Please read ~ CE Procedures

Participants should arrive to breakout rooms on time and must attend the full session to receive CE credit. Participants, additionally, must sign-in via the digital sign-in form or enter their name in the Chat in the Zoom room within the first ten minutes.  Further, they must complete the session evaluation at the end of the session.  A link will be provided in Chat for the evaluation form for each breakout session.  Finally, you must complete the overall evaluation of the Symposium within 24 hours to receive your Certificate of Attendance(s).  

Schedule 

Dr. Alecia Rodriguez

In this keynote presentation we will look at how trauma shows up in BIPOC communities and celebrate the cultural strengths that help individuals heal. Drawing on Dr. Rodriguez’ own experience as a former foster youth and her work in culturally awareness care, we’ll show how unfair systems and how passed-down trauma affect mental health.  You’ll walk away with simple, practical steps to bring community-focused, fair-minded strategies into your trauma work—tools that help BIPOC clients take back control and build their own paths to healing.

Please choose from one of the following by self-selecting the breakout room identified in Zoom:

Room 1

Restoring the Self:  Clinical Approaches to Identity Based Trauma

Dr. Lourdes Araujo, Ed.D, LMHC(FL)

This session explores identity trauma through a clinical, multicultural, and social justice lens. Participants will learn evidence-based strategies to support clients impacted by systemic inequities, marginalization, and cultural disconnection. The presentation integrates trauma-informed care, empowerment-based models, and ethical best practices, offering attendees practical tools to restore identity safety and resilience. Relevant to counselors, educators, and mental health professionals, the session aligns with the convention theme and promotes healing in diverse and underserved populations.

Room 2

Rooted in Strength:  Empowering Collective Resilience in Marginalized Communities

Lotes Nelson, PhD., LCMHC-S, ACS, NCC

This session presents a trauma-informed, strength-based model for empowering marginalized communities impacted by systemic trauma and inequity. Counselors will learn culturally responsive group strategies, psychoeducational tools, and community-centered practices that promote healing, mental wellness, and self-empowerment. The presentation offers practical approaches for fostering resilience and agency in individuals and communities navigating the effects of trauma and social injustice.

Room 3

Beyond the Mask:  Healing Trauma in Adolescents on the Spectrum

Whitney Lake, MA, LMHC, QS, NCC, CCPT-1

Kelly Timmins, BA 

Courtney Bishop, BS 

This presentation will explore the mental and emotional implications associated with masking for adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder. By exploring the systemic pressures which create a need for masking, participants will understand how to support both adolescents on the spectrum and their support systems to increase overall wellbeing through advocacy. Participants will learn neurodiversity-affirming, trauma informed strategies to reduce the trauma symptoms associated with masking and increase authenticity for adolescents on the spectrum.

Room 1

Counseling Autistic Clients Through a Trauma-informed Lens

Ali Cunningham Abbott, PhD, LMHC, QS

Amy Geissler, M.S.

Autistic and neurodivergent people experience sociocultural trauma specific to their lived experience (Peterson et al., 2019). Due to neurodevelopmental differences, neurodivergent children can be relentlessly bullied by peers, teachers, family members and more (Hwang et al., 2019). Adults can be excluded from employment or educational opportunities and loved ones blamed for the kinds of therapies they seek out for their family members (Britto, 2020; Moore, 2020). These identity-based traumas are important for clinicians to understand, assess and treat from an autistic-affirming approach and trauma-informed practices. 

Room 2

When Safe Places, Aren’t Safe:  Community Healing Post-school Shooting

Christopher R. LaFever, PhD, LPCC-S, LCADC, NCC

Susana Garcia, MT-BC 

Tsz Yu Cheung, B.A

Anna Meghan Rogers, B.S

Community identities are shattered when spaces of relative assumed security are defiled. This can become more acute for diverse students, teachers, administrators and community members depending on community dynamics. In this session we will discuss approaches for helping a community return to a new normal, techniques for supporting diverse clients, and advocating and collaborating to build a school-wide and community response after a school crisis. 

Room 3

Conceptualizing Cultural Implications of Traumatic Loss through EMDR and Griefwork

Thomas Foster, Ph.D., LPC

Amberly Hunter 

We review the overlap between trauma, grief, and loss, while integrating EMDR, the Adaptive Information Processing Model, the Dual Process Model, and Adaptive Grieving Styles as conceptual and intervention strategies for griefwork and traumatic griefwork. Next, we synthesize cultural strategies with these models that will contribute to the assessment and treatment process when treating grief and traumatic grief. 

Room 4

Family Reunion of Parts

Kayla Crawford, LMHC

The presentation aims to provide a comprehensive overview of complex trauma and dissociative disorders. It will focus on effective therapeutic strategies and interventions. Attendees will explore the latest research and emphasize the importance of a trauma-informed approach. The goal is to educate and advocate for individuals with complex trauma and dissociative disorders due to experiences from adverse childhood experiences. 

Room 1

Healing Fractured Identities Through Advocacy and Empowerment

Dr. Jil Hus, LMHC(IN), NCC, ACS, BC-TMH, CCMHC

Dr. Lourdes Araujo, Ed.D, LMHC(FL)

This presentation explores how identity can become fragmented through experiences of trauma, cultural dissonance, and systemic oppression. Using an intersectional lens, we will examine how overlapping social identities can contribute to internalized shame, silence, and identity conflict—especially in marginalized populations. Through case examples, discussion, and reflective practices, participants will gain tools to advocate for clients and communities. We will also explore empowerment-based approaches that foster healing, voice, and integration—personally, relationally, and collectively.

Room 2

Grief Between the Lines:  Ambiguous Grief and Late-Diagnosed Neurodivergent Adults 

Whitney Lake, M.A., LMHC, CCTP-1

Kelly Timmins, BA 

This session will explore ambiguous grief in late-diagnosed neurodivergent adults—grief rooted in missed support, masking, and identity loss. Attendees will learn neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed strategies integrating IFS, ACT, and mindfulness. In supporting clients to move toward self-empowerment, emphasis will be placed on sequencing bottom-up (somatic/sensory) and top-down (narrative/cognitive) interventions to support emotional regulation, insight, and identity integration. Clinicians will gain practical tools to help neurodivergent clients process grief, rebuild self-concept, and foster resilience after diagnosis.

Room 3

Unpacking Internalized Homophobia through IFS Legacy Unburdening 

Christina McGrath, PhD,
LMHC-QS

Internal Family Systems (IFS) is an approach to healing that works with “parts” of an individual to release restraints and resources. IFS posits that parts take on extreme ideas and feelings of significant others called legacy burdens. This presentation will discuss the role of legacy burdens in internalized homophobia (acceptance of societal attitudes leading to self-hatred, shame, or low self-esteem). Participants will learn ways counselors can help clients unburden their parts from these legacy burdens.

Room 4

Trauma Counseling in the Context of Genocide and War

Debra L. Ainbinder, Ph.D.

Shahaf Bachar, CMHC Grad Student 

This presentation examines trauma counseling practices for individuals and communities affected by genocide and war. Grounded in trauma-informed and culturally responsive frameworks, it highlights the psychological impact of mass violence, intergenerational trauma, and systemic oppression. Attendees will explore evidence-based interventions (e.g., EMDR, ART, narrative therapy), assessment strategies, and ethical considerations that promote mental health, social justice, and self-empowerment in populations whose identities have been fractured by conflict and inequity.

Dr. Frank Gorritz-FitzSimons

This plenary session will critically examine the systemic oppressions that challenge the healing efforts of Florida counselors and highlight the advocacy needed to uplift and empower minoritized communities. Drawing on personal and professional experiences, the speaker will examine how systemic oppression impacts both clients and clinicians in Florida’s marginalized communities. Through the lens of lived resilience shaped by marginalized identity, participants will be invited to reflect on their own values, renew their commitment to social justice, and restore their inner resolve as helpers. By integrating lived experience with advocacy tools, this session aims to inspire collective healing and empower counselors to address inequity while nurturing their own mental health.

Room 1

Human Trafficking:
Trauma-Informed, Social Justice, and Culturally Humble Implications for Counseling Professionals

Letitia Browne-James, Ph.D., LMHC-S, NCC, BC-TMH

Human trafficking remains a major problem in society, affecting vulnerable individuals (e.g., racial, ethnic, sexual, and gender minorities) in which traffickers disregard their basic human rights and strip victims of freedom. In order to best serve survivors and to implement appropriate interventions, counseling professionals must understand the business model for human trafficking, including the risk and protective factors, industry infrastructure, as well as theory-driven, trauma-informed, systemic, and culturally humble counseling and advocacy implications for working with survivors. 

Room 2

Rooted Resilience:  Mindful Self-Compassion for Culturally Empowered Trauma Recovery

Eric S. Thompson, Ph.D.

This presentation integrates mindfulness, wellness, cultural competency, self-compassion, and metta (loving-kindness) practices through the lens of Relational-Cultural Theory (RCT) and post-traumatic growth (PTG). Participants will explore evidence-based strategies that foster relational resilience, empowerment, and healing among trauma survivors, particularly within marginalized communities. This approach aligns with symposium themes by emphasizing mutual empathy, cultural responsiveness, and positive psychological transformation following trauma.

Room 3

Breaking the Cycle:  Understanding the Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) on Families

Julie Uribe, Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern, CES Doctoral Student

This engaging session explores the lasting impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on individuals and families through an intergenerational lens. Designed for counselors, mental health professionals, and educators, the presentation provides tangible, trauma-informed strategies for supporting parents and caregivers in breaking harmful cycles. With a focus on practical action steps, cultural responsiveness, and empowerment, attendees will leave with tools to foster healing, build resilience, and promote healthier family dynamics across generations.

Room 4

Healing Across Generations: Addressing Trauma and Resilience in Caribbean and Immigrant Communities

Andrea M. Garraway, Ph.D.,
NCC, LCMHC-S, LCAS, CCS, ICAADC, ICCS 

This presentation explores the critical intersections of trauma, mental health, and healing within Caribbean and immigrant communities. It aims to break the stigma surrounding mental health, shed light on the lasting impact of generational trauma, and highlight the importance of trauma-informed teaching for students affected by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Additionally, it examines the relationship between substance use and trauma within families, emphasizing prevention-based approaches to foster resilience and healing. Through education, awareness, and culturally relevant strategies, this discussion seeks to empower individuals, families, and communities to create supportive environments that promote mental well-being and intergenerational healing.

Be sure to complete the program evaluation so we can continue to refine our program to best meet your needs!