Home > Articles by: Kayla Bunch

Author: Kayla Bunch

By

Thomas, Sarah, EdD, MSW, LCSW

Dr. Thomas currently serves as the Director of Behavioral Health & Wellness at A.T. Still University. Founded as the original osteopathic medical school in Kirksville, Missouri, ATSU has expanded to include campuses in Phoenix, Arizona, Santa Maria, California, and an online program. In her role, Dr. Thomas leads a team of professionals to provide quality behavioral health care to students in professional healthcare programs. In addition, Dr. Thomas serves as a subject matter expert to lecture regarding all aspects of well-being, including an elective course for medical students on resilience and mindfulness in medicine. Dr. Thomas previously worked in a federally qualified health center, adolescent residential care, and community mental health. Dr. Thomas completed a Doctorate of Education in Healthcare Professions in May of 2022 from A.T. Still University and received her MSW and BSW from the University of Missouri School of Social Work in 2005 and 2003.

Presentation(s):

Real Self-Care for Mental Health Practitioners: Strategies to Prevent and Treat Compassion Fatigue and Burnout

By

Smalling, Lauren, MSW, LCSW

Lauren Smalling, MSW, LCSW is a 40-year-old social worker practicing as a substance use counselor in Lebanon, MO. She began her social work journey at the age of 24 and had the best year of her life in 2013 when she graduated LSU with her master’s degree and then had a baby. Lauren has worked for Compass Health Network for almost seven years now and continues to love her career and her family.

Presentation(s):

Treatment and Diagnosis of Individuals with Schizophrenia

By

The Rainbow Road to Recovery

Paradise Ballroom A

 

Speaker(s): Nesbitt, Donna, BA

Description:

This presentation serves to examine the unique intricacies regarding substance use and recovery among the LGBTQIA+ population. This includes examining specific contributing factors to the prevalence of substance use disorders in the community, barriers to receiving proper treatment, and protocols agencies can implement within their own programs so as to better serve high-risk individuals. The hope is to increase competency regarding inclusivity and guide in providing an affirmative space so that it may encourage others to seek help.

Objectives

  •  Define the various subgroups within the LGBTQIA+ population.
  • Review the history of the LGBTQIA+ population.
  • Explore contributing factors to substance use disorders among the LGBTQIA+ community.
  • Identify barriers to accessing effective and competent treatment programs for recovery.
  • Develop agency protocols aimed at increasing inclusion, affirmation, and retention of LGBTQIA+ clients.
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Digitization of Vulnerability – Social Media and Mental Health

Parasol II

 

Speaker(s):

Nwokwor, Ejike, MBBS

Description

Increasing Social media use and the possible impacts Drivers of social media growth and the mental health implications.

Objectives

  • Concerns about increasing social media usage
  • What drives the rapid increase in use of social media
  • Impact of social media use on mental health
  • Suggestions on controlling abnormal use of social media
By

Nwokwor, Ejike, MBBS

I had my medical school at University of Jos Nigeria; Completed one year of internship and worked with different organizations and institutions. Started postgraduate training in Psychiatry in Nigeria before moving to USA. I am currently in my 3rd year of Residency training in Psychiatry. My passion for mental health was borne of early life experiences and I have special in Community Psychiatry and Addiction.

Presentation(s):

Digitization of Vulnerability – Social Media and Mental Health

By

Burries, Cassandra

Cassandra Burries has been a member of Independence Center for over 9 years, where she is also on the Board of Directors.  In addition, she has been on the Clubhouse International Advisory Board for the past 8 years.  Cassandra is a MO certified Peer Specialist and has been working on the ITCD team (Integrated Treatment for Co-occurring Disorders) at BJC Behavioral Health for the past 7 years.  She also recently obtained a certificate in Pregnant and Parenting Families.
Presentation(s):
By

Matlock, Tanya, MA

Tanya Matlach has a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from the University of Missouri St. Louis (UMSL).  She worked at Youth in Need for about 8 years as a Hispanic community support worker.  She completed a master’s in counseling from UMSL in 2010.  Tanya has been a member of Independence Center’s Clubhouse for 4 years, where she facilitates weekly Dual Recovery and Clubhouse Orientation meetings. She is also a Missouri Certified Peer Specialist.

Presentation(s):

Restoring Lives -The Clubhouse Model Approach to Recovery

By

Thomas, Andy, MA, CCJP, MARS

Andy Thomas is the Housing Director for Missouri Coalition of Recovery Support Providers (MCRSP). He has extensive history in criminal justice by working as an institutional parole officer, field officer, intensive supervision officer, drug court officer, and as a supervisor. After retiring from Missouri Probation & Parole, he worked as a counselor for the federal program and drug court program through Reality House Programs in Columbia, MO. He has a BA in Criminal Justice as well as an MA. He currently has certification in substance use counseling with a CCJP, MARS, and CPSS.

Presentation(s):

Super Session: Missouri Housing Resources

By

Kemna, Kelli, MSW

Kelli Kemna is the Housing Director for Missouri Department of Mental Health. Kelli administers Department of Mental Health’s Shelter Plus Care, Show Me Recovery Housing, VA GPD, Rental Assistance Program, PATH, SOAR and Housing Liaison projects throughout Missouri. These duties include providing technical assistance to housing centers to ensure grant compliance, fiscal management, working with coordinated entry systems to obtain referrals, writing policies and procedures for the implementation of the grants, writing policy for various Continuums of Care and advocating for equitable affordable housing options for those experiencing mental health or substance use issues. For the previous decade, Kelli ran the gamut of housing positions from supportive services to administration. The variety of experiences gives her a unique perspective on the homelessness and housing system. Her work is directed by the beliefs that everyone has the right to housing regardless of history or current circumstances and homelessness is a solvable problem through continuous improvement in housing choice. These core beliefs make her a great champion for housing first and finding creative strategies to the barriers faced in addressing homelessness and housing instability.
Presentation(s):
By

Super Session: Missouri Housing Resources

Windgate 60-61

 

Speaker(s):

Kemna, Kelli, MSW

Thomas, Andy, MA, CCJP, MARS

Description

A presentation of housing resources and information in Missouri. A few of the specific housing options which will be covered are HUD sponsored housing, Recovery Housing and Veterans housing. The presentation will include how to locate affordable housing.

Objectives

Understand housing resources in Missouri

Knowledge of tools to search for affordable housing

Understand subpopulation specific housing resources