Day 1, July 28, 2026

10:00 am to 1:00 pm EST

Select one of the following classes 

Class A 

Understanding Uncoupling: Supporting Clients Through Relationship Endings

Adolescent mental health is often approached through symptom management and behavior correction, yet adolescence is a period of profound neurodevelopment, identity formation, and relational reorganization. When clinicians interpret youth behavior outside this developmental context, common adolescent experiences—such as withdrawal, emotional intensity, or defiance—can be misread as pathology rather than communication of developmental tension. This training introduces a developmentally, neurobiologically, and relationally attuned framework for understanding adolescent behavior. Drawing from developmental psychology, adolescent brain science, relational psychodynamic practice, and social determinants of health, the presentation reframes internalizing and externalizing behaviors as expressions of identity formation, shame protection, belonging needs, and autonomy negotiation.

Through case examples, clinical frameworks, and supervision tools, participants will learn practical strategies to interpret youth behavior developmentally, regulate relational dynamics during high-intensity moments, and protect dignity while maintaining therapeutic boundaries. The training also explores how cultural context, systemic pressures, and identity development shape adolescent mental health and treatment engagement. Participants will leave with concrete clinical and supervision tools that support reflective, developmentally attuned practice with adolescents in outpatient therapy, school settings, community mental health, and family systems work.

(Trainer - Dionne Aldridge is a LCSW-C in the state of Maryland. She is the owner of Inspiring, LLC. She has 22 years of dedicated experience in the field of Social Work. In 2000, Ms. Aldridge graduated from UMAB with a Master’s in Social Work. She has private practice in Baltimore, Maryland offering mental health services and professional development trainings. Since 2013, she has been a Board Approved Social Work Supervisor offering clinical guidance to interns, LMSW’s, and LCSW’s. For 12 years, she has assisted Social Workers in preparing for all Social Work Licensing Exam levels.)

3 Hours

Class B

From Behavior to Meaning: Developmentally, Neurobiologically, and Socially Attuned Care for Adolescents

Adolescent mental health is often approached through symptom management and behavior correction, yet adolescence is a period of profound neurodevelopment, identity formation, and relational reorganization. When clinicians interpret youth behavior outside this developmental context, common adolescent experiences—such as withdrawal, emotional intensity, or defiance—can be misread as pathology rather than communication of developmental tension. This training introduces a developmentally, neurobiologically, and relationally attuned framework for understanding adolescent behavior. Drawing from developmental psychology, adolescent brain science, relational psychodynamic practice, and social determinants of health, the presentation reframes internalizing and externalizing behaviors as expressions of identity formation, shame protection, belonging needs, and autonomy negotiation.

Through case examples, clinical frameworks, and supervision tools, participants will learn practical strategies to interpret youth behavior developmentally, regulate relational dynamics during high-intensity moments, and protect dignity while maintaining therapeutic boundaries. The training also explores how cultural context, systemic pressures, and identity development shape adolescent mental health and treatment engagement. Participants will leave with concrete clinical and supervision tools that support reflective, developmentally attuned practice with adolescents in outpatient therapy, school settings, community mental health, and family systems work.

(Trainer - Neerja Singh, PhD, LICSW, LADC, is a behavioral health leader, clinician, educator, and 2023 Bush Fellow whose work focuses on rehumanizing mental health systems through developmentally informed, relational, and culturally responsive care. She serves as Area Manager for Children’s Mental Health in Hennepin County, Minnesota, where she leads system initiatives that strengthen youth and family mental health services across community and public systems. Dr. Singh teaches graduate social work courses and provides clinical training nationally on adolescent development, trauma-responsive practice, and reflective supervision.)

3 Hours

Afternoon Session

2:00 pm – 5:00 pm EST

Select one of the following classes 

Class A

From Behavior to Meaning: Developmentally, Neurobiologically, and Socially Attuned Care for Adolescents

Adolescent mental health is often approached through symptom management and behavior correction, yet adolescence is a period of profound neurodevelopment, identity formation, and relational reorganization. When clinicians interpret youth behavior outside this developmental context, common adolescent experiences—such as withdrawal, emotional intensity, or defiance—can be misread as pathology rather than communication of developmental tension. This training introduces a developmentally, neurobiologically, and relationally attuned framework for understanding adolescent behavior. Drawing from developmental psychology, adolescent brain science, relational psychodynamic practice, and social determinants of health, the presentation reframes internalizing and externalizing behaviors as expressions of identity formation, shame protection, belonging needs, and autonomy negotiation.

Through case examples, clinical frameworks, and supervision tools, participants will learn practical strategies to interpret youth behavior developmentally, regulate relational dynamics during high-intensity moments, and protect dignity while maintaining therapeutic boundaries. The training also explores how cultural context, systemic pressures, and identity development shape adolescent mental health and treatment engagement. Participants will leave with concrete clinical and supervision tools that support reflective, developmentally attuned practice with adolescents in outpatient therapy, school settings, community mental health, and family systems work.

(Trainer - Jaimee Arnoff, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist with extensive experience assessing and treating high-risk clients across outpatient clinics, residential programs, and private practice. She also serves as the psychologist for a nonprofit dedicated to youth suicide prevention and has delivered presentations on the topic throughout high schools in New York state)

3 Hours

Class B

From Insight to Action: CBT Strategies for Habit Tracking and Change, Positive Self-Care, and Behavioral Activation

Adolescent mental health is often approached through symptom management and behavior correction, yet adolescence is a period of profound neurodevelopment, identity formation, and relational reorganization. When clinicians interpret youth behavior outside this developmental context, common adolescent experiences—such as withdrawal, emotional intensity, or defiance—can be misread as pathology rather than communication of developmental tension. This training introduces a developmentally, neurobiologically, and relationally attuned framework for understanding adolescent behavior. Drawing from developmental psychology, adolescent brain science, relational psychodynamic practice, and social determinants of health, the presentation reframes internalizing and externalizing behaviors as expressions of identity formation, shame protection, belonging needs, and autonomy negotiation.

Through case examples, clinical frameworks, and supervision tools, participants will learn practical strategies to interpret youth behavior developmentally, regulate relational dynamics during high-intensity moments, and protect dignity while maintaining therapeutic boundaries. The training also explores how cultural context, systemic pressures, and identity development shape adolescent mental health and treatment engagement. Participants will leave with concrete clinical and supervision tools that support reflective, developmentally attuned practice with adolescents in outpatient therapy, school settings, community mental health, and family systems work.

(Trainer - Krista is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker dedicated to meeting clients where they are at and utilizing strengths-based practices in treatment. She has been in practice since 2014 and is driven by the passion she feels as a therapist. She has worked a great amount on her own growth and self-awareness while striving to help clients find their ways to effectively grow and become more internally aware in the work they do together. Krista recently expanded her private practice to a group practice and is looking forward to inspiring other therapists in the social work field.)

3 Hours

Evening Sessions 

6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Select one of the following classes

Class A

Artificial Intelligence and Ethical Considerations

They say that Artificial Intelligence (AI) won’t replace you in the workplace, but someone who knows how to use AI will. This is particularly true for social workers, counselors, and psychologists because we were not trained in AI, but AI is transforming our work. It is becoming harder to avoid AI, yet it remains critical that we understand how AI works so that we can make informed, ethical decisions that protect both our clients and the public. We are mandated by our professional codes to do this. The widespread use of AI is recent, and it is not easy to learn all about AI and how it is being used in our professions. At the end of this course, you will understand how AI works, the different types of AI, and how it is being used in our work. You will better understand all the ethical considerations and current research findings about AI in the social work/counseling/psychology space, and walk away with frameworks on how to mitigate risk. 

(Trainer - Susanna Sung, LCSW-C, is a psychotherapist and founder of Thrive Fully. She is a national keynote speaker and trainer, a consultant for critical incident responses to organizations affected by disruptive workplace events and foreign press correspondents, and a consultant for national social work licensing board examinations. She recently retired from the National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, advancing our understanding and treatments for mental illnesses.)

3 Hours

Class B

When Clients Know Better but Can’t Do Better: Treating Self-Silencing and Protective Parts in Trauma Therapy

Many trauma clients demonstrate high levels of insight and self-awareness yet continue to self-silence, overfunction, or disengage from their needs. These patterns are often misunderstood as resistance or lack of motivation, rather than recognized as trauma-driven protective strategies shaped by attachment injury, chronic stress, and systemic pressures.

This 3-hour clinical training offers a trauma-focused, somatic, and parts-based framework for understanding and treating self-silencing in therapy. Participants will learn how protective parts develop, how they show up in clinical work, and how to intervene in ways that build internal safety and capacity before expecting behavioral change. Through case examples, experiential demonstrations, guided reflection, and practical tools, clinicians will gain immediately applicable strategies to reduce therapeutic impasses and support sustainable client change.

(Trainer - America Allen, MSW, LCSW, is a trauma-focused somatic and parts-based therapist and the founder of suNu Healing Collectively, PLLC where she provides trauma-responsive care and clinician education. She has experience across community mental health, nonprofit, and government-adjacent settings, specializing in trauma-driven patterns such as self-silencing, overfunctioning, and emotional shutdown. America facilitates trainings that translate complex trauma theory into practical, real-world clinical interventions. Her work has been featured in Women’s Health Magazine, PopSugar, and Bustle.)

3 Hours