WFBSA 2025 
Save the Date!
April 30 - May 2

April 30th Keynote 10am-12pm

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Tina Hallis, Ph.D.: How to Create More Positive Interactions – Even when it’s difficult

This program combines two aspects of creating more positive interactions with families and coworkers: 1) building our immunity to people’s negativity, and 2) understanding and appreciating our differences. Working with and helping families can bring great joy and purpose. However, other people can also be our largest cause of stress. For example, other people’s negativity, such as complaining, grumpiness, or pessimism, can drain our energy and bring us down. Even though we may want to change family members and coworkers, we can reduce our stress and frustration by changing how we respond. Staying positive and calm is easier when we learn how to build our immunity. Another challenge is interacting with people who have very different perspectives, beliefs, and ideas than us. These differences can not only cause stress, frustration, and judgment, but they can also impact our effectiveness in helping families. The key is to understand that these differences aren’t bad but interesting and valuable. This session uses neuroscience and DiSC® personality theory to build self-awareness and explore the preferences and priorities that shape the way people interact and react. We will explore how to better understand our perspectives and identify and adapt to the perspectives of others. Instead of reacting out of judgment or defensiveness, we can learn strategies to stay calm, be more open, and not take other people’s words and actions personally. 

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April 30th Breakout Sessions 1pm-3pm

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Jamie Wilson: Gender Affirming Care and Why It Matters

This interactive workshop will create space to unpack what it means to provide gender-affirming care. We will dive deeper into understanding the nuances of gender, sexuality, pronouns, identity, discrimination, advocacy, and resilience (and why they matter). Participants will gain an understanding of the multilevel factors that drive health disparities experienced by sexual and gender minority populations, and how these can be mitigated. 

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Crista Dawson, BSW, Certified Equine Gestaltist: Horses Helping Hearts Heal

This session will focus on learning about Equine Gestalt Connection. Learn about how horses can help heal human hearts with an up-close experience with Crista's horses.

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Tina Hallis, Ph.D.: Sharpen Your Positive Edge:  Shifting Your Thoughts for More Positivity & Success

Work (and life) can be hard! Dealing with change and interacting with challenging family members or stressed coworkers can be difficult.  How do you maintain your perseverance, patience, and positive attitude? How do you take it all in stride with a smile?  You know you can't let these stresses rule your thoughts and affect your work, or they will sabotage your success, happiness, and health. And there will be a ripple effect on the rest of your group. The key is to understand our strong survival instinct that can keep us focused on the problems and overwhelm in our work. We need strategies to shift our thinking so our thoughts serve us instead of getting in our way. Positive Psychology teaches us that there are things we can do to override this natural survival instinct so we can stay calm, motivated, and resilient. By incorporating simple practices into our busy day, we can make this shift easier. Now, it’s easier to be resilient when things get tough. It’s easier to stay adaptable and upbeat despite the situation. It’s easier to stay calm and curious when interacting with others.

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April 30th Breakout Sessions 3pm-5pm

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Danielle Hagedorn, MS, LPC, SAC, NCC, CCTP: Treating Trauma: A Bottom Up Approach Through Attachment, Attunement and Expression

Working with children can leave some providers feeling ill-equipped to help and others relish the opportunity to assist. Children have a unique way of processing their experiences and play therapy offers opportunities for connection, co-regulation, self-awareness and healing through expressive methods. This session will share interactive activities that can be used in the office, home, school and community environments to help children repair the ruptures they've experienced.

 

Crista Dawson, BSW, Certified Equine Gestaltist: Horses Helping Hearts Heal

This session will focus on learning about Equine Gestalt Connection. Learn about how horses can help heal human hearts with an up-close experience with Crista's horses.

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Tina Hallis, Ph.D.: Sharpen Your Positive Edge:  Shifting Your Thoughts for More Positivity & Success

Work (and life) can be hard! Dealing with change and interacting with challenging family members or stressed coworkers can be difficult.  How do you maintain your perseverance, patience, and positive attitude? How do you take it all in stride with a smile?  You know you can't let these stresses rule your thoughts and affect your work, or they will sabotage your success, happiness, and health. And there will be a ripple effect on the rest of your group. The key is to understand our strong survival instinct that can keep us focused on the problems and overwhelm in our work. We need strategies to shift our thinking so our thoughts serve us instead of getting in our way. Positive Psychology teaches us that there are things we can do to override this natural survival instinct so we can stay calm, motivated, and resilient. By incorporating simple practices into our busy day, we can make this shift easier. Now, it’s easier to be resilient when things get tough. It’s easier to stay adaptable and upbeat despite the situation. It’s easier to stay calm and curious when interacting with others.

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May 1st Keynote 9am-12pm

 

LuCindy LaChell: Understanding Diversity, Leveraging Similarities & Embracing Differences

In this keynote speech, I will explore the vital role that understanding diversity plays in fostering stronger, more connected families. Through embracing both our similarities and differences, we unlock deeper empathy, greater resilience, and a broader sense of unity. I’ll delve into how recognizing and appreciating diverse perspectives within a family—whether cultural, generational, or personal—can lead to richer relationships and more harmonious interactions. By leveraging our shared values and embracing the unique experiences and identities of each member, families can build environments where love, support, and growth thrive. This session will inspire attendees to reflect on their own familial dynamics, encouraging them to see diversity not as a challenge but as an opportunity for deeper connection and stronger bonds.

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May 1st Ethics and Boundaries 1pm-5pm

Dana Johnson: ETHICS AND BOUNDARIES: THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO HMM…BOUNDARIES, BARRIERS, AND SHAME OH MY!

Have that gut instinct, feeling of rumbling in your stomach, those things that make you go hmm…?    This training offers participants an opportunity to explore the difference between boundaries and barriers in peer-to-peer and client relationships.  It explores personal boundaries, trust, shame, vulnerability, and use of self-assessment tools.  Participants learn new strategies in paradigm thinking, communication and conflict management in the workplace; through examining challenges they face when colleagues are unethical or cross professional boundaries.  The training provides related information to enhance the workplace, conflict resolution strategies, and developing ethically informed decision-making model of practice with peer to peer and client to practitioner relationships.  It furthers the development of teams, colleague’s adherence to the NASW Code of Ethics.

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May 1st Breakout Sessions 1pm-3pm

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Andrew Schreier: How We Speak Matters: Supporting Families Through Person-Centered Language

Language shapes our relationships and communicates respect. How we speak to and about individuals, especially those facing challenges with substance use, mental health, gambling, and other complex needs, can profoundly impact their journey toward healing. Families play an essential role in supporting loved ones, and understanding the importance of language can help them create environments that encourage trust, growth, and recovery. Some words commonly used, though well-intended, are outdated, non-clinical, and stigmatizing, potentially creating barriers to progress and reinforcing feelings of shame or isolation. For families and professionals alike, using thoughtful, patient-centered language fosters safe, supportive spaces. By unlearning harmful language patterns and adopting inclusive language, families can become active partners in their loved ones’ recovery, strengthening the positive impacts of their support. This training will explore how small changes in language can make a significant difference in the lives of those seeking help.

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LuCindy LaChell: Promoting Inclusivity & Invisible Treasures Part 1

This breakout session will explore the vital intersection of inclusivity and family engagement, offering participants practical strategies for creating environments that are welcoming and supportive for families from all backgrounds. In today’s diverse world, fostering an inclusive atmosphere that embraces the unique needs, values, and experiences of families is key to building stronger communities and more effective organizations. Participants will dive into the importance of understanding family dynamics, cultural differences, and the challenges that families may face, particularly those from historically marginalized or underrepresented groups. The session will focus on how to build authentic relationships with families by respecting their voices, fostering open communication, and ensuring that policies and practices are inclusive of all family structures and needs. We will explore how our challenges and the irritations they bring—can be transformative forces in our lives and families. Much like the natural processes that create pearls and diamonds, the friction caused by diverse perspectives and experiences can initially feel uncomfortable. However, if we allow ourselves to embrace these moments of discomfort, we can turn them into opportunities for growth. Together, we will examine how the “irritations” that arise from cultural and personal differences—whether in family dynamics or broader social interactions—can shape us into stronger, more resilient individuals and families. By promoting understanding and cultivating respect, we can uncover the invisible treasures of our lives, molding ourselves into examples of inclusivity, unity, and pride that inspire others. This session will encourage you to view challenges not as obstacles, but as essential elements in the process of creating something truly valuable. Through interactive activities, participants will learn how to create more inclusive family engagement strategies, whether in educational settings, healthcare, or community organizations. By the end of the session, attendees will be equipped with the tools and knowledge to better relate to and support families in ways that promote equity, understanding, and long-term positive relationships.

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May 1st Breakout Sessions 3pm-5pm

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LuCindy LaChell: Promoting Inclusivity & Invisible Treasures Part 2

This breakout session will explore the vital intersection of inclusivity and family engagement, offering participants practical strategies for creating environments that are welcoming and supportive for families from all backgrounds. In today’s diverse world, fostering an inclusive atmosphere that embraces the unique needs, values, and experiences of families is key to building stronger communities and more effective organizations. Participants will dive into the importance of understanding family dynamics, cultural differences, and the challenges that families may face, particularly those from historically marginalized or underrepresented groups. The session will focus on how to build authentic relationships with families by respecting their voices, fostering open communication, and ensuring that policies and practices are inclusive of all family structures and needs. We will explore how our challenges and the irritations they bring—can be transformative forces in our lives and families. Much like the natural processes that create pearls and diamonds, the friction caused by diverse perspectives and experiences can initially feel uncomfortable. However, if we allow ourselves to embrace these moments of discomfort, we can turn them into opportunities for growth. Together, we will examine how the “irritations” that arise from cultural and personal differences—whether in family dynamics or broader social interactions—can shape us into stronger, more resilient individuals and families. By promoting understanding and cultivating respect, we can uncover the invisible treasures of our lives, molding ourselves into examples of inclusivity, unity, and pride that inspire others. This session will encourage you to view challenges not as obstacles, but as essential elements in the process of creating something truly valuable. Through interactive activities, participants will learn how to create more inclusive family engagement strategies, whether in educational settings, healthcare, or community organizations. By the end of the session, attendees will be equipped with the tools and knowledge to better relate to and support families in ways that promote equity, understanding, and long-term positive relationships.

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Lani Joy Osicka, MS, LPC & McKenzie Powers MS, LPC: Family Dynamics and the Connection to Disordered Eating

This workshop will discuss how family influences and dynamics impact disordered eating. We will focus on how disordered eating can develop and be maintained through family dynamics, how someone with disordered eating impacts the family, as well as the importance of family involvement in the recovery of disordered eating. We will discuss how family members are encouraged to be involved in treatment and recovery, and what to expect from the recovery process. 

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May 2nd Keynote 9am-12pm

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Dana Johnson: MULTI-GENERATIONAL TEAMS: HOW TO BE AN EFFECTIVE LEADER IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Why can’t we all just get along? I sense friction between my multi-generational employees, and I can’t quite put my finger on it? For the first time in history, organizations have the largest age spread working together. This course will provide leaders of teams and organizations an opportunity to understand the differences between generations from The Silents to Gen Z (and everyone in between). We will explore the awesomeness this diversity can bring to your business model, service delivery, and thought work. We will explore the challenges that arise in motivating, dealing with conflict, and inspiring multi-generations to reach their highest potential.

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Learning Objectives

1) Gain an understanding of the differences and similarities of the 5 generations working on teams in the 21st century.

2) Recognize and explore communication and behavioral patterns of multi-generations that can be useful to resolve conflict, motivate employees, and give you the power to lead effectively.

3) Develop specific leadership skills to work effectively across multi-generations in leading teams and across the organization.

4) Unlock the diversity and potential in each employee for successful teaming, project, and service delivery, to transform your team and organization for critical successes.