The 2025 VMHTI Conference is a comprehensive virtual event aimed at enhancing the skills of mental health professionals working with veterans. Organized by the NASW-NYS/NYC Veterans Mental Health Training Initiative, the conference offers 10 free Continuing Education credits and features a series of panels focusing on critical issues such as veteran suicide intervention, addiction recovery, homelessness, PTSD/TBI, moral injury, and cognitive dissonance. Attendees will gain insights from veterans and professionals, exploring peer support strategies and creative expression as therapeutic tools. The agenda includes discussions on military culture, policy impacts, and the diversity of veteran experiences, fostering a deeper understanding and competency in veteran mental health care.
Mental Health Conferences
2025 VMHTI Conference
The 2025 VMHTI Conference, organized by NASW-NYS/NYC Veterans Mental Health Training Initiative, is a virtual event focusing on veterans' mental health. It offers free Continuing Education credits for social workers and other mental health professionals.
Conference Overview
Some quick details about this conference.
Time and Place
Maybe the most important details of the conference.
Conference Dates: May 30–31, 2025
Event Format: virtual
Conference Organizer
This organization is hosting this conference.
NASW-NYS
NASW-NYS is dedicated to supporting social workers and advancing the profession through advocacy, education, and professional development.
Email: info.naswnys@socialworkers.org
Phone: (518) 463-4741
Schedule and Agenda
It's important to know what is planned.
The conference spans two days, featuring multiple panels each day. Day 1 includes sessions on veteran suicide intervention, addiction recovery, and PTSD/TBI. Day 2 covers topics like moral injury, cognitive dissonance, and creative expression as therapy. Each panel includes discussions led by facilitators and panelists with lived experiences, focusing on peer support and therapeutic strategies.
Notable Speakers
These folks will be speaking at the conference.
Aynisa Leonardo
A Licensed Clinical Art Therapist and VP of Clinical Outreach at Water Gap Wellness, with extensive experience in mental health services.
Dylan Damboise
Marine Corps Veteran and paralegal, focusing on helping veterans secure their benefits.
Jeremy Duers
Marine Corps veteran and coordinator for the Joseph P. Dwyer Peer to Peer program.
MAJ Robin MacHattie
Behavioral Health Officer and Sexual Assault Response Coordinator in the Army National Guard.
Sandra Moody
Western New York Native and volunteer Peer Mentor with the Saratoga County Veteran’s Peer Connections.
Anthony Rabasca
Retired USAF Lieutenant Colonel and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
Brent Russell
Army Veteran and Director of Veterans Services at the Mental Health Association of Nassau County.
Michael Shurmatz
LCSW and Readjustment Counselor at the Buffalo Vet Center, specializing in integrative therapy for trauma.
Preston W. Brown
Airforce veteran and Prevention Educator with the Long Island Fatherhood Initiative.
Montgomery Brown
Combat Navy Medic and Member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.
John Bourges
Captain US Army Reserves, NYPD Retired, RN Retired, and County Coroner.
Alyssa Gibbons
LCSW-R, BCD, US Navy, working in outpatient substance abuse at Albany Stratton VA Medical Center.
Dani Koulermos
US Army Disabled Veteran and Primary Counselor at Outreach Recovery Center’s Veterans Track.
Amanda L Matteson
PhD, MSW/ Army National Guard, working on research to improve health care for Veterans.
Jeffrey McQueen
Executive Director for the Mental Health Association of Nassau County and combat veteran.
Abdul, S.
Arab American filmmaker and US army veteran, known for his work in visual arts and filmmaking.
Karl Rohde
Army Combat Vietnam Veteran and Director of Veterans Services for Putnam County.
Tim Scott
U.S. Army Active Duty, LICSW, with a focus on social justice education.
Gavin T. Walters Sr
MSW-USAF, Program Director of Vet2Vet of Ulster County and NY State Dwyer Coalition Facilitator.
CEU Details
Here's information on Continuing Education Units (or CEUs).
The conference offers 10 free Continuing Education credits for social workers, LMFTs, LMHCs, and licensed psychologists. Participants must attend the full event to receive credits.
Other Links and Information
The above information is from the conference or event webpage. Please review the organization's website for official information, as that will be more up-to-date.
Reminder: This is an overview of this conference, and you should consult the official website for details on registration, fees, deadlines, and other details. Quill Therapy Solutions is maintaining this information to make it more accessible to the therapist and mental health professional community.
If you noticed an issue with the above information, please send us an email: conferences@quilltherapynotes.com (Ideally, include a link to the conference and the details that need to be corrected. Thank you!)
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