WEDNESDAY – JULY 30, 2025

6pm – 8:15pm Sessions (with 15 min break)

The No Nonsense and Life-Transforming Cognitive Behavioral and Emotional Approach of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy

Dr. Debbie Joffe Ellis
(2 contact hours)
ROOM: Salon Room 1
CAPACITY: 85

This is a unique, highly energized, interactive workshop packed with useful information on powerful ways to work with clients. Dr. Joffe Ellis will discuss the Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) model in detail to include an exploration into powerful REBT tools and techniques as well as live demonstrations.

Don’t miss this opportunity to work with Dr. Ellis in a small workshop type setting!

A Two-Part Diversity Workshop

Jenna B. Teves, Ph.D.; Jerez Mitchell, Ph.D.; Karen Perry, Ph.D.; Omega Roberson
(2 contact hours)
ROOM: Salon Room 1
CAPACITY: 75

PART 1: “DO YOU SEE ME?”: HONORING CLIENT RACE AND CULTURE IN CLINICAL ASSESSMENT

In the first part of this program, the speakers discuss the importance of therapist self-awareness of who you are (in terms of culture, race, and social position) as a therapist, and with a willingness to name your privilege in the room and to be explicitly collaborative (i.e., therapist as expert in assessment/intervention; client as expert in their own experience). The presenters argue that effective assessment with diverse clients involves asking informed questions to open the door to discussion of race- or culture-related experiences, including those related to intersecting marginalized identities. We identify common barriers to inviting conversations about race and culture. We also address how different diagnoses may show up differently in different cultural groups (e.g., Black women who have internalized the Strong Black Woman schema may appear less anxious or depressed behaviorally but still be at risk for higher levels of depression and anxiety (Liao, Wei & Yin, 2019); East Asian and South Asian individuals may appear less symptomatic for anxiety disorders than they actually are, given culturally specific coping styles (Asnaani et al, 2024). The speakers will also discuss how a therapist’s self identity process can impact their multicultural competencies.

PART 2: “CAN YOU ACTUALLY HELP ME?”: HONORING CLIENT RACE AND CULTURE IN PSYCHOTHERAPY

The second part of this program provides an overview of principles and strategies for addressing race and culture in therapeutic interactions, in a way that is mindful of one’s own identity and cultural learnings and values (Hook, 2017; Moon & Sandage, 2019). The primary focus of this interactive, experiential portion of the program is to offer hands on practice of utilizing strategies for engaging identity/race/culture in a safe and non-judgmental learning environment. Role plays and interactive exercises are used to aid learners in engaging with challenging inter-cultural interactions, such as when a client questions whether the therapist can be helpful, whether the therapist can understand them, or asks to know more about the therapist’s identity.

Ethics of Somatic Integration in Clinical and Therapeutic Settings

Unique Stress Management Interventions and the Ethical Considerations for Implementation

LCDR Brian F. Reiner, Psy.D. & Neil Tucker, M.Ed., EMT
(2 contact hours)
ROOM: Salon Room 2
CAPACITY: 40

Dr. Brian Reiner and Neil Tucker, M.Ed., EMT will share valuable stress management tools and techniques you may apply in your practice to include Qigong for clients and a 5 Step Protocol model.  The 2 hour program will include practical experiential exercises along with worksheets, diagrams and models clinicians may use with their clients.  The program will also explore important ethical considerations when using and applying these tools.