天美传媒app

Workshop A: Introduction to Sports Social Work
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (3 hours; 3 CEUs 鈥� Anti-Discrimination, Anti-Racism)
Instructor: Emmett Gill, PhD, MSW, LCSW

This workshop will provide foundational level understanding for participants interested in social work practice in sporting environments. The workshop will begin to prepare social workers to enter into employment opportunities designed to assist with athlete mental health at all levels of sport. The primary context for this workshop will be college and professional sports. The session will begin with an overview of mental health policies and provisions in college and professional sports. Next, a qualitative and quantitative overview of mental health disorders among college and professional sports will be provided. Lastly, groups will engage in a brief ecological systems case study.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will apply the multidimensional contextual perspective to examining athlete mental health.
2. Participants will begin to think about: a) athletes' functioning and problems, needs, and concerns of varying duration and onset, b) congruence with the athletes鈥� culture, c) fit with values and ethics of the profession in the context of athletic spaces, and d) applicability to athletic teams and systems.
3. Participants will begin to think about how to engage in self-evaluation when thinking about and/or practicing with athletes.
4. Participants will consider the factors related to ethical decision-making strategies and complex ethical legal dilemmas encountered in practice with athletes.

Workshop B: Breathwork for Mental Health & Nervous System Regulation
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (2 hours; 2 CEUs)
Instructors: Terese Weinstein Katz, PhD; Adrienne Rivera

This workshop introduces breathwork and mindfulness as practical tools for emotional well-being and nervous system regulation. Participants will explore how breath patterns directly influence mental health, emotional resilience, and physiological states of safety or stress. We will teach foundational nervous system concepts and offer simple, evidence-informed breath techniques that can be used in clinical practice or as personal self-regulation tools. The workshop also emphasizes the role of mindfulness in professional self-care and provides a trauma-informed lens for integrating these tools. Whether new to breathwork or looking to deepen an existing practice, participants will leave with accessible techniques to support clients and sustain their own emotional well-being.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will explain the connection between breathwork, mindfulness, and nervous system regulation, and their role in supporting mental health.
2. Participants will apply mindfulness and breath awareness techniques through a trauma-informed lens.
3. Participants will use breathwork and mindfulness as professional self-care tools to manage stress and reduce the risk of burnout.
4. Participants will demonstrate at least two breath techniques that can be used in clinical or professional settings to promote emotional regulation.

Workshop C: From Resistance to Resilience: Managing Treatment-Interfering Behaviors (TIBs) in Anxious and Obsessive Clients
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (3 hours; 3 CEUs 鈥� Anti-Discrimination; Anti-Racism)
Instructor: Jayme M. Valdez, LMHC

Clients struggling with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive tendencies often exhibit treatment-interfering behaviors (TIBs) such as avoidance, over-control, task paralysis, reassurance-seeking, and resistance to change. These behaviors can stall progress, frustrate clinicians, and reinforce the very patterns clients hope to overcome. This workshop offers practical, compassionate strategies to address TIBs in the therapy room. Participants will learn to apply principles from Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Radically Open DBT, and Harm Reduction to increase engagement, reduce rigidity, and build resilience. The workshop will also examine how systemic oppression 鈥� including racism, ageism, and other forms of marginalization 鈥� can function as a treatment-interfering force itself, shaping both client behavior and clinician countertransference. Attendees will leave with tools to foster collaboration, enhance flexibility, and turn resistance into readiness for change.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will identify and manage treatment-interfering behaviors (TIBs), such as task paralysis and reassurance-seeking, in anxious and obsessive clients.
2. Participants will apply evidence-based interventions (MI, ACT, RO-DBT, and Harm Reduction) to elicit client cooperation in treatment and manage risk.
3. Participants will understand and recognize how systemic oppression affects therapeutic dynamics and client engagement in treatment.

Workshop D: Mediation 101: It's Not Just for Lawyers!
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (3 hours; 3 CEUs)
Instructor: Ben Stich, LICSW, MEd

After years of curiosity, Ben Stich took a mediation training and immediately saw how its values aligned with social work鈥攅mpowerment, collaboration, and client-centered practice. Now a full-time family and divorce mediator, Ben helps clients communicate, problem-solve, and create durable, win/win outcomes.

This interactive session introduces the field of mediation to social workers.

Topics include:
鈥� Conflict styles
鈥� Alternative Dispute Resolution
鈥� Core principles and stages of mediation
鈥� Interest-based negotiation
鈥� Foundational mediation skills
鈥� Mediation models
鈥� Applications in family, community, and workplace settings

Participants will leave with a clear understanding of how mediation works and how social workers can integrate it into their practices. The session includes activity, video, discussion, and lecture.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will identify the 5 principles of facilitative mediation.
2. Participants will identify the three styles of mediation.
3. Participants will learn the difference between positions, interests, and options.

Workshop E: Ethical & Legal Considerations for Clinical Practice
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (3 hours; 3 CEUs)
Instructor: Karen Dexter, JD, LICSW

This workshop will examine the intersection of ethics, legal obligations, and cultural humility in professional practice. Participants will explore the NASW Code of Ethics, diverse legal directives, and their applications in addressing real-world challenges and clinical decision making. Emphasizing cultural humility as a core principle, the course focuses on ethical compliance, decision-making, and navigating tensions in practice settings. Topics include telebehavioral health and multi-state practice, highlighting the evolving professional landscape. Participants will develop practical skills to analyze ethical dilemmas, consult legal and ethical standards, and manage practice environments with integrity.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will identify cultural humility as a core principle in fostering ethical and effective professional relationships.
2. Participants will become familiar with the NASW Code of Ethics and its practical applications.
3. Participants will understand the various sources of legal obligations and directives that impact practice.
4. Participants will identify the relationship between ethical principles and legal requirements.

Workshop F: The Effect of Media Influence on Mental Health Amid Societal Transformation
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (2 hours; 2 CEUs 鈥� Anti-Discrimination)
Instructors: Erika Reitz, MSW, LICSW; Shara Katsos, MSW, LICSW

This workshop aims to empower social workers to better support themselves and their clients as they navigate the intricate relationship between media and mental health in our rapidly changing society. The workshop will present current research, discuss the implications of media influence, how it impacts mental health, and provide strategies for change. This workshop will be both lecture-based and an interactive presentation.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will develop strategies to assist in decreasing negative impacts of media among ourselves and those we serve.
2. Participants will learn how to educate clients about navigating media during times of social change.
3. Participants will explain the psychological mechanisms behind how media can influence mental health perceptions.

Workshop G: Nature Informed Therapy: How to Include Nature as a Co-Therapist
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (3 hours; 3 CEUs)
Instructor: Leigh Beck, DSW, LCSW-C, CNIT

This workshop introduces participants to Nature Informed Therapy, a therapeutic modality that integrates nature as a co-therapist with other mental health interventions. Participants will learn about the benefits of nature connection for populations served by the social work profession. They will be given the opportunity to try nature informed interventions and explore creative ways to integrate nature more into their daily practice.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will define nature informed therapy and how it is similar and different to other nature based interventions.
2. Participants will understand the mental and physical health benefits of increased nature connection for social workers and their clients.
3. Participants will apply nature informed interventions to improve depression and anxiety symptoms, address grief and loss, and reduce substance use related harm.

Workshop H: Supporting Children Through Grief and Loss
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (2 hours; 2 CEUs)
Instructor: Rebecca Brigham, LICSW

When a child experiences a loss, often parents and providers can be unsure how best to support them. Some kids may show behavioral or emotional changes after loss, while other kids may struggle to talk about the person they are grieving. This workshop will provide an overview of the ways that children may react to grief and loss, including important developmental considerations of how children understand and react to death and loss. We will then discuss how to help caregivers support their grieving child, while also acknowledging that many caregivers may themselves be grieving as well. Concrete interventions will also be discussed that may be helpful for grief work with children. Throughout the workshop, we will incorporate principles of trauma-informed care and talk about the similarities and differences between grief work and trauma-focused therapies for children.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will gain understanding of developmental considerations in how children process loss.
2. Participants will gain skills in helping parents to support their grieving child.
3. Participants will gain skills in providing direct grief support to children.

Workshop I: Strategic Counseling & Trauma-Informed Practice for Student Wellness
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (2 hours; 2 CEUs 鈥� Anti-Discrimination; Anti-Racism)
Instructors: Sherann Alkins, LICSW, CAGS; Yesenia Aguilar, LCSW

School-linked and school-based counselors are uniquely positioned at the intersection of care, equity, and leadership鈥攂ut often undervalued in systems that prioritize compliance over connection. This session introduces the e鈦� Framework鈩�, a dynamic, justice-anchored model for evolving school counseling practice. Participants will explore how to lead restorative, identity-affirming, and data-informed initiatives within their schools鈥攚ithout burning out or working in silos. Rooted in social-emotional development, applied systems theory, and cultural responsiveness, this workshop balances practical tools with bold imagination. Move beyond best practices and toward sustainable impact.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will analyze how school counseling insights can be strategically integrated into schoolwide systems to support student wellness and achievement.
2. Participants will apply a human-centered, equity-driven framework to elevate counseling practices that address trauma, identity, and access across diverse school communities.
3. Participants will utilize at least one implementation-ready tool to strengthen their leadership voice, collaborative influence, and daily counseling practice.

Workshop J: Navigating Section 12: Process, Practice, and Patient Impact
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (2 hours; 2 CEUs 鈥� Anti-Discrimination, Anti-Racism)
Instructors: Tobin Rodriguez, LICSW; Lily Walker Money, MSW

This interactive workshop explores the involuntary hospitalization process from both healthcare and client perspectives. Participants will examine the historical and legal foundations of civil commitment in Massachusetts, along with the cultural and systemic factors that influence its use. We will discuss how to navigate complex scenarios involving substance use and conditional suicidality, and explore alternatives to involuntary hospitalization. The workshop will also review what happens when an individual is committed through section 12 in the community, including timelines, evaluation, and treatment. Through case discussion and critical reflection, participants will consider how to promote trauma-informed, least restrictive care and examine opportunities for systemic change to improve outcomes for clients experiencing mental health crises.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will collaborate effectively with clients and interdisciplinary support teams to provide care that aligns with the least restrictive and most person-centered options.
2. Participants will critically examine their own beliefs, biases, and clinical workflows when responding to mental health crises, with an emphasis on ethical and trauma-informed decision-making.
3. Participants will analyze the concept of a mental health crisis through societal, systemic, and cultural lenses, deepening their understanding of how these factors shape assessment and intervention.

Workshop K: The NASW Code of Ethics: Navigating Difficult Clinical Cases
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (2 hours; 2 CEUs)
Instructors: Claire Davies, LICSW; Steve O'Neill, LICSW, 天美传媒appD, JD

In this workshop led by a current member and an emeritus member of the NASW MA Ethics Committee, we will review the principles and core values that underlie the NASW Code of Ethics (COE) and revisions to the COE, present an ethical frame for decision-making and shared decision-making model, and review case examples using 鈥淪ocial Work Jeopardy鈥�. Participants will come away with practical knowledge of how to utilize the COE to navigate challenging situations in the field as we bring the COE to life!

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will review the principles and core values that drive the NASW Code of Ethics.
2. Participants will discuss the shared decision-making model.
3. Participants will engage in live discussion around complex case examples of ethical dilemmas that can occur in social work practice.

Workshop L: Vicarious Trauma in Clinical Care
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (3 hours; 3 CEUs)
Instructors: Chandni Shroff, LICSW, MSW; Liz Belton, LICSW, MSW

This advanced workshop explores the complex impact of vicarious trauma on clinicians who provide care to individuals and communities affected by chronic adversity, abuse, and systemic injustice. Designed specifically for clinical mental health professionals, the session offers a deep dive into the psychological, emotional, and somatic toll of trauma exposure in clinical work. Participants will learn to recognize early warning signs of vicarious trauma, identify personal and organizational risk factors, and apply evidence-based tools to support resilience and professional sustainability. Emphasizing reflective practice and trauma-informed supervision, this training creates a space for clinicians to reconnect with their purpose, restore balance, and strengthen their capacity to do meaningful work without sacrificing personal well-being.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will identify the signs and symptoms of vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and burnout in clinical settings, and distinguish these from typical occupational stress.
2. Participants will evaluate personal and organizational risk factors that contribute to vicarious trauma among clinicians working with trauma-exposed populations.
3. Participants will learn to apply evidence-based strategies and self-reflective practices to mitigate the impact of vicarious trauma and promote clinician resilience and well-being.
4. Participants will learn strategies to integrate trauma-informed supervision and peer support models into clinical practice to foster a culture of psychological safety and sustainability within care teams.

Workshop M: Understanding Sleep鈥擜 Foundation for Well-Being
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (2 hours; 2 CEUs)
Instructors: Maureen Slotnick, MBA, MSW; Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse, MD

Hour One: Understanding Sleep鈥擜 Foundation for Well-Being
In Hour One, we鈥檒l explore core sleep science鈥攕tages of sleep, circadian rhythms, and age-based needs鈥攁long with how poor sleep impacts mental health, learning, and chronic illness. We鈥檒l also address how social determinants like trauma, poverty, and shift work shape sleep.

Hour Two: Tools for Supporting Better Sleep
Hour Two focuses on practical tools for better sleep: sleep hygiene, behavioral strategies, referral tips, and advocacy efforts like later school start times. We鈥檒l discuss sleep鈥檚 role in job and athletic performance, how sleep changes with age, and how social workers can integrate sleep health into their practice.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will understand key sleep concepts and their relevance to health.
2. Participants will gain tools to help clients improve sleep habits in any social work setting.
3. Participants will explore how to incorporate sleep health education into everyday social work conversations, from schools to clinical care.

Workshop N: The Psychology of the Scam: Clinical Responses to Online Victimization
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (2 hours; 2 CEUs)
Instructors: Jennifer Lawrence, DSW, LICSW; Laura Michelson, MSW, LICSW

Cyber scams are a hidden but growing source of complex trauma for clients, often involving betrayal, isolation, and deep emotional harm. This workshop offers clinical social workers a concise overview of scam typologies and the psychological tactics used by perpetrators. Grounded in trauma theory and relational frameworks, participants will explore the emotional and behavioral responses of victims, including shame, dissociation, and secrecy. Through clinical case examples and discussion, attendees will learn how to identify online victimization and respond with empathy and skill. Participants will leave with tools and interventions they can use immediately in therapy.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will identify common cyber scams鈥攊ncluding romance scams鈥攁nd describe their emotional and psychological impact through a clinical, trauma-informed lens.
2. Participants will recognize behavioral indicators of online victimization during assessment and clinical sessions.
3. Participants will integrate evidence-informed strategies into practice to support clients recovering from financial betrayal, shame, and relational trauma resulting from cyber scams.

Workshop O: Therapeutic Benefits of Trauma Informed Improv and Play (TIIP)
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (3 hours; 3 CEUs)
Instructors: Sarah Carter, LMHC, RDT; Valerie Krpata, LICSW

This workshop will introduce and define the Trauma Informed Improv and Play (TIIP) principles and ReScripted group model as trauma-informed therapeutic improv interventions. Participants will learn the specific criteria that makes ReScripted a trauma-informed group therapy model, the theoretical underpinnings of Rescripted, and the program鈥檚 treatment trajectory. A summary of the most recent empirical data is also provided.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will identify four components of trauma informed care.
2. Participants will be able to explain interoception.
3. Participants will be able to summarize the core tenets and three treatment phases of TIIP.

Workshop A: Family in Flux: Help Clients Navigate Divorce and Restructure with Intention
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (3 hours; 3 CEUs)
Instructor: Ben Stich, Mediator, LICSW, MEd

Divorce can feel like the end of a family鈥攂ut for social workers, it鈥檚 a chance to help clients reshape what family looks like moving forward. This interactive workshop offers tools to support clients through the emotional upheaval of divorce and the stress of decision-making and negotiation. We鈥檒l review divorce basics and common process options so clinicians can help clients make informed choices without giving legal advice. Participants will learn how to support clients through the grief and opportunities that accompany divorce, guide parents in reducing harm to their children, and offer practical strategies to improve co-parenting. With a focus on both loss and possibility, this session equips social workers to support families in flux with clarity, compassion, and confidence.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will learn the most important protective factors for children whose parents are separating or divorcing.
2. Participants will learn at least three practical strategies they can teach parents to support collaborative co-parenting.
3. Participants will be able to identify key questions to ask clients going through divorce to support informed and intentional decision-making.

Workshop B: Integrating Somatic Therapy into Clinical Practice
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (2 hours; 2 CEUs - Anti-Discrimination)
Instructor: Elizabeth Deborah Joseph Johnson, LCSW

Clinicians will learn how to effectively integrate trauma-informed meditation and breath work techniques into their practice to support clients. We will explore evidence-based mindfulness and breathing exercises tailored for clinical settings, focusing on stress reduction, emotional regulation, and nervous system support. Participants will discuss the cultural origins of these practices, and learn strategies for introducing these tools within therapeutic relationships. We will also discuss how to appropriately use somatic tools when working with clients experiencing racism and systemic discrimination and the impact of racism/discrimination on the body. Whether you work in mental health, healthcare, or community wellness, this workshop provides practical approaches for incorporating mindfulness-based interventions into patient care. Attendees will leave with a toolkit of guided practices to support themselves and their clients.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will learn about the origins of meditation and breathwork in yoga and somatic therapy through a decolonial lens.
2. Participants will practice leading trauma-informed meditations and breathwork using scripts and cues.
3. Participants will deepen their own practice to cultivate compassion, enhance client connection, and strengthen therapeutic relationships.

Workshop C: Internal Family Systems Workshop: Getting to Know Therapist Parts
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (3 hours; 3 CEUs)
Instructor: Jessica Fonzi, LCSW

This experiential workshop will include a basic overview of the main concepts of Internal Family Systems, including: self, protector parts, and exiles, as well as the basic assumptions and guiding tenets of the intervention. Internal Family Systems clinical tools will be modeled, including: introducing and modeling parts language, identifying parts and polarizations, and understanding and working with the parts of the therapist. This workshop will include guided meditations and creative practices that will help participants increase their access to clarity and perspective in all levels of social work practice.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will discover the basic concepts of Internal Family Systems.
2. Participants will learn introspective mindfulness and meditation skills.
3. Participants will become aware of how to increase clinical self-awareness and efficacy and reduce burnout.

Workshop D: Providing Affirmative Care to LGBTQ+ Clients
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (3 hours; 3 CEUs - Anti-Discrimination)
Instructor: Julien Craig, LICSW

This workshop will teach providers best practices when working with LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning) clients. LGBTQ+ people are more likely to experience positive mental health outcomes when working with providers who are affirming and knowledgeable of their identities. It increases client retention and satisfaction and supports positive identity development. There will be a focus on using gender-affirming language, how to discuss names and pronouns when they differ on insurance or other documents, and how to support positive identity development. Participants will be able to practice these skills through role play, and will debrief afterward. Providers will also learn how to write letters of support for gender-affirming surgery, and how to speak about natural supports in ways that do not assume a nuclear family structure. Training will be split between lecture and small group discussions that allow practical application of skills being taught.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will learn to implement affirmative care in their practice.
2. Participants will learn best practices when working with gender expansive clients.
3. Participants will be trained in writing letters of support for gender affirming surgery.
4. Participants will learn to incorporate minority stress into their holistic view of clients and to consider it when treatment planning.

Workshop E: Healing Beyond Harm: Addressing the Relationship Between FGC and Mental Health
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (3 hours; 3 CEUs - Anti-Discrimination)
Instructor: Mariya Taher, MSW, MFA, Caitlin LeMay, LCSW

This workshop is an in-depth exploration of the psychological and emotional consequences of female genital cutting (FGC). Beginning with an overview of FGC and physical health implications, the workshop delves into survivor responses, including shame, guilt, amnesia, and disenfranchised grief, offering culturally competent approaches to support. Participants will examine trauma and its physiological effects, covering PTS, PTSD, CPTSD, betrayal trauma, and intergenerational trauma. A dedicated portion explores psychosexual consequences, including chronic pain, anxiety, and the neurobiological impact on sexual arousal. The final section equips attendees with trauma-informed interventions, addressing dissociation, flashbacks, and physiological stress responses. Survivor stories from the Voices to End FGM/C project are integrated throughout. This workshop is essential for professionals supporting FGC survivors in mental health, social work, and healthcare settings.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will gain an introductory understanding of what female genital cutting (FGC) is and a detailed understanding of its effects on physical, psychological, and psychosexual health.
2. Participants will learn specific interventions to address common survivor responses to FGC.
3. Participants will build a comprehensive understanding of trauma and be equipped with the tools to support survivors experiencing trauma from FGC effectively.

Workshop F: Using Intuition to Support Trauma Healing
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (3 hours; 3 CEUs - Anti-Discrimination)
Instructor: Beth Craft, LICSW

Clients who report a history of trauma often struggle to have healthy adult relationships and can be drawn to people who recreate the traumatic dynamics of their past. Despondency and depression can become all-encompassing. In using an amalgam of CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and intuition, this workshop seeks to present a framework for helping clients to identify relationships that are not healthy, hone discernment, and develop an array of action skills to end or manage troubled relationships. By using vibrant images that can be conjured even while triggered, clients can learn to change their behaviors and mindset. With each success, clients report feeling calmer, more centered, and in control. The workshop includes a video of a mock client interview to help participants readily apply the material presented.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will gain a framework for helping clients to recognize and name detrimental dynamics in important relationships.
2. Participants will develop an array of vibrant images that can be used repeatedly to help clients access their nascent skills even while on the verge of getting triggered.
3. Participants will learn how to utilize a variety of tools that can be readily implemented with clients to help them attain healthy self-love.

Workshop G: Clinical Applications of Polyvagal Theory
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (3 hours; 3 CEUs)
Instructor: Vicky Brandt, LMHC

Polyvagal Theory provides a framework for working with a client's dysregulated nervous system. It allows us to understand the biological drive for safety and connection, and ways in which people adapt when those things aren't available. Trauma can get locked in the body, and sometimes verbal interventions aren't enough. This workshop will provide education on the guiding principles of Polyvagal Theory, and will guide you through exercises that you can do with clients who might have more habitual survival responses. In learning the concepts of autonomic hierarchy, neuroception, and co-regulation, you will walk away with tools to immediately apply to clinical practice. You will also learn how to use your own nervous system to help your clients access safety and regulation.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will gain an understanding of the main tenets of Polyvagal Theory and how to apply it in clinical practice.
2. Participants will walk away with clinical interventions for helping clients increase their ability to regulate their nervous systems.
3. Participants will engage in exercises to gain firsthand experience of the interventions.

Workshop H: Journeying Through Grief 鈥� Finding Purpose in the Pain
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (2 hours; 2 CEUs)
Instructor: Laurine Voltaire, EdD

This interactive workshop explores the multifaceted nature of grief and provides a supportive space to understand and navigate the grieving process. Participants will be guided through the emotional journey of mourning, with a focus on how to "grieve well"鈥攈onoring their loss while moving toward healing and eventual purpose. The session will compare and contrast key models of grief, including Elisabeth K眉bler-Ross鈥檚 Five Stages of Grief, The Dual Process Model, and Worden鈥檚 Four Tasks of Mourning. Each model will be examined for its strengths, practical applications, and limitations within counseling and real-life scenarios. Participants will gain insight into how these frameworks can support healthy grieving, while also understanding that grief is not linear or uniform鈥攚hat works for one person may not work for another.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will learn how to support the individuals they serve in embracing the grieving process鈥攁 journey that can be both wearying and beautifully complex.
2. Participants will apply grief theories to real-life scenarios, helping them understand that grief is deeply personal and multifaceted.
3. Participants will explore ways to help others navigate pain, find meaning in loss, and provide support throughout their grief journeys.
4. Participants will learn how to transform their own pain into purpose by guiding those who will one day experience similar suffering.

Workshop I: Normalizing End-of-Life Care and the Dying Process
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (2 hours; 2 CEUs)
Instructor: Danielle Carney, LICSW

Aging and dying are a natural part of the human life span. Due to the painful nature of loss, clients and families often shy away from this topic. However, actively discussing, planning, and preparing for the anticipation of aging and the end of life can support healthier, more holistic end-of-life narratives. Social workers should have a strong understanding of common themes and needs clients face during this period to provide support adequately. This workshop will explore common themes around the aging and end-of-life period, such as anticipatory grief, unexpected loss, ambiguous loss, and prolonged grief, while equipping clinicians with tools to integrate into clinical practice. Participants will engage in discussion around case studies, utilize small group activities, and end with a large group discussion.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will become familiar with the range of end-of-life care trajectories, including the difference between palliative care and hospice care.
2. Participants will learn about the intersection of an individual's vision of what quality of life means to them, how that impacts advanced care planning, and how to engage clients/families in discussions around goals of care.
3. Participants will identify various differing grief responses, how that impacts coping, and strategies to support individuals and families in processing grief.

Workshop J: Healthy Teen Social Media Use: Breaking Down Barriers and Focusing on Potential
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (3 hours; 3 CEUs - Anti-Discrimination)
Instructor: Kaleigh Cornelison, LMSW, LCSW

Technology and social media shape the identities, worldviews, relationships, and sexual health of today鈥檚 teens (ages 13-19). Unfortunately, many professionals fall short when they solely focus on what is problematic about social media use and ignore its positive aspects. This workshop will start from the ground up, beginning with definitions and a roadmap of technology commonly used by young people. From there, we will examine how technology influences teen sexuality and relationships, and the ways relationships and identity can be strengthened by technology. Finally, the workshop will focus on how to work with and relate to teens through the lens of technology.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will identify social media platforms that are commonly used among adolescents.
2. Participants will describe the difference between a tech-negative and tech-positive approach to adolescent social media use.
3. Participants will explain positive and problematic adolescent social media use.
4. Participants will practice strategies for engaging with youth through a tech-positive framework.

Workshop K: From Concept to Launch: Leveraging Strategic Planning to Design a Program
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (2 hours; 2 CEUs)
Instructor: Tatiana Schettini, MBA, MSW, LCSW

This interactive workshop introduces social workers to essential strategic planning and project management tools for effective program development. Using the Logic Model and SWOT analysis, participants will learn how to build a program that supports the mission, objectives and goals of an agency while assessing its capacities to operate in its current social service environment. Participants will learn 5 basic phases of project management: initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and control, and closure. Grounded in macro social work values, the workshop blends planning frameworks with real-world application. The workshop encourages collaboration, peer learning, and guided Q&A. Attendees will walk away with practical tools they can immediately apply.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will learn the basic elements of building a program.
2. Participants will learn the basics of leveraging strategic planning tools and frameworks.
3. Participants will learn how to build a basic budget proposal aligned with goals and outcomes.
4. Participants will learn about basic project management tools.

Workshop L: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Social Work Practice
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (3 hours; 3 CEUs - Anti-Discrimination; Anti-Racism)
Instructor: Karen Lynn Fortuna, PhD, LICSW

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping health care and human services, offering new opportunities鈥攁nd raising critical questions鈥攆or social work practice, research, and education. This interactive workshop will introduce participants to emerging applications of AI in social work, including predictive analytics, natural language processing, and digital peer support tools. We will explore both the promise and pitfalls of AI, emphasizing issues of equity, ethics, and the importance of human-centered design. Participants will engage in case discussions highlighting how AI can enhance service delivery, improve access, and address social determinants of health while also considering risks such as bias, privacy, and misuse. The workshop will prepare social workers to thoughtfully engage with AI as advocates, collaborators, and innovators.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will identify emerging applications of artificial intelligence (AI) relevant to social work practice, research, and education.
2. Participants will evaluate the potential benefits and risks of AI for advancing equity, ethics, and client well-being in human services.
3. Participants will develop strategies to engage as advocates and collaborators in the responsible design, implementation, and use of AI tools in social work settings.

Workshop M: Neurodivergent Therapy: Effective Therapy Practices for ADHD & Autism
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (3 hours; 3 CEUs)
Instructor: Scott Thomson, LICSW

The term neurodivergence has been gaining popularity in the past several years. A lot of information has been distributed about the topic, which can be accurate or pop psychology. This workshop will take an in-depth look at neurodiversity and how to adapt traditional therapy models to make therapy better suited for neurodiverse clients. Participants will learn what neurodivergence looks like, how it shows up in various domains of a client's life, terminology to help describe neurodiverse experiences, effective interventions for neurodivergent clients, and effective strategies to implement in therapy for neurodiverse clients. Participants will take away helpful practices for clients with ADHD and Autism.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will develop a better understanding of the presentation of ADHD and Autism, and how those presentations show up in various domains of life.
2. Participants will learn skills, interventions, and best practices for therapy with neurodivergent clients.
3. Participants will learn ways to adapt therapy to make more effective therapy matches with neurodivergent clients.

Workshop N: Trabajo integral con trauma: cuerpo y mente utilizando IFS y Somatic Experiencing (En espa帽ol)
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (3 hours; 3 CEUs)
Instructor: Paola Bustani, Clinical Psychologist

顿别蝉肠谤颈辫肠颈贸苍:
A lo largo de este taller de tres horas, revisaremos algunos conceptos fundamentales para el tratamiento individual del trauma e integraremos estos conocimientos en un modelo sencillo que podr谩s incorporar a tu pr谩ctica cl铆nica. El enfoque te贸rico se basar谩 en modelos como la teor铆a del apego, la teor铆a polivagal, la terapia som谩tica, y el modelo IFS. Durante el taller aprenderemos a trav茅s de ejercicios experienciales individuales y en grupo. El taller se impartir谩 en espa帽ol.

Objetivos de aprendizaje:

1. Las personas participantes aprender谩n conceptos te贸ricos de diferentes modelos utilizados en la intervenci贸n con personas que han vivido trauma, lo que facilitar谩 la conceptualizaci贸n de casos y la elecci贸n de intervenciones.
2. Las personas participantes adquirir谩n un modelo que integra diversas herramientas terap茅uticas para intervenciones cl铆nicas.
3. Las personas participantes experimentar谩n un espacio de aprendizaje informado por el trauma, considerando el funcionamiento del sistema nervioso.