Leading Psychotherapist, Author. Podcaster, & Founder of the Solution Focused Universe

Elliott Connie, M.A., LPC

Elliott Connie, MA, LPC is a leading psychotherapist and founder of the world’s largest Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) training organization for mental health professionals known as The Solution Focused Universe.

Elliott is a purpose-driven hope dealer with a mission to end the stigma surrounding mental health care. With his superpower of asking the right questions, Elliott has helped thousands of individuals, couples, and families move towards their desired futures. He has traveled across the globe delivering keynote speeches at therapy conferences, spreading the word about inclusivity and diversity in the mental health field. He is the creator of Aha! Moments, a daily podcast to help listeners reflect on the way they view mental health in their daily lives. He has authored or co-authored five books, including “The Art of Solution Focused Therapy”, “Solution Building in Couples Therapy”, “Solution-Focused Brief Therapy with Clients Managing Trauma”, “The Solution Focused Marriage”, and most recently, “The Solution Focused Brief Therapy Diamond.”

He will be giving a keynote talk followed by a lunchtime workshop focusing on sharing clinical tools, methods, and interventions from a Solution Focused Brief Therapy model.

World-Renowned Psychologist, University Professor, Researcher, & the Originator of Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Steven C. Hayes, Ph.D.

Steven C. Hayes, Ph.D. is a Nevada Foundation Professor of Psychology Emeritus at the University of Nevada and President of the Institute for Better Health, a 45 year old charitable organization that promotes quality in mental and behavioral health services. An author of 48 books and over 700 scientific articles, he is especially known for his work on “Acceptance and Commitment Therapy” or “ACT” , which is one of the most widely used and researched new methods of psychological intervention over the last 20 years with over 1,200 randomized trials, covering virtually every area of mental and behavioral heath, as well as social wellness.

Dr. Hayes has received several national awards, such as the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy, and recipient of the Cattell Award from the Association for Psychological Science — their lifetime achievement award for applied psychology.

His popular book, “Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life”, for a time was the best-selling self-help book in the United States, and his book, “A Liberated Mind”, describes the personal and scientific story behind the rise of the “third wave” cognitive behavior therapy. Dr. Hayes is now promoting the “process-based therapy” model as a way of reining in the DSM and promoting consilience across all forms of evidence-based therapy. His TEDx talks and blogs have been viewed or read by nearly four million people, and he is ranked among the most cited psychologists in the world.

Leading Psychotherapist, Professor, Author, & Expert in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

Nancy McWilliams, Ph.D., ABPP

Dr. Nancy McWilliams is Visiting Professor Emerita at Rutgers Graduate School of Applied & Professional Psychology and has a private practice in Lambertville, NJ.

She is author of four textbooks (on psychoanalytic diagnosis, case formulation, therapy, and supervision) and is co-editor of both editions of the Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual. A former president of the Society for Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy of the American Psychological Association, she is a member of the Austen Riggs Center Board of Trustees. Her books are available in 20 languages and she has taught in 30 countries.

Psychotherapist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Author and International Speaker on Anxiety Disorders

Lynn Lyons, LICSW

Lynn Lyons is a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist in Concord, New Hampshire. She has been in private practice 35 years specializing in the treatment of anxiety disorders in adults and children.

Lynn travels internationally as a speaker and trainer on the subject of anxiety, its role in families, and the need for a preventative approach at home and in schools. She is a sought after expert, appearing in the New York Times, Time, NPR, Psychology Today, Good Morning America, Today Show and other media outlets. Lynn is a featured expert in the 2023 documentary Anxious Nation.

With a special interest in breaking the generational cycle of worry in families, Lynn is the author/coauthor of several books and articles on anxiety, including “Anxious Kids, Anxious Parents: 7 Ways to Stop the Worry Cycle and Raise Courageous & Independent Children”, and the companion book for kids, “Playing with Anxiety: Casey’s Guide for Teens and Kids”. Her latest book for adults and teenagers, “The Anxiety Audit” was released October ’22.

Lynn is the co-host of the popular podcast Flusterclux and you may learn more about her work at www.lynnlyons.com.

Licensed Psychologist, Mental Health Counselor, Author, & Adjunct Professor at Columbia University

Dr. Debbie Joffe Ellis

Dr. Debbie Joffe Ellis was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia. New York City has been home base for the past two decades. She is a licensed psychologist (Australia), licensed mental health counselor (NY), presenter, writer and adjunct professor at Columbia University in NYC where she teaches Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy and Comparative Psychotherapies. For years she worked with her husband, the brilliant and renowned pioneer of modern cognitive therapies: Dr. Albert Ellis, giving public presentations and professional trainings in his approach of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), as well as collaborating with him on writing and research projects until his death in 2007. She is recognized as a world-renowned expert on REBT, and regularly presents, throughout the USA and in countries around the world, to students, academics, practitioners in the helping professions, and to members of the general public. She wrote the second edition of the book Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (published 2019) that she co-wrote with her husband in its first edition. She is also featured in a DVD produced by the American Psychological Association (APA) demonstrating and discussing the REBT approach. She has written chapters for various text books, articles, and has reviewed publications for APA’s PsycCritiques Journal.

In 2014 she was named “Legend in Counseling” at the American Counseling Association annual conference, and has received various other awards and acknowledgments for her work. In 2023 she was nominated by former American Psychological Association President, Dr Frank Farley, and renowned psychologist and author, Dr Stanley Krippner, to receive the American Psychological Association’s International Division’s “Global Citizen Award”. She joyfully and passionately continues her mission of informing as many people as possible – through her presentations, teaching, writing, and the ways she strives to ‘walk her talk’ – that each one of us has the power to create our emotional destinies despite and including challenging circumstances, and through teaching the ‘how-to’s’ of doing so!

Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center Clinical Team Members

Jenna Teves PhD; Jerez Mitchell PhD; Karen Perry PhD; Omega Roberson

This amazing team of clinicians from the VA Medical Center in Charleston, SC will be providing a 2-hour pre-conference program focusing on client race and culture in clinical assessment and psychotherapy.

Jerez Mitchell, Ph.D. is a Mental Health Clinician and Advocate. She is the co-founder of Southern Conduits, LLC which is a consulting firm that specializes in wellness management, community engagement, and program management. She is a practicing clinician and adjuncts at Pepperdine University.

Karen Petty, Ph.D. is a Clinical Psychologist trained in both pediatric and adult psychology. She is a certified therapist and consultant in Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy (IBCT) and is certified in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Prolonged Exposure (PE). She is a clinician, clinical supervisor and has an active private practice.

Omega Roberson is a Marriage and Family Therapist in training. After receiving her Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she has continued her studies in Marriage and Family Therapy at Syracuse University. She is completing her MFT internship and enjoys working with individuals and couples, with a focus on expanding systemic therapeutic practices within marginalized populations.

Jenna Teves, Ph.D. is a Clinical Psychologist specializing in couple therapy. She is certified as a therapist and supervisor in Emotionally Focused Couple, Individual, and Family therapies and in Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy. She provides therapy, clinical supervision, and has an active private practice.

Internationally Acclaimed Clinical Consultant, Author, Speaker, Researcher, Clinical Professor

Jonathan Shedler, Ph.D.

Jonathan Shedler, Ph.D. is known internationally as an author, speaker, researcher, and clinical consultant. He is best known for his article The Efficacy of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, which won worldwide acclaim for establishing psychoanalytic therapy as an evidence-based treatment. Dr. Shedler’s research and writing are shaping contemporary views of personality styles and their treatment. He is author of more than 100 scientific and scholarly articles, creator of the Shedler-Westen Assessment Procedure (SWAP) for personality diagnosis and clinical case formulation, and co-author of the Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual (PDM-2 and forthcoming PDM-3).

Dr Shedler has more than 30 years of experience teaching and supervising psychologists, psychiatrists, and psychoanalysts. He lectures internationally, leads workshops for professional audiences, consults to U.S. and international government agencies, and provides expert clinical case consultation to mental health professionals worldwide. He is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and faculty member at the San Francisco Center for Psychoanalysis.

Psychotherapist, Professor & NY Times Bestselling Author

Thomas Moore, Ph.D.

Thomas Moore is the author of the number one New York Times bestseller Care of the Soul. His books on matters of soul and spirit have been translated into thirty-five languages and are read all over the world. In his youth he was a Catholic monk and studied music composition and then earned a Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Syracuse University. He has won many awards, including an honorary doctorate from Lesley University and the 2003 Humanitarian Award from Einstein Medical School. He has been an analyst/psychotherapist influenced mainly by C. G. Jung and James Hillman and an independent theologian. His most recent books are Soul Therapy and The Eloquence of Silence. He lectures in many countries on spirituality, Jungian and Archetypal Psychology, medicine and myth, and he consults for medical, psychological and spiritual organizations.

Stress Management Pioneer, Innovator, and Health Education Maverick

Neil C. Tucker, M.Ed., EMT

EMT Neil Tucker is a Health Education Maverick with a passion for Overdose Prevention and Recovery Wellness©. His healthcare career has successfully spanned over decades, with special attention on innovative medical education and integrated care for special populations and clinical providers. He is a Key Opinion Leader in the topic areas of integrative health, clinical recovery care, trauma informed care, innovative stress management methods, small business development and Recovery Wellness©. Neil has been sober and a friend in recovery since November 22, 2005. His family’s history has demonstrated multiple generations of Alcoholism, PTSD, Trauma, Suicide and SUD. Neil understands these issues both from direct lived experience as a person in recovery; and has distinctly studied, learned, and practiced clinically as an EMS Provider, Contact Coach and Recovery Advocate. As a Contact Coach Neil has pioneered Innovative Stress Management© a therapeutic method of somatic practices and protocols that works for everyone. These skills give practitioners tools to manage stress, de-escalate moment to moment, to build and maintain extraordinary wellness. This is especially germane to Healthcare Practitioners, EMS Providers, and First Responders.

Licensed Clinical Psychologist and the Officer in Charge at Joint Base Charleston

LCDR Brian F. Reiner, Psy.D.

LCDR Brian F. Reiner is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, a Science Officer with the United States Public Health Service, and the Officer in Charge for the Mental Health Element at Joint Base Charleston, Air Force.

Prior to this he was the Clinical Director for an Indian Health Service (IHS) Youth Regional Treatment Center in Wakpala, South Dakota. Prior to commissioning, he was a Polytrauma Psychologist at the Richmond VAMC.

Clinical Coordinator and Therapist - Cirque Lodge

Aaron Olson, CMHC, SUDC

Aaron has been with Cirque Lodge since 2009 and has more than 25 years of experience working in the behavioral health field, including time working with the juvenile justice system, inpatient psychiatry, and community mental health. He has specialized in substance use issues and has worked in the residential, outpatient, and intensive outpatient levels of care.

Aaron utilizes an eclectic approach to treatment with a strong foundation in rational emotive behavioral therapy, family systems therapy, and contextual therapy. He has a significant interest in understanding the impact of transgenerational trauma on families and has lectured around the country on this topic.

As the clinical coordinator for the lodge, Aaron oversees the overall clinical experience of residents while carrying a caseload and supervising the other clinical staff. Aaron is a member of the faculty at the University of Utah, College of Social Work, teaching in the Substance Abuse Counseling Program.

Narcissism Treatment Expert, Professor Emerita of Psychology at California State University Los Angeles, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, & NY Times Bestselling Author

Ramani Durvasula, Ph.D.

Ramani Durvasula, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist in California, the founder and CEO of LUNA Education, Training and Consulting, and professor emerita of psychology at California State University Los Angeles. She is the New York Times Bestselling Author of “It’s Not You: Identifying and Healing from Narcissistic People”. She is also the author of multiple other books including “Don’t You Know Who I Am”: How to Stay Sane in the Era of Narcissism, Entitlement and Incivility” and “Should I Stay or Should I Go: Surviving a Relationship With a Narcissist”. She has lectured and trained therapists around the world on best practices on working with clients experiencing narcissistic abuse and has developed a 36 hour virtual training and certification program in conjunction with PESI to train clinicians on how to use an Antagonism-Informed approach with clients experiencing narcissistic relationships. Dr. Durvasula hosts a popular YouTube channel with over 1.7 million subscribers, maintains a program offering support and education to thousands of survivors, and is a featured expert on the digital media platform MedCircle. Dr. Durvasula received her M.A., and Ph.D. degrees in clinical psychology from UCLA, and completed her internship and post-doctoral training at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute. She completed her Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology, with a minor in sociology in 1988 at the University of Connecticut.   She resides in Los Angeles, CA.