The future of social work demands that we confront our challenges while holding space for hope, creativity, and possibility. In an era marked by social division, policy rollbacks, and collective exhaustion, this keynote invites us to reconnect with our "why" i.e., the shared values that ground us as professionals and guide us toward liberation and equity. Rooted in the NASW Code of Ethics, we will explore how to anchor ourselves ethically while cultivating cultural accessibility and responsive, justice-aligned practice. Through stories, reflection, and practical strategies, we'll reimagine what "right" looks like now and leave empowered to take meaningful, actionable steps forward together.

Reia Chapman, LCSW

Keeping teens and families engaged in therapy, whether in person or over Zoom, is no small feat. This training offers creative, ethical, and evidence-based strategies to help clients not only show up, but keep coming back. Through tools like object storytelling, digital check-ins, and rhythm-based session planning, clinicians will learn how to make therapy feel safe, relevant, and real. We'll explore what makes the clinician, the space, and the session flow essential to client retention-and how to do it without burning out. Come ready to rethink engagement and leave with practical tools you can use immediately.

Terri Williams-Whiteside, LCSW, LCSWC, CTFCBT, Parenting Coordinator & Certified Clinical Supervisor

Behavioral health symptoms don't always stem from psychological causes-sometimes, the root lies in the body. This workshop explores medical and environmental contributors to mental health symptoms across the lifespan, including thyroid dysfunction, vitamin deficiencies, infections, toxic exposures, and autoimmune responses. Social workers will learn to identify red flags, screen for underlying conditions, and know when to refer for medical evaluation. Using real-life case examples, this session equips clinicians with practical tools and resources to support whole-person assessment. Attendees will leave with a more integrative, root-cause-informed lens for improving behavioral health outcomes.

Nicole Hammonds, LCSW, CIMHP

This workshop will give attendees tools to perform an in-depth assessment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). We'll review the diagnostic criteria, but we'll also go beyond the DSM-V-TR, using functional analysis to better understand and identify behaviors maintaining OCD. The presenters will also highlight a wide range of OCD "subtypes", helping attendees to be more prepared to screen for lesser-known symptom presentations.

Ben Eckstein, LCSW

Erin Jones, LCMHC

As telehealth continues to expand access to care, more social workers are navigating the complexities of multistate licensure. With the Social Work Licensure Compact on the horizon, this training will explore the ethical, legal, and practical considerations of practicing in multiple states. Participants will review current regulatory frameworks, real-world dilemmas, and strategies for ethically sound decision-making while anticipating the implications of the Compact for future practice. Attendees will leave with tools to maintain compliance, uphold ethical standards, and prepare for cross-jurisdictional practice.

Jalessa Cherry, LCSW, LCAS, CCS, ADHD-CCSP

This training equips clinicians with tools to confidently recommend higher levels of care, even in the face of client resistance. Participants will explore common types of client pushback and learn effective strategies to maintain therapeutic alliance and improve follow-through. The training also addresses internal barriers clinicians may face, fostering greater self-awareness and professional growth.

Samantha Schweitzer, LCSW/LISW-CP, LCAS, CCS

This workshop will provide attendees with an in-depth look at the dying process from the perspective of medical social work. This will include medical terminology, end-of-life planning, and an introduction to research and theories being used by professionals in the field. Above all, this workshop was created to help social workers feel more comfortable having the difficult conversations that come with supporting patients and families through the death and dying process. Note: This presentation will be interspersed with nerdy humor, but will require participants to look closely at mortality and other uncomfortable topics.

Jessica A. Smith, MSW, LCSW

In this session, we will guide a discussion and interaction on how Social Workers can best support policy change at all levels and the importance of advocacy. Through this journey, we will learn and discuss how to engage with leaders as self and professional advocates, and what it means to collaborate. We will discuss the downstream impacts of policy across professions as well as upstream support for advancing critical change needs. We will finish with the understanding of social media, networking, and how to maintain a personal and professional balance while engaging in macro practice.

Nicholas Bailey, MSW, MSHA, MA, LCSW, LSSBB,

Amber Moodie-Dyer, PhD, LCSW,

Working With Gen Z: Complex Cases that Require Unique Approaches, explores the challenges faced by Gen Z, particularly LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC youth. This session will highlight their digital fluency, diversity, trauma prevalence, and rising distrust in institutions. Barriers to mental health care are addressed, deficits in the current mental health model, as well as the importance of culturally informed resources. Real case studies will illustrate current needs as well as tailored and creative treatment approaches. The presentation concludes with a call for hope, prospects, and next steps in addressing these complex cases.

Sonya Williams, MSW, LCSW,

With the rise of commercial DNA testing, clients are increasingly uncovering unexpected information about their biological origins-such as unknown siblings, misattributed parentage, or adoption. This workshop equips mental health professionals to support individuals navigating identity shifts, family disruptions, and complex emotions following DNA discoveries. We'll explore common findings, psychological impacts, how adoptees use DNA to search for first families, and what it means to be unexpectedly "discovered." Clinicians will leave with practical tools and case examples to guide ethical, trauma-informed care.

Kathryn Perkins, LCSW,