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Trauma Informed Care for Supervisors

Room: Paradise C

Speaker(s): 

Le’Anne Schlotzhauer, BS

Presentation: This presentation provides a structured overview of trauma-informed care principles tailored for supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). It explains what trauma is, how it uniquely impacts people with IDD, and practical ways staff can apply these principles in daily care.

Objectives:

  • Describe the core principles of Trauma Informed Care
  • Define Trauma in the IDD context
  • Discuss Trauma Informed Supervision Principles

Slides and Handouts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Preventing Burnout Through the Power of Fun

Room: Paradise C

Speaker(s): 

Le’Anne Schlotzhauer, BS

Presentation: Preventing Burnout Through the Power of Fun is an engaging training that helps professionals recognize the signs of burnout and discover how fun can be a powerful tool for resilience. Participants will explore how stress impacts health, relationships, and work performance, and learn practical ways to recharge through play, laughter, and connection. By prioritizing fun, you can boost energy, improve mood, strengthen relationships, and create a healthier work-life balance. This session reframes fun not as a luxury but as an essential strategy for preventing burnout and thriving both personally and professionally.

Objectives:

  • Describe burnout and it’s effects
  • Discuss how to prevent burnout
  • Examine fun and how it works to prevent burnout
  • Discover ways to find and prioritize fun

Slides and Handouts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Silencing the Pathological Critic: The Mindful Response to Unhealthy Self-Talk

Room: Paradise C

Speaker(s): 

James Smith, MEd, PhD

Presentation: Every person has a healthy self-critic that performs important functions in our lives. For some, that unhealthy self-critic gets sick, becoming the Pathological Critic. The Pathological Critic is that voice that tells us harmful messages about ourselves. Responding to this internal voice effectively is important for our overall mental health. In this presentation, Dr. Smith will discuss what the Pathological Critic is, experiences that promote its developmental, and how to quiet it using foundational Mindfulness principles.

Objectives:

  • Describe the 3 core principles of Mindfulness
  • Review the meaning and origin of the “Pathological Critic”
  • Apply the 3 core principles of Mindfulness to creating effective responses to the Pathological Critic
  • Participants will consider the application of creating Mindfulness-based responses to the Pathological Critic with clients in clinical settings

Slides and Handouts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Vibration to Regulation: The Science of Sound Healing for Nervous System Health

Room: Paradise C

Speaker(s): 

Candice Swee, MS, ATC, RYT-200

Stacey Throckmorton, BS, MEd, RYT-200

Presentation: Sound therapy and vibrational healing are emerging modalities in the behavioral health field that support regulation of the nervous system, reduction of stress and anxiety, and improvement in overall emotional wellbeing. This session will explore how sound frequencies delivered through instruments such as crystal bowls, gongs, tuning forks, and even one’s own voice can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, promote coherence in brainwave states, and foster resilience. Participants will review traditional and contemporary approaches to sound healing, along with current research linking vibrational therapy to measurable improvements in mental health outcomes. Demonstrations will highlight how sound therapy can be integrated into mental health care and prevention efforts, with applications for reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and trauma responses. Attendees will leave with evidence-informed strategies to incorporate sound-based practices into both therapeutic settings and personal self-care routines.

Objectives:

  • Describe the neuroscience and physiological mechanisms by which sound and vibration regulate the nervous system and support mental health
  • Identify evidence-based findings and emerging research on the effectiveness of sound therapy in reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and trauma
  • Experience and apply practical sound-based techniques that can be integrated into therapeutic practice, prevention strategies, or personal self-care

Slides and Handouts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Stacey Throckmorton, BS, MEd, RYT-200

Stacey R. Throckmorton holds a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and a Master of Education in Health Education. Stacey is a certified Yoga Instructor (200-RYT) and is currently completing a 100-hour Sound Healer certification while working toward a 300-hour trauma-informed yoga certification. With a strong foundation in physical and health education, Stacey is dedicated to promoting wellness through holistic practices and trauma-sensitive approaches in yoga.

Presentation(s):

Vibration to Regulation: The Science of Sound Healing for Nervous System Health

 

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Candice Swee, MS, ATC, RYT-200

With dual masters degrees in Public Health & Sport Psychology and Physical Education Teacher Education, Candice has dedicated the past 15 years to teaching in the public school system at the secondary level. In 2022, Candice helped expand Columbia Public Schools physical education curriculum by introducing yoga and mindfulness as an elective, sparking her own professional journey into integrative wellness. She earned her 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher certification in 2024 and is currently advancing her training with a 300-hour trauma-informed yoga program, a 100-hour Sound Healing certification, and a 100-hour Yoga Nidra certification.
Through her practice and teaching, Candice has witnessed the profound impact of sound therapy and vibrational healing”both in her personal life and in the lives of her students. She is passionate about bridging traditional health sciences with holistic, evidence-informed practices to support mental health, foster resilience, and regulate the nervous system for greater balance and wellbeing.

Presentation(s):

Vibration to Regulation: The Science of Sound Healing for Nervous System Health

 

By

Le’Anne Schlotzhauer, BS

Le’Anne has dedicated over 30 years to the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities, beginning her career as a direct support professional before moving into staff education. For a total of 25 years, she has served in the Staff Education Department at Emmaus, where she develops curriculum and delivers training that equips staff with the tools to provide compassionate, high-quality care.
She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Central Missouri, is a Certified Autism Specialist, and has earned a Trauma-Informed Care Certificate from the Trauma Informed Care Training Center. With experience leading teams, designing curriculum, and presenting in both live and virtual settings, Le’Anne is driven by a passion for teaching and sharing knowledge that strengthens the workforce serving individuals with IDD.

Presentation(s):

Preventing Burnout Through the Power of Fun

Trauma Informed Care for Supervisors

A man with short, dark curly hair and light skin, wearing a blue collared shirt, smiles softly at the camera. In the background, there is a bookcase filled with books.
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James Smith, PhD, LPC, NCC, ACS, BC-TMH

Dr. James M. Smith, LPC has been a mental health counselor for nearly 20 years and Mindfulness practitioner for nearly 30. Dr. Smith completed his Master of Education in Community/Agency Counseling at Lincoln University of Missouri, then his PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision at Walden University. Dr. Smith is trained in EMDR, Trauma Informed Mindfulness Therapy, and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy. He currently works for SSM Health St. Mary’s Outpatient Behavioral Health Care in Jefferson City, MO.

Presentation(s): 

Silencing the Pathological Critic: The Mindful Response to Unhealthy Self-Talk