CT-AIMH 2023 FALL CONFERENCE

Thursday, November 16, 2023

                                       * 8:30am-3:30pm *                                         (Breakfast and Registration from 8:30am-9:00am)

In-Person, Woodwinds Branford, CT

Topic:

Recognize and Respect Non-Dominant Bodies of Knowledge

Description:

The keynote address will challenge our current understanding of developmental theory and clinical interventions. We will consider how a Eurocentric perspective has shaped our developmental science and intervention tools. Additionally, we will examine opportunities for providers to partner with families in an investigation of their personal family culture. From a desire to promote equity, what skills or strategies empower families to teach us more regarding diversity, as we accept the challenge of leading from the cultural lens of the client.

Keynote Presenter:

Barbara Stroud, PhD

Dr. Stroud is a licensed psychologist with over three decades worth of culturally informed clinical practice in early childhood development and mental health. She is a founding organizer and the inaugural president (2017-2019) of the California Association for Infant Mental Health, a ZERO TO THREE Fellow, and holds prestigious endorsements as an Infant and Family Mental Health Specialist/Reflective Practice Facilitator Mentor. In 2018 Dr. Stroud was honored with the Bruce D. Perry Spirit of the Child Award. Embedded in all of her trainings and consultations are the activities of reflective practice, demonstrating cultural attunement, and holding a social justice lens in the work. Dr. Stroud’s book “How to Measure a Relationship” [published 2012] is improving infant mental health practices around the globe and is now available in Spanish. Her second book, an Amazon best seller, “Intentional Living: finding the inner peace to create successful relationships” walks the reader through a deeper understanding of how their brain influences relationships. Both volumes are currently available on Amazon. Additionally, Dr. Stroud is a contributing author to the text “Infant and early childhood mental health: Core concepts and clinical practice” edited by Kristie Brandt, Bruce Perry, Steve Seligman, & Ed Tronick. Dr. Stroud received her Ph.D. in Applied Developmental Psychology from Nova Southeastern University, and she has worked largely with children in urban communities with severe emotional disturbance.  Dr. Stroud’s professional career path has allowed her to work across service delivery silos supporting professionals in mental health, early intervention (part c), child welfare, early care and education, family court staff, primary care, and other arenas. She is highly regarded and has been a key player in the inception and implementation of cutting-edge service delivery to children Prenatal to five and their families; her innovative approaches have won national awards. More specifically, Dr. Stroud is a former preschool director, a non-public school administrator, director of infant mental health services and agency training coordinator. She has held an adjunct faculty position at California State Long Beach and maintained a faculty position in the Infant-Parent Mental Health Fellowship for 12 years. Currently, Dr. Stroud’s primary focus is professional training and private consultation from an anti-racist lens, with a focus on social justice, in the field of infant mental health. Dr. Stroud remains steadfast in her mission to ‘changing the world – one relationship at a time’.

Panel Presenters:

 Panalists will explore Cultural Humility and action, Non-Dominant ways of knowing, bodies of knowledge, sources and strenghths and roots to healing within all families and communities. 

Hector Chaidez Ruacho, LCSW

 Hector Chaidez Ruacho is a bilingual and bicultural Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a doctoral student at The University of Texas at Austin Steve Hicks School of Social Work. He has experience providing culturally informed care to children, youth, and their families, experiencing diverse mental health needs. Hector has been trained in trauma-specific interventions (e.g., TF-CBT, CFTSI) and other family-based interventions. Hector’s clinical and research focus revolves around improving the quality of mental health care for all families, especially Spanish-speaking Immigrant families. He intends to systematize diverse healing methods into mental health practice. 

Anamaria Orozco, LCSW

 Anamaria Orozco is a bilingual and bicultural experienced Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New Haven, CT. She has a history of working with children and adults with anxiety, depression, neurodevelopmental disorders, and complex trauma. She is certified in the evidence-based Model – Child and Family Traumatic Stress (CFTSI) and has completed Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) training. She provides therapy with a psycho-dynamic, trauma, and culturally informed approach. 

Sue Smith, ANFT

Sue Smith is a Certified Forest Therapy Guide with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT) and believes in the healing power of nature. She founded Roots in Nature in 2018 as an addition to her health counseling practice, Prime Health Style. Over the past decade, Sue has worked with individuals and groups to promote better nutrition and a happier, healthier lifestyle. She has lived in Japan, where the practice of forest bathing (known there as shinrin-yoku) started, and is a frequent traveler and outdoor enthusiast wherever she goes.

AND MORE!!

Important Information for Registering: