2nd Annual CE You!
Winter Virtual Conference!

Select one of the following classes

Class A

Death By A thousand Nicks: Healing The Wounds of Racial Trauma - Diagnosis & Treatment (3 CE Credits)

Professor Alvin Poussaint described the cumulative impact of microaggressions as “death by a thousand nicks”. What might seem small and insignificant can become ingrained into the very fiber of one’s being, causing the body to live in a constant state of alert.

This workshop will utilize the conventional and expanded Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) studies to discuss how racial trauma impacts the physical, social, and psychological health of individuals and communities. Participants will recognize systemic oppressions, confront implicit bias and engage in dialogue around racial healing, empowerment and equity.

(Trainer, Crystal Rozelle – Bennett is an educator, an advocate, a survivor and a self-proclaimed thriver! For the past 25 years she has been driven by her personal experiences of trauma to elevate and amplify the voices of individuals and communities in order to promote healing and opportunities to move from surviving to thriving.)

Class B

The Adventure of Yea But, Forgiveness 101 (3 CE Credits)

Have you ever had a patient/client that could not forgive themselves or another? Everyone who has difficulty forgiving someone in their life starts off by saying “Yeah But…”. Chuck Jansen, founder of the Forgiveness Institute, KC Inc has had 10 years experience in facilitating people through the complicated process of Forgiveness. In this unique 3 hour session, we will explore the "common denominators" and factors that all people experience as they struggle with forgiveness. Truths will be discussed and explored as we watch video clips of 9 individuals who have graciously agreed to be filmed as they share their personal experience of forgiveness.

Jermaine Wilson went to prison in Leavenworth, and then became mayor of Leavenworth. Kim had an alcoholic father, Katherine got divorced after 19 years of marriage, Alison's father was murdered, and Jim, a large business owner, went to prison for white collar crime. These are just some of the "Yea But faculty". This presentation includes video appearances from Dr Mack Harnden, Licensed Psychologist, Ph. D, and "Live Inspired" national best seller author and speaker John O'Leary. These inspiring testimonies will assure that you pick up some helpful tools in helping your clients forgive themselves or someone in their life. And in the words of one, “When you forgive, you set yourself free”.

(Trainer, Charles Jansen, founder of the Forgiveness Institute, KC Inc, has been teaching Forgiveness 101 to organizations, business's, church groups, and helping professionals for 10 years. He is presently teaching in Lansing Correctional facility, collaborating with BiBR (Brothers in Blue Re-entry). His Forgiveness 101 course has received the endorsement of the archdiocese of Kansas City Ks. Charles has a masters degree from Loyola U in Chicago, with an emphasis on counseling, and 25 years real estate sales experience. He has been married since 1980.)

1:10 pm - 5:30 pm EST

Select one of the following classes

Class A

Mental Health Treatment Planning: How to develop a treatment plan to promote success (4 CE Credits)

This interactive program will provide a review of the most common mental health and substance abuse disorders as they are defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-V). It will also provide guidance and best practices for mental health professionals and providers to develop effective treatment plans/ and interventions for their clients that promote growth and quality of care.

(Trainer, Alesha Perkins is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Virginia and North Carolina and a Certified Case Manager. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and her Master of Social Work from the University of Central Florida. Alesha has over 20 years of experience in the social work field with vast knowledge in medical social work, child protective services, case management, mental health and substance abuse counseling. For over 10 years she has created and facilitated numerous trainings for mental and medical professionals, state and national organizations. Alesha is a former Clinical Director for a mental health agency and currently works for a health insurance provider as a Senior Program Manager. In addition, she provides clinical supervision and has a part-time private practice. She is also an instructor for Perkins Medical Services, which is owned by her mother a nurse educator, and has been in business for over 20 years providing quality medical and mental health trainings.)

Class B

Understanding Ways That Implicit Bias Can Influence Mental Health Treatment (4 CE credits)

Implicit Bias is defined as an unconscious association, belief, or attitude towards any social group. It can lead to stereotyping and since it occurs at an unconscious level, it may not be fully intentional and may be difficult to recognize or control. The purpose of this class is to help raise awareness of how implicit bias affects us all. We need to find ways to recognize this bias and to guard against its consequences. We also need to discuss ways to appreciate people from different backgrounds and cultures. Participants will look at how cultural differences can affect the diagnosing of psychiatric conditions and clinical treatment.

(Trainer: Dr. Donna Veraldi, PhD is retired from over 40 years practice as a psychologist. Most of Dr. Veraldi's work involved a private practice of clinical and forensic work in Billings Montana. Dr. Veraldi has presented numerous papers and publications, is a past president of the Yellowstone Psychological Association, has taught at the college level, and has been a frequent presenter for the American College of Forensic Psychology.)

6:30 pm – 9:30 pm

Select one of the following classes

Class A

Insights into the origins of Sexual Trauma and Clinical Interventions (3 CE Credits)

This new training will review the research and current models of the evolution of sexual trauma. We will explore the differences between men and women in their response to childhood trauma and the evolutionary psychological foundations for these differences. Importantly, this training will introduce some specific interventions for practitioners to help people afflicted with the adult manifestations of childhood trauma. Many of these will be based on recently published research by Dr. Mike Abrams.

During this class we will look at the use of objective measures in assessing sexual problems. Clinicians will receive assistance in determining the point at which a sexual style becomes a dysfunction. Case studies will be presented to clarify some of the techniques that are discussed in this training.

(Trainer, Dr. Mike Abrams, PhD, MBA, ABPP, is a psychologist and co-author with Albert Ellis of several works on rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). He is the author of 5 psychology books or textbooks and more than 20 research publications. His most recent book “The New CBT: Clinical Evolutionary Psychology" has been reviewed as the book on the subject Dr. Abrams is best known for extending CBT to include principles of evolutionary psychology and collaborating with the founder of CBT Albert Ellis to develop many new applications for these clinical modalities. Dr. Abrams’ new clinical method which applies evolutionary psychology and behavioral genetics to CBT is called Informed Cognitive Therapy (ICT). His current research has found new connections between childhood abuse and adult sexual functioning.)

Class B

Culturally Competent Approaches: Mindfulness & CBT with Immigrant Populations (3 CE Credits – Cultural Competence)

This new training introduces attendees to a unique program that uses evidence based mental health approaches for working with immigrants who experienced trauma, depression, anxiety and PTSD. Due to the challenges families face when trying to access mental health care during the pandemic and because of language/cultural barriers, this 10 week program was developed to meet their needs. Participants learn Psychological First Aid Approach used in crisis situations as well as the Cognitive Behavior Therapy Model and its uses in understanding this populations responses to trauma, (thoughts, feelings & Behavior after trauma). Learn healthy responses and strategies such as progressive muscle relaxation, breathing exercises, mindfulness, gratitude and behavioral activation.

(Trainer, Dr. Joan deSouza has been a practicing psychologist for 25 years. She has worked for the State of Michigan, Forensic Center, Dearborn Schools, and has been an Adjunct Professor at the University of Michigan and Siena Heights University. Dr. deSouza has been a guest Lecturer at Wayne State University and Henry Ford Community Colleges.

Dr. deSouza has published several articles in peer reviewed journals and has received awards from the University of Michigan for teaching and research awards for excellence in education.)

Day 2 – January 25, 2023

9:30 am – 12:30 pm

Select one of the following classes

Class A

Couples Care - Helping Couples Pay Attention To Their Relationship (3 CE Credits)

Married for more than 35 years, Julie, a therapist, and David, a divorce lawyer, have been witness to families struggling with life's most difficult challenges. Alternatively leaning on their professional and personal experiences, successes and failures, the Bulitts' published their first jointly written book, The Five Core Conversations for Couples. In this workshop the Bulitts set out a three-pronged approach for clinicians to help couples achieve relationship success and fulfillment.

Much of a family clinician's work is spent focusing on the individual or the family unit, often glossing over or ignoring completely the couple's relationship. The Bulitts shine a light on a relationship model and its vital importance not only to the couple themselves but the family unit as well. From their differing vantage points, David and Julie discuss key components for happiness at home, exploring the importance of relationship goal setting and strategies for "avoiding avoidance" - how to have difficult conversations with a partner, whether those conversations are about finances, parenting or intimacy.

(Trainers Julie and David Bulitt: Julie Bulitt, LCSW has spent more than 30 years in the private sector working with individuals, couples and families and is also an in house therapist for The Discovery Channel. David Bulitt is regularly listed among the DC area's Top Divorce and Family Attorneys. Corporate and event speakers, the Bulitts' first book, THE FIVE CORE CONVERSATIONS FOR COUPLES, was published in 2020)

Class B

The Quiet Storm: The Kallos Model, Marginalization of Black Boys in STEM & Ethics (3 CE Credits - Ethics)

African American (AA) males are one of the most underrepresented minorities in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields. Examining social influences that hinder equitable participation of AA males in STEM therefore remains a priority for school social workers, the education system in general and for the STEM world as a whole.

This class will help participants understand the current demographics, statistics, and policies that impact minorities, especially AA males, in Maryland, District of Columbia and Virginia; to be able to understand and apply the Kallos Model to effectively advocate for AA boys within schools and communities that incorporates a culturally specific School Social Work Practice Model called the Kallos Model; be able to apply the knowledge gained for ethically-informed, evidenced based-practice at the micro, mezzo and macro level.

(Trainer, Dr. Esonija' Fulgham, Ph.D., LCSW-C, LCSW, is the creator of the Kallos Model. A Virginia native, and MD transplant, she is licensed to practice in DC, MD & VA and a trauma-informed clinician who practices with clients in all life stages. Dr. Fulgham graduated from Norfolk State University with both her BSW and Ph.D. in Social Work. Dr. Fulgham also attended University of Maryland Baltimore's Advanced Standing Program where she studied MACO/Clinical: Social Action & Community Development. Her research interests are minority families, ways to improve impoverished communities, and increase minority participation in STEM fields. She teaches Social Welfare Policy, Evaluation Coordination and Intro to Social Work at the undergraduate level at King University.)

1:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Select one of the following classes

Class A

Helping Children and Adults through Grief and Loss (3 CE Credits)

The pandemic contributed to so much change, loss, and grief. Seemingly, the whole world has been grieving, including our children. If we continue down the path of misinformation about grief, more and more people will struggle with unresolved grief. The Grief Recovery Institute has the only evidenced based grief recovery program to date, based on research conducted through Kent University.

In this session, you will learn about the six common myths of grief and STERBS (short-term energy relieving behaviors) from an Advanced Grief Recovery Method Specialist. Participants will also learn about the stages of grief in a different perspective than what was taught in graduate school. Finally, after getting some psychoeducation on grief, participants will then learn helpful and actionable tools to help children through loss and how to help people of all ages resolve unresolved grief.

(Trainer, Jessica Frasier is a Licensed Professional Counselor and an Advanced Grief Recovery Method Specialist. She has a unique passion for helping people through grief, as her personal loss experiences are what guided her in becoming a mental health counselor. When she is not presenting, she is working with clients, helping them overcome adversity and finding hope, again.)

Class B

Nutrition is More than What You Eat; The Intersection Between Physical, Psychological and Spiritual health (3 CE Credits)

Most mental health professionals have been taught to “stay in their lane” and only use their psychology, counseling or social work training to focus on the patients’ mental health. We were trained to let the Physician address the physical health and let the church or religion handle the spiritual health of our patients. However, now more than ever before, there are expectations that we are able to see the patient’s health through the lens of wholeness. Still, many of us lack the advanced skills to feel confident to do so.

The time has come for mental health professionals to feel fully confident in bringing together all 3 areas of wholeness for a patient; physical, psychological and spiritual nutrition. Nutrition is more than just food. Nutrition is what you are hungry for, what you feed yourself and how to address the connections between the physical self, the psychological self and the spiritual self. Participants will learn how each of these areas of health are intertwined, how to talk patients about them and the skills to help patients achieve better understanding of this health triad.

(Trainer Michelle Duprey, LMSW, CTNC is a Certified Nutrition Coach and a national subject matter expert in Integrated Health Care. She is the owner of IterVia Health, LLC. Michelle works with individuals and organizations to increase knowledge and skills about the intersection between physical, psychological and life purpose health. Michelle is the Program Director of the Integrated Behavioral Health and Primary Care Program at the University of Michigan, School of Social Work)

Evening Sessions

5:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Select one of the following classes

Class A

Sleep is the Best Medicine: Play Therapy Approaches to Childhood Sleep Problems (3 CE Credits)

Sleep problems can wreak havoc on anyone’s life, especially a child’s. According to the American Family Physician, up to 50% of children are affected by sleep disorders or difficulties. Sleep disturbance may directly influence social, emotional, academic and behavioral functioning in children and adolescents (Owens, Chervin, & Hoppin, 2019).

Play therapy can be effective in addressing this challenge. While this approach is not the sole treatment for childhood sleep problems, we might improve the therapeutic outcomes by including play therapy interventions in the treatment planning process.

The language of play can foster communication with children, allow clinicians to immerse themselves in the child’s world, and help therapists build rapport with their clients. Play Therapy can allow us to better understand the child’s perceptions of their relationship to sleep. Play serves as the therapeutic vehicle, allowing them to communicate or describe their struggles to the therapist. This, in turn, affords the clinician a glimpse into the child’s inner world as well as an opportunity to gain insight into the nighttime challenges and issues, along with strategies for restoring restful sleep.

(Trainer: Christina Scott, LPCC-S, NCC is a licensed counselor and supervisor in Ohio. A proud geek therapist, she utilizes superheroes and pop culture in her work with clients. She is a Registered Play Therapist and is certified in Trauma Focused CBT. Christina owns an online private practice called Rising Action Counseling. She chose this field because she loves connecting with others and is a life-long learner.)

Class B

Adult Siblings: A Hidden Resource in Individual and couples' therapy (3 CE Credits)

The relationship between brothers and sisters, who are about four years of age, has been called a “first marriage,” since they are each other’s first peer relationship. During this time, they learn (or don’t learn) to start, resolve, and avoid fights; to compete, save face, negotiate, cooperate; to go back and forth between loving and fighting; to know when to exert power and when to withdraw or rely on other skills such as humor, manipulation, blackmail, tattling, bartering, silence.

Our clients bring these learned (or not learned) skills from childhood to their adult lives, transferring them onto their love and work relationships. Three core issues explain this: frozen images, crystallized roles, and unhealthy loyalty. Further, old unresolved childhood issues sometimes lead to behavioral problems that have an unconscious “message” to siblings. This workshop will professionals recognize and determine ideas for how to incorporate these hidden resources in their treatment of individuals and couples.

(Trainer, Dr Karen Gail Lewis, EdD, MSW, has been practicing as a marriage and family therapist for over 40 years, in both Washington, DC and in Cincinnati, Ohio. She is the author of several books including Siblings: The Ghost of Childhood that Haunt Your Love and Work and Why Don’t You Understand? A Gender Relationship Dictionary. Dr. Lewis lectures both nationally and internationally on a wide range of topics, focusing on family and couples’ relationships, women’s friendships, and adult siblings. She has been interviewed by dozens of newspapers and magazines including, the New York Times, Woman’s World, Cincinnati Enquirer, Cosmopolitan, the Boston Globe, Psychology today, and the Washington Post. Dr. Lewis has taught at Johns Hopkins Medical School, Catholic University in Washington DC, and other Universities and has been on the editorial boards of four professional journals.)