2025

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On the Crossroads of Neurodiversity, Mental Health and Psychosis

Room: Windgate 60-61

Speaker(s): 

Gerlach, Jennifer

Description: 

The neurodiversity movement has revolutionized perspectives on autism and related neurodivergences. Yet, these are also often comorbid with mental health conditions including psychosis. In this workshop we will explore this overlap and strategies for meeting the unique needs of these clients

Objectives

1. Identify strategies for creating a welcoming space for neurodivergent clients
2. Integrate psychotherapy strategies that can be applied to both neurodivergent clients and those with mental health conditions
3. Recognize how neurodiversity and mental health interact

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Local Initiatives to Improve the Lives of People with Developmental Disabilities

Room: Paradise C

Speaker(s): 

Pennington, Nancy, BS, CPA

Description: 

Learn about county SB40 boards and how they use local tax levies to support people with developmental disabilities through leveraging funds, providing care and coordinating supports.

Objectives

1. Describe County SB40 Boards
2. Describe how to partner with their SB40 Board to support individuals with IDD
3. Discuss developmental disabilities and how they can affect interactions

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Youth Behavioral Health Liaisons and Community Engagement

Room: Paradise B

Speaker(s): 

Levely, Hannah, MS

Description: 

Youth Behavioral Health Liaisons, or YBHLs, are behavioral health professionals across the state who work to connect youth and their families to behavioral health services. When thinking of YBHLs, their job function is usually explained as a “connector” to services – and they are. But YBHLs also do so much more within their communities. Join us to dive into all the different roles of a YBHL, review the new Community Engagement data that has been collected from YBHLs across the state, and learn how YBHLs can increase community engagement with your organization.

Objectives

1. Provide an overview of YBHLs various roles within the community
2. Review Community Engagement data from YBHLs across the state.
3. Utilize the YBHL position to engage their local community.

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The Suicide Continuum Unmasked: Understanding Suicide Through a New Lens

Room: Paradise A

Speaker(s): 

Andrews, Bart, PhD

Description: 

The standard model of the suicide continuum suggest people start with thoughts of escapist ideation, and, if things don’t get better, gradually progress through the dimension of non-morbid escapist ideation, to morbid ideation, to passive suicidal ideation to active suicidal ideation, etc. The research doesn’t support this progression. Up to 75% of those who die by suicide denied suicidal thoughts in their last visit behavioral health visit prior to their death. Many that attempt and survive suicide deny recalling suicide thoughts until just upon their attempt. We clinicians need to have a better understanding of the limitations of our suicide risk models and adopt new approaches when working with our clients.

Objectives

1. Review the standard suicide continuum model
2. Explore research that conflicts with this model
3. Identify aspects of standard care that impede better intervention

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Missouri Family Resources

A free statewide resource website and mobile app that houses a variety of local resources for families with young children. It is designed to be used by families and professionals. Users can search for local resources, then print their search results or share them directly by email, text, or social media. Users may also suggest updates to resource listings and can submit new resources to be included in the database. This will help keep the database comprehensive and current. Account users can make notes about individual resources and save resources to their favorites folders. Visit the Office of Childhood’s Missouri Family Resources webpage to access promotional materials and informational documents.

website: https://familyresources.mo.gov/http://www.juvenilecircuit2.org/residential-treatment

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Missouri State Public Defender – Holistic Defense Services

The Holistic Defense Services (HDS) team was established in 2022 to pioneer a groundbreaking holistic approach to public defense, one that tackles the root causes of our clients’ involvement in the criminal legal system and helps to break the cycle of criminalization. HDS staff work with our most vulnerable clients to provide case management services and mitigation advocacy. At the HDS exhibit, you will find resources and information to address issues that arise when individuals experiencing mental illness or substance use disorders are involved in the criminal legal system. We will also be sharing opportunities for employment on the HDS team

https://TEVApharm.com

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Success Health System, LLC

Success Health System, LLC

We are a private practice providing psychiatric medication management services. Our team of providers are board certified. We offer in-person and telehealth appointments and we treat patients across the lifespan. To meet our patients’ busy schedules, evenings and weekends appointments are available via telehealth. We currently provide Telehealth services, statewide, in several States including Missouri, Kansas, Wisconsin, Texas, Alabama, Arizona, Illinois, California and Georgia. We are actively working on introducing interventional Psychiatric Treatment options such as TMS and Spravato in selected locations. Our physical clinic locations are in Independence MO, Creve Coeur MO, Columbia MO and Olathe KS. Patients or guardians can conveniently request an appointment by visiting www.successhealthsystem.com or calling 888-410-5230.

www.successhealthsystem.com

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Slay, Bre-Ann, PsyD

Dr. Bre-Ann Slay is a distinguished Licensed Clinical Psychologist, holding an additional endorsement as an Infant Mental Health Specialist. With a doctoral degree in clinical psychology (PsyD) from the University of Denver and a master’s degree in forensic psychology, she brings a wealth of academic and professional expertise to her role. Dr. Slay actively contributes to the field by serving on the executive board of the nonprofit Missouri Association for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (MOAIMH-EC) and as a certified trainer of IoWA-PCIT.
At Reflect to Connect, Dr. Slay has established a platform dedicated to advancing education and support in infant and early childhood mental health. Grounded in attachment and behavioral lenses, her clinical practice prioritizes understanding caregiver-child relationships to achieve shared goals. Specializing in Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), IoWA-PCIT, and play-based treatments, Dr. Slay is committed to enhancing the overall well-being of children. She is a lead clinician for the Jackson County Safe Babies Court. Recognizing the challenges caregivers face, she assures individuals that with the right tools, temporary struggles can pave the way for a child’s success. Her goal is to foster a foundation of support and understanding for the flourishing future of young ones.
 

Presentation(s): 

Uniting for Reunification: The Critical Role of Collaborative Efforts and Clinical Services in Safe Babies Court Team 


 

 

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Preston, Rebecca, PhD

Dr. Rebecca N. Preston serves as as Clinical Lead for Missouri’s Early Psychosis Care (EPC) Center. She received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Hosftra University with training strongly rooted in evidence-based treatment modalities and rigorous research methods. Her research interests concentrate on stressors and impaired self-regulatory behaviors that both predate and maintain disorders of self-control and co-morbid psychiatric disorders in vulnerable populations. Dr. Preston facilitates the implementation of evidence-based practices for first-episode psychosis services, building capacity across the state to prevent the onset of and provide treatment for early psychosis. Her work with the EPC Center focuses on reducing implementation and service barriers thereby improving youth mental health care access and quality.
Presentation(s):
Aggression, Violence, and Psychosis – Facts and Misconceptions