Earn 2 CEUS!*

Miriam Cornell, MA LMFT (they/them), is a therapist currently based in Minneapolis. After leaving the religious cult in which they were raised, they spent time exploring their relationship to religion, rewriting the narrative of their life, and learning everything they could about religious harm (They are still learning!). Their experience of being raised in a cult, subsequent exploration of self and healing, and their continual exploration of this topic informs their work as a therapist. They primarily work with individuals and couples around experiences of religious harm, gender, sexuality, and neurodivergence often exploring the intersecting connections of all these things.

Description

Religious harm has far-reaching relational impacts. To better meet our clients where they are, it is vital to understand the unhelpful side of religious experiences. It comes in many forms and can be experienced in many different contexts. Many folks report feeling lost, even years after de-identifying with religion, and can struggle to imagine a way forward. They sometimes have great difficulty navigating the world without religion. They often describe difficulties around knowing who they are, how to make choices, how to relate to others, and feeling a sense of autonomy. For those raised in those settings, the impact on identity development can be difficult to painful. This workshop will offer you ways to work with your client to explore the layers of their religious experience and create an expansive path of relational healing.

This workshop will offer language to better understand our client and help them name their experiences. We will explore the ways that narratives formed in the context of high control religion or associated with fundamentalist religious beliefs impact clients’ ways of existing in this world. The impact of religious harm on relationship to self and other will be presented from an attachment perspective. We will also begin to explore how the self of the therapist can impact clients in helpful and unhelpful ways around this issue.

The presenter's experience is in a fundamentalist christian cult and the workshop will primarily focus on high control experiences in the christian church. However, the idea of working with your client to create new and empowering narratives as an expansive path to healing may be helpful to explore within other contexts of religious harm.

Objectives:

1. Learn terminology essential to understanding layers of religious harm
2. Begin to understand the impact of religious harm on clients’ development over the life span
3. Learn about the relational harm within high control religion and the value of relational healing
4. Be able to explore how the relationship of the therapist to both religion and to the self can impact the therapeutic work in the sessions

* This CE activity offered by Minnesota Association of Marriage and Family is approved by the Minnesota Board of Social Work as an approved CE Provider (approval valid through July 25, 2026).

This CE activity is pending CE approval with Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Board of Marriage and Family Therapy.

Earn 2 CEUS!*

Lyndsey Fraser is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Sex Therapist, and an IEA Accredited Professional. She has presented on the intersection of the Enneagram, relationships, and sexuality in various U.S. and international forums. Being one of the few sex therapists in the world working explicitly with the Enneagram.

Sam E. Greenberg is a doctor of psychology whose research focuses on the intersection of sexuality and personality through the lens of the Enneagram. Sam’s research identified nine discernible patterns of sexual desire and expression associated with each Enneagram type. Sam helps clinicians understand and utilize this information to support individuals and couples healing sexuality issues.

Description

This session presents the basics of the Enneagram typing system and focuses on how to apply the Enneagram system to approach sexuality in therapy practice. The Enneagram model provides tools to address “the elephant in the bedroom” - the fact that many marriage and family therapists are not talking about sexuality with their clients. Using the Enneagram helps therapists to talk about sexuality issues with clients using an easy, depersonalized map of sexual approaches and tendencies.

Background:

The Enneagram Model of Sexuality developed concurrently in research and sex therapy practice, supported by both scientific evidence and clinical outcomes. Sexuality researcher, Sam E. Greenberg, PhD investigated the research question What is the relationship between Enneagram type and patterns of sexual desire? in an 814 participant quantitative study published in 2023. Concurrently, Lyndsey Fraser, MA LMFT, CST implemented use of the Enneagram personality typing system with her sex therapy clients, based upon the patterns she noticed over thirteen years of clinical work. The scientific results and the clinical results demonstrated identical outcomes: distinct and discernable patterns of sexual desire and expression mapped to the nine Enneagram types. Specific sexual patterns that are predictable by the nine Enneagram types include: overall sexual desire, cues that spark sexual desire, sexual assertiveness, ability to understand and communicate sexual desires to a partner, degree of tenderness to touch, sexually explicit materials use, likelihood of participation in kink and BDSM, solo sexual desire, frequency of sexual thoughts, comfort level with sexual dry spells, and many more.

Clients experience notably increased pace of progress in sex therapy when the Enneagram model is used. Relational work benefits significantly as clients are able to depersonalize sexual habits of their partner and understand that these are a factor of personality rather than individual choices and behaviors. Incorporating the Enneagram into therapeutic work also builds deep understanding of the self and partner. Type specific strategies can be used to approach the partner and meet their needs. Judgement decreases as the Enneagram Model of Sexuality gives partners language to communicate about their sexual selves.

Objectives:

1. Understand the basics of the Enneagram typing system

2. Apply the Enneagram typing system to sexuality in your therapy practice

3. Learn how to have compassion & understanding for your clients in your office around their differing Enneagram types & sexual approaches

* This CE activity offered by Minnesota Association of Marriage and Family is approved by the Minnesota Board of Social Work as an approved CE Provider (approval valid through July 25, 2026).

This CE activity is pending CE approval with Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Board of Marriage and Family Therapy.

Earn 1.5 CEUS!*

Kimberly Erickson, a holistic trauma coach and speaker, empowers individuals to heal from trauma and rewrite their stories using somatic awareness and parts work. With personal experience in adoption, developmental trauma, attachment trauma, burnout, and stress, she brings empathy and expertise to her coaching practice, Growing Harmony Within. Kimberly has achieved mastery level in Dr. Aimie Apigian's Biology of Trauma program, is training in Advanced Level Somatic Experiencing, and has completed training in Somatic Attachment Therapy, Somatic Parts Work, Internal Family Systems, and NeuroAffective Touch. Through one-on-one and group coaching, she guides clients on their healing journeys with powerful, trauma-informed tools and techniques.

Description

"Rewriting Your Story: Healing Trauma Through Somatic Awareness" is a transformative workshop designed for participants who seek to deepen their understanding of trauma healing and create a new narrative for their lives. Led by a holistic trauma coach with expertise in somatic experiencing, parts work, relational trauma repair, and the biology of trauma, this workshop offers a unique opportunity for participants to explore the profound impact of somatic awareness on the healing journey and the power of rewriting their stories.

Throughout the workshop, participants will engage in a series of experiential exercises and group discussions that align with the facilitator's core principles, including creating a safe and supportive environment, fostering a holistic perspective, and promoting ongoing learning and growth. The workshop begins with an introduction to the trauma-informed approach and its significance in building trust and psychological safety when working with clients and exploring personal narratives.

As the workshop progresses, participants will delve into the biology of trauma, learning about the nervous system's role in trauma responses, including sympathetic, parasympathetic, and dorsal vagal states. Through the use of sociometrics, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how to recognize and work with these states in themselves and their clients, as well as how these states contribute to the stories they tell themselves.

Next, participants will be encouraged to identify areas in their work and personal lives where they feel stuck or overwhelmed by their current narratives. By acknowledging and validating these struggles, participants can cultivate greater self-awareness and empathy, enhancing their ability to support others through similar challenges and rewrite their own stories.

The heart of the workshop is about listening to your body's story, where participants will engage in a somatic and parts work exercise. This exercise will guide them in building awareness of their body's sensations and connecting with different parts of themselves, fostering a more compassionate and authentic relationship with themselves and others.

As the workshop draws to a close, participants will explore the importance of sustaining balance and growth in their personal and professional lives as they continue to rewrite their stories. The facilitator will emphasize the significance of ongoing practice and integration of the skills and insights gained during the workshop, providing resources and guidance for continued healing and growth beyond the workshop setting.

By the end of the workshop, participants will leave with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of the power of somatic awareness in rewriting their stories and cultivating more fulfilling lives. They will have gained the tools and insights needed to break free from old narratives and embrace a new, empowering story that aligns with their authentic selves.

Objectives:

1. Develop an understanding of the trauma-informed approach and its importance in creating a safe, supportive, and empowering environment for clients.

2. Learn to recognize and work with the nervous system's responses to trauma, including sympathetic, parasympathetic, and dorsal vagal states, to support clients in regulating their emotions and building resilience.

3. Engage in a somatic and parts work exercise to develop awareness of their body's sensations and connect with different parts of themselves, promoting a holistic perspective that addresses the mind, body, and spirit.

4. Gain tools and techniques for creating a safe, non-judgmental, and collaborative space for clients to explore their experiences, emotions, and challenges.

5. Discover the power of personal narrative in the healing process and learn how to support clients in identifying and rewriting limiting stories and beliefs that may be holding them back from personal growth and fulfillment.

*This CE activity offered by Minnesota Association of Marriage and Family is approved by the Minnesota Board of Social Work as an approved CE Provider (approval valid through July 25, 2026).

This CE activity is pending CE approval with Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Board of Marriage and Family Therapy.

Earn 1.5 CEUS!*

Dr. Senyurekli is in private practice with Parkdale Therapy Group, where she sees a blend of individuals and couples. She has worked previously with The Emily Program and with Rekindle Counseling. Her background includes presenting to community groups, teaching MFT graduate students at St. Mary’s University, and teaching Family Social Science undergraduate students at the University of Minnesota.

Description

This training will use research, clinical case examples, and personal reflection to demonstrate how Polyvagal Theory (PVT) can be used to better understand and shift client experiences. It will review the foundations of PVT and its core concepts, explore how past experiences and current stressors impact nervous system movement, and describe how nervous systems can impact one another. It will demonstrate how to map a client’s nervous system, and explore how movement within the nervous system can be influenced through the use of ventral breaks, anchors, value congruence, and structural changes when possible. It will conclude with examples of how clinicians can begin applying a PVT lens in conjunction with their existing (or favorite) therapy models.

Objectives:

1. Participants will be able to describe the core concepts associated with PVT, including neuroception and the three nervous system states of ventral vagal, sympathetic, and dorsal vagal.

2. Participants will be able to map out a client's nervous system and build out their anchors and dorsal brakes.

3. Participants will understand how to integrate skills from various family therapy models and frameworks to help clients create change.

*This CE activity offered by Minnesota Association of Marriage and Family is approved by the Minnesota Board of Social Work as an approved CE Provider (approval valid through July 25, 2026).

This CE activity is pending CE approval with Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Board of Marriage and Family Therapy.

Earn 1.5 CEUS!*

Nicole Carreon is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with specialized training in EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. A board-approved supervisor, she provides practicum and post-degree supervision for LMFTs and LPCCs. Nicole works with adolescents, adults, couples, and families, with expertise in trauma, addiction, anxiety, relationship concerns, and neurological conditions such as tinnitus, misophonia, and hyperacusis. Certified in Havening Techniques® since 2022, she integrates this neuroscience-based approach into her practice and education, helping clients regulate their nervous systems and heal from trauma through gentle, effective, and transformative psychosensory methods.

Holli Engelhart is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker who earned her MSW from the University of St. Thomas–College of St. Catherine in 2009. Trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-Informed Care, and certified in Havening Techniques®, she also serves as a Minnesota Board of Social Work–approved supervisor. Discovering Havening was a turning point in her career, revealing its powerful potential to reduce distress and heal unresolved emotional experiences. Holli is dedicated to integrating this neuroscience-informed approach into her practice and is inspired by the profound, lasting change Havening can create for individuals seeking relief from trauma.

Description

Havening for LMFTs: A Somatic Tool for Trauma, Attachment, and Nervous System Regulation is a hands-on, approachable training created for marriage and family therapists who want to add a powerful, neuroscience-supported tool to their clinical work. Havening Techniques® use gentle touch, sensory input, and guided processing to help calm the nervous system, lower emotional distress, and create a greater sense of safety. In this seminar, LMFTs will learn how these techniques can easily fit into systemic work to support emotional regulation and healthier relationship patterns. Grounded in current research on trauma and neuroplasticity, Havening offers a simple yet meaningful way to help clients shift out of fight-or-flight states and into a place where connection and healing feel more possible. Because LMFTs often work with clients carrying attachment wounds, trauma histories, and chronic stress, Havening blends naturally with relational therapy by addressing not just thoughts and feelings, but also the nervous system responses that drive them. Throughout the training, participants will watch demonstrations, join in discussion, and learn how to use Self-Havening to regulate their own nervous system.  We’ll explore how the techniques can be applied with individuals, couples, and families, and how they can increase emotional safety and support client regulation during challenging moments.  

Objectives:

1. Understand the neurobiological foundations of Havening Techniques® and how psychosensory touch supports deactivation of the amygdala, reduces distress, and promotes nervous system regulation within individual, relational, and family therapy.

2. Identify ways to integrate Havening into systemic and relational treatment, including its application for attachment injuries, emotional regulation challenges, trauma symptoms, and relational conflict patterns.

3. Demonstrate beginner-level Havening interventions—such as Self-Havening exercises and apply them ethically and effectively within the LMFT scope of practice to enhance client safety, stabilization, and emotional processing.

* This CE activity offered by Minnesota Association of Marriage and Family is approved by the Minnesota Board of Social Work as an approved CE Provider (approval valid through July 25, 2026).

This CE activity is pending CE approval with Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Board of Marriage and Family Therapy.

Earn 2 CEUS!*

Description

This workshop will explore suicidal ideation using an Internal Family Systems (IFS) lens. This will include exploring how parts language and other IFS principles can reduce the internalized stigma clients may hold about experiencing SI, including helping them experience reduced shame and hesitation to disclose SI. Therapists will then learn techniques for increasing clients’ access to self-preserving thoughts & beliefs and ways to practice self-preserving actions. The workshop will conclude with how to complete a suicide risk assessment & safety plan using parts language and how to use this assessment to assist clients in gaining more insight into the suicidal ideation they experience. Discussions on how to use IFS flexibly & how to integrate it with other therapeutic models are integrated into the course.

Objectives:

1. Therapists will learn how to use parts language to de-stigmatize suicidal ideation, including how to reduce client shame surrounding SI and client hesitation to disclose SI.

2. Therapists will learn how to complete a risk assessment & safety plan using parts language.

3. Therapists will learn how to use parts language to increase client insight into suicidal ideation, including how to support clients in changing their relationship to suicidal parts.

4. Therapists will learn how to use parts language to increase clients’ access to self-preserving thoughts & engagement in self-preserving actions. This will include parts-based coping & self-regulation skills.

*This CE activity offered by Minnesota Association of Marriage and Family is approved by the Minnesota Board of Social Work as an approved CE Provider (approval valid through July 25, 2026).

This CE activity is pending CE approval with Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Board of Marriage and Family Therapy.