Association of Christians in Health and Human Services

Understanding Coercive Control

Free live Diverse Discussions Webinar on Tuesday, December 19th from 6-7PM Central Time (7-8pm Eastern).
The webinar presentation will explore these two questions:
  1. How do you know when you are being coerced?
  2. How does brainwashing work?
Moderator: Kat Elias, LCSW, see biography in the flyer below.
Presenter: Anna Kitko, MA, holds a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies from Reformed Theological Seminary, is under supervision for her Licensed Clinical Pastoral Therapist (Tennessee), and is near completion of a Master of Science in the Psychology of Coercive Control from the University of Salford, Manchester UK (2024). Her areas of specialty include christian apologetics, neurochemistry, cults and new religions, PTSD and Dissociative Disorders in religious environments, and Practical Theology in culturally taboo subjects. She speaks internationally on the intersection of Psychology and Theology as well as the anatomy of persuasion..
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.

Human Trafficking: Hidden in Plain Sight

Free live Diverse Discussions Webinar on Tuesday, November 28th from 6-7PM Central Time (7-8pm Eastern).
The webinar presentation will explore these two questions:
  1. Is human trafficking a real thing?
  2. What do I do if I come across someone who is being trafficked?
Moderator: Dr. Kim Parker, see biography in the flyer below.
The presenter, Lara Vanderhoof, DSW, LMSW, is a licensed social worker in the states of Kansas and New York (inactive). She is a Kansas State Supreme Court Approved Mediator and the Chief Academic Officer at Central Christian College of Kansas. With teaching experience at Roberts Wesleyan and Indiana Wesleyan, Vanderhoof has most recently served as the Social Work Program Director at Tabor College. Lara has taught a variety of courses including Social Work, Sociology, Marriage and Family, Child Welfare, Counseling, and a study abroad course in Nepal and Guatemala addressing human trafficking and environmental justice issues. She has 30 years of social work experience including working with mental health, child welfare, refugees, sexual abuse, failure to thrive, higher education, and juvenile justice.
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.

How Gut Health Affects Mood

Free live Diverse Discussions Webinar on Wednesday September 27th from 6:30-7:30 PM EST.

The webinar presentation will explore these two questions:
 
  1. How do diet and nutrition impact mental health?
  2. 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.

 

Surviving Grad School As a Conservative Christian

You are invited to join our August ACHHS Social – Surviving Grad School As a Conservative Christian facilitated by Kat Elias, LCSW, and Tracey Phillips, PhD. Christian faith, worldview, and perspectives have been under attack in our postmodern age. Conservative Christians (those who hold to a traditional, orthodox interpretation of what the Bible and early church teach about the faith) are constantly under scrutiny for being unethical, oppressive, phobic this and that, racist, hateful, bigoted, etc…  The problem is especially severe for conservative Christian students (and sometimes educators) in higher academia and particularly in the health and human services majors/professions (psychology, counseling, social work, human services, healthcare, etc…). What used to be solid science is now replaced with ideas of deconstructionism and socio-political correctness. Yet, as believers, we know that God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control (see 2 Tim 1: 7). Whether you are a Christian educator, student, or practitioner, come join us for this helpful dialogue to support one another.
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.  

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.

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!  

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.

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.

Moral Distress: An Interprofessional Dialogue

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 future webinars. Please check back on this post for updates.

Discussion details:

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

Human service and helping professionals in mental health or healthcare settings who identify as religious or Christian may encounter situations of tensions between their deeply held faith and the profession’s ever changing cultural frameworks for helping. Specializing in pharmacotherapy, Dr. Marty Eng will lead us in an inter-professional discussion regarding how moral distress presents itself, how it affects providers of faith across disciplines in various settings, and how professionals can address these moral dilemmas within the context of the provider’s or client’s Biblical worldview. The various professions’ codes of ethics will be discussed to arrive at best practice of faith integration in serving clients/patients.

The goal of this presentation is to help attendees to:

  • define what constitutes moral distress,
  • identify moral components of respective professions,
  • identify the contributors and consequences of moral distress, and
  • apply a moral framework to a moral distress vignette.

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.
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