Our Spring 2025 virtual MHWA conference is free for MHWA members & only $25 for non-MHWA members. You can earn up to 8.75 CE for a flat fee of $50 for both MHWA & non-MHWA members. Register below.
registration
MHWA member Conference = Free & No CE (Zoom Conference Registration) Non-MHWA memberNot a member? Become a member by visiting the Membership page. Conference = $25
CE Fee: Earn up to 8.75 CEs (MHWA/Non-MHWA) = $50
CE for LCSWs, LMFTs, LPCCs, Psychologists & RNs
CE Fee Payment: Click on the button to pay for CEs.
Thursday - April 17 9:00-9:15 am Welcome & MHWA Board Introduction/Information 9:15-10:30 am Resources & Support for Undocumented Students (1.25 CEs) 10:30-10:40 am Break 10:40-11:25 am Chancellor's Office Updates with Jackie Alvarez 11:25-11:35 am Break 11:35-12:35 pm Mindfulness & Somatic Strategies for Self-Care (1 CE) Cynthia Guz, LMFT 12:35-1:30 pm Lunch 1:30-4:30 pm Threat Assessment Response(3 CEs) Nicolas Beliz, Psy.D.
Friday - April 18 8:45-9:00 am Welcome & CE Information 9:00-11:00 am Law & Ethics (2 CEs) David Leatherberry, JD 11:00-11:15 amBreak 11:15-12:45 pm The Broadening of Mental Health: The Next Paradigm Shift in Higher Education(1.5 CEs) David Walden, Ph.D. 12:45-1:00 pm Presentation of Soluna ServicesCeleste Gasio
CEs Training
Mindfulness & Somatic Strategies for Self-Care (1 CE) Cynthia Guz, LMFT Learning objectives: Participants will be able to:
Identify the various states of the nervous system
Identify body sensations, thoughts, and emotions throughout the day signifying the stress response
Utilize mindfulness and grounding techniques to counteract the stress response and habitual survival mode
Cynthia Guzis a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 25 years of experience in the mental health field. From 1997 to 2017 she worked for Imperial County Behavioral Health Services (ICBHS), beginning as a mental health case manager and eventually becoming Assistant Director. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree with dual majors in Psychology and English Literature from Drury College in Springfield Missouri, her Master in Counseling degree from the University of Phoenix, and her license in Marriage and Family Therapy from the California Board of Behavioral Sciences in 2014.
During her career with ICBHS she was a training facilitator on various clinical topics including Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for adults, Documentation Standards, Treatment Planning, and developed and facilitated extensive discipline-specific academies. Mrs. Guz also presented at the annual Cultural Competency Summit and California Institute for Behavioral Health Solutions (CIBHS) Evidence-Based Modules Symposium.
From 2017-2024 she contracted with ICBHS and provided clinical supervision to Associates and Substance Use Disorder Counselors. In 2024 she began private practice and is currently providing individual therapy to adults via the Grow Therapy Platform.
Participants will develop greater situational awareness about targeted school violence.
Case studies will provide in depth understanding about shooter dynamics.
Participants will learn about strategies designed to stop the path to violence
Participants will be provided with current best practices regarding assessment and response.
Nicolas Rafael Belizis licensed, LPS designated clinical psychologist and supervisor at the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health School Threat Assessment Response Team. He currently responds to psychiatric crises in the community as well as provides psychological first aid during natural disasters and local tragedies in Los Angeles County, including the 2018 Woolsey Fire, 2019 Saugus High School Shooting, and 2025 Los Angeles Wildfires. He provides violence threat risk assessment and consultation to school districts, mental health providers, and local and federal law enforcement agencies and specializes in intervention with individuals on the pathway to targeted violence. Dr. Beliz also trains professional staff, law enforcement, and parents locally and nationally on risk factors and situational awareness regarding targeted school violence, suicide prevention and warning signs, field safety, and de-escalation. In addition, Dr. Beliz is an instructor in the Los Angeles Police Department’s Mental Health Intervention Training Program as well as a co-responder in the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Community College Bureau. Previous work experience includes serving as the lead therapist on the adolescent and pediatric unit of an inpatient psychiatric hospital.
Law & Ethics (2 CEs) David Leatherberry, J.D. David Leatherberryrepresents solo and small group health care practices, providing business, regulatory and licensing support, with an emphasis on behavioral health. He has been counsel for the San Diego Psychological Association since approximately 2007, where he advises members regularly on legal and ethical issues affecting their practice. As of 2021, he began providing the same service for "Platinum" members of the California Psychological Association. He defends providers before all licensing boards. He advises practices on numerous compliance issues related to privacy, anti-kickback, false claims, billing and recoupment, employment, and practice formation and transition. Prior to going into private practice, he worked for the University of San Diego School of law, Mental Health Advocacy Program, providing regulatory support both to consumers and acute psychiatric hospitals. He was subsequently awarded the California State Bar’s highest honor for pro bono service for his volunteer work with the mentally ill. He is a past chair of the Health Law Committee for the California Lawyers Association, Business Law Section. He is a past instructor in Law and Ethics for psychologists, MFTs and counselors, and is a frequent panelist at the annual conference of the California Psychological Association. Prior to going into solo practice in 2018, he was a partner with the national law firm of Gordon, Rees, Scully, Mansukhani, LLP where he specialized in healthcare litigation and transactions.
The Broadening of Mental Health: The Next Paradigm Shift in Higher Education (1.5 CEs) David Walden, Ph.D. Learning objectives: Participants will be able to:
Identify the primary forces shaping views around mental health in higher education
Apply a systems change perspective to existing campus structures and resources at their institution
Discuss implications for future directions in higher education, and identify potential changes or shifts at their institution
David Waldenis a licensed psychologist and consultant with over 25 years in Higher Education. He has served as a Counseling Center Director, Honors Program Assistant Director, professor, and as a Board Member (2021-2025) for the Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors. Active in the field, David has presented and published articles on a variety of topics, with a special focus on the future of mental health in higher education. Outside of work, he enjoys being a parent to two beautiful and spirited kids, flying, rock climbing, and making music (check out the album “From the Couch”!).
information
*MHWA is a CE provider approved by the California Psychological Association to provide continuing professional education for psychologists. The Board of Behavioral Sciences recognizes CE credit from CPA approved providers for LCSWs, MFTs, LEPs, and LPCCs. MHWA’s CE programs meet the California Board of Nursing’s requirements for acceptable continuing education for BRN licensees. MHWA maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
CE Refund If you cannot attend the meeting, notify Dr. Alison Johnson for a refund, which is subject to a processing fee, prior to 4/10/2025.
Attendance policy Those who attend full conference and complete the evaluation form will receive CE credits. Those arriving more than 15 minutes after the start time or leaving before the training is completed will not receive CE credits.