SPEAKERS

2025 Social Work Conference Fall Edition

“Nurturing Holistic Wellness & Exploring Alternative Approaches to Mental Health”

Healing Beyond the Couch: Alternative Approaches for Couples on the Brink

Melissa ratliff sorrell, LCSW

Presentation Content

Identify limitations of traditional couples therapy and explore alternative approaches that foster emotional safety and relational growth
Apply a structured framework with experiential interventions for high-conflict couples and trauma survivors
Demonstrate use of 'The Clearing Process' for emotional healing and relationship repair through interactive practice
Evaluate personal biases, countertransference, and boundaries to improve work with diverse and emotionally intense relationships

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Standing in the Gap: Ethical and Culturally Competent Approaches to the Treatment of Vulnerable Populations in times of Political and Social Unrest

Presentation Content

To identify the unique challenges faced by vulnerable/marginalized individuals and communities in times of political and social unrest
Identify potential barriers to treatment of such individuals (unconscious bias, microaggressions, countertransference, cultural incompetence, unidentified privilege, etc.)
Identify through exercises and assessment any unrealized barriers to treating vulnerable populations
Offer strategies for intentionally working through potential barriers to the treatment of vulnerable populations

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Meditation: Application to Military-related and Other Trauma

Presentation Content

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Self-Care Saturdays & the Bleauxprint of Boundaries: What Social Work School Didn't Teach Us

Presentation Content

Identify common signs and symptoms of compassion fatigue, burnout, and vicarious trauma in helping professionals.
Describe the hidden curriculum of social work—what’s missing from formal education about emotional boundaries, self-preservation, and sustainability.
Explore the cultural and systemic pressure for social workers to “save everyone” and how this mindset impacts personal and professional well-being.
Apply practical strategies for setting and maintaining boundaries with clients, colleagues, supervisors, and themselves & distinguish between surface-level self-care and sustainable self-care that supports long-term resilience.

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Holistic Care for Individuals with Gender Dysphoria

Presentation Content

Implement evidence-based therapeutic approaches, such as Cognitive-Behavioral therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), affirmative therapy, and gender exploration therapy.
Collaborate with medical providers to support informed decision-making around gender-affirming medical care.
Guide clients in accessing social support, including family, peer groups and affirming community spaces.
Address and promote wellness and self-care strategies.

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Ethics Outside the Box: Navigating Non-Traditional Therapist with Integrity

Presentation Content

Define non-traditional therapeutic modalities and distinguish them from traditional approaches.
Identify at least five examples of non-traditional modalities and understand their basic principles and applications.
Recognize key ethical considerations, including competency, informed consent, and maintaining professional boundaries when using non-traditional modalities.
Understand the importance of cultural sensitivity and evidence-based practice in integrating non-traditional therapies.
Discuss the legal and regulatory implications of incorporating non-traditional modalities into clinical practice