Trauma that occurs during early childhood affects neurobiological development, social, psychological, and behavioral functioning, and a child's expectations of the environment. Young children have particular vulnerabilities to the impact of traumatic experiences. This presentation will discuss domains that are often compromised by trauma and review several dimensions that are central to understanding how a young child has been affected. A case example of a maltreated 37-month-old girl will provide an illustration of clinical practice.

After attending this keynote address, you will be able to:

1) Review the effects of trauma within the developmental context of early childhood. This shall include, but not be limited to neurobiological, cognitive, emotional, and social effects; then,

2) Attendees with histories of trauma could find some content distressing. Content warnings will be provided by the presenter.

When a 48-month-old boy entered foster care after his mother murdered his younger brother, he began a circuitous three-year journey to finding a permanent home. This breakout session will discuss treating a child with a history of severe maltreatment, PTSD, and other emotional/behavioral challenges, with the added complexity of navigating the foster care system. The case presentation will highlight the structure of Preschool PTSD Treatment (PPT), the implementation of PPT with this child, and ways clinicians can support child welfare professionals, children, and foster parents with caregiving transitions

As a result of attending this follow-up session to the keynote, you will leave

able to:

1) Illustrate the use of Preschool PTSD Treatment with a boy who had experienced severe trauma and multiple caregiving transitions while in foster care.

2) Illustrate how clinicians can collaborate with the child welfare system to advocate for and support children's psychological needs.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) has set a bold goal to reduce the annual suicide rate in the United States 20% by the year 2025. Through leading research, system dynamics modeling, and with guidance from leaders in suicide prevention research and practice, AFSP has identified four critical prevention areas where suicide prevention strategies must be implemented and scaled nationwide to significantly reduce the suicide rate and potentially save more than 20,000 lives of five years.

These four critical areas – firearms, healthcare systems, emergency departments, and correctional systems – each include a significant numbe of individuals at-risk for suicide and are therefore the settings in which we must intervene to save the most lives in the shortest amount of time. But we cannot do it alone. Through our chapter network, we are mobilizing institutions, associations and individuals across healthcare, corrections, and the firearms community. Join this session and learn what is happening and how you can be a part of Project 2025!

Once this session is complete, you will be able to:

1) Discuss new emerging evidence in the field of suicide research, including health and mental health disparities and inequities; and,

2) Summarize evidence-based practices and tools within the four areas that are shown through research to save lives.

What if you could assess family dynamics quickly and accurately in one session? In this workshop, you’ll both learn and practice tools that help you do just that.

Many practitioners know that getting essential information from children can be easier with having them draw pictures than through asking questions. And what may be even more effective than a picture? A picture brought to life through action. IN this highly experiential workshop, you’ll witness and participate in psychodramatic sculpts of families as you learn how to gather information quickly and effectively about family/home dynamics and the roles of each member through the eyes of the child. This efficient information-gathering helps you assess factors in the home environment that may contribute to the child’s presenting problems or behaviors. We’ll cover basic psychodrama concepts including role theory and doubling – as well as some helpful physical items like scarves and stuffed animals.

After completing this workshop, you will be able to:

1) Gather information to assess children and adolescents’ family dynamics in quick and effective ways; and,

2) Use experiential techniques with individuals and families in therapy.

These experts will present an overview of the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral challenges associated with traumatic brain injury at various ages and stages of life. They will cover the differences in individual patient factors, injury mechanisms, and biological impacts of TBI in younger versus older individuals as well as the accommodations, supports, and interventions that can be helpful for the different age groups. You won’t leave with out new information as they will also review some of the exciting new treatment approaches to managing these challenges.

After hearing from these experts, you will be able to:

1) Trace the acute impact of TBI’s to the chronic effects over the lifespan – from birth and early childhood to older adulthood; then,

2) Incorporate accommodations and specialized interventions into behavioral health and/or medical environments/practices for these individuals.

This presentation reviews the prevalence of developmental disabilities in the 3-17 age group and highlights this population’s vulnerability to exposure to traumatic events and development of PTSD. It calls attention to the high demand for effective trauma treatments for this population given the limitations of traditional talk therapies in working with those with deficits in intellectual functioning, communication skills, and affective regulation. Adaptations to evidence-based trauma treatment using play-based interventions are discussed involving the children’s multiple care providers.

Once this session is complete, you will be able to:

1) Highlight said population’s significant increased vulnerability to trauma exposure and PTSD development owing to deficits in intellectual functioning, communication skills, and social skills; and,

2) Present some necessary adaptations to traditional evidence-based trauma treatments (e.g. TF-CBT & EMDR) to render them effective for individuals with disabilities.

Join this expert and gain diagnostic, assessment, evaluation and treatment tools and skills when you are working with pediatric anxiety.

As a result of attending this presentation on the primary care integration track, you will leave able to:

1) Assess and conduct a differential diagnosis for youth with an anxiety disorder; and,

2) Design and take part in a treatment plan, along with a multidisciplinary team and/or specialists as needed, for said youth.

As a result of attending this presentation, you will be able to:

1) Overview the theories behind the increase in childhood obesity and present on the co-occurring and complex medical issues which need to be considered in these patients; and,

2) Assess patients at-risk for, and starting into, obesity and design a complete treatment plan including an appropriate multi-disciplinary team and the roles of each.

This session will focus on myriad issues that may contribute to anger and aggression in youth as well as the escalation of anger that has been seen in recent years. We will also discuss how anger and aggression in youth has affected practitioners and how we practice. Lastly, we will review various resources that may be used to help develop a treatment plan for the youth and provide support and guidance to their parents or guardians.

After hearing from this clinician, you will be able to:

1) Trace the escalation of anger and violence in youth and how clinical professionals have been impacted; and,

2) Assess angry and aggressive behavior and dissect its etiology to design a treatment plan which addresses the causes and reduces the behavioral manifestations – both short and long term.

During this session you will cover the latest information for practitioners regarding the etiology of autism spectrum disorder. You will review the guidelines for genetic testing recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Rationale for Genetic Testing in Children with autism. You will also gain information and the latest findings from SPARK, the largest autism genetic research study ever done.

After joining this medical expert, you will leave able to:

1) Present the latest research about genetics and the environment with regards to the etiology of autism; and,

2) Translate these findings into recommendations for clinical care and familial interventions/accommodations for those with autism.

This presentation is focused on understanding the interventions and clinical benefits of music therapy in child and adolescent populations. participants will be involved in active music making, listening, and other music therapy techniques. Come join us in an overview of music therapy as an evidence-based practice and how this expressive therapy can complement your programming.

After attending these interactive sessions, you will leave with personal experience in said practices you select and be able to:

1) Identify youth and family members who may benefit from incorporation of these practices into the therapeutic course, and,

2) Show how you can incorporate these modalities into your own practices and work with experts in these areas to coordinate care and work toward improved outcomes.

Discuss how to identify an adolescent that meets criteria for Borderline Personality Disorder, how to help parents understand Borderline Personality Disorder symptoms, the common errors in diagnosing borderline personality disorder, and some of the erroneous diagnoses often made. Apply skills and strategies for treating adolescents with borderline personality disorder.

After attending this popular presentation, you will be able to:

1) Identify an adolescent that meets criteria for Borderline Personality Disorder, learning how to help parents understand Borderline Personality Disorder symptoms, and;

2) Understanding the common errors in diagnosing borderline personality disorder, and some of the erroneous diagnoses often made and how to apply skills and strategies for treating adolescents with borderline personal

Recent pressures due to the pandemic have highlighted the need to attend to employee wellbeing. This panel discussion will explore innovative ways the Department of Health and Human Services is addressing this need. This is an interactive session. You are encouraged to bring your experiences and questions to this session to enrich the dialogue and the learning experience.

After attending this interactive session, you will leave able to:

1) Discuss the importance and value of employee wellness along with the challenges faced by organizations whose staff are facing new stressors and challenges in today’s world and needing to take care of themselves while keeping the organization operable and meeting the needs of increased workloads; and,

2) Outline agency perspectives on wellness along with specific steps and interventions organizations can take to support their employees and meet employee needs.

Effective family therapy can be challenging. In addition to increased complexity involved with treating family systems, there are other barriers such as buy-in from individual family members, sub-system alliances and triangulation, and often navigating multiple developmental levels. This presentation will present research on these challenges, explore effective therapeutic strategies, and demonstrate interventions to help overcome these barriers to treating families in therapy.

As a result of attending this session, you will be able to:

1) Explain foundations of play across the lifespan, therapeutic use of metaphors, and symbolic interactionism; and,

2) Observe and practice playful, metaphor and symbol-based therapeutic interventions for clients of all ages.

Inpatient rehab for moderate to severe traumatic brain injury is foundational to addressing the lifetime needs these patients will likely have. But only focusing on the immediate medical needs of these patients is short-sighted and fails to set up these patients and their family support for failure. This presentation will focus on how to discuss prognosis and expectations early in patients with brain injury as well as the resources and needs in our community for these patients.

After attending this breakout, you will be able to:

1) Analyze cases of TBI and be able to address pertinent issues which must be addressed in the medical management; and,

2) Explore the various roles and responsibilities as well as the lines of communication among prescribers, non-prescribers and the multi-disciplinary team which can facilitate compliance and optimal outcomes for each patient.

Join this presenter from the primary care integration track and learn about the details of diagnosis, assessment, evaluation, and treatment for pediatric depression.

As a result of attending this presentation, you will be able to:

1) Discuss the uptake in youth depression and anxiety and conduct an assessment and differential diagnosis for youth with depression of any type and co-occurring anxiety; and,

2) Author and implement a treatment plan for these youth and demonstrate how the prescribers and non-prescribers can best work together.

Clifton Uckerman, LCSW is a Utah native and grew up in SLC where he witnessed firsthand the negative effects and impacts of marijuana use on the developing brain and also the detrimental effects of the war on drugs in his community and with marginalized and voiceless populations. Since the legislation of medical marijuana in Utah, Clif has been instrumental in ushering behavioral health services into the "green scene," the medical cannabis industry, in SLC. This has provided an opportunity for a more welcomed conversation around cannabis in our community and both the positive and negative impacts on the individual, family, community and organizations as well medicinal uses and especially for trauma and PTSD, and with a wider community acceptance and practice of medicinal use of cannabis, both tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabinoids, we will learn the latest research and education around these complex and often controversial issues to help us strengthen prevention efforts against cannabis-use disorder

As a result of attending this session, attendees will be able to:

1) Compare and contrast the characteristics of cannabis 'on the streets' and in medical practices; and,

2) Translate these findings into clinical settings and educate young clients and caregivers about the latest research around cannabis use and effects.

As a result of attending this session, attendees will be able to:

1) TBD; and,

2) TBD

This presentation will help provide talking points around video games, technology, Internet safety, and social media usage. The information covered will be geared towards providing families with advice on creating connections around technology and eliminating contentions associated with power struggles that typically come from parent-child relationships with technology.

As a result of attending this session, you will be able to:

1) Overview the current state of digital pros and cons in the lives of youth and families along with their impact on day-to-day life and relationships; and,

2) Teach parents and caregivers the ‘how-to’s’ of creating and maintaining healthy boundaries and electronic protocols to keep youth safe. This shall include but, not be limited to, hidden apps, acronyms, and other practices commonly used by youth of various ages.

This documentary highlights neurodiversity and the impact of Autistic features in daily functioning. Dr. Heitman made a movie about his daughter and later realized she had Asperger’s. This documentary describes his journey of learning about neurodiversity. Dr. Heitman concludes that neurodiversity is really the norm and that we have to address the idea that all brains are different.

As a result of viewing this documentary and engaging in discussion about it, you will be able to:

1) Portray a day in the life of youth with neurodiversity and their caregivers and family members; and,

2) Assist families as they embark on a course for accurate diagnoses for individuals with neurodiversity and through the course of dealing with and accepting the various diagnoses.

5 Needle Point Protocol - Ear acupuncture for managing withdrawal, cravings, anxiety and stress. Also, an introduction to the history, the protocol, the new laws in Utah, and how to obtain training as well as an experience with the protocol.

After attending these interactive sessions, you will leave with personal experience in said practices you select and be able to:

1) Identify youth and family members who may benefit from incorporation of these practices into the therapeutic course, and,

2) Show how you can incorporate these modalities into your own practices and work with experts in these areas to coordinate care and work toward improved outcomes.

Today, all of humanity is being challenged to learn how to better bridge the differences that currently divide us in our families and local and global communities. Such bridging will help us practice the cooperation necessary to address the great challenges of our era, including inequity of power and wealth, mental illness, the pandemic, climate change, and preparations for war.

How can I skillfully address equity, diversity, and inclusion in my practice, to support the self-empowerment of my clients and help them live and work more cooperatively and effectively with people who often seem so different than them?

Join this interactive session to learn about this and much more.

Join this entertaining presenter and be able to:

1) Delve into the recent changes, controversies, and ethical quandaries around equity, diversity, and inclusion in the behavioral health arena; and,

2) Assess their own biases and practices for potential weaknesses in these areas and implement improvements to strengthen the services they provide.

“Change is the only Constant.” We currently live and practice in a “perfect storm” of continual and unprecedented changes. The COVID pandemic, workforce shortages, supply chain challenges, global warming, domestic and international political instability, supreme court decisions having far reaching implications, and ever rising housing costs paired with high inflation have challenged all of us.

Managers and supervisors not only have to cope with these stressors, but also are called on to support, counsel, and navigate the effects of these stressors on others. Not surprisingly, burnout rates among our managers are extraordinarily high.

The ever-changing environment requires adaptability, innovation, and resilience. This session will challenge us to think about leading in times of crisis, battling the role of burnout and restoring resiliency in an innovative way. Relying on data from a recent survey, case examples, and hard learned lessons, we will explore pathways to help us navigate through the whitewater of change and work toward setting realistic goals while balancing our internal resources.

Once you have attended this session, you will leave able to:

1) Discuss some of the challenges faced by supervisors whose staff are healthcare workers facing new stressors and challenges in today’s world and needing to take care of themselves while keeping the entire team functioning and meeting the needs of increased client loads; and,

2) Outline supervisor perspectives on burnout along with specific steps and interventions supervisors and other leadership personnel can take to support their clinicians and meet clinicians’ needs while also taking care of their increased loads and stressors as supervisors.

*Note: The focus of this session is the supervisor. Other sessions will address agency perspectives and individual wellness.

Students with disabilities and special health care needs support and information from any professionals working with their family to successfully navigate the education system. Oftentimes, professionals working in other systems and settings do not have a full understanding of the requirements and criteria needed to be able to access specialized programming and accommodations within school. Join this session to understand the variety of supports available, what the distinction is with each, and how you can best support families to be able to access and establish needed supports for their student with special needs.

Once you have attended this session, you will leave able to:

1)Outline and describe the special services and accommodations (i.e. IEPs, 504s) available in schools for students with special needs of all types; and,

2) Navigate the paths to securing said services and show how clinicians can support parents in capturing these services and using them in the most effective ways possible.

“Why do I need speech therapy, I speak just fine?” Find out why and how speech therapy plays an important role in treating people with brain injury and how we collaborate with mental health professionals to address mental health within our scope. This presentation will include a basic overview of the thinking processes involved in everyday life. We will discuss evidence-based therapy techniques to promote patient-centered care that optimize recovery and empower the person with brain injury and their family to advocate for what is most meaningful for them. We will discuss tools that providers and survivors can use to increase insight and better incorporate recommendations from the entire treatment team.

Upon completion of this session, you will leave able to:

1) Identify cognitive and executive functions related to brain injury addressed in speech therapy treatment and therapeutic skills related to memory and executive function to facilitate an environment that optimizes improvement within the context of patient -centered care.; and,

2) Identify tools to improve metacognitive thinking skills and awareness during therapy to optimize success and also identify common mental health concerns related to brain injury.

In many circumstances the purpose of evaluation is to provide diagnoses rather than to generate data that can be used to create effective treatment plans. In this presentation, Dr. Goldstein will focus on a new model of treatment informed evaluation as a means of better understanding the needs of children with diverse developmental, traumatic brain injury and genetic disorders.

After viewing this presentation, you will be able to

1) Determine when neuropsych evals may be indicated for TBIs or genetic disorders and what can be expected from the results; and,

2) Use neuropsych eval results to design and implement treatment plans and specific interventions.

Join this introduction to early intervention treatment for psychosis. You will be given information on how psychosis should be assessed, how it can be treated, and how to provide proper care and support to those experiencing these symptoms. Learn some of the newest information in this area!

After leaving this presentation, you will be able to:

1) Present the latest findings around early psychosis and the effectiveness of early recognition and treatment; then,

2) Outline and describe the interventions currently believed to be most effective in youth with confirmed psychosis.

After attending this program, you will be able to:

1) Discuss the nuances and laws around juvenile competency as well as the testing process; then

2) Shift clinical interventions to work with kids who are deemed non-competent.

Tic disorders are on the rise and ever present on social media platforms, but how do we know we are identifying them correctly? Join Emily as she discusses how to differentiate among tic disorders, how to best assess and treat tic disorders, and how to best help parents and other caregivers navigate tic disorders. Additionally, she will dive into the current literature on Functional Movement Disorders (aka Tik Tok Tics) and discuss what is currently understood about this interesting phenomenon.

As a result of attending this session, you will be able to:

1) Compare and contrast how tic disorders present on a spectrum. This shall include Tourette Disorder, Tics, PANDAS/PANS, and Functional Movement Disorders; and,

2) Talk about the proliferation of diagnostic characteristics of various tic disorders connected with social media and the additional challenges this places on the child’s context (i.e. parents, schools, practitioners).

How do we connect potential families with children in need of homes? This film follows several children in South Mississippi who are part of an adoption picnic where potential parents can meet children looking for families. As one child describes, “You are on display. You’ve got all these people watching you, and you are wearing this shirt that singles you out. You’re on the spot.” The film highlights the positives and negatives of this approach to adoption

After viewing this program and rapping with others, you will be able to:

1) Discuss the pros, cons, and ethics of this practice; and,

2) Brainstorm other ways to promote adoption of youth and the role therapists can play in this process for those youth and the potential families.

As a result of attending this breakout, you will be able to:

1) Explore the similarities and differences of diagnostic and treatment approaches for ADD and ADHD around the globe; and,

2) Apply the approaches and unique nuances currently believed to be most effective for appropriate individuals with said diagnosis.

How do you help students bounce back from what they have been through? From trauma, isolation, and poverty, to mental health challenges, our youth have faced many obstacles. Come see a formula to help you guide youth through the challenges that destroy motivation.

After joining this popularly requested speaker, you will be able to:

1) Demonstrate how to build a belief in youth that they can change their circumstances, no matter how hopeless and strategies to transform pain and adversity into fuel; and,

2) Participants will utilize the resources for resilience that exist around them, and apply specific tools that will help build resilience in youth.

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD) is a new diagnosis of childhood appearing for the first time in DSM-5 in 2013. As a new diagnosis we know little about comorbidity, effective treatment, or outcome into adulthood. Recent studies suggest that children with DMDD are at greater risk than others to experience a myriad of adult psychiatric disorders and may in fact suffer from more adult psychiatric disorders than other childhood conditions. As of this date, there are fewer than fifty published studies on DMDD, many of which are summary and opinion articles. In this brief presentation, Dr. Goldstein will trace the history of the evolution of the DMDD diagnosis, offer guidelines for assessment when DMDD is suspected and review evolving treatment and educational guidelines with a focus on clinical and school-based interventions.

After viewing this program, you will be able to:

1) Provide assessments of presenting symptoms and be able to issue and accurate differential diagnosis of DMDD; then,

2) Apply a treatment plan, including youth and their families, for individuals who test positive for DMDD.

The goal of this presentation is to help clinicians understand the paradigm shift in treatment for concussions away from resting in a dark room to active brain rehabilitation. The evaluation treatment recommendations and treatment team responsibilities will be discussed.

As a result of attending this session, you will be able to:

1) Talk about the road through rehabilitation after a pediatric brain injury. This shall include the various markers of progress, specific interventions, effect on and roles of the family and/or caregivers, implications for schools and therapeutic settings as well as the accommodations that must be considered at various points; then,

2) Outline the roles of various treatment team members and what they can communicate and contribute to the overall progress and success for the patient.

He’s back by popular demand! Join this police Sergeant as he discusses current narcotic trends that are affecting both our communities and our youth. Narcotics trends are always changing. Sergeant Allred will discuss the current issues that law enforcement officers are encountering in the state of Utah, in our nation, and internationally. This class will help you physically identify illegal narcotics and their effects. This class will also help you understand the dangers associated with illegal narcotics and their lethality I the modern age.

Once you have attended this session, you will be able to:

1) Overview the current trends, connected to drug use, being seen on the streets and crime logs; and,

2) Recognize the common drugs and other substances of use/ abuse and be able to identify signs of their use in youth.

There are many factors that contribute to complexity of psychotropic medication use in children and adolescents. We will look at many of the contributing factors to complex polypharmacy such as trauma, misdiagnosis, access to care, compliance, as well as looking at prescribing guidelines and monitoring. We will discuss what role therapists and case workers play with clients needing psychotropic medication. Findings from UPOP research will offer insight into antipsychotic use in UT - looking at improvements and continued barriers.

Once you have attended this workshop, you will leave able to:

1) Outline contributing factors to complex psychotropic medication use and the standard guidelines around prescribing, monitoring, and deprescribing; and,

2) Use UPOP data to offer insight into areas of psychotropic prescribing practices in UT, specifically looking at antipsychotic use.

The transition into adulthood for teens who are on the autism spectrum (or otherwise neurodiverse) can be extremely challenging and at times frustrating. Much time and energy are spent to get teens through high school but often their adaptive/life skills are lacking significantly, which leaves them unable to become independent on a more typical timeline. Understanding the issues that hold teens and families back can lead to working on many of these skills years earlier, which leads to more confidence to being able to focus on continued learning or functioning in a work environment more likely. We will discuss factors that hold teens back and how to address them gently throughout adolescence to be more prepared for this tricky transition.

As a result of joining this popular speaker, you will be able to:

1) Prepare parents and caregivers for the potential gaps in services and delays which may be experienced by youth with neurodiversity who age out of the care ‘system’ and services but who still need support; and,

2) Take steps early in the youth’s life / treatment course to prepare for said transitions to avoid significant treatment and support gaps.

These highly rated presenters will address the dynamic of bullying and divisiveness that occur in schools, in places of employment, on social media, and throughout society. Dehumanization and bullying are behaviors that can happen among people of any age, in any setting, and focus on a variety of emotional, physical, or otherwise personal characteristics. The consequences of these behaviors are problematic for the victims, bystanders and bullies. No matter the origin or history of the individual that bullies, the presenters argue that bullying is a learned behavior and comes from a place of entitlement, individualism, and power. The presenters will focus on these concepts and how they influence the person who bullies, bullying behavior, and what can be done to combat this behavior.

After attending this session, you will be able to:

1) Describe how to address bullying behaviors with the individuals they serve; identifying their own viewpoints on bullying and discriminatory behaviors and how that impacts the interventions and approaches they utilize; and,

2) Delineate the connection between suicide and bullying.

This documentary looks at America’s Juvenile Justice System and how we came to incarcerate juveniles. America incarcerates juveniles at a higher rate than any other developed nation. Listen to the stories of children who were incarcerated and the impact of being involved in juvenile justice, being given psychotropic drugs, and using solitary confinement as punishment. Seventy percent of children in juvenile justice have mental health issues and have a high incidence of PTSD. This film explores the ethical dilemmas in keeping the community safe while addressing the mental health needs of juvenile offenders.

After viewing and participating in a discussion about this film, you will be able to:

1) Trace the history of how America came to incarcerate juveniles at a higher rate than any other developed nation; and,

2) Assess the effectiveness of this system compared to other models of intervention for various presenting issues/behaviors.

After attending these interactive sessions, you will leave with personal experience in said practices you select and be able to:

1) Identify youth and family members who may benefit from incorporation of these practices into the therapeutic course, and,

2) Show how you can incorporate these modalities into your own practices and work with experts in these areas to coordinate care and work toward improved outcomes.

Over the past decade, we have learned a great deal about how to respond to the needs of children, adolescents, and families. This keynote will highlight the key components to consider when responding to a disaster, will review a public health approach for interventions, and will review resources that can support your work. The talk will also address provider wellness and ways to mitigate secondary traumatic stress.

After attending this keynote address, you will be able to:

1) Name five underlying principals of disaster behavioral health and describe at least two evidence-based practices that can be used for children and adolescents after a disaster; and,

2) Create your own wellness plan using PRN strategies.

Topics & panelists to be released soon

This presentation is designed to outline the normal and healthy developmental trajectory for youth. It will also identify developmental sexual competencies that must be achieved to be a healthy sexual being. It will then contrast this with what can go wrong.

After attending this session, you will be able to:

1) Trace the common courses of relationships and sexuality in adolescent development; and,

2) Contrast these paths with those of adolescents who have neurodiverse conditions or medical assaults like TBI that impact their emotional development.

Impulsive decisions, risk taking behavior, grief, and loss of identity due to illness are just a few of the mental health and behavioral issues in neurosurgical problems in our youth. We will discuss neurosurgical cases ranging from spinal stenosis to traumatic brain injury with the specific objective of identifying ways we can help youth and their families prevent and best deal with these crises.

Once you have participated in this session and gleamed insights from the professional clinician presenting and others in the room, you will be able to:

1) Discuss some of the changes brought on by neurosurgery depending upon age groups, clinical perspectives, intellectual developmental disabilities, and behavioral health issues; then,

2) Explore what is commonly experienced with and without neurosurgery, what can be expected from a mental health standpoint, what clinicians should consider with these populations, and how these changes translate into therapeutic settings and interventions.

As a result of attending this presentation, you will be able to:

1) Explore new, creative, low cost, high impact ways to deal with growing numbers of youth and families seeking help for mental health and/or addiction issues when clinicians are not available in the numbers needed and wait lists grow; and,

2) Paint a picture of these ‘wait list’ scenarios and creative solutions in various settings from schools to the workforce; and, with recovery skills, parent training, respite services, social skills and more.

This course discusses the trends, indicators, and reality of active killer incidents in our communities. We will discuss the mindset, actions, and skills we can each develop to survive as well as save lives in an active killer event.

After attending this presentation, you will be able to:

1) Present some of the innovative tactics and techniques the Utah County Sheriff's Office is spreading through it's communities and schools; and,

2) Demonstrate some of the specific techniques, or explain some of the education around, de-escalation, self-defense and firearm safety.

Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up (ABC) is an attachment-focused,evidence-based treatment for children aged 6 months-4 years.Implementation of the model with diverse populations is possible due tothe inherent culturally responsive approach within the model. Thistherapeutic modality is dyadic in nature and works to support the caregiverin attuning to their child and responding sensitively to their child’s needs in the moment. This session will provide an overview of the ABC Model as well as the research supporting ABC. Video clips of sessions with families will be shared to help demonstrate implementation of the model.

After attending this program, you will be able to:

1) Identify distinguishing characteristics of ABC as a trauma-informed, evidence-based model, including show can benefit, core components, and supporting research; and,

2) Show how ABC supports and strengthens the relationship between the child and caregiver, and supports healthy development of the child’s self-regulation and later success in school.

This session will provide an overview of diagnostic criteria and symptom overlap between trauma, anxiety disorders, and OCD. Discussion and research-oriented information on determining the correct diagnosis, as well as the negative impacts of a misdiagnosis. Education on the most effective evidence-based modalities for each disorder.

After hearing these differential diagnostic insights, you will be able to:

1) Detail how trauma, anxiety, and OCD present similarly and provide differential screenings and assessments; then,

2) Trace how inaccurate diagnoses of these issues and subsequent inappropriate treatment can not only be ineffective but also create other consequences and negative sequela then target the effective treatment components which must be included in the treatment plan for each of these diagnoses.

Play is a fundamental aspect of development. There is evidence that play is foundational to development of the brain, language, attachment, and healthy social interactions. Metaphors are valuable therapeutic tools which can communicate complex concepts and stories while maintaining emotional safety. Combining the power of play with metaphor in therapy creates opportunities for clients to experience emergent perceptions, insights, processing, and healing. This presentation will explore research on play across the lifespan, the foundations of symbolic interactionism, and therapeutic use of metaphors as theoretical cornerstones for the use of playful interventions in therapy. Playful interventions will be demonstrated and participants will have an opportunity to practice during the presentation.

Once you have heard the perspectives in this session, you will be able to:

1) Explain the role and goals of play therapy in youth; and

2) Incorporate play therapy skills and interventions into your own practice with youth.

After attending these interactive sessions, you will leave with personal experience in said practices you select and be able to:

1) Identify youth and family members who may benefit from incorporation of these practices into the therapeutic course, and,

2) Show how you can incorporate these modalities into your own practices and work with experts in these areas to coordinate care and work toward improved outcomes.

This session offers a panel of industry and subject matter experts who will explore current challenges facing behavioral health treatment in Utah. They will discuss and deliberate on these challenges, as well as present initial ideas on opportunities for improvement that will be further examined in the following session. Participants will also have the chance to seek feedback from the panel experts on specific questions they have regarding how best to address system challenges.

After hearing the various stances and debates among these industry providers, you will walk away able to:

1) Present some of the 'system challenges' and issues confronting Utah's behavioral health providers in various treatment settings; and,

2) Present identified 'problems' and begin to discuss potential solutions to positively improve Utah's behavioral health system.

The US Surgeon General's Office and the CDC have recently published reports on the mental health crisis of our youth. This breakout session will focus on several priority areas that have been identified: grief/loss, suicide, maltreatment, and discrimination/racism. This breakout session will review the latest data, resources that are available to address each of these priority areas, and intervention strategies that can support youth with these concerns.

After joining this national expert, you will leave able to:

1) Name at least two resources that you can use for each of the priority areas identified; and,

2) Name at least two intervention strategies you can use to support youth with these concerns.

Attendees will review common circumstances and challenges associated with working with high risk individuals or their families that often are labeled as "high utilizers" of services. Providers will learn to identify the gaps of services often encountered by youth of various ages as well as their families and the role of service bridges in the lessening the negative impact of transitions in care; and the use of collaborative care coordination and support to stabilize vulnerable children, youth, and their families.

After gleaming information from this session, you will be able to:

1) Apply service bridges in the lessening the negative impact of transitions in care; and,

2) Learn about the use of collaborative care coordination and support to stabilize vulnerable children, youth, and their families.

Delving into issues with this expert, you will be able to:

1) Trace the history of beliefs and approaches to females of all ages who have experienced a TBI or have a neurodivergent disorder; then,

2) Apply a treatment plan with appropriate accommodations for said youth and their families and describe the roles of the various players on the multi-disciplinary treatment team and how they can interact to facilitate the most ideal outcomes for the patient and family.

This presentation will provide current information regarding Emotion-focused Therapy (EFT). The presentation will describe how EFT and attachment based theory can be used to inform treatment with youth and families, including techniques to enhance therapeutic work.

As a result of attending this session, you will be able to:

1) Identify youth and families who may benefit from Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) and author a treatment plan focused on EFT; and,

2) Apply some EFT techniques and project their effects / outcomes for specific cases.

As a result of attending this session, you will be able to:

1) Dissect the underlying issues in bullying and victimization and associated attachment issues; and,

2) Incorporate new information and skills into their practices to improve support for individuals to be resilient.

The role of early experiences is crucial in making connections between areas of the brain in young children. This session will review key factors that affect brain development, describe how stress can affect brain development, and offer strategies (the 5 R’s) for supporting healthy brain development. This session will also provide an overview of the impact COVID-19 has had on young children’s development and implications for providers supporting young children and their caregivers.

After you have attended this breakout, you will be able to:

1) Identify how stress (including issues related to COVID-19) impact young children’s brain development; and,

2) Identify five strategies to support healthy brain development in young children.

Effective trauma treatment relies on three important ingredients - a strong clinical relationship, a skilled clinician with a trauma-informed toolkit, and correct pacing that meets the client where they are at. In this presentation, you will learn about each of these elements, and how using a three phase model for trauma treatment can help us in both our assessment and treatment of trauma related distress.

As a result of participating in this session, you will be able to:

1) Design and apply trauma treatment using evidence-based models and techniques; and,

2) Assess for milestones at various phases of treatment and alter the treatment course accordingly to facilitate optimal client outcomes.

Fentanyl is the new opioid that is cheap, potent, and small enough to ship in the mail. It is 100 times stronger than heroin and is replacing heroin as the drug of choice for the homeless and the marginalized people in our community. This documentary takes us to Vancouver where harm reduction such as offering clean needles and even clean, premeasured syringes of drugs is used to treat this epidemic. Harm reduction techniques and the pros, cons, and ethics of these practices will be included in the rap which follows the movie.

After participating in this ‘movie & rap’ session, you will be able to:

1) Present how fentanyl is running through homeless and marginalized populations throughout the U.S.; and,

2) Present the pros, cons, and ethics of the various positions around harm reduction.

Suicide remains a leading cause of death in the United States, with concerning increases among youth in recent decades. Firearm access increases risk of suicide death due to high fatality rate of firearm suicides, and lethal means safety (reducing access to firearms and other lethal means) is a recommended component of suicide prevention. This session will review recent research findings and present practical recommendations for clinicians on how to implement or improve lethal means safety counseling.

After joining this national expert in course and discussion, you will be able to:

1) Discuss and explain the rationale and evidence for reducing firearm access as a component of suicide prevention; and,

2) List at least three options or resources for reducing firearm access among youth with suicide risk.

Goal to present and inspire discussion around the potential/positive impacts that Out of Dark has and can promote.

After listening and contributing to discussions around the current behavioral health industry and gold standards, you will be able to:

1) Dissect some of the identified problems and challenges facing the behavioral health treatment system and present ideas for dealing with those issues in ways that can improve individual practices; then,

2) Expand these ideas for improvement in individual practices to system improvements and ways providers can take active roles in promoting positive changes in the behavioral health industry.

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on the mental health of many individuals. Some of the subgroups being impacted the most include children, youth, and young adults with developmental disabilities and/or intellectual disabilities that are also impacted by mental health issues. When working with this vulnerable population, knowing where to find crucial resources to increase opportunities, access and connections, can make a difference in the lives of these individuals and their families. Participants will be to learn about supports being developed through the Utah Parent Center's COVID Community Project to help in this effort.

After hearing from these speakers, you will be able to:

1) Describe the impact of COVID-19 on the lives of children, youth and young adults with ID/DD and mental health issues (dual diagnosis) and the barriers that still exist; and,

2) Build your toolbox with information and resources being developed at the Utah Parent Center's COVID Community Project to support this subgroup within our Utah community.

This informational session will provide information related to head injuries and head injury response for children and adolescents. The presentation provides the latest requirements for schools throughout Utah for a proactive student head injury response and transitioning a student back to school. Other take-aways include Safe Kids Utah information and resources to prevent further injury.

After gleaming insights from these individuals, you will be able to:

1) Present Safe Kids Utah, Return-To-Learn, and various school concussion programs – from their indications, offerings, expected outcomes, and access information; then,

2) Assist clients in accessing these programs and working with their multidisciplinary teams to set-up services for the most effective outcomes.

This session will include topics relating to the benefits of employment for youth who fall in the gaps. Presenters from Vocational Rehabilitation (including Transition and Pre-Employment Transition Services and Business Relations), Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Workforce Services, and the Accessibility Center at Utah Valley University will share information about resources available and processes for accessing these services. Presenters will also share examples of how employment can be a positive part of a successful program for individuals and families.

Once you have heard from these experts and representatives in the field, you will be able to:

1) Identify gaps in services experienced by youth with a variety of needs; and,

2) Advocate, assist, guide, and transition these youth and their families to appropriate services and resources to best facilitate advancement towards employment.

In this presentation, we will briefly review research regarding challenges for adolescents and their families experiencing Borderline Personality Disorder, suicidality, self-harm, and severe emotion dysregulation. We will provide an overview of the efficacy and key components of Dialectical Behavior Therapy for adolescents and families, and provide in-depth instruction and practice of key components and skills from DBT for adolescents and families that you can implement in your own practice.

After hearing reps from this nationally recognized organization, you will be able to:

1) An understanding of the research around assessment and treatment of severe emotion dysregulation in adolescents, and;

2) Information and practice of key skills and components of DBT treatment for adolescents and families.

This presentation will cover content related to ACEs, generational trauma, and early toxic stress and how it manifests in adulthood. Additionally, we will cover how these experiences have an impact on the mental health treatment for young children. Strategies to hold caregiver's trauma in mind and support caregiver's engagement in treatment while maintaining the focus of treatment on the child will be reviewed (e.g., Caregiver trauma history; building capacity on co-regulation; identifying ghosts and angels in the nursery). Case studies will be used to demonstrate implementation of the strategies discussed.

As a result of attending this session, you will leave able to:

1) Identify ways caregiver trauma impacts the dyadic relationship; and,

2) Identify strategies to incorporate when children's caregivers have experienced trauma.

As a place to start when working with troubled children and teens is to explore how their place in the family structure impacts them. This background knowledge can provide a platform for dealing with whatever is bothering them. If nothing else, it helps you get to know them better and if it provides what you need to help them, you are way ahead. If not, you have not lost anything. The presenter’s experience and that of his students who have used this knowledge tells him that often this concept of how birth order can impact emotional stability and development can provide the very key to both understand and help them.

As a result of attending this session, you will be able to:

1) Explain the theories around the impact of birth order on the inner growth and development of children and teens; then,

2) Use these principles of birth order theory to explain the growth and development patterns of clients and design an effective treatment plan.

This documentary follows the lives of children who are homeless and whose families are struggling to find permanent shelter. This film shows poverty in the heartland of America through a child’s eyes from losing prized possessions through eviction, losing the family pet, and being hungry. What can we do as professionals to help these children live through an experience that will change their lives forever?

After viewing this documentary and discussing it with others, you will be able to:

1) Portray the daily life of homeless and poverty-stricken youth in America; and,

2) Discuss the mental health needs of these youth and brainstorm some potential individual and system responses which can support and make a difference to these individuals.

After participating in and learning about yoga for those who have experienced trauma, you will be able to:

1) Discuss the role and potential outcomes of incorporating yoga practices into care plans of those who have experienced trauma; and,

2) Teach clients about the practices of yoga and their impact on health and recovery and work with them to incorporate specific trauma-focused yoga practices into their lives.

By many important metrics, today’s youth are struggling from 2009 to 2019 (pre-pandemic), the rates of depression, anxiety and feelings of worthlessness increased by 40% in youth and from 2007-2018 the youth suicide rate increased by 57%. Since the start of the pandemic, rates of depression and anxiety have doubled. Parents and clinicians are alarmed and wondering what is causing our youth to struggle to such a degree. Unfortunately, the answer appears complex and multifaceted.

This presentation will first discuss some of the startling and unsettling statistics on the mental health crisis facing our youth today, along with data that is suggestive of areas of surprising resilience and reasons for hope. Next, CJ will unpack the confusing and sometimes contradictory data on some of the factors that are likely contributing to the declining mental health in our youth including social media, current events (pandemic, social unrest, wars), increasing academic pressure as well as broader society issues like income inequality, climate change, changes in national identity). Finally, he will provide a framework for helping clinicians and parents support today’s youth in the context of these unprecedented challenges, including practical strategies about how to talk to struggling youth.

After joining this popular speaker, you will be able to:

1) Outline some of the factors facing youth today that are driving the ‘youth mental health crisis’; and,

2) Practice practical strategies about how to ask about contextual stressors that may be exacerbating and/or maintaining mental health difficulties in youth.

This presentation will offer an overview of ACT's main concepts, plus interventions specific to each concept to be used in clinical practice. Attendees will leave the session understanding how to promote psychological flexibility in their clients through fostering acceptance of difficult experiences, cultivating mindfulness, encouraging values-based action, and more!

After attending this presentation, you will be able to:

1) Present the concepts of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (indications for use, expected outcomes, measurements, techniques); and,

2) Translate this model into practice and apply specific techniques, assess it's effectiveness, adjust accordingly and reach positive outcomes for appropriate clients.

Experiential activities and discussions will be used to present ODD in its entirety, the related differential diagnoses, and effective treatments. Intermixed, we'll explore controversies concomitant to the disorder and how our own attitudes and beliefs affect its successful diagnosis and treatment.

After attending this breakout, you will leave able to:

1) Talk about the controversies surrounding the diagnosis of Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and be able to defend this diagnosis and provide a differential diagnosis with similarly presenting disorders; then,

2) Design a treatment plan using evidence-based practices currently believed to be most effective in treating ODD.

Learn about Person Centered Philosophy and Practices and enjoy a discussion of Person-Centered Discovery Tools. You will leave able to help individuals and families of all abilities and all ages develop a vision for a good life, think about what they need to know and do, identify how to find or develop supports, and discover what it takes to live the lives they want to live.

Upon completion of this session, you will be able to:

1) Explain person-centered thinking and the framework behind ‘Charting the Life Course’ tool to assist individuals – especially those with a disability or special health care need, create a vision for the future and steer clear of suicide or suicidality; and,

2) Demonstrate the use of this tool and incorporate parts of it as may be appropriate with various clients.

This presentation includes a discussion of current legal cases commonly used to support legal arguments for accommodations, as applied to current statutes. It also includes a brief overview of the legal standards that must be met to be successful in an IEP or 504 hearing. Ethical issues of the current advocacy-based system for accommodations, and where we need to go from here will also be addressed.

After hearing from this expert, you will be able to:

1) Provide an explanation of the legal process, and legal standards that must be met to obtain an adjudication in which the implementation of an accommodation is granted; and,

2) Explore the lack of equity in our current system of advocacy for accommodations within the United States school system, and possible ways to ameliorate the inequity.

Community based rehabilitation for teens transitioning into adulthood. Resources for a community, education, employment, and housing.

After hearing the perspectives of this expert, you will be able to:

1) Explain how the ‘clubhouse model’ of housing, employment, and education works and how youth transitioning to adulthood can benefit for participating; and,

2) Find and connect these resources to your adolescent / young adult clients and support their paths through these links.

This presentation will examine the importance of utilizing a trauma-informed lens in any type of family therapy with young children. We will examine what this means, and look at how a trauma-informed lens is important in both trauma-focused as well as general family therapy with young children. We will visit several methods to assess and address trauma, even when it is not a referral concern. We will explore several trauma-specific EBT's for young children and how to incorporate them into your practice. Finally, we will discuss barriers to caregiver-engagement in trauma-focused treatment and care and strategies to resolve these concerns.

As a result of attending this session, you will leave able to:

1) Review the why and how of approaching family therapy with a trauma-informed lens and explore trauma-focused treatments for young children and how to incorporate these into practices, and;

2) Discuss barriers to caregiver engagement in trauma-focused treatment and care.

This moving documentary explores the lives of transgender children and their families as they face the medical options now available to children. The stories of these children show how trans children know they are in the wrong bodies at a very young age. It highlights the challenges families have in coping, accepting, or not accepting their child’s transgender status.

As a result of viewing this documentary and rapping with others, you will be able to:

1) Provide insights into the lives of children who may be candidates for transitioning; and,

2) Assist families who may be struggling with their child’s transgender status.

This presentation is focused on understanding the interventions and clinical benefits of music therapy in child and adolescent populations. participants will be involved in active music making, listening, and other music therapy techniques. Come join us in an overview of music therapy as an evidence-based practice and how this expressive therapy can complement your programming.

After attending these interactive sessions, you will leave with personal experience in said practices you select and be able to:

1) Identify youth and family members who may benefit from incorporation of these practices into the therapeutic course, and,

2) Show how you can incorporate these modalities into your own practices and work with experts in these areas to coordinate care and work toward improved outcomes.

This special workshop will review Psychological First Aid. Psychological First Aid is an evidence-based acute intervention that can be used with children, adolescents, and adults in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. This workshop will review the eight core actions and how to adapt these core actions for use with different types of disasters and with different child serving systems. This workshop will include an exercise so you can practice the skills used in Psychological First Aid.

As a result of attending this workshop, you will leave

able to:

1) Name the 8 core actions of Psychological First Aid; and,

2) Describe two ways how to adapt PFA for various settings.