Social Work Workshops

Workshop A: Navigating Difficult Conversations with Gender Diverse Adolescents and Their Caregivers
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (2 hours; 2 CEUs - Anti-Discrimination)
Instructor: Syd LaBonte, LICSW, C-ACYFSW

This workshop will cover the clinical intricacies of working with transgender and gender diverse (TGD) adolescents and their caregivers. Clinical strategies will be provided for supporting both TGD youth and simultaneously their caregivers. The presenter will provide tools clinicians can use in supporting family systems to promote positive mental health outcomes, as parental support is a primary protective factor for gender-diverse youth. There will be time for questions, both general and case specific. The presenter will provide an open, non-judgmental space for participants to share experiences, thoughts, and questions.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will be able to describe the critical role of family support in positive mental health outcomes for transgender and gender diverse (TGD) youth.
2. Participants will be able to identify resources and information that can be provided to help parents and caregivers support TGD youth.
3. Participants will be able to navigate conflict within family systems that have TGD youth.

Workshop B: OCDeconstructed: OCD 101, Symptoms, Subtypes, and Treatments
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (3 hours; 3 CEUs - Anti-Discrimination)
Instructor: Jayme M. Valdez, LMHC

This workshop will be a combination of psychoeducational material on the assessment and treatment of OCD and related disorders. Participants will learn how to conduct a thorough differential diagnostic assessment to determine if a client has OCD, GAD, a specific phobia, a delusional or psychotic disorder, or other similarly presenting disorder. Psychoeducational material will be interwoven with ample time for questions as well as brief videos and interactive components to engage the audience. Further psychoeducational information will be provided on local and international resources as well as brief, short-term interventions providers can begin using with their anxious and obsessive clients immediately upon leaving the training.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will learn how to assess and diagnose OCD, differential diagnosis, and how to identify specific subtypes.
2. Participants will be taught short-term, brief interventions to begin using in the treatment of OCD and related disorders.
3. Participants will learn about local and international resources to better support their clients.

Workshop C: White Saviorism in Social Work: Addressing the Issue as Individuals and Organizations
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. (3 hours; 3 CEUs - Anti-Racism)
Instructor: Julia MacMahon, MSW, PT

The NASW Code of Ethics has clearly stated values on anti-racist and anti-oppressive practice. Accordingly, social workers have an obligation to recognize and dismantle the ways that white saviorism is at the foundation of our profession and continues to play out in many of our organizations. In this session, participants will be encouraged to engage in personal reflection, exploring how internalized white saviorism can impact client relationships and community engagement. We will also investigate the structural dynamics that often perpetuate savior narratives, and how organizations can instead promote a culture of humility, collaboration, and solidarity. Through interactive discussions and case examples, attendees will gain practical tools to recognize, challenge, and transform this pervasive complex, fostering a more equitable and inclusive approach to social work practice.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will better understand how white saviorism is internalized individually, and learn concrete strategies for individuals to combat it.
2. Participants will be better able to identify how the White Savior Complex shows up in the field of social work.
3. Participants will learn how organizations can shift their policies and practices in order to work from a place of solidarity and collectivism.

Workshop D: The Neurobiology of Traumatic Exposure/PTSD 
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (3 hours; 3 CEUs - Anti-Discrimination)
Instructor: Craig Strickland, PhD

The DSM5-TR states that fifty-eight percent of people will experience at least one traumatic event in their lives. Given these prevalent rates of traumatic exposure, it is important to study traumatic exposure/PTSD to try and understand why some individuals will develop the disorder and others will not. Research has shown that there may be different subpopulations within the PTSD diagnosis based on genetic predisposition versus more direct environmental influence or, perhaps, a combination of both. Studying the symptomology of PTSD as it relates to possible neural mechanisms may provide insight toward answering these questions. In addition, neural changes, which may occur because of experiencing a traumatic event, may explain the variability of PTSD symptoms as well as the long-term nature of these symptoms.

Learning Objectives:

1. List the general categories of symptoms typically exhibited by people diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
2. Describe the role of the limbic system and associated structures in the production of memory dysfunction in persons who have been traumatized.
3. Summarize the mechanism by which the hypothalamus and pituitary gland participate in the “fight or flight” response in persons diagnosed with PTSD.

Workshop E: Treating Trauma Impacted Youth: An Introduction to Sensory Motor Arousal Regulation Treatment (SMART)
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (3 hours; 3 CEUs)
Instructor: Kathryn Carapellucci, LICSW

This workshop will provide an overview of the impact of complex trauma on physiological arousal and regulation capacities. Participants will receive a basic introduction to Sensory Motor Arousal Regulation Treatment (SMART) and explore the essential role that Somatic Regulation plays in supporting children, adolescents, and their caregivers in healing from experiences of chronic stress and adversity. This child-centered treatment approach utilizes movement, multi-sensory tools, and embodied play to improve regulation, attachment building, and more integrated processing of traumatic experiences. Participants will learn how to identify and incorporate tools of regulation in therapy to support youth in becoming more organized, flexible, expressive, and adaptable to the present moment. Participants will also explore how to utilize SMART tools of regulation in their personal clinical settings.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will gain an understanding of the impact of developmental trauma and chronic adversity on physiological arousal and regulation capacities.
2. Participants will learn the core components of the SMART model and how it is used to treat complex trauma “from the bottom-up”.
3. Participants will be able to identify 7 regulation tools used in SMART to encourage Somatic Regulation and explore how they can be adapted to their personal clinical settings.

Workshop F: Empowering Vulnerable Global Communities: Designing and Implementing International Training Programs
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (3 hours; 3 CEUs - Anti-Discrimination)
Instructor: Cathleen M. Morey, PhD, LICSW; Breeanna Bellinger, LMSW

This workshop equips social workers with skills to develop and implement training programs that empower vulnerable global communities. The presenters used a Train-the-Trainers model to deliver trauma trainings in rural and urban Ghana to service providers – educators, NGO professionals, and domestic violence detectives – working with young women subjected to ritual servitude, forced labor, and sex trafficking. They will discuss two trauma-informed workshops on coping skills and self-care delivered to these women.

The presenters will describe how to develop a culturally responsive training curriculum by conducting a community needs assessment before traveling in-country. They will outline strategies for effective implementation and evaluation of in-country interventions. The importance of cultural humility in social workers for improving outcomes in cross-cultural and cross-racial international projects will be highlighted.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will explain how to conduct a comprehensive community needs assessment to strategically shape the design of international social work training initiatives.
2. Participants will describe how to effectively implement and evaluate interventions in diverse international settings.
3. Participants will explain the significance of embracing a stance of cultural humility to navigate international social work projects with sensitivity and effectiveness.

Workshop G: Trauma Prevention: Toward a New Model
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (3 hours; 3 CEUs - Anti-Discrimination, Anti-Racism)
Instructor: Melissa Weise, LICSW, PhD

The mental health field has recently made great strides in better understanding the varied negative impacts of trauma. These advances have also increased our competencies in treating trauma and developing "trauma informed care”. While these advances are tremendously important, they also make it clear that our framework for approaching this topic is insufficient. It is akin to recognizing that our society has an epidemic of broken bones and focusing only on developing treatments for fractures rather than also investigating how to prevent the fractures from taking place. This workshop will investigate our current understanding of trauma and its consequences and then discuss what might be required for our society to be "trauma preventative" at the policy and treatment levels rather than just being "trauma informed".

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will be familiar with an overview of historical, clinical, and neurobiological theories of trauma.
2. Participants will learn about trauma-informed and upstream mental health treatment concepts.
3. Participants will discuss ways in which to incorporate these ideas into their clinical and macro practice.

Workshop H: The Art of Building Rapport with the Adolescent Client
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (2 hours; 2 CEUs)
Instructor: Betsy Santana, LICSW

Adolescents are in the developmental stage of exploring and understanding who they are. They are often told what to do but not given the necessary tools to navigate their internal and external worlds, which disempowers adolescents from sharing the challenges and difficulties they experience. How can you connect with them?

Join this interactive workshop designed to enhance your skills in connecting with adolescents. Participants will learn effective techniques to establish rapport quickly, fostering trust and openness in their interactions. The workshop will include engaging role-playing exercises that allow participants to apply the skills they've learned in real-world scenarios. By the end of the session, you will feel more confident in your ability to work with adolescents, equipped with practical strategies to support their unique needs.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will learn techniques to establish rapport with adolescents quickly and effectively.
2. Participants will engage in role-playing exercises to practice and apply the skills learned during the workshop.
3. Participants will leave feeling more confident in their ability to work with adolescents.

Workshop I: Human-Centered AI: Balancing Ethics and Innovation in Social Work
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (2 hours; 2 CEUs - Anti-Discrimination, Anti-Racism)
Instructor: Marina Rakhilin, MSW, LCSW

This interactive workshop explores how social workers can (and if they should) integrate AI into their practice. Participants will gain an understanding of how large language models (LLMs) work, the nuances of data privacy, and strategies to address AI’s biases, including how it perpetuates systemic racism. We’ll debunk common AI misconceptions and focus on practical applications in both clinical and macro social work settings. Attendees will also learn how to empower clients to make the most of AI tools, all while fostering critical reflection on their own biases to enhance equitable decision-making and advocacy.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will gain foundational knowledge of how large language models (LLMs) function, including their underlying mechanisms, capabilities, and limitations, enabling them to make informed decisions about AI use in social work.
2. Participants will critically examine how bias, including racial and systemic biases, is embedded in AI and large language models (LLMs). They will learn how these biases can perpetuate inequality in social work practices.
3. Participants will explore how AI tools can be used to reflect on and evaluate their own human biases, fostering more equitable and inclusive decision-making in their professional roles.
4. Participants will learn practical strategies for integrating AI tools into both clinical practice and macro-level social work, with a focus on enhancing decision-making, case management, and systemic advocacy.

Workshop J: Balancing Needs, Power, and Accountability
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (3 hours; 3 CEUs)
Instructor: Kyla Martin, MS

This workshop focuses on understanding personal and relational dynamics in various environments, including interactions with colleagues and clients. Participants will identify and articulate their own needs and feelings while learning to effectively communicate experiences of harm with colleagues. The session will explore the concept of power—helping participants recognize their own power and understand its impact on workplace relationships and client interactions. Emphasizing self-accountability and responsibilities, the workshop will also provide strategies for navigating conflict, fostering a more supportive and accountable environment. Ultimately, this workshop empowers individuals to enhance their communication skills and strengthen their connections with both colleagues and clients.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will identify and articulate their own needs and feelings, enabling them to effectively communicate when they have been harmed, both with clients and colleagues.
2. Participants will recognize their own power and understand how it influences dynamics in their relationships, fostering deeper awareness of interactions with both colleagues and clients.
3. Participants will develop strategies for navigating conflict and practicing self-accountability when they have caused harm, applicable in both workplace settings and client relationships.

Workshop K: Utilizando EMDR, IFS y SE en la generación de recursos internos para trabajo con trauma (In Spanish)
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (2 hours; 2 CEUs)
Instructor: Paola Bustani, Lic. Psychology and M. Systemic-Relational psychotherapist

Cuando se trabaja con trauma, el primer paso será: aumentar los recursos de los clientes para que puedan regularse y tener una sensación de seguridad antes de procesar un evento traumático. Restaurar la seguridad es uno de los objetivos más importantes del tratamiento, y EMDR, SE e IFS brindan diferentes enfoques para lograr este objetivo. En este taller en español, los participantes podrán obtener herramientas desde estos 3 enfoques para ampliar los recursos internos y externo del cliente. Tomaremos de EMDR la activación de redes de memoria recursantes, de ES técnicas para activar el nervio vago y apoyar la autorregulación, y por último de IFS formas de contactar con el Self y sus cualidades. Será un espacio teórico-práctico con revisión de casos.

Objetivos de Aprendizaje

1. Los participantes revisarán la teoría del trauma y comprenderán con mayor profundidad, por qué trabajar con la seguridad y la regulación mediante el aumento de los recursos internos y externos ya es sanador en sí mismo.
2. Los participantes aprenderán diferentes herramientas como EMDR, experiencias somáticas y conocimientos de IFS para aumentar la sensación de seguridad y estabilización, especialmente cuando se trabaja con el trauma.
3. Los participantes podrán aplicar estas herramientas para autorregularse y trabajar dentro de la relación para ayudar a su cliente.

Workshop L: “Going Beyond a Two-Millimeter View”: Social Work's Role in Oral Health Equity
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (2 hours; 2 CEUs)
Instructor: Melanie Morris, LCSW

Oral health inequities are markers of social injustices and result in higher disease burdens, unequal healthcare access, and broader socioeconomic hardships. There has been a growing movement to incorporate social workers into oral health settings, championed by the increasing recognition of the value of interdisciplinary collaboration. Through interactive discussions and practice insights, this workshop will discuss why oral health is integral to overall well-being. We will explore the barriers to accessing and utilizing oral health services faced by intersectionally oppressed populations. Participants will learn how social workers can effectively bridge these gaps in care and develop strong partnerships with dental professionals to enhance health outcomes. This workshop aims to equip social workers with a comprehensive understanding of their pivotal role in championing oral health equity.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will be able to identify the equity issues in oral health and the barriers to accessing and utilizing care for intersectionality oppressed populations. 
2. Participants will be able to describe the role and impact of social work practice in promoting health equity within oral health settings. 

Workshop M: Culturally Responsive Practices for Supporting Young Adult Caregivers
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (2 hours; 2 CEUs - Anti-Racism, Anti-Discrimination)
Instructor: Natalie Alas Duran, LICSW

Young adult caregivers are often the “invisible ones” when we think about caregiving. While supporting their loved ones they frequently feel isolated, navigating their own life challenges alongside their caregiving responsibilities at a young age. Support groups and programs are often typically designed for older caregivers, making it difficult for young adults to connect and get the support they need. These stressors are often further compounded by cultural expectations and socio-economic factors. As a result, young adult caregivers are more likely to experience depression and anxiety than their older counterparts. This workshop will explore the intersection of caregiving, culture, and systemic barriers, providing participants with a comprehensive framework for culturally responsive and anti-oppressive therapeutic practices to support young adult caregivers from diverse backgrounds.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will learn the unique challenges and experiences faced by young adult caregivers, including cultural and socio-economic factors.
2. Participants will learn how to identify barriers to mental health care experienced by young adult caregivers and learn practices to make mental health support more accessible to this population.
3. Participants will learn concrete tools and resources to integrate culturally responsive strategies into their therapeutic work with young adult caregivers through an anti-oppressive framework.

Workshop N: Regulating Your Own Nervous System: From a Trauma Informed Perspective
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (3 hours; 3 CEUs)
Instructors: Julie Foss, LICSW, MBA

This workshop will explore the impact of being a trusted adult. Therapists witness a lot of job-related pain and stress. This will be an opportunity to add to your own personal toolbox. With a foundation of an emotionally safe place, we will acknowledge body sensations and emotional experience in a trauma informed way. Next, we will learn about the nervous system, vicarious trauma, resilience, and post traumatic growth. This workshop will be a combination of lecture, case examples, videos, and experiential invitations to move, breathe, notice, and share. The tools will include DBT based strategies, somatic movements, and grounding techniques. Participants will benefit from activities to promote awareness, self-compassion, and wellness to combat burnout and compassion fatigue.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will learn about trauma psychoeducation (including information on the nervous system and brain).
2. Participants will develop awareness of their own resilience, emotions, and somatic experience.
3. Participants will discuss trauma treatment, post traumatic growth, and vicarious trauma.