You are invited to join our June ACHHS Social -A Frank Conversation On Mental Health and Christians facilitated by Ariel Gonzalez Bovat, MA, MTS, and ACHHS Executive Director -Kim Parker, EdD, MSW. Ariel self identifies as a “wife/homeschool mom; MA-Counseling, MTS; trauma counselor; Founder: Biblical Clinical Counseling; PhD student: psychology/theology”. Follow her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/arielgbov/?hl=enFeel free to share the link below with any Christians who can benefit from this conversation. This will be a candid conversation to discuss stigma, diagnoses, approaches, and self-care from a Biblical perspective. If you have a loved one struggling or need to process for better self-care yourself, please join us. And feel free to submit your questions/topics that you wish us to explore in advance to admin@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.
Free live Diverse Discussions Webinar on Wednesday May 24th from 6-7 PM CDT (7-8pm EDT).
The webinar presentation will explore these two questions:
What causes sexual attraction in general?
What are the prerequisites for the development of healthy, integrated sexual attractions?
Moderator: Dr. Kim Parker
The presenter, Andrew Rodriguez, is a licensed professional counselor in Pennsylvania, specializing in sexual struggles. He’s the director of Integrity Christian Counseling in Pottstown, PA. Andrew is a certified Re-integrative Therapist, trained by Joseph Nicolosi, Jr, and a certified clinical trauma professional. He’s been working in the field of sexual struggles since interning at an Exodus International member ministry in 2006. Andrew has lead for several years a support group for men at his college. In graduate school, he faced discrimination for his work with men dealing with unwanted same-sex attraction. He’s now a vocal advocate for therapeutic choice, serving on the board of Voice of the Voiceless, a non-profit that uplifts the voices of ex-LGBT people. And he enjoys “babbling about psychology and theology” (and sexuality and culture) on his YouTube channel, PsychoBible. He and his wife, Jessica, attend Hopewell Community Church.
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.
Since the Supreme Court overturned the Roe Versus Wade decision in June of 2022, there has been much confusion in the culture and even among Christians about what it means and where the issue of abortion will go from here. Understanding the decision and its impact is vital for human services professionals and Christians as they consider the issue from a Biblical worldview and ethical practice.
This webinar will explore two questions:
What should we know about abortion & the pro-abortion movement?
How can Christians best help families facing pregnancy decisions now?
The presenter, Jeanneane Maxon, JD, is an attorney, speaker and human rights advocate. She serves as an Associate Scholar for the Charlotte Lozier Institute and the Compliance Officer for Her Pregnancy and Life Assistance Network (Her PLAN). Previously she served as VP of External Affairs and Corporate Counsel for Americans United for Life (AUL) and as the General Counsel of Care Net. She has frequently appeared in media.
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 faithand practice to increase skills, knowledge, and ability to effectively engage and serve others in pluralistic contexts.
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 faithand practice to increase skills, knowledge, and ability to effectively engage and serve others in pluralistic contexts.
Not all workshops at the conference will provide CEs but all presenters are required to submit the following application form for review and approval. We invite you to submit workshop proposals for the following tracks: 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 will be given priority at our conference.
For the licensed clinicians, we are applying for CEs for social work and counseling through the ASWB ACE program. Please email the completed workshop proposal form to conference@achhs.org. The deadline to submit for review has been extended to June 30, 2023. When developing the learning objectives for a CEU awarding session, you may refer to this guideline for acceptable learning objectives: https://www.aswb.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/ACE-Handbook-Acceptable-learning-objectives-list.pdf
At least 50% or 3 of the references, whichever is greater, should be current within the last 5 years. To complete the form:
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)
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)
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 faithand practice to increase skills, knowledge, and ability to effectively engage and serve others in pluralistic contexts.
How should Christians think about working with families with transgender parents?
What are the experiences of children in families with a transgender parent?
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 faithand practice to increase skills, knowledge, and ability to effectively engage and serve others in pluralistic contexts.
What is Diverse Discussions?
