Association of Christians in Health and Human Services

Clinical Practice

Christianity and Same Sex Attraction: One Man’s Journey

  • How should Christians think about individuals with same-sex attraction and their struggle?
  •  What is the experience of a Christian with same sex attraction?
  • What is a Biblical view of same sex desire, attraction, orientation, and change?
  • What kind of change can God bring to individuals with same sex attraction? 
This webinar will explore these questions and more from the perspective of one man’s journey as a Christian walking the journey of same sex attraction, providing insights and guidance for Christian human service professionals, counselors, and social workers*. Daren Mehl is currently a pastor who previously identified as gay and shares his testimony of personal transformation through faith in Jesus. Daren has been married for 17 years and has two children. He has been active in ministry since 2017 when he became President of Voice of the Voiceless, a 501c3 focused on educating the public about the issue of homosexuality from a Christian perspective. Daren has appeared on several national radio, internet, and print media outlets sharing his testimony. *This webinar is not about conversion therapy. Neither the presenter, nor ACHHS or Indiana Wesleyan University endorse the use of “conversion therapy” also known as unethical, unproven, coercive attempts by a therapist to persuade or convert clients out of same sex attraction.

What is Diverse Discussions?

  • Live Discussions for Christian helping professionals and students; conversations, interviews, and Q & A with experts and professionals.
  • Topics include working with diverse populations and challenging issues from a Christian worldview.
  • Focus is on integrating faith and practice to increase skills, knowledge, and ability to effectively engage and serve others in pluralistic contexts.

Antiracism & Christianity in Human Services

Issues of race, justice and antiracism are frequently at the forefront of conversation in human services and culture. This workshop will explore key questions about antiracism including:
  • What is antiracism from the view of current culture?
  • What are its key components and how is it the same or different from a Biblical approach to issues of race and justice?
  • What real issues of justice, oppression or racism continue to affect the Black community today?
  • How should Christian people helpers respond to both unhelpful views of antiracism and the real issues of race and oppression in our culture?
Presenter Kevin Briggins grew up in the inner city of Birmingham, Alabama where he was raised in a Christian home and in the black church. He and his wife Shulonda have been married for 15 years and have three daughters, Karis, Kinley, and Khloe. From 2017 to 2021 he served as a lay elder in a Southern Baptist church where he was heavily involved in racial reconciliation discussions and efforts. He is now cohost of the Off-Code podcast under the Center for Biblical Unity where he tackles important issues related to the black community. He has a bachelor’s degree in Middle Eastern Studies and has enjoyed a 20-year career as an intelligence analyst.   https://www.centerforbiblicalunity.com/

What is Diverse Discussions?

  • Live Discussions for Christian helping professionals and students; conversations, interviews, and Q & A with experts and professionals.
  • Topics include working with diverse populations and challenging issues from a Christian worldview.
  • Focus is on integrating faith and practice to increase skills, knowledge, and ability to effectively engage and serve others in pluralistic contexts.

When Dad Wants To Be a Woman

  1. How should Christians think about working with families with transgender parents?
  2. What are the experiences of children in families with a transgender parent?
  3. What Biblical principles should Christian helpers consider when working with families with a transgender parent?
Denise Shick is the founder and executive director of Help 4 Families Ministry and director of Living Stones Ministries. She is the author of six children’s books and several nonfiction books, including My Daddy’s Secret, Understanding Gender Confusion—A Faith-Based Perspective, and Transgender Confusion—A Biblical Q&A for Families. She is an ordained minister and has a BA in psychology. She is also a conference speaker and presents workshops on transgenderism and its impact on families. Denise has been interviewed on many faith-based radio and television programs. She has published articles in The Federalist, LifeSite News and American Thinker. Denise has led church-based support groups for people with sexual addictions and has assisted groups in an alcohol and substance abuse clinic. She served seven years in a Christian pregnancy center in several roles and implemented an abstinence program, for which she was the director.

What is Diverse Discussions?

  • Live Discussions for Christian helping professionals and students; conversations, interviews, and Q & A with experts and professionals.
  • Topics include working with diverse populations and challenging issues from a Christian worldview.
  • Focus is on integrating faith and practice to increase skills, knowledge, and ability to effectively engage and serve others in pluralistic contexts.
  

Faith, Maturity, and Professional Practice Bible Study

Due to popular request, the Association of Christians in Health and Human Services will host a 4-part monthly Bible Study series led by Dr. Michael Sherr. We believe in the discipleship journey. We believe that being grounded in the Scriptures and the Biblical Worldview will help us to overcome challenges in both our personal lives and professional work helping clients/patients. Whether you are a young believer or seasoned in the faith, this virtual Bible Study is open to all Christians who value the inerrancy of the Bible and who want to grow in their faith and professional practice. The Zoom link is for the last Friday of each month at 12noon-1pm Eastern Standard Time in July, August, and September. The series will culminate in person at the annual ACHHS conference on October 21, 2022 @7:45pm. Please feel free to drop in for one or come to all.
Last part of this series will be hosted in person at the ACHHS 2nd Annual Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio, on October 21st 7:45pm!  

Challenging Issues Open Forum Q & A

Due to popular request, the Association of Christians in Health and Human Services will host an open forum for members and prospective members to engage in respectful dialogues about challenging and controversial issues. We value a safe space for our diverse members who are theologically conservative Christians in health or human service professions to share about experiences at agencies with policies, cancel culture, and ethical dilemmas. This webinar will feature four panelists engaged in a discussion facilitated by a moderator, followed by Q and A between attendees and panelists.
  1. Are you looking for perspective or guidance on challenges you are facing in your current practice setting or community as a Christian practitioner?
  2. How can Christian human services practitioners effectively respond to challenging policies, diversity issues, cancel culture or other ethical or moral dilemmas in education? In practice settings?
  3. What is the best way forward for engaging individuals, families or the culture in difficult conversations about competing morals and values?
We don’t have all the answers but we are willing to discuss openly and honestly. We want to learn from each other, including from you. Please come with your questions or experiences to share with the group.

What is Diverse Discussions?

  • Live Discussions for Christian helping professionals and students; conversations, interviews, and Q & A with experts and professionals.
  • Topics include working with diverse populations and challenging issues from a Christian worldview.
  • Focus is on integrating faith and practice to increase skills, knowledge, and ability to effectively engage and serve others in pluralistic contexts.

Evidence-based interventions for women with DSM-5 diagnosis of past childhood sexual abuse

This session will include a description of work completed in early 2000’s, at University of Miami, in Women’s Mental Health Programs, with Dr. Sally Dodds. These women were diagnosed with HIV, but also had histories of being sexually abused as children, and a majority had diagnosis of PTSD. Co-occurring mental health disorders, stigma and shame had long prevented these women from seeking mental health services for themselves. Not doing so caused several risk factors tor these women and their families. The presenter will discuss the importance of serving all clients in the most competent way and using evidence-based practice models for working with this population of clients, in both individual and group therapy settings. Dr. Rhonda Hudson is an experienced licensed clinical social worker with 14 years working as a social work professor at a Christian university. She is currently in clinical practice in an EAP program.
Evidence-based Interventions for Working with Women with Trauma

What is Diverse Discussions?

  • Live Discussions for Christian helping professionals and students; conversations, interviews, and Q & A with experts and professionals.
  • Topics include working with diverse populations and challenging issues from a Christian worldview.
  • Focus is on integrating faith and practice to increase skills, knowledge, and ability to effectively engage and serve others in pluralistic contexts.

From Healing to Wholeness: A Christian Perspective on Emotional and Mental Wellness

Ebony Hudson is a licensed clinical social worker who is dual licensed in New Jersey and South Carolina. Ebony is most proud to add “author” to her list of accomplishments. Her book, “From Healing to Wholeness: A Christian Perspective on Emotional & Mental Wellness” shares how Christians can be healed and made whole mentally and emotionally. Using basic Christian principles, Ebony outlines specific, practical steps one can take along the path of healing. She also examines lessons we can learn from individuals in the Bible who had a relationship with God and struggled – and overcame – life’s challenges. This presentation will explore Luke 17 as the foundational basis for the book, discuss how it benefits Christians coping with mental health issues, and include a few book themes that can be applied when working with clients (believers and non-believers).

What is Diverse Discussions?

  • Live Discussions for Christian helping professionals and students; conversations, interviews, and Q & A with experts and professionals.
  • Topics include working with diverse populations and challenging issues from a Christian worldview.
  • Focus is on integrating faith and practice to increase skills, knowledge, and ability to effectively engage and serve others in pluralistic contexts.

Working With Folks From Latino Culture: Understanding their Christian Faith and Woke Influences

The Latino church, historically of conservative Catholic and Protestant faith, has been experiencing significant changes in modern times.  Liberation theology has been trying to influence the Latino church for a long time despite its strong fundamental roots in Scripture. Manny Elias has studied Missiology, preached in various locations, and also served as a missionary in Mexico. Kat Elias is a licensed clinical social worker of multi-racial heritage raised in Black Mexican culture. She has worked in medical social work in various roles, and currently works as a mental health educator for women, and co-hosts a Christian podcast with Manny. Together, the husband wife team will discuss how socio-political influences and different worldviews entered the church and how faith perspectives seem to have shifted for many Latino Christians. Manny and Kat will also discuss some cultural considerations when working with clients of Latino culture to help build better rapport and in applying to their practice. What is Diverse Discussions?
  • Live Discussions for Christian helping professionals and students; conversations, interviews, and Q & A with experts and professionals.
  • Topics include working with diverse populations and challenging issues from a Christian worldview.
  • Focus is on integrating faith and practice to increase skills, knowledge, and ability to effectively engage and serve others in pluralistic contexts.
Working With Latino Clients

A Christian Response to Sexual Orientation Change

What is the balance of truth and grace in discussing contrasting views of sexual orientation change? How can Christian professionals add value to the discussion?

In this diverse discussion, part 2 of 4 sexuality series, Dr. James Phelan will present an academic appraisal of how secular informants view sexual orientation change efforts. As a backdrop to the discussion, Phelan will discuss these resolutions and contrast the topic of change according to a Christian worldview as well as fact-checking.  He will lead discussions of personal change, and practical ways to navigate a Christian worldview of change from that of a secular worldview of change.

ACHHS Diverse Discussions webinars are free and open to paid members, Facebook group members (ACHHS or TCCSW), or if you are referred by a friend or colleague. Please rsvp below.

We are working to becoming certified CEU providers for future webinars. Please check back on this post for updates.

The presenter will present for 30-40 minutes followed by question and answer/discussion.

What is Diverse Discussions?

  • Live Discussions for Christian helping professionals and students; conversations, interviews, and Q & A with experts and professionals.
  • Topics include working with diverse populations and challenging issues from a Christian worldview.
  • Focus is on integrating faith and practice to increase skills, knowledge, and ability to effectively engage and serve others in pluralistic contexts.

Positive Psychology: For Personal Use and Professional Practice

ACHHS webinars are free and open to paid members, Facebook group members (ACHHS or TCCSW), or if you are referred by a member, please include their name on your email when you rsvp.

We are working to becoming certified CEU providers for this webinar and future webinars. Please check back on this post for updates.

To rsvp for this webinar, please send an email to admin@achhs.org. A zoom link will be emailed to you a few days before the event.

Discussion details:

The presenter will present for 30-40 minutes followed by question and answer/discussion.

Continue reading “Positive Psychology: For Personal Use and Professional Practice”
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