Live – Saturday Summit: “Bet You Didn’t Know That’s a Trauma Response!”

by Tim Cassidy | Dec 4, 2024 | Live Events

About the Summit:

Join us for our inaugural live “Saturday Summit,” a series of interactive, informal, and educational trauma summits we will be hosting with various experts. We’ll examine the different types, elements, and perspectives surrounding psychological trauma and the various ways it can present in people today.

Grab your coffee and your nerd antennas for this one! We teach a lot (and talk a lot) about trauma and what triggers trauma. But rarely do we put trauma responses under a microscope for deeper examination and conceptualization.

What better way to do this than in a live and interactive panel format focused across several trauma “types” from the perspective of the clinical provider AND the client!! Three clinical trauma experts will share some of the more subtle client queues that may not be readily apparent as trauma responses, why these behaviors are a reaction to trauma, and how we can use the insight to improve trauma treatment. For the first time ever, we will welcome a “Lived Experience” panelist to share their experience of trauma and trauma treatment from the other side of the therapy room!

“Saturday Summit” Panelists & Topics:

Jennifer Sweeton, PsyD, MS, MA: First Responder Trauma
Megan Salar, MSW, ACADC: Childhood Trauma & IPV Trauma
Rafaella Smith-Fiallo, LCSW: Sexual & Racial Trauma
Aaron “SgtQ” Quinonez: Trauma of War – Lived Experience

Attendance and Location Details

Date and Time

Special 5-CE Live webinar event

Saturday, March 1, 2025

10am – 3pm CST / 11am – 4pm EST / 8am – 1pm PST

Event Schedule

Jennifer Sweeton (first responder trauma) – 10am – 11:00am (Central Time)

Q&A – 11:00am – 11:15am

Megan Salar (childhood & IPV trauma) – 11:15am – 12:15pm (Central Time)

Q&A – 12:15pm – 12:35pm

BREAK – 12:35pm – 12:40pm (Central Time)

Rafaella Smith-Fiallo (sexual & racial trauma) – 12:40pm – 1:40pm (Central Time)

Q&A – 1:40pm – 2:00pm

Aaron Quiñonez (lived experience – trauma of war) – 2pm – 2:40pm (Central Time)

Q&A – 2:40pm – 3:00pm

*Zoom link will be made available to you 24-48 hours prior to training start date

Objectives (and Segment Summaries):

Segment 1: First Responder Trauma

1). After completing this training, participants will be able to identify at least three unexpected cognitive, physical, or social trauma responses commonly experienced by first responders.
2). After completing this training, participants will be able to develop strategies to support first responders in recognizing and addressing their trauma responses, fostering healthier coping mechanisms.

In this opening segment, we’ll explore the unexpected and often overlooked ways trauma manifests in first responders. While their resilience and “tough it out” culture are celebrated, the gradual accumulation of trauma can lead to responses that may be mistaken for personality traits, coping strategies, or simple quirks. From hyper-competency and perfectionism as attempts to maintain control, to dark humor as a defense mechanism, to somatic symptoms and social responses, this presentation will shed light on behaviors and experiences that are rooted in trauma. We’ll also delve into the long-term impacts, such as avoiding medical care or being drawn to violent media as a form of processing or numbing. Designed to foster greater awareness among mental health professionals, this talk will equip attendees to better recognize and address these hidden trauma responses in their work with first responders.

Segment 2: Childhood & IPV Trauma

1). After completing this training, participants will be able to understand how childhood trauma leads to IPV in adulthood.
2). After completing this training, participants will be able to identify and understand the fawning response and its origins.

In this follow-on segment of our “Bet You Didn’t Know That’s a Trauma Response” Trauma Summit 2025, participants will explore the complex dynamics of why individuals stay in abusive relationships, particularly through the lens of trauma. The session will examine how childhood trauma can contribute to the development of intimate partner violence (IPV) in adulthood, with a focus on the fawning trauma response. Attendees will gain an understanding of the origins of this response and how it influences the decision to remain in unhealthy relationships. This seminar aims to provide valuable insights for mental health professionals supporting survivors and those seeking to understand the deeper psychological mechanisms behind IPV.

Segment 3: Sexual & Racial Trauma

1). After completing this training, participants will be able to identify and understand the trauma responses of shame and avoidance in survivors of sexual and racial violence, and how these reactions serve as survival and safety mechanisms.
2). After completing this training, participants will be able to examine the intersectionality of sexual and racial trauma and how systemic oppression compounds these responses, highlighting the importance of racial equality and trauma-informed care in supporting marginalized communities.

Our final teaching segment explores how trauma responses from sexual and racial violence often go unrecognized. Focusing on reactions such as shame and avoidance, we will examine specific behaviors that serve as survival and safety mechanisms for individuals who experience racial and sexual trauma. Participants will learn how systemic oppression, including racism and sexism, influences these trauma responses, often compounding the effects of violence in marginalized communities. By understanding these overlooked responses, attendees will be better equipped to recognize trauma in its various forms and support survivors more effectively. This session highlights the need for trauma-informed care that acknowledges the intersectionality of sexual and racial violence.

Segment 4: Lived Experience – Trauma of War

***No formal Objectives

Kicking off our first ever “Lived Experience” summit segment, Aaron “SgtQ” Quinonez shares his raw and personal story of enduring the trauma of war and forging his own path to healing. As a Marine Corps special forces operator, Aaron faced battles that led to homelessness and severe mental health struggles after his career in the military. Professional therapy offered him the start he needed to begin his healing journey! His therapist was open and encouraging, helping him find holistic methods to enhance his journey to health. Aaron would often try something and then come into therapy full of questions on why something worked or didn’t, and his therapist was able to walk him through what was happening in his brain.

Encouraged by his own progress in therapy boosted by his work outside sessions, Aaron went on to develop a recovery program called, “Healing Thru Service,” designed to drastically improve overall healing through community service and engagement. This led to his development of a mental health mobile app designed to collaboratively support others facing similar challenges.

Aaron will explore the power of service, purpose, and self-driven healing, offering mental health professionals a unique perspective on resilience and recovery as well as extra resources available to supplement traditional therapy with their clients. He will also describe the app that has gained popularity among patients and mental health professionals, winning a few awards since its release. Aaron will also share information on his non-profit qmissions.org, which can be a helpful resource for veterans to maintain social engagement and connect with the community during their healing process.

Program Schedule (4 pages):

Live-Saturday-Summit-3-1-25-Full-Program-Schedule

Target Audience:

The target audience for this live webinar event includes psychologists, social workers, counselors, MFT’s, and other clinical mental health professionals.

Instructional Level: Intermediate

Instructor(s): Jennifer Sweeton, PsyD, MS, MA; Megan Salar, MSW, ACADC; Rafaella Smith-Fiallo, LCSW

Material Author(s): Jennifer Sweeton, PsyD, MS, MA; Megan Salar, MSW, ACADC; Rafaella Smith-Fiallo, LCSW

About Your Summit Panelists

Originally trained as a neuroscientist, Dr. Jennifer Sweeton is a clinical and forensic psychologist, Amazon #1 best-selling author, and internationally-recognized expert on trauma, anxiety, and the neuroscience of mental health. She is the author of the book, Trauma Treatment Toolbox, published by PESI Publishing & Media. Dr. Sweeton completed her doctoral training at the Stanford University School of Medicine, the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, and the National Center for PTSD. Additionally, she holds a master’s degree in affective neuroscience from Stanford University, and studied behavioral genetics at Harvard University. Dr. Sweeton resides in the greater Kansas City area, where she owns a group private practice, Kansas City Mental Health Associates, and co-owns Mind Works Professional Education, Inc., a continuing education company. She holds an adjunct faculty appointment at the University of Kansas School of Medicine, and is a former President of the Greater Kansas City Psychological Association. Dr. Sweeton offers clinical and forensic psychological services, and is a sought-after trauma and neuroscience expert who has trained more than 15,000 mental health professionals in all 50 US states and over 20 countries.

Megan Salar, MSW, ACADC, is an EMDR Clinician, Trainer and Author who earned her Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work from Northwest Nazarene University in 2011. She has been extensively trained on the use of EMDR and other trauma-based interventions, and she specializes in the areas of trauma, abuse, attachment and substance abuse. Megan has trained thousands of clinicians across the U.S. and internationally to help them get the most out of EMDR, trauma and addiction treatment skills and evidence-informed best practices. Megan is the author of “EMDR Workbook for Trauma and PTSD: Skills to Manage Triggers, Move Beyond Traumatic Memories, and Take Back Your Life”, released by New Harbinger Publications in May of 2023. She is set to release “EMDR for Dummies” with Wiley Publishing in May of 2024. Megan previously owned/operated an intensive outpatient treatment center that was voted best in practice in 2019. She currently owns and operates her own Counseling, Consulting, and Training Business and is passionate about genuinely changing the landscape of mental health and trauma treatment through an authentic hands-on perspective that is uniquely her own.

Rafaella Smith-Fiallo (she/ella) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Sexuality Educator, and Certified Trauma Therapist. She is the founder of Healing Exchange LLC, a multi-state, education and mental health private practice committed to providing sex-positive, trauma-informed, pleasure-centered, and inclusive education, therapy, and professional development. Rafaella is an international educator, consultant, and author who has been featured in media outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, HuffPost, Teen Vogue, Vibe Magazine, and Broadly. Rafaella has two mottos that drive her practice and personal life, “You deserve peace and pleasure in all of your relationships, especially the one with yourself,” and “If you want things to be different, you have to do things differently.” With that said, she is committed to engaging in and creating radical change and community liberation through centering pleasure politics.

Aaron “SgtQ” Quinonez, a former Marine Corps special forces operator turned mental health pioneer, transformed his traumatic experiences and struggles into triumph, rising from homelessness to multimillionaire. He’s the creator of the lifesaving QActual app, which has dramatically lowered suicide-related ER visits among veterans. His efforts earned him the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award. As a chaplain for the Seattle Seahawks Task Force 12 and a motivational speaker, SgtQ now drives leaders to cultivate team success through collective mental health empowerment. Aaron is on a mission to educate one million leaders to empower 100 million people to heal from trauma and become high performers by 2038.

For additional information about this course, the instructors, or the material authors, please contact Content Assistance at content@onlinececredits.com.

Course Materials & Delivery Method:

Course materials (including the link to view the scheduled live webinar) are made available to all registered attendees 24-48 hours before the event start time.
This training is interactive and provides opportunities to ask direct questions to the trainer as well as request immediate help from staff if needed. The attendee will view the presentation in real-time from their connected device via an industry-standard internet webinar platform.

CE Approvals:

Online CE Credits has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6795. Programs that do not quality for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Online CE Credits is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Mind Works Professional Education, Inc. DBA Online CE Credits, #1974, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: July 23, 2024 – July 23, 2025. Social workers completing this course receive [see advertisement] live interactive webinar continuing education credits.

Other Helpful Information:

Registration Deadline – please register at any time prior to the advertised start time of this live webinar training.
Refund & Cancellation Policy – you may review this policy at any time by clicking here.
Accessibility Accommodations – if you require a reasonable accommodation for any reason, please email your request to cc@onlinececredits.com
Course Completion Requirements – complete the code word attendance quiz by 1.) selecting the correct beginning and/or ending code words, 2.) inputting actual time signed in and time signed out, and 3.) signing your name attesting to your full attendance. Then, complete the course evaluation.
Posttest Requirements (***not applicable for most live webinars) – You must answer 80% or more of the Quiz questions correctly to pass. If you fail to pass the first time, you may attempt the quiz again until you are able to pass with a score of 80% or better. Quizzes are graded instantly and automatically by the learning management system once your attempt is submitted.
Certificate of Completion – certificates of completion are automatically generated – downloadable from your Dashboard and emailed to you – once you complete the code word attendance quiz and the course evaluation. Please complete these items to receive your certificate immediately after the live webinar training is concluded.
Live Webinar Registration – Please select the proper admission ticket in the banner at the top of this page, and follow the prompts. You will be asked either to login with your existing account (if you have learned with us before) or to establish a new user account durng the registration process if this is your first training with us.
System Requirements –
- Recommended Devices: Desktop, Laptop, or Tablet computer. (Note: Our platform is mobile responsive and may be fully accessed from a connected smartphone).
- Suggested Browsers: Updated version of Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Apple Safari.
- Recommended Network: Home wifi, ethernet, or a public wifi with VPN (Note: agency or corporate networks are often equipped with restrictive firewalls that may adversely impact your experience on our platform).
- Recommended speed/bandwidth: Minimum download speed > 20Mbps and minimum upload speed > 6Mbps.

Live – Certificate in Advanced EMDR Therapy Skills: Fall 2025 Cohort

by Tim Cassidy | Nov 25, 2024 | Live Events

**This is a special 6-day, 30-CE interactive and didactic certification program resulting in a certified EMDRPT-II^® credential through Mind Works Professional Education, Inc. **

This program provides continuing education, not higher education (i.e. it is not meant to replace a graduate degree and the rigorous educational requirements of initial licensure). The length of this program, objectives, and requirements for certification have been designed accordingly.

Our EMDR programs and associated credentials are exclusively affiliated with and available through Mind Works Professional Education, Inc. and Online CE Credits. EMDR certification is provided by various entities across the US and abroad, but continuing education certification is not regulated nor owned by any one particular education provider, association, or broker. Individual state regulatory authorities solely determine scope, competency, and legal right to practice, as is true for any other therapy modality (CBT, DBT, etc.). To determine the quality and legitimacy of your investment, we encourage you to look at the experience and education level of your trainer, cost of the program, ongoing requirements if there are any, quality level of the learning platform, and established reputation of the education provider.

IMPORTANT: This exclusive, live certification program takes place during a 6-day non-contiguous period in September, October, and November 2025 – ***view Program Schedule here.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR CERTIFICATION:

To receive your EMDRPT-II^® live cohort certification credential, you MUST register and pay for at least 2 upcoming live one-hour consultations or practice labs with your trainer Dr. Jennifer Sweeton, to take place from now through the end of 2025 as scheduled. You may register now from our Live Consultations page here.

EMDR is a set of evidence-based, powerful tools available to clinicians who treat psychological trauma and PTSD, as well as other mental health conditions. While EMDR skills have been popular for many years, comprehensive expert-quality training in these skills can be difficult to find and is often cost-prohibitive (i.e. some EMDR training companies charge $10K-$15K for comprehensive advanced level certification, plus ongoing renewal fees and “supervision” requirements).

In this 6-day advanced level comprehensive EMDR training program, you will review in detail the classic 8-phase model of EMDR before progressing into more advanced modifications and adaptations for other populations, modalities, and co-occurring mental health concerns (e.g. adapting EMDR for telehealth, addiction, anxiety, depression, and for your work with children and minority identity individuals). Your instructor, Stanford-trained neuroscientist and trauma psychologist Dr. Jennifer Sweeton, will break down the mechanisms of EMDR. She’ll demonstrate how it engages the thinking, feeling, and primitive areas of the brain, effectively translating EMDR into a powerful set of tools you’ll be confident and excited to use with your clients. Her program curriculum establishes a firm core foundation of classic EMDR that will allow you to both DO it well and understand how it works and why it works. Research shows that clinicians who understand why and how a therapy works are more likely to experience better client outcomes. This is unique to Dr. Sweeton’s teaching style, and her progression from a solid base to more advanced concepts enables you to be more flexible in how you approach trauma treatment with EMDR – truly a standard bearer in modern EMDR practice. This live, interactive, webinar-based program will require participants to engage in practical application through case studies, Q&A, client demonstrations, and consultation/practice labs.

DISCLAIMER: To minimize excessive transactional burden, if you request to be converted to an “Everything Plan” membership AFTER purchasing this certification program, you may do so only within 48 hours of your registration on a 24 month plan, paid in advance at the prevailing annual rate.