Wellness Conference: April 3-4, 2025

Casper College Counseling Services believes in the importance of offering professionals, students and interested community members opportunities to learn about a variety of topics related to both physical and mental health.

Each spring we sponsor the annual Wellness Conference. The Wellness Conference allows professionals and experts in the Rocky Mountain Region to come together and share their expertise.

The Wellness Conference consists of several mini-courses presented by professionals in the community. These mini-courses throughout Thursday are FREE to the public. On Friday the workshop for *mental health* professionals is presented and a fee is required to attend this workshop.

The Friday workshop, which includes *3 ethics credits*, is designed for mental health professionals and requires pre-registration and $35 payment. We hope to see you all there!

Registration for Friday afternoon’s professional workshop

To pay by check:Please return this registration form to: Casper College Counseling

Registration Form
Attn: Erin Ford
125 College Drive • Casper, WY 82601
email: erin.ford@caspercollege.edu

To pay by credit card:

• Call Casper College Accounting at 307-268-2244
• Email registration information to erin.ford@caspercollege.edu

Schedule and Session Descriptions

Location: Walter H. Nolte Gateway building, Room 225

Thursday, April 3

9:00am – 10:20am, Self Care Practices Throughout You Career: Nurturing the Nurturers

Christine Vencill, MSW, LCSW, Noelle Romer, BSW & Haley Lensert, BSW

Join us to learn how to nurture yourself while nurturing others. Whether you are a student in a wellness profession, a long-time practitioner, or anywhere in between, self-care is critical. During this presentation, we will discuss and demonstrate practical strategies to integrate self-care into our daily routines and throughout our careers.

10:30am – 11:50am, Supporting and Affirming LGBTQIA2S+ Youth, Families and Community

Elliott Orrin Hinkle, BS, PSS

This workshop is designed for professionals and students dedicated to advancing the wellness of LGBTQIA2S+ youth, their families, and the broader community. We will explore how wellness can be holistically approached, considering the unique strengths and challenges faced by this population, especially in rural and underserved areas like Casper, WY and surrounding region. Participants will gain tools and strategies to foster environments that promote mental, emotional and social well-being, with a focus on building resilience, connection and affirming practices. Attendees will leave equipped to actively contribute to environments where LGBTQIA2S+ youth feel valued, families find empowerment, and communities thrive through inclusivity and wellness-focused practices.

LUNCH

1:00pm-2:20pm, Understanding Personality Styles: Strengthening Connections & Inspiring Inner Wellness

Gabrielle Howery, BA & Kelsey Giroux-Maule, MA

This interactive presentation will guide participants through the journey of discovering their own unique personality style while learning to recognize and appreciate the styles of others. By exploring different personality traits, attendees will gain valuable tools to enhance communication, navigate conflict, and build stronger relationships. Additionally, participants will gain insight into how diverse personalities contribute to different aspects of a group dynamic through engaging discussions and self-assessment. The session will conclude with a hands-on activity where participants will build their own personalized wellness kit.

2:30pm-3:50pm, PolyValgal Theory/Somatic Trauma Informed Care Yoga and Meditation

Candace Machado, MSW

This presentation delves into the fascinating intersection of Polyvagal Theory and Somatic Trauma-Informed Care Yoga, offering a comprehensive approach to managing emotions through movement-based practices. During the seminar, we will create an interactive environment where participants will engage in various movement elements to illustrate the benefits of practices such as restorative and vocal yogic movement.

Friday, April 4

9:00am –11:50am, Navigating Ethical Practice in the Current Clinical Landscape

Amanda DeDiego, PHD, LPC

This presentation aims to equip counselors with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the complex ethical landscape of modern practice. By exploring critical issues such as AI and the current political landscape, attendees will enhance their ability to provide ethical, effective care in an ever-changing professional environment. (3 hours of ethics credits!)

LUNCH

10:30-11:50 a.m.

1:00pm – 2:20pm, Harnessing the 7 Affective Circuits: A Neuroscientific Approach to Case Conceptualization and Intervention

Brandon Bishop, MSW, LCSW

This presentation explores Jaak Panksepp’s 7 affective circuits—SEEKING, RAGE, FEAR, LUST, CARE, PANIC/GRIEF, and PLAY—and their profound implications for psychotherapy. By understanding how these fundamental emotional systems shape behavior, emotions, and cognitions, therapists can more effectively conceptualize cases and tailor interventions to meet clients’ needs. Attendees will receive experiential knowledge and gain practical strategies for integrating this neuroscientific framework into their clinical work.

2:30pm-3:50pm, Helping People Live Life to the Fullest

Karol Santistevan, OTR/L, CTRL, ESMHL & Tisa Sucher, MSW, LCSW

This presentation will focus on the mental health synergy between Occupational Therapy and Clinical Social Work.  This presentation will offer a look at providing mental health and wellness through nature-based and animal-assisted therapy approaches. Participants will leave with an understanding of the healing power of equine-assisted interventions for individuals with trauma and grief.

Friday workshops are designed for mental health professionals and requires preregistration and $35 payment. 12 CEUs are available including 3 ethics!

A special thanks to our conference sponsors: Wyoming Behavioral Institute, Wyoming Right to Choose, University of Wyoming Division of Social Work, Western Unicorn Solutions, Mercer Family Resource Center, Natrona County Suicide Prevention Task Force, and Wyoming Association of Addiction Professionals.