Counseling & Student Affairs Workshops

2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST at Gary Ransdell Hall, Room 3096

Working in child welfare requires counselors to navigate complex systems, high emotional demands, and the unique needs of children and families facing significant adversity. This training provides counselors with an applied understanding of the child welfare environment, including the stressors that can impact professional wellbeing and service effectiveness. Participants will examine how key systems—such as legal, educational, medical, and behavioral health—interact with child welfare and influence day-to-day practice. The session emphasizes practical, preventative strategies that strengthen professional resilience, enhance support for families, and improve outcomes for children. Through discussion, real-world examples, and guided reflection, participants will leave better prepared to enter or continue work in child welfare settings with confidence and clarity.

Austin Giffiths, Ph.D., CSW

Dr. Austin Griffiths has over 16 years of combined professional practice experience in both child and adult protective services and in facilitating applied research. He is the Director of Western Kentucky University’s LifeSkills Center for Child Welfare Education and Research and is an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Work. Dr. Griffiths is passionate about improving the lives of families and children.  The majority of his research is focused on improving the lives of the professionals who work with vulnerable populations by enhancing their health, wellness, and work life balance.

2:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. CST via Zoom

This workshop offers a comprehensive introduction to understanding Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and its clinical presentation across diverse populations. Participants will learn to recognize the cycle of OCD and identify common obsessions and compulsions. The presentation will review the major subtypes of OCD, including those more prevalent among children and adolescents, and discuss how cognitive, behavioral, and relational factors contribute to the disorder. Attention will also be given to prevalence and demographic trends, underlying causes, and common diagnostic challenges. Through exploration of assessment tools and case examples, attendees will gain greater confidence in identifying OCD symptoms and distinguishing them from other clinical conditions to support accurate diagnosis and effective treatment planning.

Megan Harden, LCSW

Megan Harden, LCSW, is the owner of The Cognitive Refinery, a psychotherapy practice in Bowling Green, Kentucky. She specializes in OCD and anxiety disorders, utilizing evidence-based approaches such as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Inference-Based Cognitive Therapy (ICBT), and Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE).

2:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. CST via Zoom

This workshop provides an overview of evidence-based approaches to the treatment and intervention of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Building on foundational knowledge of OCD’s presentation and mechanisms, participants will learn how to conceptualize treatment through the lens of cognitive-behavioral and neurobiological models. The program will introduce participants to first-line interventions, including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Inference-Based Cognitive Therapy (ICBT), as well as family-based and developmental models such as Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE). The session will also address pharmacological and neuromodulation options, including commonly recommended medications, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), and Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). This session is designed to enhance participants’ awareness of available treatment modalities, enabling them to better identify, support, and refer clients in need of specialized OCD care.

Megan Harden, LCSW

Megan Harden, LCSW, is the owner of The Cognitive Refinery, a psychotherapy practice in Bowling Green, Kentucky. She specializes in OCD and anxiety disorders, utilizing evidence-based approaches such as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Inference-Based Cognitive Therapy (ICBT), and Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE).

Whether you are a professional working to protect children or you are a parent, the following presentation will provide insight into how to talk to children about sexual abuse. According to pcaky.org, one in four girls will experience child sexual abuse at some point in their childhood, and 90% of victims know their abuser. 
Child sexual abuse is scary, but talking about it with children doesn’t have to be. Through informed and uplifting exercises, case examples and lectures, this seminar will show you how to establish a safe space for children to learn about sexual abuse. 
The ability to effectively speak to children about sexual abuse plays a crucial role in prevention, assessing safety, and supporting the healing of a child. Learn how to prepare yourself to talk with children about child sexual abuse in a developmentally appropriate and healthy way.

Ericka Church, LCSW

Ericka Church is the Project ACCESS Coordinator at Green River Regional Educational Cooperative. She has been a part-time instructor at Western Kentucky University (WKU) for the Masters of Social Work program since 2017. Additionally, she serves on the Western Kentucky University Social Work Alumni Leadership Group. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work at WKU in 2004, a Masters of Social Work Degree at WKU in 2013.
Ericka Church is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) trained. She is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) Certification. She is well-versed in trauma and incorporates an integrative approach to social work education, clinical supervision, and private practice in which she serves individuals and families.