KEYNOTE
Optimizing Mental Health Through Neurobiological Approaches for Trauma Recovery in First Responders and Co-Responders
Presenter: Matt Quackenbush, LICSW
This keynote explores the profound impact of trauma, stress and PTSD on the mental health and behavior of first responders and co-responders, focusing on how neuroscience and psychotherapy can support trauma recovery. Attendees will learn practical strategies for enhancing overall health, fostering resilience to stress, and developing routines that promote well-being.
MORNING BREAKOUT
Harnessing Mind Body Bridging and Mind Mapping for Personal and Professional Growth in First Responders and Co-Responders
Presenter: Matt Quackenbush, LICSW
Building on the foundation set in the keynote, attendees will delve deeper into Mind Body Bridging (MBB), an evidence-based therapeutic modality based in cutting-edge neuroscience, and explore how its principles can be applied to improve the lives of first responders and co-responders. Participants will learn how Mind Mapping and MBB techniques offer simple, effective tools to enhance personal well-being, reduce stress and increase resilience.
Attendees will receive hands-on training in MBB techniques, enabling them to apply these tools in both personal and professional settings to enhance mental health, improve coping mechanisms and foster resilience.
Cultivating Self-Compassion: A Resilience Workshop for Firefighters
Presenters: Joel Grow, PhD.; Chief David Busz; Stephanie Butler, LICSW
This interactive workshop addresses the unique emotional challenges faced by firefighters, introducing evidence-based self-compassion practices that enhance resilience and psychological well-being. Through practical exercises and group discussions, participants will learn how to navigate work-related stress, manage difficult emotions, and maintain mental wellness without compromising their professional effectiveness.
AFTERNOON BREAKOUT #1
Hope Through the Holes: Finding Strength in a Flawed Behavioral Health System
Presenter: Juliana Wallace, LICSW
Attendees will explore models and practical approaches to fostering resilience and metabolizing grief, with a focus on frontline work at the intersection of homelessness, mental health and substance use in the Pacific Northwest.
ERPOs and Suicide Prevention: The Way Forward
Presenters: Zee Andrignis (moderator); Jabari Addae, LE; Chelsea Parsons, JD; Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, PhD.; Kim Wyatt, JD
This multidisciplinary panel will provide a national perspective and then zoom in to take a statewide view on Extreme Risk Protection Orders. Learn more about how this tool is a useful addition to regional crisis response strategies.
The Buck Stops Here: Creative Responses to Self-Neglect in Later Life
Presenter: Wendy Lustbader, MSW
This session explores ways we can best serve vulnerable older adults who resist necessary help and neglect their own physical, social and emotional needs. How hard should we try to get in the door? What can be assessed from the doorway? How can we make inroads with being trusted? What small changes can we facilitate for the sake of health and safety? Attendees will gain strategies for motivating others to accept vital treatment and to take better care of themselves.
AFTERNOON BREAKOUT #2
Love in the Chaos: Responding to Crisis with Compassion and Skill
Presenter: Juliana Wallace, LICSW
This session focuses on developing crisis-response skills grounded in trauma-informed care. Participants will explore strategies for working with individuals impacted by psychosis and brain-based challenges related to substance use. The session integrates best practices from various de-escalation models, providing practical tools to navigate complex situations with empathy and effectiveness.
ERPOs and Suicide Prevention: The Way Forward
Presenters: Zee Andrignis (moderator); Jabari Addae, LE; Chelsea Parsons, JD; Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, PhD.; Kim Wyatt, JD
This multidisciplinary panel will provide a national perspective and then zoom in to take a statewide view on Extreme Risk Protection Orders. Learn more about how this tool is a useful addition to regional crisis response strategies.
Hoarders, Accumulators and Collectors: What Can We Do?
Presenter: Wendy Lustbader, MSW
First responders are all too familiar with residences that consist of narrow pathways through cluttered rooms. Although such clients are notorious for resisting efforts to de-clutter, identifying the differences between hoarders, accumulators and collectors enables us to tailor our approaches to their individual needs. This workshop will explore the psychological origins of each kind of clutter as well as discuss potential interventions to improve health and safety.