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TRACK WORKSHOPS

health professionals in this setting may find themselves walk ing alongside clients as they question deeply held beliefs and navigate personal convictions that may overlap with or even challenge the clinician’s own faith. This workshop will “deconstruct” the concept of deconstruction, examining its significance within modern Christian thought and exploring how clinicians can ethically support clients who are re-eval uating their faith. Attendees will learn strategies to establish a safe and respectful space for faith exploration, fostering a therapeutic environment that honors both the client’s jour ney and the mental health professional’s ethical boundaries. Learning Objectives 1. Discuss key aspects of the deconstruction process and the emotional and psychological responses of Christian clients experiencing a faith crisis. 2. Identify ethical challenges, including value conflicts and dual relationships, and describe best practices for maintain ing professional boundaries in these contexts. 3. Apply therapeutic techniques that facilitate safe faith ex ploration while adhering to ethical standards, ensuring that the professional’s personal beliefs do not influence the thera peutic process. 623. Bridging the Gap: Cultural Sensitivity in Christian Sex Therapy 1.25 credit hours Continuing Education Accreditations applicable to this workshop: ASWB, NBCC, IBCC, Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling Level: Intermediate Danisa Suarez, M.A. CCI Counseling Summary Licensed mental health providers and ministry leaders are called to help individuals from diverse backgrounds. When working with sexual relationships, it is important to under stand how culture shapes sexual behavior, relationships, and values. In sex therapy, this diversity requires navigating deeply rooted cultural practices and expectations, especially regard ing marriage and sexuality. In this workshop, licensed mental health professionals, ministry leaders, and coaches will ex plore the latest research in cross-cultural psychology, high lighting how these findings are reshaping sex therapy. Insights will be shared on addressing common objections, such as civil status, the purpose of sex, and the role of both partners, from a culturally informed perspective. Participants will recognize how cultural practices around child-rearing impact sexual de velopment and relationships, ways to support educators and church leaders in multicultural settings, and how to navigate common objections in therapy. Additionally, participants will discuss the importance of biblical faith-based principles in guiding healthy compromise in relationships across different cultures, which will be emphasized, offering practical integra

tion of this knowledge into practice while maintaining align ment with the Christian faith for willing Christian clients.

Learning Objectives 1. Explore how cultural practices and values shape sexual de velopment, marriage expectations, and relationship dynam ics, particularly within diverse cultural contexts. 2. Integrate findings from cross-cultural psychology into therapeutic practice, addressing common objections related to civil status, the purpose of sex, and partner roles from a culturally informed perspective. 3. Discuss how biblical principles can guide healthy compro mise in relationships across various cultural backgrounds, ensuring the integration of Christian faith for willing Chris tian clients while supporting individuals and couples in di verse cultural settings. 624. Optimizing Time and Resources: Best Practices for Coaching Successful Groups and Teams 1.25 credit hours Continuing Education Accreditations applicable to this workshop: IBCC Level: Intermediate Georgia Shaffer, M.A. Mourning Glory Ministries Summary In today’s evolving landscape of professional coaching, one of the most effective strategies for expanding a coaching practice and increasing income is through offering team or group programs. These programs, whether conducted online or in person, allow a coach to serve more people at a lower cost to clients while also optimizing time and resources. This session is designed to equip participants with the essen tial knowledge, skills, and strategies needed to successfully structure, implement, and facilitate group learning experi ences that promote both individual and collective growth. Incorporating group-based programs into a practice can significantly enhance the ability to reach and impact more clients. Attendees will gain insights into creating a support ive, empowering environment where clients feel safe to share their personal insights and challenges, thereby fostering an atmosphere of collaboration and mutual growth that propels each member forward on their journey. Learning Objectives 1. Discuss the seven critical ingredients required for building effective and successful groups and teams, emphasizing how each contributes to creating a cohesive, productive group dynamic. 2. Explore a range of tools, templates, and activities designed to foster engaging and meaningful group sessions, enhanc ing participant involvement and facilitating growth. 3. Identify and apply three key techniques for effectively navigating the unique challenges of group dynamics while

2025 AACC UNITED WORLD CONFERENCE

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