletic Trainer, and a Strength and Conditioning Coach who is not only an expert in his profession but is also extremely passionate about the intersection of health, wellness and function. With over 20 years of professional sports experience as a physical therapist and trainer for the NBA, he has been able to transform bodies and change lives with incredible success. His Los Angeles-based company, MHB (Manage your Health and Body) Fitness, grew from his own philosophy to take ownership of managing one’s health and body. MHB Fitness is a concierge health and wellness service that specializes in providing an elite level of individualized client care in addition to consulting services.
With the belief that optimal physical health can only be achieved in conjunction with optimal mental and spiritual health, Dr. Boff utilizes a comprehensive approach incorporating human movement with lifestyle to create customized programs designed to meet the specific goals of each individual.
Dr. Boff has also served as the Director of Sports Medicine for NBC’s reality weight-loss series “The Biggest Loser.” Dr. Boff graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies from Brandeis University in 1996 and went on to earn an MSPT in 2002 and DPT in 2005 from Simmons College.
Samantha Quinlan works in the Behavioural, Mental and Emotional Health sector and is the founder of the international conference on Addiction -iCAAD. She has extensive knowledge and networks on specialist issues across the world on Addiction and mental health.
Sams reputation in the events industry catapulted when she co-founded the Brighton Fringe Festival in the UK over 25 years ago. Today the month-long city festival attracts over half a million people.
Today Sam is working with The Global Exchange 2022 to deliver a diverse programme of knowledge and skills and is leading a team of experts in developing a programme that honours the four foundation tracks of the conference – Mental Health, Addiction, Wellness and Leadership.
She has devised and delivered programmes for vulnerable adults and young people, adolescents with extreme childhood trauma, workplace leadership and solutions and adults with learning disabilities.
Sam, in her own time and as a volunteer, has helped support 100s of people. She reflects that when she needed help, she was one of a lucky few and could access service without charge or bias, so today she strives to connect those in need to the right help or signpost them to organisations that can help.
Sam likes to build theatre sets in her spare time and would one day love to perform again!
Nikki Soda is a passionate advocate for recovery, experienced marketer, and meeting planner. With over 10 years of nonprofit and corporate meeting planning, she brings an energy and level of professionalism used to create successful outcomes. Prior to working in the healthcare industry, Nikki was an event planner and organized large scale events while working for both corporate and nonprofit organizations. Her background in recovery led her to shifting into the behavioral health field. Previously, Nikki has worked in the capacity of Director of both Business Development and Marketing for nationally recognized treatment facilities, as well as overseeing several Alumni programs while being on the board of the Treatment Professionals and Alumni Services. Advocacy and Public Policy are two passions that Nikki continuously puts effort into, through volunteering and community engagement.
Nikki holds a BA in Communication from the University of Tampa. Her experience working on both the front end and back end of treatment has given her a wealth of knowledge and has contributed to her understanding of systems within the field of substance use.
Gary Seidler has been one of the foremost advocates of the addictions. and mental health field for the past 40-plus years as a book, magazine publisher and professional conference organizer.
Gary began his career as a newspaper reporter, editor, political speech writer, in the Metropolitan Toronto area before joining the Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Research Foundation of Ontario as its Press Officer. For them he created a trade newspaper, The US Journal of Drug and Alcohol Dependence.
In 1976, Gary immigrated once again, to the United States, where he co-founded Health Communications (HCI), a self-help publishing company, and US Journal Training. ( USJT), orchestrating over 250 continuing education conferences throughout the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand for health professionals in the addictions and mental health field.
Gary is the co-author of Chicken Soup for the Recovery Soul, Chicken Soup for the Horse Lovers Soul, Heart Reconnection, and Success Stories from The Heart.
Gary with his life partner, Sheri Laine, an acupuncturist, herbalist, author, and wholeness guide, share Global Synergistic Living (GSL), a consulting group focusing on education, healthy living, loving and communicating.
Gary lives in Santa Monica, CA. He is most proud of his three adult children and three awesome grandchildren.
Robbin Mooney has served in the behavioral health industry since 1998, creating and implementing dynamic marketing solutions, design, and branding strategies for a variety of companies and institutions.
Business development, public relations, and recovery advocacy roles have been her passion, and through these roles she’s found a way to help others find a full and successful life.
Robbin is co-founder and Chief Development Officer of J. Flowers Health Institute, an integrative mental health and medical concierge healthcare center, offering comprehensive health and wellness evaluations and treatment services located in Houston, Texas.
Robbin was recognized in 2021 by the Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce celebrating many of Houston’s leading executive women and men entrepreneurs. Robbin also currently serves on the board of directors for the Humane Society of Southern Coastal Georgia.
Robbin served as the Outreach and Communications Liaison for Crossroads Centre Antigua 4 years which is an internationally recognized addiction treatment program founded by Eric Clapton in 1998 as a holistic, 12- step medical model providing detox and residential services.
Hand-picked by Oprah Winfrey as one of her Super Soul 100 changemakers, Jeff helms Commune Media — offering an assemblage of in-depth wellness courses, podcasts, and other media featuring the field’s foremost experts, including Deepak Chopra, Russell Brand, and Sharon Salzberg. “Our goal is to democratize well-being,” says Jeff. As creator of the global Wanderlust festivals, host of the popular Commune podcast (120,000 monthly downloads), and the author of three books, Jeff presents his audience with knowledge and guideposts to becoming their best selves. Classes, podcasts, and books offer a roadmap to creating a better society through compassion, community-building, and hands-on activism. An expert in mindfulness and a sociopolitical commentator with a degree in political science and American history from Columbia University, Krasno digs to find common ground when people divide along political lines, and offers a path to connection.
Adam McLean
Session Description: Graduate Clinical Mental health programs must urgently reform their curricula due to the increasing demand for trauma therapy and the risk of unprepared students facing vicarious trauma (Kumar et al., 2019). Incorporating active learning (Wickline et al., 2021) and reflective practice (Henning et al., 2021) can better prepare students to manage triggers and secondary trauma, benefiting both students and clients.
Part 1: This clinically based case study session focuses on equipping participants with the necessary foundational knowledge of The Revised Trauma Egg and Resiliency Intervention, within the context of trauma understanding. The Revised Trauma Egg and Resiliency Intervention builds on the seminal work of Marilyn Murray and providing a unique and powerful opportunity to enhance an understanding of self, trauma, resiliency, and a strengths-based perspective. (Compton et al., 2022).
Judy Crane will teach how creative arts therapies assist clients in reconnecting with both implicit (sensory) and explicit (declarative) memories of trauma, offering a less intimidating avenue for both professionals and clients to share their experiences.
Attendees will witness how the ‘Trauma Egg’ accelerates trauma understanding and practical healing, empowering individuals to shift from victimhood to survivorship. Attendees will experience live, how this impactful intervention aids in comprehending how adverse experiences shape beliefs. Trauma, whether of lesser or greater degree of complexity, is an important factor in the etiology and maintenance of a complicated array of psychosocial and somatic problems across the life span. (Kumar et al., 2019).
Learning Objectives
Bio: Adam McLean, Psy.D., serves as the Director of Business Development for The Guest House, Dr. McLean attended California University to complete his doctorate in clinical psychology. Dr. McLean continues to research positive psychology, trauma and addiction in effort to be an advisor for those with maladaptive coping behaviors and their families. Dr. McLean first began providing client services in community mental health for a non-profit in Northern Arizona. He assisted in creating a long-term extended care program that combined an outdoor adventure experience with traditional treatment modalities. In continuation with his passion to help those with substance use disorder, Dr. McLean created a long-term treatment center for young adults focusing on substance use disorder and collegiate recovery. Adam’s education and experience has allowed him to help hundreds of families get their loved ones into treatment.
Linda Clark
Bio:Linda is co-leader of Barclay Damon's Health Care Controversies Team. A nationally recognized litigator and health care lawyer with over 30 years of experience, she serves as lead counsel as
well as national, regional, and local counsel in regulatory and compliance matters and the prosecution and defense of claims brought in state and federal courts on behalf of large groups of businesses and institutional clients in various settings and venues.
Linda is a trusted advisor to health care providers, pharmaceutical companies, and pharmacies nationwide in resolving high-stakes disputes and government investigations and regulatory
proceedings. She represents health care professionals and entities in all types of civil, criminal, and administrative proceedings, hearings, and appeals before various federal and state regulatory agencies, including the NYS Office of the Medicaid Inspector General (OMIG), the NYS Attorney General's Office (OAG), the NYS Department of Health (DOH), and their federal counterparts, including the Office of Inspector General (OIG) and the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), among others.
In addition to her role at Barclay Damon, for over 20 years, Linda served as court-appointed defense liaison counsel for three jurisdictions in New York State in asbestos litigation, working with hundreds of defense firms and the judiciary in the administration of these cases. She currently serves as a court appointee to several high-profile administrative committees for the New York State and federal court systems. Linda also serves as a judicial hearing officer, hearing cases involving alleged judicial misconduct by the judiciary.
Lizz Acee
Bio: Lizz serves on the firm's Management Committee as managing director of major markets, overseeing the Boston, New Haven, New York, Newark, and Washington DC offices. With over two decades of experience practicing employment law, Lizz focuses her practice on employment and business litigation, internal investigations, and employment counseling. She is an efficient, effective litigator, routinely defending employers in a wide range of industries, including higher education, health care, biotech, manufacturing, retail, hospitality, and finance, against the full range of individual discrimination and contract lawsuits.
Lizz's counsel also extends to employment-related tort claims, including defamation, tortious interference, and misappropriation of trade secrets, as well as contract claims involving non-competition, non-solicitation, and other employment agreements. In addition to litigating, Lizz regularly leads high-profile internal investigations for employers related to all aspects of workplace misconduct. She also has extensive experience advising and representing private schools, colleges, and universities in a variety of employment-related matters, Title IX compliance, and conducting investigations involving both student and faculty misconduct.
Lizz also partners with her employer clients to help reduce their litigation vulnerabilities by providing day-to-day strategic counsel on issues ranging from employment policies to executive and employment agreements to employment issues related to successful corporate transitions and restructurings. She regularly protects clients' interests before the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and state workforce agencies across the country.
Jamie Dughi Hogenkamp
Bio: A former law clerk to Judge Michael Garcia at the NYS Court of Appeals, Jamie concentrates her practice on counseling healthcare and human services providers regarding regulatory and
compliance matters, including advising clients on not-for-profit corporate governance, compliance programs, administrative audits and investigations, self-disclosures, HIPAA compliance and policies and procedures, licensure issues, and other legal matters. Jamie also has extensive experience handling corporate transactions, including reorganizations, mergers, and affiliations for not-for-profit entities.
Brad Gallagher
Bio: Brad is co-leader of Barclay Damon's Health Care Controversies Team. He concentrates his national practice on providing legal services to clients in the pharmaceutical industry, including independent retail, chain, specialty, infusion and compounding pharmacies, as well as health care systems. Brad also represents wholesalers, manufacturers, technology companies, and others with legal, regulatory, and compliance issues in the pharmacy space. He represents other health care providers, including physicians, laboratories, and durable medical equipment (DME) providers, with issues relating to network participation and reimbursement issues.
Brad counsels clients nationwide on issues with health plans, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), and government entities, such as credentialing and enrollment, audits and investigations, network terminations, and reimbursement disputes. Specifically, Brad has assisted providers in overturning enrollment denials and with the recovery of millions of dollars for providers following challenges to audit findings or improper reimbursements.
Brad also counsels clients in matters pertaining to contract management, best practices, and other business-related issues, with a focus on those entities operating in the pharmaceutical industry. For example, Brad assists clients in understanding and evaluating risks with data privacy and security, marketing and payment models, and interplay with other agreements entered by the client. Brad represents entities in pharmacy- and other health carerelated transactions, including those involving private and chain sales or private equity. Brad also assists entities with corporate formation, due diligence, licensing, and credentialing.
Anosha Zanjan
Session Description: The mental health crisis is a significant issue that has been recognized as a national concern for over 50 years. It affects a significant portion of the population and has been exacerbated by the recent pandemic. In response to this crisis, the design and construction industry has begun to shift its focus from sustainability to regenerative design, which takes into account the recovery of the natural environment, community mental health, social equity, human-centered design, and wellness. To address the mental health and well-being implications of regenerative design, we must consider neuroarchitecture and environmental psychology. This conference session will delve into these regenerative design principles and their impact on mental health and well-being, as well as the broader implications for design, the built environment, and the mental health crisis. We will review case studies spanning mental health facilities, schools, and mixed-use projects that have started implementing some of these principles and discuss their efficacy for the greater communities they serve. By paying greater attention to social, neurological, and ecological systems, the design and construction industry can strengthen its value to society as addresses some of the most pressing issues of our time, including the current mental health crisis, ultimately improving care to those we serve.
Bio: Anosha Zanjani is a Behavioral Health Architectural Designer who has had a focused career in mental health. She worked in psychiatric facilities, academic institutions, research, and private practice before entering architecture. After many years in the mental health field, working with patients suffering from severe and treatment-resistant psychiatric disorders, she noticed and became interested in the significant impact that spaces had on patients. This interest turned into a passion for building better spaces that could positively impact the treatment and recovery of individuals facing mental health issues. Anosha is currently with HDR's Behavioral Health Studio and has worked on a range of behavioral health projects nationally and internationally. She is also a passionate public speaker and writer, having lectured at international conferences and published in over a dozen of the world's top peer-reviewed journals in psychology and psychiatry. Her most recent writing and research focus on mental health and architectural design. Anosha holds an Honours Bachelor of Science Degree in Neuroscience and Mental Health from the University of Toronto and a Master of Architecture and Master of Science in Real Estate Development from Columbia University.
Wendy Oliver-Pyatt
Session Description: Crucial “Breakthroughs” in the treatment of eating disorders will be discussed in this unique presentation, seen through the lens of a seasoned clinician's 20 years of experience developing treatment for eating disorders in higher levels of care. We will learn about a selection of "game changers" whose work has been integral in improving the quality of treatment, highlighting the importance of integrating these breakthroughs into treatment. Delving into how these game changers and breakthroughs impacted those who we once called "treatment resistant", we will reflect on our own past limitations in the field, with enthusiasm for the future.
Learning Objectives:
Bio: Dr. Wendy Oliver-Pyatt is a world-leading expert on treating eating disorders. With more than 25 years of clinical experience, she has developed five separate treatment programs, all grounded on a strong bio-psycho-social foundation, and incorporating intensive psychotherapy and family therapy, with behavioral foundations, and high medical standards. Wendy has developed a unique treatment approach that delves into the underlying issues that place a person at risk for mental health conditions and eating disorders and lead to healing, health and inner peace. Wendy is currently Co-Founder and CEO of two leading eating disorder treatment programs, Galen Hope in Coral Gables, Fl, and Within Health, a virtual treatment program operating in 25 states and growing. Wendy received her specialty training at New York University-Bellevue Hospital in New York City, she has also held faculty positions at New York University, Albert Einstein School of Medicine and University of Nevada School of Medicine. Wendy is Board Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and in both Adult and Addiction Psychiatry. She is the author of two books, most recently Questions and Answers on Binge Eating Disorder, A Guide for Clinicians. She is a Fellow of the Academy for Eating Disorders and the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals. She has received Senatorial Recognition for her commitment to the mental health treatment community.
Katie Tomer
Nationally Certified Health Education Specialist and 1,000hr Certified SKY Breath Meditation Instructor
Session Description: The SKY Happiness Retreat is a total well-being and resilience training program over 3 consecutive days tailored for leaders, educators, clinicians, and community organizers. SKY’s experiential curriculum includes the acclaimed SKY ®Breath Meditation practice, breathwork practices, embodied somatic experiences, emotional intelligence training, interactive group processes and mindful leadership. Participants gain foundational stress-management and resilience skills as well as sustainable self care practices. The retreat allows participants to learn and develop a personal evidence-based breathing and meditation practice, effective strategies for social connection and community building, as well as engage in leadership frameworks. Research shows that SKY Breath Meditation significantly increases well-being, mental health, deep sleep and positive emotion, while significantly reducing depression, anxiety and stress markers.
Learning Objectives:
Bio: Katie Tomer is a nationally Certified Health Education Specialist and a 1,000hr certified SKY Breath Meditation instructor that has taught youth, incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people, CEOs, college students, staff and faculty. After Katie experienced the benefits of the SKY Happiness Retreat as a college student, she formed a partnership with SKY Campus Happiness and her university’s recovery oriented campus center. Now in her seventh semester as an adjunct faculty member, Katie teaches the SKY Campus Happiness course for college credit as part of the University of Southern Maine’s Health Sciences Department.
Ruth Ann Rigby
Bio: Ruth Ann Rigby, CRS currently serves as the Chief Strategy Officer at J. Flowers Health Institute in Houston, TX. She has been a leader in the behavioral health and addiction recovery field for over 25 years with 26 years in Recovery. She represents the very principles that she strives for every day—honesty, integrity, humility, and grace.
Rigby is a prominent figure in the addiction recovery and mental health industry working with some of the leading treatment providers in the nation. Most recently she was recognized by High Watch Recovery Center with the Marty Mann Award presented in the Fall of 2021. She has also been recognized by a Resolution from former Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant in 2020 for her dedication to fighting for those caught in addiction within our communities and nationally. Also in 2020, she was awarded the Fred R. French Award for Excellence presented by C4 Recovery Foundation for her outstanding service in the field of addiction with the emphasis on mentoring and/or educating others. Because of her consistent ethical and professional standards, she was recognized nationally at the 2018 Admissions and Marketing Symposium with the Silver Shoe Award. In 2008, she was appointed by former Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour to serve on the Mississippi Drug Court Advisory Board to offer her first-hand knowledge and insight into strengthening the Drug Court System.
Rigby has served on the board of numerous community organizations, church leadership committees, and behavioral health associations such as the Leadership & Addiction Summit powered by SEED, The MS Opioid & Heroin Summit, Mississippi Association of Drug Court Professionals, Central Mississippi Chapter of the National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependency, Mississippi Association of Addiction Professionals, American Diabetes Association, National Alliance for Mental Illness (Mississippi Chapter) and National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers.
In her spare time, Ruth Ann serves on the Advisory Board for the Center for Hope and Healing at Broadmoor Baptist Church where she is on-call to work with any family that crosses her path. She is dedicated to fighting for those caught in addiction and ending the cycle of dependency. Her leadership in action has been proven repeatedly by her tireless energy and passion to change and save a person’s life. Ruth Ann, along with her husband LTC (Ret) Joseph Rigby, are co-founders of a 501-C-3 non-profit organization called First Responders of Mississippi. They created this organization to help first responders (Individuals, Families and Agencies) in their greatest time of need with assistance, wellness, and hope.
Rigby and her husband Joseph along with their (3) Cocker Spaniels—Graciee, Cailee and Darbee reside in Madison County MS on their farm “Stil-Wurkin Farm”.
Demi Lovato
Bio: Demi Lovato is a GRAMMY-nominated and award-winning musician, actor, advocate and New York Times best-selling author. She was first known for her onscreen talents, and soon after became a musical phenomenon for her remarkable vocal ability. With an audience of over 215 million on social media, Demi has established herself as a global sensation.
With nearly 30 billion streams earned worldwide, Demi has captivated audiences with her renowned powerhouse vocals and illustrious songwriting. From the resilient ballad “Skyscraper,” to the unapologetic earworm “Sorry Not Sorry” and her enduring queer anthem “Cool for the Summer,” Demi’s discography showcases her musicality knows no bounds, with a genre-blending approach that has infused pop, R&B, rock, soul and more. Through several sold-out tours, Demi has brought her undeniable stage presence to venues across the globe, while live performances such as her rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the Super Bowl LIV and the powerful debut of her single “Anyone” at the 62nd GRAMMY Awards have garnered universal acclaim.
Demi has released eight studio albums, all of which debuted in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200 and four which boast over one billion streams on Spotify. Her most recent album, HOLY FVCK, is a sonic journey grounded in Demi’s rock and pop-punk roots that illustrates an earnest yet tongue-in-cheek retrospective of her life experiences and opened to widespread acclaim from critics and fans. The album was hailed as “the best we’ve heard from Lovato to date” (Variety) and described as a “fiery album filled with passion, thoughtful reflection, and a dash of good ol’ fashioned rage” (Vogue), with Demi receiving praise as a vocal “powerhouse” (Pitchfork). HOLY FVCK debuted at #1 on several Billboard charts including the Top Rock & Alternative Albums chart, the Top Rock Albums chart, and the Top Alternative Albums chart. The album also marked Demi’s eighth consecutive Top 10 album on the Billboard 200 and landed in the Top 5 of the Top Album Sales chart. The single “29” resonated with listeners worldwide and was deemed “the best song on the album” (TIME), with critics commending Demi’s emotional delivery that reflects a “new, clear-eyed perspective” (Recording Academy).
On screen, Lovato first broke out on the hit Disney film series Camp Rock in the leading role of Mitchie. She later had a recurring role as Dani on Glee and guest starring roles on Grey’s Anatomy and Will & Grace. Most recently, she starred in the Netflix film Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga.
Demi has been lauded by fans and peers alike for her authenticity and vulnerability, demonstrating her transformative growth across two celebrated documentaries, 2017’s Simply Complicated and 2021’s Dancing with the Devil. As an advocate, Demi serves as Global Citizen’s official ambassador for mental health, with a special focus on vulnerable communities around the world.
Lovato has been honored with numerous awards and accolades over her career, including an MTV Video Music Award, 14 Teen Choice Awards, five People’s Choice Awards, an ALMA Award, a Latin American Music Award and a GLAAD Vanguard Award for her services to LGBTQ+ activism. She has also received two GRAMMY Award nominations, four Billboard Music Awards nominations and three Brit Award nominations for her work.
A native of Dallas, Demi resides in Los Angeles.
Dan Siegel
Clinician, consultant, author and speaker
Bio: Dr. Siegel is a clinical professor of psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine and the founding co-director of the Mindful Awareness Research Center at UCLA. He is also the Executive Director of the Mindsight Institute which focuses on the development of mindsight, teaches insight, empathy, and integration in individuals, families and communities.
Dr. Siegel has published extensively for both the professional and lay audiences. His five New York Times bestsellers are: Aware: The Science and Practice of Presence, Mind: A Journey to the Heart of Being Human, Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain, and two books with Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D: The Whole-Brain Child, and No-Drama Discipline. His other books include: IntraConnected, The Developing Mind, The Pocket Guide to Interpersonal Neurobiology, Mindsight, The Mindful Brain, The Mindful Therapist, and Becoming Aware. He has also written The Yes Brain and The Power of Showing Up with Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D. Parenting from the Inside Out with Mary Hartzell, and NowMaps with Deena Margolin, LMFT and NowMaps, Jr.
Dr. Siegel also serves as the Founding Editor for the Norton Professional Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology which currently contains over eighty textbooks. For more information about his educational programs and resources, please visit: www.DrDanSiegel.com and www.mindsightinstitute.com
Katie Tomer, Sree Kalyan Patiballa and Kamaria Clifton
Session Description: The SKY Happiness Retreat is a total well-being and resilience training program over 3 consecutive days tailored for leaders, educators, clinicians, and community organizers. SKY’s experiential curriculum includes the acclaimed SKY ®Breath Meditation practice, breathwork practices, embodied somatic experiences, emotional intelligence training, interactive group processes and mindful leadership. Participants gain foundational stress-management and resilience skills as well as sustainable self care practices. The retreat allows participants to learn and develop a personal evidence-based breathing and meditation practice, effective strategies for social connection and community building, as well as engage in leadership frameworks. Research shows that SKY Breath Meditation significantly increases well-being, mental health, deep sleep and positive emotion, while significantly reducing depression, anxiety and stress markers.
Learning Objectives:
Kamaria Clifton
Session Description: The SKY Happiness Retreat is a total well-being and resilience training program over 3 consecutive days tailored for leaders, educators, clinicians, and community organizers. SKY’s experiential curriculum includes the acclaimed SKY ®Breath Meditation practice, breathwork practices, embodied somatic experiences, emotional intelligence training, interactive group processes and mindful leadership. Participants gain foundational stress-management and resilience skills as well as sustainable self care practices. The retreat allows participants to learn and develop a personal evidence-based breathing and meditation practice, effective strategies for social connection and community building, as well as engage in leadership frameworks. Research shows that SKY Breath Meditation significantly increases well-being, mental health, deep sleep and positive emotion, while significantly reducing depression, anxiety and stress markers.
Learning Objectives:
Bio: Kamaria Clifton, MPA is a 1,000 hour certified SKY Breath Meditation teacher with over seven years of experience teaching breathwork and meditation to college students. She has taught the SKY Happiness Retreat at several universities across the country. Her journey with SKY Breath Meditation began during her undergraduate studies, where she experienced a profound personal transformation that inspired her to share these powerful practices with others. Kamaria’s dedication to helping university students access the benefits of meditation has been a driving force for her work. Currently, Kamaria serves as the Operations Manager for Rebuilding Together of Greater Charlotte, a nonprofit organization that provides free critical home repairs to low-income families.
Sree Kalyan Patiballa
Session Description: The SKY Happiness Retreat is a total well-being and resilience training program over 3 consecutive days tailored for leaders, educators, clinicians, and community organizers. SKY’s experiential curriculum includes the acclaimed SKY ®Breath Meditation practice, breathwork practices, embodied somatic experiences, emotional intelligence training, interactive group processes and mindful leadership. Participants gain foundational stress-management and resilience skills as well as sustainable self care practices. The retreat allows participants to learn and develop a personal evidence-based breathing and meditation practice, effective strategies for social connection and community building, as well as engage in leadership frameworks. Research shows that SKY Breath Meditation significantly increases well-being, mental health, deep sleep and positive emotion, while significantly reducing depression, anxiety and stress markers.
Learning Objectives:
Bio: Sree Kalyan Patiballa is an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at The University of Alabama. He is a certified mental health first aider and a 1,000-hour certified SKY Breath Meditation instructor with over seven years of experience in breathwork and meditation. Sree personally experienced the benefits of SKY breath during his graduate studies and its positive impact on his mental health. He has taught breathwork and medication at prestigious institutions like Yale, the University of Illinois, Purdue, the University of Alabama, and the University of California. Sree is dedicated to introducing breathwork and meditation to college campuses nationwide.
Marvin Ventrell
Bio: Marvin Ventrell was named CEO of the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP) in 2015, continuing his decades long year career as a practicing attorney, professor, professional association director, and addiction treatment executive. Mr. Ventrell’s career has been devoted to advocating for populations in need and building legal and health care system responses to meet those needs. In addition to serving in executive leadership roles in several national social welfare and justice agencies, he has authored two textbooks on law and social justice, book chapters and peer reviewed articles on law, medicine, social services, behavioral health, and addiction treatment and recovery. He is a frequent commentator in the national media and lecturer at treatment programs, conferences, universities, and agencies.
Prior to joining NAATP, Mr. Ventrell served as Program Director at Harmony Foundation and as a consultant to CeDAR at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, both Colorado based addiction treatment programs. He testified before the United States Congress and has served as a consultant to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. He is the recipient of numerous distinctions including the American Bar Association National Advocacy Award, the National Council of Juvenile Court Judges Meritorious Service Award, the University of Colorado School of Medicine Kempe Award, and the Ashley Innovator Award given for impact in the field of recovery through innovation, commitment, and dynamic thinking. Mr. Ventrell’s focus while leading NAATP has been to secure the place of addiction treatment in health care through the establishment of treatment program ethics, professionalism, integrity, and evidence-based efficacy.
NAATP, founded in 1978, is professional membership association of addiction treatment providers whose mission is to provide leadership, advocacy, training, and member support services to ensure the equitable availability and highest quality of addiction treatment. NAATP has prospered under Mr. Ventrell’s leadership and in 2020, the association created the Foundation for Recovery Science and Education (FoRSE), an unprecedented effort to collect and measure patient treatment characteristics and outcomes on a global scale.
Katie Tomer
Nationally Certified Health Education Specialist and 1,000hr Certified SKY Breath Meditation Instructor
Session Description: The SKY Happiness Retreat is a total well-being and resilience training program over 3 consecutive days tailored for leaders, educators, clinicians, and community organizers. SKY’s experiential curriculum includes the acclaimed SKY ®Breath Meditation practice, breathwork practices, embodied somatic experiences, emotional intelligence training, interactive group processes and mindful leadership. Participants gain foundational stress-management and resilience skills as well as sustainable self care practices. The retreat allows participants to learn and develop a personal evidence-based breathing and meditation practice, effective strategies for social connection and community building, as well as engage in leadership frameworks. Research shows that SKY Breath Meditation significantly increases well-being, mental health, deep sleep and positive emotion, while significantly reducing depression, anxiety and stress markers.
Learning Objectives:
Bio: Katie Tomer is a nationally Certified Health Education Specialist and a 1,000hr certified SKY Breath Meditation instructor that has taught youth, incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people, CEOs, college students, staff and faculty. After Katie experienced the benefits of the SKY Happiness Retreat as a college student, she formed a partnership with SKY Campus Happiness and her university’s recovery oriented campus center. Now in her seventh semester as an adjunct faculty member, Katie teaches the SKY Campus Happiness course for college credit as part of the University of Southern Maine’s Health Sciences Department.
Michael Brody-Waite
Recovering addict, acclaimed speaker, Inc. 500 entrepreneur, award-winning, three-time CEO, and author of Great Leaders Live Like Drug Addicts: How to Lead Like Your Life Depends on It
Session Description: Drug addicts say yes to drugs, and it kills them. Leaders say yes to five leadership addictions that kill their great leadership:
These 5 addictions drive employee burnout and significant unrealized potential both individually and organizationally.
This presentation teaches an innovative leadership system that merges business best practices with the 12 step recovery model to create a self-leadership system that helps leaders recover from their leadership addictions and reclaim 500 hours a year.
Learning Objectives:
Bio: Michael’s TEDx Nashville YouTube video, “Great Leaders Do What Drug Addicts Do,” provides insight into his twenty-year journey from addiction to successful entrepreneurship. It is the number one talk in the history of TEDx Nashville, with over 3 million views from people in 25+ countries.
In 2010, Michael left a Fortune 50 company at the height of the recession to cofound and lead InQuicker, a healthcare SaaS company that allowed patients to selfschedule appointments online. Under his leadership, the organization grew to 20,000 percent revenue growth, landing InQuicker a spot on the Inc. 500 list of FastestGrowing Private Companies. Additionally, the organization was named one of the “Best Places to Work” four times and recognized as Healthcare Company of the Year. After selling InQuicker to a publicly-traded company in 2015, Michael served for three years as the CEO of the Nashville Entrepreneur Center, a 501c3 that helps over 2,000 entrepreneurs start or grow a business yearly.
His accomplishments include being named a Most Admired CEO, named to the Top 40 Under 40, and recognized by the Nashville Chamber of Commerce as Healthcare Entrepreneur of the Year. Today, Michael is on a mission to teach individuals, organizations, and communities how to lead themselves as the CEO of Addictive Leadership.
Michael is changing the face of leadership by teaching the three principles inspired by his recovery, so leaders can achieve balance, reclaim energy, and reach their full potential. Please visit www.AddictiveLeadership.com to learn how Addictive Leadership can help you or your organization thrive.
Dr. Stephen Porges & Seth Porges
Session Description: Legendary publisher, Gary Seidler, will moderate a dynamic interactive conversation with Professor Stephen Porges and writer/documentarian Seth Porges about their new book, ‘Our Polyvagal World: How Safety and Trauma Change Us.’ In Our Polyvagal World the authors have reduced the complexity of Polyvagal Theory to a set of practical principles and real-life examples that provide a worldview filled with optimism and hope, and a deeper understanding of the science explaining why our bodies sometimes act in ways our conscious intentional brain wishes it didn’t. The discussion will cover several topics including: connectedness as a biological imperative, potential neurobiological links between trauma and addiction, the consequence of the pandemic on mental health, and how stress and threat in the workplace, schools, and prisons can disrupt our nervous system.
Learning Objectives:
Dr. Stephen Porges' Bio:
Stephen W. Porges, PhD is Distinguished University Scientist at Indiana University, where he is the founding director of the Traumatic Stress Research Consortium. He is professor of psychiatry at the University of North Carolina and professor emeritus at the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Maryland. He has published more than 350 peer‐reviewed scientific papers. He is the creator of the Polyvagal Theory and a music-based intervention, the Safe and Sound Protocol TM, currently used by more than 200 therapists to reduce hearing sensitivities, improve language processing, and increase spontaneous social engagement. He is the author of The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-Regulation, The Pocket Guide to the Polyvagal Theory: The Transformative Power of Feeling Safe, and Polyvagal Safety, as well as co-editor of Clinical Applications of the Polyvagal Theory: The Emergence of Polyvagal-Informed Therapies, and Polyvagal Safety.
Seth Porges' Bio: Seth Porges is the co-author with Stephen Porges of Our Polyvagal World: How Safety and Trauma Change Us. He is also the director, writer, and producer of the hit film Class Action Park, which debuted at number one on HBO Max, was nominated for a Critics Choice Documentary Award, and won “Best Documentary” at the 2021 Hollywood Critics Association Film Awards. He is currently directing an upcoming film for a major streaming service, as well as a documentary about professional pickleball. A longtime journalist, Seth was previously the technology editor at Popular Mechanics magazine, a columnist for Bloomberg Businessweek, and has appeared in roughly 50 episodes of the Travel Channel’s Mysteries at the Museum.
Annelies Richmond & Katie Tomer
Session Description: Discover the power of the breath as an untapped vehicle for mental well-being and resilience from an international expert with over twenty years of experience teaching. In the workshop, you will learn effective and evidence based breathwork and tools to foster emotional regulation, promote calm alertness, and support ease in settling into meditation. The workshop will allow participants to experience how breathwork and meditation techniques can create a sense of belonging and foster mindful leadership. Research from top universities on the techniques delivered in the workshop as well as the SKY breath meditation technique will be shared.
Learning Objectives
Annelies Richmond's Bio: Annelies Richmond is an international master trainer of breathwork, meditation, SKY Breath Meditation and leadership development programs for the International Association for Human Values and the Art of Living Foundation. She has taught upward of thirty thousand people in the last 22 years, and has trained over 1,500 certified meditation and leadership teachers in 5 countries.
She has been meditating and practicing mindful breathwork techniques daily for 23 years. She started using these practices daily during her 15-year career as a professional ballet dancer with the Metropolitan Opera in NYC and found that they enhanced not only physical stamina and capacity, but also mental clarity and emotional resilience.
She is founding director of SKY Campus Happiness Program, a national leadership, resilience and well-being program on 101 campuses in the USA, and growing in 15 countries now around the world. Through SKY Campus Happiness, she trains and empowers student leaders, staff and faculty to become breathwork & well-being coaches for their campus. She travels across the USA teaching and lecturing at institutions such as Yale University, Purdue University, UPENN, MIT, Northeastern University, Texas A&M, Columbia University, the United Nations, and Google.
Her courses, talks and sessions are known for their authenticity, lightness, and humor, combined with a depth of wisdom that brings one to the present moment.
Katie Tomer's Bio: Katie Tomer is a nationally Certified Health Education Specialist and a 1,000hr certified SKY Breath Meditation instructor that has taught youth, incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people, CEOs, college students, staff and faculty. After Katie experienced the benefits of the SKY Happiness Retreat as a college student, she formed a partnership with SKY Campus Happiness and her university’s recovery oriented campus center. Now in her seventh semester as an adjunct faculty member, Katie teaches the SKY Campus Happiness course for college credit as part of the University of Southern Maine’s Health Sciences Department.
James Horne
Session Description: Despite the increased awareness around trauma, mental health professionals frequently find themselves stuck when treating complex trauma. Many therapist are surprised when they find out they have entered their clients world without consent, they often collude with their clients adaptive strategies, and well intentioned interventions can actually get in the way of clients being an active agent in their healing process. NeuroAffective Relational Model® (NARM®) is one of the few models that is effectively treating C-PTSD. In this workshop we are going to be exploring how this phenomenological relational model, created by Dr. Lawrence Heller, helps clients identify and respect their adaptive strategies. This somatic, emotional, cognitive, and insight based approach becomes transformative when clients are able to determine their survival strategies, access agency, and choose to relate differently
Learning Objectives:
James Horne's Bio:
James Horne LPC-MHSP is a licensed professional counselor. He has a masters degree in professional counseling and has been in practice for over 20 years. As a counselor James describes his passion as helping others to be their true authentic selves by assisting them in identifying the barriers that keep them from realizing who they are created to be. He has a heart for working specifically with developmental trauma. James has spent most of his career working in trauma-focused treatment centers serving in the roles of therapist, trauma specialist and clinical director. His first career was as an Army officer and after 6 years in the service he choose to resign his commission and began his own healing journey which included inpatient and residential treatment for addiction and developmental trauma. This experience inspired him to pursue a degree in counseling. ,
James is trained in multiple trauma informed treatment modalities such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing), Brainspottting, NARM (Neuro Affective Relational Model) and CRM (Comprehensive Resource Model). He was also trained in the Murray Method, an extensive trauma-informed program developed by Marilyn Murray.
Dr. Ariana Hoet
Session Description: Star Wars Actress Ashley Eckstein originated the role of Ahsoka Tano in Star Wars The Clone Wars 15 years ago. She went on to voice Ahsoka in many other hit series like Star Wars Rebels and movies like Star Wars The Rise of Skywalker. Ashley has her finger on the pulse of fandom and has been a strong advocate for mental health since 2018. After noticing that valuable lessons of the mind were being taught in the Star Wars stories, Ashley came up with the idea to pair Star Wars lessons with clinically based mindfulness exercises. Teaming up with Dr. Ariana Hoet, Pediatric Psychologist and Executive Clinical Director for On Our Sleeves a movement for Children’s Mental Health powered by Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Dr. Hoet helped Ashley with her new digital series of shorts called Star Wars Mindful Matters and on her new book Star Wars Everday.
In this session, Ashley and Dr. Hoet will share their secrets for success on how they’ve combined pop culture and clinical treatment, creating content that kids (and adults!) use and love.
Learning Objectives:
Dr. Ariana Hoet's Bio:
Ariana Hoet, PhD, executive clinical director of On Our Sleeves, is the driving force behind our mission of providing educational resources that break stigmas, increase mental health literacy, and support children’s mental health.
Dr. Hoet believes all children and families should have a fair opportunity to be as healthy as possible. That enthusiasm extends into her desire for making sure that people of all backgrounds are accepted and celebrated – a passion born from her own experience as an immigrant to the U.S. from Venezuela.
Her work in this arena led her to being recognized as a Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan by the Ohio Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs for her work within the Spanish-speaking community.
Dr. Hoet works in Pediatric Primary Care where she serves primarily Latino and Somali immigrant children. She is also a clinical assistant professor of Pediatrics in the Department of Pediatric Psychology and Neuropsychology at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and The Ohio State University, with a role in training the next generation of behavioral health professionals who will tackle the emerging mental health crisis in children.
Dr. Hoet has become a go-to national expert for outlets including USA Today, CNN, Good Morning America, and Newsweek because she is a vital public voice for youth mental health, and also because she has made an impact on countless young lives in her clinical practice.
The work of On Our Sleeves and Dr. Hoet helped draw U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy to Nationwide Children’s in October of 2022 to discuss the country’s growing pediatric mental health crisis. In panel discussions before central Ohio business executives at Nationwide Children’s, and with hundreds of college students at Otterbein University, Dr. Hoet and Dr. Murthy spoke passionately about addressing often-misunderstood mental health challenges.
Dr. Hoet is the proud mom of a toddler and enjoys family time, dancing, and Ohio State football. She is also involved in Latino community events, both personally and professionally. Dr. Hoet is the co-founder and vice president of Parenting Culture, a national non-profit for culturally responsive and inclusive parenting resources and a board member of Proyecto Mariposas, the Columbus non-profit serving Latina mothers and daughters.
She received her bachelor of science in psychology from The Ohio State University and a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. She completed her residency at The University of Colorado School of Medicine and a post-doctoral fellowship at Akron Children’s Hospital.
Jacqueline Hall
Session Description: Addiction is a complex disease comprising biological, psychological, and social components. Lack of access to objective diagnostic tools addressing the biological piece has perpetuated stigma, fueled behavioral health inequities, and lead to poor treatment outcomes.
For too long, mental health and addiction treatment has lacked the diagnostic tools that other areas of healthcare have enjoyed for decades. Triage and treatment have been relegated to subjective interpretation of behaviors, feelings, and thoughts, rather than the utilization of objective diagnostic instruments, to diagnose and inform treatment of a bio-psycho-social disease. Simply put, it’s archaic.
Fortunately, we now have the ability to identify, isolate, and measure specific biomarkers that are highly correlated to substance use disorders, process addictions, and primary mental health conditions. These biomarkers provide clinicians with an objective and precision-based method to address the biological component of mental health and addiction recovery.
Learning Objectives
Jacqueline Hall's Bio:
Merging a decade of federal government relations and political affairs experience with the latest scientific research pertaining to mental health and addiction, Jacqueline acts as the principal conduit between Wired For Addiction® and the entities they serve. Prior to Jacqueline’s transition to the private sector as Wired For Addiction’s Chief Operating Officer, she worked as a congressional staffer on Capitol Hill, went on to become the Operations Director of a Florida based Super PAC, became a federal government affairs specialist for a large Florida university system, and ended her career as a political appointee at the United States Department of Energy in the Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs.
Now a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Corrections Committee, the Law Enforcement Against Drugs & Violence Florida Program Advisory Board, the Florida Justice Center Board of Directors, the Pinellas Recovery Round Table Delegation Committee, and the International Society of Substance Use Professionals, Jacqueline ensures that stake holders in the criminal justice community, government officials, and behavioral health professionals have access to the services and education provided by Wired For Addiction®.
Evelyn Higgins
Session Description: Addiction is a complex disease comprising biological, psychological, and social components. Lack of access to objective diagnostic tools addressing the biological piece has perpetuated stigma, fueled behavioral health inequities, and lead to poor treatment outcomes.
For too long, mental health and addiction treatment has lacked the diagnostic tools that other areas of healthcare have enjoyed for decades. Triage and treatment have been relegated to subjective interpretation of behaviors, feelings, and thoughts, rather than the utilization of objective diagnostic instruments, to diagnose and inform treatment of a bio-psycho-social disease. Simply put, it’s archaic.
Fortunately, we now have the ability to identify, isolate, and measure specific biomarkers that are highly correlated to substance use disorders, process addictions, and primary mental health conditions. These biomarkers provide clinicians with an objective and precision-based method to address the biological component of mental health and addiction recovery.
Learning Objectives
Evelyn Higgins' Bio:
Dr. Evelyn Higgins is a recognized international expert in the epidemiology of addiction. As a Certified Addictionologist, Diplomate of the American College of Addictionology and Compulsive Disorders, and Diplomate of the American Board of Disability Analysts specializing in pain management, Dr. Higgins has had the honor of advising the United States Surgeon General, producing and hosting a Gracie Award winning nationally syndicated health and wellness terrestrial radio program, and serving as a 1996 Olympic Team Doctor and Olympic torch bearer.
With 35 years in healthcare & consulting, Dr. Higgins has designated over 17 years to Research and Development in the science of addiction recovery. A TEDx Speaker, panelist at the 2022 International Society of Substance Use Professionals Annual Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, the 2022 International Gambling Conference in Auckland, New Zealand, and a 2021 Nominee for Modern Healthcare’s Top 25 Innovators in Healthcare, Dr. Higgins finds herself at the nexus of epigenetics, neuroscience, and addiction.
Maks Ezrin
Session Description: Treatment Without Walls - helping young adults AND families navigate life’s challenges by working in-home to create healthy long-term dynamics. Cultivating a curated service, based on the principles of positive psychology. Meaning that everyone’s program is tailored to work toward results-oriented living. Looking at an individual's current circumstances and working together as a team with the family to ask what can be switched to facilitate growth, and what can be learned. ○ This is done through the following approach: 1. Innovative and integrative family work and positive interventions. Attendees will learn strategic evidence ways to engage with families, hold space, and create clear lines of communication. 2. Creating self-efficacy in young adults. Attendees will learn about robust strategies used for increasing the self-efficacy of young adults, and how it can add to an individual's sense of autonomy, steering them away from a substance or mental health crisis. We will explore the impact of mentorship, performative, and vicarious experience. At the same time we work to create self-efficacy amongst primary caregivers, parents etc. 3. Working in a collaborative fashion with clinicians and auxiliary resources. Attendees will learn the importance of unity within treatment without walls. The significance of communication, and warning signs of sabotage, triangulation, and when there is a need for a higher level of care.
Learning Objectives
Maks Ezrin's Bio:
Born and raised in New York, Maks Ezrin had his own experience with early addiction. As a child, Maks enjoyed everything the city had to offer. He attended the best schools, maintained a rigorous course load, enjoyed a wide and varied social circle, and had the support of a loving family.
Despite these advantages, by age 14, Maks began experimenting with drugs and alcohol. His substance dependence worsened during college, eventually leading to a near-fatal overdose in his mid-20s. Through the help of friends and family, Maks has been sober since 2016.
Recognizing the importance of early detection and support of sober mentors, Maks has dedicated himself to giving back by helping other young pre-addicts. His experience propelled him to connect with leaders in the addiction and recovery field to raise awareness and help mitigate the effects of addiction- the ‘silent problem’ most families don’t notice until it is too late. Together with Natasha Silver Bell, an internationally recognized figure in the recovery field, and Dr. Rami Kaminski, a renowned pioneer in the psychiatric field, Maks founded Youth Prevention Mentors.
In addition to his Addiction Recovery Coaching certifications, Maks has a Masters in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Louise Stanger
Session Description: Treatment Without Walls - helping young adults AND families navigate life’s challenges by working in-home to create healthy long-term dynamics. Cultivating a curated service, based on the principles of positive psychology. Meaning that everyone’s program is tailored to work toward results-oriented living. Looking at an individual's current circumstances and working together as a team with the family to ask what can be switched to facilitate growth, and what can be learned. ○ This is done through the following approach: 1. Innovative and integrative family work and positive interventions. Attendees will learn strategic evidence ways to engage with families, hold space, and create clear lines of communication. 2. Creating self-efficacy in young adults. Attendees will learn about robust strategies used for increasing the self-efficacy of young adults, and how it can add to an individual's sense of autonomy, steering them away from a substance or mental health crisis. We will explore the impact of mentorship, performative, and vicarious experience. At the same time we work to create self-efficacy amongst primary caregivers, parents etc. 3. Working in a collaborative fashion with clinicians and auxiliary resources. Attendees will learn the importance of unity within treatment without walls. The significance of communication, and warning signs of sabotage, triangulation, and when there is a need for a higher level of care.
Learning Objectives
Bio:
Dr. Louise is a preeminent family systems coach, interventionist, and thought leader in the behavioral health and addiction treatments industry. She has received many distinguished awards and performed thousands of family interventions in the US and abroad, gives presentations around the country on various topics related to mental health , trauma and addiction, process disorders and chronic pain, and has received prestigious awards from her fellow industry colleagues for her dedication to intervention and recovery Harvard McLean Hospital an affiliate of Harvard University and DB Resources honored her as Interventionists of the year In addition to her work with clients and families, she is former University faculty at San Diego State University and University of San Diego, where she brought in over 5 million in grants for substance abuse and alcohol training and education.
Dr. Jason Shumake
Session Description: Digital health technologies—such as smartphone apps and chatbots—have the potential to augment mental healthcare through more ecological and scalable assessments and interventions. In this presentation, we will review the current state of technology in digital mental health, with a case study of how an artificial-intelligence (AI) tool has been integrated into a recovery-center setting to monitor treatment progress and outcomes. First, we will provide an update on recent technological advances in “digital phenotyping”—using smartphone and computer devices to understand mental health through multimodal assessment (e.g., using screen, microphone, and camera inputs to analyze language, voice, and facial expressions) in a more ecological context (i.e., as part of someone’s lived experience and not just in the clinic). Second, we will discuss the most promising use cases for this technology, from self-screening and early detection of mental health problems to long-term monitoring of chronic psychiatric conditions, with a focus on how this technology can improve upon measurements collected from Likert-scale questionnaires like the PHQ-9. Third, we discuss the challenges and opportunities of implementing technological innovations into mental health care systems, using our firsthand experience of developing and deploying a digital tool for monitoring depression and suicide risk in the context of a recovery program. We have found that some people feel more comfortable conversing with a chatbot, which provides an opportunity to improve detection of distress for individuals who feel uncomfortable with face-to-face contact. We conclude that the potential benefits of these tools outweigh their risks, but their use should ideally be supervised by a mental health professional in the context of a broader treatment plan—both as a guard rail against “edge cases” (atypical inputs that cause an AI system to produce erroneous output) and to encourage user engagement and accountability.
Learning Objectives
Dr. Jason Shumake's Bio:
Dr. Shumake has 20+ years of scientific research experience and has co-authored more than 60 journal articles in the fields of behavioral neuroscience, experimental psychology, statistics, and machine learning. As the former chief data scientist at the Institute for Mental Health Research, he advanced research in precision psychological medicine and digital mental health. Dr. Shumake brings a valuable set of hybrid skills at the intersection of experimental design, psychometrics, statistical analysis, machine learning, and behavioral science theory/methods.
Dr. Tammy Malloy
Session Description: Digital health technologies—such as smartphone apps and chatbots—have the potential to augment mental healthcare through more ecological and scalable assessments and interventions. In this presentation, we will review the current state of technology in digital mental health, with a case study of how an artificial-intelligence (AI) tool has been integrated into a recovery-center setting to monitor treatment progress and outcomes. First, we will provide an update on recent technological advances in “digital phenotyping”—using smartphone and computer devices to understand mental health through multimodal assessment (e.g., using screen, microphone, and camera inputs to analyze language, voice, and facial expressions) in a more ecological context (i.e., as part of someone’s lived experience and not just in the clinic). Second, we will discuss the most promising use cases for this technology, from self-screening and early detection of mental health problems to long-term monitoring of chronic psychiatric conditions, with a focus on how this technology can improve upon measurements collected from Likert-scale questionnaires like the PHQ-9. Third, we discuss the challenges and opportunities of implementing technological innovations into mental health care systems, using our firsthand experience of developing and deploying a digital tool for monitoring depression and suicide risk in the context of a recovery program. We have found that some people feel more comfortable conversing with a chatbot, which provides an opportunity to improve detection of distress for individuals who feel uncomfortable with face-to-face contact. We conclude that the potential benefits of these tools outweigh their risks, but their use should ideally be supervised by a mental health professional in the context of a broader treatment plan—both as a guard rail against “edge cases” (atypical inputs that cause an AI system to produce erroneous output) and to encourage user engagement and accountability.
Learning Objectives
Bio:
Dr. Tammy Malloy received her PhD in Social Work, from Barry University, and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker as well as a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist. Dr. Malloy has facilitated research for over ten year and has published in academic journals on Addiction, Depression and Spirituality as well as clinical personality pathology and syndromes. Dr. Malloy’s most recent research is in the area of internet pornography use among young adult women. Dr. Malloy has worked in the field of behavioral health for over fifteen years and brings a wealth of knowledge in trauma informed care, family systems, and high-risk behaviors that encompass all addictive behaviors. Dr. Malloy has spoken at conferences both Nationally and Internationally on substance use disorders, co-occurring mental health disorders, and high-risk sexual behaviors. Dr. Malloy’s passion is for teaching others while empowering staff and patients to take ownership of improving their overall quality of life.
Dr. Barbara Nosal & Dr. Don Grant
Session Description: In this presentation, Dr. Nosal and Dr. Grant will explain, explore, and expose our newest nemesis, one that is currently swelling to global proportions. We will discuss the positive and potentially negative effects of technology and device use, how our attachment to them may be creating unhealthy developmental bonds with our children and families, and offer professionals some strategies to help their clients to "unplug and reconnect”.
Learning Objectives
Dr. Barbara Nosal's Bio:
Barbara Nosal, PhD, has worked with teens, young adults, and families in the field of mental health, depression, and addiction treatment for more than 20 years. She developed and oversees the clinical and family programs for Newport Healthcare’s treatment programs. Dr. Nosal holds a Doctorate in Transpersonal Psychology and a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, in Palo Alto, California. Also a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, she specializes in family systems, including restructuring family dynamics and healing childhood trauma.
Dr. Grant's Bio:
Dr. Grant is an internationally recognized and award-winning media psychologist, author, published researcher, Doctoral Addictions Counselor, and educator with specific expertise in technology’s impact on mental health. He was the 2022 President of the American Psychological Association, Division 46 (The Society for Media Psychology & Technology), currently chairs the APA (Division 46) “Device Management & Intelligence” committee, co-chairs the APA (Division 46) “Strategic Planning” committee, is an APA Advocacy Division Partner Liaison, and serves as Secretary of the California Psychological Association Division VI (Media Technology and Communication). He designs, presents, and facilitates Healthy Device Management and Good Digital Citizenship treatment strategy and educational training workshops for clinicians, educators, parents, and academic communities. Dr. Grant is a globally respected keynote speaker, podcast and onscreen interview guest, and print content contributor in the field of device-related behaviors, addiction, and media psychology.
Dr. Angela Thompson
Session Description: Despite the increased awareness around trauma, mental health professionals frequently find themselves stuck when treating complex trauma. Many therapists are surprised when they find out they have entered their clients world without consent, they often collude with their clients adaptive strategies, and well intentioned interventions can actually get in the way of clients being an active agent in their healing process. NeuroAffective Relational Model® (NARM®) is one of the few models that is effectively treating C-PTSD. In this workshop we are going to be exploring how this phenomenological relational model, created by Dr. Lawrence Heller, helps clients identify and respect their adaptive strategies. This somatic, emotional, cognitive, and insight based approach becomes transformative when clients are able to determine their survival strategies, access agency, and choose to relate differently.
Learning Objectives:
Bio:
Dr. Angela Thompson holds a PhD in Clinical Counseling. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor/Mental Health Service Provider in the state of Tennessee. Dr. Thompson is also an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) providing post masters licensure supervision and she is a Certified NARM Master Therapist. Dr. Thompson also trained in a variety of other trauma informed modalities that include Brainspotting, Experiential Therapy, Psychodrama and Internal Family Systems (IFS). She has over 30 years experience counseling, teaching, and speaking. Dr. Thompson specifically works with individuals, couples, and families that struggle with the impacts of developmental trauma. She sees her role as one that helps support clients in discovering what it is that they are wanting for themselves and exploring the barriers that are blocking them from achieving those desires. Dr. Thompson currently maintains a private practice in Nashville, Tennessee.
Ashley Eckstein
Session Description: Star Wars Actress Ashley Eckstein originated the role of Ahsoka Tano in Star Wars The Clone Wars 15 years ago. She went on to voice Ahsoka in many other hit series like Star Wars Rebels and movies like Star Wars The Rise of Skywalker. Ashley has her finger on the pulse of fandom and has been a strong advocate for mental health since 2018. After noticing that valuable lessons of the mind were being taught in the Star Wars stories, Ashley came up with the idea to pair Star Wars lessons with clinically based mindfulness exercises. Teaming up with Dr. Ariana Hoet, Pediatric Psychologist and Executive Clinical Director for On Our Sleeves a movement for Children’s Mental Health powered by Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Dr. Hoet helped Ashley with her new digital series of shorts called Star Wars Mindful Matters and on her new book Star Wars Everday.
In this session, Ashley and Dr. Hoet will share their secrets for success on how they’ve combined pop culture and clinical treatment, creating content that kids (and adults!) use and love.
Learning Objectives:
Bio:
Ashley Eckstein has been widely recognized and honored as an actress, entrepreneur, author, designer and influencer. Most known for originating the character Ahsoka Tano in Star Wars, she voices Ahsoka in projects such as Star Wars The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, Star Wars Rise of Skywalker and Star Wars Tales of the Jedi. Ashley founded Her Universe in 2010 - the groundbreaking fangirl fashion and lifestyle brand and Eckstein continues her design work with shopDisney and Disney Parks worldwide. She's also an author and her lifestyle book, Star Wars Everyday is out now. Ashley is an accomplished actress and producer with numerous film and television credits to her resume. She is also an in-demand host and inspirational speaker for major studios, networks and Fortune 500 companies. Ashley is best known as a trailblazer with a powerful voice in the fandom community. She uses her voice as a passionate advocate for mental health awareness and she is a champion for the On Our Sleeves movement for children's mental health.. Ashley's newest project, Star Wars Mindful Matters, is a series of short videos dedicated to the mindful lessons of Star Wars.
Dr. Barbara Nosal
Session Description: In this presentation, Dr. Nosal and Dr. Grant will explain, explore, and expose our newest nemesis, one that is currently swelling to global proportions. We will discuss the positive and potentially negative effects of technology and device use, how our attachment to them may be creating unhealthy developmental bonds with our children and families, and offer professionals some strategies to help their clients to "unplug and reconnect”.
Learning Objectives
Bio:
Barbara Nosal, PhD, has worked with teens, young adults, and families in the field of mental health, depression, and addiction treatment for more than 20 years. She developed and oversees the clinical and family programs for Newport Healthcare’s treatment programs. Dr. Nosal holds a Doctorate in Transpersonal Psychology and a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, in Palo Alto, California. Also a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, she specializes in family systems, including restructuring family dynamics and healing childhood trauma.
Dr. Angela Thompson & James Horne
Session Description: Despite the increased awareness around trauma, mental health professionals frequently find themselves stuck when treating complex trauma. Many therapist are surprised when they find out they have entered their clients world without consent, they often collude with their clients adaptive strategies, and well intentioned interventions can actually get in the way of clients being an active agent in their healing process. NeuroAffective Relational Model® (NARM®) is one of the few models that is effectively treating C-PTSD. In this workshop we are going to be exploring how this phenomenological relational model, created by Dr. Lawrence Heller, helps clients identify and respect their adaptive strategies. This somatic, emotional, cognitive, and insight based approach becomes transformative when clients are able to determine their survival strategies, access agency, and choose to relate differently
Learning Objectives:
Dr. Angela Thompson's Bio:
Dr. Angela Thompson holds a PhD in Clinical Counseling. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor/Mental Health Service Provider in the state of Tennessee. Dr. Thompson is also an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) providing post masters licensure supervision and she is a Certified NARM Master Therapist. Dr. Thompson also trained in a variety of other trauma informed modalities that include Brainspotting, Experiential Therapy, Psychodrama and Internal Family Systems (IFS). She has over 30 years experience counseling, teaching, and speaking. Dr. Thompson specifically works with individuals, couples, and families that struggle with the impacts of developmental trauma. She sees her role as one that helps support clients in discovering what it is that they are wanting for themselves and exploring the barriers that are blocking them from achieving those desires. Dr. Thompson currently maintains a private practice in Nashville, Tennessee.
James Horne's Bio:
James Horne LPC-MHSP is a licensed professional counselor. He has a masters degree in professional counseling and has been in practice for over 20 years. As a counselor James describes his passion as helping others to be their true authentic selves by assisting them in identifying the barriers that keep them from realizing who they are created to be. He has a heart for working specifically with developmental trauma. James has spent most of his career working in trauma-focused treatment centers serving in the roles of therapist, trauma specialist and clinical director. His first career was as an Army officer and after 6 years in the service he choose to resign his commission and began his own healing journey which included inpatient and residential treatment for addiction and developmental trauma. This experience inspired him to pursue a degree in counseling. ,
James is trained in multiple trauma informed treatment modalities such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing), Brainspottting, NARM (Neuro Affective Relational Model) and CRM (Comprehensive Resource Model). He was also trained in the Murray Method, an extensive trauma-informed program developed by Marilyn Murray.
Bessel A. van der Kolk, MD & Licia Sky
Psychiatrist
Session Description: Our awareness of our physical sensations and movements forms the core of our sense of Self. Since trauma is held as heart-breaking and gut-wrenching sensations in the body, recovery entails accessing and befriending the organism we inhabit, which requires interoceptive awareness, the core of agency and being in charge of our reactions to our surroundings- how we process memories, how we make meaningful connections with others, and how we heal from traumatic events. Licia and Bessel will discuss and demonstrate how this awareness enables us to be more present and attuned to our own internal states and feelings, expanding our window of tolerance to know ourselves more fully. We will engage in a range of exercises that guide us to focus our attention on awareness of physical sensations, emotional triggers, attraction, impulses, and unconscious choices about what is safe or dangerous. This experiential workshop will demonstrate practices that enhance our ability to follow our body rhythms—of breath, heartbeat, footsteps, vocal expression, and gestures,—and come into collective synchrony—attunement, alignment, proximity, safety, engagement, meaning-making, and play.
Based on the upcoming book, Come to Your Senses- the Official Companion Workbook for The Body Keeps the Score, this program offers an array of nonverbal, experiential exercises drawn from theater, parts work, guided focusing, dance, meditation, yoga, bodywork, and Embodied Voice
Learning Objectives:
Dr. Bessel A. van der Kolk's Bio: Bessel A. van der Kolk M.D. is a pioneer clinician, researcher and teacher in the area of posttraumatic stress. His work uniquely integrates developmental, neurobiological, psychodynamic, somatic and interpersonal aspects of the impact of trauma and its treatment.
His #1 New York Times Science best seller, The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Treatment of Trauma (translated in 38 languages), transforms our understanding of traumatic stress, revealing how it literally rearranges the brain’s wiring—specifically areas dedicated to pleasure, engagement, control, and trust. He shows how these areas can be reactivated through innovative treatments including neurofeedback, psychedelic therapy, psychodrama, mindfulness techniques, parts work, yoga, and body work. Dr. van der Kolk and his various collaborators have published extensively on the impact of trauma on development, such as dissociative problems, borderline personality and self-mutilation, cognitive development, memory, and the psychobiology of trauma. He has published over 150 peer reviewed scientific articles on such diverse topics as neuroimaging, self-injury, memory, neurofeedback, Developmental Trauma, yoga, theater and EMDR.
He is founder of the Trauma Center (now the Trauma Research Foundation) in Boston, MA; past President of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Professor of Psychiatry at Boston University Medical School and Principal Investigator Boston site of MAPS sponsored MDMA assisted psychotherapy study. He regularly teaches at universities and hospitals around the world. Visit besselvanderkolk.com for more information.
Licia Sky's Bio: Licia Sky is a somatic educator, artist, singer-songwriter, and bodyworker who works with traumatized individuals and trains mental health professionals to use mindful meditation in movement, theater exercises, writing, and voice as tools for attunement, healing, and connection. She is a regular instructor in trauma healing workshops at Cape Cod Institute, Kripalu, Menla, and Esalen. For the past decade, she has been teaching expanded awareness in workshops to clinicians and laypeople around the world.
www.trauamresearchfoundation.org
Alanis Morissette
Singer, Songwriter, Podcaster, Activist
Bio:
Awards, 7 Grammy® Awards (with an additional 14 nominations), two Golden Globe nominations, a BRIT Award and sales of over 75 million albums worldwide. Her debut album JAGGED LITTLE PILL, was followed by nine more eclectic and critically acclaimed albums, all of which continue to influence and inspire fans and fellow artists alike. Her artistic impact can also be seen via “Jagged Little Pill, the Musical,” which made its Broadway debut in December 2019, was nominated for 15 Tony Awards, with 2 wins, and continues to tour globally. Alanis was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and most recently, The Canadian Songwriter Hall of Fame. Alanis has acted on the big and small screen both comedically and dramatically with roles in “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Dogma,” “Sex and the City,” “Weeds,” “Up All Night”, among many others. She is currently starring in Fox’s sitcom, “The Great North”.
Alanis’ influence can be felt not only in music; she is viewed as a bridge between the world of academia and culture at large. Her process of integrating a myriad of profound teachings - expanding upon them, rendering them pithy and clear - has evolved conversations surrounding her most resonant approaches for healing and wholeness and has allowed for a whole new form of expression both within and outside of the realm of music.
Alanis is a dedicated supporter and student of spiritual, psychological, and physical wholeness which includes addiction and trauma recovery, female empowerment, and the advancement of a more “whole” approach to children’s education. She has established her own model of wholeness and has shared the stage with some of today’s great thinkers and change agents, including Oprah Winfrey, Arianna Huffington, Neale Donald Walsch, Richard Schwartz, Gabor Mate, Ken Wilber, Harville Hendrix, John Gottman and others. She has contributed her writing to a variety of forums, including a weekly column in The Guardian, Time Magazine, and The New York Times, to name a few. Alanis leads workshops online as well as at learning institutions such as UCLA, Omega Institute, Esalen and 1440 Multiversity, as well as participating in a variety of keynote speaking engagements worldwide.
Morissette’s passionate commitment to learning, combines her formal education with a rigorous self-led course of study. As an independent scholar, Alanis has developed her own learning models and practices, integrating and distilling her research, knowledge, and experience into teachings that combine her clearly articulated (and often channeled) go-right-for-the jugular insights with profound empathy. With an eye toward functionality and somatic, emotional, psychological, cognitive and spiritual connectivity—with an emphasis on healing the ruptures in relationships with Soul, self, and other. She uses this triadic consideration throughout all her teachings. Alanis has always merged academic and psychological studies with her own personal self-work of personal and spiritual development, with the understanding that “if I don’t live it, I can’t support people in doing so.”
Her primary areas of study include the Internal Family Systems Model (IFS) of parts work—which expands upon her awareness of the multitudinousness of the self from a very young age; addiction recovery models (Pia Mellody, Tian Dayton, Peter Levine, Claudia Black, Albert Ellis, Richard Gill, etc); the Somatic Experiencing model of trauma recovery; Jungian and Debbie Ford shadow work; parts work, attachment theory and attachment parenting; the Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) temperament trait as a style of sensory processing—and the inclusion of neuro and educative diversity, the expansion of the multiple intelligence theory by Howard Gardner; and clinical certification in Imago Therapy, gestalt awareness practice (Chris Price), open floor movement (Andrea Juhan) among many other modalities, trainings and systems. Facilitated through her writing, teaching, performances, interviews and public speaking, Alanis’ work to support others in repairing developmental traumas and re-establishing agency within themselves is born of a lifelong desire to support the alleviation of suffering on a micro and macro/cultural level.
As an activist, Alanis donates her time to causes that help raise awareness and funding on a number of focuses, including Equality Now; PSI (Postpartum Support International), NEDA (eating disorders recovery), SAMHSA (mental health), Music for Relief (environment), “Every Mother Counts” (motherhood/feminism), and P.S. Arts (supporting the arts in schools) in California, among many others. Alanis was awarded the UN Global Tolerance Award for her ability to hold space for the wide range of human experiences through her art and speaking.
Her first podcast, “Conversations with Alanis Morissette,” featured guests such as Dr. Wendy Maltz, Dr Pia Mellody, Dan Seigel, Gordon Neufeld, Daniel Goleman and Byron Katie, etc. Alanis discusses art, psychology, physical, emotional, cognitive and developmental healing—as well as psychodrama and sociometrics/ experiential and gestalt influenced embodiment practices, relationships, health, wholeness and spirituality. Through her blogs, she explores these topics in detail and depth, as well as sharing personal recommendations and resources.
Dwight Bain
Speaker, Counselor, Leadership Coach
Session Description: 80% of the adult population in the United States report loneliness as a major factor at times in their life, which worsened during the global pandemic. As loneliness builds, it can lead to low self-worth, negative emotions of resentment, bitterness, guilt, shame, interpersonal conflicts, job loss, poverty, weakened health or mental distress. There are three types of loneliness common to humans: developmental loneliness, internal loneliness, and situational loneliness. Each of these types affect people differently based on age, developmental stage, support system, and access to mental health care. Consider research from the National Institute of Mental Health, (NIMH), Health Resources and Service Administration, (HRSA) and the U.S. Census Bureau to understand how significantly loneliness has become a challenge to public health.
• Loneliness and social isolation can be as damaging to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day
• Social isolation was associated with a 50% percent increased risk of dementia
• Two in five Americans report they feel their social relationships are not meaningful, and one in five say they feel lonely or socially isolated
• Aging adults who are socially isolated are at a higher risk for depression
• Poor social relationships were associated with a 29% increase in risk of coronary heart disease and a 32% rise in the risk of stroke
• Social isolation significantly increases a person’s risk of premature death from all causes. A risk that may rival those of smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity
• Loneliness was associated with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide
Untreated loneliness can lead to serious physical and psychological health consequences. It is essential for clinicians to identify the challenges associated with social isolation and pandemic related complicated loneliness to prevent mental health or behavioral health problems and to feel confident building new social connections.
Learning Objectives
Bio:
Dwight Bain helps people manage change with creative strategy as a Nationally Certified Counselor and Leadership Coach in practice since 1984. Bain is an author and trusted media resource who has been interviewed on over 500 radio and television stations; as well as quoted in over 100 newspapers/websites including: New York Times, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, Atlanta Journal, Orlando Sentinel, FoxBusiness.com, MSNBC.com and Yahoo.com. Dwight’s skill as a communicator led his peers in Toastmaster to select him as one of the best speakers in Florida. He has challenged thousands of audiences toward positive change at organizations like Disney, Toyota, the United States Army, DuPont and the United Way. Dwight is a lifelong resident of Orlando where he lives with his wife Sheila and an assortment of pets. After 30 years together they always have suitcases packed ready for their next adventure.
Michael Fischman
Author, Speaker, Meditation Teacher, Wellbeing Expert, Personal Coach
Session Description: Experience how skillful use of the breath can positively shift your thoughts and physiology to overcome addiction and sustain sobriety. During the workshop, you will learn effective evidence-based breathwork and tools that can be used in clinical and nonclinical settings to support emotional regulation, lower stress, control impulses and reduce cravings.
Learn from an award winning author, global trainer and international inspirational speaker how breathwork and meditation techniques can offer a transformative set of tools that can provide maximum impact for those in recovery. Research on the techniques delivered in the workshop and SKY breath meditation will be shared.
Learning Objectives
Bio:
Michael Fischman is a leader in the field of personal development, the host of Back to the Source podcast and the author of the award-winning memoir, Stumbling into Infinity. He was a founding member and long-serving president of the U.S. Art of Living Foundation, a global non-profit educational and humanitarian organization. A former advertising executive with Ogilvy & Mather, Michael is an inspiring speaker who travels the world leading personal-development seminars that bring greater peace, awareness, and fulfillment to daily life.
Terra Holbrook
Speaker, Educator, and Facilitator in Mental Health and Addictions Work
Session Description: We will explore maladaptive behaviors and destructive trauma responses, and discover ways to break free from the behaviors and internal structures that become part of the pain and suffering. Through rewiring the brain we can create safety. This presentation will address how this is done. It is commonly believed that healing from trauma is done by exploring traumatic events and unravelling the story. In this presentation, we will explore what happens to the mind and body in the response to trauma and how behaviors are set in place to safeguard against the threat. These responses last long after the primary danger is gone. We will discover how the mind and body trys to protect as it recreates the trauma, often including the roles of those involved. In this attempt to ensure mastery over the lack of control, fear and pain of the initial wound, the trauma response becomes part of the maladaptive coping in an effort to create safety. These coping mechanisms can become protective layers which shield the victim but reinforce the trauma response.
Learning Objectives
Bio:
Terra Holbrook, LCSW, CADC, is a well-known speaker, educator and facilitator in mental health and addictions work. She has a master’s degree in social work. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, as well as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Terra began her work in 1994 working with adolescents. In 1997 she co-founded Family Recovery Center in Idaho Falls, Idaho, with her husband, Jeff. Since then, she has worked in private practice and as clinical director of various treatment programs across the United States.
Terra has worked with numerous treatment centers to enhance their programs to include trauma work with individuals and families. She also provides workshops which focus on healing from trauma for therapists and those who work in the treatment setting. In 2017, she formed SeaGlass Intensives and Consulting, Inc., where she worked with individuals, couples and families in intensive therapy and workshop settings.
She has developed a passion for working with First Responders who are experiencing grief and trauma. She created 5-day retreats addressing the pain and trauma which often threatens the health and well-being of the brave men and women who serve our communities.
Last year, Terra established TerraVista, a retreat center which provides workshops focused on trauma resolution. The programs at TerraVista are an accumulation of the experience and understanding Terra has gained from her years working with mental health and trauma. She has dedicated this sacred space to health and healing, bringing hope to those who are suffering.
Terra has spoken at numerous conferences and on many podcasts, been featured on NPR, and has been on local T.V. and radio.
She lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband and their dog, Jack.
Reena Vokoun
Founder and CEO of Passion Fit, TEDx Speaker, Author, Certified Consumer and Corporate Wellness Expert and Digital Marketer
Session Description: We're facing unprecedented times as we live through a pandemic, climate change, social issues and more. Therefore, now more than ever, it's important for companies to rise up in these times and invest in the mental and physical health and wellbeing of their employees. While it may be more challenging, especially while most employees are working remotely for the foreseeable future, the investment will be invaluable when it comes to increasing productivity, engagement and retention. Thought-provoking research and statistics, exciting and innovative tools, practical tips and a wide variety of resources will be provided in this dynamic and engaging presentation you won't want to miss!
Learning Objectives
Bio:
Reena Vokoun, Founder and CEO of Passion Fit, is a best-selling and award-winning author, TEDx speaker, media spokesperson and certified health coach, group fitness professional, yoga/mindfulness, nutrition and behavior change specialist, and employee wellbeing and professional strengths-based coach through the American Council on Exercise, Athletics and Fitness Association of America and Gallup. She's also an award-winning ESPN Fitness Championships competitor, personal and professional development coach and consultant, content creator and marketer.
Reena graduated with a BBA in Marketing and Management from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an MS in Advertising and Communications from Boston University. She spent years in digital marketing, sales and business development leadership roles for Google, Yahoo, Reebok, CNET, GE and Grokker.
Today, she serves companies, nonprofits, universities, schools and the media through Passion Fit products, services and content focused on fitness, nutrition, mindfulness, productivity and work-life balance.
Reena is featured as a TV health contributor on NBC, ABC, CBS and FOX, has been featured in Health and Women's Health magazines and was selected as one of LA Weekly's Top 10 Health and Fitness Leaders of 2023. She's also a brand ambassador for the American Council on Exercise. She speaks to companies such as Microsoft, Google and Amazon, writes for Thrive Global, Shape and her own blog and has been a newspaper health columnist. Reena has also published her first nonfiction book, entitled, The Wellness-Empowered Woman™, which is an Amazon Best-Seller, Mom's Choice Award Gold Winner, Nonfiction Authors Association Gold Award Winner and Book Excellence Award Winner.
Brett Talbot
Licensed Psychologist and Chief Clinical Officer and Co-founder at Videra Health
Session Description: With the growing shortage of providers, it's more critical than ever for all healthcare stakeholders to lock arms and find workable behavioral health solutions that will benefit local communities. The situation is especially serious in marginalized communities, where the increasing demand for mental health care can be disproportionately impacted as a result of social determinants of health. Patient intake assessments, phone calls and telehealth visits are not enough to sufficiently address the growing epidemic of mental health issues in this country. Fortunately, thanks to rapid advances in digital and AI technology, state-of-the-art remote patient monitoring and engagement tools can digitize traditional clinical assessments by gathering patient data through video assessments, allowing providers to identify and reach high risk patients when they are most in need of care.
Dr. Brett Talbot, Co-Founder and Chief Clinical Officer of Videra Health, will discuss ways technology and resources can help hospitals, health systems and providers navigate the rising demand for mental health support services, and amplify existing programs. Attendees will learn how to improve mental health outcomes, shifting towards a proactive and data-driven solution. Talbot will wrap up his session with real-world results, case studies and patient stories to illustrate the positive impact of AI-driven solutions in the behavioral health field.
Bio:
Dr. Brett Talbot, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist and CCO/Co-founder at Videra Health, a digital healthcare technology company. Previously, Dr. Talbot was a Chief Clinical Officer, Chief Quality Officer, Executive Clinical Director, and Executive Director at behavioral healthcare organizations. He has worked clinically in several hospitals and residential care settings, and currently sits on several healthcare-related advisory boards.
Dr. Talbot received his doctorate degree in psychology from the University of Houston, specializing in health service psychology. Brett is certified in both Lean Six Sigma Healthcare Management and Healthcare Project Management. Administratively, he has specialized in program development, performance and process improvement, quality assurance, and risk management. Clinically, he has focused on working with healthcare providers to develop systems and interventions for patients requiring specialized services.
Brett's research has focused on program design and effectiveness studies for behavioral healthcare, emphasizing the integration of specific interventions, progress monitoring, and long-term outcomes. Dr. Talbot has published various articles, been a guest editor for a scientific journal, has done editorial reviews for children's healthcare books, and speaks nationally and internationally on many topics surrounding behavioral healthcare.
Brian Giebink
AIA, LEED AP BD+C, EDAC
Session Description: The mental health crisis is a significant issue that has been recognized as a national concern for over 50 years. It affects a significant portion of the population and has been exacerbated by the recent pandemic. In response to this crisis, the design and construction industry has begun to shift its focus from sustainability to regenerative design, which takes into account the recovery of the natural environment, community mental health, social equity, human-centered design, and wellness. To address the mental health and well-being implications of regenerative design, we must consider neuroarchitecture and environmental psychology. This conference session will delve into these regenerative design principles and their impact on mental health and well-being, as well as the broader implications for design, the built environment, and the mental health crisis. We will review case studies spanning mental health facilities, schools, and mixed-use projects that have started implementing some of these principles and discuss their efficacy for the greater communities they serve. By paying greater attention to social, neurological, and ecological systems, the design and construction industry can strengthen its value to society as addresses some of the most pressing issues of our time, including the current mental health crisis, ultimately improving care to those we serve.
Bio:
As an architect and leader of HDR’s mental health practice, Brian has a deep understanding of current research and trends in mental health design and uses his expertise to create innovative, research-based solutions that improve the patient experience in mental health environments. Brian has served as the mental health expert on numerous projects around the world for inpatient, outpatient, community, and crisis services, guiding project teams towards improved outcomes in mental health environments. He is an active member of the FGI Health Guidelines Revision Committee focused on behavioral health and co-author of numerous behavioral health publications including the OSHPD Advisory Guide for Acute Psychiatric Hospitals.
Kristina Padilla
LGBTQIA2+ Speaker, Consultant
Session Description: This session delves into clinical information for working with the Trans Community by addressing the needs of LGBTQAIA2+/transgender individuals who seek treatment for mental health and/or substance use disorders. The presentation covers Clinical considerations, including best practices for trans youth and adults, body dysphoria as per the DSM-5, hormone readiness implications, body image management, and emotions and feelings those in the LGBTQIA2+ “Rainbow Community” may experience will be presented from both a clinical, as well as personal perspective through Kristina Padilla’s lived experience as a gay/trans/fluid person. CBTF will be discussed, MET will be gone over, and Trauma inform treatment will be presented to show clinicians how to work with queer populations. As a refresher for some and a foundation for those new to working with this population, an “Introduction to the LGBTQ+ Community: LGBTQ+ 101,” will give basic information about definitions, best practices, and working with the Trans and non-binary population. Effective tips and questions to ask as a potential clinician will be reviewed so that clinicians may self-assess their practice’s LGBTQIA2+ affirming levels and ways in which to improve this quality if necessary. Insights about how to run a successful support group for those who are coming out or questioning will also be outlined and discussed. To take participants beyond their practices to becoming potential advocates for their clients and within society as a whole, “Welcome to the Rainbow Community: What you didn’t know, and How to Become an Ally” will be presented. This important section of the presentation challenges practitioners to be leaders in their communities and to inspire clients and their families to end stigma that has so deeply impacted “Rainbow People.” Many practitioners have a basic familiarity concerning LGBTQ clients. However, most are unfamiliar with the distinctions within the trans and non-binary populations. There is a strong need for practitioners to learn the unique attributes of the trans umbrella and how the histories and challenges each segment faces when entering treatment for addiction impacts the way in which each individual may succeed or fail. Clinicians can vastly improve service delivery by understanding that what they may not know what they do not know regarding this special population. With the incredible stress that isolation has created due to the pandemic, young trans people are at a historic risk for addiction and suicidality. It is urgent that practitioners increase their knowledge about this special population.
Learning Objectives
Bio:
Kristina Padilla is a leader with the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP), where she serves as the Vice President of Education and Strategic Development overseeing CCAPP’s Education Department. Additionally, she travels throughout California and the nation bringing addiction focused businesses together to promote the profession, increase access to services and improve the quality of AOD service provision through education, business development, and investment in quality programming. Formerly she served as the Education Director for the California Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (CAADAC). Mx. Padilla led California’s innovative criminal justice program serving as the Offender Mentor Certification Program Director for three years where she managed 12 in-prison programs for training counselors. She worked closely with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) in California prisons for the duration of the contract bringing innovation and growth to the state’s in custody treatment programming. Mx. Padilla has a Bachelor’s of Science in Criminal Justice Administration and a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology. Mx. Padilla is a Licensed Advanced Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor.
Joe Considine
Marchman Act Attorney
Session Description: Significant research has established that involuntary commitment to treatment is at least as effective, if not more so, than voluntary treatment. Oftentimes, no amount of familial or employment pressure can interfere with the individual’s need for substances. Substance abuse re-wires the brain for more substance abuse. Involuntary commitment to treatment, through the courts, provides the tools to deliver individuals with substance use disorders to treatment where they can begin the process of re-wiring the brain for recovery. Many individuals must be mandated by the courts to treatment long enough to facilitate development of intrinsic motivation to heal.
Learning Objectives
Bio:
Attorney Joe Considine has practiced law in South Florida since 1983. His firm specializes in utilizing the court system to require substance use treatment through Florida's involuntary statute, the Marchman Act. He works extensively with families whose loved ones have substance abuse and mental health problems, many of whom are not Florida residents. Joe works closely with interventionists, treatment centers, and case managers. He has handled hundreds of Marchman Act cases, and has been able to keep individuals with Substance Use Disorder in treatment under a court order for up to 12 months. JoeConsidineLaw.com.
Dr. David Grand
Session Description: This workshop will present Brainspotting, a trauma-sensitive psychotherapy discovered in 2003, as well as unveil the Neuroexperiential Model. Brainspotting is an integrative model that makes use of relevant eye positions to access unprocessed trauma held in thee subcortical (deep) brain and felt in the body. Central to the model is the Uncertainty Principle which identifies the 1 to 4 quadrillion synaptic connections in the human nervous system as essentially unknowable to the outside observing therapist. In this context, the therapist receives and holds the client’s experiential frame which promotes focussed mindfulness processing and emotional healing. This healing frame is seen in Brainspotting as being both relational and neurological (brain-body). Also presented will be the Neuroexperiential Model of Brainspotting that adopts a global perspective that looks at symptomatic manifestations developmentally and not as disorders. This approach expands beyond the Western viewpoint to seek out and embrace healing wisdom from around the world. Brainspotting as such is elaborated in this neuroexperiential context.
Learning Objectives:
Bio: David Grand, PhD is the developer of Brainspotting, the groundbreaking relational brain-body, mindfulness-based method. He is the author of Brainspotting: The Revolutionary New Therapy for Rapid and Effective Change and the co-author of This is Your Brain on Sports. Dr. Grand is involved in humanitarian activities with survivors of 9/11, Katrina and Sandy Hook/Newtown. He has accomplished breakthroughs in performance and creativity with Brainspotting Sports Work and Brainspotting Acting Coaching. Dr. Grand is the playwright of his 9/11 play I Witness and the filmmaker of the documentary Come Hell or High Water. Dr. Grand has been widely featured in the media including The NY Times, NBC National News, The Discovery Channel, CNN, MSNBC, Sports Illustrated and Sirius Radio.
Dr. Tina Payne Bryson
Session Description: How do clinicians support parents who are stressed out and dealing with their kids’ challenging behaviors? Who are reflecting on how they were parented? Who are working through trauma? And who struggle with their own emotional regulation?
In our time together, we’ll look at what the science says about the best predictors for how children develop, and how clinicians can work with parents in two main areas: cultivating secure attachment, and responding to behavioral challenges, both the run-of-the-mill kind and more significant social and emotional issues. Drawing on attachment and child development research, the science of interpersonal neurobiology, and clinical experience, this workshop selects the most relevant topics for clinicians in Dr. Bryson’s best-selling books The Whole-Brain Child and No-Drama Discipline, The Yes Brain, and The Power of Showing Up.
She’ll discuss the latest scientific research–with a special emphasis on neuroplasticity and the changing brain–in a way that’s clear, interesting, and immediately practical. Dr. Bryson will also share stories and simple strategies for honoring the Four S’s (helping clients of all ages feel safe, seen, soothed, and secure) effectively in professional and client interactions, as well as how she uses brain science in her own practice to help clients see things differently and feel hope about achieving lasting change in their lives.
We’ll learn this together by looking through the lens of interpersonal neurobiology, where we consider our own, and our client’s embodied brain, nervous system, mind, and relationships as we work as change agents to help our clients thrive. At the end of the conference, the audience will have a new framework for understanding and evolving their own work, along with practical strategies they can learn to help families move from reactivity to resilience.
Learning Objectives:
Bio: Dr. Tina Payne Bryson (she/her) is the author of Bottom Line for Baby (Random House 2020) and co-author (with Dan Siegel) of THE POWER OF SHOWING UP (Random House 2020) and THE YES BRAIN (Random House 2018), as well as two New York Times bestsellers -- THE WHOLE-BRAIN CHILD (Random House 2011), and NO-DRAMA DISCIPLINE (Random House 2014) -- each of which has been translated into over fifty languages. THE WHOLE-BRAIN CHILD has now sold over a million copies.
Tina is a psychotherapist and the Founder/Executive Director of The Center for Connection, a multidisciplinary clinical practice, and of The Play Strong Institute, a center devoted to the study, research, and practice of play therapy through a neurodevelopment lens.
Dr. Bryson keynotes conferences and conducts workshops for kids, parents, educators, clinicians, and industry leaders all over the world, and she makes frequent media appearances (for example, in TIME Magazine, “Good Morning America,” Huffington Post, Redbook, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Real Simple). A graduate of Baylor University, she earned her LCSW and Ph.D. from the University of Southern California, where her research explored attachment science, childrearing theory, and the emerging field of interpersonal neurobiology.
Tina’s professional life now focuses on taking research and theory from various fields of science, and offering it in a way that’s clear, realistic, humorous, and immediately helpful. As she puts it, “For parents, clinicians, and teachers, learning about how kids’ (and their own) brains work is surprisingly practical, informing how they approach discipline, how they help kids deal with everyday struggles, and ultimately how they connect with the children they care about.”
Tina devotes a limited number of hours per week to meeting with parents and children for psychotherapy and consultations. The best way to reach her is to contact her via the link below.
Dr. Ramani Durvasula
Session Description: Maladaptive personality styles, particularly antagonistic patterns such as narcissism, can significantly complicate assessment, treatment, and long-term management with individuals living with addiction and substance use disorders (SUDS). Relational and intrapsychic dynamics can present as part of both substance use and antagonistic personality styles, and we also observe significant interpersonal disruption which will impact treatment engagement and relapse management. It is also known that substance use/addiction and narcissism overlap with 25-50% of persons with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) presenting with a co-occurring SUD (Stinson et al., 2008). But we often overlook personality when working with clients living with addiction, and personality assessment often does not inform treatment planning. This presentation will offer a comprehensive overview of narcissism and NPD, including the AMPD formulation offered by DSM, relationship dynamics, developmental and etiological issues including trauma, and the overlap between narcissism and substance use disorders. We will also review the overlaps and discrimination between narcissism and antisocial personality disorder/psychopathy. Dynamics such as shame, saving face, and validation seeking as part of the recovery process will also be addressed. Working with narcissistic clients who are managing co-occurring substance use remains a significant challenge for clinicians, and can raise a sense of helplessness, frustration, and other potentially problematic counter-transferential dynamics. Intersectional issues related to race, social class and economic status will also be addressed. Tips for maximizing clinician efficacy in working with this population will be addressed, as will the important of realistic expectations not only for the clinician but also for family, partners/spouses, and other stakeholders.
Learning Objectives:
Bio: Dr. Ramani Durvasula is a licensed clinical psychologist in Los Angeles, CA, Professor Emerita of Psychology at California State University, Los Angeles, and the Founder and CEO of LUNA Education, Training & Consulting. She is an author of several books including Should I Stay or Should I Go: Surviving A Relationship with a Narcissist, and "Don't You Know Who I Am?": How to Stay Sane in an Era of Narcissism, Entitlement, and Incivility. The focus of her work is the impact of narcissism and high-conflict, entitled, antagonistic personality styles on human relationships, mental health, and society at large. She is the host of the highly rated podcast, Navigating Narcissism with Dr. Ramani, a show that focuses on narcissism and its impact on relationships. You can also find her on YouTube where she has accumulated millions of views on her videos discussing narcissism on her successful channel, and on social media @DoctorRamani.
Adriana Popescu
Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Addiction Specialist, Empowerment Coach
Session Description: Energy Psychology (EP; also known as cognitive somatic practices) comprises a set of innovative and powerful mind-body techniques that have been demonstrated to enhance treatment progress and outcomes for a variety of mental health issues including depression, anxiety, phobias, posttraumatic stress disorder, and more (Feinstein, 2018). There is a growing body of evidence supporting these methods, particularly Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), as efficacious in the treatment of addiction and co-occurring substance use and mental disorders (Balha et al., 2020; Church & Brooks, 2013; Feinstein, 2021; Popescu, 2021; Stapleton et al., 2019).
In this workshop, we will review the latest research, provide case studies on how these tools have been utilized in one particular treatment program that focuses on treating addiction (Popescu, 2021), co-occurring disorders and trauma, and demonstrate how to apply one of the most widely used EP modalities, EFT, in a variety of clinical ways to more effectively treat what has often been considered to be a challenging population with traditionally poor treatment outcomes (Kelly & Daley, 2013; Torrens et al., 2012). Participants will receive specific examples of practical, targeted applications of EFT techniques that they can utilize in addressing these issues with their clients.
Learning Objectives
Bio:
Dr. Adriana Popescu is a clinical psychologist with 25 years of experience in the mental health field. She specializes in treating addictions and trauma and has directed a number of treatment programs in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is the Founder/CEO of Firebird Healing, a trauma healing program, and the Clinical Director at Avery Lane, a holistic treatment program for co-occurring disorders and trauma.
Adriana has contributed to several books, including TJ Woodward's Conscious Being Workbook, Conscious Recovery for Addiction and Conscious Recovery for Mental Health Workbooks, and the Conscious Creation Workbook, all of which she co-authored with him. Her own book, What If You’re Not as F***ed Up As You Think You Are? was released in 2022.
She has a private practice in San Francisco and travels around the world speaking, coaching and facilitating transformational workshops. She also hosts a podcast called Kaleidoscope of Possibilities – Alternative Perspectives on Mental Health.
Mike Giresi
Florida Certified Addiction Counselor and an Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor
Session Description: This presentation offers a comprehensive overview of adolescent mental health and substance use issues from the lens of complex trauma, including evidence-based interventions for assessment, clinical conceptualization, and treatment. Attendees will participate in self-guided, as well as group exercises to practice trauma-informed skills. This presentation will also provide demonstrations on how to apply clinical skills specifically oriented to addressing adaptive patterns of both nervous system dysregulation and shamed-based identity distortions. Attendees will be introduced to specific assessment tools that will aid in their ability to conceptualize complex trauma symptoms and behaviors through the lens of attachment theory, interpersonal neurobiology, and developmental affective neuroscience.
Learning Objectives
Bio:
Mike found his passion for helping others through his own journey of healing and recovery. He started his career in the mental health field working with adult clients who suffered from complex trauma and PTSD, as well as addictions. He has since traveled to India to study and become certified in Yoga and Meditation. Mike is a Florida Certified Addiction Counselor and an Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Mike is also a nationally Certified Trauma Professional through Spirit2Spirit Trauma Healing and a NeuroAffective Relational Model® (NARM®) Practitioner. In addition, Mike is a national speaker and educator on the topics of developmental trauma, addiction, and adolescent treatment. Mike utilizes his extensive training and experience in the field of trauma, somatic psychology, interpersonal neurobiology, and addiction treatment to inform the creation of individual, group, and family programming for clients and their loved ones at Family First Adolescent Services.
Marlon Rollins, PhD, LMHC, LPCC
Author and CEO in mental health care and addiction treatment
Session Description: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide rates in the United States have witnessed a staggering 36% increase over the past 20 years. To put it into perspective, approximately one person dies by suicide every 11 minutes, amounting to a devastating loss of life. Furthermore, the CDC estimates that a staggering 12.3 million individuals seriously contemplate suicide each year. These numbers underscore the urgent need for collective action and a deeper understanding of this crisis. We will delve deeper into understanding the risk factors, behaviors, and mood states associated with elevated suicide risk. We will explore methods to develop and implement suicide screenings and risk reduction strategies in different settings, such as schools, treatment centers, and clinics. Additionally, we will learn effective ways to ask and intervene during a suicidal crisis, develop safety planning techniques for individuals and their families, and explore available resources to support loss survivors of suicide. Let us begin our journey towards empowering communities and saving lives.
Learning Objectives
Bio:
Dr. Marlon Rollins has over 15 years of leadership experience in the behavioral health and addiction treatment fields, having served as CEO and COO with Universal Health Services, American Addiction Centers, and Acadia Healthcare. Dr. Rollins is the author of the self-published book Healing the Impoverished Mind: Building Resilience Through Adversity. He is a licensed mental health counselor, and a licensed professional clinical counselor, holding a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and a PhD in Educational Psychology from Ball State University. Dr. Rollins has a special interest and expertise in suicide prevention. Working with the Zero Suicide Institute, he implemented a 2.4 million dollar SAMHSA Garrett Lee-Smith Grant in Community Health Network's integrated healthcare system, and served on the Steering Committee for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Jc Hall
School Social Worker, Hip Hop Therapy Studio Director
Session Description: At first glance, Hip Hop and therapy might appear to be quite the odd combination. However, despite drastically different cultural underpinnings, they are both widely used expressive practices that serve as a form of catharsis and connection. For half a century, the culture of Hip Hop has served a therapeutic purpose for participants and witnesses alike. It has also reached people where, historically, talk therapy has not. With roots in progressive social movements and political protest, its messages transcend geography, race, ethnicity, and class. First developed in the mid-90s by Hall’s late mentor Dr. Edgar Tyson, Hip Hop therapy (HHT) embraces the therapeutic value of Hip Hop and its power to facilitate personal and communal transformation.
Learning Objectives
Bio:
J.C. Hall, LCSW, EXAT is a Hip Hop artist and clinical social worker who runs the Hip Hop Therapy Studio program at Mott Haven Community High School, a “second-chance” transfer school in the South Bronx. In 2013, Hall assembled a professional recording studio in an old storage room to provide youth the opportunity to engage in the therapeutic process through writing, recording, producing and performing their own music. The origins of the program are chronicled in the award-winning short documentary Mott Haven, which showcases the efficacy of this approach in addressing trauma and grief in the wake of a school tragedy. Due to its impact over the years, Hall won a national Jefferson Award for Outstanding Public Service Benefiting the New York Community in 2020.
Ben Cort
Founder of Addiction Treatment Marketers Organization (ATMO)
Session Description: Recent political changes in relation to marijuana are only part of the story. The publicized and politically charged world of drug policy has undergone immense changes over the past several years and those changes manifest not just in policy but also in the physical makeup of the cannabis plant and products derived from components of the plant. Not only has the perception of the plant changed, the actual plant itself has undergone dramatic changes as it has been industrialized and brought into a commercial market. As public opinion has softened towards cannabis the effects of consuming today’s marijuana remain poorly understood as do methods for effective intervention on the THC dependent individual.
Learning Objectives
Bio:
Sober since 6/15/96, Ben has been a part of the recovery movement in almost every way imaginable; from a recipient to a provider to a spokesperson. He joined the field professionally in 2007 working inside of nonprofits, treatment programs and consulting to athletics and organized labor.
Highlighted in his book, Weed, Inc.: The Truth About the Pot Lobby, THC, and the Commercial Marijuana Industry, and his TED talk “Surprising Truths about Legalizing Cannabis” Ben has remained active in the discussion around marijuana, assisting several states efforts to hold back Big Marijuana and always advocating for recovery.
His reputation as being pro-logic and recovery oriented rather than anti anything, and his widely adopted curriculum on ethical treatment and practices has garnered national recognition. He is utilized by the likes of NFL, and NCAA programs to determine appropriate treatment for their athletes, coaches and their families as well as develop recovery oriented policies.
Ben transitioned from consultant to CEO of Foundry Steamboat in 2019, is a board member for NALGAP (National Association of Lesbian, Gay Bisexual, Transgender treatment providers and their allies), a Board member at SAM (Smart Approaches to Marijuana) and faculty at numerous institutes.
Evelyn Higgins & Jacqueline Hall
Session Description: Addiction is a complex disease comprising biological, psychological, and social components. Lack of access to objective diagnostic tools addressing the biological piece has perpetuated stigma, fueled behavioral health inequities, and lead to poor treatment outcomes.
For too long, mental health and addiction treatment has lacked the diagnostic tools that other areas of healthcare have enjoyed for decades. Triage and treatment have been relegated to subjective interpretation of behaviors, feelings, and thoughts, rather than the utilization of objective diagnostic instruments, to diagnose and inform treatment of a bio-psycho-social disease. Simply put, it’s archaic.
Fortunately, we now have the ability to identify, isolate, and measure specific biomarkers that are highly correlated to substance use disorders, process addictions, and primary mental health conditions. These biomarkers provide clinicians with an objective and precision-based method to address the biological component of mental health and addiction recovery.
Learning Objectives
Evelyn Higgins' Bio:
Dr. Evelyn Higgins is a recognized international expert in the epidemiology of addiction. As a Certified Addictionologist, Diplomate of the American College of Addictionology and Compulsive Disorders, and Diplomate of the American Board of Disability Analysts specializing in pain management, Dr. Higgins has had the honor of advising the United States Surgeon General, producing and hosting a Gracie Award winning nationally syndicated health and wellness terrestrial radio program, and serving as a 1996 Olympic Team Doctor and Olympic torch bearer.
With 35 years in healthcare & consulting, Dr. Higgins has designated over 17 years to Research and Development in the science of addiction recovery. A TEDx Speaker, panelist at the 2022 International Society of Substance Use Professionals Annual Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, the 2022 International Gambling Conference in Auckland, New Zealand, and a 2021 Nominee for Modern Healthcare’s Top 25 Innovators in Healthcare, Dr. Higgins finds herself at the nexus of epigenetics, neuroscience, and addiction.
Jacqueline Hall's Bio:
Merging a decade of federal government relations and political affairs experience with the latest scientific research pertaining to mental health and addiction, Jacqueline acts as the principal conduit between Wired For Addiction® and the entities they serve. Prior to Jacqueline’s transition to the private sector as Wired For Addiction’s Chief Operating Officer, she worked as a congressional staffer on Capitol Hill, went on to become the Operations Director of a Florida based Super PAC, became a federal government affairs specialist for a large Florida university system, and ended her career as a political appointee at the United States Department of Energy in the Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs.
Now a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Corrections Committee, the Law Enforcement Against Drugs & Violence Florida Program Advisory Board, the Florida Justice Center Board of Directors, the Pinellas Recovery Round Table Delegation Committee, and the International Society of Substance Use Professionals, Jacqueline ensures that stake holders in the criminal justice community, government officials, and behavioral health professionals have access to the services and education provided by Wired For Addiction®.
Ashley Eckstein & Dr. Ariana Hoet
Session Description: Star Wars Actress Ashley Eckstein originated the role of Ahsoka Tano in Star Wars The Clone Wars 15 years ago. She went on to voice Ahsoka in many other hit series like Star Wars Rebels and movies like Star Wars The Rise of Skywalker. Ashley has her finger on the pulse of fandom and has been a strong advocate for mental health since 2018. After noticing that valuable lessons of the mind were being taught in the Star Wars stories, Ashley came up with the idea to pair Star Wars lessons with clinically based mindfulness exercises. Teaming up with Dr. Ariana Hoet, Pediatric Psychologist and Executive Clinical Director for On Our Sleeves a movement for Children’s Mental Health powered by Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Dr. Hoet helped Ashley with her new digital series of shorts called Star Wars Mindful Matters and on her new book Star Wars Everday.
In this session, Ashley and Dr. Hoet will share their secrets for success on how they’ve combined pop culture and clinical treatment, creating content that kids (and adults!) use and love.
Learning Objectives:
Ashley Eckstein's Bio:
Ashley Eckstein has been widely recognized and honored as an actress, entrepreneur, author, designer and influencer. Most known for originating the character Ahsoka Tano in Star Wars, she voices Ahsoka in projects such as Star Wars The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, Star Wars Rise of Skywalker and Star Wars Tales of the Jedi. Ashley founded Her Universe in 2010 - the groundbreaking fangirl fashion and lifestyle brand and Eckstein continues her design work with shopDisney and Disney Parks worldwide. She's also an author and her lifestyle book, Star Wars Everyday is out now. Ashley is an accomplished actress and producer with numerous film and television credits to her resume. She is also an in-demand host and inspirational speaker for major studios, networks and Fortune 500 companies. Ashley is best known as a trailblazer with a powerful voice in the fandom community. She uses her voice as a passionate advocate for mental health awareness and she is a champion for the On Our Sleeves movement for children's mental health.. Ashley's newest project, Star Wars Mindful Matters, is a series of short videos dedicated to the mindful lessons of Star Wars.
Dr. Ariana Hoet's Bio:
Ariana Hoet, PhD, executive clinical director of On Our Sleeves, is the driving force behind our mission of providing educational resources that break stigmas, increase mental health literacy, and support children’s mental health.
Dr. Hoet believes all children and families should have a fair opportunity to be as healthy as possible. That enthusiasm extends into her desire for making sure that people of all backgrounds are accepted and celebrated – a passion born from her own experience as an immigrant to the U.S. from Venezuela.
Her work in this arena led her to being recognized as a Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan by the Ohio Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs for her work within the Spanish-speaking community.
Dr. Hoet works in Pediatric Primary Care where she serves primarily Latino and Somali immigrant children. She is also a clinical assistant professor of Pediatrics in the Department of Pediatric Psychology and Neuropsychology at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and The Ohio State University, with a role in training the next generation of behavioral health professionals who will tackle the emerging mental health crisis in children.
Dr. Hoet has become a go-to national expert for outlets including USA Today, CNN, Good Morning America, and Newsweek because she is a vital public voice for youth mental health, and also because she has made an impact on countless young lives in her clinical practice.
The work of On Our Sleeves and Dr. Hoet helped draw U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy to Nationwide Children’s in October of 2022 to discuss the country’s growing pediatric mental health crisis. In panel discussions before central Ohio business executives at Nationwide Children’s, and with hundreds of college students at Otterbein University, Dr. Hoet and Dr. Murthy spoke passionately about addressing often-misunderstood mental health challenges.
Dr. Hoet is the proud mom of a toddler and enjoys family time, dancing, and Ohio State football. She is also involved in Latino community events, both personally and professionally. Dr. Hoet is the co-founder and vice president of Parenting Culture, a national non-profit for culturally responsive and inclusive parenting resources and a board member of Proyecto Mariposas, the Columbus non-profit serving Latina mothers and daughters.
She received her bachelor of science in psychology from The Ohio State University and a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. She completed her residency at The University of Colorado School of Medicine and a post-doctoral fellowship at Akron Children’s Hospital.
Dr. Rebecca Bailey
Clinical Director for Transitioning Families and Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Session Description: This engaging presentation will delve into the transformative power of horses in promoting emotional and psychological growth in humans. We will explore the therapeutic applications of equine-assisted interventions, including the innovative use of video, and how they can be effectively integrated into mental health treatment. Throughout the session, we will discuss practical strategies for mental health professionals to incorporate equine-assisted activities and video-based techniques into their practices, ultimately enhancing client outcomes. By the end of the presentation, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the innate ability of horses to facilitate healing, explore the potential benefits of incorporating video into treatment, and acquire valuable tools to implement equine-assisted interventions in their work.
Learning Objectives
Bio:
Dr. Rebecca Bailey, Clinical Director for Transitioning Families and Licensed Clinical
Psychologist, is an expert in complex case scenarios, including therapeutic reunification and or reintegration for families. In addition, Dr. Bailey is also the co-founder and director of Polyvagal Equine Institute and is dedicated to supporting and furthering the polyvagal principles of safety through interacting, connecting, and learning from horse/human bonds. She is an educational speaker and facilitator for in-person and virtual workshops. She is considered a nationally recognized expert in non-familial and familial abductions. Dr. Bailey is also a regular consultant
referral for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. She has been a guest and commentator on Anderson Cooper, Good Morning America, Piers Morgan, Erin Burnett, Kyra Phillips, 20/20, Diane Sawyer, Dr. Oz and World News Tonight. In 2013, she co-authored the book Safe Kids, Smart Parents (Simon Schuster).
Sheri Laine
Licensed Acupuncturist, Herbalist, and Recovery Specialist
Session Description: Designed for professionals working in behavioral, mental, and emotional health, and lay persons alike. This workshop will pinpoint mind /body techniques to use in the here and now, no matter where one is on the heath spectrum.
Techniques will include Acupuncture Energetics, Meditation/Mindfulness, Nutrition, Exercise, and Cognitive Awareness based on ancient healing practices that can readily be incorporated.
Attendees will gain insights and tools in coping with the pressures and anxieties of our modern culture. Discussion will include balanced nutrition, the importance of exercise, touch, healthy sexuality, sleep/rest, how to integrate meditation, and the value of reframing in communication’s
Learning Objectives
Bio:
Sheri Laine is a Licensed Acupuncturist, Herbalist, and Recovery Specialist, combining a 39-year expertise in Nutrition and Chinese herbs. Sheri offers a uniquely effective and meaningful treatment approach that guides individuals in being their genuine, best healthy selves.
Sheri’s focus is lifestyle medicine and cognitive enrichment through Oriental Medical techniques and teachings. As a clinician, Sheri supports individuals, athletes, children, animals- anyone in recovery, or those who are striving to achieve balance, fitness, and happiness through positive living choices.
Sheri amplifies her expertise with connection and lifestyle mentoring. In addition, her methods also include meditation techniques, homeopathy, Bach flowers, and Fung Shui guidance.
An author, educator and public speaker, Sheri’s books “The EnerQi Connection, and Living the EnerQi Connection; Manifesting Positive Change, describe natural energy and outline how individuals may easily cultivate their own innate EnerqQi.
Sheri’s website: www.BalancedEnerQi.com
Erin Peavey
Design researcher and architect
Session Description: In a time of hyper connection and communication, many of us report feeling lonely and detached, and there is strong evidence that this has a toxic effect on our health and happiness. Peavey will share an evidence-based framework to design for social connection, examine scalable strategies — some unexpected — that lead to social environments that promote meaningful connections. Huge opportunities await entrepreneurs who can leverage this knowledge to build a future marked by connections that boost our collective health.
Learning Objectives
Bio:
Erin is on a mission to cultivate health, well-being, and belonging through evidence-based, human-centered design. As Vice President, Health & Well-being Design Leader at HKS, she helps integrate research and practice to advance design for health and resilience across the globe. Erin has seen the power of architecture and design to help (or harm) our mental and social health, and has dedicated her career to create places that foster connection, advance health, and combat loneliness. Erin has a talent for making new insights accessible to a wide audience, with work featured in Psychology Today, TEDx, Metropolis, Curbed, Dallas Morning News, Healthline, SXSW, and her own podcast, Shared Space.
Marianne Brandon
Clinical psychologist and diplomate in sex therapy
Session Description: We are part of a massive social experiment. Sex, gender, and relationship dynamics are changing faster than at any point in the history of humanity, and all within the backdrop of exploding sex tech and artificial intelligence. Younger generations are increasingly comfortable with technology interfacing their lives, even in intimate ways. Enter virtual reality porn, sex with avatars, and yes, sex robots. Experts predict that within 20-50 years, robots that move and interact in humanoid ways will be affordable for many. It is conceivable that an infant born today could have their first sexual experience with a robot. While human intimacy remains the gold standard, sex tech will be increasingly compelling to the degree it satisfies unmet needs. Mental health professionals will better serve their clients if they understand these new technologies, as well as the potential positive and negative impact these developments in sex tech and AI can soon have on sex and intimacy. Right now the tech industry is developing a vision of the future of intimacy. The time is now for mental health professionals to join this critical conversation.
Learning Objectives
Bio:
Dr. Marianne Brandon is a clinical psychologist and diplomate in sex therapy. She is author of Monogamy: The Untold Story; Unlocking the Sexy in Surrender: Using the Neuroscience of Power to Recharge Your Sex Life; and co-author of Reclaiming Desire: 4 Keys to Finding Your Lost Libido. She co-hosted a talk radio show, is a past book review editor for the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists, past board member of The International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health, and regularly writes for professional and lay publications. She has served twice as a panel member for FDA hearings evaluating medications relevant to female sexual dysfunction. Dr. Brandon writes a popular Psychology Today blog – The Future of Intimacy. Her expertise includes the impact of evolutionary instincts on intimacy, and the impact of sex tech and AI on the future of humanity. Dr Brandon has a psychotherapy practice in Sarasota, FL.
Kevin Lynch
Founder, President and CEO of The Quell Foundation
Session Description: This presentation educates the public on promoting resilience, reducing stigma, and lifting the mask on mental health among our nation’s first responders.
Before highlighting solutions to build resilience, we must first illustrate why promoting resilience is necessary for the mental health needs and survival of the first responder community. Since 2017, an average of 193 first responders per year have taken their lives (First H.E.L.P.), and “the stigmatization alone has created a boundary between the first responders and the need for mental healthcare” (AFBA, 2020). Fear of self-reporting signs of mental or emotional health concerns and reluctance to seek help, commonly perceived as signs of weakness or failure, too often results in first responder suicides.
Suicide is preventable, but preventing suicide requires participation at all levels of society. According to the CDC (2022), “Everyone can help prevent suicide by learning the warning signs, promoting prevention and resilience, and committing to social change.” This is where The Quell Foundation’s Building Resilience Among First Responders program can play a role in educating first responders, and society, to recognize mental health warning signs within their community.
This presentation will also cover trauma among first responders. Becoming resilient requires us to accept our emotions as valid. To do so we must begin to identify and understand the genesis of our emotional response to events around us. This presentation acknowledges our nation’s first responders as caretakers of the communities they serve: as individuals that put their lives on the line to protect ours with disregard for their own wellbeing. Our session will educate audience members on how they can be instrumental in creating an environment which promotes mental wellness within this population of public servants. We will touch on the difference between acute, chronic, and complex trauma, and how to address each trauma to build resilience.
Learning Objectives
Bio:
As Founder, President and CEO, Kevin M. Lynch created The Quell Foundation with the mission to reduce the number of suicides, overdoses, and the incarceration of people with a mental health conditions. His drive to create a shift in the care of people who have a mental illness stems from the knowledge he gained and relationships he built while researching his graduate thesis, “Mental Health in Massachusetts: A De facto Criminal Offense.” This research acknowledged that the rates of suicide, opioid addiction, overdose, and incarceration directly correlate to the shortage and lack of access to mental health professionals. Kevin spent 17 years in health care on senior management teams and 12 years in the military as a member of the elite United States Submarine Force. He earned a master’s degree in Health Policy and Administration from The Pennsylvania State University and earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Lynn University, graduating with Summa Cum Laude honors.
Richard Jones
Therapist, clinician, and healthcare entrepreneur
Session Description: The traditional approach to treatment waits for someone to hit rock bottom before getting help. With today’s drug epidemic, waiting for “rock bottom” too often means death. Additionally, substance use disorder is a chronic, relapse-prone disease, and the most important factor for predicting improvement five years after discharge from treatment is ongoing engagement. Peer coaching programs are an early intervention strategy to reach individuals and families in need and keep them engaged in the recovery process. Peer coaches use harm reduction and motivational interviewing techniques and their own lived experience – the same as the person they are coaching – as well as integration of family and community programs to deliver effective, compassionate support. Additionally, they support family members of individuals struggling with addiction, regardless of how that family member is engaged in their own recovery, by providing a baseline education on topics like substance misuse, boundary setting, and self-care. These interactions help individuals struggling with substance misuse and their family members stay engaged in the recovery journey, maintain a positive outlook, and develop new behaviors and social support that sustain accountability. A randomized clinical trial with Clemson University and the University of South Carolina School of Medicine in 2020 established the impact peer recovery programs have: At the end of the 6-month trial, participants with peer recovery coaches were retained/engaged at an 89% success rate, whereas participants randomized to treatment as usual were retained/engaged at an 11% success rate. Additionally, two years of program evaluation data through the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services (DAODAS) showed 98.5% of total participants successfully engaged in coaching; 60.2% of engaged participants were linked with treatment/additional recovery services during enrollment.
Learning Objectives
Bio:
Richard Jones is an experienced therapist, clinician, and healthcare entrepreneur operating primarily in the behavioral health space. Richard has wide-ranging professional experience across nearly all behavioral health domains. This includes mental health, substance use disorders, co-occurring disorders, and intellectual disabilities. He has over 20 years’ management experience and has been instrumental in the launch and rebuild of multiple programs nationwide. Richard is passionate about providing quality care and supporting people in need. He has been the founding CEO of two non-profit organizations and two for-profit businesses dedicated to disrupting the behavioral health space for the betterment of people in need.
Christopher Yadron, Ph.D., LCPC, CADC
CEO, Author
Session Description: When substance use disorder (SUD) emerges in families, children are most often the ones to initially experience the adverse implications of the disease. Because the condition is either prodromal or undiagnosed, these children and families typically receive minimal support and intervention. Even if the family eventually seeks and receives treatment, young children (<12 Years) are often excluded. Professionals and other caregivers experience limitations for addressing the needs of children and families harmed by the effects of SUD. This presentation will examine the prevalence of children impacted by SUD in the U.S. and delineate the unique developmental and therapeutic needs of this population. Specific considerations in the areas of prevention, education, assessment, support, intervention, and resources to support children, families, and communities will be offered. Addiction professionals have long recognized the centrality of the family in terms of assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning to address SUD. Young children however have been historically absent in the application and delivery of effective substance use treatment. This presentation will provide an inclusive model for helping children living in families with addiction and give participants an increased appreciation and competency for intervention and advocacy.
Learning Objectives
Bio:
Christopher Yadron, PhD is a proven behavioral healthcare executive leader with over 25 years of experience committed to delivering strong patient outcomes, creating effective teams, and building organizational excellence. Dr. Yadron leads by supporting and empowering his team to achieve the mission and vision of the organization. He firmly strives to create a culture of influence to gain results and believes in the fundamental necessity of being open to new ideas, showing gratitude often, holding himself and others accountable, and operating consistently according to values.
Most recently Dr. Yadron served as the CEO of Wellbridge Addiction Treatment and Research, where he worked with the executive team and board to establish a strategic plan and focus the organization on key commitments to growth, partnership, quality, workforce, and research initiatives to drive success. Prior to Wellbridge, he served as vice president for the west region of the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, and administrator of the Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, CA. This role included operational responsibility for six treatment sites and significant opportunities for advocacy, fundraising, and collaboration with external partners. In this capacity Dr. Yadron also provided executive leadership for the national children’s program, which has been a forerunner of advocacy, treatment, and education for children for over two decades. He currently serves as chairperson of the board for the National Association for Children of Addiction (NACoA).
Dr. Yadron received his PhD in counselor education and supervision from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. He holds a master’s degree in counseling from Loyola University Chicago and has completed executive education courses in leadership and finance at the University of California Berkeley Haas School of Business. Dr. Yadron is a licensed clinical professional counselor and a certified alcohol and drug counselor who often speaks at conferences and workshops on relevant behavioral health issues, professional training and development, and organizational leadership. He is a resolute leader who drives for the success of the organizational mission and champions the dignity and worth of all persons who deserve compassion and the opportunity to thrive and meet their full potential.
Dr. Tammy Malloy & Dr. Jason Shumake
Session Description: Digital health technologies—such as smartphone apps and chatbots—have the potential to augment mental healthcare through more ecological and scalable assessments and interventions. In this presentation, we will review the current state of technology in digital mental health, with a case study of how an artificial-intelligence (AI) tool has been integrated into a recovery-center setting to monitor treatment progress and outcomes. First, we will provide an update on recent technological advances in “digital phenotyping”—using smartphone and computer devices to understand mental health through multimodal assessment (e.g., using screen, microphone, and camera inputs to analyze language, voice, and facial expressions) in a more ecological context (i.e., as part of someone’s lived experience and not just in the clinic). Second, we will discuss the most promising use cases for this technology, from self-screening and early detection of mental health problems to long-term monitoring of chronic psychiatric conditions, with a focus on how this technology can improve upon measurements collected from Likert-scale questionnaires like the PHQ-9. Third, we discuss the challenges and opportunities of implementing technological innovations into mental health care systems, using our firsthand experience of developing and deploying a digital tool for monitoring depression and suicide risk in the context of a recovery program. We have found that some people feel more comfortable conversing with a chatbot, which provides an opportunity to improve detection of distress for individuals who feel uncomfortable with face-to-face contact. We conclude that the potential benefits of these tools outweigh their risks, but their use should ideally be supervised by a mental health professional in the context of a broader treatment plan—both as a guard rail against “edge cases” (atypical inputs that cause an AI system to produce erroneous output) and to encourage user engagement and accountability.
Learning Objectives
Dr. Tammy Malloy's Bio:
Dr. Tammy Malloy received her PhD in Social Work, from Barry University, and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker as well as a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist. Dr. Malloy has facilitated research for over ten year and has published in academic journals on Addiction, Depression and Spirituality as well as clinical personality pathology and syndromes. Dr. Malloy’s most recent research is in the area of internet pornography use among young adult women. Dr. Malloy has worked in the field of behavioral health for over fifteen years and brings a wealth of knowledge in trauma informed care, family systems, and high-risk behaviors that encompass all addictive behaviors. Dr. Malloy has spoken at conferences both Nationally and Internationally on substance use disorders, co-occurring mental health disorders, and high-risk sexual behaviors. Dr. Malloy’s passion is for teaching others while empowering staff and patients to take ownership of improving their overall quality of life.
Dr. Jason Shumake's Bio:
Dr. Shumake has 20+ years of scientific research experience and has co-authored more than 60 journal articles in the fields of behavioral neuroscience, experimental psychology, statistics, and machine learning. As the former chief data scientist at the Institute for Mental Health Research, he advanced research in precision psychological medicine and digital mental health. Dr. Shumake brings a valuable set of hybrid skills at the intersection of experimental design, psychometrics, statistical analysis, machine learning, and behavioral science theory/methods.
Athena Phillips
LCSW, Founder, ITTC, Board Vice President, ITTI
Session Description: Post-traumatic growth (PTG) posits that adversity has the potential to result in transformational change that can manifest in a variety of ways. While PTG does not aim to minimize the challenges associated with suffering, it highlights the potential for meaning-making following pivotal life-events. While there have been examples of this phenomena on an individual level, rarely are these applications discussed on a macro-level.
Rwanda is a beacon of hope for the rest of the world with regards to their response to the `1994 genocide against the Tutsi, where between 600,000 and 1,000,000 people were killed by friends and neighbors within 100 days. The Rwandan government shaped a thoughtful, organized, and intentional recovery that capitalized on the strengths of Rwandan culture that were embedded before colonization. The fruits of this response are captured by the safety, cleanliness, and highly connective country who identifies as "One Rwanda." In essence, the national identity captures the reality that we are all human regardless of ethnic or racial identities.
Our Rwanda: A Portrait of Post-Traumatic Growth, is the first episode in a series of storytelling trainings that were designed to increase relatability of concepts in mental health. Utilizing original video content in conjunction with traditional presentation methods, this episode will highlight strength, resiliency, and the results of Rwanda's exemplary response to the genocide. Post-traumatic growth and resiliency are discussed in the context of people who shared their stories with us, along with mental health professionals who live and work in Rwanda.
Learning Objectives
Bio:
Athena has been working in social services for over 30 years, with the past 17 being dedicated to trauma and related conditions. She founded Integrative Trauma Treatment Center in 2012, which is an outpatient mental health care clinic that provides care for trauma and dissociative disorders. She offers training and consultation for providers who work with these populations and is currently in pursuit of her Doctor of Psychology. Athena was the developer and presenter of the Multicultural Trauma Training (MTT) in Kigali, Rwanda.
Dr. Louise Stanger & Maks Ezrin
Session Description: Treatment Without Walls - helping young adults AND families navigate life’s challenges by working in-home to create healthy long-term dynamics. Cultivating a curated service, based on the principles of positive psychology. Meaning that everyone’s program is tailored to work toward results-oriented living. Looking at an individual's current circumstances and working together as a team with the family to ask what can be switched to facilitate growth, and what can be learned. ○ This is done through the following approach: 1. Innovative and integrative family work and positive interventions. Attendees will learn strategic evidence ways to engage with families, hold space, and create clear lines of communication. 2. Creating self-efficacy in young adults. Attendees will learn about robust strategies used for increasing the self-efficacy of young adults, and how it can add to an individual's sense of autonomy, steering them away from a substance or mental health crisis. We will explore the impact of mentorship, performative, and vicarious experience. At the same time we work to create self-efficacy amongst primary caregivers, parents etc. 3. Working in a collaborative fashion with clinicians and auxiliary resources. Attendees will learn the importance of unity within treatment without walls. The significance of communication, and warning signs of sabotage, triangulation, and when there is a need for a higher level of care.
Learning Objectives
Dr. Louise Stanger's Bio:
Dr. Louise is a preeminent family systems coach, interventionist, and thought leader in the behavioral health and addiction treatments industry. She has received many distinguished awards and performed thousands of family interventions in the US and abroad, gives presentations around the country on various topics related to mental health , trauma and addiction, process disorders and chronic pain, and has received prestigious awards from her fellow industry colleagues for her dedication to intervention and recovery Harvard McLean Hospital an affiliate of Harvard University and DB Resources honored her as Interventionists of the year In addition to her work with clients and families, she is former University faculty at San Diego State University and University of San Diego, where she brought in over 5 million in grants for substance abuse and alcohol training and education.
Maks Ezrin's Bio:
Born and raised in New York, Maks Ezrin had his own experience with early addiction. As a child, Maks enjoyed everything the city had to offer. He attended the best schools, maintained a rigorous course load, enjoyed a wide and varied social circle, and had the support of a loving family.
Despite these advantages, by age 14, Maks began experimenting with drugs and alcohol. His substance dependence worsened during college, eventually leading to a near-fatal overdose in his mid-20s. Through the help of friends and family, Maks has been sober since 2016.
Recognizing the importance of early detection and support of sober mentors, Maks has dedicated himself to giving back by helping other young pre-addicts. His experience propelled him to connect with leaders in the addiction and recovery field to raise awareness and help mitigate the effects of addiction- the ‘silent problem’ most families don’t notice until it is too late. Together with Natasha Silver Bell, an internationally recognized figure in the recovery field, and Dr. Rami Kaminski, a renowned pioneer in the psychiatric field, Maks founded Youth Prevention Mentors.
In addition to his Addiction Recovery Coaching certifications, Maks has a Masters in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania.
Renée Baribeau
Recovery Coach, author, speaker
Session Description: Nature-based traditions and practices have been shown to help people with substance use and co-occurring disorders heal and navigate long-term recovery. Evidence-based nature practices are derived from the applied practice of the emergent field of ecopsychology, developed by Theodore Roszak.
Nature-based therapeutic practices partially stem from the belief that people are part of the web of life and that we are not isolated or separate from our environment. Ecopsychology is informed by systems theory and provides individuals with an opportunity to explore their relationship with nature.
Learning Objectives
Bio:
Renee Baribeau is a Natilus award-winning, best-selling author (Winds of Spirit, Hay House; contributor, Energy magazine) and a dynamic speaker who injects humor and practical wisdom into workshops and presentations. She’s a Wind Whistler using nature as her guide to assist individuals toward transformation, awakening and true purpose. She is Branding and Outreach manager for Renewal Health Group and Montare Behavioral Health, the founder-creator of the Finding Freedom LGBTQ symposium and the new Emerging Themes in Behavioral Health (2022).
Benjamin Fry
Founder of NeuralSolution, Khiron House and Get Stable | psychotherapist, author and entrepreneur
Session Description: Trauma, especially in childhood, creates difficulties with attachments and interpersonal relationships. Attachment wounds can themselves become traumatic as they start to leave lasting difficulties on all of our relationships, nowhere more so than in our romantic relationships, where arguably the stakes can be highest.
So can we ever have a truly great, safe and healthy relationship if we have trauma and attachment wounds? This session answers that question with a message of hope, and suggests a path from relationship difficulties that cause failure to sustainable and incredible success for those who still suffer from the ongoing effects of trauma and attachment issues.
Learning Objectives:
Bio:
Benjamin is the Founder of Televagal, Khiron House and Get Stable. He is an accredited psychotherapist, author and entrepreneur. He has had a rich and varied career, combining his interests in psychology, the media and business. In his twenties he went to film school and made a feature length film which was distributed by HBO and Paramount, then founded and ran nightclubs and restaurants, before starting a family, training as a psychotherapist and writing his first book which led to presenting a television series for the BBC, as the psychotherapist in Spendaholics.
More recently he has combined his business experience, clinical training and media skills to set up Khiron Clinics, one of the only residential trauma-treatment centres in the world; to lobby for more effective treatment in the public sector through his non-profit Get Stable; and to develop Televagal which delivers nervous-system informed technology for a variety of behavioural health problems. Benjamin is also a practicing couples’ therapist, using trauma and nervous-system informed therapies to help his clients optimise and heal their relationships.
Dr. Don Grant
Session Description: In this presentation, Dr. Nosal and Dr. Grant will explain, explore, and expose our newest nemesis, one that is currently swelling to global proportions. We will discuss the positive and potentially negative effects of technology and device use, how our attachment to them may be creating unhealthy developmental bonds with our children and families, and offer professionals some strategies to help their clients to "unplug and reconnect”.
Learning Objectives
Bio:
Dr. Grant is an internationally recognized and award-winning media psychologist, author, published researcher, Doctoral Addictions Counselor, and educator with specific expertise in technology’s impact on mental health. He was the 2022 President of the American Psychological Association, Division 46 (The Society for Media Psychology & Technology), currently chairs the APA (Division 46) “Device Management & Intelligence” committee, co-chairs the APA (Division 46) “Strategic Planning” committee, is an APA Advocacy Division Partner Liaison, and serves as Secretary of the California Psychological Association Division VI (Media Technology and Communication). He designs, presents, and facilitates Healthy Device Management and Good Digital Citizenship treatment strategy and educational training workshops for clinicians, educators, parents, and academic communities. Dr. Grant is a globally respected keynote speaker, podcast and onscreen interview guest, and print content contributor in the field of device-related behaviors, addiction, and media psychology.
Ester Nicholson
Recovery Coach, author, speaker
Session Description: "The Healing Code of Forgiveness: Restorative Practices For Racial Fatigue presents a revolutionary methodology that merges The 12 Steps of Recovery with cutting-edge advancements in brain science, including Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), alongside various well-established "spiritual" modalities. This transformative approach offers deep healing and compassionate resolution to the subconscious origins of racial bias, fostering reconciliation and growth. By integrating these powerful tools, this groundbreaking program addresses the underlying root causes of unconscious racial bias with empathy and understanding.
The Healing Code harmonizes spirituality and neuroscience with diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) trainings, offering a compassionate pathway for dismantling systemic racism. It aligns seamlessly with strategic DEIB efforts in society, while promoting true transformation. By addressing and resolving unforgiven resentments and unhealed trauma, this transformative process profoundly alters our thoughts, emotions, and capacity to support those in need.
In this immersive and experiential workshop, Ester will skillfully lead participants through "The Healing Code of Forgiveness" process. Through this journey, attendees will gain access to deeply ingrained perceptions, beliefs, and biases in all their forms, enabling open discussions, processing, and eventual release. By engaging in this experience, individuals can heal and transcend limitations, fostering genuine growth and understanding.
Learning Objectives
Bio:
Ester Nicholson, author of Soul Recovery – 12 Keys to Healing Dependence is a trauma specialist, She Recovers coach, presenter, and training facilitator. She is a woman in long-term recovery who brings her incredible journey of transformation to a practical curriculum—addressing the root causes of dependence as they occur in contemporary living. Her Soul Recovery programs expand the traditional concept of 12-Step Recovery into spiritual practices that have served thousands.
Her story of addiction and recovery was featured on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), Super Soul Sunday’s “In Deep Shift”.
Ester has inspired thousands with her keynotes at conference events including:
The National FED-UP Rally, NCADD, NAATP, DFBHS and She Recovers and Foundation Recovery Network—in addition to alumni and featured events at Ashley Treatment Center, Gosnold Treatment Center, Renewal House, and as a former host at InTheRooms.com. Unity.fm and Hay House.
Ester is a trusted advisor on the She Recovers and NAATP DEI committees and is instrumental in shifting “the business as usual” practices in the recovery industry with her training “Compassionate Accountability: Healing Unconscious Racial Bias “.
Dr. Scott Cook
International lecturer and physician
Session Description: The interactive session will examine burnout from a unique perspective by discussing career pitfalls, performing thought provoking brain exercises, learning about character archetypes, and discussing how the same diseases that occur in the body can also happen in a career or corporate culture. There will also be a segment discussing how to chase passion and not money. The counterintuitive end result of following your calling or passion will eventually produce more income.
Learning Objectives
Bio:
Scott A. Cook, M.D., M.P.H. is an author, physician, businessman, and international lecturer. Currently, Dr. Cook is Medical Director & Chief Medical Officer at multiple addiction & mental health organizations. Dr Cook lectures on avoiding professional burnout and creating world-class corporate cultures. An avid traveler, Dr. Cook has visited more than 50 countries and lectured in many. He has published brain exercise books for both adults and children.
Dr. Stephen Porges & Deb Dana
Session Description: Join Dr. Stephen Porges and Deb Dana, LCSW for an exploration of the scientific foundations of Polyvagal Theory and integration of these organizing principles in clinical practice. Explore the unique art and science of Polyvagal Theory with a journey into understanding the principles that have revolutionized our understanding of how we are human and experimenting with the practices that bring theory into clinical application.
Stephen Porges will set the stage for the workshop presenting the scientific basis and constructs of his ground-breaking Polyvagal Theory. Deb Dana will then translate the science using her own unique framework and explain the tools and techniques she has developed to integrate the theory into clinical work.
In the second half of the workshop Deb will conduct a live session illustrating the elements of polyvagal guided clinical work. Following the demo, Stephen and Deb will deconstruct the experience with the client and the audience to delve into the principles and show the practical and universal applications of using a polyvagal lens in clinical work.
Learning Objectives
Dr. Stephen Porges' Bio:
Stephen W. Porges, PhD is Distinguished University Scientist at Indiana University, where he is the founding director of the Traumatic Stress Research Consortium. He is professor of psychiatry at the University of North Carolina and professor emeritus at the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Maryland. He has published more than 350 peer‐reviewed scientific papers. He is the creator of the Polyvagal Theory and a music-based intervention, the Safe and Sound Protocol TM, currently used by more than 200 therapists to reduce hearing sensitivities, improve language processing, and increase spontaneous social engagement. He is the author of The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-Regulation, The Pocket Guide to the Polyvagal Theory: The Transformative Power of Feeling Safe, and Polyvagal Safety, as well as co-editor of Clinical Applications of the Polyvagal Theory: The Emergence of Polyvagal-Informed Therapies, and Polyvagal Safety.
Deb Dana's Bio:
Deb Dana, LCSW is a clinician, consultant and author specializing in complex trauma. Her work is focused on using the lens of Polyvagal Theory to understand and resolve the impact of trauma and creating ways of working that honor the role of the autonomic nervous system. She is a founding member of the Polyvagal Institute, consultant to Khiron Clinics, and advisor to Unyte.
Deb is the developer of the signature Rhythm of Regulation Clinical Training Series and is well known for translating Polyvagal Theory into a language and application that is both understandable and accessible for clinicians and curious people alike. Deb’s clinical work published with W.W. Norton includes The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy: Engaging the Rhythm of Regulation, Polyvagal Exercises for Safety and Connection: 50 Client Centered Practices, the Polyvagal Flip Chart, and the Polyvagal Card Deck. She partners with Sounds True to bring her polyvagal perspective to a general audience through the audio program Befriending Your Nervous System: Looking Through the Lens of Polyvagal Theory and her print book Anchored: How to Befriend Your Nervous System Using Polyvagal Theory. Deb can be contacted via her website www.rhythmofregulation.com.
Dr. Robert Weiss
Licensed Professional Counselor
Session Description: Ever since Codependent No More became a pop-culture sensation over 40-years ago, we’ve seen an torrent of book titles, articles, workshops, and whole therapy centers dedicated to this analytic, self-actualization based concept. Codependency today remains our sole go-to model for the assessment and treatment of families and spouses of addicts. And yet … codependency has never been a DSM or ICD diagnosis, lacks any universal diagnostic criteria and has no acknowledged, validated research to support it. This provocative, fact based talk offers reevaluation of the codpendency model while also introducing Prodependence, a strength-based, attachment-focused new paradigm evolved to more effectively engage and treat the loved ones of addicts. This new concept of Prodependence, evolved by Rob Weiss PhD LCSW has just been published for academia by Rutledge, Tailor and Francis as it is considered the first meaningful alternative to codpendency in a near half-century.
Learning Objectives
Bio:
Robert Weiss PhD, LCSW is Chief Clinical Officer of Seeking Integrity LLC which provides online education, support and residential treatment for male sexual addicts and their families. Seeking Integrity also offers specialized residential treatment for men with cooccurring sexual and substance abuse disorders An educator author and licensed clinician for nearly 30 years, Dr Weiss has created six residential intimacy and addiction treatment programs in the US, Southeast Asia, and the US military. He has served as a subject-matter expert for numerous major media outlets, including CNN, NPR, and The New York Times, among others. He is the author of eleven books, including Prodependence, Sex Addiction 101, and Out of the Doghouse. His Psychology Today blog, “Love and Sex in the Digital Age,” has over 21 million reads, while his podcast, “Sex, Love, & Addiction,” has over 1.2 million downloads.
Mario Martinez
Clinical neuropsychologist
Session Description: Based on my work with healthy centenarians (100 years and older) worldwide, I have identified four unique perceptual modes contributing to their longevity. While lifestyle is more important than genetic endowment, I propose these four longevity factors, are as important. Additionally, I will illustrate how each of the four factors has psychoneuroimmunological (PNI) benefits, and how centenarian consciousness can be learned at any age. Surprisingly, most longevity studies have not included centenarian populations in their research and have mostly focused on the pathology of aging rather than the causes of health in the process of growing older. I will also describe the research project I am designing to correlate these four factors with biomarkers of aging related to inflammation, and how to incorporate the four perceptual changes to reverse biological age. The presentation will be based on principles of cultural neuroscience, cultural psychoneuroimmunology and cultural anthropology.
Learning Objectives
Bio:
Dr. Mario Martinez is a clinical neuropsychologist who specializes in how cultural beliefs affect health and longevity. He proposes, based on research evidence, that longevity is learned and the causes of health are inherited. He has studied healthy centenarians (100 years or older) worldwide and found that only 20 to 25% can be attributed to genetics – the rest is related to how they live and the cultural beliefs they share. He is the founder of biocognitive science and author of the bestselling books The MindBody Code and The MindBody Self. Dr. Martinez is the proponent of cultural psychoneuroimmunology.
Dr. Marsha D. Brown
Licensed psychologist and mental health expert
Session Description: Burnout is plaguing companies and workers around the globe, a phenomenon that has sparked copious research on the prevalence of burnout. Depending on the source, professional burnout ranges from 40% to 89%, based on data collected between 2019 and present day. An overwhelming majority of workers are feeling the effects of too much work, job dissatisfaction, unpredictable changes in the economy, and other workplace stressors. Add to the mix the fact that life outside of work still exists, and we end up with too many people struggling just to keep their heads above water. Burnout not only affects mental, physical, and emotional health, but it also impacts office environment, turnover, team productivity, and organizational health. Many methods of avoiding burnout focus on person-centered actions that can mitigate individual stress, but burnout is actually an organizational issue. Unreasonable demands, inadequate staffing, and a culture that rewards 24/7 availability are a few factors that promote burnout and poor well-being among employees. In recent years, organizations have increasingly focused on providing team members with wellness benefits to improve well-being. Unfortunately, many office environments work in opposition to this mission, contributing to the overwhelm and burnout of their most valuable assets. One of the most important factors in creating a team environment that optimizes wellness is boundaries. Boundaries are vital to both sides of the burnout equation; without them, both organizations and employees will remain vulnerable to the devastating impacts of employee burnout. This interactive workshop aims to teach organizations to 1) identify and objectively assess signs of burnout in employees, 2) identify factors that contribute to employee burnout, 3) identify actions that undermine policies that support employee wellness, and 4) implement an action plan that empowers employee well-being.
Learning Objectives
Bio:
Dr. Marsha D. Brown is a Licensed Psychologist with extensive experience in the assessment, evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of individuals of all ages. Dr. Marsha has worked in the mental health field for over 15 years, much of it in high-conflict, court-involved settings. As a mental health expert, Dr. Marsha is needed and present for intense, critical, and complicated situations. She is also often tasked with helping those who are struggling to overcome extreme crises. Dr. Marsha is the Founder and CEO of Deconstructing Wellness, LLC (DW). DW works with organizations to implement procedures that prioritize well-being and teach their teams skills to conquer stress. Dr. Marsha has provided trainings for organizations including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, The Red Cross of South Florida, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI of Broward County), and the United Way of Broward County. She has also been featured in media outlets including the New York Times and USA Today.
Dr. Mary Affee
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, Certified Trauma Informed Practitioner, Author, and Educator
Session Description: Integrating creative and expressive techniques can bolster therapeutic rapport, promote client resilience, and develop an understanding of how our nervous systems create safe connections to deepen the healing experience of traditional “talk therapy”. Discover the benefits of creativity and expressive techniques scientifically proven to improve emotional well-being for both the client and the clinician.
Join us in a unique 2 hour playful, experiential, and interactive workshop, where you will learn to use creative interventions to safely integrate into your counseling sessions. Attendees will be actively engaged and will leave the workshop with creative techniques that can be applied and modified across diagnoses, populations, all ages, and situations.
Learning Objectives
Bio:
Dr. Mary Affee is a licensed clinical social worker and a registered play therapist-supervisor. She is the founder and clinical director of Horizon Integrated Wellness Group, PLLC, a practice that provides mental health services for children, adolescents, and families. Dr. Affee specializes in play therapy, and she is the past President of the North Carolina Association for Play Therapy. Dr. Affee received the 2023 NASW-NC Social Worker of the Year award. In 2022, she was also awarded the Emerging Leader National Award of Excellence from the Association for Play Therapy. In 2014, she received an Award of Excellence from the National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children. Dr. Affee is the author of four children’s books. In April 2020, Dr. Affee volunteered her time and expertise to provide psychological first-aid to New York’s first responders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Affee teaches a summer creative and expressive play therapy course at Molloy University, and she is a field supervisor for North Carolina State University’s MSW program. She is also an advisory board member for Hope Connection International and for Carol’s Hope for Childhood Cancer.
Courtney Leak
Licensed Professional Counselor
Session Description: We are in a time where accountabiity is being sought after on a micro and macro level. Whether the accountability is desired from a parent, a partner, or a system; accountability can be as elusive as it is desired. What makes accountability so difficult. In a world where so many are working to stay above water due to trauma and the recent difficulties of the last few years, being asked to be accountable can be more than someone can tolerate. True accountability requires a level of self-reflection and vulnerability that is often buried under shame and self-defense. So how do we begin to peel back the layers that allow clients, organizations and systems to become more comfortable with themselves and in time more comfortable with owning their stuff? This presentation will provide an experiential journey through the barriers to accountability and how healing and self-love can break those barriers down.
Bio:
As the CEO of Haven Wellness, Courtney Leak, LCSW works to transform the narrative around what healing is and when we deserve to receive it. She utilizes her vast knowledge of human development, trauma informed care and systems theory to create a framework that is person-centered, creative and experiential. Courtney has curated interactive and dynamic wellness experiences for individuals, couples, families and groups for over 14 years. She firmly believes that the client is the expert of their story and that if they can view their journey in truth, love and compassion without judgment, they will find their whole selves and the freedom to live a life of purpose and connection.
Courtney doesn’t just preach these beliefs to others, she works consistently to model her values in how she ethically and creatively runs her business, consciously raises her son, and how she intentionally shows up in her community. Whether she is developing new practices for healing with clients, sharing innovative concepts through speaking engagements, or allowing her inner child the freedom to engage in a Hamilton rap battle with her son, her goal is to live and work with authenticity, purpose and joy.
Areas of Expertise:
Doug Paul, LPC, LMHC, LCPC, QS, CPCS
Licensed Professional Counselor
Session Description: The DSM 5 added “cravings” to the criteria for substance use disorders in 2015. Just as substance use disorder can impact every area of life, so too must the approach for cravings management. The goals for this workshop will be to review the literature on cravings management techniques, discuss cravings management medications and elicit a discussion of multi-faceted approaches that have worked for those on the front lines of SUD treatment. This dynamic presentation is both experiential and educational with the use of mixed-media and pop-culture references.
Learning Objectives:
Bio:
Doug Paul, LPC, LMHC, LCPC, QS, CPCS has been working as a clinician with substance use disorders since 2007. He completed a Bachelor of Arts from University of Central Florida in 2002. He went on to complete a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling from Georgia State University in 2007. During his graduate training, he participated in and presented University-sponsored research findings at the American Counseling Association’s Annual Convention in Montreal, Quebec; going on to present at over 35 professional conferences over the next 17 years. While at two nationally-recognized treatment programs in the Atlanta area from 2007-2019, he gained skills in both clinical and leadership acumen. Currently in private practice, he continues to provide therapy, consultation and program development. Doug continues to practice his own recovery program over the last 23 years.
Jean Collins-Stuckert, MSW, LCSW, LISAC, CSAT-S
Nationally recognized lecturer
Session Description: Rooted in childhood relational trauma, the dynamic of this co-addicted relationship is obsessive and painful. Love addicts assign too much value, time, and attention to another person, while neglecting to care for or value themselves. Love avoidants systematically use relational walls during intimate contact in order to prevent feeling overwhelmed by the other person, associating “love” with duty or work. The love avoidant’s greatest fear is that of vulnerability, the love addict’s great fear is abandonment. In this workshop Jean will identify the origins and the attachment styles of both addict and avoidant and delve into the intricacies of “The Dance” that occurs between them. The antidote for these destructive relationships will also be revealed.
Learning Objectives:
Bio:
Jean Collins-Stuckert, Executive Director of Workshops at the Rio Retreat Center at The Meadows, is licensed in the state of Arizona as a clinical social worker (LCSW) and substance abuse counselor (LISAC). She received her master’s degree in social work from Arizona State University. Collins-Stuckert is also a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT-S) and is trained in Post Induction Therapy (PIT), Psychobiological Approach to Couples Therapy (PACT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (SP), Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Psychodrama.
Jean Collins-Stuckert has been in the behavioral health field for more than two decades and joined the Meadows Behavioral Healthcare team in 2007. At MBH, she has held positions that range from family and primary counselor to workshop facilitator, intake interventionist, and program and clinical director of workshops. In addition to bringing her vast experience and passion for intensives to Rio Retreat Center, Collins-Stuckert also owned and operated a successful private practice in Phoenix for a decade.
Dr. Pamela Harmell
Nationally recognized lecturer
Session Description: This workshop addresses therapist responsibility to ensure patient welfare in all aspects of practice. Participants will learn about ethical concerns such as (1) Ethical decision making and introduction to law and ethics (2) relationship among suicide, social media, and substance abuse including suicide assessment (2 hours), (3) cultural humility, intersectionality, and ethical guidelines. Literature updates, along with relevant Codes of Ethics and current expert opinion will be included in all areas of discussion. This program overviews the current research findings and knowledge that inform the practice of ethical and legal practice.
Learning Objectives:
Bio:
“Dr. Pamela Harmell is a national lecturer specializing in legal and ethical issues in clinical practice. She is a Clinical Professor at the Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology and has written extensively in professional publications on ethical practice and has formally studied law. She is the Past President of the Board of Psychology. Dr. Harmell is former Chair of the California State Ethics Committee and former Chair of the Los Angeles County Psychological Association Ethics Committee. She served on the Board of Directors of the California Psychological Association and is Past President of the Los Angeles County Psychological Association.”
Licia Sky
Somatic educator, artist, singer-songwriter, and bodyworker
Session Description: Awareness of our bodily sensations holds an important key for understanding self-regulation, co-regulation, and healing from trauma. Restoring the ability and capacity to be aware in the present moment requires re-establishing awareness of our senses, and through them, an awareness of our nervous system, and being able to befriend our interior reactions to our surroundings.
Our senses: sight, sound, touch, smell, taste, balance, and orientations inform our nervous system about our physical state of safety or danger, agitation or calm, and in turn, determine our capacity to focus and respond effectively to what is around us.
When we are exposed to high levels of stress and danger, especially in a chronic way, we may develop habits of numbing and shutting down overwhelming sensations and feelings in order to survive and keep going in the highly stressful moments. But chronic numbing and shutdown leave us at a loss as to how to live fully in safety.
Recently, psychedelics are the front of treatment discussions, because of how transformative psychedelic experiences can be. There is a tendency to attribute the healing solely to the medicine, but preparation, processing, and integration of these experiences are of vital importance for healing. Attunement, setting, intention setting, and the integration process create the powerful container that makes deep psychedelic work possible.
In this workshop we will learn, through guided focused exercises in the present moment, to notice subtle inner shifts, and pay attention to our senses, including the ways we habitually ignore our physical reactions. We will explore and activate the innate self-regulatory capacities that we all carry within us to more fully engage with our bodies, thoughts, feelings, and selves.
These exercises are all non-verbal, but time is provided after each exercise to process the experience and unpack ways they can be practiced to build the skills of self-awareness and enhance meaningful engagement.
Detailed Exploration of body sensations, orienting attention, breath, sound, self-connection in stillness, standing, and movement
∙ External focus— Direction of attention and energy
∙ Sense of Balance, Weight, Rhythm, Direction, Physical Tension, and Time
∙ Postures and feelings
∙ Noticing in Interaction- sense of connection
∙ Gestures in space
∙ Voice and vibration Practice and Grounding
Learning Objectives:
Bio:
Licia Sky is a somatic educator, artist, singer-songwriter, and bodyworker who works with traumatized individuals and trains mental health professionals to use mindful meditation in movement, theater exercises, writing, and voice as tools for attunement, healing, and connection. She is a regular instructor in trauma healing workshops at Cape Cod Institute, Kripalu, Menla, and Esalen. For the past decade, she has been teaching expanded awareness in workshops to clinicians and laypeople around the world.
www.trauamresearchfoundation.org
Kevin McCaully
Clinician, consultant, author and speaker
Session Description: Research in neuroscience provides an evidence-based and comprehensive understanding of addiction that fits well with the experiences of people needing, seeking, and in recovery. There are several insightful and well-articulated arguments challenging the disease conceptualization of addiction, but two important areas of research – epigenetics and psychoneuroimmunology – greatly advance awareness of how environmental stress creates vulnerability to addiction. This lecture reviews the most up-to-date science of addiction, the current arguments for and against addiction’s conceptualization as a disease, and how the principles of recovery management counter the pathophysiology of addiction and improve a recovering person’s chances of achieving long-term recovery.
Learning Objectives:
Bio:
Dr. Kevin McCauley is a Meadows Senior Fellow, joining the Meadows Behavioral Healthcare team in 2016. A 1992 graduate of Drexel University School of Medicine, he first became interested in the treatment of substance use disorders while serving as a Naval Flight Surgeon where he observed the U.S. Navy’s policy of treating addiction as a safety (not a moral) issue and returning treated pilots to flight status under careful monitoring.
After developing his own addiction to prescription opioids, however, Dr. McCauley was court-martialed and imprisoned at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. There he read voraciously of what was known about the disease of addiction at that time. Today, he has over 15 years of continuous sobriety and has worked in a non-clinical capacity at several treatment centers, giving over 2,000 lectures on the neuroscience of addiction and recovery management.
Dr. McCauley wrote and directed two films: Memo to Self, about the concepts of recovery management, and Pleasure Unwoven, about the neuroscience of addiction, which won the 2010 Michael Q. Ford Award for Journalism from the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers.
Kevin currently lives with his wife, Kristine, in Sedona, Arizona, where he is a graduate student at the University of Arizona School of Public Health.
Kristin Kirkpatrick
Clinician, consultant, author and speaker
Session Description: Last year at the 2022 Global Exchange Conference, Meadows Senior Fellow, Dietitian Kristin Kirkpatrick, provided an introduction to nutritional psychology. She offered high-level data on what foods to choose and lose for better mental health and insight into how to start the discussion with your patients. This year, Kristin is back; and will provide a refresher with new data on food and mood, and will delve deeper into the science behind our microbiome and the role of diet in mental health. She will also explore how our childhood (and mother's diet) impact our microbiome and adult tendencies toward dietary patterns. Finally, Kristin will discuss the role that supplementation may play in the management of mental health.
Learning Objectives:
Bio:
Kristin Kirkpatrick is the former lead dietitian and manager of Wellness Nutrition Services at the Cleveland Clinic Wellness Institute in Cleveland, Ohio. A bestselling author, experienced presenter, and award-winning dietitian, Kristin is a sought-after national speaker on a variety of nutrition and wellness-related topics, appearing on the TODAY show, NBC Nightly News and The Dr. Oz Show. She has also contributed to national publications including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, TIME, Runners World, Oprah, Martha Stewart Living, Food Network, Costco Connection, Self, Women’s Health, TODAY.com, The Huffington Post, US News and World Report, and she is a featured expert on Cleveland Clinic’s Health Essentials. The Huffington Post named Kristin “one of 35 diet and nutrition experts you need to follow on Twitter,” and in December 2017, her show The New Rules of Food aired nationally on PBS.
Kristin’s career began in Washington, DC, where she assisted in lobbying efforts for medical nutrition therapy reform on behalf of the American Dietetic Association Policy and Advocacy group. She then went on to become the regional coordinator of the Hearts N Parks program in Montgomery County, Maryland. During her time there, she designed, implemented, and measured health promotion programs within the Washington, DC metro area. Kristin then returned to Ohio to work for the Cleveland Clinic’s Department of Cardiovascular Genetics. She eventually became the lead dietitian in the Cleveland Clinic Wellness Institute. In addition, she serves on Dr. Oz’s medical advisory board as well as the advisory board for Lose it!
Kristin has more than 17 years of experience in the health management arena and holds an MS in health promotion management from American University and a BA in political science from George Washington University. A Licensed Registered Dietitian in the state of Ohio, In May 2012 she received the Ohio Outstanding Dietetic Educator of the Year Award. In January 2017, Kristin published her first book, Skinny Liver: A Proven Program to Prevent and Reverse the New Silent Epidemic—Fatty Liver Disease.
Stephen W. Porges, PhD
Session Description: Legendary publisher, Gary Seidler, will moderate a dynamic interactive conversation with Professor Stephen Porges and writer/documentarian Seth Porges about their new book, ‘Our Polyvagal World: How Safety and Trauma Change Us.’ In Our Polyvagal World the authors have reduced the complexity of Polyvagal Theory to a set of practical principles and real-life examples that provide a worldview filled with optimism and hope, and a deeper understanding of the science explaining why our bodies sometimes act in ways our conscious intentional brain wishes it didn’t. The discussion will cover several topics including: connectedness as a biological imperative, potential neurobiological links between trauma and addiction, the consequence of the pandemic on mental health, and how stress and threat in the workplace, schools, and prisons can disrupt our nervous system.
Learning Objectives:
Bio: Stephen W. Porges, PhD is Distinguished University Scientist at Indiana University, where he is the founding director of the Traumatic Stress Research Consortium. He is professor of psychiatry at the University of North Carolina and professor emeritus at the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Maryland. He has published more than 350 peer‐reviewed scientific papers. He is the creator of the Polyvagal Theory and a music-based intervention, the Safe and Sound Protocol TM, currently used by more than 200 therapists to reduce hearing sensitivities, improve language processing, and increase spontaneous social engagement. He is the author of The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-Regulation, The Pocket Guide to the Polyvagal Theory: The Transformative Power of Feeling Safe, and Polyvagal Safety, as well as co-editor of Clinical Applications of the Polyvagal Theory: The Emergence of Polyvagal-Informed Therapies, and Polyvagal Safety.
Nikki Myers
Founder and director of Yoga of 12-Step Recovery
Session Description: In our search for fulfillment, we often turn our gaze outward, seeking joy and contentment in external sources like people, places, things, education, behaviors, substances, or experiences. However, this misguided path inevitably leads us to darkness and disconnection. It is in this pursuit that we lose touch with our authentic selves, whether due to past trauma or unmet needs.
This loss of self is not limited to addiction, eating disorders, or co-dependent behavior. The ancient texts from yoga and Vedanta recognize it as the root cause of all suffering, extending its reach to social ills like racism, sexism, and gender-based discrimination. But we need not resign ourselves to a life of suffering or inflict it upon others.
Instead, we possess the power to reclaim our true selves and break free from these chains. The process of self-reclamation calls for a return to the parts of ourselves that we have long banished or concealed. It is through this intentional journey that we rediscover the love, acceptance, and belonging that are inherently ours.
Learning Objectives
Bio: An accomplished speaker and teacher, Nikki is an MBA, E-RYT500, Yoga Therapist, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, Addictions Recovery Specialist, and Ayurvedic Specialist. Born from her struggles with addiction and work with countless students, Nikki is the founder of Y12SR, Yoga of 12-Step Recovery. Based on its theme ‘the issues live in the tissues’, Y12SR is a relapse prevention program that weaves the art & science of yoga with the practical tools of 12-step programs.
Nikki’s work has been featured in the New York Times, Black Enterprise, The Huffington Post, Origin Magazine, CBSnews.com and countless podcasts. She is honored to be a co-founder of the annual Yoga, Meditation and Recovery Conferences at Esalen Institute and Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. Nikki has been featured as a keynote speaker at the International Association of Yoga Therapist (IAYT) conference and the International Conference on Integrative Medicine at Harvard Medical School. She was named a Yoga Journal Game Changer and is an honored recipient of the esteemed NUVO Cultural Visionary Award.
Dr. Richard Schwartz
The Founder of Internal Family Systems
Session Description: This presentation will review the basics of the IFS model and then dig deeper into the topic of understanding and releasing legacy burdens. Legacy burdens are powerful organizers of our minds and behaviors. You will become more aware of the beliefs and emotions we and our clients absorb from family, peers, ethnic groups, and cultural contexts regarding ourselves and/or groups with whom we identify, as well as groups we consider “other.” We will explore the sources of those burdens and the fears of releasing them. This work is critically important to create more peace and less divisiveness in our often-fractured world. An overview of the clinical applications of IFS in trauma work will be presented. You will learn through didactic teaching, interactive dialogue, demonstration, and live interviews. Dr. Schwartz will spend time focusing on how to support Self led activism. Dr. Schwartz will lay the foundation for and demonstrate how to work with personal and legacy burdens that get triggered in the context of political conflict and unrest. We will learn to work with what gets in the way of everyone's innate abilities to be an effective advocate, ally and activist. This will support our work as clinicians and citizens.
Learning Objectives
Bio: Richard Schwartz began his career as a family therapist and an academic at the University of Illinois at Chicago. There he discovered that family therapy alone did not achieve full symptom relief and in asking patients why, he learned that they were plagued by what they called “parts.” These patients became his teachers as they described how their parts formed networks of inner relationship that resembled the families he had been working with. He also found that as they focused on and, thereby, separated from their parts, they would shift into a state characterized by qualities like curiosity, calm, confidence and compassion. He called that inner essence the Self and was amazed to find it even in severely diagnosed and traumatized patients. From these explorations the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model was born in the early 1980s.
IFS is now evidence-based and has become a widely-used form of psychotherapy, particularly with trauma. It provides a non-pathologizing, optimistic, and empowering perspective and a practical and effective set of techniques for working with individuals, couples, families, and more recently, corporations and classrooms.
In 2013 Schwartz left the Chicago area and now lives in Brookline, MA where he is on the faculty of the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.
Janet McDonald
VP of Strategy and Business Services
Session Description: We become better leaders by becoming better humans. In an increasing time of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity we need to double down on our most important resource – the humans who work in our organizations. Without Emotionally Smart Intelligence at the heart of your leadership and organization, your success is at risk. Traditional leadership theories focus on external output, but that is only half of the equation. Leadership development over emphasizes leadership learning and leadership training and under emphasizes leadership development. Organizations ignore the most powerful source of ability – our capacity and the capacity of the people who work for us – to overcome the limitations of our current ways of making meaning. The challenges of today require the critical skill of adaptation which requires transformation of our mindsets. Behavioral Health Organizations can and should be setting the pace.
Learning Objectives:
Bio: Janet leads Onsite’s consulting division focused on mental health and wellness in the businesses and organizations. She has experience working with a variety of clients across both for profit and non-profit sectors. Most recently she served as Co-President, Chief Strategy and Operating Officer for BUNTIN. Janet leverages 20+ years of experience to partner with clients in the development of leaders and teams to unlock potential and build capacity.
As an experienced C-suite executive, she is uniquely positioned to understand firsthand the challenges that executives face when addressing the need to grow. Prior to BUNTIN, Janet served as the Chief Operating Officer of Onsite Partners and prior to Onsite, she was a partner and leader of the strategy, change leadership, and facilitation practice areas of c3/consulting, which was acquired by Ankura in 2018. Throughout her career, she has held leadership positions in business development, finance, sales, operations, and customer experience in a variety of industries. This first-hand experience has shaped her ability to connect with executives and team members at all levels while fostering cross-functional collaboration and connected cultures.
Annelies Richmond
Breathwork Expert & Meditation Trainer | Director of SKY Campus Happiness Leadership Coach | Ballerina & choreographer
Session Description: Discover the power of the breath as an untapped vehicle for mental well-being and resilience from an international expert with over twenty years of experience teaching. In the workshop, you will learn effective and evidence based breathwork and tools to foster emotional regulation, promote calm alertness, and support ease in settling into meditation. The workshop will allow participants to experience how breathwork and meditation techniques can create a sense of belonging and foster mindful leadership. Research from top universities on the techniques delivered in the workshop as well as the SKY breath meditation technique will be shared.
Learning Objectives
Session Description
The SKY Happiness Retreat is a total well-being and resilience training program over 3 consecutive days tailored for leaders, educators, clinicians, and community organizers. SKY’s experiential curriculum includes the acclaimed SKY ®Breath Meditation practice, breathwork practices, embodied somatic experiences, emotional intelligence training, interactive group processes and mindful leadership. Participants gain foundational stress-management and resilience skills as well as sustainable self care practices. The retreat allows participants to learn and develop a personal evidence-based breathing and meditation practice, effective strategies for social connection and community building, as well as engage in leadership frameworks. Research shows that SKY Breath Meditation significantly increases well-being, mental health, deep sleep and positive emotion, while significantly reducing depression, anxiety and stress markers.
Learning Objectives:
Bio: Annelies Richmond is an international master trainer of breathwork, meditation, SKY Breath Meditation and leadership development programs for the International Association for Human Values and the Art of Living Foundation. She has taught upward of thirty thousand people in the last 22 years, and has trained over 1,500 certified meditation and leadership teachers in 5 countries.
She has been meditating and practicing mindful breathwork techniques daily for 23 years. She started using these practices daily during her 15-year career as a professional ballet dancer with the Metropolitan Opera in NYC and found that they enhanced not only physical stamina and capacity, but also mental clarity and emotional resilience.
She is founding director of SKY Campus Happiness Program, a national leadership, resilience and well-being program on 101 campuses in the USA, and growing in 15 countries now around the world. Through SKY Campus Happiness, she trains and empowers student leaders, staff and faculty to become breathwork & well-being coaches for their campus. She travels across the USA teaching and lecturing at institutions such as Yale University, Purdue University, UPENN, MIT, Northeastern University, Texas A&M, Columbia University, the United Nations, and Google.
Her courses, talks and sessions are known for their authenticity, lightness, and humor, combined with a depth of wisdom that brings one to the present moment.
Dr. James Flowers
CEO | Keynote Speaker | Adjunct Professor
Session Description: "Unleashing the Power Within: The Science of Manifesting Your Life" is an exhilarating and enlightening motivational scientific presentation aimed at empowering individuals to tap into their inner potential and manifest their life dreams into reality. This engaging scientifically based lecture combines the principles of motivation, the science of manifestation, and the art of self-belief to inspire participants to take charge of their lives and create the future they desire.
Learning Objectives
Bio: For nearly three decades, Dr. James Flowers has been one of the most recognized and respected names in the field of chronic pain, addiction, and pain recovery. With his broad educational background and extensive experience in evaluating and treating mental health, chronic pain, and co-occurring addiction, he is recognized as an expert.
Dr. Flowers has completed several fellowships in behavioral pain management and has completed clinical rotations at the top healthcare institutions in the country.
He developed mental health, pain, and addiction recovery programs for some of the country’s best-known healthcare and addiction treatment centers. He directed medical and clinical programs integrating evaluation, diagnosis, and healthcare planning with treatment to promote successful recovery.
Dr. Flowers co-founded several well-known, exclusive treatment programs throughout the country, dedicated to his passion – that of designing multidisciplinary mental health and addiction treatment with medical and clinical protocols – to help individuals suffering from mental health, addiction, chronic pain, and other underlying disorders, successfully recover. With a demonstrated commitment to creating positive change in the lives of his clients, he is dedicated to progressive healthcare, human healing, and developing healthcare systems that best serve this population.
Dr. Flowers has been executing the protocol for assessments and evaluations for many years. Still, in founding J. Flowers Health Institute, he has advanced the process to satisfy a great void – to provide truly comprehensive assessment and evaluation for those who need a diagnosis and develop post-evaluation treatment recommendations. Having spent over 28 years in the medical and clinical community, Dr. Flowers is uniquely qualified to assemble some of the finest health care professionals in the world to perform these evaluations and provide treatment.
Over the years, Dr. Flowers’ passion and dedication to his clients, as well as his unique approach, has earned him an exceptional reputation as one of the nation’s premier experts. He is a popular public speaker and lecturer to audiences across the United States and abroad and has led an exceptional and distinguished career.
Dr. Flowers’ latest endeavor is hosting his weekly podcast “Understanding the Human Condition.” In each episode of Understanding the Human Condition, Dr. Flowers and his most-admired mentors, respected colleagues, and VIP guests share valuable insight into underlying health causes, conditions, and issues. These in-depth yet approachable episodes are an excellent resource for both private individuals and industry professionals.
Dr. John Amaral
Energy practitioner, author, educator and creator of the Energy Flow Formula
Bio: Dr. John Amaral DC is a practitioner and educator who has worked behind-the-scenes helping celebrities, entrepreneurs, athletes, influencers and thought-leaders feel and perform their best for over 20 years. He has provided care for thousands of people from over 50 countries and has been a personal practitioner for Anthony Robbins since 2006. John co-created the Generative Body, Generative World program with Neuro Linguistic Programming innovator Robert Dilts and founded the Energy Flow Formula and Body Centered Leadership programs. In 2020 John was featured in The GOOP Lab Netflix series with Gwyneth Paltrow and he has appeared on numerous podcasts.
Dr. Constant Mouton
Psychiatrist, Interventionist
Session Description: Trauma and addiction affect all levels of human existence. We experience trauma on individual, family, community and global levels. It changes the biology of cells, how we function psychologically and even the cultures we live in.
Dr Mouton explores how trauma and addiction affect all systemic levels (biology - psychology - family - friends - community - culture - politics - spirituality) and how these systems interact. He will present a modernised, integrative approach to culturally sensitive, trauma-informed biopsychosocial care through case examples. He will link this to treatment interventions and prevention that can be implemented clinically, aligning with the values of and strengthening existing care models.
Learning Objectives:
Bio:Dr. Constant Mouton is a registered psychiatrist currently living in The Netherlands. He works with clients and their families throughout Europe and focuses on providing culturally sensitive mental health care for people with addiction and complex mental health problems.
He is the owner and psychiatrist at Live The Road, his private practice in The Netherlands, works at a Recovery Centre in the Netherlands, and is the director of ARISE® Consulting, Europe.
During his training as a medical doctor and later specialising as a (neuro)psychiatrist in South Africa, he was trained to work cross-culturally, respecting and utilising peoples’ cultural heritage, religion and spiritual beliefs to understand and treat the person in their context better. As a medical specialist, he has experienced the value of the bio-psycho-social model of psychiatry. His studies and personal experience also led him to approach mental health and addiction problems holistically and engage and utilise clients’ strengths, families, and communities.
The Southern African philosophy of Ubuntu, “I am because we are”, resonates throughout his work. He believes that we access combined resilience and restore connectedness between people by working collaboratively. Through this connection, we are more robust and able to overcome adversity. Furthermore, the connectedness creates a space where we can learn, improve and grow, bettering our own lives and those of others. The process of personal growth, recovery and healing occurs when we know to focus on our strengths and resilience, creating our own story of mastery and success.
Judy Crane
Author
Session Description: Graduate Clinical Mental health programs must urgently reform their curricula due to the increasing demand for trauma therapy and the risk of unprepared students facing vicarious trauma (Kumar et al., 2019). Incorporating active learning (Wickline et al., 2021) and reflective practice (Henning et al., 2021) can better prepare students to manage triggers and secondary trauma, benefiting both students and clients.
Part 1: This clinically based case study session focuses on equipping participants with the necessary foundational knowledge of The Revised Trauma Egg and Resiliency Intervention, within the context of trauma understanding. The Revised Trauma Egg and Resiliency Intervention builds on the seminal work of Marilyn Murray and providing a unique and powerful opportunity to enhance an understanding of self, trauma, resiliency, and a strengths-based perspective. (Compton et al., 2022).
Judy Crane will teach how creative arts therapies assist clients in reconnecting with both implicit (sensory) and explicit (declarative) memories of trauma, offering a less intimidating avenue for both professionals and clients to share their experiences.
Attendees will witness how the ‘Trauma Egg’ accelerates trauma understanding and practical healing, empowering individuals to shift from victimhood to survivorship. Attendees will experience live, how this impactful intervention aids in comprehending how adverse experiences shape beliefs. Trauma, whether of lesser or greater degree of complexity, is an important factor in the etiology and maintenance of a complicated array of psychosocial and somatic problems across the life span. (Kumar et al., 2019).
Learning Objectives
Bio: Judy Crane, author of The Trauma Heart has over three decades of clinical experience in the field of trauma and substance use disorders. She is the CEO and Co-Founder of Guest House Ocala.
Prior to that she founded and developed one of the nation’s leading treatment centers specializing in trauma and substance use disorders, as well as the development of Spirit 2 Spirit, a trauma certification program for clinical therapists. She currently serves as a consultant for many of the country’s leading treatment centers.
Judy has presented workshops, trainings, and has been a keynote speaker on PTSD nationally and internationally since 2009. She has been the recipient of multiple awards including High Watch Recovery Center’s Marty Mann Award, NAATP’s CEO of the Year, and Behavioral Health Champion in recognition for her contribution through life changing therapies to those suffering from mental health and substance use disorders.
Judy has recognized the need for the treatment industry to be able to create congruency in supporting recovery and wellness within an organization; essentially “taking care of our own”.
Tian Dayton
Author
Session Description: Talk to, not about” is the dictum of psychodrama. Words alone do not treat cPTSD, we need embodied and experiential methods like psychodrama and sociometrics to access the full social engagement system (Porges). Psychodrama provides an embodied approach to dealing directly with internalized relationships. Sociometrics offer a psychoeducational, experiential approach to healing in a group. Both access neuroception, introception, extroception and propriioception, allowing both the mind and body to be fully integrated into the healing process. In this experiential workshop, we’ll explore the kinds of attachment issues that are a part of cPTSD and offer two approaches to working with them. Through role play, clients can talk to themselves or any relationship from the past, present or future point in time and through sociometrics they can experience and practice new relational behaviors in the here and now.
Learning Objectives
Bio: Dr. Tian Dayton is a senior fellow at The Meadows and Director of The New York Psychodrama Training Institute, author of fifteen books including , Neuropsychodrama in the Treatment of Relational Trauma, The ACoA Trauma Syndrome: How Childhood Trauma Impacts Adult Relationships, Emotional Sobriety: From Relationship Trauma to Resilience and Balance, Trauma and Addiction: Ending the Cycle of Pain Through Emotional Literacy, Heartwounds : The Impact of Unresolved Trauma and Grief on Relationships, , The Living Stage: A Step by Step Guide to Psychodrama and Experiential Therapy, The Magic of Forgiveness ….she is a Huffington Post blogger and creator of innerlook.com.
Films and Videos include: The Process: A 73 Minute award winning docudrama that uses Psychodrama to tell stories of Addicts and ACOAs Psychodrama and Trauma Resolution Training Tape, a compressive psychodrama training tape illustrating the effect of unresolved trauma on the personality and its resolution through psychodrama and sociometry available through tiandayton.com Tian Dayton has a masters in educational psychology and a PhD in clinical psychology and is a board certified trainer in psychodrama and a licensed Creative Arts Therapist. She is aalso a certified Montessori teacher. Dr. Dayton is the director of The New York Psychodrama Training Institute where she runs training groups in psychodrama, sociometry and experiential group therapy. She is a nationally renowned speaker, expert, and consultant in psychodrama, trauma and addiction and has served as their director of program development for eight years. Dr, Dayton was on the faculty at NYU for eight years teaching psychodrama. Dr. Dayton is a fellow of the American Society of Psychodrama, Sociometry and Group Psychotherapy ASGPP, winner of their scholar’s award, the President’s award and editor in chief of the Journal of Psychodrama, Sociometry and Group Psychotherapy and sits on the professional standards committee. She is also the winner of The Mona Mansell Award and The Ackermann Black Award. Dr. Dayton has been a guest expert on NBC, CNN, MSNBC, Montel, Rikki Lake, John Walsh, Geraldo. For further information log onto tiandayton.com
Dr. Karol Darsa, Psy. D.
Trauma Psychologist
Session Description: This presentation delves into the topic of ritual abuse, exploring its connection to dissociative symptoms and the development of complex trauma. It aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of ritual abuse, mind-control, dissociative identity disorder (DID), and complex post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), while also introducing effective treatment approaches and evidence-based modalities to alleviate symptoms and stabilize individuals who have experienced such trauma.
The presentation begins by defining ritual abuse, which involves systematic, organized abuse often characterized by repetitive patterns, specific rituals, and the use of mind-control techniques. Participants will gain insights into the dynamics and prevalence of ritual abuse, enabling them to recognize the signs and symptoms associated with these experiences.
A significant focus of the presentation is on the relationship between ritual abuse and dissociative symptoms. Participants will explore how the intense and prolonged trauma associated with ritual abuse can result in dissociative processes as a defense mechanism. The seminar will provide an in-depth exploration of dissociation, dissociative identity disorder (formerly known as multiple personality disorder), and its correlation to ritual abuse, emphasizing the role of trauma in the fragmentation of identity and the development of distinct alters.
Complex trauma, another central theme, will be thoroughly discussed, as participants learn how ritual abuse can lead to the formation of complex post-traumatic stress disorder. Attendees will gain an understanding of the specific symptoms and challenges faced by individuals who have endured ritual abuse and how these symptoms can manifest across various areas of their lives. The latter part of the presentation focuses on treatment approaches and evidence-based modalities to alleviate symptoms and stabilize individuals who have experienced ritual abuse. Participants will explore a range of therapeutic modalities such as somatic-based approaches, Gestalt therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Parts Work, and more. These modalities have demonstrated efficacy in addressing trauma-related symptoms, promoting integration and healing, and enhancing overall well-being.
Through presentations, case studies, interactive discussions, and practical exercises, this seminar aims to equip mental health professionals, researchers, and anyone interested in the field with a comprehensive understanding of ritual abuse, its impact on dissociative symptoms and complex trauma, and effective therapeutic approaches to facilitate healing and recovery.
Learning Objectives:
Bio: Dr. Darsa is a licensed psychologist, an author, creator of RITTM (Reconnect Integrative Trauma Treatment Model), and founder of Reconnect Treatment Center, in CA. She has more than 20 years of clinical and administrative experience in trauma and mental health disorders. Dr. Darsa began her career in 1998 as a foster care social worker and continued her work with abused children and their families and adults abused as children.
In 2012 Dr. Darsa became the co-creator of Invisible War Recovery, a program designed to treat military sexual trauma survivors. She has been interviewed by Katie Couric, Susan Ortolano, and Lisa Tahir, and was featured on the Voice of America. She lectures about trauma treatment at various universities such as the University of Southern California, UCLA and Cal Lutheran. She also speaks at treatment centers and conferences.
A native of Turkey, Dr. Darsa has been living in the United States for 25 years. She has also lived in Spain, France and Brazil. Dr. Darsa’s exposure to numerous ethnic and social groups allows her to understand the cultural differences in human thought and behavior. She can provide therapy in English, Spanish, French and Turkish and is able to converse in Italian and Portuguese as well.
Bessel A. van der Kolk, MD
Psychiatrist
Session Description: Trauma directly affects the developing brain, and specific brain functions responsible for attention, concentration, regulating emotions, and engaging in satisfying relationships. Even after receiving years of dedicated therapy, many traumatized individuals continue to feel chronically on edge, scared, agitated, collapsed, and helpless.
This lecture will review the ways in which trauma impacts brain chemistry and will address two promising methods for rewiring the damage done: neurofeedback and psychedelic assisted therapy. Participants will be presented with case studies and latest research to explore how these treatments address the neuroscience behind trauma in order to succeed where talk therapy has not. By focusing less on the story of what happened and instead treating the brain and body first, therapists can help their patients to process past trauma and attachment disruptions and live fuller, more fulfilled lives.
Learning Objectives:
Bio: Bessel A. van der Kolk M.D. is a pioneer clinician, researcher and teacher in the area of posttraumatic stress. His work uniquely integrates developmental, neurobiological, psychodynamic, somatic and interpersonal aspects of the impact of trauma and its treatment.
His #1 New York Times Science best seller, The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Treatment of Trauma (translated in 38 languages), transforms our understanding of traumatic stress, revealing how it literally rearranges the brain’s wiring—specifically areas dedicated to pleasure, engagement, control, and trust. He shows how these areas can be reactivated through innovative treatments including neurofeedback, psychedelic therapy, psychodrama, mindfulness techniques, parts work, yoga, and body work. Dr. van der Kolk and his various collaborators have published extensively on the impact of trauma on development, such as dissociative problems, borderline personality and self-mutilation, cognitive development, memory, and the psychobiology of trauma. He has published over 150 peer reviewed scientific articles on such diverse topics as neuroimaging, self-injury, memory, neurofeedback, Developmental Trauma, yoga, theater and EMDR.
He is founder of the Trauma Center (now the Trauma Research Foundation) in Boston, MA; past President of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Professor of Psychiatry at Boston University Medical School and Principal Investigator Boston site of MAPS sponsored MDMA assisted psychotherapy study. He regularly teaches at universities and hospitals around the world. Visit besselvanderkolk.com for more information.
Kristin Neff
Self-Compassion Pioneer Teacher, Researcher, Author, Co-Founder
Session Description: Over two thirds of employees are feeling burnt out working from home due to COVID. There’s the stress of juggling childcare, the loss of routine, the anxiety that more layoffs are just around the corner. Research has shown us again and again that self-compassion is one of the most powerful sources of inner strength, and the key to the kind of emotional resilience required for focus, productivity, and mental well-being. It’s a superpower, says Dr. Kristin Neff, hidden in our own back pocket that we don’t even realize is there. In this talk Dr. Kristin Neff explains the theory behind cultivating inner strength, and provides a set of concrete tools that employees can use to deal with the stress of the pandemic and their jobs, as well as increase motivation and productivity, and prevent burnout.
Learning Objectives:
Bio: Our society teaches us that self-compassion is the enemy of productivity; that to be kind to ourselves is to invite complacency. But in fact, the opposite is true, says DR. KRISTIN NEFF. A pioneer in the field of inner strength training and self-compassion, Dr. Neff is the first person to empirically study the concepts and create a simple, actionable guide proven to increase motivation, boost resilience, and improve mental health. As we emerge from the pandemic, when burnout is threatening the happiness, success, and productivity of us all, she shows us why we need self-compassion more than ever.
Dr. Neff is an Insight Meditation practitioner and an associate professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Atlantic, and Harvard Business Review, among others, and her TEDx talk has been viewed over 1.7 million times. She’s also the co-developer of an empirically supported training program called Mindful Self-Compassion, which is taught by thousands of people worldwide, and the co-author of The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook as well as Teaching the Mindful Self-Compassion Program: A Guide for Professionals. She is also co-founder of the nonprofit Center for Mindful Self-Compassion.
Dr. Cornel West
Professor, Philosopher, Author, Activist
Session Description: Dr. Cornel West is one of America’s most provocative and admired public intellectuals. As a philosopher, academic, and social activist, he has consistently reminded us of the power of love, hope, and human connection. We will learn about his deep love of music and theology, and how these passions inform his social justice work.
In conversation Dr. West will be exploring the importance of self-care and self-love as essential tools for avoiding burnout and sustaining efforts over the long-term. We will learn how he sees self-care as an act of resistance against the oppressive forces of society, and as a means of building resilience and strength for the ongoing struggle for justice. As he once said, “If you don’t love yourself, then you’re not going to have the energy and vitality to love others, to fight for justice, to deal with the pain and trauma that comes with it.”
We will also have an opportunity to share Dr. West’s love of jazz music, which he sees as a form of spiritual expression that reflects the diversity and richness of human experience. He will share how his love of music has influenced his work and how it can be used as a tool for personal and social transformation.
Dr. West’s insights and experiences offer valuable lessons for anyone seeking to live a life of integrity, compassion, and justice. We will hear about his work as a theologian and how it has influenced his thinking on social justice issues. We will learn about his personal struggles with depression and addiction, and how he has used his experiences to inspire others to persevere in the face of adversity.
At GXC, Dr. West will share his thoughts on what it means to be human, and how we can live and love out loud in a world that often seems divided and uncertain. His wisdom and guidance will undoubtedly be valuable for anyone seeking to make a positive difference in the world.
Bio:
Dr. Cornel West, affectionately known to many as Brother West, is the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Chair at Union Theological Seminary. Dr. West teaches on the works of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, as well as courses in Philosophy of Religion, African American Critical Thought, and a wide range of subjects — including but by no means limited to, the classics, philosophy, politics, cultural theory, literature, and music. He has a passion to communicate to a vast variety of publics in order to keep alive the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. – a legacy of telling the truth and bearing witness to love and justice.
Dr. West is the former Professor of the Practice of Public Philosophy at Harvard University and Professor Emeritus at Princeton University. Cornel West graduated Magna Cum Laude from Harvard in three years and obtained his M.A. and Ph.D. in Philosophy at Princeton.
He has written 20 books and has edited 13. He is best known for his classics, Race Matters and Democracy Matters, and for his memoir, Brother West: Living and Loving Out Loud. His most recent book, Black Prophetic Fire, offers an unflinching look at nineteenth and twentieth-century African American leaders and their visionary legacies.
Dr. West has partnered with MasterClass.com to provide teachings on several influential courses including a class with Pharrell Williams on Empathy, MasterClass’s first-ever multi-instructor class on Black History, Black Freedom & Black Love, as well as Dr. West’s standalone class on Philosophy. Visit www.cornelwest.com and click the MasterClass banner to learn more.
Jay Shetty
Clinician, consultant, author and speaker
Session Description: Discovering purpose isn't just a philosophical pursuit; it's a practical endeavor rooted in both personal fulfillment and scientific insights. When we uncover our purpose, life gains deeper meaning, positively impacting our mental well-being and the world around us.Scientifically, a sense of purpose has tangible effects on our brain and overall health. Research shows that individuals with a clear sense of purpose experience lower stress levels, reduced risk of depression, and better cognitive function. This is because purpose-driven activities stimulate the brain's reward centers, releasing chemicals that enhance mood and motivation. Moreover, purposeful living engages regions responsible for emotional regulation and decision-making, helping us handle challenges more effectively.From a practical standpoint, purpose guides our choices, influencing the paths we take in our personal and professional lives. It fuels our determination and resilience, propelling us forward even in difficult times. When we align our actions with our purpose, we feel a deeper sense of satisfaction and happiness.
On a broader scale, living with purpose leads to increased altruism and community engagement. Purpose-driven individuals often seek opportunities to make a positive impact, fostering connections and building stronger communities.In essence, discovering purpose isn't an abstract pursuit; it's a journey that enhances our well-being, sharpens our focus, and enriches our relationships. It's a fusion of personal satisfaction and scientific understanding that empowers us to lead more fulfilling lives while contributing positively to the world.
Learning Objectives:
Bio: Jay Shetty is the #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of Think Like a Monk and 8 Rules of Love, Host of the #1 Health & Wellness Podcast “On Purpose,” Co-founder of Sama Tea, Chief Purpose Officer at Calm and Former Monk.
Jay has a myriad of accolades under his belt. In 2019, AdWeek dubbed him a Young Influentials cover star, describing him as “an emanation of spiritual force.” In 2017, Forbes named him to the 30 Under 30 List for being a game changer in media. People Magazine has named him “one to watch.” In 2018 and 2019, the Streamy’s named him the Best Health & Wellness Creator of the Year. His videos have been viewed more than 10 billion times and he is followed by over 50 million people across social media.
In 2019, Jay created “On Purpose,” which is now the world’s #1 Health & Wellness podcast and its opening year ranked #1 on Spotify in India and in Apple’s Top 20 Podcasts of the Year. Guests have included talent from various backgrounds, such as superstar athletes Kobe Bryant and Novak Djokovic, music icon Alicia Keys, business powerhouse Ray Dalio, among others.
In 2020, Jay authored his first book, “Think Like A Monk: Train Your Mind for Peace and Purpose Everyday.” The book debuted at #1 on the New York Times, #1 on the Sunday Times and was deemed “un-put-down-able” by Amazon, where it held the #1 spot worldwide.
Inspired by Vedic wisdom and modern science, Jay’s latest book (Jan 2023), 8 RULES OF LOVE: How to Find it, Keep it, and Let it go, tackles the entire relationship cycle – with actionable steps on how we can all love ourselves, our partners, and the world better than we ever thought possible.
When Jay isn’t writing or making videos, he’s coaching as the founder of the Jay Shetty Certification School, a purpose driven educational institution offering accredited certifications in life coaching to individuals and organizations. He’s been a keynote speaker around the world on global stages on behalf of powerhouses like Google, Microsoft, Netflix, HSBC, and has developed corporate training programs for many of these organizational clients. His online courses have been attended by over 2 million students and his “Genius Community” provides weekly programming on the principles and practices for health and wellness to thousands of members in over 100 countries.
Deb Dana, LCSW
Clinician, consultant, author and speaker
Session Description: Humans are naturally resilient beings. In a world filled with challenges, we find ways to survive, hold on to hope, and keep moving forward. Resilience is a quality that can be developed and deepened. It is the product of an autonomic nervous system that can flexibly navigate the ordinary, and sometimes extraordinary, demands of daily life without getting stuck in old habits and survival stories. Each time we are pulled out of balance and find our way back to regulation, we become more resilient. Polyvagal Theory provides a roadmap to becoming more resilient. Join Deb Dana for a polyvagal guided exploration of autonomic interventions designed to increase resilience using the regulating pathways of the autonomic nervous system. Through presentation and experiential practice you will learn the skill of autonomic mapping, create a resilience continuum, and follow the react, return, reflect, and restory sequence to engage the body’s safety circuit. Explore your own resilience pathways and become skilled in helping others discover theirs.
Learning Objectives:
Bio: Deb Dana, LCSW is a clinician, consultant and author specializing in complex trauma. Her work is focused on using the lens of Polyvagal Theory to understand and resolve the impact of trauma and creating ways of working that honor the role of the autonomic nervous system. She is a founding member of the Polyvagal Institute, consultant to Khiron Clinics, and advisor to Unyte.
Deb is the developer of the signature Rhythm of Regulation Clinical Training Series and is well known for translating Polyvagal Theory into a language and application that is both understandable and accessible for clinicians and curious people alike. Deb’s clinical work published with W.W. Norton includes The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy: Engaging the Rhythm of Regulation, Polyvagal Exercises for Safety and Connection: 50 Client Centered Practices, the Polyvagal Flip Chart, and the Polyvagal Card Deck. She partners with Sounds True to bring her polyvagal perspective to a general audience through the audio program Befriending Your Nervous System: Looking Through the Lens of Polyvagal Theory and her print book Anchored: How to Befriend Your Nervous System Using Polyvagal Theory. Deb can be contacted via her website www.rhythmofregulation.com.