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Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Beyond 4th Annual Virtual Conference








The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP) Counselor Education Department Online Campus will host their4th Annual Virtual Conference on April 7 - 9, 2021 with sessions running hourly from 8 am to 6 pm CT Wednesday andThursday and 8 am to 4 pm CT Friday.



2021 Theme: Emerging from the Storm: Bringing Mental Health and Telehealth to Light

Wednesday, April 7, 2021 - Friday, April 9, 2021

From 08:00 AM to 04:00 PM

 

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8:00 AM - 9:00 AM CDT

Tele-Supervision and the COVID-19 Pandemic: How Technology has Affected Clinical Supervision

Program offers 1.0 NBCC CE Hours

Presented by Sheri Cobarruvias and Deborah Ann Braboy


COVID-19 has significantly impacted most aspects of life, to include clinical mental health supervision. The purpose of this presentation is to discuss the effects of the immediate application of technology for the use of clinical mental health supervision on supervisors, supervisees, and the supervisory relationship as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM CDT

Counseling of Syrian Refugees with Islamic Principles of Psychology: Integrating Culturally Relevant Practices

Program offers 1.0 NBCC CE hours

Presented by Malek Moukaddem, Stella Michael-Makri, Steven Wright


 The Syrian civil war has created a mental health crisis for millions of displaced Syrian refugees in Lebanon. However, mental health initiatives miss valuable opportunities to integrate culturally relevant interventions that account for the high concentration of Muslims in Syrian refugees. Given the prominent presence of Islam in Syrian culture, Islamic principles of psychology must be considered when working with Syrian refugees. Participants will examine currently used interventions and recognize opportunities for integrating culturally relevant practices when counseling Syrian refugees.

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM CDT

Finding Identity as a New Counselor in the Midst of COVID-19

Program offers 1.0 NBCC CE hours, 1.0 CEs for Psychologists (APA), and 1.0 BBS California CEUs for LPCCs, LPSW, and LMFTs


Presented by: Bethany Goshorn, Matthew Shupp Ed.D; BC-TMH

The session will focus on the unique challenges of beginning a career during a global pandemic as well as what was learned about clinical identity in the process. Insight regarding boundaries, expectations for clinical work, maintaining self-care, and the importance of clinical supervision will be shared. Likewise, insights regarding effective supervision strategies will also be shared. This presentation is meant to challenge and equip new and veteran clinicians alike.

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM CDT

Enhancing Black Trans Girl Resilience and Community Through Counseling Groups with Hip Hop Pedagogy

Program offers 1.0 NBCC CE hours

Presented by: Frank Gorritz

This presentation will explore how counselors can create therapeutic group spaces through hip hop therapy to enhance an empowered sense of self among Black Transgender girls, especially as they navigate oppressive environments. 

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM CDT

Somatic Experiencing in the Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa

Program offers 1.0 NBCC CE hours

Presented by: Morgan Blair

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe mental illness with psychiatric and physical complications. The effectiveness of the current recommended therapeutic interventions for AN is debated as relapse rates remain between 30% and 70% across various studies . This presentation proposes somatic experiencing (SE) as a possible alternative treatment approach for AN patients due to its ability to process the body’s response to the recovery process .  

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM CDT

Expressive Arts and Play Therapy Interventions for First Responders During the Pandemic.

Program offers 1.0 NBCC CE hours

Presented by: Laura Fazio-Griffith, Reshelle Marino, Dalina Dahlmans, and Bailey Zachary

Expressive arts and play therapy techniques and interventions can be effective when working with first responders who have experienced issues related to the pandemic, specifically COVID-19. This program will discuss the issues faced by first responders due to the pandemic and how the use of a different modality can be effective to process some of the experienced trauma. Participants will identify expressive arts and play therapy techniques specific to the issues faced by first responders and the pandemic.  

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM CDT

Help! I Can’t Leave Work “at the Office”: Navigating Wellness When “at the Office” Means Working from Home

Program offers 1.0 NBCC CE hours

Presented by: Nikole Klatka, Kellie Forziat-Pytel

The statement “leave your work at the office” has taken on a whole new meaning since COVID-19 forced the world of counseling into the virtual sphere. Although counselors, counselor educators, and students recognize the need for self-care in the field, achieving this has become difficult without the physical separation of work and home. To overcome this, new strategies for self-care and wellness must be taught to encompass virtual counseling. 

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM CDT

Contact + Education = Change: Ways to Identify and Reduce Mental Health Provider Stigma

Program offers 1.0 NBCC CE hours, 1.0 CEs for Psychologists (APA), and 1.0 BBS California CEUs for LPCCs, LPSW, and LMFTs


Presented by: Cheri Trahan Keene, and Gabriel Sellers

Stigma acts as a barrier to care for those with serious mental illness (SMI). Counselors can play a vital role in reducing stigma as clinicians and supervisors. This presentation explores stigma development, common SMI myths, provider stigmatization, and ways to reduce stigmatization of SMI clients. A web-based intervention will be presented which includes a unique photo display accompanied by artist statements reflecting one individual’s experience with SMI in the mental healthcare system.  

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM CDT

Embracing the Dark Side: How to Effectively use Villains in Counseling

Program offers 1.0 NBCC CE hours

Presented by: Elisa Gambill, Mariah Williams Wooldridge

This experiential workshop will focus on educating counselors on the benefit, therapeutic value, and incorporation of villains within the counseling session. This is highly useful for all ages and will cover a vast sample of villains that are suitable for all ages. It is helpful due to the safety that it allows the client with identifying with a familiar character. The incorporation of villains into play or the counseling session can influence interest, engagement, and autonomy. 

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM CDT

Telehealth Interventions to Build Resilience in Kids & Youth

Program offers 1.0 NBCC CE hours

Presented by: Jordan Mann, and Jennifer Toof

This presentation will provide timely information about counseling interventions that promote resilience in kids and youth via an online modality. The presenters will explore research related to resilience in young persons. Both challenges and benefits of telehealth interventions with kids will be discussed, and ethical considerations will be examined. Additionally, participants will learn and engage in a number of telehealth interventions aimed at building resilience in kids and youth.

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT

The Monolith Myth: How to Teach Counseling Students to Treat BIPOC Clients in a Culturally Responsive

Program offers 1.0 NBCC CE hours

Presented by: Rohan Arcot

Understanding each client’s individual culture is an integral piece of multiculturally competent counseling, yet counselor training programs silo clients into two categories: privileged and marginalized. This reductive categorization of BIPOC as a monolith invalidates clients’ lived experiences, intersectional identities and leads to culturally incompetent counseling. This session focuses on a pedagogical framework that fosters cultural competence in students by dismantling this monolith myth through applied coursework.

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT

The Anxious Therapist: Coping With Triggering Client Issues In A Sea Of Volatility

Program offers 1.0 NBCC CE hours

Presented by: Heather Deschaine, and Andy Brown

Counseling in 2020 and 2021 has been and will likely be full of triggering events, ideologies, and interconnected concepts that many students and supervisees find challenging. Whether it’s clashing political ideology; differing viewpoints on COVID; vaccination; or other emotionally charged events, counselors and supervisors are faced with navigating and learning how to cope while still providing fulfilling therapeutic assistance to their clients.

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT

The adverse impact of COVID-19 on adolescent mental health

Program offers 1.0 NBCC CE hours

Presented by: Lisa Faille, Lauren Bennett, Jelena Skaro-Soots, Joy Aytona, Shirley Leo

This presentation reviews the adverse and enduring impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on adolescent mental health. We will discuss the specific types of pandemic related stress for youth and the mental health disorders that result from it. Further, optimal intervention strategies to counter treatment barriers and to improve adolescent mental well-being will be offered.

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT

Promoting Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies through Creativity

Program offers 1.0 NBCC CE hours

Presented by: Katherine Jackson, Jessica Headley

Graduate students created social justice art pieces and reflections based on various assigned books. Students showed their art pieces in a college gallery, helping to honor and showcase various themes of oppression, systemic racism, and recognizing the black lives matter movement. This presentation serves to increase knowledge of social justice issues as well as create action, in the making and creating of dialogue and art for educators and clinicians. 

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT

Infusing fun and creativity to prevent substance abuse for children using online classroom platform.

Program offers 1.0 NBCC CE hours

Presented by: Jungeun Lee, Tanecia August

There is a significantly high number of drug misuse and abuse by teenagers(SAMHSA, 2020), however, previous prevention programs have yet to highlight real life situations that are culturally responsive(Maina, 2020). We suggest a virtual prevention program for elementary students (4th and 5th graders) that can be utilized in various settings. This program is based on fun and playful role-play, art work, expressive writing and meditation.We will provide downloadable materials and demonstrate how to facilitate the program.

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT

Bridging the Virtual Gap: Addressing the needs of minority adolescent clients through virtual interventions

Program offers 1.0 NBCC CE hours

Presented by: Jasmine Gay, Chanta Moore

In the blink of an eye our world transitioned to the virtual setting. As counselors we too had to brace for the change of how we provide and how others receive services. Our profession calls us to make sure we are providing the most ethically sound interventions. The resounding question is how can we do this? And do it keeping equity in mind. 

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT

Creativity in Counseling: Older Adults Mental Benefits

Program offers 1.0 NBCC CE hours

Presented by: Diane Porché, Angiemil Pérez Peña, Ph.D,

Through systematic analysis of creativity, ageism, and mental health, gaps remain in understanding the impact of clinical treatment. Given the growing lack of mental wellness among seniors, there is still a need to train counselors in culturally appropriate interventions for the aging population. This session aims to focus on enhancing the counselor's understanding of the needs of mental well-being in aging individuals. It will also describe how a multi-cultural approach can be used in practice.

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT

Information Gathering 101: The foundation of Assessments and Treatment Planning

Program offers 1.0 NBCC CE hours

Presented by: Jessica Newton, Michelle Wright, Lace Banks 

Students will engage in presentation to learn skills to conduct interviews with the intent to retrieve primary complaints, presenting problems, signs, and psychopathology to support DSM 5 Diagnosis. Students will explore pertinent interview questions to understand treatment that best supports client outcomes.

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT

Competing in a Pandemic: The effect of COVID-19 on student athletes.

Program offers 1.0 NBCC CE hours

Presented by: Kristopher Karako, Diane Porsche, Angiemil Pérez Peña, Ph.D

COVID-19 has greatly impacted the entire world. Student athletes have been impacted by not being able to practice or compete in their respective sports and being isolated due to current regulations. Athletes reported significant increases in feelings of isolation, disconnection, anxiety, depression, and frustration. This session will focus on enhancing counselors’ understanding of the mental health needs and effective therapeutic strategies in combating decline in mental health among student athletes.   

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT

Deployed and Depressed: Creative Virtual and Face-to-Face Interventions for Military Spouses Impacted by Postpartum Issues

Program offers 1.0 NBCC CE hours

Presented by: Andy Brown, Caitlin Ciralsky

This interactive and integrative workshop offers ideas, examples and guidance for implementing Strength-based, creative techniques into a therapeutic session to build the client's resiliency and internal resources. 

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CDT

Taking Care of Our Own Mental Health: Ethically Managing Reactions to Client Political Perspectives

Program offers 1.0 NBCC CE hours

Presented by: Amy Evans

With the public health, social justice and political circumstances of our current world, it may be challenging to manage our own reactions, especially with clients who may hold very different views. Counselors practicing in an ethical manner set aside our values to provide a space for clients to express theirs. How do we provide a safe environment for clients when our reactions may surprise even us? This presentation will focus on bracketing our own views when the topics are often so charged and personal.

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CDT

Nurturing Identity Development in Adolescents Affected by Foster Care

Program offers 1.0 NBCC CE hours

Presented by: Sascha Jeffers, Kayla Jeffers

Youth placed in foster care experience environmental instability causing low self-esteem and negative identity development. This presentation will provide information about how foster parents can build healthy parent-child attachments and facilitate important biological and peer connections to support identity development and mental health wellbeing in adolescents. We offer unique perspectives of both a foster parent and a former foster youth to help guide counseling practices with foster youth and their families.

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CDT

Reintegration: Mental Health Barriers in Military Spouses

Program offers 1.0 NBCC CE hours

Presented by:  T Kaitlynn Timko, Kyra Hughes, Kellie Forziat-Pytel

Researchers continue to expand on evidenced-based practices with service members and veterans. Providing quality services can include the counseling relationship, advocacy, and connecting service members with relevant resources. However, how stigma can impact treatment-seeking is less understood in military spouses. Participants in this presentation will learn what barriers exist for military spouses and how counselors can support them. Findings will inform future counseling research and professional practice.

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CDT

Implementing creative interventions into family therapy

Program offers 1.0 NBCC CE hours, 1.0 CEs for Psychologists (APA), and 1.0 BBS California CEUs for LPCCs, LPSW, and LMFTs


Presented by: Jennifer Gregg

This presentation will offer practitioners a greater understanding of the benefits creative interventions can have on both individual and familial levels. Mental health literature advocates for the use of creative techniques of all ages, offering an opportunity to bring what is in the unconscious to the conscious. Utilizing support from the fields of neuroscience, creative interventions are developed to help build upon healthy social relationships and improve overall brain development. 

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CDT

Suicide Prevention in a Virtual World

Program offers 1.0 NBCC CE hours

Presented by: Grace Hockenberry, Nicole Pizza, Angela Presto 

Unsure how to manage risk in a virtual world? Learn how to set the stage for teletherapy regarding client appropriateness, confidentiality and it’s limits, pre-appointment paperwork, risk assessment, safety planning, hospitalization options and continuation of care. Becoming more comfortable with suicide prevention in a virtual world is just one presentation away!

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CDT

Increasing Cultural Awareness in Counseling Supervision​

Program offers 1.0 NBCC CE hours

Presented by: Emily Travis, Mason Greenwood, Venecia Webb

The supervision experience is an integral part in counselor identity development. It is our responsibility as counselor educators and supervisors, to provide counselors in training with a supervision experience that adheres to legal and ethical codes, explores and honors cultural diversity, and provides a safe space for learning and reflection. Participants will gain an overview of a culturally conscious supervision practices and the dynamic created from the perspectives of both the supervisor and the supervisee.

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CDT

Healing Emotionally with Laughter Yoga Practices

Program offers 1.0 NBCC CE hours

Presented by: Coralis Solomon

Learn about Laughter Yoga benefits for the body and mind

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CDT

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV): Trauma-informed Best Practices

Program offers 1.0 NBCC CE hours, 1.0 CEs for Psychologists (APA), and 1.0 BBS California CEUs for LPCCs, LPSW, and LMFTs


Presented by:  Minna Davis

More than a decade ago, researchers told us that 40% of therapists failed to recognize Intimate Partner Violence among couples. Today, although therapists are better able to recognize it, there was no improvement in their ability to predict IPV lethality suggesting that service providers continue to be at a loss as to how to fully address these issues effectively.  

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CDT

How to Advocate for Resiliency of Clients with ACEs through Legislative Policy Change

Program offers 1.0 NBCC CE hours

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CDT

Telehealth and Face-to-Face Interventions for Youth and Families

Program offers 1.0 NBCC CE hours

Presented by: Dallas Jones, Caitlin Ciralsky

Working with children, adolescents, and families requires different therapeutic interventions considering the client’s age, cognition, and abilities. This presentation will cover numerous activities to use with youth in diverse age groups and their families, whether the sessions are face-to-face or virtual. Also, potential challenges to be mindful of when engaging in telehealth and ideas to combat those challenges.

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM CDT

White Privilege: Impact on Supervision

Program offers 1.0 NBCC CE hours

Presented by: Elizabeth Wright, Jessica Newton

This presentation explores the effects white privilege has on an individual, community, and systemic level. Focused attention is placed on the impacts white privilege has on the counseling field and impacts to counseling supervision.  

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM CDT

Cultural Diversity and Spiritual Competence in the Workplace

Program offers 1.0 NBCC CE hours, 1.0 CEs for Psychologists (APA), and 1.0 BBS California CEUs for LPCCs, LPSW, and LMFTs


Presented by: Darlene Viggiano, Sonia Rahel Ahmadzai

Diverse cultures can come with diverse spiritual backgrounds. Here is a chance to gain proficiency in ensuring that staff and those they serve are treated with dignity and respect for not only their race and ethnicity, but also for their spiritual diversity.

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM CDT

White Privilege: Impact on Supervision

Program offers 1.0 NBCC CE hours

Presented by: Elizabeth Wright, Jessica Newton

This presentation explores the effects white privilege has on an individual, community, and systemic level. Focused attention is placed on the impacts white privilege has on the counseling field and impacts to counseling supervision.  

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM CDT

Schlossberg’s Non- Event Transition as it relates to Virtual Clinical Supervision: A faculty supervisor vantage

Program offers 1.0 NBCC CE hours

Presented by: Heather Zeng, Alyssa Weiss

The Stress in the time of COVID 19 study by the American Psychological Association (APA, 2020) survey noted 72% of adults see this is the lowest point they can remember in history for the U.S. The COVID 19 era has become a universal challenge to individual’s tolerance for mediating uncertainty. For faculty supervisors there is scant focus in supervision around transition. This presentation addresses ways faculty can approach transition and non-event transition with students s to help them flourish as counselors. 

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM CDT

Multicultural Counseling: Pagan Clients

Program offers 1.0 NBCC CE hours

Presented by: Britain Shaw, Jennifer Padgett

Paganism is a vast religion that encompass a multitude of different beliefs, much like the term Christianity encompasses different Christian beliefs. With the ever growing population of Pagans, it is important that counselors become aware of the unique needs and struggles a Pagan client may face. There is little research on counseling and pagan individuals and this presentation is to encourage and teach counselors and researchers alike.

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM CDT

Early detection and assessment of children experiencing phobias.

Program offers 1.0 NBCC CE hours

Presented by: Viridiana Vazquez

There are high rates of specific phobia in children younger than 13, especially in disadvantaged groups which when untreated can result in more severe mental health and behavioral consequences. This presentation will provide information for clinical practice regarding early markers and assessment tools for detecting specific phobia.

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM CDT

Schlossberg’s Non- Event Transition as it relates to Virtual Clinical Supervision: A faculty supervisor vantage

Program offers 1.0 NBCC CE hours

Presented by: Heather Zeng, Alyssa Weiss

The Stress in the time of COVID 19 study by the American Psychological Association (APA, 2020) survey noted 72% of adults see this is the lowest point they can remember in history for the U.S. The COVID 19 era has become a universal challenge to individual’s tolerance for mediating uncertainty. For faculty supervisors there is scant focus in supervision around transition. This presentation addresses ways faculty can approach transition and non-event transition with students s to help them flourish as counselors. 

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM CDT

Multicultural Counseling: Pagan Clients

Program offers 1.0 NBCC CE hours

Presented by: Britain Shaw, Jennifer Padgett

Paganism is a vast religion that encompass a multitude of different beliefs, much like the term Christianity encompasses different Christian beliefs. With the ever growing population of Pagans, it is important that counselors become aware of the unique needs and struggles a Pagan client may face. There is little research on counseling and pagan individuals and this presentation is to encourage and teach counselors and researchers alike.

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM CDT

Early detection and assessment of children experiencing phobias.

Program offers 1.0 NBCC CE hours

Presented by: Viridiana Vazquez

There are high rates of specific phobia in children younger than 13, especially in disadvantaged groups which when untreated can result in more severe mental health and behavioral consequences. This presentation will provide information for clinical practice regarding early markers and assessment tools for detecting specific phobia.

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM CDT

Cultural Diversity and Spiritual Competence in the Workplace

Program offers 1.0 NBCC CE hours

Presented by: Darlene Viggiano, Sonia Rahel Ahmadzai

Diverse cultures can come with diverse spiritual backgrounds. Here is a chance to gain proficiency in ensuring that staff and those they serve are treated with dignity and respect for not only their race and ethnicity, but also for their spiritual diversity.

Continuing Education Information


Participants must attend 100% of the session and complete a brief evaluation after the presentation to obtain CEs.




Counselors:

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology – Online Campus; Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program is an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 3036, with NBCC. Sessions that qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology – Online Campus; Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program is solely responsible for all aspects of the sessions.

Each session in this conference offers 1.0 NBCC CE Hours.


Participation Certificate. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is able to provide students and other participants who simply wish to have documentation of their attendance at the program a participation certificate. Each session in this conference offers a participation certificate.


The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology maintains responsibility for this program and its content.


Psychologists. This program, when attended in its entirety, some programs in this conference offer 1.0 continuing education credits. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is committed to accessibility and non-discrimination in its continuing education activities. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is also committed to conducting all activities in conformity with the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles for Psychologists. Participants are asked to be aware of the need for privacy and confidentiality throughout the program. If program content becomes stressful, participants are encouraged to process these feelings during discussion periods. If participants have special needs, we will attempt to accommodate them. Please address questions, concerns and any complaints to Danielle Bohrer at 312-467-2364. There is no commercial support for this program nor are there any relationships between the CE Sponsor, presenting organization, presenter, program content, research, grants, or other funding that could reasonably be construed as conflicts of interest.

Programs eligible for CE Credits include:

  1. A Holistic Approach to Enhancing Diversity and Inclusion in Counselor Education
  2. Telemental health Interventions: Innovative Technological Implementation
  3. Intimate Partner Violence (IPV): Trauma-informed Best Practices 
  4. Pandemic Forces on Military Culture
  5. A comparison of the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people from the US and Uganda
  6. Cultural Diversity and Spiritual Competence in the Workplace
  7. Contact + Education = Change: Ways to Identify and Reduce Mental Health Provider Stigma
  8. Implementing creative interventions into family therapy 
  9. Presentations Demystified: From Proposal to Presentation and Possibly Beyond
  10. Finding Identity as a New Counselor in the Midst of COVID-19
  11. Wellness, COVID-19, Telemental Health, and the Geriatric Community

MFTs, LPCCs, and LCSWs. Some courses in this conference meet the qualifications for 1.0 hour of continuing education credit for MFTs, LPCCs, and/or LCSWs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. If you are licensed outside of California please check with your local licensing agency to to determine if they will accept these CEUs. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is approved by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) to offer continuing education programming for MFTs, LPCCs, LEPs, and/or LCSWs. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is an accredited or approved postsecondary institution that meets the requirements set forth in Sections 4980.54(f)(1), 4989.34, 4996.22(d)(1), or 4999.76(d) of the Code.

Programs eligible for BBS CEU Credits include:

  1. A Holistic Approach to Enhancing Diversity and Inclusion in Counselor Education
  2. Telemental health Interventions: Innovative Technological Implementation
  3. Intimate Partner Violence (IPV): Trauma-informed Best Practices 
  4. Pandemic Forces on Military Culture
  5. A comparison of the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people from the US and Uganda
  6. Cultural Diversity and Spiritual Competence in the Workplace
  7. Contact + Education = Change: Ways to Identify and Reduce Mental Health Provider Stigma
  8. Implementing creative interventions into family therapy
  9. Presentations Demystified: From Proposal to Presentation and Possibly Beyond
  10. Finding Identity as a New Counselor in the Midst of COVID-19
  11. Wellness, COVID-19, Telemental Health, and the Geriatric Community






Jennifer Smith Ramey, Ed.S, LPC

Doctoral student
Liberty University

Title of presentation: Adapting to a Changing Landscape: Telemental health (TMH) Implementation Across Community-Based Settings


Jennifer Smith Ramey earned her M.S./Ed.S. degrees from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in Counselor Education in 1996. She has been a Licensed Professional Counselor since 1999. She has worked with a variety of populations including adults with serious mental illness and adolescents with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. She is a certified G.A.I.N (Global Appraisal of Individual Need) local trainer, a certified MET/CBT (Motivational Enhancement Therapy/Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) supervisor and therapist, and a certified A-CRA (Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach) supervisor and therapist.  Jennifer has worked on two Targeted Capacity Expansion Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grants, Motivational Enhancement Therapy/Cognitive Behavioral Therapy/Family Support Network (MET/CBT/FSN) and Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach/Assertive Continuing Care (A-CRA/ACC) as Clinical Supervisor and Principal Investigator (A-CRA/ACC). Jennifer was the Principal Investigator for the SAMHSA Cooperative Agreements to Benefit Homeless Individuals (CABHI). In 2020, Horizon Behavioral Health was awarded a five-year grant to expand the capacity of the Bedford Family Treatment Drug Court where Jennifer serves as Principal Investigator. Jennifer is the Program Manager for the Substance Use/Co-Occurring Program at Horizon Behavioral Health. Jennifer provides clinical and administrative supervision to team of over twenty therapists and supervisors, including Intensive Outpatient Substance Use Treatment and Multi-Systemic Therapy (MST).  Jennifer's research interests include cross-sector community collaboration, family treatment drug courts, and telesupervision. In 2020, Jennifer co-authored a manuscript titled "A Multiple Agencies and Counties Partnership: Improving Parental Substance Use and Services Delivery Outcomes through a Network Development and Collaboration" that was published in the Journal of Rural and Community Development. Jennifer and her co-author published a second article on cross-sector collaboration in 2021 titled "Modifications to a Multiple Agencies and Counties Partnership during the COVID-19 Pandemic." 

Jordan Mann, BA

Graduate Student
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Title of Presenation: Telehealth Interventions to Build Resilience in Kids & Youth

Jordan Mann, BA, is a graduate student pursuing her master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Jordan has a bachelor's degree in Psychology, with a minor in American Sign Language from the University of North Florida. Jordan has presented in many professional conferences including the ACC conference in December 2019, and September of 2020. Jordan serves as the student representative on the ACC conference planning committee and for The Chicago School. Jordan is the assistant to the editor for the ACAC newsletter. Jordan started working as a first-time graduate assistant in the Spring of 2020 and continues to be of service to her peers. Her interests include trauma, high-conflict divorce, anxiety disorders, addiction, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (all within the population of youth and adolescents). 

Ian T. MacGregor, B.S.

Success Coach Supervisor
Lock Haven University

Title of Presentation: A Breath of Fresh Air: A Discussion on Wilderness Therapy Applications for Counselors and Counselor Education Programs


Ian T. MacGregor, B.S., is a full-time Graduate Student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at Lock Haven University (LHU) and works as a Success Coach Supervisor at LHU. He has varied experience working in experiential education and adventure/wilderness therapy. His primary research interests are client and counselor wellness/self-care, military/veteran issues, multicultural issues, and adventure/wilderness therapy.

Darlene Viggiano, PhD (MFT)

Marriage and Family Therapist
Saybrook University

Title of Presenation: Cultural Diversity and Spiritual Competence in the Workplace


Darlene Viggiano, Ph.D. (MFT) is Faculty of the College of Mind-Body Medicine, at Saybrook University in San Francisco, teaching Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced Hypnosis. She is author of Dreams and Dream-like Experiences: Their Role in Spiritual Emergence Processes (Lambert Academic Publishing, 2011) and Carrying On: A Workbook for Women Who've Lost a Pregnancy (Lambert Academic Publishing, 2010). She developed an online course about hypnosis for John F. Kennedy University and taught psychology at the University of Phoenix. She has published nearly 40 articles and a chapter on topics within the fields of consciousness, psychology, spirituality, mental health, and integrative medicine. Her publications on mind-body medicine have led her to present workshops in states from California to Nevada and Hawaii. She has served on the Dissertation with Distinction selection committee, and on other culmination project committees at both Saybrook and the California Institute of Integral Studies. She has been practicing psychotherapy since 1999, with her most recent years in telehealth private practice. In her previous capacity, she has served Adults Molested as Children, Intensive Outpatient Program participants, the severely and persistently mentally ill, the dual diagnosis population, patients in need of skills such as anger management and socialization, and many others. She has also provided mindful movement practices, dream-work, and hypnosis. She earned two employee awards during her career at Kaiser. Dr. Viggiano also has held membership in CAMFT, APA Division 30, the Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, and the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. She earned her Ph.D. in psychology at Saybrook University in 2010, and thereafter earned the APA Division 30 Early Career Contributions to Hypnosis Award. She currently runs her private practice for Californians from her new home in Hawaii. 

Tara M. Gray, PhD, LPC, LPSC, ACS, RPT-S, RPT

Associate Faculty
Prescott College

Title of Presentation: Creative, Experiential Group Activities for Diverse Clients: Cohesion Development Activities


Dr. Tara M. Gray, Associate Faculty in the Education Department at Prescott College, is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Professional School Counselor, Approved Clinical Supervisor, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, and Registered Play Therapist with over 25 years of experience across settings, including private practice, university clinic and career centers, residential treatment, and K-12 schools, including elementary, middle and high schools along with K-12 and alternative schools. She is a 2019-2021 Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Emerging Leader. Dr. Gray has been teaching and supervising in graduate counseling programs since 2010 and specializes in ethical, compassionate, evidence-based counseling across diverse populations, counselor education, clinical supervision, group counseling, child and adolescent counseling, and social justice and advocacy. Her research article, ""Sticking Together": The Adolescent Experience of the Cohesion Process in Rural School Counseling Groups" was published in The Journal for Specialists in Group Work (Gray & Rubel, 2018). Dr. Gray is certified as an Ethical and Legal Specialist, School Counseling Leadership Specialist, Mental Health Specialist, Trauma and Crisis Management Specialist, and Cultural Competency Specialist with the American School Counselor Association. While continuing her work as a licensed professional school counselor, Dr. Gray has presented 35 presentations on best practices in counseling, school counseling, counselor education and group work at local, state, regional, national and international conferences and has published 9 articles. She has written 12 grants funded at $476, 844. Dr. Gray has taught over 40 graduate counseling courses, including 23 different graduate counseling courses at Prescott College, Capella University and Oregon State University. She has served over 3,000 students and clients to date and served in over 20 professional service volunteer roles, including 7 years on the Colorado School Counselor Association Governing Board. Dr. Gray serves clients in her private practice, Dr. Tara Gray Counseling & Wellness, in Telluride, Colorado.  

Heather Zeng, PhD, LPC, NCC (C), BC-TMH, CCC, BCC

Faculty
Capella University

Title of Presentation: Schlossberg's Non- Event Transition as it relates to Virtual Clinical Supervision: A faculty supervisor vantage


Dr. Heather Zeng resides in the Bay area of SF (CA). She is a subject matter expert in counseling and career development. She has worked on international leadership projects with African leaders on education and development. She supports research on intersectionality to illuminate unheard voices.

Jennifer Toof, MA

Counselor
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Title of Presentation: Telehealth Interventions to Build Resilience in Kids & Youth


Jennifer Toof, MA, is a pursuing her PhD in International Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Jennifer has a Bachelor's degree in psychology from Northeastern University and a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Jennifer has prior clinical experience working with individuals with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders and currently works in Outpatient and School-based Outpatient services at Child Guidance Resource Centers, assisting children, adolescents, and families. She is one of a handful of clinicians at the site who is trained in and able to see clients for specific trauma-focused work. She is also involved in various advocacy efforts on the local and national level.

Rebecca Mathews, PhD, LPC-S

Clinical Assistant Professor
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Title of Presentations: Crucial Conversations: Confronting the Issue of Mental Health in Graduate School; Finding Peace in the Storm: A Crash Course in Self-Compassion


Dr. Rebecca Mathews is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She has worked in the counseling field for 15 years and is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Board-Approved Supervisor (Texas). Dr. Mathews has provided care in outpatient, inpatient, and criminal justice settings. Her clinical and research interests include suicide prevention, child & adolescent counseling, the therapeutic relationship, evidence-based practices, counselor development, and the resolution of values-based conflict. Additionally, Dr. Mathews is passionate about connecting research to practitioners and has provided training and/or supervision to counselors-in-training as well as medical personnel (psychiatry fellows, medical students), school staff/administration, and legal professionals (attorneys, judges). 

Tara Bryant-Edwards, MS, MBA, LCPC

Assistant Professor
National Louis University

Title of Presentation: A Holistic Approach to Enhancing Diversity and Inclusion in Counselor Education


Tara Bryant-Edwards, MS, MBA, LCPC is an Assistant Professor and she oversees the initiative to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the counseling program at National Louis University. She earned her Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northwestern University. Over the duration of her career she has provided counseling services to survivors of trauma and she has directed clinical mental health programs. She teaches multicultural, family, and group counseling courses.

Rebekah Cole, Ph.D., LPC, NCC

Assistant Professor
Arkansas State University

Title of Presentation: That We May Serve: Providing Effective Telemental Health Services to the Military Population


Rebekah Cole is a Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor. She has over ten years of experience working as a counselor educator in the online learning environment and is passionate about helping counseling students across the world pursue their career goals. Rebekah graduated from Old Dominion University in 2010 with a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and from the College of William and Mary in 2008 with a M.Ed. in School Counseling. As a military spouse, Rebekah has lived in Europe and Asia and is currently living in Washington DC with her husband and two children. Her research interests include informing counselors of best practices for working with military families and developing best practices for supporting students in online education. ​

Taqueena S. Quintana, Ed.D., LPC, NCC, ACS, BC-TMH

Assistant Professor
Arkansas State University

Title of Presentation: That We May Serve: Providing Effective Telemental Health Services to the Military Population


Dr. Taqueena Quintana is a Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, Approved Clinical Supervisor and Board Certified Telemental Health Provider. As an LPC, Taqueena has provided mental health counseling services across populations and settings including online, military installations, in-home, psychiatric institutions, community mental health clinics and substance abuse facilities. She currently co-owns Transformation Counseling Services, a virtual private practice, where she supports individuals who served in the military. Taqueena graduated from Argosy University in 2018 with an Ed.D. in Counselor Education & Supervision and from The City University of New York-Brooklyn College in 2012 with a M.S.Ed. in School Counseling. She is also? a 2017 NBCC Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) fellow and current NBCC mentor to individuals looking to provide counseling services to military populations.

Angelia Lomax, MS

Founder
Nurturing Black Minds

Title of Presentation: Teaching Social Justice Practices to Masters Counseling Students through a Multicultural Lens


Angelia Lomax earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Middle Tennessee State University and her Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling from Long Island University. She is currently pursuing LPC-MHSP licensure in the state of Tennessee. Angelia has served a diverse clientele, providing services for individuals and groups in intensive out-patient programs, university counseling centers, and private practice settings. She takes an eclectic approach to counseling, using a combination of techniques and interventions based on the unique needs of the client. Angelia believes that each of us has everything we need inside of us to be fulfilled. Her goal is to empower all of her clients with the tools and information they need to progress towards overall health and well-being.

Amy Evans, PhD, LPCC

Associate Professor
Bethel University

Title of Presentation: Taking Care of Our Own Mental Health: Ethically Managing Reactions to Client Political Perspectives


Dr. Evans completed her undergraduate degree at Northwestern College, in St. Paul, Minnesota. She then completed a master's degree in counseling at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has worked in a variety different counseling settings, including private practice, college counseling, and inpatient substance use disorder treatment. She has teaching experience with counselors-in-training both online and in person. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (WI), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (MN), and an Approved Clinical Supervisor.

Alyssa Weiss, PhD, LMFT, CCTP

Professor
Yorkville University

Title of Presentation: Schlossberg's Non- Event Transition as it relates to Virtual Clinical Supervision: A faculty supervisor vantage


Dr. Weiss completed her doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy is a current Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy in the state of Florida. Dr. Weiss has a private practice. She is a fulltime Professor at Yorkville University and serves as an adjunct professor at various Universities around the United States. While Dr. Weiss's specialty is families with special needs and post-natal depression, she also provides counseling to individuals, couples, and groups. Dr. Weiss comes from a Strength-based approach. She has a background in the field of special education where she holds a Master's degree in Early Childhood Special Education. Dr. Weiss has presented at a local, regional, state, national, and at the international level. She has published on various Family Therapy topics. She holds advanced training in Traumatology, with a certification as a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Hypnotherapist, and Snoezelen Therapy.  

Kellie Forziat-Pytel

Assistant Research Professor
PSU and LHU

Title of Presentations: Help! I Can't Leave Work "at the Office": Navigating Wellness When "at the Office" Means Working from Home; A Breath of Fresh Air: A Discussion on Wilderness Therapy Applications for Counselors and Counselor Education Programs; Reintegration: Mental Health Barriers in Military Spouses;Pandemic forces on military culture


Kellie Forziat Pytel, Ph.D., NCC is an Assistant Research Professor at Penn State University with the Clearinghouse for Military Readiness and a Part-time Teaching Instructor at Lock Haven University with the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program. Her primary research interests are military issues, counselor wellness/self-care, and improving counselor training/effectiveness. 

Ya Wen Liang

Assistant Professor
Texas A&M University Kingsville

Title of Presentation: Holistic Wellness during the COVID 19 Pandemic: A Voice from Asian Americans with Chinese Ethnicity


The primary presenter is a LPC-S, NCC, Certified Humanistic Sandtray Therapist, and Assistant Professor at the CMHC program at the Texas A&M University Kingsville. She taught 13 different counseling courses and published one book chapter, 14 refereed national articles, three SACES newsletters, and presented at 48 conferences. She received the College Research Award, Outstanding Junior Faculty Award, and University Research Award. She received three grants with one research project on the COVID-19 pandemic mental health. She is also a CFA at CSI. The primary presenter is a LPC-S, NCC, and Assistant Professor at a CMHC program. She taught 13 different counseling courses; published one book chapter, 14 refereed national articles (with 11 as the first author), three newsletters at SACES (with two as the first author); and presented at 48 conferences (with 39 as the primary presenter) at the international, national, regional, state and local conferences. She received the College Research Award, Outstanding Junior Faculty Award, and University Research Award. She received three grants with one research project on the COVID-19 pandemic mental health. She is also a CFA at CSI.  

Minna Grabin Davis, M.A., NCC, LPC

Director of Counseling
Laurel House

Title of Presentation: Intimate Partner Violence (IPV): Trauma-informed Best Practices


Minna Grabin Davis, M.A., NCC, LPC is the Director of Counseling for Laurel House of Montgomery County, PA where she and her clinical staff and interns provide counseling to shelter and transitional housing residents, and to survivors of intimate partner violence living in the community-at-large. Minna also offers professional development workshops for mental health clinicians and other human services professionals throughout the Philadelphia area as well as for the Pennsylvania Counseling Association, and nationally for the 2013 American Counseling Association Conference and the 2017 Association for Spiritual, Ethical & Religious Values in Counseling.  Minna serves as an adjunct instructor at Chestnut Hill College in their Masters of Counseling Psychology program and maintains a small private practice for aspiring professional counseling and social work clinicians seeking supervision for licensure (LPCs and LCSWs). Prior to coming to Laurel House in 2001 to oversee the shelter and its services for abused women and their children, Ms. Davis lived in Scranton, PA where she served as the Assistant Director of the Counseling & Student Development Center of Marywood University and as an adjunct instructor at both Marywood University and the University of Scranton. While maintaining a private practice, she also served the Women's Resource Center of Scranton, PA, a domestic violence and sexual assault program, as a direct service volunteer, consultant and later as a member of its Board of Directors. Minna is a past president of the PA Counseling Association, the PA Mental Health Counselors Association, and the Greater Philadelphia Area Counseling Association. She is the proud mother of two and grandmother of five.  

Jennifer Gregg, Ph.D., LPC, NCC, Registered Play Therapist

Owner/Therapist
Play and Grow Counseling, LLC

Title of Presentation: Implementing creative interventions into family therapy


Dr. Jenn holds a doctoral degree in Counseling Leadership. She has been actively practicing for 7 years with experience in community mental health, private practice, and group practice settings. Currently, she is the founder and therapist at Play and Grow Counseling, LLC in Huntsville, AL. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, and Registered Play Therapist. She has contributed to and published research relating to play therapy, mindfulness, and therapeutic relationships. In her work, Dr. Jenn actively strives to utilize creative approaches to increase self-awareness and self-expression. 

Sarah Durant Finke, PhD, LMHC, NCC

Adjunct Faculty
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Title of Presentation: A comparison of the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people from the US and Uganda


Sarah Durant Finke is an adjunct faculty member at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, and is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Nationally Certified Counselor. She completed a masters in Marriage and Family Therapy at the Adler Graduate School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and a doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision at The George Washington University in Washington, DC. Dr. Durant Finke has worked as a clinical counselor and supervisor in numerous community mental health settings in Minnesota, DC, and Washington state, with a focus on complex trauma therapy utilizing modalities including NET, CPT, TF-CBT, and DBT. Her research has focused on the use of trauma therapy among global refugee populations, and she has worked with a not-for-profit organization in Uganda assisting in the implementation of a peer-led trauma therapy program.

Rev. Tina Ward M.Div.

Chaplain
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Title of Presentation: A comparison of the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people from the US and Uganda


Saved for a time such as this is the crux of being a survivor. You learn many things as you navigate life's tumultuous terrains, badgering storms, and vivacious occasions. In return, you eagerly desire to testify and teach others how to do the same. Affectionately known as Survivalist T. Marie, Tina has survived and learned life skills and development during many lived experiences (teenage parenting, homelessness, widower, real estate, and business owner). Refusing to accept the pessimistic words and statistics hovering over her life, she returned to academic halls where she earned a GED, Bachelor of Theology, Master of Divinity, and completed 4Units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE).   Currently, Tina is completing her second Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology on the track to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Tina provides psychotherapy in various settings. Some examples include work with adult survivors of trauma, individuals, couples, and marriage counseling. She is also a Licensed and Ordained Minister and a professionally trained Chaplain.   Within the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program, Tina serves as a student representative for the Student Affairs Committee (SAC). Also, she works in her programs' Virtual Clinic Training Center (VCTC) and facilitates psychoeducation groups for Stress Management, Balance, and Learning Styles. Along with providing one-to-one skill-building counseling sessions with fellow peers. She is currently developing community networks and partnerships to extend virtual counseling sessions to community organizations and residents. 

Constance Fields

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Student
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Title of Presentation: Creatively Healing Our Youth: Processing Covid-19 Grief Using Drama, Music, and Writing


Constance Fields is a Masters of Clinical Mental Health Counseling student in the Online program at TCSPP. With a background in performing arts, her soul's work has become learning to intuitively guide people on their journey of finding their voice, and telling their story, while healing from past trauma and false narratives through the counseling process.

Robert Switala

Masters Level Student
Liberty University

Title of Presentation: Counselors as Clients: An Exploration of Personal Counseling for Counselors and Counseling Students


Mr. Switala is currently a masters level graduate student in the Clinical and Mental Health Counseling online program at Liberty University. He is the founding president of the Rho Eta Nu Alpha Rho online chapter for Chi Sigma Iota at Liberty University and is one of the co-host and founders of the student led podcast called RENAR Voice. For the past 4 years, Mr. Switala has served as the lead facilitator for a men's recovery group and has served as a recovery coach and youth mentor.

Jeff Mazzone

Counseling Student Intern
Liberty University

Title of Presentation: Counselors as Clients: An Exploration of Personal Counseling for Counselors and Counseling Students


Jeff Mazzone is a Clinical Mental Health Counseling student at Liberty University's CACREP-accredited program studying online from his home north of New York City where he lives with his wife and two young daughters. He is the founding secretary and treasurer of Liberty's northeastern online chapter of Chi Sigma Iota, Rho Eta Nu Alpha Rho (RENAR), and cohosts with co-presenter Robert Switala its faculty interview podcast RENAR Voice. Jeff is currently in practicum at a private practice in Bronx, NY. He expects to graduate in December of 2021.   Jeff hopes to pursue licensure and begin exploring doctoral programs in Counselor Education and Supervision. He is interested in the integration of philosophy and counseling. 

Laura Laura Fazio-Griffith,PhD., NCC., LPC-S., LMFT., Registered Play Therapist-S

Associate Professor
Southeastern Louisiana University

Title of Presentation: Expressive Arts and Play Therapy Interventions for First Responders During the Pandemic


Dr. Fazio-Griffith received her PhD from the University of New Orleans in Counselor Education. She is a national certified counselor, licensed professional counselor supervisor, a licensed marriage and family therapist, and a registered play therapist supervisor. Dr. Fazio-Griffith was the clinical director for the Counseling and Training Center of Families Helping Families of Greater New Orleans for approximately 5 years. She provided individual, group, and family counseling as well as supervision for master's level counseling interns. She has been an adjunct assistant professor at UNO, Southeastern, and LSU. She served as the president of LACES from 2004-06 and was the Counselor Education representative on the LACES board until July 2011. She served as treasurer on the Louisiana Association for Play Therapy Executive Board and is currently President of the Louisiana Association for Play Therapy. She is has served as president for the Louisiana Association for Career Development and also serves on two national editorial boards. She serves on the American Counseling Association Branch Development Committee, and the Association for Play Therapy Education Committee and Registration and Credentialing Committee. She has developed the play therapy program and the counseling program is an approved provider from the Association for Play Therapy for continuing play therapy education. She has presented nationally and statewide on various topics related to supervision, play therapy, and group work.  Her research interests include group work, personality disorders, supervision, and play therapy. Dr. Fazio-Griffith was honored by the Louisiana Association for Counselor Education and Supervision as the Senior Counselor Educator of the year at the 2016 LCA Conference, and the award for Distinguished Professional Service, 2018 for the Louisiana Counseling Association. Dr. Fazio-Griffith was appointed to the LPC Board by the Governor effective September 1, 2018. She is the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award for LAPT 2020.

Debra M Perez, MA, LPCC, BCTP-II, SCPG, Doctoral candidate

Counselor/Clinical Director

Title of Presentation: Presentations Demystified: From Proposal to Presentation and Possibly Beyond


Debra M Perez, MA, LPCC, BCTP-II, SCPG earned her masters of arts degree from New Mexico Highlands University, graduating with honors, over 16 years ago. She worked at a community mental health agency with children through adults, utilizing community supports to assist clients on their path to wellness, self-acceptance, and healing. She then worked in a day-treatment program with adolescents transitioning out of treatment foster care or residential treatment and reintegrating back into their families and navigating probation and the juvenile judicial system. She then opened her own private practice, serving children, teens, adults, and seniors, providing individual, family, and couples therapy. She now provides telebehavioral health services online in a private practice serving rural New Mexico. She is board certified in telebehavioral health services, holds a special credential in problem gambling treatment, and has a certification in aromatherapy. She is currently a doctoral candidate in counselor education and supervision at the University of the Cumberlands and is a member of Chi Sigma Iota. She has previously completed this project as a doctoral student and has acted as a TA assisting students in developing and completing presentations in class. She has also gone onto present her project from class at two different state conferences.

Tricia M. Mikolon, PhD, CRC, LPC, BC-TMH

Assistant Professor
University of the Cumberlands

Title of Presentation: Presentations Demystified: From Proposal to Presentation and Possibly Beyond

Tricia M. Mikolon, PhD, CRC, LPC, BC-TMH earned her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Regent University. Her Master's degree is in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Scranton, and her Bachelor of Science degree is in Psychology from Elizabethtown College. She is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and holds an LPC in Pennsylvania and is a Board Certified Telebehavioral Health Provider.  Dr. Mikolon's interests include correctional fatigue, the impact of self-definition and coping skills on holistic recovery, and the use of art therapy techniques in counseling. She is employed in the Counseling Department at the University of the Cumberlands as an assistant professor and has been on numerous dissertation committees. Additionally, she retired from the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections as a Psychological Services Specialist after 20 years. While there she served on the Critical Incident Stress Management Team (CISM) and provided instruction to staff on various training topics including mental health issues, suicide prevention, reinforcing positive behaviors and cognitive behavioral interventions on both the student and instructor training levels. She has authored works on rehabilitation counseling and corrections fatigue and has presented on the topics of corrections fatigue, motivational interviewing, and co-occurring disorders. She is an active member of Chi Sigma Iota, the American Counseling Association, The Fraternal Order of Police (Pennsylvania), and Psi Chi.  

Shannon MS, LPC, LCDC, NCC, TTS

Co-Owner and Counselor
Courageous Story Counseling, PLLC

Title of Presentation: Taking it to Third Space: Uncovering Biases Through the Use of Selves


Shannon Kratky is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) in the State of Texas. She holds a Masters of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from The University of Texas at San Antonio and Bachelors degree in Psychology and Addictive Disorders and Recovery Studies from Texas Tech University.      While attending UTSA, Shannon was awarded and completed the Minority Fellowship Program in Addictions Counseling by the National Board of Certified Counselors Foundation (NBCCF), where she committed to providing services for underserved and never-served "minority" populations. Shannon was also trained in providing Neurofeedback and biofeedback services, served as the President of the Neurofeedback of Society of UTSA, and was awarded the Judith Lubar Scholarship by the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA). Shannon has worked in the field of mental health since 2009, when she started her career as a Special Education Teacher for students experiencing behavioral and mental health concerns. She has worked in multiple settings throughout her career in mental health, including employment as an advocate and counselor at the Rape Crisis Center, field researcher for the National Drug and Alcohol Study, and Behavioral Health Specialist in the Greater Denver Metro Area. Shannon has journeyed alongside fellow humans in residential and outpatient centers who are seeking recovery from mental health concerns, including post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, and substance use.     Shannon is trained in Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy and enjoys utilizing this evidence-based, mind-body therapeutic modality to help clients experiencing anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, and other forms of "disturbance" in their lives. Shannon currently serves on a committee with NAADAC (The Association for Addiction Professionals) to advocate for the needs of and services for humans who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community, especially in the times of a global pandemic.

Chanta P. Moore, PhD, NCC, LPCA

Counselor/Adjunct Professor
The Moore Access

Title of Presentation: Bridging the Virtual Gap: Addressing the Need of Minority Adolescent Clients Thorough Visual Intervention


Dr. Chanta Moore serves as an Adjunct Professor, as well as a counselor-consultant for several private practices and non-profit agencies in the Houston, Texas area. In addition to being a Board Certified Counselor (NCC), a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (TX) and a certified Professional School Counselor (SC, TX), Chanta is a 2018/19 NBCC Minority Doctoral Fellow and a SREB Doctoral Scholar. Dr. Moore earned her doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of South Carolina. She cares immensely about the issues that plague vulnerable students and families and she remains committed to advocating for them and the professional welfare of the practitioners charged with their care. Dr. Moore's research focuses on mental health disparities among students, families and clinicians of color. Her dissertation examined the perceptions and experiences of secondary school counselors engaged in re-entry work with students post mandatory disciplinary alternative school placement. Dr. Moore has presented, on a variety of topics, at local, state, national and international conferences.

Frank Gorritz, APC, NCC

Professional Counselor
University of Georgia

Title of Presentation: Enhancing Black Trans Girl Resilience and Community Through Counseling Groups with Hip Hop Pedagogy


Frank Gorritz is an associate professional counselor and a doctoral candidate in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Georgia. Frank specializes in counseling practice rooted in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Furthermore, Frank specializes in minority stress counseling and substance use disorder counseling with LGBTQ+ communities. Frank is dedicated to ensuring that Transgender and Queer Communities receive affirmative counseling services rooted in liberation and empowerment. 

Cerise Lewis, MS, LMFT, CTMH, NCC, PhD Candidate

Therapist
Threads of Hope Counseling

Title of Presentation: Counseling African American Women: A Person-Centered Spiritual Approach


Cerise Lewis is an LMFT currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision at Capella University. Lewis graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Counseling Therapy. Lewis's dissertation research is studying counselor educators' experiences teaching master's level counseling students to integrate faith and spirituality into clinical work. She has worked primarily with African American individuals, couples, and families experiencing relationship interaction dysfunction, emotional connectivity issues, depression, anxiety, and infidelity. 

Denise Takakjy MS, LPC, NCC, CATP, BSL

Licensed Professional Counselor
Healing Hearts, Healthy Minds Counseling Services PLLC

Title of Presentation: Providing Virtual Mental Health Therapy to Children and Teens During the COVID-19 Pandemic

I am a licensed professional counselor in Pennsylvania. I am the owner and therapist at Healing Hearts Healthy Minds Counseling Services PLLC. I specialize in treating children and teens through a trauma-focused lens. I provide both individual and group therapy including Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I also provide parent coaching through Parenting the Peaceful Way parent coaching program. I received my master's in clinical mental health counseling from Walden University in 2014. I am currently working on my dissertation in the Counselor Education and Supervision program also at Walden. In addition to being a licensed professional counselor, I am a national certified counselor, a certified child and adolescent trauma professional and a licensed behavioral specialist. My research focuses on trauma and its effects on children and teens as well as the effects that trauma has on mental health professionals in community mental health settings. I have presented at several conferences including the Mental health America Conference in 2019 and the Pennsylvania Counseling Association Annual Meeting in 2019, as well as provided consultation to the community on recognizing trauma and developing programs that are trauma-informed. I am also an adjunct faculty member at Grand Canyon University, teaching undergraduate trauma courses in the Behavioral Health Science program. My goal has always been to help communities become more trauma-informed so that they can provide programs that address trauma experienced by those living within those communities. 

Pavel Reppo

Executive Director
Finemind

Title of Presentation: A comparison of the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people from the US and Uganda


Pavel Reppo is passionate about fostering opportunities for sustainable positive change. He is a proud founder and previous CEO of The Wayfaring Band, an organization that creates travel opportunities for adults experiencing intellectual disabilities, and leadership fellows, facilitating an inclusive culture built on the principle of mutual aid. Pavel is a native of Belarus and an avid traveler who has worked directly with orphaned youth and children living in slums in Uganda.   Currently, he is the Executive Director of Finemind, an initiative that provides community mental health services in Northern Uganda.  

Nikole Klatka

Behavioral Health Technician, Student
Lock Haven University

Title of Presentation: Help! I Can't Leave Work "at the Office": Navigating Wellness When "at the Office" Means Working from Home


Nikole Klatka received her bachelor's degree in Psychology from DeSales University in 2018 and is in the process of earning her master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Lock Haven University. Her interests include mindfulness, anxiety disorders, and self-care/wellness in the counseling realm. She is also an active member of ACA, as well as Psi Chi.

Dallas Jones

Student
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Title of Presentation: Telehealth and Face-to-Face Interventions for Youth and Families


Dallas Jones, MA Student completed her bachelor's degree in Psychology, with a minor in Disabilities in Society at the University of Florida. Dallas is a Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate student at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP) and a member of the American Counseling Association. She works as a graduate assistant at TCSPP and is completing her internship at The Child Advocacy Center. Dallas is passionate about working with youth and families that have experienced trauma and supporting them through such a difficult time. 

Sheri Collinsworth Cobarruvias, MS, LPC-S, NCC

Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor/ PhD Student

Title of Presentation: Tele-Supervision and the COVID-19 Pandemic: How Technology has Affected Clinical Supervision


Sheri Collinsworth Cobarruvias is a mental health counselor in private practice in Universal City, Texas, and is a Ph.D. Student in the Counselor Education and Supervision Program at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. She is a graduate of the Counseling Psychology – Marriage and Family Therapy program at Our Lady of the Lake University of San Antonio, Texas. Mrs. Cobarruvias has been licensed as a professional counselor since 2007, and has been an approved supervisor since 2013. She has had experience working with many different types of populations and settings over the years to include criminal offenders, female adolescents in residential treatment, inpatient psychiatric and partial hospitalization, and private practice. Mrs. Cobarruvias greatly treasures the lessons learned and experiences she has gained over the years with her clients. She has had the privilege of supervising many LPC-Associates and Liberty University graduate students. She has enjoyed working with associates and students over the years and they grow into their professional identities as professional counselors. Mrs. Cobarruvias' research interests include women's health issues, particularly in mid-life, depression, anxiety, spiritual growth, supervision, and social justice.

Caitlin Ciralsky

Student
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Title of Presentation: Deployed and Depressed: Creative Virtual and Face-to-Face Interventions for Military Spouses Impacted by Postpartum Depression and Anxiety and  Telehealth and Face-to-Face Interventions for Youth and Families


Caitlin Ciralsky, MA Student completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Kent State University and is now a Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate student at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Caitlin is a member of the American Counseling Association and Theta Chi Sigma honor society.   

Mignon Mulvey Jambon LPC-S

Medical Liaison Behaviorial Health
Blue Cross and Blue Shield/PhD Student Texas A&M University-Commerce

Title of Presentation: Finding Peace in the Storm: A Crash Course in Self-Compassion andCrucial Conversations: Confronting the Issue of Mental Health in Graduate School


Ms. Jambon is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Board-Certified Supervisor. She has specialties in suicide intervention/prevention, trauma, and addiction. She's currently working towards her Ph.D. in Counselor Education with an emphasis in culture and diversity from Texas A&M University in Commerce, Texas. After obtaining a Master's, her journey in counseling took her from mental health facilities, trauma centers and emergency rooms to the Dallas County Drug Courts working with offenders, addicts, and victims.  She has a private practice where she consults for Fortune 500 Human Resources departments and major health insurance providers with their Behavioral Health divisions. She currently works with Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) as the Medical Liaison for Behavioral Health Case Management. Ms. Jambon is a frequent speaker at national and regional mental health and counseling conventions, where she is often asked to conduct training sessions and expose LPCs, doctors, community leaders and attendees to cutting-edge advancements, theories, and technologies within the field of behavioral health. As a speaker, Ms. Jambon has spoken for organizations and corporations such as the Asian-American Chamber of Commerce, Texas Diversity Team, American Airlines, Boeing, H.E.B., and multiple Medial and Behavioral Health groups such as HCSC, all over the United States. Educating and motivating people for change is Ms. Jambon's greatest passion. She actively speaks with the media on many different issues including Addictions, PTSD, LGBTQ, Social and Communication Skills, Diversity, Culture, Gendercide, Trauma, Suicide, and Sex Trafficking. In 2019 she initiated a program to address adolescent and teen depression, anxiety, and suicide. Working in cooperation with several Independent School Districts in North Texas, the program was able to reach over 55,000 at-risk students from ages 12 to 19 and provide them with tools and support services to address their mental and behavioral health needs.

Cristal Delgado- M.S, LPSC

School Counselor/Adjunct faculty
Umatilla School District/ Prescott College

Title of Presentation: Creative, Experiential Group Activities for Diverse Clients: Cohesion Development Activities


 I graduated from Capella University in School Counseling. I am currently working at a title 1 school in Eastern Oregon, completing my 4th year with over 700 students. I am currently working on my PhD through Capella University. I am also an Adjunct Faculty Instructor through Prescott College.  

Prem Umang Satyavolu MS, NCC

Research and Teaching Assistant
Johns Hopkins University

Title of Presentation: A Tectonic Shift in Healing Approaches: How a Global Crisis Revolutionized the Future of Counseling


Prem Umang Satyavolu is currently the President of CSI Lambda Chapter and a Maryland Counseling Association Emerging Leader 2020-2021. She is also a Crisis Therapist at Penn Medicine Princeton Health and a Teaching and Research Assistant at Johns Hopkins University. She completed her undergraduate studies in Psychology in India where she served and advocated for underprivileged populations and women's rights by providing educational and mental health resources. She also has an M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Johns Hopkins University, interned at the Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center Blaustein Pain Clinic, and is a Nationally Certified Counselor. Her current research interests aim to understand the impact of emerging technology and artificial intelligence on human behavior and the importance of creating easily accessible, frugally created, culturally sensitive resources for underserved populations.


Prem Umang Satyavolu MS, NCC

Research and Teaching Assistant
Johns Hopkins University

Title of Presentation: A Tectonic Shift in Healing Approaches: How a Global Crisis Revolutionized the Future of Counseling


Prem Umang Satyavolu is currently the President of CSI Lambda Chapter and a Maryland Counseling Association Emerging Leader 2020-2021. She is also a Crisis Therapist at Penn Medicine Princeton Health and a Teaching and Research Assistant at Johns Hopkins University. She completed her undergraduate studies in Psychology in India where she served and advocated for underprivileged populations and women's rights by providing educational and mental health resources. She also has an M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Johns Hopkins University, interned at the Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center Blaustein Pain Clinic, and is a Nationally Certified Counselor. Her current research interests aim to understand the impact of emerging technology and artificial intelligence on human behavior and the importance of creating easily accessible, frugally created, culturally sensitive resources for underserved populations.


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