Counseling & Student Affairs Workshops

2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. CST via Zoom

The presentation will integrate classical Adlerian studies of Early Recollections into contemporary studies that highlight social, neurocognitive, and developmental determinants of memory formation, storage, and retrieval. The presentation will demonstrate enhanced empirical support for Adlerian ERs as a major window into the client's Lifestyle, explain a revived interest in their use, and introduce clinical skills in working with ERs at different stages of the counseling process.

Marina Bluvshtein, PhD LP; MA LMFT

Dr. Marina Bluvshtein is the Director of the Center for Adlerian Practice and Scholarship and a professor at Adler University in Chicago. She is a board member and faculty member of the International Adlerian Summer School (ICASSI), a Board member of the Alfred Adler Institute of New York, and the president of the International Association of Individual Psychology (IAIP). She is a licensed psychologist (MN) and a licensed marriage and family therapist (MN), with her clinical and research expertise spanning early memories and dreams, metaphors, trauma, the History of Adlerian psychology, women’s voices in psychology, and issues related to culture and language in psychology. She is the author of more than 30 articles in peer-reviewed journals and book chapters. She teaches and trains internationally in more than 25 countries.

5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. CST via Zoom

This workshop will be conducted on-line and in lecture form. The presenter will discuss the major concepts of Adlerian theory and the use of the theory when counseling young. people from a holistic perspective. Participants will be educated on the importance of understanding clients from a holistic lens that includes incorporating the use Adlerian-focused early recollections. The presenter will explain the appropriate use of the early recollections and how they can provide insight into the client's lifestyle and private knowledge. Real-life examples will provide clarification and a further understanding of the concepts and process. Participants will be educated on how this additional information from a holistic perspective can add greatly to clinicians', adolescent clients', and parents' understanding of the purpose to the adolescents' behavior and more accurately determine appropriate interventions for the adolescent thus increasing the potential for a successful outcome for the adolescent.

Michele Frey, PhD, LPC, ACS, CPCS, DNASAP

Michele R. Frey is an adjunct faculty member at Mercer University in the master's degree for Community Mental Health and the doctorate degree for Counselor Education and Supervision program. She also conducts individual and group clinical supervision and works with the Douglas County Juvenile Justice System in the Juvenile Programs Department. Michele works using the Adlerian Theory of Human Behavior as her foundation.

4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. CST via Zoom

Technology is evolving at a pace where it is difficult for therapists and supervisors to remain current. Codes of Ethics are adamant concerning the importance of recognizing the unique ethical considerations when delivering online services. State Licensing Boards are charged with overseeing both ethical and legal aspects of virtual services; however, from state to state, this process is oftentimes disjointed and nebulous. When engaging in virtual counseling relationships, counselors are often left to discern the appropriate courses of action without clear guidance. The Covid-19 Pandemic changed the perception of distance counseling and supervision from that avant-garde to that of mainstream necessity. AI has further changed the landscape of counseling providing greater opportunities and challenges to service delivery. 
This presentation seeks to explore the ethical, legal, and practical implications of virtual counseling and supervisory relationships including the practical day-to-day factors that impede abilities of mental health providers to deliver sound counseling services via technology.

Daniel G. Williamson, ph.D., LPCC-S (KY), LPC (TX), NCC, HS-BCP

University. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Texas and a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Supervisor (LPCC-S) in Kentucky. He is a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS), a Human Services Board Certified Practitioner (HS-BCP), and a Diplomate in Adlerian Psychology with the North American Society of Adlerian Psychology (NASAP). He is currently Core Faculty with Capella University and has served as a Professor with the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, and Associate Professor with Lindsey Wilson College. His theoretical orientation is Adlerian and he uses modalities from a variety of theoretical perspectives including Cognitive/Behavioral, Humanistic, Solution-Focused, Narrative, and Psychodynamic. Dr. Williamson is a Fulbright Specialist Alum in Mental Health and serves on numerous professional journal editorial boards in counseling and psychology.

Jennifer Nivin Williamson, Ph.D., LPCC-S (KY), LPC (TX), NCC, HS-BCP

Dr. Jennifer Nivin Williamson earned a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology (Emphasis: Counseling) from Baylor University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Texas and a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Supervisor (LPCC-S) in Kentucky. She is a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS), a Human Services Board Certified Practitioner (HS-BCP), and a Diplomate in Adlerian Psychology with the North American Society of Adlerian Psychology (NASAP). She is currently Core Faculty with Capella University and has served as a Professor with the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, and Associate Professor with Lindsey Wilson College. Her theoretical orientation is Adlerian and she uses modalities from a variety of theoretical perspectives including Cognitive/Behavioral, Humanistic, Solution-Focused, Narrative, and Psychodynamic. Dr. Williamson is a Fulbright Specialist Alum in Mental Health and serves on numerous professional journal editorial boards in counseling and psychology.

2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. CST via Zoom

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.

5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. CST via Zoom

"Working with High-Conflict, High-Risk Individuals and Families” is a 60-minute continuing education workshop designed for mental health professionals seeking to enhance their clinical skills when working with clients involved in court-ordered or system-referred 
services. These clients often present with complex challenges, including trauma histories, behavioral volatility, and systemic resistance to change. The workshop provides a trauma informed, 
ethically grounded framework for managing difficult therapeutic relationships and navigating the high-stakes nature of court-involved clinical work. Participants will learn evidence-based strategies for maintaining clinical boundaries, fostering collaboration across systems, and applying somatic and cognitive interventions that promote co-regulation, emotional safety, and long-term behavior change. Practical tools and examples will be provided to support professionals in sustaining effectiveness and emotional well-being in demanding clinical environments.

Stefany Vaughn Mack, LPCC-S, NCC

Stefany Vaughn Mack received her master’s degree from Western Kentucky University. She has several years of experience in the mental health field working in residential and outpatient settings since 2007. Stefany is available to treat a multitude of mental health disorders including trauma, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, as well as other addictions, and has a multitude of experience in working with court-mandated clients. She has received specialized training in EMDR therapy and specializes in providing Clinical Supervision. She is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and a certified Yoga Teacher, registered with the Yoga Alliance.

Stefany prides herself on meeting her clients where they are in their journey of improving their mental health and overall wellness. Her passion revolves around being available and competent to improve the lives of her clients, while making a meaningful and lasting impact on the community in which she serves. She utilizes a variety of methods and trauma-informed practices to connect clients with the best version of themselves.

12:45 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. CST at Gary Ransdell Hall, Room 2064

Presentation will educate clinicians on an introductory level of the integrative approach to mental health.

Cathy Gamm

Cathy has been a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor for 15 years. She received her designation as Supervisor in 2014. In addition to receiving her Masters in Mental Health Counseling & Marriage & Family Therapy, Cathy has gone on to receive a Certification as a Brain Health Coach from the Amen Clinics and certification as a Certified Integrative Mental Health Provider. Cathy has experience working with teens, college-age, and adults dealing with depression, anxiety, stress, low self-esteem, relationship issues, self-harm and suicidal thoughts. She works from an integrative mental health perspective for all clients to address the Bio-Psycho-Social-Spiritual aspect of whole mind-body wellness.