Mental Health Forum

 "Family Emotional Wellness and Recovery" 

The Hult Center for Healthy Living is pleased to organize the Mental Health Forum.  Whether you are experiencing psychological distress, are a friend, partner or relative of someone who is experiencing mental health issues, or you work in the mental health field, this forum is a place for you to discuss and share, get resources and support.

Mental Health Forum At A Glance

Earn CEUs/CNEs/CPDUs

CEUs (LPC/LCPC and LSW/LCSW)

CNEs (RN, LPN, APN)

CPDUs (IL Public School Teachers)

8:30am  Registration Opens

9:00-10:15a  Keynote, Dr. Steve Perry "Revolutionizing Education in America" sponsored by UnityPoint Health - Methodist | Proctor

10:15a  Break

10:30a  Break Out Session #1 (scroll below for session details)

A. Dr. Steve Perry with Facilitated Discussion- Dr. Steve Perry, Audrey LeMasters, PhD, LCSW & Dr. Mikell McCray, PsyD                                         B. The Effects of Disaster-Related Trauma on the Mind and Body- Tegan Hewitt, MA, LCPC                                                                                 C. Mindfulness, Meditation and Guided Relaxation in Trauma Treatment - Michelle Gaede, MA, QMHP and Sylvia Porter, MA, LCPC                               D. Non Suicidal Self Injury (NSSI) - Nancy Egger, LCPC

12:00p  Break

12:15p Help Yourself Lunch Buffet & Awards

1:30p  Break

1:45-2:30p  The Shaken Tree documentary screening (and suicide prevention discussion) - Dr. Mikell McCray, PsyD

Break Out Session #2  (scroll below for session details)

E. Parenting Strategies for School Age Children - Audrey LeMasters, PhD, LCSW                                                                                                              F. Emotional Reactive Experience of Grief and Trauma- Diane Schroer, PhD, LCPC                                                                                                              G. Using Mind-Body Bridging to Prevent Caregiver Burnout - Debra Disney, MSED, LCPC                                                                                                    H. Motivational Interviewing- Robert Beach III, LCPC                                       I.  Medication Side Effects: The Unintended Outcome -  Kirk Moberg, MD, PhD

4:10-4:30p  Thank You & Evaluation

Break Out Session Details

Break Out Session #1

A.  Dr. Steve Perry with Facilitated Discussion Following, Dr. Steve Perry, Audrey LeMasters, PhD, LCSW & Dr. Mikell McCray, PsyD 

Dr. Perry will elaborate on a talking point from his keynote on uncovering how to effectively communicate the need for support in communities that typically shun the idea.  Followed by discussion with Audrey LeMasters, PhD, LCSW & Dr. Mikell McCray, PsyD. 

B.  The Effects of Disaster-Related Trauma on the Mind and Body, Tegan Hewitt, MA, LCPC

This training will educate participants about how trauma symptoms evolve after a natural disaster occurs.  The physiological and psychological symptoms associated with trauma will be explored.  Participants will then be educated about treatments, warning signs and community-based approach to treating trauma. 

Upon graduating from Bradley University with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, Tegan earned a Master's Degree from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Clinical Psychology, with a focus in Community Counseling.  Ms. Hewitt has worked in community mental health for eight years and has been teaching Psychology at ICC since 2013.  She also was one of the authors of "Rebuilding Hope After a Natural Disaster: Pathways to Emotional Healing and Recovery."

C.  Mindfulness, Meditation and Guided Relaxation in Trauma Treatment, Michelle Gaede, MA, QMHP and Sylvia Porter, MA, LCPC

Benefits of mindfulness, meditation and guided relaxation, how it impacts the brain (including what happens to the brain when someone is exposed to trauma) neurological components of trauma and why the impact of mindfulness, meditation and guided relaxation impacts these components.  Presentation will include a description and discussion of each, as well as, an activity for each that can be molded to fit the situation or circumstances.

Michelle Gaede obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in art and psychology from Illinois State University and her Master of Art degree in Human Services - Child and Family Studies at University of Illinois at Springfield.  Ms. Gaede provides psychotherapy in an agency setting and specializes in working with treatment of trauma, depression, anxiety, stress management, anger management and grief and loss in individuals. 

Sylvia Porter graduated from Bradley University with her Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Education in 1976, and she achieved her Master of Arts degree in Human Development Community Agency Counseling in 2004.  She has specialized in treating trauma victims through psychotherapy and art therapy, however she works with clients who deal with anxiety, depression, grief and loss, anger issues, as well as, working with couples and families who have relational problems.

D.  Non Suicidal Self Injury (NSSI), Nancy Egger, LCPC

Psychosocial assessment and specific interventions for the treatment of NSSI.  The current prevalence among adolescents will be explored.  Resources for treatment will be provided. 

Nancy Egger is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker whose private counseling practice specializes in individual, family and group counseling for children, adolescents and families. She has over 25 years of experience in providing mental health services for the families of the Peoria area in a wide variety of settings. She has provided educational and clinical supervision for treatment providers in various inpatient, outpatient, and clinical education settings.

Break Out Session #2

E.  Parenting Strategies for School Age Children, Audrey LeMasters, PhD, LCSW

Five strategies to improve communication and enhance compliance with school age children.  Strategies that emphasize self-efficacy in youth and reduce parental stress.

Audrey LeMasters received her PhD in General Psychology from Walden University in 2009 and her Masters of Social Work from the University of Illinois in 1997.  She worked for 10 years in child welfare settings where she worked with families at risk teaching parenting skills and working with children that had suffered from abuse and neglect.  She has been in private practice at Associates in Mental Health since 2002.   

F.  Emotional Reactive Experience of Grief and Trauma, Diana Schroer, PhD, LCPC

Types of grief and trauma explored, how grief and trauma symptoms interact with each other leading to my theory of Emotional Reactive Experience.  Techniques ot assist in coping, self-regulation and processing grief and trauma. 

M. Diana Schroer, PhD, LCPC has over 20 years experience working with children and families, specializing in areas related to emotional and behavioral development, trauma, attachment, grief and loss. She has presented on various topics such as: Developmental Stages and Contextual Approaches for Department of Children and Family Services, Building Relationships, Social/Emotional Development, Trauma Effects and Intervention Techniques.

G.  Using Mind-Body Bridging to Prevent Caregiver Burnout, Debra Disney, MSED, LCPC

Mind-Body Bridging is a brain-based, evidence-based technique that was developed by Stanley Block, MD.  This counseling technique helps clients to reconnect to a wellspring of healing, wisdom, power and goodness and the results are simply amazing.  Mind-Body Bridging is a clinically-proven technique to promote health and healing in a variety of conditions.  Family caregivers and health providers can be taught tools that help them manage the stress of caregiving. 

Debra Disney is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with a Master's degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.  Upon switching to the counseling field in 1998, her passion has been to offer tools for peacefully navigating the ups and downs of life.

H.  Motivational Interviewing, Robert Beach III, LCPC

Motivational Interviewing helps stuck (ambivalent) clients move toward positive behavioral change.  The presentation will discuss motivational interviewing basic principles and associated skills to help clients move along in the "Stages of Change."

Robert Beach III is a Bradley Counseling program alum (2010).  He provides direction and clinical oversight to direct service staff and supervisors, while also acting as agency trainer for Motivational Interviewing, CBT, and suicide risk assessments.  Mr. Beach also practices privately, seeing a variety of patients, including youth and adolescents, substance use dependence, and other mood and behavioral issues.

I.  Medication Side Effects: The Unintended Outcome, Kirk Moberg, MD, PhD

Besides the therapeutic benefit, the administration of medications can result in a host of outcomes from the adverse to the paradoxical and completely unexpected.  This is especially true for medications that affect the brain.  This presentation will address some of the common adverse effects, but also some of the serious and possible fatal ones.  Finally, it will address the fascinating phenomenon of dopamine agonist induced impulsive control disorders.

Kirk Moberg, MD, PhD has practiced in the field of addiction medicine for over 20 years.  He also has ten years of experience practicing in intensive care units taking care of patients with severe poisonings and drug overdoses.  Dr. Moberg received his PhD in Biology and an MS in Health Policy and Administration from the University of Illinois.  He was awarded his medical degree by the University of Illinois College of Medicine.  He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Addiction Medicine.