Spring 2026 - Virtual conference
Our Spring 2026 virtual MHWA conference is free for MHWA members & only $25 for non-MHWA members. You can earn up to 8 CEs for a flat fee of $50 for MHWA members & $75 for non-MHWA members.
Not a member? Become a member by visiting the Membership page.
CEs for LCSWs, LMFTs, Psychologists & RNs
Not a member? Become a member by visiting the Membership page.
CEs for LCSWs, LMFTs, Psychologists & RNs
Online Registration: Click on the button to register for the Conference.
Online Payment: After you register, click on button to pay for Conference.
Collaborators
MHWA is thankful for the collaboration with CCC Chancellor's Office and CCC Health & Wellness Program (CARS).
MHWA is thankful for the collaboration with CCC Chancellor's Office and CCC Health & Wellness Program (CARS).
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AGenda
Thursday 4/23
9:00-9:15 am Welcome & MHWA Introduction/Information
9:15-10:25 am Chancellor's Office Updates
Jackie Alvarez
10:25-10:35 am Break
10:35-11:35 am Nadia Sayeh, DSW, LMFT
Mental Health Best Practices for Community College
Athletics (1 CE)
11:35-12:00 pm Lisa L. Burtis, LMFT
Establishing the Mental Health Discipline Updates
12:00-1:00 pm Lunch
1:00-4:00 pm Benjamin E. Caldwell, Psy.D., LMFT
Artificial Intelligence and Law & Ethics (3 CEs)
Friday 4/24
9:00-11:00 am Stacey Diane Arañez Litam, Ph.D., LPCC-s, NCC, CCMHC
Uncolonized Approaches to Supporting Community College
Students (2 CEs)
11:00-11:30 am CCC Foundation - Crisis Text Line
Marisela & Cole
11:30-12:00 pm Lunch
12:00-2:00 pm Melissa Risso, Ph.D., MA, LMFT
From Meaning to Practice: Clinical Tools for Navigating Sex,
Intimacy, and Desire in Counseling (2 CEs)
2:00 pm Closing Remarks
CEs Training
Mental Health Best Practices for Community College Athletics
(1 CE)
Nadia Sayeh, DSW, LMFT
Participation in collegiate sports is at an all-time high. Notably, community colleges have steadily increased participation in athletics, either by starting new programs or expanding existing programs. With this growth, supporting student-athlete mental health has become increasingly important. The NCAA has developed best practices for understanding and supporting student-athlete mental health, including newly mandated annual screenings. The NJCAA has suggested mental health resources. This presentation reviews best practices and highlights collaborative steps community college student health centers and athletics departments can take to bridge gaps in mental health care.
Learning objectives:
Nadia Sayeh, DSW, LMFT is a Doctor of Social Work and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with nearly 15 years of experience in community college mental health. She is a Mental Health Counselor, Clinical Supervisor, and Active Minds Faculty Advisor at San Diego City College and an Instructor for the California Virtual College-Online Education Initiative. Dr. Sayeh has also previously served on the CCC-MHWA Board. Passionate about bridging care gaps, Dr. Sayeh has overseen multiple mental health collaborations at San Diego City College including "Fit Minds: Mental Health for Community College Athletics" which she developed as part of her doctoral capstone.
Artificial Intelligence and Law & Ethics (3 CEs)
Benjamin E. Caldwell, Psy.D., LMFT
The context of mental health care is rapidly changing, and this course covers two of the most significant areas of change. In the first half of the course, the presenter will discuss the role of artificial intelligence in mental health care. Attention will be given to the current state of the technology, common use cases, and areas of concern. The second half of the course will focus on legal and ethical updates, including new state regulation of AI systems and planned changes to the mental health licensure process. Participants will have opportunities to ask questions on both topics in this interactive session. This session will provide 3 hours of Law & Ethics Continuing Education.
Learning objectives:
Benjamin E. Caldwell, PsyD is a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Adjunct Faculty for California State University Northridge. He is the author of Basics of California Law for LMFTs, LPCCs, and LCSWs, and lead author of AAMFT’s Best Practices in the Online Practice of Couple and Family Therapy (2017). He has published and presented around the country on issues related to law, ethics, technology, supervision, and professional development.
Uncolonized Approaches to Supporting Community College Students (2 CEs)
Stacey Diane Arañez Litam, Ph.D., LPCC-s, NCC, CCMHC
Western approaches to well-being and mental health frameworks that center individualistic perspectives, ignore cultural dynamics, and overlook systemic forms of oppression are often ineffective strategies for supporting college counseling students, especially those who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), as well as People of the Global Majority (PGM). This engaging 2-hour workshop empowers attendees to uncolonize traditional mental health approaches and understand how colonialism, colonization, generational trauma, and the interlocking forces of oppression uniquely impact diverse communities, maintain stigma around therapy, and create barriers to professional help-seeking behaviors. Attendees will learn evidence-based, trauma informed, and culturally grounded strategies that uncolonize mental health approaches, explore how location of self statements can bridge cultural gaps, and learn effective strategies to mitigate burnout and compassion fatigue.
Learning objectives:
Dr. Stacey Diane Arañez Litam (she/her/siya)
Speaker | Health Advisor at Forbes | Author | Professor | Clinical Counselor | Clinical Sexologist
Stacey Diane Arañez Litam PhD., LPCCs, NCC, CCMHC is an Associate Professor of
counselor education at Cleveland State University, a racial equity strategist, licensed professional clinical counselor and supervisor, as well as a clinical sexologist with the American Board of Sexology. Dr. Litam is a member of the Forbes Health Advisory Board, a Community Advisory Council Member for the Cleveland Cinic, the Advisory Council Chair for the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) Minority Fellowship Program, Editorial Board Member for the
Journal of Counseling and Development, serves on the advisory board for the Philippine American Society of Ohio, and was named one of Crain’s Cleveland 40 Under 40 in 2023. Her book, "Patterns That Remain: A Guide to Healing for Asian Children of Immigrants" combines research, storytelling, and history to provide a practical framework to heal diasporic wounds, break intergenerational trauma patterns, and strengthen relationships.
Dr. Litam’s speaking, research, and clinical areas of specialization include topics related to mental health and sexual well-being, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, implicit bias, intergenerational trauma, human sex trafficking, as well as Asian American concerns. She is an immigrant and identifies as a Filipina and Chinese American woman.
Dr. Litam’s work has been featured in the White House, the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines and its Consulates, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Forbes Health, National Public Radio (NPR), Discovery Magazine, Dutch BBC, Psychology Today, National Institutes of Health, Mental Health Academy, The Daily Mail, The Filipino Channel, as well as in podcasts, documentaries, and news outlets. She has contributed to over 50 academic publications including 17 research articles archived in the World Health
Organization’s global literature database on COVID-19 and she is one of the foremost leading researchers on the impact of racial discrimination on the mental health of diverse racial and ethnic groups.
Dr. Litam has served as a content expert on topics related to racial equity, intergenerational trauma, cultural competence, microaggressions, cross cultural communication, and multiracial solidarity for Fortune 500 companies, nationally recognized brands, professional sports teams, multinational law firms, federal level organizations, political leaders, and academic institutions. Litam’s work has resulted in 15 national awards and 11 state and regional awards. She is an actively involved member of each of her intersecting communities and she is passionate about ensuring that culturally responsive content is accessible for organizations.
Learn More: Email Dr. Litam:www.staceylitam.com [email protected]
CCC Foundation - Crisis Text Line
The Foundation for California Community Colleges will provide an overview of the Crisis Text Line resource available to California Community College students. Participants will learn how campuses can access awareness materials, toolkits, and partnerships that support student mental health and well-being. Crisis Text Line is a free, confidential, 24/7 text-based mental health support service that connects students with trained crisis counselors through text messaging.
The session will also highlight the CCC Student Ambassador Program, showcasing how peer-to-peer outreach helps connect students to critical resources such as basic needs support, mental health services, and campus programs.
Speakers
Marisela Hernandez, Manager, Equity
Cole Forstedt, Senior Director, Equity
From Meaning to Practice: Clinical Tools for Navigating Sex, Intimacy, and Desire in Counseling (2 CEs)
Melissa Risso, Ph.D., MA, LMFT
This interactive, skills-focused training is designed to support counselors in translating conceptual understanding of sex, intimacy, and relationships into practical, in-session clinical work. While many clinicians understand the importance of addressing sexual and relational concerns, they often struggle with what to actually say or do when these topics arise in therapy. This presentation emphasizes applied tools, clinical language, and moment-to-moment interventions counselors can use when students bring concerns related to sex, intimacy, desire, shame, mismatch, identity, or relational uncertainty into sessions. Participants will engage in guided exercises, case-based discussion, and small-group practice to strengthen comfort and clinical confidence. Through experiential learning and reflection, counselors will practice responding to common sexual and intimacy-related scenarios, explore how to stay grounded when discomfort or uncertainty arises, and learn how to facilitate client-led meaning-making around intimacy and connection—without imposing scripts, assumptions, or predetermined outcomes. This training is designed as a stand-alone session and does not require prior attendance at related presentations.
Learning objectives:
Dr. Risso earned her PhD in Human Sexuality from CIIS and brings nearly two decades of clinical and teaching experience to her work. While expanding into private practice, she served for almost ten years as a counselor at the College of San Mateo, where she supported community college students navigating identity, relationships, stress, and academic pressures. This experience gives her a unique perspective on the realities today’s campus counselors face, and it grounds her approach in practical, real-world strategies that professionals can apply directly in their sessions.
Her leadership and contributions to sexual health have been recognized with the UCLA Leadership Award and two honors from the California Association of Marriage & Family Therapist (CAMFT) for her work in advancing sex therapy in her community. These experiences inspired her to expand her impact by creating Liberate Your Libido™, her second business dedicated to helping individuals reignite passion and reclaim pleasure. Dr. Risso advocates for understanding sexuality as an essential part of mental health and personal well-being, and aims to help individuals embrace their full sexual selves with confidence and compassion
Mental Health Best Practices for Community College Athletics
(1 CE)
Nadia Sayeh, DSW, LMFT
Participation in collegiate sports is at an all-time high. Notably, community colleges have steadily increased participation in athletics, either by starting new programs or expanding existing programs. With this growth, supporting student-athlete mental health has become increasingly important. The NCAA has developed best practices for understanding and supporting student-athlete mental health, including newly mandated annual screenings. The NJCAA has suggested mental health resources. This presentation reviews best practices and highlights collaborative steps community college student health centers and athletics departments can take to bridge gaps in mental health care.
Learning objectives:
- Describe various factors challenging the mental health of student-athletes
- Summarize mental health best practices supporting student-athletes
- Demonstrate knowledge of effective design criteria
Nadia Sayeh, DSW, LMFT is a Doctor of Social Work and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with nearly 15 years of experience in community college mental health. She is a Mental Health Counselor, Clinical Supervisor, and Active Minds Faculty Advisor at San Diego City College and an Instructor for the California Virtual College-Online Education Initiative. Dr. Sayeh has also previously served on the CCC-MHWA Board. Passionate about bridging care gaps, Dr. Sayeh has overseen multiple mental health collaborations at San Diego City College including "Fit Minds: Mental Health for Community College Athletics" which she developed as part of her doctoral capstone.
Artificial Intelligence and Law & Ethics (3 CEs)
Benjamin E. Caldwell, Psy.D., LMFT
The context of mental health care is rapidly changing, and this course covers two of the most significant areas of change. In the first half of the course, the presenter will discuss the role of artificial intelligence in mental health care. Attention will be given to the current state of the technology, common use cases, and areas of concern. The second half of the course will focus on legal and ethical updates, including new state regulation of AI systems and planned changes to the mental health licensure process. Participants will have opportunities to ask questions on both topics in this interactive session. This session will provide 3 hours of Law & Ethics Continuing Education.
Learning objectives:
- Describe two common use cases for artificial intelligence in mental health care
- Identify at least three principles in ethical standards related to clinicians' use of artificial intelligence
- List at least three proposed changes to master's-level mental health licensure in California
- Describe at least two methods for protecting sensitive client information in documentation
Benjamin E. Caldwell, PsyD is a California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Adjunct Faculty for California State University Northridge. He is the author of Basics of California Law for LMFTs, LPCCs, and LCSWs, and lead author of AAMFT’s Best Practices in the Online Practice of Couple and Family Therapy (2017). He has published and presented around the country on issues related to law, ethics, technology, supervision, and professional development.
Uncolonized Approaches to Supporting Community College Students (2 CEs)
Stacey Diane Arañez Litam, Ph.D., LPCC-s, NCC, CCMHC
Western approaches to well-being and mental health frameworks that center individualistic perspectives, ignore cultural dynamics, and overlook systemic forms of oppression are often ineffective strategies for supporting college counseling students, especially those who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), as well as People of the Global Majority (PGM). This engaging 2-hour workshop empowers attendees to uncolonize traditional mental health approaches and understand how colonialism, colonization, generational trauma, and the interlocking forces of oppression uniquely impact diverse communities, maintain stigma around therapy, and create barriers to professional help-seeking behaviors. Attendees will learn evidence-based, trauma informed, and culturally grounded strategies that uncolonize mental health approaches, explore how location of self statements can bridge cultural gaps, and learn effective strategies to mitigate burnout and compassion fatigue.
Learning objectives:
- Analyze how Eurocentric mental health perspectives can lead to poorer treatment outcomes among BIPOC and PGM clients.
- Apply a therapeutic lens in ways that strengthen culturally responsive mental health approaches and treatment while promoting counselor self-care and intentional restoration.
- Utilize at least 3 culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and evidence-based strategies that help community college students challenge limiting cultural beliefs, increase mental health, and expand notions of well-being.
Dr. Stacey Diane Arañez Litam (she/her/siya)
Speaker | Health Advisor at Forbes | Author | Professor | Clinical Counselor | Clinical Sexologist
Stacey Diane Arañez Litam PhD., LPCCs, NCC, CCMHC is an Associate Professor of
counselor education at Cleveland State University, a racial equity strategist, licensed professional clinical counselor and supervisor, as well as a clinical sexologist with the American Board of Sexology. Dr. Litam is a member of the Forbes Health Advisory Board, a Community Advisory Council Member for the Cleveland Cinic, the Advisory Council Chair for the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) Minority Fellowship Program, Editorial Board Member for the
Journal of Counseling and Development, serves on the advisory board for the Philippine American Society of Ohio, and was named one of Crain’s Cleveland 40 Under 40 in 2023. Her book, "Patterns That Remain: A Guide to Healing for Asian Children of Immigrants" combines research, storytelling, and history to provide a practical framework to heal diasporic wounds, break intergenerational trauma patterns, and strengthen relationships.
Dr. Litam’s speaking, research, and clinical areas of specialization include topics related to mental health and sexual well-being, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, implicit bias, intergenerational trauma, human sex trafficking, as well as Asian American concerns. She is an immigrant and identifies as a Filipina and Chinese American woman.
Dr. Litam’s work has been featured in the White House, the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines and its Consulates, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Forbes Health, National Public Radio (NPR), Discovery Magazine, Dutch BBC, Psychology Today, National Institutes of Health, Mental Health Academy, The Daily Mail, The Filipino Channel, as well as in podcasts, documentaries, and news outlets. She has contributed to over 50 academic publications including 17 research articles archived in the World Health
Organization’s global literature database on COVID-19 and she is one of the foremost leading researchers on the impact of racial discrimination on the mental health of diverse racial and ethnic groups.
Dr. Litam has served as a content expert on topics related to racial equity, intergenerational trauma, cultural competence, microaggressions, cross cultural communication, and multiracial solidarity for Fortune 500 companies, nationally recognized brands, professional sports teams, multinational law firms, federal level organizations, political leaders, and academic institutions. Litam’s work has resulted in 15 national awards and 11 state and regional awards. She is an actively involved member of each of her intersecting communities and she is passionate about ensuring that culturally responsive content is accessible for organizations.
Learn More: Email Dr. Litam:www.staceylitam.com [email protected]
CCC Foundation - Crisis Text Line
The Foundation for California Community Colleges will provide an overview of the Crisis Text Line resource available to California Community College students. Participants will learn how campuses can access awareness materials, toolkits, and partnerships that support student mental health and well-being. Crisis Text Line is a free, confidential, 24/7 text-based mental health support service that connects students with trained crisis counselors through text messaging.
The session will also highlight the CCC Student Ambassador Program, showcasing how peer-to-peer outreach helps connect students to critical resources such as basic needs support, mental health services, and campus programs.
Speakers
Marisela Hernandez, Manager, Equity
Cole Forstedt, Senior Director, Equity
From Meaning to Practice: Clinical Tools for Navigating Sex, Intimacy, and Desire in Counseling (2 CEs)
Melissa Risso, Ph.D., MA, LMFT
This interactive, skills-focused training is designed to support counselors in translating conceptual understanding of sex, intimacy, and relationships into practical, in-session clinical work. While many clinicians understand the importance of addressing sexual and relational concerns, they often struggle with what to actually say or do when these topics arise in therapy. This presentation emphasizes applied tools, clinical language, and moment-to-moment interventions counselors can use when students bring concerns related to sex, intimacy, desire, shame, mismatch, identity, or relational uncertainty into sessions. Participants will engage in guided exercises, case-based discussion, and small-group practice to strengthen comfort and clinical confidence. Through experiential learning and reflection, counselors will practice responding to common sexual and intimacy-related scenarios, explore how to stay grounded when discomfort or uncertainty arises, and learn how to facilitate client-led meaning-making around intimacy and connection—without imposing scripts, assumptions, or predetermined outcomes. This training is designed as a stand-alone session and does not require prior attendance at related presentations.
Learning objectives:
- Apply concrete clinical tools and language to address concerns related to sex, intimacy, and relationships in counseling sessions.
- Practice responding to common clinical scenarios involving sexual myths, shame, desire discrepancies, and relational uncertainty through small-group exercises.
- Increase confidence and comfort navigating sexual topics, including moments of therapist uncertainty, discomfort, or countertransference.
- Facilitate client-led meaning-making around intimacy and connection without reinforcing rigid cultural or heteronormative frameworks.
- Integrate reflective and experiential interventions that support clients in expanding their understanding of sex, intimacy, and relational needs.
Dr. Risso earned her PhD in Human Sexuality from CIIS and brings nearly two decades of clinical and teaching experience to her work. While expanding into private practice, she served for almost ten years as a counselor at the College of San Mateo, where she supported community college students navigating identity, relationships, stress, and academic pressures. This experience gives her a unique perspective on the realities today’s campus counselors face, and it grounds her approach in practical, real-world strategies that professionals can apply directly in their sessions.
Her leadership and contributions to sexual health have been recognized with the UCLA Leadership Award and two honors from the California Association of Marriage & Family Therapist (CAMFT) for her work in advancing sex therapy in her community. These experiences inspired her to expand her impact by creating Liberate Your Libido™, her second business dedicated to helping individuals reignite passion and reclaim pleasure. Dr. Risso advocates for understanding sexuality as an essential part of mental health and personal well-being, and aims to help individuals embrace their full sexual selves with confidence and compassion
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.
Conference refund
After registering, if you cannot attend the meeting, notify Dr. Alison Johnson for a refund (prior to 4/20/2026 or credit for a subsequent conference).
Attendance policy
Those who attend the 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.
Conference refund
After registering, if you cannot attend the meeting, notify Dr. Alison Johnson for a refund (prior to 4/20/2026 or credit for a subsequent conference).
Attendance policy
Those who attend the 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.