2025 Presentations

Thursday, July 31, 2025

8:30 a.m. The Paradoxically Creative Brain

Samuel H. Markind, MD

​​In this presentation with piano performance, Samuel H. Markind, MD, explores the paradox of creativity through the life and work of composer Erik Satie (1866–1925). Though never formally diagnosed, Satie exhibited traits consistent with what is now known as high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (HFASD). Dr. Markind examines one prevailing theory—sensory hypersensitivity—as a possible explanation for the enhanced creativity observed in individuals with neurodivergent minds.

 Satie’s minimalist yet profoundly expressive compositions challenged the dominant Romantic style of his time, mirroring his unconventional philosophies on life and music. Set against Montmartre’s bohemian era backdrop, this discussion will delve into Satie’s biography, artistic choices, and connection to neurodiversity. Dr. Markind will analyze and perform two of Satie’s compositions to bring these concepts to life, providing a unique auditory experience that highlights the link between cognitive differences and artistic innovation.

9:30 a.m. Toxins, Metabolism, and the Body: The Hidden Links Between Mental and Physical Health and the Environment

Stephenie Riley, ND and Amy Vail, Psy.D

Dr. Stephenie Riley, renowned expert in environmental health and Dr. Amy Vail explore the connections between specific environmental toxins, metabolic health, and mental well-being. This session examines how these toxins, diet, lifestyle, and other environmental exposures contribute to physical and psychological health challenges and their roles in chronic health conditions.

Attendees will gain practical, evidence-based strategies readily applicable in their professional settings and personal lives to mitigate the impact of toxic exposure and support metabolic and physical health. Dr. Riley and Dr. Vail will provide actionable insights that professionals can integrate into client and personal care, fostering lasting improvements in overall health and well-being and instilling a sense of hope for the future.

10:45 a.m. Healing From the Imaginal Realm

Erica Lorentz, M.Ed, LPS

Erica Lorentz, M.Ed, LPS, explores Carl Jung’s profound understanding of the unconscious as a creative and healing force accessed through the imaginal realm. Jung engaged deeply with this process in his personal and professional work, as reflected in The Black Books and The Red Book. His technique of active imagination—a method of dialoguing with the individual and collective unconscious—offers a transformative approach to healing and self-discovery.

Drawing parallels to the Sufi concept of the mundus imaginalis—a world where imagination serves as a bridge between the seen and unseen— presenter Erica Lorentz guides participants through the spiral journey of integration. This journey weaves the conscious, unconscious, personal, archetypal, and somatic unconscious with the subtle body. Incorporating the insights of neuroscientist Iain McGilchrist on the dynamic interplay between the brain’s left and right hemispheres, Lorentz addresses the enduring relevance of Jung’s work in the present day.

11:45 a.m. The Healing Power of Sound: Transforming our Inner Landscape Through the Art and Science of Mantra

Sudha Kailas, MD, PhD

Dr. Sudha Kailas explores the profound role of sound on mental and physical health, its influence on shaping our inner and outer worlds, and the universal significance of sound across spiritual traditions. As the most subtle form of matter, sound transcends boundaries of culture and belief, weaving emotion and connection through the human experience. While the noise of modern life can disrupt well-being, the intentional and conscious use of sound—especially through mantra—offers a powerful tool for healing and transformation.

This session delves into the science and mysticism of mantra, illustrating how sound vibrations influence physical, emotional, and mental states. Dr. Kailas will guide attendees through the art of harnessing sound as a therapeutic practice, offering insights into its tangible effects on well-being and consciousness.

2-5 p.m. Optional Workshop: Ethics

Joyce Lilly, RN, JD

This workshop, led by Joyce Lilly, RN, JD, will challenge mental and healthcare providers to examine the origins and evolution of their moral principles, explore how ethical standards become established, and consider their impact on decision-making. More importantly, it will equip them with the knowledge and tools to apply these insights in their daily practice, empowering them to make more informed ethical decisions.

Many people assume that ethics and morals are universal. This session will encourage critical thinking in health care providers and discuss the fluid nature of ethics. Participants will explore questions such as:  How do individuals, institutions, and professions shape ethical codes? How do morals and ethics shift over time? What happens when ethical guidelines are followed or not? Through dynamic conversations and thought-provoking exercises, attendees will be actively engaged, deepening their understanding of ethical complexities in personal and professional contexts.

2-5 p.m. Optional Workshop: The Architecture of Equanimity (only available in-person)

Michael Uebel, PhD, LCSW

Michael Uebel, PhD, LCSW, explores how equanimity—an open and responsive state of awareness—enhances perception and deepens insight into natural, aesthetic, and psychological phenomena. Equanimity offers a way of seeing that moves beyond rigid concepts and singular perspectives, allowing for a more fluid and holistic understanding of the world.

Drawing from Zen Buddhist narratives, Goethe, Alva Noë, and Maurice Merleau-Ponty, this workshop examines the intersection of Eastern and Western thought to challenge the dominance of the analytical intellect in knowledge formation. Participants will explore how psychotherapists, often constrained by rational frameworks, can integrate equanimity to assess how individuals perceive and make sense of their experiences. Through guided discussion and experiential exercises, attendees will gain practical tools for cultivating equanimity in clinical practice and daily life.

Friday, August 1, 2025

8:30 a.m. Cellular Memory and Trauma- How Our Body Keeps the Score

Mitchell Liester, MD and Ana Flores

Trauma is a topic of significant interest to mental health professionals, researchers, and students in the field of psychology and is a universal human experience with a wide-ranging impact. 

Dr. Mitchell Liester and Ana Flores will discuss how the body encodes, stores, and retrieves traumatic memories—within neural synapses and in DNA, RNA, proteins, and cellular structures.

While some individuals recover with resilience, others develop lasting effects such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, or PTSD. One of the most perplexing consequences of trauma is the persistence of intrusive memories and the re-experiencing of distressing events. But how does the body retain these memories, and what mechanisms drive their recurrence? Drawing on insights from The Body Keeps the Score by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, this presentation explores how trauma is stored in the brain and throughout the body at a cellular level.

They will present compelling research on cellular memory, including cases where organ transplant recipients experience the emotions or memories of their donors. This interdisciplinary research, spanning from psychology to biology, sheds light on how trauma shapes our biology and overall well-being and fosters a sense of connection and collaboration among professionals in these fields.

9:30 a.m. Resilience and the Aging Productive Mind

Deborah Levinson, LCSW

Deborah Levinson, LCSW, delves into the potential for personal growth and creativity in later years, offering a hopeful perspective. She explores resilience as a powerful force that can shape fulfilling and purposeful final chapters of life, instilling a sense of optimism in the audience.

As life expectancy increases, so does the potential for resilience and productivity in later years. Debrah Levinson draws from Gene Cohen's work, the first director of the National Institute on Aging, and his extension of Erik Erikson's developmental model to provide insight into how clinicians can help individuals harness resilience and remain engaged, productive, and mentally agile well into their later years.

10: 45 a.m. Music and the Mind of Leonard Bernstein

Richard Kogan, MD

In this 2 hour presentation and musical performance, Dr. Richard Kogan, a renowned psychiatrist and concert pianist, delves into the psychological forces that shaped Leonard Bernstein's life and artistry. His unique perspective as a psychiatrist and musician allows him to unravel the internal struggles that fueled and challenged Bernstein's creative brilliance.

Leonard Bernstein (1918–1990) was one of the most influential and versatile American musicians of the 20th century, excelling as a conductor, pianist, educator, and composer. His work spanned Broadway, Hollywood, and the concert hall, with West Side Story standing as a testament to his genius and collaboration with Stephen Sondheim, Jerome Robbins, and Arthur Laurents. Bernstein's life was influenced by a dynamic interplay of contradictions—elite and mass appeal, tradition and innovation, intellect and emotion. These same tensions extended to his personal life as he navigated the complexities of his homosexual identity while maintaining a traditional marriage and family.

Dr. Kogan brings Bernstein’s story to life through an engaging narrative interwoven with live piano performances. His profound exploration of the mind behind the music will leave you intellectually stimulated and with a deeper understanding of Bernstein's creative brilliance. 

2-5 p.m. Optional Workshop: Healing the Self through Self Portraits (only available in-person)

Amy Stein, MFA

Art‬‭ therapy‬‭ is a powerful tool that uses‬‭ the‬‭ creative‬‭ process‬‭ to‬‭ access‬‭ parts‬‭ of‬‭ the‬‭ brain‬‭ that are not‬‭ easily‬‭ accessed‬‭ by‬‭ talk‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ therapy.‬‭ In this hands-on workshop, Amy Stein, MFA, guides participants through self-portrait creation to explore self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-awareness. By engaging in the creative process, participants gain insight into the origins of creative blocks and learn how to incorporate art therapy techniques into their work with clients.

 Through guided imagery, visualization, and hands-on artistic expression, attendees will learn to reconnect with their innate artistic selves and uncover hidden facets of their personalities. Participants can share their self-portraits and process the experience within a supportive group setting, fostering personal growth and deeper therapeutic understanding.

2-5 p.m. Optional Workshop: Toxins, Metabolism, and the Body: The Hidden Links Between Mental and Physical Health and the Environment: Practical Applications

Stephenie Riley, ND and Amy Vail, Psy.D

Participants will benefit from the unique expertise of Dr. Stephenie Riley and Dr. Amy Vail as they delve further into the connections between specific environmental toxins, metabolic health, and mental well-being. This workshop examines the impact of toxins, diet, lifestyle, and other environmental exposures and how they contribute to physical and psychological health challenges and chronic health conditions.

Attendees will gain practical, evidence-based strategies readily applicable in their professional settings and personal lives to mitigate the impact of toxic exposure and support metabolic and physical health. Dr. Riley and Dr. Vail will provide actionable insights that professionals can seamlessly integrate into client and personal care, empowering them with the knowledge to foster lasting improvements in overall health and well-being.

Saturday, August 2, 2025

8:30 a.m. Forgiveness and Resilience in Challenging Times

Megan Feldman Bettencourt, MA and Gail Carr Feldman, PhD

Forgiveness, a vital element in resilience and healing, is often misunderstood. In this presentation, Megan Feldman Bettencourt, MA, and Gail Carr Feldman, PhD, shed light on the transformative power of forgiveness. Through powerful stories—from personal betrayals to large-scale tragedies like genocide—attendees will gain insight into three key practices shared by those who have forgiven profound wrongs: allowing space for grief, maintaining clear boundaries, and cultivating a sense of meaning and purpose.

Grounded in scientific research and compelling narratives from across the globe and drawing from Bettencourt’s award-winning book, Triumph of the Heart: Forgiveness in an Unforgiving World (Penguin), this session offers practical tools that can be immediately applied to integrate forgiveness into personal and professional life. Bettencourt and Dr. Feldman highlight how these principles foster healing and strengthen resilience, allowing individuals to move forward with clarity and purpose in the face of deep challenges.

9:30 a.m. Mental Health Re-envisioned Through Indigenous Eyes

Lewis Mehl-Madrona, MD, PhD and Barbara Mainguy, MA

Dr. Lewis Mehl-Madrona and Barbara Mainguy invite us to view mental health through an Indigenous lens—one that sees the world in verbs rather than nouns and people in relationships rather than as isolated individuals. In this session, they explore the interconnectedness of land, community, and self, emphasizing how the outer world shapes our inner experiences. This transformative session promises to open new doors in our understanding of mental health.

 This presentation weaves Indigenous perspectives on consciousness, narrative therapy, and relational identity. It offers practical insight into how these frameworks align with therapeutic approaches such as parts therapy, Internal Family Systems, and the dialogical self. Participants will gain strategies that are immediately applicable to navigating uncertainty, anxiety, and mood fluctuations. They will also explore how healing can emerge from better stories, deeper connections, and a re-envisioned understanding of the self.

10:45 a.m. The Art of Knowing: Sensing, Perceiving Relating, and Creating

Christine Donohue, MFT SEP

Christine Donohue, MFT, SEP, explores the power of embodied presence—a state of attunement that allows subtle insights, diagnostic clues, and more profound healing to emerge. By shifting away from reactive urgency and engaging our physical, energetic, and intuitive senses, we can connect more fully with the vastness of our clients' experiences. 

 Between mid-2023 and mid-2024, 1 in 5 youth aged 12-17 reported at least one major depressive episode, and over 60 million adults in the U.S. experienced a mental health crisis. Suicide rates are at their highest historical levels, with nearly 13 million adults and 13% of youth reporting significant thoughts of suicide. 

 In an era where mental health professionals are under immense pressure to increase services and provide rapid assessments, the need for mindfulness in practice becomes even more crucial. How do we slow down enough to be truly present with ourselves and our clients?

 Whether in the treatment room or the art studio, this approach to fine-tuning our instrument of perception and inspiration opens the door to a world of more profound therapeutic and creative possibilities.

11: 45 a.m. Distressed Couples On Film, Stage and In Therapy

Ron Goldman EdD, Jill Fischer, LICSW, and Amy Goldfarb, LCSW

Therapists/performers Ron Goldman, EdD, Jill Fischer, LICSW, and Amy Goldfarb, LCSW, bring therapy to life by performing a play on stage depicting a therapy session with a distressed couple in conflict. 

In this live enactment, they draw from Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) principles to demonstrate how a therapist helps the couple uncover the primary emotions fueling their negative patterns, leading to deeper understanding and emotional softening in their clinical work together.

Distressed couples urgently need effective tools to strengthen their emotional bonds and break destructive cycles. Extensive peer-reviewed research has shown that EFT yields successful outcomes in couples therapy. This evidence-based approach to couples therapy fosters connection and healing. This engaging session will provide therapists with a compelling and practical look at how to apply EFT techniques clinically in real-world practice.

2-5 p.m. Optional Workshop: Resilience and the Aging Productive Mind: Practical Applications (only available in-person)

Deborah Levinson, LCSW

Deborah Levinson, LCSW, will guide participants in examining how to help their clients and themselves craft fulfilling chapters in their later lives. With life expectancies increasing, more people have the opportunity to explore new paths in their later years, inspiring a sense of motivation and possibility. With good health, resources, and fewer responsibilities, individuals can seek fresh ways to remain productive, often in less intense yet meaningful roles. 

Participants will delve into the emotions and challenges of significant life transitions through discussion and reflection. Levinson will equip attendees with practical strategies to address these concepts in the clinical setting, helping them feel prepared and ready to support their clients in their later life journeys.

2-5 p.m. Optional Workshop: Unraveling Cellular Memory

Mitchell Liester, MD and Ana Flores

Mitchell Liester, MD, and Ana Flores explore the emerging concept of cellular memory—the idea that our cells may encode, store, and transmit information beyond the brain. Participants will examine the biological mechanisms supporting cellular memory and its potential implications for healing, trauma recovery, and personal transformation, all in a unique and engaging learning environment.

Through engaging discussions and experiential exercises, this workshop addresses the philosophical and therapeutic applications of cellular memory and provides practical insights. Participants will learn how cellular memory may influence emotional patterns, inherited traits, and past experiences stored within the body. 

This workshop expands on the one-hour presentation and includes compelling research on cellular memory, including cases where organ transplant recipients experience the emotions or memories of their donors. This interdisciplinary research, spanning psychology to biology, sheds light on how trauma shapes our biology and overall well-being and fosters a sense of connection and collaboration among professionals in these fields.

By the end of the workshop, participants will have gained new perspectives on mind-body connections and holistic healing that they can apply to their personal and professional lives.

Sunday, August 3, 2025

8:30 a.m. William Blake: Visionary Poet and Artist and the Psychology of Consciousness

Ralph Margolies-Kiernan, PhD

Dr. Margolies-Kiernan delves into the profound impact of William Blake's philosophy on his understanding of the relationship between the brain, consciousness, and psychology, offering a fascinating insight into the mind of this visionary poet and artist.  

Exploration of William Blake's ideas through his poetry, art, and philosophy, focusing on works like The Tyger, The Marriage of Heaven and Hell, and The Book of Urizen, offers a truly unique and intriguing perspective on his life and beliefs.

 Blake's notion of the Poetic Genius suggests that the whole self is unknowable but serves as a guide to creative insight. Consciousness, when rigid, can trap us in what he called Newton's sleep, but when used intentionally, it becomes a powerful tool for transformation. 

Blake believed that the world we perceive is not reality but our creation—the Vegetable Ratio, the limit of what our senses allow. He saw desire as the source of life, and his concept of Creative Imagination provided a pathway to deeper self-awareness and original thought.

 This presentation discusses how Blake's vision can inform creative thinking today, offering strategies to harness imagination and perception as catalysts for innovation and self-discovery.

9:30 a.m. Imagining Innovation: Five Forces That Drive Creativity

Vineeth John, MD

Vineeth John, MD, explores the five key forces that drive creativity, revealing how people can harness these forces to foster innovation in both professional and personal domains.

Once thought to be the product of genius or divine inspiration, creativity is now considered a teachable skill—one that is essential for solving complex problems in an increasingly unpredictable world. 

Dr. John examines how creative strategies allow for the transformation of existing knowledge and the power of serendipity—the role of chance in discovery and innovation. From psychopharmacology’s accidental breakthroughs to the barriers modern life imposes on fresh observations and free-thinking, this session underscores the vital role of creativity in mental health care, motivating us to foster it to counteract emotional exhaustion and inspire new ways of thinking.

10:45 a.m. Grief and the Paranormal: How Extra-Sensory Occurrences and Spiritually Transformative Experiences Can Help Heal the Bereaved

Janet Lynn Roseman-Halsband, PhD

​​Janet Lynn Roseman-Halsband, PhD, MS, explores grief as a universal experience, a journey that connects us all, the unique grief journey of women who have lost their mothers, and the metaphysical dimensions that can accompany death. 

By learning to recognize and acknowledge extra-sensory occurrences, visions, and spiritually transformative experiences, clinicians can validate these profound encounters rather than dismiss them as pathological. Drawing from her book, The Eternal Bond, she offers insight and tools for healthcare professionals and therapists to better support grieving daughters. 

Dr. Roseman-Halsband will discuss her research, share narratives, and provide practical strategies for navigating grief beyond conventional models. She emphasizes that the sacred bond between mother and daughter does not have to be relinquished after death. Instead, self-reflection and mystical experiences can serve as a transformative and healing balm, reinforcing that love endures beyond the physical realm.

11:45 a.m. Leonard Cohen: Creation in Spite of Depression

Jordan Price, LCSW

In this presentation and musical performance Jordan Price, LCSW, delves into the resilient journey of Leonard Cohen, the legendary singer-songwriter, who courageously battled depression throughout his life. Despite the challenges of his mood disorder, Cohen's creativity remained steadfast, and he found solace and inspiration through mindfulness, metacognition, and spirituality.

Leonard Cohen's journey, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, is particularly significant for the approximately 350 million people worldwide who suffer from depression. His story, especially his ability to find solace and inspiration despite his mood disorder, offers valuable insights for mental health professionals working with treatment-resistant depression.

Jordan Price will examine Cohen’s methods for managing his mental health and how his artistic process intertwined with his search for wellness. Price will address evidence-based treatment methods and alternative and integrative strategies for addressing persistent depressive symptoms.

Optional Workshops

Workshops are available from 2–5 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Each workshop costs $65 and provides an additional 3 CE/CME credits. Please note that two workshops take place simultaneously each day. You may attend one live each day (either in person or live-streamed virtually) and watch the other virtually after the conference ends. However, CE/CME credit can only be given for the workshop you attended live.

Thursday

Ethics 2-5 p.m.

Joyce Lilly, RN, JD

The Architecture of Equanimity (only available in-person) 2-5 p.m.

Michael Uebel, PhD, LCSW

Friday

Healing the Self through Self Portraits (only available in-person) 2-5 p.m.

Amy Stein, MFA

Toxins, Metabolism, and the Body: The Hidden Links Between Mental and Physical Health and the Environment: Practical Applications 2-5 p.m.

Stephenie Riley, ND and Amy Vail, Psy.D

Saturday

Resilience and the Aging Productive Mind: Practical Applications (only available in-person) 2-5 p.m.

Deborah Levinson, LCSW

Unraveling Cellular Memory 2-5 p.m.

Mitchell Liester, MD and Ana Flores