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Our Instructors

Information on the instructors of our live and video recorded seminars with accessible links to their courses and events.

  • Allison Broennimann, PhD

    Dr. Allison Broennimann is a licensed clinical psychologist, specializing in depth therapy, neuropsychology, attachment, and post traumatic growth. In 2013 she received congressional recognition for her work with Veterans at the San Francisco VA Medical Center. She balances her online practice based out of California and is currently writing her first book on building a secure attachment from within.

  • Amanda Good, LICSW

    Amanda Good, LICSW, is the Clinical Director at The Sibley Group in Washington DC, where she has been a psychotherapist for adolescent and adult clients for over 15 years. She specializes in treating stress, anxiety, and trauma related symptoms, and is certified in Eye Movement and Desensitization Therapy (EMDR). Starting her career as a social worker in a Special Education school ignited Amanda’s interest and passion in working with neurodiverse clients, especially those with ADHD. Amanda writes, teaches, and consults on a variety of topics related to trauma therapy, and makes complex mental health concepts easily understandable and accessible for clinicians and clients alike. Using a blend of trauma-informed and evidence-based approaches including EMDR, IFS, CBT, and DBT, and drawing from lived experience as well as extensive training, Amanda provides therapy and teaches therapists to go beyond symptom management to healing root causes and achieving lasting change, empowerment, and resilience.

  • Amanda Petrik-Gardner, LCPC

    Amanda Petrik-Gardner is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the State of Kansas. She specializes in the treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors and anxiety disorders in her private practice in Topeka, KS. Amanda completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Kansas State University and her Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from the University of Kansas. Amanda is a member of the International OCD Foundation where she completed the Behavioral Therapy Training Institute. She is a member of the TLC Foundation for BFRBs where she completed the Virtual Professional Training Institute. Amanda is also a board member of OCD Kansas, an affiliate of the International OCD Foundation. www.amandalcpc.com

  • Amittia Parker, LMSW, MPA

    Amittia Parker, LMSW, MPA has worked for a decade as a mental health consultant across a variety of settings in Kansas City, including home-based services, childcare centers, school-based services, and health clinics. She is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Kansas, School of Social Welfare and engaged in research, teaching, and service. Her research agenda is focused on promoting minority mental health, with a particular interest in Black and Latinx families with young children. Her current research projects focus on mental health among Black mothers and social work students, natural helping spaces, and behavioral health service availability and delivery. Amittia promotes racially sensitive practice both within the courses she teaches and in guest lectures. Amittia also provides training and consultation services focused on racial equity and mental health. She serves in leadership roles in local, state, and national venues focused on infant and early childhood, the African American community, and Black social workers.

  • Angela M. Henry, LCSW

    Angela M. Henry, LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20+ years of clinical experience. She is the owner of The Center for Collaborative Healing; a private practice in South Bend, Indiana. She specializes in the treatment of OCD, anxiety related disorders, body focused repetitive behaviors (BFRB’s), Tourette Syndrome, as well as trauma and PANS/PANDAS. Ms. Henry has created several webinars in her area of expertise, she participates in numerous podcasts, and is a requested speaker. Angela has sought extensive training in her areas of specialty. She has completed the hallmark Behavioral Therapy Training Institute intensive training course through the IOCDF (International OCD Foundation) and is a graduate of the Professional Training Institute through the TLC Foundation for BFRBs (Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors). She also completed specialized training from the Behavioral Therapy Institute (TS-BTI) in Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT) for Tourette Syndrome and is a certified EMDR therapist. As an early adopter of I-CBT in the United States, Angela has received training and participates in on-going consultation from Dr. Frederick Aardema. She currently offers individual consultation as well as a bi-weekly consultation group to therapists wanting to enhance their I-CBT skills. Using a very down-to-earth and approachable teaching style, Angela helps fellow therapists gain trust in their own skills as they provide healing and bring their own gifts to the collaborative therapeutic table. For more information, contact Angela at angelahenrylcsw.com.

  • April Kilduff, MA, LCPC, LPCC, LMHC

    April Kilduff, MA, LCPC, LPCC, LMHC is a Therapist & Clinical Training Specialist with her own private practice & also contracted with NOCD. Previously she worked in OCD/Anxiety IOP/PHPs in the Ascension & Rogers Behavioral Health Hospitals in Chicago. April also served as a Clinical Director at a group practice where she trained staff on treating OCD with Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP). OCD has great treatment options, meaning people really can get better. Doing ERP allows her to do clinical work as well as exercise her creativity to come up with effective ERPs. Additionally, she enjoys working with autistic adults struggling with OCD & was identified as autistic herself in 2022. When not working, you can find her at home with her 2 cats, reading, taking photos & traveling the world.

  • Arielle Schwartz, PhD

    Arielle Schwartz, PhD, CCTP-II, E-RYT, is a licensed clinical psychologist, certified complex trauma professional, EMDR Consultant, and Kripalu yoga teacher. She is an internationally sought-out speaker, leading voice in the field of trauma recovery, and the author of seven books including The Complex PTSD Workbook, EMDR Therapy and Somatic Psychology, The Post-Traumatic Growth Guidebook, and her latest, Applied Polyvagal Theory in Yoga. As the founder of the Center for Resilience Informed Therapy, she offers an integrative, mind-body approach to therapy that includes relational therapy, somatic psychology, EMDR Therapy, parts-work therapy, and therapeutic yoga for trauma. She specializes in applied polyvagal theory which focuses on addressing imbalances within the autonomic nervous system that underlie most mental and physical health conditions. Dr. Schwartz provides informational mental health and wellness updates through her writing, public speaking, social media presence, and blog. She believes that the journey of trauma recovery is an awakening of the spiritual heart. Learn more at www.drarielleschwartz.com.

  • Ashley Garrison, LCSW

    Ashley Garrison, LCSW, is the founder and owner of Hope & Healing, LLC. She currently contracts with an outpatient practice to perform and deliver an adherent DBT program model, and participates in a DBT consultation team that meets weekly to ensure DBT adherence. While Ashley uses a wide variety of evidence-based therapy models, she specializes in the use of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and has expertise in performing both stage I and stage II DBT treatment. Ashley conducts individual, group, and couples therapy, and brings nearly 10 years of experience as a social worker working with adults, children, and adolescents in a variety of settings. Additionally, she has trained and supervised several graduate students in their work with clients experiencing psychiatric and behavioral health needs.

  • Brent Moore, PhD, LPC

    Dr. Brent Moore is the director of clinical mental health counseling and associate professor of counselor education at Indiana Wesleyan University. He has taught graduate counseling in a full-time capacity for the past nine years. Dr. Moore is a registered play therapist and founder of Neural Pathways Learning Center in Liberty, MO, which serves to assess and treat anxiety, attention, and focus issues related to academic performance. He is a licensed counselor and approved supervisor for the states of Kansas and Missouri. Dr. Moore is the former president of the American Counseling Association of Missouri.

  • Bruce Cappo, PhD, ABPP

    Dr. Cappo started Clinical Associates, P.A. in 1992 and practices as a board certified licensed psychologist in this multidisciplinary private practice setting which includes offices throughout Kansas and Missouri. Clinical Associates includes more than 85 professional service providers including licensed psychiatrists, licensed doctoral psychologists, licensed advanced practice nurse practitioners, licensed masters level psychologists, licensed specialist clinical social workers, licensed clinical marriage and family therapists, licensed substance abuse counselors and other masters level associates. Dr. Cappo’s practice is limited to evaluation and consultation. He is a Fellow and Past-President of the Kansas Psychological Association and a Past-President of the Kansas Association of Professional Psychologists. He has served on the University of Minnesota Press Advisory Committee related to psychological assessment and is an Ad Hoc reviewer for several journals. His practice is focused in three areas: Forensic evaluations and consultation, evaluations related to public safety, and evaluations related to diagnosis and treatment planning.

  • Carol Kershaw, Ph.D.

    Carol Kershaw, Ph.D. is Co-Director of the Milton H. Erickson Institute of Houston. She is an international trainer, author and psychotherapist running her private practice in Houston, Texas, USA. She is a member of the American Psychological Association, and an Approved Consultant for the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. Dr. Kershaw is board certified with the status of Fellow in EEG Biofeedback and the author of The Couple’s Hypnotic Dance and co-author of Brain Change Therapy: Clinical Interventions for Self- Transformation published by WW Norton and The Worry-Free Mind published by Career Press. She has been invited to speak for NASA, and she also presented in Saudi Arabia, Chile, Mexico, Spain, Canada, Italy as well as in the United States and in Australia.

  • Christiane Sanderson, BSc., MSc.

    Christiane Sanderson BSc, MSc. is a retired senior lecturer in Psychology at the University of Roehampton, of London with over 30 years of experience working with survivors of childhood sexual abuse and sexual violence. She has delivered consultancy, professional development and professional training for parents, teachers, social workers, nurses, therapists, counselors, solicitors, the NSPCC, the Catholic Safeguarding Advisory Committee, the Methodist Church, the Metropolitan Police Service, SOLACE, the Refugee Council, Birmingham City Council Youth Offending Team, and HMP Bronzefield. Christiane has contributed to news coverage on BBC TV and BBC Radio, and Sky News, as well as being featured in a number of documentaries involving sexual violence, most recently Fred and Rose (West): The Untold Story (Channel 5, 2014); ‘Hotel of Horrors’ (2014) and The Cul-de-Sac Cult (2015) on the Crime and Investigation Network (Sky Channel 553). She is the author of Counselling Skills for Working with Shame, Counselling Skills for Working with Trauma: Healing from Child Sexual Abuse, Sexual Violence and Domestic Abuse, Counselling Adult Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse, 3rd edition, Counselling Survivors of Domestic Abuse, The Seduction of Children: Empowering Parents and Teachers to Protect Children from Child Sexual Abuse, and Introduction to Counselling Survivors of Interpersonal Trauma, all published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers. She has also written The Warrior Within: A One in Four Handbook to Aid Recovery from Sexual Violence; The Spirit Within: A One in Four Handbook to Aid Recovery from Religious Sexual Abuse Across All Faiths and Responding to Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse: A pocket guide for professionals, partners, families and friends for the charity One in Four for whom she is a trustee.

  • Christopher Willard, Psy.D.

    Dr. Christopher Willard, (Psy. D.) is a clinical psychologist, author and consultant based in Massachusetts. He has spoken in thirty countries, and has presented at two TEDx events. He is the author of twenty books, including Alphabreaths (2019), Growing Up Mindful (2016) and How We Grow Through What We Go Through (2022). His thoughts on mental health have been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, mindful.org, cnn.com, and elsewhere. He teaches at Harvard Medical School.

  • Clifton Mitchell, Ph.D.

    Clifton Mitchell Ph.D., is an international clinical trainer and keynote speaker who has a love for teaching and over 23 years of training experience. He delivers practical information in a uniquely entertaining, fast-paced style that is filled with humor and examples from his experience in mental health. For over 15 years, he has studied and presented seminars on methods for dealing with resistance in therapy. In his book, Effective Techniques for Dealing with Highly Resistant Clients, he presents cutting-edge approaches for managing psychological resistance. He has trained thousands of mental health professionals in the management of difficult, perplexing legal and ethical issues and his latest training is in an exciting, dynamic game show format. He has also been the keynote speaker at conventions and taught hundreds of mental health organizations, businesses, leadership groups, and civic organizations effective techniques for improving communications and for creating change through the precise use of language. He is a contributing author in therapy books and published in numerous professional journals including the Psychotherapy Networker, Psychotherapy in Australia, Journal of Personality Assessment, Perceptual and Motor Skills, Psychologists’ Desk Reference, Case In Point: Advanced Care Coordination, Favorite Counseling and Therapy Techniques, Psychology and Education, Journal of Psychological Type, The Professional School Counselor, Vistas, and The Advocate. His research includes investigations of therapeutic resistance, legal and ethical issues, subliminal message tapes, stress and coping, and personality types. Dr. Mitchell is currently a professor of counseling at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee, where he received the Teacher of the Year award in 2002.

  • Corey Petersen, PhD, LCMFT

    Dr. Corey Petersen is a communication specialist and the owner of Communication and Connection Therapy. She completed her Ph.D. in Communication Studies at the University of Kansas, where her research focused on psychotherapeutic language and communication ethics. Prior to her Ph.D., Corey earned Master’s degrees in Marriage and Family Studies and Professional Communication. In addition to her formal education, she has completed training in four Gottman Method programs (Level 1, Level 2, Seven Principles, and Bringing Baby Home), Collaborative Language Couples Therapy, and has further training with various other relationship-oriented theories and models. Corey has been teaching collegiately for over 9 years in both the psychology and communication fields. When she is not teaching, she meets with clients in her private practice.

  • Crystal Rozelle–Bennett, LMSW

    Crystal Rozelle – Bennett, LMSW has been working with youth and families for nearly 20 years. She is committed to empowering, engaging, educating and advocating in order to implement trauma-informed strategies for individuals and communities. Mrs. Bennett earned a Bachelor’s in Arts in Psychology from Wells College and went on to complete her Masters in Social Work from Florida State University. During her career, Ms. Bennett has demonstrated a passion in sharing her personal and professional experiences with others to serve marginalized individuals and prevent re-traumatization. Ms. Bennett is a life longer learner and has provided education and support to foster families, facilitated psychoeducation programs for youth, responded to crisis hotline calls for the Department of Veterans Affairs, and trained behavioral healthcare professionals in the areas of Human Trafficking, Suicide Prevention, Child Trauma/Maltreatment, Motivational Interviewing, Racial Trauma, Cultural Competency and serving LGBT youth.

  • Daniel J. Fox, Ph.D.

    Daniel J. Fox, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist, international speaker, and award winning author. He has been specializing in the treatment and assessment of individuals with personality disorders for over 15 years in the state and federal prison system, universities, and in private practice. He is the author of The Clinician’s Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment of Personality Disorders and the award winning Antisocial, Borderline, Narcissistic and Histrionic Workbook: Treatment Strategies for Cluster B Personality Disorders. He has published several articles in these areas. Dr. Fox has been teaching and supervising students for over 15 years at various universities across the United States, some of which include West Virginia University, Texas A&M University, University of Houston, Sam Houston State University, and Florida State University. He is currently a staff psychologist in the federal prison system, Adjunct Assistant Professor at University of Houston, as well as maintaining a private practice that specializes in the assessment and treatment of individuals with complex psychopathology and personality disorders. Dr. Fox has given numerous workshops and seminars on ethics and personality disorders, personality disorders and crime, treatment solutions for treating clients along the antisocial, borderline, narcissistic, and histrionic personality spectrum, emotional intelligence, managing mental health within the prison system, and others. Dr. Fox maintains a website of various treatment interventions focused on working with and attenuating the symptomatology related to individuals along the antisocial, borderline, narcissistic, and histrionic personality spectrum.

  • Daniel J. Moran, Ph.D., BCBA-D

    Dr. Daniel J. Moran is the founder of Pickslyde Consulting, an organization aimed at using evidence-based applications to improve leadership, performance, safety, and wellness in the workplace. His organization has also trained tens-of-thousands of people in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and other evidence-based treatment approaches. In addition, he is an associate professor at Touro University and co-founder of its Doctor of Psychology program in New York City. Dr. Moran earned his Ph.D. in Clinical & School Psychology from Hofstra University in 1998, under the supervision of Kurt Salzinger and Richard O’Brien. He is the past-president of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science, and the Association for Behavior Analysis International gave him the Outstanding Mentor Award in 2014. Dr. Moran has several publications focused on the application of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and behavioral science to clinical issues, leadership, and behavioral health. He has made media appearances on The Learning Channel, Animal Planet, and The Oprah Winfrey Network to discuss anxiety disorders and hoarding related disorders. Dr. Moran is also a Recognized ACTrainer and Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

  • David Nowell, Ph.D.

    David Nowell, Ph.D., is a clinical neuropsychologist in private practice in Massachusetts. One of his passions is the translation of neuropsychological and brain research to functional and understandable terms which clients, families and practitioners can quickly put to use to solve real problems. His research interests include the impact of traumatic brain injury on social and occupational functioning. He has served as clinical director of the Learning Disability Assessment program at UMass Medical School Disability Evaluation Service. Dr. Nowell speaks internationally and trains professionals in human services organizations, hospital staff and welfare agencies. A member of the American Psychological Association and the Massachusetts Neuropsychological Association, he earned his doctorate at the University of Alabama and completed an internship program in neuropsychology at Tulane University Medical Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.

  • Dawn Friedman, MSEd, LPCC-S

    Dawn Friedman MSEd is a therapist in private practice; a lecturer at the Ohio State University in the Human Development and Family Studies department; and the founder of ChildAnxietySupport.com, a virtual education and support program for parents of anxious children. Dawn received her masters in community mental health counseling at the University of Dayton and has her post-graduate certificate in Infant and Toddler Mental Health through Arcadia University. In Portland, Oregon, Dawn founded the Safe to Grow program at the YWCA Women's Resource Center, a shelter serving women and children escaping domestic violence, and taught parenting classes for the Oregon State Extension Service. Her writing appears in several books including Joanne Bombarger’s Mother’s of Intention (Bright Sky Press, 2011), Rebecca Walker’s anthology One Big Happy Family (Riverhead Press, 2009), Mothering and Blogging (Demeter Press, 2009) edited by May Friedman & Shana L. Calixte and the textbooks Child Adoption: Issues and Perspectives (Icfai University Press, 2009) and Mixed Heritage (Greenhaven Press, 2009). She has appeared on New Hampshire Public Radio’s Word of Mouth, on Q with Jian Ghomeshi, on Dawn Davenport’s Creating a Family, and also consulted on a This American Life episode about open adoption. She has presented at the Columbus Society for Clinical Social Work and Ohio State Counseling and Consultation; the 2011 Open Adoption Symposium in Richmond, VA; the American Adoption Congress annual conferences; the 2nd International Conference on Adoption and Culture; the Voices for Ohio’s Children Healthy Kids Conference; the Ohio Association for the Education of Young Children conference and several times for the All Ohio Counselors Conference and for the Central Ohio Counseling Association.

  • Emily Wharton, PsyD

    Emily Wharton, Psy.D. is a Clinical Assistant Professor (Affiliated) of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine, and a licensed clinical psychologist in the Palo Alto VA and her private practice. She provides supervision and training for VA and Stanford psychiatry residents, medical students, and psychology trainees. Dr. Wharton also teaches courses in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy at the Cognitive Behavior Institute Center for Education. Dr. Wharton trained at the PGSP-Stanford PsyD Consortium, San Francisco VA, UCSF, and Palo Alto VA. Learn more about Dr. Wharton at www.DrEmilyWharton.com/about-me.

  • Eric Gentry, Ph.D.

    Eric Gentry, Ph.D., is an internationally-recognized leader in the study and treatment of compassion fatigue. Under Prof. Charles Figley’s direction, Gentry developed the Accelerated Recovery Program for Compassion Fatigue with Anna Baranowsky, Ph.D., and Kathleen Dunning. In 1998, Gentry and Baranowsky introduced the Certified Compassion Fatigue Specialist Training and have trained thousands of professionals towards this designation since that time. Gentry has worked with hundreds of practitioners following their work with disaster survivors. Dr. Gentry draws equally from his scientific study and from his rich history of 24 years as a professional therapist to provide this training. His commitment to his mission to assist professionals, helping them to become more effective with minimal symptoms is evident throughout this training. Dr. Gentry was one of the original faculty members of the Traumatology Institute and later became the co-director of the International Traumatology Institute at the University of South Florida. He is the co-author of Trauma Practice: Tools for Stabilization and Recovery. He has a private clinical and consulting practice in Sarasota, Florida, USA, and is adjunct faculty at many universities.

  • Frank Anderson, MD

    Frank Anderson, MD, completed his residency and was a clinical instructor in psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He is both a psychiatrist and psychotherapist who specializes in the treatment of trauma and dissociation. He is passionate about teaching brain-based psychotherapy and integrating current neuroscience knowledge with the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model of therapy. Dr. Anderson is a senior lead trainer and program consultant for the IFS Institute with Richard Schwartz and maintains a long affiliation with Bessel van der Kolk at The Trauma Research Center. He serves as an advisor to the International Association of Trauma Professionals (IATP) and was the former chair and director of the Foundation for Self Leadership. Dr. Anderson has lectured extensively on the Neurobiology of PTSD and Dissociation and co-authored the book Internal Family Systems Skills Training Manual. He wrote the chapter “Who’s Taking What: Connecting Neuroscience, Psychopharmacology and Internal Family Systems for Trauma” in Internal Family Systems Therapy-New Dimensions, and co-authored the chapter “What IFS Brings to Trauma Treatment” in Innovations and Elaborations in Internal Family Systems Therapy. Dr. Anderson maintains a private practice in Concord, MA. www.FrankAndersonMD.com

  • Holly Richmond, PhD, LMFT

    Dr. Holly Richmond is a Somatic Psychotherapist, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) and Certified Sex Therapist (CST). This unique combination of credentials enables her to focus on clients’ cognitive processes as well as mind-body health. She works with women, men, couples and gender-diverse individuals on relationship and sexuality issues, offering sex therapy and sexual health coaching nationally and internationally. Her treatment specialties include low libido, sexual dysfunction, compulsive sexuality (often called “addiction”), desire discrepancies in couples, recovery from sexual assault and abuse, and alternative/non-traditional sexual expression. Her newly released book "Reclaiming Pleasure: A Sex-Positive Guide for Moving Past Sexual Trauma and Living a Passionate Life" (New Harbinger, Oct. 2021) is an innovative look at both somatic and psychological factors in survivors’ erotic recovery. Dr. Holly is regularly quoted in publications and media outlets including The New York Times, CNN, Shape, NBC, Wired, Forbes, Oprah, Men’s Health, Cosmopolitan and Women’s Health. She is a sought-after consultant in the sextech industry and is seen as a pioneer in the clinical exploration of sex and technology, and how they work together as human sexuality evolves in the 21 st  century. Each interlinked facet of her work is grounded in a sex-positive perspective: all sex is good sex as long as it is consensual and pleasurable. This non-judgmental position allows her to assist clients in discovering their true needs, desires and personal path to wellness. www.drhollyrichmond.com www.next-sex.com

  • Jan Winhall, MSW, FOT

    Jan Winhall, M.S.W. P.I.F.O.T. is an author, teacher and seasoned trauma and addiction psychotherapist. She is an Educational Partner and Course Developer with the Polyvagal Institute where she offers a training program based on her book Treating Trauma and Addiction with the Felt Sense Polyvagal Model, Routledge 2021.  She is an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Toronto and a Certifying Co-Ordinator with the International Focusing Institute. Jan is Co-Director of the Borden Street Clinic where she supervises graduate students. She enjoys teaching all over the world. You can reach her at janwinhall.com.

  • Jeff Riggenbach, Ph.D.

    Jeff Riggenbach, PhD is a best-selling and award-winning author who has earned a reputation as an international expert in cognitive approaches to treating personality disorders. Over a 20-year period, he has developed and overseen CBT-based treatment programs for mood disorders, anxiety disorders, addictive behavior disorders and personality disorders at two different psychiatric hospitals and clinics serving over 3,000 clients at multiple levels of care. Dr. Riggenbach trained at the Beck Institute of Cognitive Therapy and Research in Philadelphia, is a Diplomat of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy, and is a certified cognitive therapist. He has trained over 20,000 professionals worldwide including audiences in all 50 United States, The UK, Canada, Mexico, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Dr. Riggenbach is the author of seven publications including his most recent clinical release The CBT Toolbox (2nd ed): A Workbook for Clients and Clinicians (2021) and his brand new general audiences book “Disarming High Conflict Personalities: Dealing with the 8 Most Difficult People in Your Life Before you Burnout!” (2022). Jeff is known for bridging the gap between academia, research findings, and day-to-day clinical practice, and his work has earned him the reputation for being “the practical tools guy.” His seminars on CBT, DBT, and Schema-Focused Cognitive Therapy routinely receive the highest evaluations from conference participants in terms of clinical utility as well as entertainment value.

  • Jennifer Abel, PhD

    Dr. Jennifer L. Abel is an international speaker who has conducted over 300 workshops and seminars for mental health professionals and more recently keynote addresses to appeal to the general public and corporations. She was trained as a scientist-practitioner specializing in cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) and 3rd wave CBT for anxiety disorders in her clinical practice of over 20 years. She served as the Associate Director of the Stress and Anxiety Disorders Institute at Penn State prior to opening a private practice in St Louis, MO. She has published many articles in professional journals on her work in anxiety and behavioral medicine. Dr. Abel has published three books; her first, Active Relaxation, was published in 2010 and received outstanding reviews from mental health care professionals and readers alike. Her most recent book is a best seller: The Anxiety, Worry, and Depression Workbook. The two therapeutic card decks she authored and co-authored are also very popular.

  • Jennifer Sweeton, PsyD, MS, MA

    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.

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  • Jenny Helms, LMFT

    Jenny Helms is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist whose practice is exclusively devoted to treating Eating Disorders and healing trauma. Since she moved to Kansas in 2014, she has worked with clients in coaching, therapy, and hospital settings. Jenny has a passion for helping those struggling with eating issues and the issues that usually coincide with EDs including: self-esteem, lack of confidence, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and relationship problems. She also believes in FULL recovery for those struggling with Eating Disorders. In addition to her therapy work, she is an advocate for eating disorders and trauma education in the Wichita community, speaking and engaging with local organizations around town. Helms frequently presents on the topic of eating disorder treatment and prevention as well as trauma-informed treatments that incorporate both bottom-up and top-down therapy modalities to treat trauma. She created Soma Recovery to address the unmet needs of those looking for true transformation in Wichita, and has a passion for advocacy.

  • Jerrod Brown, PhD, MA, MS, MS, MS

    Jerrod Brown, Ph.D., M.A., M.S., M.S., M.S., is a professor, trainer, researcher, and consultant with multiple years of experience teaching collegiate courses. Jerrod is also the founder and CEO of the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies (AIAFS). Jerrod has also provided consultation services to a number of caregivers, professionals, and organizations pertaining to topics related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), confabulation, suggestibility, sleep disturbances, trauma and other life adversities, alexithymia, executive dysfunction, criminal recidivism, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and youth firesetting. Jerrod has completed four separate master’s degree programs and holds graduate certificates in Medical Biochemistry, Exercise Prescription, Neuroscience and the Law, Neuropsychology, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Other Health Disabilities (OHD), and Traumatic-Brain Injuries (TBI). In 2021, Jerrod completed a post-doctoral certificate in Leadership and Organizational Strategy from Walden University and a Professional Certificate in Forensic Psychology from San Diego State University Global Campus. In 2023, Jerrod completed a diabetes care and education certificate from Central Arizona College. Currently, Jerrod is pursuing his fifth master’s degree in Applied Clinical Nutrition from Northeast College of Health Sciences. Jerrod has also conducted over 300 workshops, webinars, and on-demand trainings for various organizations and professional and student audiences. Jerrod has published several articles and book chapters, and recently, co-edited the book Forensic Mental Health: A Source Guide for Professionals (Brown & Weinkauf, 2018) with Erv Weinkauf. Jerrod has also been quoted in various magazines, newspapers, and other professional outlets. Jerrod is also regularly featured on several national and international podcast programs.

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Events

  • Jessica Bergstrom, Psy.D.

    Dr. Jessica Bergstrom, Psy.D., is a licensed Clinical Psychologist specializing in in the treatment of anxiety, depression, health psychology, insomnia, trauma, and general applications to psychotherapy. She completed her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from the PGSP-Stanford Psy.D. Consortium in Palo Alto, California. She received both her clinical and research training at Stanford University School of Medicine and Palo Alto University. She has worked and trained in a variety of clinical settings including Department of Veterans Affairs, Stanford Medical Center, and a mental health clinic through one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit health plans. Dr. Bergstrom specializes in working with individuals across the lifespan to overcome insomnia, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, and depression, and facilitates psychoeducational classes and support groups.

  • Jessie L. Rayl, Ed.D., LPC

    Dr. Rayl attended the West Virginia School for the Blind throughout her childhood schooling. After graduation, Dr. Rayl went first to Allegany Community College where she majored in Secretarial Science and worked in that field for several years. Later, Dr. Rayl attended Fairmont State University and earned a Bachelors Degree in Community Psychology with a minor in Social Work. After completing that degree, Dr. Rayl worked as an advocate for people with developmental disabilities with a state organization that provides advocacy and legal assistance for several years. Dr. Rayl then went on to earn her Masters degree in Community Counseling from West Virginia University. During that time and for the next 10 years, Dr. Rayl worked at EastRidge Health Systems as triage case manager, crisis counselor, and then as a licensed professional counselor. From 2003 to 2018, Dr. Rayl owned a private practice with various contracts including EAPs, Division of Corrections, Day Report and general mental health and substance abuse counseling. It was during that time, she earned her Educational Doctorate from Argosy University. In addition, Dr. Rayl attained Certification as a Comprehensive Mental Health Forensics Examiner, and diplomates in Trauma, and Substance Abuse and Co-Occurring Conditions. At present, Dr. Rayl is the Center Mental Health Consultant at Job Corps in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia where she has contracted for the past approximate eight years. Dr. Rayl is totally blind and partially deaf, and has been since early childhood. Nevertheless, her parents encouraged total independence, completion of education and strong work ethics. In 1983, Dr. Rayl attained her first guide dog and has had 5 successor guides since that time. She, then, trained two dogs as working hearing alert dogs. She continues to work with one guide dog from Pilot Dogs, Inc., and her self-trained hearing alert dog. Dr. Rayl has had vast personal, education, and interpersonal experience with people with all disabilities, and various service dogs.

  • Jodi Ann Geis-Crowder, MS, LPC, ACS

    Jodi Geis-Crowder is a dedicated professional with 27 years of experience in ensuring access to quality behavioral health care and substance use disorder services in rural areas of Northeast Colorado and Wyoming. She holds an Associate Degree in Education, a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences, and a Master’s Degree in Counselor Education with an emphasis in Leadership from institutions in Wyoming. Jodi also holds professional counseling licenses in Colorado and Wyoming and is an Approved Clinical Supervisor through the Center for Credentialing and Education, recognized by the National Board of Certified Counselors. Jodi pioneered animal- assisted therapy and therapeutic horticulture programs at Centennial Mental Health Center and Peak Wellness Center, reflecting her commitment to culturally meaningful care in rural settings. She has held various leadership roles, including clinical supervisor and regional clinical director, and has expertise in Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), telehealth supervision, and telehealth service delivery. Jodi currently serves as a clinical supervisor and professional trainer for Volunteers of America Northern Rockies. Jodi also offers webinars, professional training consultation, and professional speaking through JGC Enterprises, LLC, focusing on Ethics, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Clinical Supervision, Telehealth, Trauma Informed Care, and the Human/Animal Bond. Passionate about art, Jodi is a professional watercolor artist and photographer, selling her work in Wyoming boutiques as a member of the Sagebrush Artisans. “I am grateful and humbled by the opportunities I have to mentor and nurture professionals on their journey. I am passionate about behavioral health care and ensuring service delivery for some of the most vulnerable in our society. My goal is to focus on solutions, hope, gratitude, identifying and instilling resilience, and finding glimmers in daily lives to facilitate positive change, individually and organizationally.”

  • John Arden, PhD, ABPP

    John Arden, PhD, ABPP, is the author of 15 books (translated into 20 languages), including his most recent, Rewire Your Brain 2.0, Mind-Brain-Gene: Toward Psychotherapy Integration. Brain2Brain, The Brain Bible, as well as Brain-Based Therapy with Adults and Brain-Based Therapy with Children and Adolescents. Dr. Arden previously served as Director of Training in Mental Health for Kaiser Permanente in the Northern California region. He oversaw the training programs in 24 medical centers where over 150 postdoctoral residents and interns are trained each year. This was one of the largest mental health training programs in the world. He has presented seminars and workshops in over 30 countries and in all US States.

  • Jonah Paquette, PsyD

    Jonah Paquette, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist, international speaker, and author. He is the author of Real Happiness (PESI Publishing, 2015), a self-help book in which he distills the key findings in the field of happiness research, and offers user-friendly tools to achieve lasting well-being. His second book, The Happiness Toolbox (PESI Publishing, 2018), a research-based self-help workbook, provides easy-to-use handouts and worksheets designed to increase happiness and life satisfaction. His forthcoming book, Awestruck (Shambhala Publications, 2020), will explore the science of awe, and how moments of wonder benefit our physical and emotional health. Dr. Paquette is a psychologist at Kaiser Permanente in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he serves as the Assistant Regional Director of Mental Health Training. Spanning 20 medical centers and consisting of nearly 200 mental health trainees, it is the largest non-governmental training program in the United States. In addition to his clinical work and writing, Dr. Paquette offers training and consultation to therapists and organizations on the promotion of happiness and conducts professional workshops around the country and internationally. He is also a frequent media contributor, having been featured regularly in print, online, and radio outlets. Dr. Paquette’s clinical experiences have spanned a broad range of settings, including Veterans hospitals, community mental health clinics, college counseling centers, and his current work at Kaiser Permanente. For more information about Jonah and his work, please visit www.jonahpaquette.com.

  • Justin Martin, MA, LMHC

    Justin Martin is a Certified IFS Therapist (Level 2) and a trained Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Orlando, FL. He has been practicing IFS for the last 4 years in a private practice setting where he specializes in men's work, couples and relationship therapy, and parts work with those clients who are curious about IFS. Justin enjoys music, movies, and poetry. He often weaves these passions into his work with clients, finding that it helps them access inner harmony. Justin is continuously inspired by his clients, walking alongside them as they develop trust and courage to become vulnerable enough to explore their deepest inner selves. He holds this privilege with the highest regard, as greater comfort with emotional risk brings the greatest possibility for personal growth.

  • Kate Cohen-Posey, LMHC, LMFT

    Kate Cohen-Posey, LMHC, LMFT is the director of Psychiatric & Psychological Services in Lakeland, FL, and has 40 years of clinical experience. She was certified in EMDR in 1999 and has completed brainspotting, level IV. She is the creator of two psychotherapy tools: The Handy Brain Model and Brain Change Cards. Her book, Empowering Dialogues Within, contains an extensive review of ego state therapies, including Internal Family Systems (IFS). She has presented internationally and throughout the US. Her popular workshop, Brain Switch, is offered through PESI. Her Facebook group, "Picture Gazing for your Brain," is a platform to discuss integrating art with psychotherapy. Check out her YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-swX-YbeUvOwoQNii_63Gg

  • Katherine Helm, PhD

    Katherine Helm, PhD is a Professor of Psychology and Director of Graduate Programs in Counseling at Lewis University, Romeoville, IL. She is also a practicing psychologist in part-time private where she sees individuals and couples. Katherine has authored several publications about racial and cultural issues in mental health, couples’ issues, and pedagogy in multicultural courses and has an extensive background facilitating counselor trainings. Katherine has had several media appearances on radio and video and is a TEDx speaker. She is a sought-after author, presenter, public speaker, professional trainer, and clinical supervisor.

  • Kathy Steele, MN, CS

    Kathy Steele, MN, CS is in private practice in Atlanta, Georgia and is an Adjunct Faculty at Emory University. She is a Fellow and a past President of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD) and is the recipient of a number of awards for her clinical and published works, including the 2010 Lifetime Achievement Award from ISSTD. She has (co)authored numerous publications in the field of complex trauma and dissociation, including three books, and lectures internationally on topics related to trauma, dissociation, attachment, resistance, and impasses.

  • Katrina Jones, MS, LCMFT, RPT

    Katrina Jones is a Licensed Clinical Marriage & Family Therapist and Registered Play Therapist. She owns a private practice, Hope for Healing, LLC, in Beloit, Kansas, providing therapy to clients throughout rural North Central Kansas. As a play therapist, Katrina uses self-regulation interventions in her work with young clients almost every day who present with a variety of issues including trauma, anxiety, reactive-attachment and challenges in family systems. She believes strongly in the power of the therapist’s own self-regulation in the therapy room as the basis for this work. In addition to her specialization in play therapy, Katrina is also trained in EMDR. Katrina serves on several steering committee’s and advisory boards in her community, and is currently the secretary for the Kansas Association for Play Therapy Board.

  • Kimberly Duris, EdD, LCPC

    Kimberly Duris, Ed.D., LCPC, CADC, C-DBT is the clinical director for Guiding Light Counseling in Bolingbrook, IL, and an associate professor of psychology at Lewis University in Romeoville, IL. Dr. Duris has worked in community mental health for 20 years. Her educational background includes a doctorate of education specializing in counselor education and supervision (Ed.D. in CES) and a master’s degree in counseling psychology. In addition, Dr. Duris is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, a Certified Alcohol and other Drug Counselor, and a certified Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Dr. Duris’ clinical experience includes working with adolescents who have been dually diagnosed with a mental illness and a substance abuse disorder, adults with chronic, severe mental illness, and private practice work settings, and multiple positions providing clinical supervision to master level interns and master’s degree professionals seeking licensure. Dr. Duris began utilizing DBT as a treatment modality in a psychosocial rehabilitation program servicing adult with severe, chronic mental health diagnoses.

  • Lea Vincent, MA, PLPC, NCC

    Lea Vincent is a native of Kansas City, Missouri. She attended high school at Notre Dame de Sion and went on to the University of Missouri- Columbia where she obtained her Bachelor's degree in Psychology. She worked in the social services field for 9 years before pursuing her Masters degree in Counseling. She graduated in May 2019 from MidAmerica Nazarene University and is a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor (PLPC), Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), and a member of Chi Sigma Iota International Honor Society. She has experience in several psychotherapy modalities including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Attachment Based Family Therapy (ABFT). She currently works for St. Luke’s Healthcare System as an Intensive In-Home Therapist, and provides individual and couples counseling in private practice part-time. Lea is a consultant, workshop leader, and guest speaker within the mental health community, highlighting issues of mental health stigma in faith-based and underserved communities. Lea is a proud wife of nearly 11 years and mother of three beautiful children and one fur baby! As a Black woman, Lea has a lived experience of the effects of systemic racism and oppression that have shaped her ability to recognize its impact. She has done her own work to develop her cultural identity, and has taken the opportunity to educate and assist others in that process by teaching on the subject in Multicultural classes and personal interviews. Lea believes that being well-rounded is an important part of personal development, and manages to balance pursuits in ministry, family, professional career, and education. She believes that the energy put into personal development will prove to be the most important aspect of one's professional career and personal life. Lea understands that “the person of the therapist” consists of several facets, including personal identity, cultural identity, spiritual identity, and professional identity. She believes the interweaving of these identities make up the counselor as a whole, and Lea is passionate about recognizing how those may show up in the counseling room. Lea feels that being a therapist is not only a profession, but a ministry and personal calling. She takes pride in aiding in the healing process and creating safe spaces for emotional expression and speaking one's truth. Lea has a conviction to break the stigma around mental health within the faith-based community with the motto, “See your doctor/therapist, take your meds, and PRAY!”

  • Leo DeBroeck, MS, LMHC, CMHS, MHP

    Leo DeBroeck is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Child Mental Health Specialist in Washington State. He is CBT Plus certified through the University of Washington and Harborview Sexual Assault and Traumatic Stress Center and works full-time at a community health center as a therapist with a team of Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners, and Psychologists. Mr. DeBroeck has completed his Masters of Science in Clinical Psychology at Eastern Washington University submitting his thesis on factors in suicide. He has experience working with children and adolescents at an intensive inpatient program in Spokane, Washington for several years. He has worked in several different levels of care for mental health treatment including long-term inpatient care, WISe wraparound intensive services, school-based therapy services, and outpatient clinical settings. Leo also works as a quarterly faculty lecturer for Eastern Washington University’s satellite campus at Bellevue College. He teaches night classes to graduate and undergraduates in foundations of psychotherapy, trauma: assessment, management, and treatment, cognitive and behavior change, and others. Leo has also published peer-reviewed scientific research on young adults related to suicidality and has written several children's therapy books, which are published on Amazon, for use in therapy settings addressing grief, addiction, neglect, abuse, etc. Mr. DeBroeck is the president and founder of Counselor's Choice Award, LLC which reviews and promotes scientifically validated counseling products, therapeutic tools, and books.

  • Linda Graham, MFT

    Linda Graham, MFT, is a psychotherapist with a Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. She’s an experienced psychotherapist and mindful self-compassion teacher in the San Francisco Bay Area, USA. Linda is the author of the award-winning Bouncing Back: Rewiring Your Brain for Maximum Resilience and Well-Being, and the new book, Resilience: Powerful Practices for Bouncing Back from Disappointment, Difficulty, and Even Disaster. Since the publication of Bouncing Back, she has trained thousands of practitioners in clinical trainings and workshops, online courses and in meditation centers through the United States and in Canada, Australia, Europe and the Middle East. Her workshops are always well attended and full of practical exercises. Linda integrates modern neuroscience, mindfulness, and relational psychology in her national and international trainings. She regularly writes for national publications in the USA such as The Psychotherapy Networker, Mindful, Wise Brain Bulletin, and the Greater Good Science Center newsletters.

  • Megan Salar, MSW, ACADC

    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.

  • Nathan Croy, MA, LCMFT

    Nathan D. Croy is a clinically licensed marriage and family therapist, practicing systemic existential psychotherapy. He manages a group practice in Overland Park, KS and is trained in Parent Management Training, Trauma Systems Therapy, and EMDR. Nathan has given presentations at schools, churches, foster parent organizations, and businesses on a variety of subjects to address frustration, fear, trauma, and attachment in order to increase healthy interactions and relationships. At Bethel Seminary in San Diego, Nathan earned his masters in marriage and family therapy while providing therapy at the San Diego Rescue Mission for families, children, and individual on an inpatient and outpatient basis. In 2012, he moved to Kansas where he initially worked at KVC in foster care as a Family Service Coordinator before transferring to Prairie Ridge Psychiatric Hospital. Then, in 2014, he was offered a therapy position at The University of Kansas Hospital, Marrilac Campus. While there, the need for families to therapeutically treat existential concerns became very clear, and in response to that need, Existential Family Therapy was created. When not providing therapy, Nathan enjoys spending time with his wife of 14 years and 2 wonderful daughters. His family also has a wonderful dog named Luna (because she barks at the moon).

  • Patrick B. McGrath, Ph.D.

    Patrick B. McGrath, Ph.D. is the author of The OCD Answer Book and the workbook Don’t Try Harder, Try Different. He is the Head of Clinical Services and Lead Psychologist at Amita Health, (Residential Treatment for Anxiety, OCD and PTSD located in the Chicago Area), President of the Anxiety Center in Illinois, USA, President OCD Midwest USA, and Fellow at the Association of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies Association. Currently, Dr. McGrath directs both a Partial Hospitalization and an Intensive Outpatient Program for OCD and anxiety. He is the Co-Director of the School Anxiety/School Refusal Program and was awarded a grant from the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs to begin a PTSD treatment program for returning veterans from Iraq. In addition to treating clients, Dr. McGrath trains students from graduate schools across the metropolitan Chicago area and provides training on anxiety disorders. Dr. McGrath’s postdoctoral fellowship was at the St. Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute. His experience includes leading the Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) component at Michigan State University’s Counselling Center and launching the Anxiety Services Program at Linden Oaks Hospital at Edward in Naperville, Illinois, treating individuals with intensive CBT and Exposure and Response Prevention therapy for all anxiety disorders. Dr. McGrath is a regular speaker at conferences for the Obsessive Compulsive Foundation (for which he is on the Scientific Advisory Board), the Anxiety Disorders Association of America and the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies. He has been featured on PBS television in Chicago for his work on PTSD, as well as in the Chicago Tribune, Daily Herald and on over 300 radio stations across the USA including WGN, The Sally Jesse Raphael Show and National Public Radio. He has also been featured on the documentary “Anxious” for the Discovery Health Channel, and three episodes of “Hoarding: Buried Alive” for The Learning Channel.

  • Rafaella Smith-Fiallo, LCSW

    Rafaella Smith-Fiallo, LCSW (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, sexual liberation activist, and therapist specializing in relationship, sex, and trauma therapy. She owns Healing Exchange LLC, a therapy private practice, and co-founded Afrosexology, a sex-positive, pleasure-based sexuality education business. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets like HuffPost, Teen Vogue, Vibe Magazine, Broadly, and others. Additionally, she has worked in the field of suicide prevention and crisis intervention in civilian and veteran populations, and in inpatient, outpatient, and community mental health settings.

  • Ragan Snyder-Smith, LSCSW, RPT-S

    Ragan Snyder-Smith, LSCSW, RPT-S graduated from Wichita State University in Wichita, KS with her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master's degree in Social Work. She also holds a Master's degree in Education from Newman University. She hold a certificate in Play Therapy and is a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor. Ragan has worked in addictions, foster care and adoptions, private practice, medical social work and psychiatric social work. Currently, Ragan works as a behavior specialist in the school setting. She supervises LMSWs working towards their clinical licensure and clinical therapists working towards their Registered Play Therapist credential through the Association for Play Therapy. She has been a field practicum instructor for Wichita State University since 2007 and is an adjunct professor for the Social Work Department at Newman University. Ragan is passionate about school mental health, play therapy and social justice. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, mindfulness, reading, running, yoga & healthy living.

  • Robert Cox, LPC

    Robert Cox is an LPC in the state of Missouri and the president-elect of the American Counseling Association of Missouri. He owns a mental health practice, Life Recovery Consulting, with offices in Richmond and Liberty, MO. Robert is the author of the book, “The Life Recovery Method: Autism Treatment From a Trauma Perspective” and he specializes in Trauma with focuses in addiction and autism. Robert lectures frequently on regional and national levels about the issues of trauma, attachment and connection.

  • Ronald Potter-Efron, Ph.D., CADCIII, LICSW

    Ronald Potter-Efron, Ph.D., CADCIII, LICSW, is a clinical psychotherapist, Director of the Anger Management Program at First Things First Counseling and Consulting Center in Altoona, WI, and a internationally recognized anger expert. He has more than 30 years of clinical experience and in his private practice, he specializes in the treatment of individuals with severe aggression and domestic violence concerns. Dr. Potter-Efron is also author of 15 books, including Handbook of Anger Management (for professional readers); Angry All the Time; Letting Go of Anger and Letting Go of Shame (both with Patricia Potter-Efron), and his newest release Healing The Angry Brain (New Harbinger, 2012), a self-help book intended for chronically angry and aggressive persons. Dr. Potter-Efron is also Diplomate of the National Anger Management Association. Dr. Potter-Efron currently facilitates a 50 session domestic violence prevention program that utilizes the principles of neuroplastic change (long-term potentiation) to help clients devise and implement individualized brain-based behavioral change plans. He has trained thousands in professional seminars internationally. He is known for his ability to make difficult material easier to understand and utilize, as well as for his good sense of humor and practical orientation toward therapeutic change.

  • Sheri Van Dijk, MSW, RSW

    Sheri Van Dijk, MSW, RSW, is the author of seven DBT books, including The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook for Bipolar Disorder, Calming the Emotional Storm, and Don’t Let Your Emotions Run Your Life for Teens, the focus of which is to teach clients how to use mindfulness practice and DBT skills to help them live emotionally healthier lives. She has also written DBT Made Simple, the aim of which was to make DBT more accessible to therapists working with diagnoses other than BPD; and she has been presenting extensively in Canada and abroad with this goal as well. Sheri is the winner of the R.O. Jones award for her research on using DBT skills with bipolar disorder, presented at the Canadian Psychiatric Association Conference in September, 2010. Sheri is an experienced presenter who has been training professionals extensively in Canada and the USA over the last nine years. Her training is fast-paced, full of examples from her clinical practice, and demonstrates the use of self she describes as essential to working with clients in DBT. She draws from her clinical experience with the clients she works with in both her private practice and at a community hospital in Ontario, Canada, where she has been providing DBT-informed therapy for clients with mixed diagnosis in individual and group therapy.

  • Stephanie Risinger, MS, LCMFT

    Stephanie Risinger is a Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist in Kansas and a Licensed Marital and Family Therapist in Missouri. Stephanie specializes in Perinatal Mental Health in her private practice in Overland Park, KS. She has 15 years of clinical experience, five of which she has worked primarily with the perinatal population. Stephanie has completed a certificate in Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders through Postpartum Support International and Advanced Training in Perinatal Mental Health through the Centimano Counseling training program.

  • Sue Johnson, Ed.D.

    Dr. Sue Johnson is the founding Director of the International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy and the Ottawa Couple and Family Institute. For over ten years, she was also the Director of the Marital and Family Clinic at the Civic Hospital in Ottawa. Sue is a clinical psychologist, researcher, professor, author, popular presenter and speaker and one of the leading innovators in the field of couple therapy. She presents all over the world and writes on attachment and bonding, the science of love, interventions to repair relationships, trauma couples and forgiveness. Sue is the primary developer of the Emotionally Focused model of couple therapy (EFT) which has demonstrated its effectiveness in over 25 years of clinical research. She is the author of several seminal books and numerous articles on couple and family therapy as well as the popular book Hold Me Tight (2008). Sue holds professorships at the University of Ottawa and at Alliant University in San Diego, California. She has received numerous honors for her work, including the Outstanding Contribution to the Field of Couple and Family Therapy Award from the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and the Research in Family Therapy Award from the American Family Therapy Academy. Sue’s most recent books are Attachment Theory in Practice: Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) with Individuals, Couples, and Families (2019) and A Primer for Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT): Cultivating Fitness and Growth in Every Client (with Leanne Campbell, in press).

  • Taryn Hodison, MA, LPC

    Taryn Hodison, MA, LPC, provides sound, evidence-based, trauma-sensitive therapy with an emphasis on the unique mental health concerns of African Americans, people of color, and LGBTQIA individuals. Taryn has a master’s degree in Counseling and Guidance from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. She has more than ten years of experience in a variety of mental health settings including hospitals, youth care centers, and community mental health. Taryn specializes in trauma-focused care, paying special attention to how trauma affects our ability to function in the world. She helps clients develop healthy coping skills and create a renewed sense of personal safety. Taryn has worked with clients from all walks of life. Therefore, it’s a priority to acknowledge and affirm the role a client's cultural background plays in the therapeutic process. It is also important to recognize the affect trauma has on people. Taryn strives to promote healing from traumatic experiences, accomplished by collaborating with clients because Ms. Hodison believes they are the true experts in themselves. Her treatment approach is eclectic in nature as she utilizes methods from multiple treatment modalities including CBT, DBT, person-centered and brief, solutions-focused therapy.

  • Tiffani Dilworth, LCPC, CGCS

    Tiffani Dilworth is a successful psychotherapist, author, and sought-after speaker on topics related to grief, PTSD, and sexual assault. She has worked across the US with various organizations, schools, universities, and corporations to bring awareness to the grieving process and to teach countless people how to live alongside their grief. In addition to maintaining a private practice, Ms. Dilworth is an affiliate of PsychExperts & Associates, Inc, located in Baltimore, MD. Drawing on her rich clinical experience, Ms. Dilworth incorporates the most current information on the process of grieving with evidence-based and innovative treatment techniques that clinicians can immediately use in their practice. As the author of the books 11 Tools to Help Manage the Aftermath of Trauma and Types of Grief she is also the Host of Managing My Grief Podcast. Ms. Dilworth has a history of being the Founder of a nonprofit organization, being Co-Host of an afternoon radio talk show, and starting multiple businesses. Ms. Dilworth received her Master's in Community Counseling from Oklahoma State University. She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a Certified Grief Counseling Specialist.

  • Tim Cassidy, MBA, MA, LPC

    Tim is the founder and CEO of Mind Works Professional Education, Inc., the parent company of Online CE Credits. He is also the Operations Director of Kansas City Mental Health Associates, a group therapy practice in Olathe, Kansas. He has a BBA in International Business and Marketing from the University of Oklahoma and an MBA from the University of Central Oklahoma. Tim received an MA in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Missouri - Kansas City. He works as a Licensed Professional Counselor under the direction of a clinical supervisor (as required by the State of Kansas) and specializes in treating high functioning individuals with anxiety and family relationships issues. He is a results-oriented leader, manager, business owner, certified life coach, and licensed therapist. Tim has over 6 years of online marketing experience developing the marketing platform for Online CE Credits and managing the marketing efforts of its sister company Kansas City Mental Health Associates. He also occasionally speaks on various topics related to professional practice, online marketing, business development, entrepreneurship, and mental health counseling. Tim enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter and two dogs, going on trips with the family, and barbecuing Kansas City style!

  • Tish Taylor, PhD

    Dr. Tish Taylor is a licensed psychologist with a private practice in the greater Kansas City area.  She has an established practice helping children with ADHD and their families.  She is also a licensed school psychologist and has years of experience working within school districts as a psychologist and coordinator of mental health services.  In addition, Dr. Taylor is an adjunct professor teaching Child Development for many years.  She has previously co-edited a book entitled “Taking Sides: Controversial Issues in Classroom Management”.  She is the new author of “Parenting ADHD with Wisdom and Grace”.

  • Tonya Miles, PsyD

    Dr. Tonya Miles is a licensed psychologist working in private practice in Overland Park. After earning a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from University of Missouri-Columbia, she completed a Master of Science in Guidance & Counseling from Missouri State and earned a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Forest Institute in 2004. She completed her doctoral internship at the VA Hospital in Leavenworth, KS. In addition to her degrees, she has additional clinical training in treating perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, ADHD in children and adults, substance abuse, and trauma. Dr. Miles is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner since 2016 for healing trauma. Prior to private practice, Dr. Miles was an Assistant Professor at Johnson County Community College teaching psychology and development and has experience in both inpatient and outpatient clinical settings. She lives in Overland Park with her husband and 3 sons.

  • Wendy Behary, MSW, LCSW

    With 25+ years of professional experience and advanced level certifications, Wendy Behary is the founder and director of The Cognitive Therapy Center of New Jersey and The Schema Therapy Institutes of NJ-NYC-DC. She has been treating clients, training professionals and supervising psychotherapists for more than 20 years. Wendy was on the faculty of the Cognitive Therapy Center and Schema Therapy Institute of New York (until the Institutes merged in 2012), where she trained and worked with Dr. Jeffrey Young since 1989. She is a founding fellow and consulting supervisor for The Academy of Cognitive Therapy (Aaron T. Beck’s Institute). Wendy served as the President of the Executive Board of the International Society of Schema Therapy (ISST) from 2010-2014 and served as the Training and Certification Coordinator for the ISST Executive Board from 2008-2010. She is currently the chair of the Schema Therapy Development Programs Sub-Committee for the ISST. Wendy Behary has co-authored several chapters and articles on Schema Therapy and Cognitive Therapy. She is the author of an international bestselling book, "Disarming the Narcissist...” translated in 15 languages. The Third Edition was recently released. Wendy has a specialty in treating narcissists and the people who live with and deal with them. As an author and an expert on the subject of narcissism, she is a contributing chapter author of several chapters on schema therapy for narcissism for professional readers. She lectures both nationally and internationally to professional and general audiences on schema therapy, narcissism, interpersonal relationships, anger, and dealing with difficult people. She receives consistent high praise for her clear and articulate teaching style and her ability to bring the therapy to life through dramatic demonstrations of client interactions in the treatment room. Her work industry business speaking engagements focus on interpersonal conflict resolution. Her private practice is primarily devoted to treating narcissists, partners/people dealing with them, and couples experiencing relationship problems.

  • Windy Dryden, PhD, ScD

    Windy Dryden is Emeritus Professor of Psychotherapeutic Studies at Goldsmiths University of London. He is a leading UK practitioner and trainer in the field of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and is best known for his work in Rational-Emotive Cognitive Behavior Therapy (RECBT), a leading CBT approach. He has been working in the field of counseling and psychotherapy since 1975 and was one of the first in Britain to be formally trained in CBT. His greatest goal is to disseminate SST/ONEplus Therapy as far and wide as possible to help clinicians help their clients. He has published over 200 books and has trained therapists all over the world, in as diverse places as the UK, Europe, the USA, South Africa, Turkey and Israel. His latest book is Dryden, W. (2023). Oneplus Therapy: Help at the Point of Need. Sheffield: Onlinevents Publications.

  • Wyatt Evans, PhD, ABPP

    Wyatt R. Evans, PhD, ABPP is a licensed psychologist board certified in behavioral and cognitive psychology. He is a staff psychologist and the associate training director with the VA North Texas Health Care System, clinical psychologist in the U.S. Army Reserve, and assistant professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Dr. Evans received his PhD in Clinical Psychology from Palo Alto University in 2017, completing clinical training at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System, a pre-doctoral internship at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston, and a clinical research fellowship at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio with the STRONG STAR Consortium and the Consortium to Alleviate PTSD. Dr. Evans’ expertise in posttraumatic stress, resilience, and recovery comes from his training and work in military treatment facilities, veterans affairs hospitals, and PTSD research institutions. He is also an expert in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and he has co-developed programs for utilizing ACT to treat moral injury, enhance resilience, and facilitate posttraumatic growth. Dr. Evans is the lead author of The Moral Injury Workbook and has published on moral injury theory, assessment, and interventions. He founded the Moral Injury Special Interest Group of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS) and continues to collaborate with researchers and clinicians internationally to advance the field of moral injury. Dr. Evans has consulted with healthcare providers and administrators as well as organizations supporting emergency managers and first responders to guide the recognition, prevention, and treatment of moral injury.

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