September 26-28, 2024
Featuring
Dr. Drea Letamendi Ph.D
Keynote workshop -
Storytellers: Tapping into 'everyday heroism' to foster a culture of genuine connection, compassion, and meaning-making for professional helpers.
Unleash Your Inner Hero:
Empower Yourself at the SITH Conference!
Calling all mental health professionals! Are you ready to embark on a journey of growth, connection, and Jedi-level mastery? Join us for the SITH Conference, a transformative professional development experience designed to propel you forward in your therapeutic journey.
What is SITH?
Held in the heart of Las Cruces, New Mexico, SITH stands for Supportive Innovations for Therapeutic Heroes. This unique conference goes beyond traditional formats, offering a dynamic blend of learning, movement, and community. Immerse yourself in:
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Engaging workshops led by renowned experts in various therapeutic modalities.
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Interactive sessions that explore innovative approaches and best practices.
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Movement breaks designed to energize and connect with fellow participants.
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Opportunities to network with colleagues, share experiences, and build lasting relationships.
Why attend?
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Deepen your therapeutic expertise: Gain insightful knowledge and practical skills through diverse workshops and sessions.
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Discover innovative approaches: Explore cutting-edge methods and interventions to enhance your practice.
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Reignite your passion: Reconnect with your purpose and find renewed inspiration for your therapeutic journey.
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Expand your network: Build valuable connections with colleagues from across the mental health field.
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Embrace a unique learning experience: Combine educational growth with movement activities for a holistic and engaging experience.
Unleash the Force for Good:
The SITH Conference is more than just a professional development opportunity; it is a chance to connect with the Force within yourself and your community. Whether you're a seasoned Jedi Master or a young Padawan embarking on your therapeutic path, join us for a transformative experience that will elevate your practice and empower you to serve your clients with greater wisdom and compassion.
Who Should Attend?
The SITH Conference is specifically tailored for:
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Mental health therapists of all modalities and experience levels.
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Clinicians seeking to expand their skillset and knowledge base.
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Marriage and family therapists working with individuals, couples, and families.
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Play therapists specializing in child and adolescent mental health.
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Social workers committed to providing holistic support to their clients.
"In a dark place we find ourselves and a little more knowledge lights our way."
—Jedi Master Yoda
Keynote Workshop: STORYTELLERS
STORYTELLERS is a strength-based, motivating workshop series that delivers science-backed strategies for accessing “heroic” attitudes and actions in our work, with the goals of reducing burnout, cultivating belongingness, and affirming purpose in stewardship. The program is designed for any role or professional activity that involves delivering “respond and recovery” services and for professionals looking for lifelong reparative strategies that go beyond self-care M’s: “meditation, medication, and martinis".
The workshop will include the following learning components: > Deconstructing heroism | Discuss and activate fortitude, courage, humility, and emotional intelligence, and tackle the threats of fatigue and burdensomeness experienced by counselors > Media literacy | Develop insight and strategies for better digital health and wellbeing > Prevention Skills | Address loneliness, suicidality, and depression using interpersonal and social models of resilience Media engagement |Apply mediated storytelling in science fiction, fantasy, and action/adventure genres to our work in trauma stewardship > The Potential of Play | Build resilience, consciousness and compassion through RPG Tabletop Games, video games, and interactive games.
Meet Drea...
Dr. Drea Letamendi is a licensed clinical psychologist, media consultant, and two-time TEDx speaker with degrees and training from Cornell University, UCSD, and UCLA. She is certified by the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention as a suicide interventionist and is also certified by the Joint Regional Intelligence Center in advanced threat assessment. Dr. Drea serves UCLA as a campus health and counseling leader, which included 3 years as the Interim Director of the UCLA Resilience Center.
Dr. Drea has a private practice as a behavioral science advisor for the gaming, visual effects, and entertainment media industries and has written publications about the positive impacts of media storytelling on mental health, as covered in the Atlantic, the Guardian, and the Los Angeles Times. She created and hosts The Arkham Sessions, a podcast about the psychology of superheroes and other pop culture narratives. Her latest publication with Springer is titled, The Force Awakens: Mindfulness Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Using Star Wars. For more information, her website is drdreapsychology.com.
Registration
Jedi Master Passes
$400 Full Conference
✓ All day Sept 26-28th (lunch included all 3 days)
$275 'Storytellers' Workshop Only
✓ All day Sept 26th (lunch included) and morning of Sept 27th (no lunch provided)
$350 Thursday and Friday
✓ All day 26th-27th (lunch included both days)
$150 Saturday Only
✓ All day 28th (lunch not included)
$150 Friday Afternoon Only
✓ Afternoon session only Sept 27th (lunch not included)
Padawan
Student Passes
$225 Full Conference
✓ All day Sept 26-28th (lunch included all 3 days)
$155 'Storytellers' Workshop Only
✓ All day Sept 26th (lunch included) and morning of Sept 27th (no lunch provided)
$200 Thursday and Friday
✓ All day 26th-27th (lunch included both days)
$90 Saturday Only
✓ All day 28th (lunch not included)
$90 Friday Afternoon Only
✓ Afternoon session only Sept 27th (lunch not included)
CE information: All listed workshops will offer CEs from the NM Counseling and Therapy Board. Some workshops may be appropriate/eligible for speciality Play Therapy CEs from APT and Culture CEs from NM Counselling and Therapy Practice Board. More information to come!
Please contact Maria at maria@anewhopetc.org if you have questions or need assistance!
Traveling to Las Cruces?
We are working on securing a block of rooms close to the venue, so stay tuned for more details!
Channel Your Force
This conference is not your typical conference - you are invited to come, dressed to move and learn.
Are you a geek? Have a fandom or interest? Wear your geek gear! Appropriate attire includes yoga pants or leggings or comfortable pants you can move in topped with your favorite t-shirt proudly displaying your interest - Star Wars, Harry Potter, Star Trek, Marvel, DC, Anime, Bands, Punny Ts.
*We do expect them to be appropriate in that there is no nudity, offensive messages or political affiliations. This is to ensure a comfortable environment for all.
Are you looking to make a galactic impact on the mental health community?
Our sponsorship opportunities offer you a unique chance to promote your business to thousands of mental health clinicians throughout New Mexico. Join our Sith Counsel and help us provide scholarships to support apprentice clinicians in attending this incredible event!
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