Events
Networking & Educational Events Hosted by Summit BHCSummit BHC hosts a number of networking and educational events for our colleagues throughout the year.
Please register if you are interested in attending, and note that virtual events are listed first, followed by in-person events.
For questions regarding Summit BHC sponsored events, please reach out to Janis Ellington, Director of Education & Event Strategies, at 912-678-4480 or jellington@summitbhc.com.
Virtual Events
Combatting Burnout for Mental Health Professionals
Wednesday, March 29th, 2023
11AM – 12PM EST (10AM CST. 9AM MST • 8AM PST)
Location:
Virtual Presentation
Presented By:
Starr Griffin B.S., M.S., IMHC, NBCC
Description:
“Clinicians routinely hold space for clients’ emotional healing in a variety of modalities and settings. One common hazard of our helping profession is clinician burnout. In this presentation, we will discuss common causes of burnout as well as viable ways to manage one’s own self care strategies to prevent burnout.”
Clinician Self Care During Challenging Times
Wednesday, April 5th, 2023
10AM – 11AM MT
9AM PT, 11AM CT, 12PM EST
Location:
Virtual Presentation
Presented By:
Christie Machan, LCSW
Rocky Mountain MIRECC
Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center
Description:
The global pandemic public health crisis coupled with ongoing sociopolitical unrest have resulted in a dramatic increase in mental health needs. Mental health clinicians have been maximally stressed by the influx of more patients seeking care combined with those with pre-existing mental health conditions. This presentation aims to increase understanding of the impact of stressful life events on clinicians and offers various ways they can increase resilience through self-care and peer support.
Re-Wiring The Brain: Utilizing Neuroplasticity in Addiction Treatment
April 7th, 2023
11:30AM – 1PM PST (12:20PM MT • 1:30PM CT • 2:30PM EST)
Location:
Virtual Presentation
Presented By:
Dr. Emma McManus, Psy.D.
Description:
“Understanding that the brain is plastic is essential to delivering efficacious treatment for those early in recovery. The science of neuroplasticity can be used to the benefit of the individual in treatment; especially within the first year of recovery when the brain is re-wiring and adjusting to life without synthetics. The brain early in recovery can change and re-wire thanks to neuroplasticity as new skills and new habits are acquired. Dr. McManus will discuss the benefits of utilizing neuroplasticity to assist in healing the brain in early recovery.”
Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD): Providing Hope
April 12th, 2023
10:00AM – 11:30AM PT (11AM MT • 12PM CT • 1PM ET)
Location:
Virtual Presentation
Presented By:
Dr. Aaron Wilson and Drew Horowitz MA, LADC, LPCC, CIP
Description:
One half or more of patients with depressive disorders fail to reach remission with first line psychotherapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy, or psychotropic medications. Frequently this is due to comorbid personality disorders, high anxiety, somatic symptoms in other behavioral patterns related to trauma. The FDA defines TRD as an individual whose depression has failed in responding to two or more adequate treatments of antidepressants over a period of two years. In this workshop attendees will receive an overview of TRD and best practices from both a psychiatric and an intervention lens.
Working with Military Families and their Unique Behavioral Health Needs
(Virtual Presentation)
Thursday, April 13, 2023
11 a.m. MST
(1 p.m. EST/2 p.m. CST/1o a.m. PT)
Location:
Virtual Presentation
Description:
The purpose of this presentation is to explore the unique behavioral health needs of military families. Suggestions for the most effective ways to work with military families and how to support building resiliency.
Not all Wounds are Visible: A Trauma Informed Approach to Working with Survivors of Military Sexual Trauma
(Virtual Presentation)
Thursday, April 25, 2023
11 a.m – 1 p.m EST
(10 a.m CT/2 a.m MT/8 a.m PST)
Location:
Virtual Presentation
Description:
This presentation will provide an overview of MST to include defining MST, how to screen for MST, and the role of military culture in MST. Presenters will discuss how MST presents in male/female survivors to include common reactions as a result of MST, like PTSD. Lastly, presenters will discuss the importance of taking a trauma informed care approach in the counseling of PTSD.
Building a Bridge to Veterans: Trust Centered Programs, Mental Health & Moral Injury
(Virtual Presentation)
Wednesday April 26th, 2023 12:00-2:00PM EST
(11am CST • 10am MT • 9am PST)
Location:
Virtual Presentation
Presented by:
Alia Schenck MA, MSW, LCSW-A
Description:
A look at service delivery, important principles of relational building and cultural awareness for Veterans and family members. This class wIll seek to discuss supporting veterans that have unique challenges including Traumatic Brain Injuries IBIs), Military Sexual Trauma (MST), Moral Injury, and combat post-traumatic stress. Finally, we will discuss lessons learned from establishing rapport with trust-centered programs and conducting self-assessment among providers.
Expanding Your Toolbox: Using Playful EMDR Strategies
May 24h, 2023 10:00am – Noon EST
9am CT • 8am MT • 7am PST
Location:
Virtual Presentation
Presented by:
Carly Costello, LICSW, Certified EMDR Therapist
Stephanie Majetich, LCSW, Registered Play Therapist
Description:
This training is led by two therapists, one who is certified in EMDR and one who is a registered play therapist. We are excited to share with you some basic strategies that you will be able to take with you into your practice. We believe in the power of play and EMDR and want to share helpful tools to other West Virginia therapists. Be ready for a creative learning experience. You will walk away with three different tools combining play and EMDR to use with your clients.
Yoga Skills and Somatic Practices in Addiction Recovery
(Virtual Presentation)
June 1, 2023 11am-NOON PT
(11am Arizona, 12pm MT, 1pm CT, 2pm EST)
Location:
Virtual Presentation
Presented by:
Tessa Mandala, LPC, C-IAYT
Description:
“This presentation will focus on the importance of incorporating the body into the treatment of addiction. We will discuss principles and skills of yoga in alignment with one’s healing journey. The importance and application of various somatic yoga practices will be covered. We will review data in support of the integration of yoga and talk therapy for one’s recovery. There will be experiential practices throughout the presentation.”
Ethics for Clinician Self-Care in Treating Trauma
Tuesday, June 27, 2023
11:00 AM – 2PM EST
10:00 AM CT, 9:00 AM MT, 8:00 AM PST
Location:
Virtual Presentation
Presented By:
Debra Alvis, PH.D.
Description:
Across disciplines, ethical codes recognize that clinician well-being constitutes a client aspect of beneficence and client care. With the intensity and time demands of trauma treatment, clinician self-care can easily be compromised leaving the clinician vulnerable to compassion fatigue, burnout, and subsequent ethical errors. Given the rigors of trauma treatment, a clinician self-care plan including a variety of wellness strategies is critical. This evidence-based seminar provides a review of related ethics codes, current evidence on clinician self-care, and tools for building the inner reserves essential to therapist well-being.
In-Person Events
Use of Trac9 to Enhance Treatment Assessments and Outcomes
Friday, March 31, 2023
12:00PM – 1:00PM EST
Location:
St. Joseph Institute for Addiction
134 Jacobs Way
Port Matilda, PA 16870
Presented By:
Meghan Williams, MSW
Presentation on Trac9 data. During this training the attendees will gain an understanding of the Trac9 assessment.
Discussions will demonstrate how clinicians can analyze these assessments weekly to enhance treatment goals and strategies to maximize treatment outcomes. Training will highlight the use of Trac9 to provide Supervisors with data to support and mentor clinicians.
Physical Threat Assessment & Management in Clinical Practice
Friday, April 14, 2023
9:00 AM – 3:30 PM EST
Location:
Waypoint Recovery Center
499 Wild Hearts Rd
Cameron, SC
Presented By:
Barbara Melton, M.Ed., LPC, LPCS, NCC/MAC, CACII
There is so much violence in the news these days.
In this training, we will discuss assessing potential for violence (risk/threat assessment) in you caseload, practical advice as to how to handle that potential – and if all else fails, protecting yourself in the case violence does erupt in your workplace (or school).
Delivering Hope Through Building Connections
Tuesday, May 2, 2023
8:30 am – 3:30 pm EST
Location:
Soldiers & Sailors
Third Floor Ballroom
4141 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA
_____
Thursday, May 4, 2023
8:30 am – 3:30 pm EST
Location:
Philadelphia FOP Lodge # 5
Heroes Ballroom
11630 Caroline Road
Philadelphia, PA
Presented By:
Melissa Jenkins-Fernández, Psy.D. Licensed Clinical Psychologist & USAF Veteran
Catherine Markosky, CEO & Founder, STAT, Inc.
Emily Benjamin, MS, Residential Addiction Counselor, St. Joseph Institute
Making personal connections is key to good mental health. Summit BHC Tactical Recovery Team, Mountain Laurel Recovery Center, and St. Joseph Institute for Addiction are teaming up to bring together Mental Health Professionals who serve our military, Veteran and First Responder Communities for this all-day seminar. This seminar is hosted in two locations on two separate days so please be sure to register for the location that best meets your needs.
SAVE THE DATE!
Tactical Recovery Training Series:
Unpacking The Mission
Thursday, May 11, 2023
8:30 am – 3:30 pm EST
Location:
Hub 757
6801 Bridgeway Drive
Suffolk, Virginia
Presenter Details Coming Soon.
Summit BHC Tactical Recovery Team, Farley Center, and Safe Harbor Recovery are teaming up to bring together Veteran Mental Health Professionals for our Second Annual training series in Suffolk, VA. We will offer CE Credits for a panel of presenters and topics related to ensuring mental health recovery success and outcomes for Veteran clients.
SAVE THE DATE!
Tactical Recovery Training Seminar
Friday, May 19, 2023
10:00 am – 4:00 pm CST
Location:
Jefferson Parish East Bank Regional Library (Napolean Room)
4747 W Napoleon Ave
Metairie, LA
Presenter Details Coming Soon.
Summit BHC Tactical Recovery Team and Victory Recovery Center are teaming up to bring together Veteran Mental Health Professionals for this unique one day seminar. We will offer CE Credits for a panel of presenters and topics related to ensuring mental health recovery success and outcomes for Veteran clients.
Summit BHC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7161. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Summit BHC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Summit BHC is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP®.

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