WC25 Program_LR 8

MORNING PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS

protecting and deepening their marital intimacy. Partici pants will explore how chronic stress affects relationship dynamics, specifically looking at the couple’s attachment to one another and the biology of stress. The workshop will present strategies for maintaining marital intimacy, particu larly in public roles, integrating current research on relation ship maintenance with biblical principles of staying con nected in leadership and ministry. Designed for coaches and ministry leaders working with couples in ministry, leader ship, or public-facing roles, this workshop offers evidence based strategies for maintaining authentic connection and spiritual intimacy amidst life’s demands. Through interactive exercises and scriptural reflection, participants will develop personalized approaches for building resilient, Christ-cen tered marriages with their clients who thrive under pressure. Learning Objectives 1. Analyze the interplay between chronic stress and relation ship attachment through both biblical and neurobiological lenses, incorporating recent studies on stress hormones’ ef fects on pair bonding while examining scriptural models of resilient marriages under pressure (e.g., Abraham and Sarah, Aquila and Priscilla) 2. Develop and implement evidence-based strategies for protecting marital intimacy in high-visibility contexts 3. Design personalized stress-management and relationship nurturing practices for clients that integrate Christian spiri tual disciplines with contemporary psychological interven tions, applying recent findings on mindfulness in couples therapy alongside biblical principles of Sabbath rest and sacred time 016: Treatment Resistant Depression, Neurobiology, and Lasting Change: The Roadmap to Newfound Joy and Living 3 credit hours Continuing Education Accreditations applicable to this workshop: APA, ASWB, NBCC, IBCC, NAADAC, Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling Continuing Medical Education Accreditations applicable to this workshop: AMA PRA Category 1 Credit, AOA Category 2A Credits, Georgia Nurses Association, AAFP Level: Advanced Timothy Jennings, M.D. Honey Lake Clinic Summary According to research, up to one-third of patients with de pression fail to experience lasting wellness despite the usage of medication, such as antidepressant treatment. An explo ration of recent studies now describes depression not as a monolithic disorder but instead as a complex brain/body disease with multiple contributing factors for which medi cations are only one potential treatment. This presentation, designed for psychologists, licensed mental health profes sionals, and medical professionals, explores the neurobiolo

gy of depression, focusing on the relationship between brain circuitry, immune response, and cellular brain changes. The presenters will review the current research on various contributing factors to depression, such as lifestyle, relation ships, genetics, and spirituality. Furthermore, the presenter will help participants develop integrative strategies to resolve and reduce the risk of depression and explore treatment aug mentation strategies for refractory cases. Learning Objectives 1. Describe the complexity of factors that contribute to de pression 2. Examine the relationship between brain circuitry, immune response, and cellular brain changes in depression 3. Develop integrative interventions to promote brain health and reduce the risk of depression 4. Create treatment augmentation strategies to improve out comes for treatment-refractory depression 017: Christian Superhero Therapy with Traumatized Youth and Young Adults: Speaking Their Language to Help Clients Engage in the Process 3 credit hours Continuing Education Accreditations applicable to this workshop: APA, ASWB, NBCC, IBCC, Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling Continuing Medical Education Accreditations applicable to this workshop: AMA PRA Category 1 Credit, AOA Category 2A Credits, Georgia Nurses Association, AAFP Level: Intermediate Kathie Erwin, Ed.D. Divine Mercy University Summary When trauma crashes into the life of a child or teenager, their sense of safety, freedom, and even faith can be shaken to its core. Commonly used adult-focused mental health approaches may not be effective in reaching this younger client’s core fears. Dr. Janine Scarlett’s Superhero Trauma Therapy is a secular approach that has gained research valid ity and prominence in working with the younger generation. Long before Superhero Therapy was even an idea, C.S. Lewis gave the faith-based world a challenge: “It is likely that chil dren will meet cruel enemies; let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage.” Superhero Trauma Therapy is easily adaptable for faith-based clients utiliz ing hero stories from ancient Scripture, history, or fictional books with faith-based content. In this workshop, psycholo gists and licensed mental health professionals will learn ad ditional ideas on utilizing Superhero Trauma Therapy with Sandtray Therapy, a play therapy modality. This presentation will highlight practical applications of Superhero Trauma Therapy within a faith-based context.

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