Legalization of Sports Betting in Missouri—Now What? Clinical Perspectives on Gambling Disorder

Room: Paradise B

Speaker(s): 

Jeremiah Weinstock, PhD, ABPP

Presentation: Gambling opportunities are rapidly expanding across the United States with many states legalizing sports betting, online gambling, and casinos. Gambling disorder affects about 2% of the general population. These individuals, their families, and communities experience significant harm due to their maladaptive gambling behavior. This workshop will review gambling disorder and its causes, identify high-risk populations, and discuss evidenced-based treatment options for individuals and families. Case studies of sports betters will be used as part of an active learning component of the presentation.

Objectives:

  • Describe the gambling disorder criteria and how they are similar and dissimilar to the criteria for substance use disorders.
  • Identify two populations that are at a higher risk of developing the disorder and identify at least two underlying factors to contribute to this increased risk
  • Discuss how research findings about motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral therapy generalize to clinical practice

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Presence is Power: The Fearless Leader’s Secret Weapon

Room: Paradise C

Speaker(s): 

Stacy Spradling, BBA

Presentation: Leadership today requires more than strategy and execution. Good leadership calls for presence. In this 45-minute breakout session, we go beyond the basics of active listening and body language to explore what it truly means to be a fearless leader through the power of practiced presence.

Presence isn’t about slowing down, it’s about showing up.
The impact doesn’t end at the office. Practicing presence enhances your personal life, deepens connections, and sharpens clarity. It won’t make tough conversations easy, but it will make you the kind of leader who brings calm, courage, and clarity into every room.
If you’re ready to lead with more humanity and more impact, this is your quick dive into the art and science of practicing presence.

Objectives:

  • Describe how grounded, intentional presence can be a quiet game changer in the boardroom, during performance reviews, and in difficult conversations
  • Practice some simple grounding techniques to jump start your journey
  • Discover how presence creates space for vulnerability, gentleness, and authenticity. All qualities that transform how you lead and how your teams respond

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Breaking Free! Breaking Through Barriers to Live Life to the Fullest

Room: Nautical Wheeler

Speaker(s): 

Tracy Tackett, MEd

Presentation: This presentation will address all the barriers that can hold people back in life from reaching their full potential including impact of past trauma or adverse life experiences, mental illness, and substance use. Education will be provided about ways to break through barriers including various types of therapies.

Objectives:

  • Identify barriers that keep people from progressing in life
  • Discuss impact of past trauma or adverse life experiences
  • Describe about impact of mental illness
  • Learn about impact of substance use
  • Identify strategies to break through barriers that impede personal growth

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Suicide Prevention Panel

Room: Paradise A

Speaker(s): 

Nicole McWilliams

Presentation:

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Inside Eating Disorders: Risks, Realities, and Solutions for Underserved Clients

Room: Windgate 62-63

Speaker(s): 

Jennifer Copeland, PsyD

Cassidy Richards, MSW

Presentation: Eating disorders are the second deadliest mental illness in the United States, affecting 28.8 million Americans and more than 600,000 Missourians over the course of their lives. Despite the high prevalence, 96% of individuals with eating disorders encounter substantial barriers to accessing effective treatment, creating a critical public health crisis. These barriers are especially pronounced for individuals in low income and rural communities, which make up a significant portion of Missouri’s population. Additionally, most professional training programs provide limited education on eating disorders, further widening treatment gaps across the state. This presentation will offer a clear overview of eating disorders, associated medical and psychological risks, and the markedly elevated suicide risk within this population. Participants will leave with practical, evidence informed strategies for supporting under resourced individuals with eating disorders and improving access to effective care.

Objectives:

  • Describe at least 2 stereotypes about people with eating disorders that are relevant to Missouri communities
  • Apply at least 2 strategies to provide more effective care for under-resourced clients
  • Identify at least 2 resources to utilize in improving care for clients with eating disorders

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Introduction to Competency

Room: Windgate 60-61

Speaker(s): 

Tim Wilson, PhD

Presentation:

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DMH Awards

Room: Paradise Ballroom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keynote

Room: Paradise Ballroom

Speaker(s): 

Whitney Guison

Presentation:

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2025 Spring Training Institute Outstanding Performer Awards

Paradise Ballroom ABC


 

The Department of Mental Health, Division of Behavioral Health, is recognizing three Outstanding Performers for Housing, Supported Employment, and Recovery Support Services.  These awards go to agencies that exemplify the DMH Mission of serving, empowering, and supporting Missourians to live their best lives.


The Department of Mental Health, Division of Behavioral Health, is recognizing three categories of Outstanding Performers this year: Recovery Support Services, Supported Employment, and Housing.  These awards go to agencies that exemplify the DMH Mission of serving, empowering and supporting Missourians to live their best lives. 

 

The 2025 Outstanding Performer Award for Recovery Support Services is Recovery Lighthouse. 

Recovery Lighthouse is a Recovery Support Access Site managing vouchers for the Central Region of the state.  They provide an array of recovery support services, including counseling, support groups, housing, and peer coaching.  They have developed the curriculum for the Family Recovery Program and have generously trained other providers on this model.  They started two new Recovery Community Centers in 2024: Beacon of Hope Recovery Community Center in Sedalia and The Pier Recovery Community Center in Warrensburg.  These new Recovery Community Centers are already a valuable resource in their communities. 

Pictured accepting the award for Recovery Lighthouse is Adriatik Likcani, Executive Director, and his recovery team. 

Six people stand together, smiling at the camera. One man in a suit is holding an award. The group is dressed in business or business casual attire, posing in front of a black curtain backdrop. 

The 2025 Outstanding Performer Awardee for Supported Employment is FCC Behavioral Health. 

FCC Behavioral Health has demonstrated a strong commitment to implementing the evidence-based practice of supported employment known as Individual Placement and Support (IPS).  FCC Behavioral Health has consistently scored in the highest range of fidelity to the IPS model and has one of the highest employment outcomes in the state.  They have initiated innovate practices and shown great ambition in offering IPS services to rural/underserved areas.  FCC has a strong collaborative partnership with Missouri Vocational Rehabilitation. 

 

Pictured accepting the award on behalf of FCC is Aaron Floyd, IPS Supervisor, and the FCC team. 

Five people stand in a row in front of a black curtain; two men on the right shake hands while one holds an award. All are dressed in business casual attire and are smiling at the camera.

Four adults stand together indoors on a blue-patterned carpet. One man holds an award. A black stage with steps and a black curtain is behind them. All are smiling and wearing conference badges.

 The 2025 Outstanding Performer Awardee for Housing is FCC Behavioral Health. 

 

FCC Behavioral Health offers a variety of housing services for persons experiencing homelessness who suffer from mental health or substance use disorders.  FCC Behavioral Health has a variety of innovative housing programs including Permanent Housing Program (PHP), Cape Women and Children’s Program, SEMO Safe Haven, New Beginnings, Housing Liaison, PATH and assist with Shelter Plus Care.  FCC Behavioral Health is an early adopter of best practices and continuously looks for new opportunities to expand services and options. 

 

Pictured accepting the Housing award for FCC Behavioral Health is Noble Shaver and Tammie Bratton. 

Three people stand together smiling in front of a black curtain. The woman in the center holds a glass award, while the man on the left and woman on the right stand beside her. All are wearing name badges. 

 

 

 

 

Smith, Chrystala, MEd, LPC

Ms. Chrystala Smith, MEd, LPC, is the Assistant Director of Student Health and Counseling Services at Lincoln University of Missouri. She is currently a PhD student with Grand Canyon University. With her colleague, Dr. James Smith, she began researching the relationship between electronic device use/social media, mental health, and relationship wellness to gain research experience for her doctoral studies. Together, Ms. Smith and Dr. Smith have read over 75 peer reviewed research articles exploring these relationships. Ms. Smith’s own doctoral research interest is in the experiences of African American women receiving mentorship in their careers as mental health professionals.

Presentation(s):

Pings of Power: The Relationship Between Electronic Device Use, Mental Health, and Relationship Wellness