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Keynote Presenter: Ana Gomez, LPC

Ana M Gomez, MC, LPC born in Colombia (South America)  is a psychotherapist in private practice, author of several books, chapters and articles, and a lecturer internationally known for her innovative work with children and adolescents. She is an EMDRIA approved consultant; an EMDRIA advanced training provider, an EMDR Institute and  EMDR-IBA trainer and a trainer of trainers. Ana has received training in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Play Therapy, Sandtray Therapy, Theraplay, Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB), and the use of the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI). She  has worked with children, adolescents, adults and families affected by trauma and adversity for overt 25 years. Ana has presented in more than 40 cities in the USA. She has also presented in close to 30 cities in four continents: Canada (Calgary, Vancouver, Kelowna, Penticton, Toronto), Australia (Sydney, Melbourne), New Zealand (Auckland), Japan (Tokyo), Denmark (Copenhagen) ,Spain (Madrid, Barcelona), Italy (Milan), UK (Edinburg, London), Argentina (Buenos Aires), Chile (Santiago de Chile), Brazil (Brasilia, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Curitiba) , Ecuador (Quito), Colombia (Bogota, Medellin & Manizales), Guatemala and Costa Rica. In addition to helping children and adolescents, Ana also specializes in working with adults dealing with issues of depression, anxiety, trauma, abuse, complex PTSD, dissociation and grief issues. On a personal level, Ana enjoys nature and loves to dance to all kinds of music, especially salsa.  She also loves to spend time with her husband, her family and friends, and her beloved pets. Ana treasures moments of silence, play, and laughter as well as the connection with others.

Tentative Schedule

08:00am-08:30am      Check-in and Breakfast
08:40am-10:30am      (08:40am-09:00am Welcome, President address, recognition)

                                    (09:00am-10:25am, Keynote speaker Ana Gomez speaking on Conference theme)

10:35am-12:05pm      Ethics and Advocacy/AZBBHE updates- Tobi Zavala

12:15pm-01:30pm      Lunch and networking

                                    (01:30pm-01:45pm) AzCA committee informational breakouts

01:45pm-03:15pm      3 breakout sessions options

                                    Mindfulness & Meditation within CBT/DBT

                                    Ketamine Assisted Therapy

                                    TBD

3:30pm-5:00pm          3 breakout sessions options

            Supporting Clients with Erectile Dysfunction

                                    Art Therapy: Beneficial Applications for Neurological Conditions and Injuries

                                    The Grief of Pregnancy Loss

Topic Descriptions and Speaker Bios

Art Therapy: Beneficial Applications for Neurological Conditions and Injuries
Marina Doering

This session highlights the clinical use of art in therapy for symptoms relating to different neurological diagnoses, conditions, and injuries. This experiential focuses on active artmaking, creative process, applied psychological theory, and human experience within a psychotherapeutic relationship. This learning experience is sculpted for a clinical audience seeking to learn more about art therapy, art materials in therapy, and the neurodivergent patient population.

During the session, we will review what art therapy is, areas of the brain and their functions, common symptoms of neurological injury or condition, creative approaches to treatment, and application. We will utilize specific art materials to engage in an art-making process that explores sensory re-integration, meaning-making, regulation, and connection.

Participants will learn how different components of an art therapy technique and intervention can be applied within a therapy session and conjunctive to “traditional” treatment planning for further enhancing patient progress, supporting rehabilitation, promoting creative and emotional expression, and providing a new lens in which to experience therapy through.

Marina is a licensed professional counselor, board-certified art therapist, yoga practitioner, and creative spirit with over a decade of clinical experience. She brings to her practice, Creative Continuum Therapy, a variety of traditional therapeutic techniques and expressive therapeutic techniques, as well as behavior-, somatic-, and trauma-sensitive variations thereof. Her practice primarily centers around supporting neurodivergent and anxious children and adolescents, young adults, and their families.

Mindfulness & Meditation within CBT/DBT
Julia Spain

Attendees will learn about the DBT and CBT influences and skills of mindfulness and the importance of and how to teach your clients these skills. Participants will also learn about the importance of meditation practice and will experience meditation while in the session.

Julia received her BS in Psychology from Arizona State University and a Master of Counseling from the University of Phoenix. With over 22 years of experience as a Licensed Counselor specializing in CBT, DBT, and EMDR, she now focuses on training and supervising new therapists in the practice of Mindfulness, Meditation, and DBT. She is dedicated to providing the highest quality mental health services to our community and supporting the growth and development of emerging counselors. She continues to work with clients to maintain my clinical skills while also supervising interns and associate-level providers. In addition to training new supervisors stepping into their roles, she provides ongoing support and guidance to the LPCs in her practice. She and her clinical supervisors conduct two in-service trainings for their team each month, and she leads a weekly women’s DBT skills and meditation group.

Her passion for counseling began during her two-year postgraduate residency program, where she completed intensive training in Mindfulness, CBT, DBT, and EMDR. Her approach to therapy is much like life—fluid and open. She loves her job and the counseling profession as a whole because it enables her to combine her passions for people and health and wellness in a way that facilitates positive change. Over the past six years, she has developed two counseling practices. This journey has presented many challenges and taught her significant life lessons. It brings her great joy to have created a space where clients and staff feel safe, comfortable, and happy. Julia believes that having a job that doesn’t feel like work is a rare privilege, and she is grateful to have such a career. She has lived in Arizona her entire life and finds it beautiful. When she is not working, she enjoys watching her son play soccer, spending time with her dog, family, and friends, and engaging in activities like yoga, hiking, and being in nature.

The Grief of Pregnancy Loss

Megan Williams

The talk focuses on the grief processing around pregnancy loss and application of Worden's Tasks of Mourning to the healing process with clients. Also looking at the new legal context of receiving care as another layer in the grieving process   

Objectives:

• Gain understanding of Worden's Tasks of Mourning
• Apply the layers of grief to the experience of those experiencing pregnancy loss seeking treatment 
• Show understanding of the identity loss related to pregnancy loss 

A dedicated behavioral health professional, Megan Williams has shown dedication and passion for the field. With experience ranging from work with juveniles in residential to incarcerated adults to private practice, Megan has worked tirelessly to assist individuals looking to effect change in their lives  and find healing. One of her specialties while in private practice was assisting with pregnancy loss grief and infertility grief. Megan also sits on the board of a local non-profit Courageous Survivors, an agency that serves survivors of sexual assault and  childhood sexual abuse. At present, Megan works with those re-entering society after incarceration and supervises associate level therapists for their independent licensure.