2024 Mental Health Professionals Conference

Mental Health Professionals are invited to join the National Benevolent Association for a time of Connection and Care at the second annual hybrid Mental Health Professionals Conference. This in-person gathering (with virtual options) is more than just a conference bringing together expert speakers and professionals focused on engaging the intersection of spirituality and mental health, but is a gathering for connection, care, rest, and encouragement as you continue your work as a mental health professional. In addition to the workshops, the conference will have a half day focused on your restoration and self-care as a mental health professional, and opportunities for connection and strengthening our community of Disciples mental health professionals.  

Attendance: The 2024 Mental Health Professionals Conference will be held at the at the Warehouse District Hampton Inn and Suites in New Orleans, LA from 9:00 a.m. Friday, October 4 until 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 5, with an informal reception on the evening of Thursday, October 3. Registrations for in-person attendance must be received by September 20, 2024. All registrations after September 20 will be offered the virtual attendance option. 

Cost: Registration for in-person attendees is $185. The NBA will cover expenses for  hotel, transportation to/from the airport to the hotel, and all meals in the conference space on Friday and Saturday. Space is limited; virtual attendance options will be offered after for those who register after September 18. The virtual registration fee is $70 (tax deductible), which includes live access to keynote and workshop speakers as well as virtual breakout sessions. 

Eligibility: This conference is open to Disciples of Christ-affiliated persons who are: credentialed mental health professionals (such as licensed therapists, psychologists, and social workers); chaplains; or graduate students pursuing a degree to become mental health professionals (including seminarians).

We look forward to seeing you in person or virtually this fall at the 2024 Mental Health Professionals Conference! 

Speakers 

Lauren N. Jenkins, LCPC, CCTP, C-DBT, is a Trauma specialized Mental Health Clinician, Empowerment Speaker, Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Advocate and Trainer. Lauren currently works at Anchored Hope Therapy, a highly specialized trauma-specific mental health private practice in Annapolis, Maryland. She specializes in working with individuals and couples through life transitions as well as working with clients in the helping profession impacted by Vicarious Trauma, Burnout, and Compassion Fatigue. She also is the founder of The Journey2Well, LLC, (https://thejourney2well.com), a mental health wellness and training company that helps people [re]discover the power that lies in their courage to become self-aware, to reclaim their narratives, and find power in telling their stories in order to live well, feel well, be well, and if in the helping profession, help well.

Rev. Zachary Moon Ph.D. serves as Professor of Theology and Psychology at Chicago Theological Seminary. He is the author of four books, including Coming Home: Ministry That Matters with Veterans and Military Families, and Warriors between Worlds: Moral Injury and Identities in Crisis. Prior to his academic work, he served as a chaplain in multiple contexts with specialization in working with military personnel, veterans, and military families impacted by trauma and moral injury.

Wes Parks, M.S., LPC-S, NCC is the owner of Metroplex Mental Health, a boutique multilocation private practice in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex specializing in LGBTQIA+ clients. Wes holds a dual master’s degree in clinical psychology and neuropsychology. For more than a decade he worked at a private forensic and clinical psychology practice where he was involved in wide-ranging, and often high-profile, forensic psychology and legal cases. Understanding that change is needed on all levels, he is currently working towards a Ph.D. in Public Administration and Public Policy at the University of Texas at Arlington so he can focus on mental health policy analysis and decision-making.

Joselyn Spence is the Director of NBA’s Mental Health and Wellness Program. As LPC and ATR, she provides trauma-informed services to people of all races, backgrounds and ages. She has a MDiv from the Candler School of Theology at Emory, a MS in Art Therapy and Professional Counseling from Eastern Virginia Medical School, and a BS in Women and Gender Studies and African-American Studies.