Healing Forward: Celebrating 10 years of Trauma-Informed Care
Join us September 16-17, 2026
Distinguished Speakers
Our speakers bring a wealth of experience, knowledge, and passion to our symposium, offering valuable perspectives that will inform, inspire, and empower attendees.
Sarah Yanosy, LCSW
Co-Developer of the presence model; Teaches at Fordham University School of Social services And the columbia university mailman school of public health
Keynote: Mitigating Vicarious Trauma
Lisa Schwarz, M.ED
Executive Director of the CRM Foundation; Developer of The Comprehensive Resource Model
Keynote: Comprehensive Resource Model-mind/body connection-healing the healer
Lisa Najavits, PhD
Director of treatment Innovations; adjunct professor, University of Massachusetts Medical School
Creating Change, a past-focused counseling model for trauma and addiction; and Finding Your Best Self
Molly Brown-Steranko, MA, MS, LMFT, NADD-CC
EMDRia Certified Clinician
EMDRia Consultant
Restore Counseling
EMDRia Consultant
Restore Counseling
When One Person Heals: Trauma Recovery and System Disruption in Families.
Devin N. Petrusky, M.S.
Director of Schuylkill Counseling Center/DUI Coordinator Schuylkill County; Lehigh Valley Health Network
One Brain, Many Addictions: Trauma, Reward Systems, and the Modern Landscape of Behavioral & Substance Use Disorders
Chris Rich, LCSW, ACSW
Senior Manager of Student health Services, Milton hershey school
Ethics Training - Social Work Ethics and Artificial Intelligence- To Boldly go where no Social Worker has Gone Before
Gabriella Grant, MA
Director California Center of Excellence for Trauma-Informed Care; Instructor West ValleY College
Eating Disorders and Trauma; Hoarding and Trauma: A Safety Approach; Safety planning: Lessons From the Field
Kristine Buffington, MSW, LISW-S, LMSW-CM
Nationally Certified Trauma-Focused CBT Therapist, Trainer, & Consultant
Dignity and Trauma Informed Care; The Power of Risking Connection
Jennifer Waugh, MS, BCBA, LBS
Founder and clinical Director of NeuroSPACE ABA LLC.
The Evolution of ABA: From Historical Practice to Modern Neurodiversity-Affirming Care
Dr. Jessica Cosby, LPC, RPT-S™, ACS
Clinical Supervisor, Trainer, and Counselor-Spero Group, LLC.
Co-Presenter: The Therapeutic Powers of Play: Translating the Neuroscience of Play Therapy
Annjane Ross, Ph.D
Associate Teaching Professor of Social Work, Penn State World Campus Master of Social Work program
Co-Presenter: The Therapeutic Powers of Play: Translating the Neuroscience of Play Therapy
Dr. Amy Downes, DSW
Wild Sunflower Solutions, LLC (sole proprietor)
Nittany Valley Holistic Health (co-owner)
Nittany Valley Holistic Health (co-owner)
Beyond the Bath Bomb: Radical Resilience for Real Burnout
Continuing Education Credits:
LSW/LCSW, LMFT, and LPC
This program is offered for 12.0 number of CE hours of social work continuing education through co-sponsorship of the University of Pittsburgh's School of Social Work, a Council on Social Work Education accredited school and therefore a PA pre approved provider of social work continuing education. These credit hours satisfy requirements for LSW/LCSW, LMFT, and LPC biennial license renewal. For information on social work continuing education please visit socialwork.pitt.edu/continuing-ed.
LSW/LCSW, LMFT, and LPC
This program is offered for 12.0 number of CE hours of social work continuing education through co-sponsorship of the University of Pittsburgh's School of Social Work, a Council on Social Work Education accredited school and therefore a PA pre approved provider of social work continuing education. These credit hours satisfy requirements for LSW/LCSW, LMFT, and LPC biennial license renewal. For information on social work continuing education please visit socialwork.pitt.edu/continuing-ed.
Psychologists
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, University of Pittsburgh is approved to offer psychology continuing education by the American Psychological Association. University of Pittsburgh maintains responsibility for this course. Psychologists completing this course receive 12.0 continuing education credits.
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, University of Pittsburgh is approved to offer psychology continuing education by the American Psychological Association. University of Pittsburgh maintains responsibility for this course. Psychologists completing this course receive 12.0 continuing education credits.
NBCC
Education and Consultative Services of UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 5059. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital is solely responsible for all aspects of this program. This program is being offered for 12.0 continuing education hours.
Education and Consultative Services of UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 5059. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital is solely responsible for all aspects of this program. This program is being offered for 12.0 continuing education hours.
Other MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS/PEER SPECIALISTS/NURSES: GENERAL CEU
Other professionals are awarded 12.0 Continuing Education Units (CEU's). One CEU is equal to 10 contact hours.
Peer Specialists: This program fulfills requirements for Certified Peer Specialist continuing education.
Other professionals are awarded 12.0 Continuing Education Units (CEU's). One CEU is equal to 10 contact hours.
Peer Specialists: This program fulfills requirements for Certified Peer Specialist continuing education.
*Check back often for speaker updates! We'll be adding new speakers as they are confirmed, and this page will be updated regularly with the latest event information.
Schedule
Day 1-September 16
| 7:45-9:00 am
Registration and Breakfast-Registration Front Lobby & Breakfast will be in Ballroom 1 & 2
| 9:00-9:30 am
Welcome & Opening Remarks-Ballroom 3
| 9:30-11:00 am
Keynote: Mitigating Vicarious Trauma-Sarah Yanosy, LCSW-Ballroom 3
| 11:00-11:15 am
Morning Break-Ballroom 1 & 2
| 11:15-12:45 pm
Breakout Session 1: (Choose 1)
-Ethics Training - Social Work Ethics and Artificial Intelligence- To Boldly go where no Social Worker has Gone Before Part 1-Chris Rich, LCSW, ACSW-Room 202
-Hoarding and Trauma: A Safety Approach-Gabriella Grant, MA-Room 204
-Dignity and Trauma Informed Care-Kristine Buffington, MSW, LISW-S, LMSW-CM-Room 206
-Finding Your Best Self: A self-help or provider model for trauma and/or addiction:-Lisa Najavits, PhD-Room 208
-Ethics Training - Social Work Ethics and Artificial Intelligence- To Boldly go where no Social Worker has Gone Before Part 1-Chris Rich, LCSW, ACSW-Room 202
-Hoarding and Trauma: A Safety Approach-Gabriella Grant, MA-Room 204
-Dignity and Trauma Informed Care-Kristine Buffington, MSW, LISW-S, LMSW-CM-Room 206
-Finding Your Best Self: A self-help or provider model for trauma and/or addiction:-Lisa Najavits, PhD-Room 208
| 12:45-1:45 pm
Lunch- Ballroom 1 & 2
| 1:45-3:15 pm
Breakout Session 2: (Choose 1)
-Ethics Training - Social Work Ethics and Artificial Intelligence- To Boldly go where no Social Worker has Gone Before Part2-Chris Rich, LCSW, ACSW- Room 202
-Safety Planning: When, How and With Whom?-Gabriella Grant, MA-Room 204
-One Brain, Many Addictions: Trauma, Reward Systems, and the Modern Landscape of Behavioral & Substance Use Disorders-Devin N. Petrusky, M.S.-Room 206
-The Evolution of ABA: From Historical Practice to Modern Neurodiversity-Affirming Care-Jennifer Waugh, MS, BCBA, LBS-Room 208
-Ethics Training - Social Work Ethics and Artificial Intelligence- To Boldly go where no Social Worker has Gone Before Part2-Chris Rich, LCSW, ACSW- Room 202
-Safety Planning: When, How and With Whom?-Gabriella Grant, MA-Room 204
-One Brain, Many Addictions: Trauma, Reward Systems, and the Modern Landscape of Behavioral & Substance Use Disorders-Devin N. Petrusky, M.S.-Room 206
-The Evolution of ABA: From Historical Practice to Modern Neurodiversity-Affirming Care-Jennifer Waugh, MS, BCBA, LBS-Room 208
| 3:15-3:30 pm
Afternoon Break-Ballroom 1 & 2
| 3:30-4:30 pm
Dr. Amy Downes- Ballroom 3
Beyond the Bath Bomb: Radical Resilience for Real Burnout
Beyond the Bath Bomb: Radical Resilience for Real Burnout
| 5:00-7:00 pm
Networking Reception (Optional)-Grand Lobby
Vendors will be in the Allegheny Lobby
Day 2-September 17
| 7:45-9:00 am
Breakfast & Networking-Ballroom 1 & 2
| 9:00-9:30 am
Welcome Back-Ballroom 3
| 9:30-11:00 am
Keynote: Comprehensive Resource Model-Lisa Schwarz, M.ED-Ballroom 3
| 11:00-11:15 am
Morning Break-Ballroom 1 & 2
| 11:15-12:45 pm
Breakout Session 3: (Choose 1)
-The Evolution of ABA: From Historical Practice to Modern Neurodiversity-Affirming Care-Jennifer Waugh, MS, BCBA, LBS-Room 202
-The Therapeutic Powers of Play: Translating the Neuroscience of Play Therapy-Dr. Jessica Cosby, LPC, RPT-S™, ACS-Room 204
-Creating Change: A past-focused model for trauma and/or addiction -Lisa Najavits, PhD-Room 206
-Eating Disorders and Trauma: A Public Health Approach (Part 1)-Gabriella Grant, MA-Room 208
-The Evolution of ABA: From Historical Practice to Modern Neurodiversity-Affirming Care-Jennifer Waugh, MS, BCBA, LBS-Room 202
-The Therapeutic Powers of Play: Translating the Neuroscience of Play Therapy-Dr. Jessica Cosby, LPC, RPT-S™, ACS-Room 204
-Creating Change: A past-focused model for trauma and/or addiction -Lisa Najavits, PhD-Room 206
-Eating Disorders and Trauma: A Public Health Approach (Part 1)-Gabriella Grant, MA-Room 208
| 12:45-1:45 pm
Lunch-Ballroom 1 & 2
| 1:45-3:15 pm
Breakout Session 4: (Choose 1)
-The Power of Risking Connection-Kristine Buffington, MSW, LISW-S, LMSW-CM- Room 202
- One Brain, Many Addictions: Trauma, Reward Systems, and the Modern Landscape of Behavioral & Substance Use Disorders-Devin N. Petrusky, M.S.-Room 204
-When One Person Heals: Trauma Recovery and System Disruption in Families-Molly Brown-Steranko, MA, MS, LMFT, NADD-CC-Room 206
-Eating Disorders and Trauma: A Public Health Approach (Part 2)-Gabriella Grant, MA-Room 208
-The Power of Risking Connection-Kristine Buffington, MSW, LISW-S, LMSW-CM- Room 202
- One Brain, Many Addictions: Trauma, Reward Systems, and the Modern Landscape of Behavioral & Substance Use Disorders-Devin N. Petrusky, M.S.-Room 204
-When One Person Heals: Trauma Recovery and System Disruption in Families-Molly Brown-Steranko, MA, MS, LMFT, NADD-CC-Room 206
-Eating Disorders and Trauma: A Public Health Approach (Part 2)-Gabriella Grant, MA-Room 208
| 3:15-3:30 pm
Afternoon Break-Ballroom 1 & 2
| 3:30-4:30 pm
Featured Panel Discussion: Trauma-Informed Care Center (TICC)- Developing a Sustainable TIC Community Model-Ballroom 3
| 4:30 pm
Adjourn
Vendors will be in the Allegheny Lobby
Conference Location
Blair County Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Drive, Altoona, PA 16602
Important Registration Information
*Registration for the BHARP Trauma Symposium is free of charge.
*Attendance is intended for individuals serving members within the 24-county BHARP contract.
Trauma Symposium Hotel Suggestions
The following hotels have been selected for attendees of the Trauma Symposium as a convenience. We encourage participants to book accommodations early, as room availability may be limited. Please use the links below to view details. Lodging costs are not covered by BHARP and are the responsibility of the attendee.
Guests can call directly at 814-693-1004 and press 3. Ask for the BHARP Trauma Symposium.
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Convention Center
2 Convention Center Drive, Altoona, Pennsylvania 16602
2 Convention Center Drive, Altoona, Pennsylvania 16602
Don't miss out.
Registration is currently full. If you would like to be added to the waitlist, please email [email protected].
Sponsors
