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Spradling, Stacy, BBA

With 30 years of comprehensive experience in human resources, Stacy J. Spradling, PHR, is a leader in the field, specializing in total rewards administration, talent sourcing and recruiting, compliance, training and development, employee relations, retention, and key business initiatives. Stacy currently serves as the Chief Human Resources Officer at Emmaus Homes, where she continues to drive strategic HR initiatives that foster a positive and productive workplace.
Stacy’s expertise extends to delivering impactful keynote and workshop presentations on crucial HR topics such as conflict communication, recruiting, employee experience, generational diversity, and team building. She has been a speaker at regional SHRM events, Chambers of Commerce, Call Center Conferences, and Employers’ Associations, where her insights and practical advice have resonated with diverse audiences. Additionally, Stacy frequently speaks at women’s retreats and church conferences, where she uses her life experiences and spiritual insights to connect people and bring them closer to the Lord.
In addition, Stacy is a contributor to blogs and podcasts nationwide, sharing her knowledge and perspectives on various HR and leadership topics. Her thought leadership has influenced HR professionals and business leaders alike, helping them navigate the complexities of the modern workplace.

Presentation(s):

Recruiting Today – Creating Brand Promoters 

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Dreher, Emily, MEd, LPC, DBT-LBC

Emily is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Linehan Board Certified DBT Clinician. Emily is currently the Evidenced Based Practice Trainer at Illume: The Behavioral Health Center of Excellence, a department of Places for People in St. Louis, MO. As a trainer she provides training and consultation in evidenced based practices as well as foundational skills related to mental health. As a Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) clinician she works primarily with individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder who struggle with chronic suicidal ideation, frequent psychiatric hospitalizations, nonsuicidal self-injurious behaviors and pervasive emotion dysregulation. She also specializes in treating Posttraumatic Stress Disorder by utilizing Prolonged Exposure therapy.
Prior to working at Illume, Emily worked at Sparlin Mental Health for 11 years in both clinical and leadership roles. Emily is also an Adjunct Professor at Washington University in the Applied Health and Behavior Research graduate program teaching future healthcare professionals counseling skills. As a Linehan Board Certified DBT clinician in a community behavioral health setting in the state of Missouri, Emily seeks to bring high quality DBT services to all those in need of the treatment regardless of the setting.

Presentation(s):

Understanding Borderline Personality Disorder Using a DBT Lens 

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Bader, Shannon, PhD, ABPP

Dr. Shannon Bader has maintained a forensic private practice and been a Senior Project Associate at Policy Research Associates, Inc. (PRA) since 2023. Dr. Bader works on many SAMHSA projects at the GAINS center and is involved in research, technical assistance, and training. Dr. Bader received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and completed an internship and post-doctoral fellowship in forensic psychology at Patton State Hospital in California. Prior to joining PRA, Dr. Bader was the Chief of the New Hampshire Office of the Forensic Examiner and provided oversight over psychological evaluations ordered in criminal court. In this capacity, she earned the New Hampshire Psychological Association’s 2019 Distinguished Contribution Award. Before coming to New Hampshire, she was a founding member of the Analytics and Research Team in the California Department of State Hospitals implementing state-wide research programs related to reducing inpatient violence. Dr. Bader has over ten peer-reviewed publications related to violence and risk assessment and has taught courses in forensic psychology at the undergraduate and graduate level. She is board certified in forensic psychology by the American Board of Forensic Psychology and has served on the American Academy of Forensic Psychology’s board of directors.

Presentation(s):

Sequential Intercept Mapping for Clinicians 

Violence Prevention in Mental Health Settings 

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Levely, Hannah, MS

Hannah Levely is the Youth Services Coordinator with the Missouri Department of Mental Health. She has her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and her Master of Science in Criminology. Her interest in behavioral health started while volunteering in a correctional institution. She quickly saw the need to move “Upstream” and provide supports and services to youth, before they enter the criminal justice system. In her role, she oversees various state initiatives to support youth experiencing behavioral health challenges, attempting to keep them within their community.

Presentation(s):

Youth Behavioral Health Liaisons and Community Engagement

Upstream Youth Mapping

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The State of Cannabis – 2025

Room: Nautical Wheeler

Speaker(s): 

Craghead, Levi, MD, MPH

Description: 

This presentation will cover cannabis use as it pertains to public mental health.  The goal of this production is to improve understanding of how cannabis affects behavioral functioning and how to address cannabis use in clinical settings.

Objectives

1. Outline diagnostic features of Cannabis Use Disorder and Withdrawal
2. Develop understanding of cannabis use prevalence and means of consumption
3. Conceptualize pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

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Supporting Clients Impacted by Loved One’s Addiction: Developing Clinical Skills, Strategies, and Compassionate Care

Room Paradise C

Speaker(s): 

Theison, Larissa, MSW, LCSW, LSCSW

Description: 

This presentation will be reviewing an introduction, addiction and family dynamics, diving deeper into the impact on clients/consumers, and provide information re: skills and strategies to use.  Ms. Theison will use a published workbook as a guide while also incorporating additional skills and therapeutic approaches, such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), as treatment options.

Objectives

1. Describe the unique challenges clients face when they have loved ones or family members who are addicted to substances
2. Identify the broad impact of addiction and addiction-related losses clients/consumers experience
3. Explore practical strategies for support and compassionate care

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History of Missouri Asylums

Room Windgate 62-63

Speaker(s): 

Vincenz, Felix, PhD

Description: 

A brief history of each of the Missouri asylums will be provided, along with a description of the origin of mental health institutions and their evolution over time.

Objectives

1. Discuss the history of the mental health asylum movement
2. Describe the history of Missouri Asylums
3. Identify key historical figures

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PACEs: How Protective and Compensatory Experiences Influence ACEs

Room Windgate 60-61

Speaker(s): 

Dixon, Desiree, BS, MS

Cannon, Valerie, BS, MS

Description: 

This presentation looks at how PACEs (protective and compensatory experiences) can aid in buffering the effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). This presentation also dives into the history of ACEs, the current impact of ACEs, how resiliency is incredibly important when looking at childhood trauma, what PACEs are, and how PACEs can be applied on a practical level when interacting with clients. This includes looking at how PACEs can be applied throughout the lifespan, from birth- adulthood.

Objectives

1. Define ACEs
2. Describe the Concept of Resilience
3. Describe how to promote resilience through PACEs

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Navigating Trauma: Understanding the Brain and Building Supportive Strategies for Emotional and Behavioral Growth

Room Paradise A

Speaker(s): 

Moran, Ricki, DSW, LCSW

Rongey, Kori, BSCS, MSWc

Description: 

This engaging and informative presentation delves into the profound impact of trauma on brain function and behavior, providing essential insights for educators, families, and professionals. Attendees will explore the roles of the Frontal Lobe (Driver’s Seat), Limbic System (Backseat), and Brain Stem (Trunk) in regulating thought, emotion, and survival instincts. The science of “Flipping Your Lid” will be introduced, offering practical tools to recognize emotional versus thoughtful responses, empowering individuals to better navigate challenging situations. Through an understanding of how trauma survivors often operate from the Trunk due to survival instincts, participants will gain a deeper appreciation for the behaviors and needs of those impacted by trauma.

Building on this foundational knowledge, the presentation will provide actionable trauma-informed strategies to support emotional regulation and address disruptive behaviors. Participants will learn to implement preventative techniques such as transitional warnings, sensory tools, and structured task lists that promote safety, trustworthiness, and empowerment. The session will also cover a tiered intervention framework, including universal supports (Tier 1), targeted strategies for specific needs (Tier 2), and individualized services (Tier 3) tailored to address complex challenges. By the end of the presentation, attendees will leave equipped with the knowledge and tools to foster a supportive and effective environment for students and families impacted by trauma.

Objectives

1. Enhance understanding of trauma and Its impact on the brain
2. Foster Trauma-Informed Practices to support emotional regulation
3. Provide tiered interventions to address disruptive behaviors