How Gut Health Affects Mood
Free live Diverse Discussions Webinar on Wednesday September 27th from 6:30-7:30 PM EST.
- How do diet and nutrition impact mental health?
- What are some components of whole person treatment a clinician can address?
Moderator: Dr. David King, see biography in the flyer below.
The presenter, Layla Zickefoose, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over a decade of experience counseling individuals and families. Layla and her husband live in the Dayton, Ohio area and own a private practice there that is committed to counseling from God’s word. She is particularly interested in offering whole-person treatment and earned a certification in nutrition and mental health in 2022. She enjoys engaging in conversations about nutrition and health with clients when relevant. Layla has worked as a counselor helping to found a non-profit organization to fight human trafficking called Reset 180. She graduated from Patrick Henry College with a degree in journalism and public policy. She earned her Clinical Social Work degree from the Virginia Commonwealth University. Layla and her husband have two young children.
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.

2023 Conference FAQ

Surviving Grad School As a Conservative Christian
Dr. Phillips has over 23 years of experience as a Social Worker, Educator, Trainer and Counselor. Her passion is helping others reach their potential in life, career and relationships. Dr. Phillips is committed to helping her clients attain peace and fulfillment in their careers, as this will translate into a better quality of life. Kat Elias is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who founded BeYOUtifully Rooted, a Christian Mental Health & Education Corporation and is currently their Lead Educator. She has been in the field for over 17 years!
Feel free to share the link below with any Christians who can benefit from this conversation. This will be a candid conversation to discuss challenges of being a theologically conservative Christian in a liberal or politically charged learning environment and to receive encouragement, prayers, and tips on how to survive the grad school journey. Feel free to submit your questions/topics that you wish us to explore in advance to kat@achhs.org. This conversation will be held on Zoom and will not be recorded to allow for a more open discussion with everyone’s input and concerns.2023 ACHHS Conference Keynote Speakers and Special Guest



ACHHS 2023 Convention Sponsorship Opportunities
2023 Conference Workshop Sessions
Update: The workshop proposal window is now closed.
Workshop tracks include: Direct Practice, Student Track, Social Justice, Macro, Clinical, Advocacy, Research, Higher Education, Cultural Competence, Community Organization, Ethics and Faith/Spirituality, Spirituality and Services Delivery. Workshops with a Biblical worldview are included at our conference. To view a draft of our conference brochure, click here.
Conference objectives: 1) provide educational workshops and sessions that allow room for Biblical faith, 2) provide an opportunity for attendees to network with and learn from professionals in other disciplines, and 3) provide inspiration and practical tools to continue pursuing/working in your profession to serve clients/patients.
Association of Christians in Health and Human Services, #1899, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 9/11/2023 – 9/11/2024. Social workers participating in this conference may receive up to 10 continuing education credits.
Continuing Education General Info: This 10.0 credit in-person conference was developed for the target audience of Christian social workers and professional counselors. However, many courses will be beneficial for those in human services, other mental healthcare, and healthcare professions as well. The content level will be beginner to intermediate-level social work. The sessions will provide education to attendees on macro topics, mezzo practice, and clinical practice that will benefit graduate students, educators, and practitioners. All sessions are Christian faith-friendly. While all sessions adhere to the NASW (2021) Code of Ethics and other professional boards’ codes of ethics, some workshops will not meet the requirements to award social work or counseling CE credits and are as indicated on the online brochure.
Social Work CEs: In order to earn social work CE credit, attendees must fully attend each chosen session that is eligible for social work CE, verify attendance by providing a sign in/sign out time with your signature on the attendance form, complete a session evaluation for each, and an overall conference evaluation. Certificates of completion will be emailed within 30 business days to attendees who meet these requirements and who pay $40 to ACHHS on Eventbrite Registration or through our website by the end of the conference on October 28, 2023.
Counseling and Therapy CEs: LPC counseling CE credit is state-specific. The host state, Texas, approves counseling CEs earned by ASWB ACE providers. Check with your state if it will accept counseling CEs from ASWB ACE providers. Texas Admin Code, Sec. 801.261 f(5) allows LMFTs to earn CEs from a religious or charitable organization devoted to improving the mental or behavioral health of individuals, of which ACHHS is one. In order to receive a CE credit certificate, attendees must adhere to the requirements listed above under “Social Work CEs”.
CE certificate
- See the above section: Social Work CEs and Counseling and Therapy CEs
- Payment is accepted through our ticketing option on our Eventbrite Registration page or on our website donation page (specify $40 for Conference CE Certificate under the notes section) or by Zelle app directly to the Association of Christians in Health and Human Services at kparker@achhs.org.
See also FAQ.
Hotel, Conference Center, and Group Outing Information

The Conference Site:
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church (GDLC)
- 18220 Upper Bay Road, Houston, TX 77058
- 17 miles from Hobby Airport, 47 miles from IAH Airport, we have generous member who is willing to provide shuttle lifts from the airport to the conference site. Email admin@achhs.org if you are interested.
- Church contacts: gloriadei@gdlc.org 281.333.4535

The Hotel Site:
- The Courtyard by Marriott Houston NASA is a 6 minute walk from GDLC
- Breakfast included for ACHHS Conference guests (specify how many people, up to 4 per room, when you rsvp)
- Discounted room rates: $149/king bed or double queens
- Complimentary Self-Parking
- Hotel has a 24 Hour Business Library, Boarding Pass Station
- RSVP online or mention GD CONFERENCE when making reservations by telephone. Hotel – 281.333.0220 National Reservations – 888.236.2427
Other Hotels Nearby:
- Extended stay of America 6 rooms at $65/night
- 1410 E Nasa Pkwy, Houston, TX 77058 281-333-9494
- RSVP at extendedstayamerica.com
- Microtel Inn and Suites
- 1620 E Nasa Pkwy, Houston, TX 77058 281-532-5254
- RSVP at wyndhamhotels.com
Dining Options:
The Courtyard has on-site Bistro serving breakfast, dinner and evening drinks
• 24-Hour Market – features a variety of sundries, food & beverages
• Starbucks services through our Bistro
• Many restaurants within walking distance of hotel (fast food and sit down restaurants)
Optional NASA/SPACE CENTER HOUSTON Outing
Continue reading “Hotel, Conference Center, and Group Outing Information”
The Conference Site:
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church (GDLC)
- 18220 Upper Bay Road, Houston, TX 77058
- 17 miles from Hobby Airport, 47 miles from IAH Airport, we have generous member who is willing to provide shuttle lifts from the airport to the conference site. Email admin@achhs.org if you are interested.
- Church contacts: gloriadei@gdlc.org 281.333.4535

The Hotel Site:
- The Courtyard by Marriott Houston NASA is a 6 minute walk from GDLC
- Breakfast included for ACHHS Conference guests (specify how many people, up to 4 per room, when you rsvp)
- Discounted room rates: $149/king bed or double queens
- Complimentary Self-Parking
- Hotel has a 24 Hour Business Library, Boarding Pass Station
- RSVP online or mention GD CONFERENCE when making reservations by telephone. Hotel – 281.333.0220 National Reservations – 888.236.2427
Other Hotels Nearby:
- Extended stay of America 6 rooms at $65/night
- 1410 E Nasa Pkwy, Houston, TX 77058 281-333-9494
- RSVP at extendedstayamerica.com
- Microtel Inn and Suites
- 1620 E Nasa Pkwy, Houston, TX 77058 281-532-5254
- RSVP at wyndhamhotels.com
Dining Options:
The Courtyard has on-site Bistro serving breakfast, dinner and evening drinks
• 24-Hour Market – features a variety of sundries, food & beverages
• Starbucks services through our Bistro
• Many restaurants within walking distance of hotel (fast food and sit down restaurants)
Optional NASA/SPACE CENTER HOUSTON Outing
Continue reading “Hotel, Conference Center, and Group Outing Information”Antiracism & Christianity in Human Services
- 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?

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

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

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.