Behavioral Health Conference

Below is a schedule of events for the 2024 Behavioral Health Conference at Wayne State College, as well as presentation descriptions and presenter biographies.

Schedule of Events

Time and Location	Session and Details
8-8:30 a.m. Frey Conference Suite, Kanter Student Center	Registration and check-in
8:30-9 a.m. Frey Conference Suite, Kanter Student Center	- Welcome address - Welcome by interim dean Dr. Christian Legler, Dr. Jeff Peterson, and BHECN leadership - Opening remarks and preview of events
9-10:30 a.m.	Morning breakout sessions: - "Changing Landscapes: Nebraska Behavioral Health Workforce Updates" - "Feminist Approach to Public Health Ethics" - "Keeping School Mental Health Accessible for Rural Nebraska" - Podcast session (TBA) - "Using Evidence-Based Practices in Co-Occurring Treatment" - "Using Tobacco Cessation to Improve Behavioral Helath Outcomes"
10:30 a.m. - noon	Morning breakout sessions: - "99 Problems But I'm Not One: Understanding Narcissistic Personality Disorder and Substance Use Disorders" - "The Business of Helping Others: Building a Clinical Private Practice" - "Enhancing School Counselor Professionalism: Navigating Challenges and Advocating for Standards" - "High-Performing Students: A High-Risk Population" - "How to Help Adults Cope with Grief" - "The Importance of Integrated School-Based Therapy Services"
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.	Poster sessions: - "Advancing Care for Postpartum Depression: Spreading Education and Awareness to Increase Identification and Treatment" - "Counseling Considerations: Native American/American Indian" - "Does a Person’s Sex Matter? A Deeper Look into Moments that a Person’s Sex Impacted the Care They Received" - "Asexuality: The Invisible Orientation" - "Ozempic: The 'Miracle Drug'" - "Person Centered Counseling: My Personal Journey to Becoming a Counselor" - "Treatment of TRD: Emerging Trends in the Treatment of TRD in an Urban Private Practice Clinic"
Noon - 1:30 p.m. Frey Conference Suite	- On-site noon luncheon (open to pre-registered attendees) - Welcome by Dr. Marysz Rames, President of Wayne State College
12:30-2 p.m. Frey Conference Suite	Keynote presentation: "The Next Evolution of Mental Health: How Ketamine is Leading the Change and What's to Come"
2-3:30 p.m.	Afternoon breakout sessions: - "Hope on the Horizon: Growing Comprehensive School Mental Health Services in Middle America" - "The Impact of Brain Injury within High-Risk Populations" - "Multicultural Counseling Ethics" - "School Counselor Supervision Training: Next Steps and Beyond" - "Understanding Artificial Intelligence in Behavioral Health"
3:30-5 p.m.	Afternoon breakout sessions: - "ADHD: A Closer Look" - "Identifying Special Topics in Trauma Counseling: A Round Table Discussion" - "Gender and Transgender Experience: Implications for Counseling" - "Language Matters: Incorporating the Use of Expressive Writing to Explore Stages of Change" - "Strategies for Enhancing the Supervision Experience" - "Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health Through the Human Rights Framework"

 

Morning Breakout Sessions
9 - 10:30 a.m.

 

"Changing Landscapes: Nebraska Behavioral Health Workforce Updates"

Description: We will discuss the importance of a healthy behavioral health workforce to communities in Nebraska and how BHECN (Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska) is working toward improving behavioral access for all Nebraskans.

Presenters: Marley Doyle, M.D., Erin Schneider, Ed.D., Tina Chasek, Ph.D., and Kati Cordts, Ph.D.

Learning objectives: Review the current data and trends of the workforce. Discuss current and future education/training opportunities. Explore innovative approaches to Northeast Nebraska. Discuss policy implications and strategies.

 

"Feminist Approach to Public Health Ethics (^Ethics CEU)"

Description: This presentation will begin by examining health inequalities in the United States and their connection to gender, disadvantage, and power distribution. We will then discuss a few health issues that specifically impact marginalized identities and ways in which the health care system and political bodies may address these issues. This presentation will conclude by exploring how political capital is entwined with health realities.

Presenter: Eva Olson is the Violence Against Women Project Director at Wayne State College. She holds a master’s degree in International Human Rights with a focus on gender-based violence and a bachelor’s degree in sociology with a focus on law, justice, and social change.

Learning objectives: Ability to identify the relationship between marginalization, gender, lack of power and health inequalities. Understanding health issues that have been shown to be greatly influenced by marginalization. The ability to identify how health care system and political bodies can use their social capital to address and repair the negative health realties marginalized identities face.

 

"Keeping School Mental Health Accessible for Rural Nebraska"

Description: Nebraska is experiencing a persistent and significant shortage of school and community mental health professionals in rural communities. Most efforts to address the challenge have focused on preparing and hiring more mental health professionals in schools and communities; but the challenge is bigger than that. This presentation will address three additional challenges: Adjusting the training curriculum to directly address the unique attributes and strengths of rural communities; strategies to retain mental health professionals in their rural communities; and making preparation accessible to rural Nebraska.

Presenter: Beth Doll, Ph.D., LP, NCSP

Learning objectives: Participants will be able to identify at least one important strength of rural communities for school mental health. Participants will be able to describe at least one strategy to retain rural school mental health professionals. Participants will be able to describe at least one strategy for making training accessible for rural mental health professionals.

 

Podcast Session: "Social Media Use in Mental Health and Behavioral Health Professions"

Description: This is a live podcast recording for the At Our COR podcast where we will discuss social media use as professionals. Topics to be covered could include: pros and cons of SM use, ethical situations in SM use, and how to spot good content creators.

Presenters: Paul Davies and Caleb Green. Davies is a Licensed Independent Mental Health Professional working out of Norfolk and Hartington, Neb. He has been licensed and practicing for over 8 years. Davies has received additional certification in working with individuals diagnosed with ADHD and ASD. Davies works with a variety of clients and settings ranging from working with students in schools to performing risk assessments for adults who sexually harm. Last year he presented at the ACA national conference in Toronto, Canada, on the topic of ADHD. Caleb Green is a provisionally licensed mental health therapist that attended Wayne State College for both undergraduate and master’s studies. Green's undergraduate studies were centered on public relations and organizational leadership. The main focus of Green's clinical practice has been working as a Multi-Systemic Therapist who works with adolescents.

Learning objectives: TBA

 

"Using Evidence Based Practices in Co-Occurring Treatment"

Description: DBT skills training can be effective and have an impact of the long term impact of success for patients. In this session we will explore the dimensions of DBT and how to integrate practice into each level of care for Substance Use Treatment. Implementation of interventions and how to utilize a multidisciplinary team to support change in the individuals we serve.

Presenters: Lisa Anibal, Tiffany Gormley, LIMHP, LMHP, LADC, and Sandy Stevenson, LIMHP, LMHP, LADC

Learning objectives: Understand the basic dimensions and interventions of DBT. Exposure to the connection between DBT and the 12 steps. Knowledge of how integrate DBT in treatment planning.

 

"Using Tobacco Cessation to Improve Behavioral Health Outcomes"

Description: Individuals with behavioral health conditions are significantly more likely to use tobacco. Health conditions associated with tobacco use kill half of individuals with mental health and substance use challenges. A healthcare provider survey in 2022 demonstrated that only 33.2% of healthcare providers considered themselves knowledgeable about cessation treatment efficacy and 5.6% considered themselves knowledgeable about evidence-based counseling modalities (Golden et al., 2022). Tobacco cessation is important for improving health outcomes. Tobacco cessation interventions are associated with a 25% increased likelihood of sobriety from drugs and alcohol and better mental health outcomes. This presentation will underscore the importance of and evidence for tobacco cessation counseling. It will provide education on resources such as the Nebraska Tobacco Quitline. Through this engaging presentation, we will discuss information that is beneficial for behavioral health providers and advocates at any stage of their careers. We also incorporate stories from individuals who have struggled with substance use and mental health conditions who have successfully quit. After the presentation, there will be an interactive brainstorming session for participants to work through how to talk about tobacco cessation with patients and incorporate tobacco cessation into practice.

Presenter: Kyla Scott, BS, Tobacco Cessation Educator

Learning objectives: Identify key facts and statistics that underscore the importance of tobacco cessation in behavioral health interventions. Demonstrate effective tobacco cessation interventions and how individuals from different specialties in behavioral health care can promote tobacco cessation. Amplify the stories of individuals with mental health and substance use conditions who have successfully quit tobacco. Provide education on resources, such as the Nebraska Tobacco Quitline, to improve the success of quit attempts. Equip current and future behavioral health providers with the skillsets needed to promote tobacco cessation.

 

Morning Breakout Sessions
10:30 a.m. - Noon

 

"99 Problems But I’m Not One: Understanding Narcissistic Personality Disorder and Substance Use Disorders"

Description: This presentation will focus on understanding the etiology of Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD), the correlation with addiction, and treatment modalities. Those who suffer from NPD are often misunderstood and treatment can be complex and multi-faceted. This presentation will be focused on engagement through lecture and interactive group modalities. Participants will be able to gain a clearer understanding of creating a therapeutic alliance, navigating key components, and implementation of strategies that can be utilized to help those dually diagnosed with NPD and substance use disorders.

Presenter: Soshia Bohn, PLMHP, LADC

Learning objectives: Review etiology and DSM-5 criteria of Narcissistic Personality Disorder and Substance Use Disorders. Inform participants of key components associated with the disorders and how to build a therapeutic alliance. Inspire participants in how they may engage and implement strategies to help those who struggle with Narcissistic Personality Disorder and Substance Use Disorders.

 

"The Business of Helping Others: Building a Clinical Private Practice"

Description: During this interactive workshop style presentation, attendees will learn how to start their own clinical mental health private practice, from marketing to logistics.  This includes developing local partnerships, creating an online presence, outreach and marketing, fee-structuring, and building a value-based product.

Presenters: Jeff Peterson, Ph.D., LIMHP, NCC, and Sharon Lotz, PLMHP. Dr. Jeff Peterson, PhD, LIMHP, LMHC, LPC, NCC, PCC, is a Licensed Independent Mental Health Counselor, a National Board-Certified Counselor, a Clinical Supervisor, and an Assistant Professor in the School of Education and Counseling at Wayne State College in Wayne, Neb. Prior to this, he operated two successful clinical practices, Denver Psychotherapy in Denver, Colo., and Kansas City Psychotherapy in Kansas City, Mo. He also taught at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs, Colo.; Argosy University in Denver, Colo.; Avila University in Kansas City, Mo.; and Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill.

Learning objectives: How to build community partnerships. Developing a specialization or expertise that sets you apart. Logistical considerations such as creating a desirable physical office and online presence, liability risks and practice policies, scheduling and EMR, and fee-structuring for private pay clients.

 

"Enhancing School Counselor Professionalism: Navigating Challenges and Advocating for Standards"

Description: Join us for a dynamic roundtable discussion led by Professor Hecht-Weber, a former school counselor, district supervisor, and current assistant professor at Wayne State College. Explore the impact of recent legislation on school counseling in Nebraska and discover strategies to protect and enhance the profession. Delve into legislative trends, risks associated with emergency contracts, and the importance of safeguarding the title of school counselor. Gain insights into the challenges posed by staff shortages and high turnover, and brainstorm effective advocacy strategies to elevate the standards of care for school counselors.

Presenter: Katie Hecht-Weber, PLMHP (Ph.D. candidate). Hecht-Weber, a seasoned professional with a background as a former school counselor, district supervisor, and current professor of counselors in training. With experience as a practicing clinician, she brings a unique perspective to the challenges faced by school counselors in today's evolving educational landscape.

Learning objectives: Understand the implications of recent legislative changes on school counselor credentialing and training. Identify risks linked to emergency contracts and staff shortages in the school counseling profession. Collaborate on effective advocacy strategies to enhance professionalism and standards of care for school counselors.

 

"High-Performing Students: A High-Risk Population"

Description: When considering suicide ideation in teenagers, a substantial amount of attention is placed on students who are uninvolved or disconnected from school activities. While these efforts are necessary, we shouldn't forget about another at-risk population: high-performing students. This presentation will focus on the relationship between the pressure of perfection and suicide ideation among high-performing students. We will address the risk factors and warning signs while specifically focusing on "future-tripping." We will also provide strategies participants can use to help high-performing students manage their stress and anxiety.

Presenter: Molly Woodman is one of the outreach coordinators at The Kim Foundation. Born and raised in Omaha, she earned her bachelor’s degree in communications from UNO. She spent 14 years as the Director of Admissions and Recruitment at an area private high school. Her passion for public speaking and mental health advocacy led her to The Kim Foundation in August of 2022. She manages the foundation’s social media accounts, sits on the steering committee for the Metro Area Suicide Prevention Coalition, and provides mental health awareness and suicide prevention education to the community through the Encouraging Hope presentations. She is certified in Youth Mental Health First Aid and a certified instructor for Adult Mental Health First Aid. When she’s not working, she loves spending time being silly with her husband and four kids!

Learning objectives: Participants will be able to identify suicide warning signs and risk factors specific to high-performing students. After hearing about a real-life example from a fellow Nebraskan, participants will determine that how a school district responds to the suicide of a high-performing student can be, in and of itself, preventative. Participants will be capable of developing a suicide prevention plan specific to at-risk, high-achieving students at their schools.

 

"How to Help Adults Cope with Grief"

Description: This session addresses the myths about the grieving process, what to say and not to say to a grieving person, ideas for coping skills and rituals, and looking at cultural differences in death and dying. Hands on tools and resources will be shared for helping adults cope with grief either personally and/or for the people you serve. This session will be interactive including group discussions.

Presenters: Kay Glidden, M.S., and Beth Reynolds Lewis, B.S. Glidden is a compassion fatigue specialist, trauma informed care trainer, and mindfulness educator. Her experience stems from more than 30+ years as a mental health professional and work in a public behavioral health system. Lewis is a compassion fatigue specialist, trauma informed care trainer, and Registered Yoga Teacher. Her experience includes 30+ years as a Child Welfare case manager, a forensic interviewer, and work at Region 3 Behavioral Health Services in Kearney, Neb.

Learning objectives: List common grief reactions. Identify coping skills, rituals and resources. Understand cultural customs and differences.

 

"The Importance of Integrated School-Based Therapy Services"

Description: During this session we will provide a brief overview of what school-based therapy services include, the benefits and statistics of school-based therapy, and how this is different from outpatient therapy. We will also discuss how school-based services break barriers in the mental health field for youth and families.

Presenters: Michelle Claussen, LIMHP, LADC, CPC, and Amy Specht, PLMHP. Claussen is a school-based mental health and substance abuse therapist in Wayne Community Schools, working with students ranging from grades 7 through 12. She specializes in anxiety, depression, and co-occurring disorders. Claussen has worked in the field for 10 years and has worked in long-term residential treatment centers (addictions/dual diagnosis), outpatient clinics, and schools with all different age groups. In her free time, Claussen enjoys spending time with her husband and 4-year-old son. Specht is a Mental Health Therapist working in Pierce Jr./Sr. High School. She has vast experience working with young people. She owned her own Daycare/Preschool for 17 years while raising her three girls. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in education in 2017 from Wayne State College and taught middle/junior high students while working on her master’s degree. She obtained her master’s in clinical mental health in December 2022 and worked in an agency setting until July 2023, when she started at Heartland Counseling as a rural school-based therapist in August 2023. Her husband has worked in education for 28 years and their favorite pastime is spending time with their grandchildren or golfing. Her passion is helping students live a happy, healthy life and learn their potential.

Learning objectives: Learn what school-based therapy services are. Discuss the effectiveness of school-based therapy services. Explore challenges youth face that bring them to school-based therapy services.

 

Poster Sessions
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

 

"Advancing Care for Postpartum Depression: Spreading Education and Awareness to Increase Identification and Treatment"

Presenter: Caitlyn Haines, UNO Graduate Student (CMHC)

"Counseling Considerations: Native American/American Indian"

Presenter: Valerie Blase, WSC Graduate Student (CMHC)

"Does a Person’s Sex Matter? A Deeper Look into Moments that a Person’s Sex Impacted the Care They Received"

Presenter: Kevin Bollinger, WSC Graduate Student (CMHC)

"Asexuality: The Invisible Orientation"

Presenter: Aryn Halsey, WSC Graduate Student (CMHC)

"Ozempic: The 'Miracle Drug'"

Presenter: Aryn Halsey, WSC Graduate Student (CMHC)

"Person Centered Counseling: My Personal Journey to Becoming a Counselor"

Presenter: Mitch Bierbower, WSC Graduate Student (CMHC)

"Treatment of TRD: Emerging Trends in the Treatment of TRD in an Urban Private Practice Clinic"

Presenter: MJ Hanigan, MD; Robert Lundholm, APRN; Steve Elzey, LPN

 

Keynote Presentation
12:30 - 2 p.m.

 

"The Next Evolution of Mental Health: How Ketamine is Leading the Change and What’s to Come "

Frey Conference Suite

Description: What we thought we knew about how the brain works is changing. Old battlefield medicines have new purpose and stigmatized recreational drugs have been found to have profound benefits. Advances in neuroscience are leading to a collaboration between mental health providers and physicians in a whole new way, with new breakthroughs for not just science, but real people with life changing results. Seeing the person as a whole with an integrative approach, Dr. Koenig will walk you through this rapidly changing field with practical applications for today.

Presenter: Leslie Koenig, M.D., is a board-certified emergency physician, Afghanistan combat veteran, and founder of Waybridge Clinic, an IV Ketamine clinic in Omaha, Neb. She received her BS in microbiology from University of Iowa and medical doctorate from Loyola Stritch School of Medicine in 2008. Following this, she entered active duty service with the United States Navy and completed her emergency residency at Naval Medical Center San Diego. Deploying with the USMC in 2013, she treated casualties as part of a Shock Trauma Platoon and was the EMS director for Camp Leatherneck in Helmand Province. Upon entering civilian life, she wrote and published the "Stress Relief Survival Guide" and created a companion video course available free on YouTube. Currently she is a fellow at the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine, pursuing a board certification in this field. In 2023 she opened her first ketamine clinic, becoming an entrepreneur with goals of bringing her varied skills to her patients. She is an executive contributor to Brainz Magazine and is active in her local Chamber of Commerce and Marine Corps League.

 

Afternoon Breakout Sessions
2 - 3:30 p.m.

 

"Hope on the Horizon: Growing Comprehensive School Mental Health Services in Middle America"

Description: This session explores rural Nebraska's school mental health services, focusing on three years of innovations and implementation of comprehensive school mental health service delivery. Specifically, ESU#3 has integrated licensed mental health professionals throughout each building’s multi-tiered systems of support, developed and implemented insurance billing infrastructure, and provided ongoing technical assistance and professional learning to support and sustain these comprehensive services. This session highlights progress, innovative practices including how our therapists are actively involved at all tiers and discusses outcomes to ensure high-quality mental health services for all students. Session attendees will learn how a comprehensive school mental health system can be implemented in rural districts with limited human resources and expect positive student outcomes as a result of implementation. Participants will be engaged through strategies such as grounding, Q&A, and hopeful wrap ups.

Presenter: Jennifer Pollock, Ed.S., NCSP. Pollock is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist and for the past 15 years has served area school districts of all shapes and sizes, in many roles including School Psychologist, district special education leadership and most currently, coordinating school mental health services at ESU No. 3. Pollock is passionate about children and youth's behavioral and mental health. She is equally passionate about supporting schools and district teams in building and enhancing their systems and practices to be as efficient and effective as possible. When she is not working, Pollock loves to spend time with her family outside or playing board games, reading, and gardening!

Learning objectives: Participants will learn about the implementation of a comprehensive school mental health system with the utilization of licensed mental health professionals as part of the multi-tiered systems of support. Participants will learn about preliminary data on private and public insurance billing pilot and forecast sustainability. Participants will review student outcome data related to this project.

"The Impact of Brain Injury within High-Risk Populations"

Description: A lifetime history of brain injury can result in impairments in physical, emotional, and/or cognitive functioning. This session will discuss the impact of brain injury on individuals within high-risk populations such as the homeless, justice-involved, and survivors of IPV/DV.

Presenter: Anna Cole and Gina Simanek, M.A., LMHP. Cole’s focus on and passion for care is evident throughout her life — beginning with her early career as a registered nurse. She then cared for and raised four wonderful sons as a stay-at-home mom. When her children reached school age, she accepted various positions in their schools, all of which involved caring for and helping hundreds of children. Prior to joining the Brain Injury Alliance of Nebraska, she most recently served as the full-time Congregational Care Coordinator at her church. As a freshman at an out-of-state college, her youngest son was involved in a serious car accident that resulted in a brain injury. Finding and accessing providers and resources to assist in his recovery and successful return to school ignited her passion to assist others facing a similar challenge. She grew up in New Hudson, Mich., but has lived in Omaha for more than 35 years. She and her husband, Blake, are empty-nesters with their dog, Jack. She has four awesome grown sons, two beautiful daughters-in-law, and two wonderful grandchildren. Simanek has worked in the field of brain injury for more than 32 years. She earned a master’s degree in clinical psychology and has continuously sought out ways to assist those with more complex issues that combine the medical and psychiatric realms. In 1992, she discovered a large gap where individuals with brain injury and their families had little to no understanding of their injury or needs for recovery. She began volunteer work to assist these individuals/families to get the resources they needed, educated many professionals within entities that served individuals with brain injury, and continued to provide this assistance throughout their lifetime as their needs changed. In 2008, she contracted as the Nebraska State BI Ombudsperson and a statewide information and referral specialist for the Brain Injury Alliance of Nebraska. She has a background with administration and interpretation of various psychological and neuropsychological assessments; educates professionals, individuals and families about brain injuries and mental health; is experienced in neurofeedback and biofeedback; facilitates mental/medical health support groups, served on several state advisory boards, and did a research study on brain injury coping in parents that gained recognition (2001 Student Research Award – Division 22, Rehabilitation Psychology), and has contributed to other brain injury research publications. She currently is full-time with the Brain Injury Alliance of Nebraska and continues to assist individuals and families to understand brain injury and identify resources to assist them in becoming the best they can be.

Learning objectives: Participants will define brain injury and a way to recognize brain injury through the use of a brain injury screening tool. Participants will be able to describe the difference and overlap between symptoms of brain injury and mental illness. Participants will identify alternative responses in meeting the unique needs of individuals with brain injury.

 

"Multicultural Counseling Ethics (^Ethics CEU)"

Description:  Multicultural practice is a core foundation to ethical counseling in today's clinical setting. Attendees will learn how to better serve the needs of their multicultural client in a clinical setting. Participants will learn how to reduce the risk of committing microaggresions; develop a deeper understanding of challenges surrounding intersecting identities, alternative families, and unique relationship constellations; and practice the skill of critically reflecting on one's own social ecology and layers of identity.

Presenter: Jeff Peterson, Ph.D., LPC, LIMHP, NCC. Peterson is a Licensed Independent Mental Health Counselor, a National Board-Certified Counselor, a Clinical Supervisor, and an Assistant Professor in the School of Education and Counseling at Wayne State College in Wayne, Neb. Prior to this he operated two successful clinical practices, Denver Psychotherapy in Denver, Colo., and Kansas City Psychotherapy in Kansas City, Mo. He also taught at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs, Colo.; Argosy University in Denver, Colo.; Avila University in Kansas City, Mo.; and Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill.

Learning objectives: Explore what it means to be a multicultural practitioner. Critically reflect on one’s own social ecology and cultural identity. Learn how to reduce potential microaggressions in a clinical setting. Develop a deeper understanding of challenges faced by those with intersecting identities.

 

"School Counselor Supervision Training: Next Steps and Beyond (*Supervision CEU)"

Description: This presentation will give a sneak peek of a new school counselor supervision training module. Through interactive discussion of current trends (or lack of school counseling supervision), we will collaborate to best meet the needs of school counselors-in-training and newly hired school counselors throughout our region. We will also address the needs of school counselors-in-training and how supervisors can best support the learning of students and the profession of school counseling. This presentation will engage participants in learning through the use of small group and large group discussions, scenarios with role plays, and hands on activities.

Presenter: Suzanne Scott, Ph.D., LMHP, LPC (WY), NCC. Scott is an assistant professor and teaches in the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences. Her previous work experience includes counseling and therapeutic work with children and adolescents, and she has been a school counselor in North Carolina and Wyoming for a total of 17 years. She has held numerous leadership positions on the Wyoming School Counselor Association board and currently serves on the Nebraska School Counselor Association board. She also enjoys providing supervision to school-counselors-in-training and provisionally licensed counselors.

Learning objectives: Participants will explore new modules for site supervisor and professional school counseling supervision training. Participants will engage in discussion and practice of ethical decision making in school counseling supervision. Participants will formulate a model of school counselor supervision as it relates to their current practice.

 

"Understanding Artificial Intelligence in Behavioral Health"

Description: Artificial Intelligence (AI) for behavioral health has emerged as a powerful force in addressing the mental health and addiction epidemic. This presentation will focus on introducing the concepts of AI and the impact on the behavioral health field. Participants will learn the basic concepts of AI, examples of how AI can be used in behavioral health, and experience how AI can be used to enhance treatment experiences and outcomes.

Presenter: Sandra Jones, M.S. Jones has a Master of Science in Agency Counseling and has worked in the addiction, mental health and technology field for more than 34 years. She is the CEO and founder of OakTree Collaborative. Her experience includes running a business that provides a cloud-based, practice management software to the behavioral health field. Prior to working in the behavioral health technology field, Jones held positions as a crisis counselor in a domestic violence program providing counseling and advocacy to rape, incest, and domestic violence victims. In addition, Jones provided direct care to the chronic mentally ill, developmentally disabled, and clients facing substance use disorders. She has consulted with a variety of entities from private, state, federal, and tribal communities throughout the United States on the design and implementation of practice management software systems, training on clinical best practices, implementing innovative technology, and analysis of clinical data.

Learning objectives: Participants will learn the basic concepts of Artificial Intelligence. Participants will learn how to apply AI to the behavioral health practice. Participants will engage in activities to generate content relevant for behavioral health.

 

Afternoon Breakout Sessions
3:30 - 5 p.m.

 

"ADHD: A Closer Look"

Description: This presentation will cover areas such as diagnosing, treating, and working with ADHD and the ADHD subtypes. We will also debunk some myths and misconceptions about ADHD. This presentation will look at what attention and motivation are and how these definitions relate to ADHD as well as our own beliefs.

Presenter: Paul Davies, LIMHP, CPC, ADHD-CCSP, ASDCS. Davies is a Licensed Independent Mental Health Professional working out of Norfolk and Hartington, Neb. He has been licensed and practicing for more than eight years. He has received additional certification in working with individuals diagnosed with ADHD and ASD. Davies works with a variety of clients and settings ranging from working with students in schools to performing risk assessments for adults who sexually harm. Last year he presented at the ACA national conference in Toronto, Canada, on the topic of ADHD.

Learning objectives: Learn behavioral markers and signs of ADHD. Understand the assessment process and methods for working with ADHD. Identify effective behavior modification techniques. Understand current trends in the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD.
 

"Identifying Special Topics in Trauma Counseling: A Round Table Discussion"

Description: Join Dr. Alison Boughn in a collaborative roundtable discussion focusing on special topics in trauma counseling. This session aims to provide a platform for clinicians to share insights, seek consultation, and collectively identify key areas to address in future trauma counseling courses. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a student, your participation will contribute to shaping the future of trauma counseling education.

Presenter: Alison Boughn, Ph.D., ACS, ATR-BC, LIMHP (NE), LMHC (IA), LPC-MH (SD), NCC, QMHP, TF-CBT. Boughn is the chair of Wayne State College's Counseling Department. In her clinical role at MercyOne Child Advocacy Center, she specializes in trauma-focused therapies, holding certifications as a Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (TF-CBT) and an Art Therapist Registered Board Certified (ATR-BC). An Approved Clinical Supervisor (#ACS-4627) and Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner (#2419), she aims to mentor future professionals, emphasizing a holistic teaching approach.

Learning objectives: Participants will engage in a collaborative discussion on special topics in trauma counseling. Participants will gain insights into effective consultation and support strategies for trauma clinicians. Participants will actively contribute to the identification of key areas for student preparation in trauma counseling.

 

"Gender and Transgender Experience: Implications for Counseling"

Description: Gender seems to be what everyone is talking about these days, which is why behavioral health professionals need to check-in on how to better serve trans-clients. In this presentation, we will discuss gender in its broadest terms. We will explore society's gender-role expectations, as well as myths surrounding the transgender experience, and how these issues are impacting both the counseling session and our current social climate. Participants will learn best-practices for working with issues pertaining to gender. Together we will explore how behavioral health professionals can better help this marginalized population.

Presenters: Aryn Halsey and Kevin Bollinger. My name is Aryn Halsey (she/he/they) and am currently working toward my Clinical Mental Health degree at Wayne State College. I've always loved building connections with people, and a population very near and dear to my heart is the LGBTQIA+ community. I hope that through myself and my colleague's presentation that we can spread awareness of how to better support this population in our practice. I also hope that we, too, get to learn a bit more about all of you and that we can share in this learning experience together! Hello, my name is Kevin Bollinger, pronouns (he, him) I am a father of 3 incredible kids, who are with the help of my loving partner, supporting me pursuing a master’s degree in the Clinical and Mental Health track at WSC. I am completing my second year in the program and I continue to learn a great deal every day. I have discovered a passion for supporting and celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and look forward to continuing to learn and share about the needs of this under-supported population. I am eager to learn and grow with you all, thank you for coming to our session!

Learning objectives: Participants will explore society’s perception of gender, gender expectations, and the current social climate. Participants will discuss gender norms and their implications in counseling. Participants will gain knowledge about the transgender experience, expectations, fears, and myths. Participants will explore best practices for working with issues pertaining to gender and gender identity.

 

"Language Matters: Incorporating the Use of Expressive Writing to Explore Stages of Change"

Description: This presentation will focus on the use of expressive writing techniques and how it can be beneficial in determining a client’s stage of change in addiction. With the use of a hands-on demonstration, the audience will be able to enhance their clinical skills and professional knowledge.  Using expressive writing, clinicians will be able to establish an understanding of meeting the client where they are at in their recovery process. Applying a creative method of writing will help communication of inner feelings, exploring underlying thought processes that may not have been established previously, and will encourage a more open discussion and self-discovery.

Presenter: Soshia Bohn, PLMHP, LADC

Learning objectives: The participants will be able to gain understanding of using expressive writing in a clinical setting. The participants will be able to identify stages of change with the use of expressive writing. The participants will be able to enhance their professional knowledge of the stages of change and how expressive writing can encourage client self-discovery.

 

"Strategies for Enhancing the Supervision Experience"

Description: This session aims to help practitioners and supervisors understand the core components of reflective supervision, and how these concepts can be utilized to promote self-care and sound practice. It takes a pragmatic approach, with the intention of supporting supervisors working in challenging environments to deliver supervision that makes a real difference to their staff, and to people using their services. Participants will have the opportunity to listen, reflect, share, and experience the various core processes that are a part of the FAN Reflective Supervision model. The materials for this presentation are based on the Facilitating Attuned Interactions (FAN) model of supervision developed by Dr. Linda Gilkerson of the Erikson Institute in Chicago.  

Presenters: Lindsey Ondrak, LIMHP, LPC, IMH-E, and Carrie L. Gottschalk, LIMHP, LPC. Ondrak is the Outreach and Training Specialist at the University of Nebraska’s Center on Children, Families, and the Law. She is a Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner and Licensed Professional Counselor providing outpatient treatment for children and their families with specialized training in trauma and attachment. She is trained in Child Parent Psychotherapy, Integration of Working Models of Attachment into Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, Trauma Focused Attachment Therapy/Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing, Theraplay (Level 1), Brainspotting, the FAN model of Reflective Practice (Trainer), Circle of Security Parenting (Facilitator) and she is an Endorsed Infant Mental Health Clinical Mentor. Gottschalk has spent 30 years in the fields of education and mental and behavioral health, working with young children through adults. Her current area of clinical focus and expertise is working with individuals and groups to help foster a safe space for processing challenges and trauma, as well as building skills for healing, repair, resilience, and compassion. She is a certified compassion fatigue professional, master trainer and consultant in reflective practice, trainer in emotional intelligence, a certified GallupStrengths coach, and certified workplace mindfulness facilitator.

Learning objectives: By the end of this training, participants will have been given the opportunity to: 1. Consider what constitutes reflective supervision, the various definitions, and its functions. 2. Discuss and reflect upon the role of supervision and the parallel process for supervisor, supervisee, and client. 3. Experience concepts of mindful self-regulation for self-care, attunement, and co-regulation. 4. Understand the supervision cycle and how this can help in reflecting, analyzing and action planning within supervision.