People are deeply burdened. One of the most confusing aspects within the mind is the different roles, voices, and versions that show up throughout our lives. In this class, we will explore how the theory of family therapy can be applied to a person in a way that reveals the deeper story within us, our family of origin ,and our faith community. We will explore the concept of Personal Burdens and Legacy Burdens that move beyond the individual and onto the next generation.

Are we protecting what we value or putting them at risk by our choices? We will look at what is important in our lives and how God has a plan for each of us to enjoy our lives and live to the fullest and not have what we value taken or destroyed. (John 10:10). During our discussion, we will look at lifestyle-related decisions that may impact positively or negatively and explore how family, church, and positive community make a difference to living a life that aligns our behaviors and choices with our values.

Across our field, conversations around LGBTQ+ topics are increasingly driven by fear—fear of client reactions, cultural backlash, or professional consequences. Too often, that fear leads clinicians to trade solid, ethical care for surface-level affirmation that eases their own discomfort more than it serves the client’s growth. This training charts a different way – walking this messy middle space with both Truth and grace.

Designed for clinicians working with Christian parents and families, this course equips participants to navigate LGBTQ+ questions with developmental insight, family systems awareness, and clinical wisdom—rooted in ethical standards of care and, for those integrating faith - a clear conscience. The emphasis is not on flashy techniques but on steady, relationally grounded practices that help parents.

"Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the laws of Christ!”

There is a Swedish proverb that says “Shared joy is double joy. Shared sorrow is half sorrow." What is the power, the magic even, in this act of sharing our lives? This class will attempt to answer that question! We will begin with a brief exegesis of these beautiful passages, followed by a look at how we, in the modern age, might integrate biblical truth with evidence-based therapeutic practice. We will conclude with practical steps to promote mentally and emotionally healthy relationships. Please note that this session has been prepared with BOTH therapeutic professionals and non-professionals alike. So, regardless of your expertise and/or training, our prayer is that you will find this presentation a blessing for yourself and those in your circle of care.

In Galatians 6:2, we are called to “bear one another’s burdens,” yet just a few verses later, we’re reminded that “each one should carry their own load” (Galatians 6:5). What does this mean in the context of supporting those who struggle with mental health?

This Christ-centered keynote is designed to help disciples navigate the delicate balance between compassion and healthy boundaries when walking alongside others through mental and emotional struggles. Participants will explore biblical principles, practical tools, and Spirit-led discernment to understand how to offer meaningful support without becoming overwhelmed or enabling unhealthy dependency. Furthermore, we will hope to cover how it is we expect repentance in the midst of mental health struggles!

We’ve all seen it. People who have challenges in relationships. Maybe they respond too strongly to a comment. Or come off as rigid, inflexible or untrusting. Perhaps they are disconnected, or overly connected, or have difficulty feeling connected. Trauma is a heavy burden to carry, and most of the time, those who are carrying it did not have it placed on them willingly, but found it thrust upon them. Estimates set the number of people in congregations who have experienced some kind of trauma at between 40 and 70%. This means that many in our congregations are dealing with experiences that makes certain interactions difficult. Being effective ministry leaders, professionals, disciples, and friends means recognizing the signs and being willing to respond appropriately. This presentation will highlight some ways our churches can be more trauma-responsive and create environments where it is safe to have meaningful conversations about hard things – those that happen in families, in our communities, in our country and our world.

This presentation is designed to equip Christian clinicians with principles and techniques to help families struggling with self-blame and shame, drawing from the powerful concepts of Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) and grounding them in biblical truth. Parents and Caregivers often experience self-blame and shame, which can interfere with their ability to support a loved one or create one to be stuck in unhelpful patterns (walking on eggshells, feeling resentful, etc.). This isn't a lack of love; it's a defensive mechanism. Self-blame can feel like a way to prevent future recurrence, to honor a loved one's suffering, or to gain temporary relief from a difficult reality. From a faith perspective, we can understand this as a "survival narrative" of the self, a deep-seated belief that we are somehow responsible for the pain or struggle of our loved ones, stemming from a fallen world where suffering is a reality. In the therapy room, this often can present as “resistance,” a “checked out” parent, or a very blaming and reactive caregiver. Instead of focusing solely on changing problematic behaviors, we can help caregivers find their "inner wisdom" and rely on an internal God-guiding outlook. From a Christian perspective, this is about helping them reconnect to the Holy Spirit, their ultimate source of wisdom, guidance, and peace.

Our world is becoming more fragmented, and the challenge of maintaining good mental health is becoming more widespread. Focussing particularly on adolescents, this class will discuss how we as clinicians can help build ‘both-and’ ministries to support our spiritual families in the process of developing networks of care.

What do we do when we are out of answers and the stakes are high? One of the more confusing issues is when we feel called to sacrifice for the good of others while also making sure that we are taking care of ourselves. There are a variety of deeply complex situations parents are facing in modern times. In this panel discussion, we will address the challenges in a practical manner with experts who have decades of experience.