2025 MMHA Conference, Day 1 All Sessions

9:00 am – 10:30 am (session 1/ keynote)

Resistance, Resilience, and Restoration: Clinical Approaches to Working during Unprecedented times (1.5 CEU’s)

Presenter: Andrés Larios Brown, LMFT (they/elle)

Healing from racism is an urgent and complex process that requires deep personal reflection, community engagement, and systemic change. This presentation will explore the impact of racism on individuals and communities, emphasizing both historical and contemporary forms of racial trauma. Participants will be introduced to racial identity development models and engage in experiential exercises designed to foster self-awareness, empathy, and resilience. By creating a brave space for discussion, this session will encourage attendees to confront internalized narratives, acknowledge privilege and oppression, and develop strategies for healing. Through this work, we move toward restoration, both individually and collectively, honoring the theme of Resistance, Resilience, and Restoration.

10:30 – 11:00 am 

Keynote Group Discussion (0.5 CEU)

Session Moderator: Andrés Larios Brown, LMFT

11:00 – 12:00 pm (session 2)

Sound bath Experiential (1.0 CEU)

Session Moderator: Andrés Larios Brown, LMFT

Presenter: Emilee Henriquez, LCMHC (she/her)

Participate in an immersive, somatic experience that utilizes sound and vibrations to create feelings of relaxation, stress reduction, and improve wellbeing. Engage with this experiential process to embody the conference theme of “Resistance, Resilience, and Restoration” as well as better understand how these types of therapies can support healing for clients as well.

 

1:00 – 2:00 pm (session 3)

Sacred Remembering: Cultural Reclamation and Spiritual Resistance in Latinx Mental Health (1.0 CEU)

Session Moderator: Andrés Larios Brown, LMFT

Presenter: Emilee Henriquez, LCMHC (she/her)

This presentation explores the intersection of cultural reclamation and spiritual resistance within Latinx mental health. Participants will learn how cultural healing practices offer resilience and restoration in the face of religious trauma. Through historical analysis and clinical guidance, the session offers practical tools for integrating spiritual sovereignty into therapeutic care with Latinx clients.

2:00 – 3:00 pm (session 4)

Wicked Saints: Learning from Our Queer Elders (1.0 Ethics CEU’s)

Session Moderator: Andrés Larios Brown, LMFT

Presenters: Dr. Lacey Bagley, LMFT, PhD (she/her) Dr. Kate Mower (they/them)

Join Dr. Lacey Bagley, LMFT and Dr. Kate Mower for an exploration of the radical history of queer Mormon resistance, resilience, and restoration. This session highlights the often-untold stories of LGBTQ+ Mormon elders, including the formation of queer-affirming spiritual spaces like a queer Mormon church, and offers clinicians and advocates insights for applying these powerful lessons in today’s healing work.

3:00 – 4:00 pm (session 5)

Unspoken Burdens: Sexual Shame, Trauma, and Healing Among LDS and Post-LDS Men (1.0 CEU)

Session Moderator: Andrés Larios Brown, LMFT

Presenters: Anarie White, CSW (she/her), David Johnson, PhD, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Certified Sex Therapist (he/him)

This presentation examines the intersection of ethics, sexuality, and sexual trauma through the lens of LDS religious culture. We explore how teachings around purity, modesty, and sexual perfectionism contribute to shame, secrecy, and moral incongruence—particularly among men. Topics include the impact of cultural narratives on sexual development and identity, male sexual trauma, and therapist countertransference. We also discuss protective aspects of LDS doctrine, group-based healing, and inclusive approaches for LGBTQ and BIPOC clients. Attendees will gain insight into ethical self-reflection, clinical best practices, and tools for fostering deeper healing.