Dr. Azmi Jahan completed his Bachelor’s of Arts from Georgia State University and went further to obtain his Medical Degree from St. James School of Medicine. He is currently completing his last year of Psychiatry residency training at UMKC. His presentation focuses on analyzing medications and/or additional factors that his patient responded to in treating aggression.
Presentation(s):
Violent Impulsivity in the Chronic Inpatient Unit
Dr. Eddie McCaskill is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Professional Counselor Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor, and a National Board-Certified Psychotherapist. Dr. McCaskill is certified by the American Psychological Association. Dr. McCaskill has been licensed in the State of Missouri since 1991 as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Licensed Professional Counselor. Dr. McCaskill completed his undergraduate degree in Psychology from Pepperdine University, Masters in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis and completed his Doctorate in Psychology/Behavioral Management from Grand Canyon University. Dr. McCaskill area of expertise is trauma, depression, substance use, and adverse childhood experiences. Dr. McCaskill was recognized by Bank of America’s Neighborhood Excellence Initiative as a local Hero in 2011. Dr. McCaskill was recognized and honored for his work in the community by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.-Xi Zeta Chapter as an Unsung Hero in mental health for 2014. Dr. McCaskill received the 2015 Community Healthcare Award from St. Louis Celebrity Seniors non-profit organization for providing mental health services to the local community. Dr. McCaskill received the St. Louis American’s Excellence in Healthcare award in 2017 for his work in the St. Louis Community. Dr. McCaskill was recognized by the Missouri House of Representative in a resolution put forth by State Representative, Steven Roberts in 2017 for work in the community. Dr. McCaskill has presented at the Healthy Marriage and Responsive Fatherhood Conference in Washington DC in 2017; Missouri Department of Mental Health Conference in 2019; 2021; 2022, Philadelphia Trauma Training Conference, 2019; NAADAC 2019 Annual conference in Orlando, Florida, and the Missouri Child Support Education Association in 2022. Dr. McCaskill has been employed at the Fathers and Families Support Center since 2011.
Presentation(s):
Effective Interventions in Working with Fathers who have Adverse Childhood Experiences and Trauma
Anthony D. Bass was born and raised in St. Louis Missouri and has over twenty-five years of experience that encompasses acute psychiatric complexities, dual diagnosis disorders, substance misuse, crisis and couples counseling, as well as individual, group, and family therapy; death and dying, critical incidence debriefings, and is well versed in addressing or educating on matters involving HIV/STD’s. In addition, Mr. Bass has worked with thousands of various offenders transitioning in and out of federal and state probation and parole systems. Mr. Bass’s years of experience as a direct service provider includes working as a Team Leader, Program and Clinical Director in the mental health and Substance Use Disorder arena.
Mr. Bass has been instrumental in the development of Substance Use Disorder Medical Detox, In and Outpatient, Residential, and Chronic Pain programs and has a strong ten-year background working as a Medical Social Worker. In April of 2016 he was nominated and awarded the St. Louis American Foundation’s Excellence in Health Care award. He is the founder of two nonprofit organizations and is currently in private practice working with Police Offices and other First Responders.
Mr. Bass earned master’s degrees in Community Counseling from the University of Missouri St. Louis, Management and Leadership from Webster University, and Social Work from St. Louis University. Mr. Bass is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Substance Use Counselor in the State of Missouri. Mr. Bass holds certifications for Anger Management, Clinical Trauma Treatment, Clinical Anxiety, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). Mr. Bass has also been trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution Focused, and EMDR methodologies.
M.Ed., MA, MSW, RADC, MARS, CCATP, AMTP, CCTP, CDBT, LPC
Presentation(s):
The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences & Trauma on Men and Women of Color
Dr. Patrick C. Friman received his Ph.D. from the University of Kansas. He is the current Vice President of Behavioral Health at Boys Town and a Clinical Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Nebraska School of Medicine. He was formerly on the faculties of Johns Hopkins University, University of Pennsylvania, and Creighton University Schools of Medicine. He was also formerly the Director of the Clinical Psychology Program at University of Nevada. He is a Fellow of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, in three divisions of the American Psychological Association, and of the American Board of Behavioral Psychology. He is the former Editor of the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis and former President of the Association for Behavior Analysis International. He has published more than 200 scientific articles and chapters and three books. The majority of his scientific and clinical work is in Behavioral Pediatrics and Behavioral Medicine. Dr. Friman’s work in behavioral pediatrics has concentrated on the gap between primary medical care for children on one side, and referral-based clinical child psychological and psychiatric care, on the other. A secondary focus is on adolescent behavior and development. He also specializes in consultation regarding workplace issues such as motivation, dealing with difficult people, change, happiness and pathways to success.
Presentation(s):
Keynote: A Spectrum of Clinical and Practical Applications Derived from Behavior Analysis
Dr. Grady has served in the helping profession for over 22 years, with her early work including 12 years conducting investigations on allegations of child abuse/neglect with the State of Missouri Children’s Division. In 2011 she went to grad school and obtained a master’s degree in counseling. Since then, she has worked in psychiatric emergency rooms, inpatient and outpatient units at psychiatric hospitals, grief support centers, and outpatient wellness clinics. Her most recent work includes owning and operating a private practice in the metro area of Kansas City. Dr. Grady specializes in grief and frequently provides therapy to those who are struggling with the loss of a loved one due to suicide, homicide, child death, and sudden death. She also serves as a consultant to local schools who have suffered the loss of students to suicide by providing presentations and tips on managing grief reactions. When she isn’t working with grief, Dr. Grady enjoys speaking at seminars designed to teach the helping professional how to recognize and cope with signs of stress and burnout. Much of her other work involves therapy with individuals on matters related to anxiety, depression, and relationship issues. Dr. Grady is currently licensed in Kansas and Missouri, with national board certification and a certificate in Critical Incident Stress Response. Dr. Grady’s dissertation and doctoral research included analysis of youth suicide statistics and how connection with educators could reduce the incidence of suicide in young people. She speaks at school districts throughout the country to educate them on the warning signs and precipitating circumstances in the lives of suicidal youth, while also providing educators with practical strategies for reducing youth suicides within their local districts.
Presentation(s):
Youth Suicide: A Look at Before and After
Carol A Martin is a Certified Peer Specialist at Recovery Lighthouse in Sedalia, Missouri. She is a person in long term Recovery and celebrates 4 years abstinent from all mind and mood altering substances. Carol obtained her HiSet in August 2020 and is in her 2nd year at State Fair Community College. She is the General Service Representative of the Sedalia Narcotics Anonymous group. Carol is a huge recovery advocate in her community. Carol has partnered with Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler and spoke at several high schools in the mid Missouri area raising awareness to addiction and finding recovery. Carol has participated in two recovery advocacy days at the state capital and enjoys partnering up with different agencies in her community to show that recovery is real and you can find a new way to live. Carol currently facilitates the Women is Recovery matrix group offered at Recovery Lighthouse and co-facilitates the Department of Corrections sponsored Road to Re-Entry program. Carol has successfully completed a five year SIS supervised state probation that she was placed on in 2016. In the future, Carol is looking forward to bringing Narcotics Anonymous meetings into the Pettis County Jail. She is full of life and love and most of all hope. She shares the most important message which any addict can stop using and find a new way to live.
Presentation(s):
Women in Recovery – An Approach to Sustainable Empowerment
Nancy Ellis-Ordway, LCSW, PhD, is a psychotherapist with thirty-five years experience, specializing in treating eating disorders, body image issues, stress, anxiety, depression and relationship issues. She offers individual, couple, and family therapy through her private practice in Jefferson City, MO. In addition to a Master of Social Work degree from Washington University, she has completed the Advanced Psychodynamic Psychotherapy training program at the St. Louis Psychoanalytic Institute. She has written chapters for four books, as well as numerous articles for professional and general publications. Her book, “Thrive At Any Weight; Eating to Nourish Body, Soul and Self Esteem” was published in 2019. She co-edited “Weight Bias in Health Education: Critical Perspectives for Pedagogy and Practice” in 2021. She also teaches classes for professional continuing education. She has a Ph.D. in Health Education and Promotion from the University of Missouri as well as a graduate certificate in Public Health.
Presentation(s):
Weight Stigma and Clinical Applications: Ethical Considerations
Karyn Harvey has worked as a clinician in the field of intellectual disabilities for over 35 years. She has her Ph.D. in Applied Developmental Psychology from the University of Maryland. She has published articles about therapeutic interventions for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), workbooks for individuals with IDD, and two books. Her first book, Positive Identity Development was published in 2009 and Trauma-Informed Behavioral Interventions, published in 2011. Her third book, Trauma and Healing will be released in 2023 by AAIDD. She is the director of program development and training for the Park Ave Group practice where she does both individual and group therapy with people with intellectual disabilities. In addition, she regularly conducts trainings on trauma-informed support for people with IDD, trauma-informed leadership, and trauma-informed behavioral interventions for both state and individual organizations throughout the US and Canada.
Presentation(s):
Trauma-Informed Supports for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities – the Path to Healing
Damaris Karanja is the Founder of Healing Streams Counseling, a private practice in St. Louis providing integrative Psychotherapy and Nutrition Counseling Services. She holds dual licenses as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and a Licensed Mental Health Professional Counselor in the State of Missouri. Damaris earned a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from University of Missouri-St. Louis and a Master’s Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Southeast Missouri State University.
Damaris specializes in trauma and dysfunctional eating behaviors. A gifted speaker, Damaris provides workshops on intersection of nutrition and mental health for a wide variety of audiences. Damaris holds several advanced trainings including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitizing Reprocessing) and Brainspotting. In addition to owning a private practice, Damaris worked for 18 years as a Faculty member at a local university conducting research and teaching. She is a member of the American Counseling Association and the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Presentation(s):
The Intersection of Nutrition and Mental Health
Angela Gray is a High School Social Worker of twenty years who has devoted herself using her professional expertise to empower and promote justice and dignity implementing various programs within her community and school. She self published two books in 2019 distributed and sold through Amazon – “Girl, Check that Attitude ” and “Help! I Have an Attitude Problem”. Angela is a new Alumni board member at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She is the 2020 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian recipient. She is also the 2020 YWCA Women of Distinction awardee. She enjoys spending time with her family and crafting. During the pandemic, she and her family started their small Tshirt business, Luv2Express Tees and more, specializing in mental health, Mommy and me, ethnic and women empowerment designs.
Presentation(s):
Trauma Informed: Victimization and Invisibility of Black Girls
Surviving the Angry Black Woman Syndrome
