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Baker, David, MA

David Baker is the director of Missouri Assistive Technology, Missouri’s federally funded state assistive technology program. David’s interest and involvement in assistive technology began nearly 30 years ago when he had the pleasure of working with an individual who was using one of the first commercially available augmentative communication devices. Fascinated with what adapted technology can do to level the playing field and open opportunities, David has devoted his entire professional career to the incorporation of assistive technology into the daily lives of individuals with disabilities. David has held a variety of positions that have seen him involved in all facets of assistive technology including training, program development and program management. He has presented widely on both the state and national level. His areas of expertise include assistive technology in educational settings, accessible educational materials and assistive technology in employment settings.

Presentation(s):

Assistive Technology for Mental Health

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Culturally – Attuned Behavioral Activation to Support Psychological Resilience

Room Paradise Ballroom A

Speaker(s):

Ann Steffen, PhD, ABPP

Description

Behavioral Activation is a psychological treatment approach that helps us connect with and routinely involve ourselves in personally rewarding activities. Many mental health problems can make it challenging to concentrate on, engage in, and appreciate positive experiences. This is sometimes called “reward dysregulation” by scientists and may involve parts of the brain that process emotions. First developed and still used as a very effective treatment strategy for depression, clinical research now shows that this approach can help with a range of mental health concerns such as PTSD, anxiety, chronic pain, eating disorders, distressed relationships, along with others.

Objectives

    • Describe the rationale for behavioral activation as a transdiagnostic change process
    • Explain the culturally – responsive features of behavioral activation.
    • Identify within-session strategies to improve effectiveness of BA.
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The Ethics of Competence

Room Paradise Ballroom B

Speaker(s):

Justin Bennett, MSW, LCSW

Description

Ethics are paramount in guiding professional practice. There is a broad understanding of how ethics guide practice with clients; however, that is not the sole focus of professional codes of ethics. The focus is often multi-pronged, and can be just as varied as our approaches with clients, in the workplace, and within systems. The focus of this presentation will be on the ethics of competence. How as professionals do we navigate being a practitioner, a peer, a supervisor, an employee, and the many other things that will be asked of us in our roles? Understanding how competence intersects with all of these roles will better prepare you to approach your work from a new perspective.

Objectives

    • Define the ethics for various professionals as they relate to competence
    • Describe how competence makes us more effective in our various roles
    • Discuss how our practice affects others
    • Identify the traits and skills that lend to competent practice
    • Utilize multiple techniques to improve professional competence
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Risk and Resiliency in Adverse Childhood Experiences: Implications for Prevention and Intervention

Room Paradise C

Speaker(s):

Tim Welch, PhD, LMFT

Description

This presentation will first provide a definition of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and discuss relevant research on the association between exposure to multiple ACEs and numerous negative physical, emotional and mental health outcomes in adulthood. The presentation will examine exposure to ACEs through the lens of the Family Stress and Resilience theoretical framework. This approach highlights the role and value of enhancing protective factors to promote resiliency in the context of exposure to ACEs. This presentation will describe modern approaches to addressing the impact of adverse childhood experiences and discuss prevention and intervention implications for clinical and mental health practitioners.

Objectives

    • Define adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)
    • Describe the negative effects of exposure to ACEs in adolescence and adulthood
    • Identify relevant protective factors to the harmful effects of exposure to ACEs
    • Describe approaches for addressing the effects of ACEs
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The Intersection of Nutrition and Mental Health

Speaker(s):

Karanja, Damaris, LPC, RDN

Presentation:

This presentation helps attendees to understand how complex trauma, attachment and developmental wounds, and eating behaviors are correlated. Attendees will learn how to promote a body-positive, culturally-sensitive counseling approach using the concepts behind Health at Every Size (HAES) and Intuitive Eating.

Objectives:

  1.  Understanding the correlational link between trauma to Eating Behaviors
  2. Learn how to promote a body-positive, culturally-sensitive approach in treatment using the concepts behind Health at Every Size (HAES).
  3. Participants will be able to apply case studies and conceptualization to assist with respectful, body-neutral terminology, awareness, and intervention.
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Surviving the Angry Black Woman Syndrome

Speaker(s):

Gray, Angela, MSW, EdS

Presentation:

Women of color are often misunderstood when they speak from the heart. The passion that women of color exhibit is often misconstrued as anger, negative attitudes, and defensive. As a result, they are often isolated and ostracized for voicing their opinions. Therefore, creating the “Angry Black Woman Syndrome” narrative. Women of color often feel disconnected from their white counterparts and each other in the workplace and other predominantly white spaces. In this workshop, we will discuss the importance of establishing healthy relationships with other women of color and connecting with white allies. Overall, this will be a very candid and open workshop to explore overcoming the “Angry Black Woman Syndrome” narrative.

Objectives:

  1. To identify physical, psychological, and emotional stressors as it relates to being a woman of color.

  2. To define relevant terms to help women of color navigate in predominately white spaces.

  3. To identify and utilize survival techniques and strategies to help women of color overcome feelings of rejection, anger, and sadness.

By

Karanja, Damaris, LPC, RDN

Damaris Karanja is the Founder of Healing Streams Counseling, a private practice in St. Louis providing integrative Psychotherapy and Nutrition Counseling Services. She holds dual licenses as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and a Licensed Mental Health Professional Counselor in the State of Missouri. Damaris earned a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from University of Missouri-St. Louis and a Master’s Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Southeast Missouri State University.
   
Damaris specializes in trauma and dysfunctional eating behaviors. A gifted speaker, Damaris provides workshops on intersection of nutrition and mental health for a wide variety of audiences. Damaris holds several advanced trainings including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitizing Reprocessing) and Brainspotting. In addition to owning a private practice, Damaris worked for 18 years as a Faculty member at a local university conducting research and teaching. She is a member of the American Counseling Association and the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Presentation(s): 

The Intersection of Nutrition and Mental Health


 

 

By

Gray, Angela, MSW, EdS

Angela Gray is a High School Social Worker of twenty years who has devoted herself using her professional expertise to empower and promote justice and dignity implementing various programs within her community and school. She self published two books in 2019 distributed and sold through Amazon – “Girl, Check that Attitude ” and “Help! I Have an Attitude Problem”. Angela is a new Alumni board member at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She is the 2020 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian recipient. She is also the 2020 YWCA Women of Distinction awardee. She enjoys spending time with her family and crafting. During the pandemic, she and her family started their small Tshirt business, Luv2Express Tees and more, specializing in mental health, Mommy and me, ethnic and women empowerment designs.

Presentation(s): 

Trauma Informed: Victimization and Invisibility of Black Girls

Surviving the Angry Black Woman Syndrome


 

 

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What you need to know about 988 in Missouri

Speaker(s):

Williams, Stacey, MSW, LCSW

Muckler, Casey MPH

Presentation:

During this panel discussion you will learn everything you need to know to be ready for 988. In July 2020, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) designated 988 as the new three-digit crisis number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL). By July of 2022, all telecommunications companies will have to make the necessary changes and be ready to go live. 988 will be promoted Nationwide as the three-digit helpline for all mental health and suicide crises. Missouri has 7 active NSPL members. These call centers have trained staff to answer calls from individuals at risk for suicide as well as those experiencing other mental health and substance use related emergencies, as well as connection to ongoing services. 988 will transform our current crisis system of care nationwide and Missouri is actively preparing our system to align and provide the most evidence-based practices for a comprehensive continuum of care.

Objectives:

  1. Describe the history of 988 and why do we need it
  2. Define what the benefits of 988 and how much will it cost
  3. Identify how 988 will impact Missouri’s crisis system and what we are doing to prepare
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Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences: Building Self-Healing Communities

Speaker(s):

Clary, Pam, Ph.D., LCSW, LSCSW

Frye, Jana, MSW

Presentation:

This presentation will focus on the ACE Framework which is designed to promote an understanding of the significance and potential of ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) education. Understanding N.E.A.R (neuroscience, epigenetics, adverse childhood experiences, and resilience) will be a focus of this presentation. The ACE Study is the largest study of its kind with over 17,000 participants. The data collected from this study has the potential to change the public health crisis our nation is facing. This presentation will be about discovery, about hope, about our future. The action to prevent ACEs will be the largest public health discovery of our time. This presentation will discuss how our action to prevent ACEs, will profoundly impact our future.
  

Both presenters (Jana Frye and Dr. Pam Clary) are trained Master ACE Trainers by Dr. Rob Anda, one of the co-principal investigators of the ACE Study.

Objectives:

  1. Describe the science associated with adverse childhood experiences.
  2. Recognize that accumulative experiences matters, especially during formative years.
  3. Describe the ACE Framework.
  4. Understand the interrelationships between the individual and the social, physical, political, and economic environments.
  5. Identify the most powerful determinant of health: ACE.