2027 World Conference

Pre-Conference Workshops

Morning Pre-conference Workshops

8:30 – 11:45 AM

001
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: Introduction and Faith-based Applications for Christian Clients
Joshua Knabb, Psy.D.
002
Aging Well: Mental Health, Family Caregiving, and Faith Across the Later Years
Pamela Pyle, D.O.
003
Before It’s Over: Breaking Down Walls and Rebuilding a Christ-centered Marriage
Megan Clunan, Ph.D., and John Thomas, Ph.D., Ph.D.
004
Breaking the Anxiety Cycle: Bottom-Up, Top-Down, and Whole-Person Treatment
Linda Mintle, Ph.D.
005
Counting Sheep: The Interplay of Sleep, Mental Health, and the Good Shepherd
Siang-Yang Tan, Ph.D.
006
Coaching Through Living Losses: A Practical Framework for Helping Clients Move Forward When Life Doesn’t Change
Georgia Shaffer, M.A.
007
The Exploding World of Adult ADHD: Evidence-based Insights and Intervention
E. John Kuhnley, M.D.
008
Family Estrangement: The New Family Crisis in America
Mercy Connors, Ph.D., and Keisha Wright, CMMHC
009
Family Play Therapy for Challenging Family Systems
Daniel Sweeney, Ph.D.
010
Father Wounds: Helping Those Hurt by Their Earthly Father Connect and Heal with Their Heavenly Father
Michele Watson Canfield, Ph.D., and Ken Canfield, Ph.D.
011
From Pressure to Purpose: Coaching Leaders for Resilience, Performance, and Sustainable Success
Johnny Parker, D.S.L., and Mark Crear, Ph.D.
012
Emerging Addictions and New Frontiers in Recovery: Psychedelics, Gambling, and the Changing Landscape of Addiction
John Eklund, M.S.W., and Brian Kelley, Ph.D.
013
Gaslighting, Ghosting, and Emotional Manipulation: Recognizing and Recovering from Narcissistic and Emotionally Abusive Relationships
Amy Feigel, M.A., and Fred DiBlasio, Ph.D.
014
Healing Beyond Survival: Advanced Treatment for Complex Trauma and Dissociation
Heather Gingrich, Ph.D.
015
Neurobiology Brain Encoding of Lived Experiences: How Real Change and Transformation Happen
Tim Jennings, M.D.
016
Neurotheology: The Presence, Process, Provision, and Power of God in Therapy
Ian Jones, Ph.D., Ph.D., and Ron Hawkins, Ed.D., D.Min.
017
OCD and Religious Scrupulosity/Doubt: Game-changing Transdiagnostic Techniques for Difficult Issues
Gary Sibcy, Ph.D.
018
Post-abortion Grief and Trauma: Understanding the Mental Health Impact and Pathways Toward Healing
Bill Lile, D.O.
019
The Question of AI: When and How to Utilize It in Therapeutic Practice
Jason VanRuler, M.A., and Ingo Tophoven, Ph.D.
020
Race-based Trauma, Generational Trauma, and Diversity: Clinical, Ethical, and Faith-based Responses
Fernando Garzon, Psy.D., and Diane Sharp, Ed.D.
021
The Story We Tell Ourselves: How Attachment Shapes Identity, Relationships, and Emotional Health
Zach Clinton, Ph.D., and Tim Clinton, Ed.D.
022
A Systemic Approach to Navigating Value-based Conflicts in Professional Counseling: Ethical, Legal, and Practice Implications
Bill Buker, D.Min., Ph.D., David Jenkins, Psy.D., and Jeanneane Maxon, J.D., Esq.
023
Teen Loneliness, Loss, and Suicide: Healing a Lost Generation
Chap Clark, Ph.D., Mark Mayfield, Ph.D., and Ryan Burkhart, Ed.D.
024
Unlocking the Brain’s Hidden Spots: An Introduction to Brainspotting
Kevin Ellers, D.Min.

Afternoon Pre-conference Workshops

1:45 – 5:00 PM

026
When Relationships Become Emotionally Destructive: Trauma-informed Care for Victims of Narcissistic and Emotional Abuse
Leslie Vernick, M.S.W.
027
Amen Whole-4: Changing Lives at Scale
Daniel Amen, M.D.
028
Preparing for Trauma Work: Specific Tools to Improve Emotion Regulation and Attachment Security
Anita Kuhnley, Ph.D., and Lisa Compton, Ph.D.
029
Beyond the Conflict: Equipping Parents to Restore Trust and Connection with Teens and Young Adults
Kathy Koch, Ph.D., and Dee Dee Mayer, D.Min., LCSW
030
The Empty Crib: Mental Healthcare through Pregnancy, Birth, Loss, and Infertility
Caitlin Overfelt, Ph.D., Vanessa Kent, Ph.D., and Donna Gibbs, Ph.D.
031
Reclaiming Attention: Clinical Practices for Gratitude, Digital Wellness, and the Rhythms of Flourishing
Sylvia Hart Frejd, D.Min., and Catherine Hart Weber, Ph.D.
032
Helping Families Grieve Together Instead of Being Torn Apart
Jennifer Ellers, M.A., and Tricia Thornton, M.A.
033
Hope-focused Couples Counseling: Evidence-based Strategies for Building Hope, Repairing Bonds, and Strengthening Relationships
Jennifer Ripley, Ph.D., and Everett L. Worthington, Jr., Ph.D.
034
Pornography, Compulsivity, and Partner Betrayal: Helping Couples Navigate Sexual Brokenness and Rebuild Trust
Jim Cress, M.A., and Sherri Denham Keffer, Ph.D.
035
Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples (EFT-C): From Distress to Connection
Sharon May, Ph.D.
036
Moral Trauma: Assessment, Treatment, and Faith-based Approaches to Healing
Jennifer Wortham, Dr.PH., and Harold Koenig, M.D.
037
The Neurobiology of Food and Mood: Stopping the Cycle of Emotional Eating
Rhona Epstein, Psy.D.
038
Reaching the Disconnected Generation: Youth Mental Health, Addiction, Trauma, and the Path to Resilience
Adrian Hickmon, Ph.D.
039
Shame, Identity, and the Gospel: Helping Clients Move from Condemnation to Freedom
Ed Welch, M.Div., Ph.D.
040
Relationship Skills for Healthy Love in Every Season: Helping Couples Create Better Communication, Conflict Resolution, Intimacy, and Lasting Love
Debra Fileta, M.A.
041
Sport and Performance Psychology Techniques to Help Clients Enhance Cognitive Performance
Ed Garrett, Psy.D., and Ashley Lynn, Ph.D.
042
When Words Are Not Enough: Utilizing Creative Traumatic Grief Resources for Children, Adolescents, and Adults
Michele Louviere, M.A., and Marlea Louviere, M.A.
043
Toxic Faith and Spiritual Abuse: A Mental Health Professional’s Guide to Working with Those Hurt by the Church
Terra Mattson, M.A.
044
When War Comes Home: Military Trauma, PTSD, Moral Injury, and Family Reintegration
Dallas Speight, Ed.D., D.Min., and Scott Speight, M.A.
045
When You Want to Fire Them Before They Fire You: Awareness and Effective Techniques for the Most Difficult Clients
Shannae Anderson, Ph.D.