Developmental Repair and the Intersection of Culture, Race, Trauma, and Systems
2025-03-07
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March 7, 2025 | 12:30-3:30pm CST | 3 CEHs | $45 | Live Webinar | Infant & Early Childhood Focus | Cultural Competency
This workshop is expected to be approved for 1 hour of clinical content, 3 hours of cultural competency content & 3 hours of DEVELOP Credit
Description:
In order to help a young person heal from toxic stress we must hold in mind the core components of Developmental Repair (stress biology, attachment, family culture) while honoring the family and community’s experience of culture, race, and interactions with systems. In 2017, Washburn Center and Northside Achievement Zone began formally training NAZ partners in the model bringing Dr. Anne Gearity’s concepts of joining and making sense to early childhood spaces. Each provider who uses these tools to increase emotional and behavioral regulation brings their own lived experiences to the relationship with young children and their families. When providers and caregivers are grounded in the principals of Developmental Repair and trust each other’s intentions, we can work within and across cultures to serve the various needs of our scholars/clients.
Learning Objectives:

Understand how unlearning assumptions about family culture can lead to better connections.
Identify ways adult/provider’s lived experience impacts how they take a child’s perspective.
Learn how the intersection of racialized trauma, development, family, and system impact scholar/client well-being.

Level: Intermediate | For: Early Childhood Professional or Educator | Ages Addressed: Prenatal through 6 years
About the Presenter
Chantell Johnson, MSW Candidate – Community Wellness Program Manager & Family Academy Facilitator, Northside Achievement Zone
Lauren W. Nietz, MSW, LICSW – Director of the Training Institute and Clinical Development, Washburn Center for Children

Building Workforce Resilience: Reflective Practice Supervision to Enhance Organizational Health
2025-04-09
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April 9, 2025 | 9:00 – 11:00 am CST | 2 CEHs | $30 | Live Webinar | Reflective Supervision
This workshop is expected to be approved for 2 hours of Supervision content
Description: Reflective Practice Supervision, delivered in individual and group formats, has been shown to offer a critical buffer for staff of many different roles and professional backgrounds to secondary traumatic stress and other workplace stressors, while increasing staff retention and engagement. Participants will gain concrete tools for Reflective Practice implementation and will help participants offer this powerful support within their organizations.
Reflective Practice has been found to be an effective model of supervision across many fields in health care, law, and mental health and behavioral health. Anyone providing supervision can benefit from this training, and those who have advanced training in clinical supervision will benefit as well.
Level: Intermediate | For: Anyone Providing Staff Supervision | Ages Addressed: All
About the Presenter
Sarah Lockhart, MSW, LICSW – Director of Mental Health, Northeast Youth and Family Services (NYFS)
Angela Lewis-Dmello, MSW, LICSW – President & CEO of Northeast Youth and Family Services (NYFS)

FREE Intro Training: Family Navigation to Prevention & Early Intervention Services
2025-05-16
Promoting Children’s Mental Health Via Family Navigation to Prevention & Early Intervention Services
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May 16, 2025 | 12:30 – 1:30pm CST | 1 CEHs | FREE | Live Webinar | Introductory Course with Up-to-Date Research
Description: Family navigation is an emerging practice approach to promote children’s mental health and prevent adverse childhood experiences. There are a range of navigation approaches available to support child and family service access, with some practices demonstrating greater effectiveness than others. This presentation will provide a practitioner-friendly overview of family navigation; what it is, how it works, and the current evidence for effective navigation practices.​
Learning Objectives:
1. Discover the process of family navigation & its impact on mental health outcomes for children & families
2. Explore the differences between family navigation & case management, as well as a variety of approaches to family navigation & their effectiveness
3. Discuss ways in which professionals can support family engagement with mental health services, with special attention to current and emerging family navigation practices in Minnesota
Level: Basic | For: Educators & School System Professionals, Mental Health & Social Service Professionals, Early Childhood Professionals | Ages Addressed: All
About the Presenter
Dr. Jeff Waid, PhD, LISW is an intervention and services researcher whose scholarship focuses on the role of health equity and mental health promotion in the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect. Across projects, his work aims to improve the health and well-being of children and families, and to illuminate the mechanisms underlying how interventions work, for whom, and under what conditions. Dr. Waid currently works as an Associate Professor of Social Work at the University of Minnesota.

Fatphobia: The Socially Acceptable Bias
2025-05-28
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May 28, 2025 | 9:00 – 11:00 am CST | 2 CEHs | $30 | Live Webinar
This workshop is expected to be approved for .5 hours of Cultural Competency content
Description: Fatphobia, or weight-based discrimination, is a pervasive issue that affects many aspects of life, from healthcare and media representation to relationships and finances. This presentation aims to explore the complexities of fatphobia, its origins, and the profound effects it has on individuals from youth into adulthood and society as a whole.
We will begin by defining fatphobia and distinguishing it from related concepts like body positivity and other biases. Fatphobia encompasses negative attitudes and discriminatory practices that marginalize people based on their body size. These can range from overt acts like derogatory comments to subtler forms, such as biased medical treatment or harmful media portrayals.
The presentation will explore how fatphobia has become normalized and perpetuated in society through factors like capitalism, media influence, and historical contexts. We’ll also discuss its impacts on mental and physical health, including higher rates of anxiety, depression, and poor healthcare outcomes. Finally, we will share actionable steps to challenge biases and promote inclusivity, with tools like the Health at Every Size framework to help foster empathy and support equity in our communities.
Learning Objectives:

Raise awareness of the pervasiveness and normalization of fatphobia.

Explore how stigma and bias perpetuate fatphobia and related disorders.

Understand the link between fatphobia and mental health.

Provide strategies to challenge fatphobia in personal and professional settings.

Introduce Health at Every Size as a framework for supporting all body types.

Level: Basic | For: Everyone | Ages Addressed: All
Presenter: Nathalie Mahood, MA, LGSW – Psychotherapist at M Health Fairview, LynLake Centers for Wellbeing
About the Presenter
Nathalie, a dedicated psychotherapist with M Health Fairview and LynLake Centers for Wellbeing, brings compassion and expertise to her practice. With a background in trauma work, crisis intervention, EMDR, and therapy, she finds purpose in helping others heal and find peace. As a passionate public speaker, she advocates against fatphobia, weight bias and leverages her platform to promote inclusivity, acceptance, and mental well-being. Nathalie has an educational background that includes a bachelor’s degree in business and human resources, and two master’s degrees, one in human resources and most recently in social work.

Breaking Barriers: Addressing Mental Health Stigma in Communities of Color
2025-05-30
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May 30, 2025 | 12:30pm – 2:30pm CST | 2 CEHs | $30 | Live Webinar | Cultural Competency
This workshop is expected to be approved for 2 hours of Cultural Competency content
Description: Mental health is a universal issue, yet for many people in communities of color, accessing mental health care remains an uphill battle. Cultural stigma, rooted in deeply held beliefs, historical trauma, and the intersections of systemic racism, shape how mental health is perceived and addressed. In this dynamic session, we will delve into the unique challenges faced by people of color when it comes to mental health, and explore how cultural narratives, combined with societal discrimination, create a complex landscape of silence and hesitation around mental health care.
Learning Objectives:

Understand how cultural factors in communities of color contribute to mental health stigma and impact help-seeking behavior.
Identify strategies for creating inclusive, culturally competent mental health services by addressing cultural stigma, systemic racism, and societal distrust.

Level: Basic | For: Everyone | Ages Addressed: All
Presenter: Rosilynn Morris, MSW, LICSW, Founder/Therapist at Find Your Piece, PLLC
About the Presenter
Rosilynn Morris, MSW, LICSW is a private practice therapist and owner of Find Your Piece, PLLC located in Minnesota. As a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, Rosilynn wholeheartedly believes in the transformative power of therapy. Rosilynn specializes in providing culturally responsive, social-justice oriented trauma therapy to individuals of all ages.
Rosilynn received her bachelor’s and master’s degree in clinical social work from the University of St. Thomas and is a MN Board Approved Supervisor. She is certified in DC:05 and trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) from an Indigenous lens, which integrates mind, body, and spirit. Rosilynn is also a vetted therapist by Foster Adopt Minnesota

The Correlation Between the Pygmalion Effect and Black Youth Suicide
2025-07-09
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July 9, 2025 | 12:30-2:30pm CST | 2 CEHs | $30 | Live Webinar | Cultural Competency
This workshop is expected to be approved for 2 hours of Cultural Competency content
Description: This presentation explores the Pygmalion Effect and its correlation with the mental health of Black youth, particularly focusing on suicide rates. By examining how expectations from educators and society shape self-perception, we will discuss the implications of high expectations versus low expectations. Through data and personal stories, we aim to highlight the urgent need for positive reinforcement and support in vulnerable communities.
By fostering positive expectations, educators, healthcare professionals, and community leaders can significantly impact mental health. Understanding this correlation encourages proactive support and intervention, promoting resilience and well-being in young individuals, thereby creating a more nurturing environment for diverse populations.
Objectives:

Define the Pygmalion Effect & highlight how this effect influences self-esteem and outcomes in Black youth, applicable across all professions and caregiving roles.

Examine how expectations from educators & society shape self-perception for Black youth, as demonstrated by both data & personal stories

Explore ways that all professionals & caregivers involved in the lives of Black youth can foster positive expectations to promote resilience and prevent Black youth suicide

Level: Basic | For: Everyone | Ages Addressed: School-age to young adulthood
Presenter: Triasia Yun-Robinson, MAPL, MHP clinical trainee – Director of Home & Community Based Services, Healing & Restoration Consulting LLC
About the Presenter
Triasia Yun-Robinson, MAPL, MHP is a mental health practitioner & the co-owner/Director of Home & Community Based Services at Healing & Restoration Consulting LLC. Triasia has been appointed by Gov. Tim Waltz as a parent advocate on the Minnesota Mental Health Advisory Council. Triasia is also the founder of The Lovely Lady Network, an organization that helps build the self-esteem of black women and children.
Triasia feels her purpose in life is to eliminate black youth suicide; As a youth mental health first aider, certified family peer specialist, and parent educator, Triasia holds vigils & groups to create awareness around black youth suicide.

Everybody Plays: Play as Imperative to Wellbeing
2025-08-13
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August 13, 2025 | 12:30 – 2:30pm CST | 2 CEHs | $30 | Live Webinar
Description: How do we understand play and how does play relate to well-being? While play is most typically linked to young children, research demonstrates that humans across the lifespan benefit from play. This presentation will explore how we define play, the role that play has in human development, and the practical applications and necessity of play for children, adolescents, and adults.
Learning Objectives:

Define play with a developmental lens & explore how play can be demonstrated across different stages of human development
Discover how play can meet multiple areas of development across the lifespan & its benefits for children, adolescents & adults.
Explore the practical applications of play for all ages

Presenter: Marissa Stitt, MS, LPCC – Mental Health Therapist, Northern Perspectives Psychological Services
About the Presenter
Marissa Stitt, MS, LPCC is a mental health therapist in northern Minnesota, who works with children, adolescents, adults, and families using client-centered, collaborative, and creative approaches to meet a variety of treatment needs. Her areas of expertise include child and adolescent mental health, trauma-focused interventions, and engagement strategies for children and their families. She is trained in DC:0-5 assessment and Child-Parent Psychotherapy.

Connecting with Hard to Engage Teenagers
2025-09-12
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September 12, 2025 | 9:00am – 12:00pm CST | 3 CEHs | $45 | Live Webinar
Description: Let’s be honest, teenagers can be intimidating! Whether you are new to working with adolescents or looking to refine your skills, this workshop aims to provide tools to break barriers and build meaningful, therapeutic relationships with hard-to-reach teens using creativity, patience, and authenticity. Let’s explore how brain development and social influences contribute to disengagement and distrust in adolescents and how to create an environment where teenagers feel valued and motivated. Whether you are someone who works with a teenager in a professional capacity or are a parent or caregiver trying to navigate adolescent years, this training will benefit you!
This webinar is expected to be approved for 1 hour of clinical content and .5 hours of cultural competency content
Learning Objectives:

Explore how brain development and cultural/social influences contribute to disengagement and distrust in adolescents.
Discover different ways to create an environment where teenagers feel valued and motivated.
Discover tools to break barriers and build meaningful, therapeutic relationships with hard-to-reach teens using creativity, patience, and authenticity.

Presenter: Brianna Coleman, MSW, LICSW – Clinical Program Therapist, LynLake Center for Wellbeing & MN Department of Corrections
About the Presenter
Brianna received her MSW from the University of Minnesota in 2018 and holds a LICSW. Brianna works as a clinical program therapist with the MN Department of Corrections at Oak Park Heights prison’s Mental Health Unit and as a therapist with LynLake Centers for Wellbeing. She has worked in the mental health field for 10+ years and has grown passionate about working with children, adolescents, and adults who hold marginalized identities. Brianna enjoys presenting educational trainings to a variety of different agencies and organizations on topics including attachment and development, severe and persistent mental illness, LGBTQ+ topics and trauma-informed care

Changing the Narrative on Mental Health and Suicide
2025-09-23 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Detroit)
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September 23, 2025 | 1-3 pm CST | 2 CEHs | $30 | Live Webinar | with Deborah Cavitt, MS, CFPS – Manager of Education and Advocacy, MACMH.
Talking about mental health and suicide can be an uncomfortable and uncertain topic that brings up different feelings, beliefs, and attitudes. This session empowers individuals to begin conversations and change perceptions toward hope, resilience, and a more supportive narrative around mental health.
Throughout the session, participants will engage in dialog about being intentional in the words we are using. Certain ways of talking about mental health and suicide can alienate members of any community, sensationalize the issue, contribute to a decrease in help-seeking behavior, or even present suicide as a glamorous, preferred way of dealing with problems.
Having healthy conversations about mental health and suicide avoids harmful messages that might increase suicide risk in individuals or undermine suicide prevention goals. By doing this safely, it reduces stigma, mitigates risks, promotes help-seeking, and respects all individuals.
Objectives

Promote language that respects the dignity of individuals and emphasizes compassion, including using terms that reduce stigma and foster open, supportive conversations about mental health and suicide prevention.
Recognize the signs for people at risk and how to respond when you identify someone who is in distress or suicidal.
Empower individuals to begin conversations and change perceptions toward hope, resilience, and a more supportive narrative around mental health.

Level: Basic | Audience: Everyone | Ages Addressed: Anyone at risk from children to adults
About the Presenter
Deborah Cavitt, MS, CFPS, is the Manager of Education and Advocacy in MACMH’s Youth and Family team. Her passion is to educate, coach, and empower youth and families to give them hope, knowledge, and resources to promote resilience, recovery, and mental wellness.
As a parent with lived experience navigating the systems of mental health care for her children, Deb understands the importance of family peer support during tough times. At MACMH, she has trained many parents and caregivers to be Certified Family Peer Specialists to support families of children with diagnosed mental health disorders.
Before coming to MACMH, Deb was a classroom teacher for twenty years and a prevention specialist for a substance abuse agency. Her bachelor’s degree is in education and psychology and my master’s degree is in human service with specializations in mental health and substance abuse counseling.
At MACMH Deb presents to educators, mental health professionals, community groups, and parents on Early Warning Signs of Children’s Mental Health Disorders, Suicide Prevention, Youth Mental Health First Aid, Bullying Prevention and many other topics related to child and adolescent mental health. Through federal, state and local grants she helps bring model programming to schools including Sources of Strength and Teen Mental Health First Aid to high school students.

Mental Health Collaboration Hub, Addressing the Youth Mental Health Boarding Crisis
2025-10-02 12:00 - 13:00
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October 2, 2025 | 12 – 1 PM CST | 1 CEHs | Free | Live Webinar
Our current mental health crisis continues to put strain on our health systems, families, and in particular the young people in our communities. Every day in Minnesota dozens of youth present to hospitals and emergency departments in a psychiatric or behavioral health crisis. The number of youths in emergency departments in crisis has doubled in the last decade, overwhelming hospital staff and infrastructure that is designed for medical emergencies. Stories of youth boarding (stuck) on medical units, hallways, and even parking garages have become more common as they have no place to go.
The situations are intense, and services are scarce. The time spent boarding is increasing as well, in some cases up to weeks or even months. This is a result of an underfunded and understaffed system of mental health care providers and human service systems. In response to this crisis, in August 2022 stakeholders across the state began to meet to talk about the problem. Led by the Metro Health Coalition and AspireMN, they represented the state’s largest hospitals, counties, mental health treatment centers, group homes, and advocacy groups.
Together these groups began identifying specific cases of youth who were boarding in inappropriate settings and trying to connect them to care. The cases were among the most difficult to place. Through grant funding provided by the state of Minnesota, the group was able to build a secure online platform for centralized communication and automation. Thus, the Mental Health Collaboration Hub was born.
For each case on the Hub, de-identified information is submitted which allows youth to be matched with mental health providers, safe living settings, and other additional supports. Once a match is made, the current care team is able to connect with the identified resources and often coordinate a safe placement. Since its conception in 2022, the Hub has served over 400 youth. There are currently 230 organizations registered and nearly 500 individual users. Not only has the Hub facilitated the placement of numerous youth, but it has helped identify the common risk factors that can lead to extended boarding times. For example, our data shows that one of the most common risk factors present for young people on the Hub is the presence of aggression. Better understanding these risk factors allows practitioners in emergency rooms, clinics, hospitals, and treatment centers to facilitate placement and thus provide better care to these children.
Additionally, understanding the clinical presentations and dispositions can inform our policies and funding, eventually impacting the systems that are causing the boarding crisis. Our hope is that this presentation will not only inform participants about the work that is being done to address the mental health boarding crisis, but help empower them to envision better ways forward that can better serve our youth and their families.
Objectives

Become familiar with the mental health boarding crisis impacting youth in Minnesota.
Learn how the Mental Health Collaboration Hub is helping to address this issue.
Identify factors resulting in longer boarding times.
Identify ways to help shorten or prevent boarding situations

Presenters: Maggie Plattes, MD, Hennepin Healthcare, Todd Archbold, LSW, MBA, CEO, PraireCare, and Yasmine Dakhama, MD, Hennepin Healthcare
About the Presenters
Todd Archbold is a social worker, and the chief executive officer of PrairieCare, a psychiatric health system based in Brooklyn Park, MN. He has led numerous efforts to expand mental health services by creating new programs, strengthening community partnerships, and focusing energy on community outreach and educational initiatives. These efforts have included the clinical and operational design and launch of numerous programs including clinics, hospitals, integrated care models, grant partnerships and more.
Todd is an avid writer, including his book Leading with the Head and Heart as well as numerous journal and new articles. Todd was recognized among the 100 Most Influential Health Care Leaders by Minnesota Physician Magazine, was named one of the Most Admired CEOs in the Twin Cities by the Mpls-St. Paul Business Journal, and received the Minnesota State University Dept of Social Work Alumnus of the Year Award.
Yasmine Dakhama is a third-year psychiatry resident in Minneapolis and St. Paul through the Hennepin-Regions psychiatry program. Her interests in psychiatry are broad and include psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, and community psychiatry. She is also interested in child psychiatry and research related to increasing access to mental health care services across the state.
Maggie Plattes is a fourth-year psychiatry resident physician. She completed her medical training at the University of Minnesota Medical School and is currently training at the Hennepin Regions Psychiatry Residency Program. Maggie plans to specialize in child and adolescent psychiatry. Her other professional interests include global psychiatry, psychodynamic therapy, patient advocacy, and medical education.
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Donate to MACMH here.

Give to the Max
2025-11-01 00:00 - 2025-11-20 23:59
Donate
It’s Give to the Max, a glorious time to give in Minnesota! MACMH is excited to be participating to help support our mental health programs and work with children, families and professionals.
In Minnesota, an estimated one in five children have a diagnosed mental or behavioral health condition. Yet there is a significant shortage of mental health providers available to work with children and families.
We know that when children receive mental health care, they are more likely to succeed academically, socially, and physically.
MACMH is uniquely positioned to help support and build a mental health system of culturally responsive, supported professionals to pursue optimal mental health from infancy to young adulthood. Through accessible training, conference, reflective consultation, resources and certifications, MACMH is the professional home for those who work with infants, children, and young adults.
Unfortunately, like many wonderful, impactful, and important nonprofits, MACMH urgently needs your support to continue our work.
Will you donate $50 to help support our goal of raising $3,000 to help us keep our resources up to date and our trainings accessible?
Your support will help us in our pursuit of optimal mental health for all of Minnesota’s infants, children, and young adults.
Give to the Max Day 2024 raised a record-breaking $37 million for 6,556 nonprofits and schools. Join in the FUNdraising this year and support the children and families of Minnesota with a gift to MACMH.

Heartstrings Online Silent Auction
2025-11-16 07:00 - 2025-12-01 19:00
During the giving season, shop with MACMH! The Heartstrings Online Silent Auction fundraiser is a call to action to uplift Minnesota’s children and families by advancing the work of professionals, supporting caregivers, and centering the voices of youth in mental health advocacy.
Find gifts this season for everyone in your life—partners, friends, family, teachers, coworkers, you name it!
Make every dollar count when you bid at our Heartstrings Online Silent Auction.
Open November 16, 7 a.m. to December 1, 7 p.m.
Shop the Auction

Betting on Trouble: The Rise of Online Gambling in Teenagers (Virtual)
2026-01-08 13:00 - 15:00
Presenter: Thad Shunkwiler, LMFT, LPCC, ACS, CCMHC — Associate Professor at Minnesota State University, Mankato
Date & Time: Virtually over Zoom on Thursday, January 8, 2026 | 1:00 – 3:00 PM CST | 2 CEHs
Price: $60 ($30 per CEU)
This presentation is expected to be approved for 2 hours of clinical content
Description of Presentation: In an era where online sports betting is more accessible than ever, teenagers are increasingly drawn into the high-risk world of gambling. This presentation explores the factors fueling this growing trend, including social media influence, targeted advertising, and the allure of quick financial gains. We’ll examine the psychological and financial risks, legal implications, and the role of technology in enabling underage betting. Finally, we’ll discuss strategies for clinicians, parents, and educators to mitigate harm and promote responsible digital behavior. Join us as we uncover the hidden dangers of online sports betting and what can be done to protect young minds from its grip.
Learning Objectives:

Identify key risk factors contributing to the rise of online sports betting among adolescents, including the role of technology, social media, and targeted marketing strategies.
Describe the psychological, developmental, and financial consequences associated with adolescent gambling behaviors, as well as the legal and ethical considerations surrounding underage access.
Apply prevention and intervention strategies that parents, educators, and community stakeholders can use to promote digital literacy, reduce harm, and support responsible behavior among youth.

Level: Basic | For: Everyone | Ages Addressed: 12-18
Register Here

Pop-up: Supporting Children During Immigration Enforcement Operations
2026-01-16 12:00 - 13:00
Presenter: Hopewell Hodges, MA, PhD Candidate — Predoctoral Psychology Internat the University of Minnesota
Date & Time: Virtual over Zoom on Friday, January 16, 2026 from 12:00 AM – 1:00 PM CST | 1 CEHs
When our communities experience violence and fear, children and the adults who care for them carry that weight. At Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health, our values remain clear and unwavering: every child, caregiver and family deserves safety, dignity, and care. We know trauma has ripple effects in our communities, and it is our collective responsibility to respond with accountability, compassion, and support.
Registration for this training will follow a pay-what-you-can model. Contributions will go directly to supporting reflective practice groups for professionals, many of whom are supporting and holding space for the children and families impacted by immigration enforcement operations.
Description of Presentation:
Many children from immigrant and refugee families have loved ones at risk of deportation. For these children, immigration enforcement operations in a community can pose a risk to mental health and development. Fortunately, supportive adults in a child’s life can play a large role in protecting children’s mental health and promoting positive development.
This training offers concrete strategies that adults can use to support children during periods of uncertainty and fear. Drawn from the field of developmental resilience science and informed by clinical practice, these strategies leverage ordinary resources around a child — most importantly, the presence of caring adults — and can be applied by anyone in service to children, including parents, educators, clinicians, and community leaders. Attendees will learn skills for communicating with children about immigration enforcement, restoring predictability and safety, promoting agency, and, most importantly, listening well.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this training attendees will be able to:

Articulate children’s core developmental needs amid fears of a loved one’s detention or deportation
Implement practical strategies to support children who are afraid of a caregiver’s detention or deportation, as well as those whose caregiver has been arrested
Advocate for the needs of children and families affected by immigration enforcement operations

About the Presenter: Hopewell R. Hodges is a PhD candidate in the University of Minnesota’s joint-track doctoral program in developmental psychology and clinical psychology, advised by Drs. Ann Masten and Saida Abdi. She conducts community-engaged research focused on positive development in young people exposed to multisystem adversities like forced displacement and housing loss. Because young people’s health depends to such a large extent on the functioning of surrounding systems, Hopewell focuses much of her attention on building the capacity of the adult world to respond sensitively and creatively to children’s needs using locally effective resilience mechanisms. Her clinical work with children and families exposed to trauma often relies on a similar lens of multisystem resilience. With Dr. Charles Oberg, she co-authored a book, Global Impacts on Childhood Social Development: Building Resilience Amid Conflict, Environmental Degradation, and Climate Change, published December 2025.
Hopewell holds both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in literature from Yale University, both of which focused on communities’ responses to collective trauma like war, genocide, and colonization. She is completing her clinical internship at the Indian Health Board of Minneapolis.
Register Here

Treating OCD in Children and Adolescents: An Overview for Clinicians (Virtual)
2026-02-05 12:00 - 14:00
Presenter: Sam Marzouk, PhD, LP, Pediatric Psychologist — Promethean Psychology
Date & Time: Virtual over Zoom on Thursday, February 5th, 2026 from 12:00 – 2:00 PM CST | 2 CEHs
Price: $60 ($30 per CEU)
This presentation is expected to be approved for 2 hours of clinical content
Description of Presentation: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can derail a child’s world. This training offers a clear, comprehensive overview of OCD, equipping participants with effective strategies for diagnosis, assessment, and treatment planning. Participants will learn how to adapt Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for children using practical, kid-friendly techniques and real case examples that bring each concept to life. The training also emphasizes how clinicians can partner with and guide parents and caregivers to strengthen progress throughout the OCD treatment process.
Learning Objectives:
1. Identify common signs and symptoms of OCD in children and differentiate from anxiety disorders
2. Apply treatment strategies from Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) with children and adolescents
3. Describe ways to collaborate with and guide parents/caregivers in supporting their child’s treatment
Level: Basic | For: Everyone | Ages Addressed: 6-18
About the Presenter: Dr. Sam Marzouk is a clinical child psychologist who works with organizations that want to invest in youth by combining science, storytelling and concrete tools to help children grow into healthy, resilient adults. Dr. Marzouk is the owner of Promethean Psychology, a private psychology practice in the Minneapolis area. As a specialist in pediatric mental health, Dr. Marzouk works with children and adolescents with a variety of psychosocial concerns. As a professional speaker, Dr. Marzouk regularly provides workshops and trainings on pediatric mental health to psychologists, schools, parents, pediatricians and other pediatric medical providers.  He is also a contributing author to the Minnesota Pediatrician, a quarterly educational newsletter of the Minnesota Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.  He also runs a biweekly blog titled “Kids These Days” where he provides commentary on various topics relevant to childhood including social media, depression, ADHD, and more. Originally from Northern Virginia, Dr. Marzouk has lived in Minnesota for almost a decade and is not ashamed to admit that he loves the cold, snowy winters here!
Register Here

Pop-up: In the Eye of the Storm: Caring for Ourselves and Young Children When Our World Feels Unsafe
2026-02-20 12:30 - 13:30
Presenter: Chandra Ghosh Ippen, PhD — Associate Director of the Child Trauma Research Program at University of California, San Francisco; Director of Dissemination and Implementation for Child-Parent Psychotherapy.
Date & Time: Virtual over Zoom on Friday, February 20, 2026 from 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM CST | 1 CEH
Price: Our Pay What You Can pricing is rooted in our commitment to equity, accessibility, and community care. We want everyone to feel welcome to join this popup training—no one should be excluded because of cost.
Continuing Education: Pop-up trainings will receive a certificate of attendance, for official CE approval attendees will need to submit to their board directly.
Description of Presentation:
This session will explore how experiences of threat—such as fears related to immigration enforcement—can affect the well-being of young children and the adults who care for them. We will review core concepts in stress, trauma, and regulation to ground our understanding of what children and providers may be experiencing.
Together, we will consider two central questions:

How can we support our own regulation while working with children in times of uncertainty and fear?
How can we effectively support young children who may be experiencing stress, anxiety, or trauma related to threats in their families or communities?

Q&A if time permits

About the Presenter: Chandra Ghosh Ippen, PhD, is Associate Director of the Child Trauma Research Program at University of California, San Francisco, and Director of Dissemination and Implementation for Child-Parent Psychotherapy.
Dr. Chandra Ghosh Ippen is the author and co-author of over 20 publications and manuals related to trauma and diversity-informed practice, including Don’t Hit My Mommy (2005), and Losing a Parent to Death: Guidelines for the Treatment of Traumatic Bereavement in Infancy and Early Childhood (2003). She has worked on seven longitudinal studies and has conducted treatment outcome research on the effectiveness of psychosocial intervention programs with Spanish-speaking children and parents. Dr. Ghosh Ippen is also the director of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) Measure Review Database, and producer and director of Vale la Pena Recordar, a Spanish language video on childhood traumatic grief.
As a first-generation East Indian/Japanese American, Dr. Ghosh Ippen is committed to examining how culture and context affect perception and mental health systems. She authored the chapter “The sociocultural context of infant mental health: Towards contextually congruent intervention,” which is part of the 3rd edition of the Handbook of Infant Mental Health, and co-authored the chapter “Rainbow of tears, souls full of hope: Cultural issues related to young children and trauma,” which discusses the importance of incorporating a cultural focus when working with young children who have experienced trauma. She also serves as the co-chair of the Cultural Competence Consortium of the NCTSN.
Dr. Ghosh Ippen received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Southern California in 1999 and completed pre- and postdoctoral fellowships at the University of California, San Francisco.
Register Here

Video Gaming Disorder: Signs, Symptoms, and Help (Virtual)
2026-03-05 10:00 - 12:00
Presenter: Zachary Hansen, EdD, NCC, LADC, Associate Professor — Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School
Date & Time: Virtual over Zoom on Thursday, March 5th, 2026 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM CST | 2 CEHs
Price: $60 ($30 per CEU)
This presentation is expected to be approved for 2 hours of clinical content
Description of Presentation: For many, playing video games is an enjoyable and harmless pastime. For others, gaming can become a problematic preoccupation. Increasing numbers of adolescents and adults are experiencing significant negative consequences as a result of excessive video gaming. Join educator and clinician Zachary Hansen, EdD, LADC, NCC, to learn about video gaming trends, technology advances that increase addictive potential, criteria for internet gaming disorder, and treatment approaches for problem gaming. Dr. Hansen will also discuss the potential co-occurrence of problematic gaming with other behavioral health issues.
Learning Objectives:
1. Understand the criteria for internet gaming disorder
2. Identify trends in video gaming culture and technology that contribute to addictive behaviors
3. Learn strategies for conceptualizing and treating video game addiction
Level: Basic | For: Everyone | Ages Addressed: 2-25
About the Presenter: Dr. Hansen is a counselor educator specializing in addiction counseling and treatment of co-occurring disorders. His academic and research interests include: process addictions, social media and video game disorders, clinical intuition, adolescent counseling, and existential psychotherapy. Dr. Hansen currently serves as an Associate Professor for the Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School. Previously, he served as an Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator for the Alcohol and Drug Studies Program at Minnesota State University, Mankato. His clinical experience includes adult and adolescent addiction counseling in inpatient and outpatient settings, and outpatient adult mental health counseling. Dr. Hansen is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor and National Certified Counselor, and enjoys presenting on a variety of topics at regional and national conferences.
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Pop-up: Sensory-Based Regulation Strategies for the Classroom
2026-03-23 12:00 - 13:00
Presenter: Alyssa Mason — occupational Therapist at M Health Fairview
Date & Time: Virtual over Zoom on Monday, March 23rd, 2026 from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM CST | 1 CEH
Price: Our Pay What You Can pricing is rooted in our commitment to equity, accessibility, and community care. We want everyone to feel welcome to join this popup training—no one should be excluded because of cost.
Continuing Education: Pop-up trainings will receive a certificate of attendance, for official CE approval attendees will need to submit to their board directly.
Description of Presentation:
Amidst acute stress, trauma and uncertainty this training aims to provide useful information and strategies to increase regulation for students in the classroom. A brief overview of the impacts of these situations on sensory processing will be provided as well as functional strategies that can be implemented immediately. The training will be focused on strategies that can be used in group settings but they may also benefit individuals, families or other service providers and caregivers.
Three Learning Objectives:
1. Attendees will understand a high level overview of the 8 sensory systems
2. Attendees will feel confident identifying at least 2 signs of dysregulation in a
group setting
3. Attendees will be able to implement at least 3 sensory based strategies to
increase sensory regulation in a group setting
Time permitting, we will open space for participants’ questions.

About the Presenter: Alyssa Mason — occupational Therapist at M Health Fairview
Alyssa Mason is a pediatric occupational therapist with over 15 years of experience working with children. She received her undergraduate degree in Human Development and Family Studies with a focus on child development and a master’s degree in occupational therapy with certificates in equity and diversity, and disability and policy. Alyssa has experience working as an early childhood educator, and a Children’s Mental Health Targeted Case Manager before starting work as a pediatric occupational therapist across multiple settings including schools, inpatient hospitals and outpatient clinics. She completed 2 years as a fellow with MNLEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities) which consisted of interdisciplinary leadership, policy and advocacy training.
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No First Thursday Training in May
2026-04-17 08:00 - 17:00

No First Thursday or Pop-up Webinar in April - Join us at our Conference April 26-28
2026-04-26 07:00 - 2026-04-28 17:00
30th Annual Child & Adolescent Mental Health Conference (VIRTUAL)
April 26–28, 2026
Register Here
