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Agenda

Three days of insightful sessions, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities.
November 19, 2026 Keynotes and Sessions
Day Two Welcome
Featured Presenter: Matthew Vasquez, PhD, LMSWIn this full-day workshop, Dr. Vasquez connects the science of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and stress with practical tools to help clients heal and protect professionals from burnout. The morning session explores how trauma changes perception, emotional control, and behavior, introducing the shift from a mentalist mindset to a capacity model. Attendees will learn the differences between stress and trauma, study how emotions trigger crisis responses, and gain practical ways to create safety, teach coping skills, and prevent re-traumatization. In the afternoon, the focus shifts to how long-term toxic stress, high cortisol, and inflammation harm both physical health and job performance. Dr. Vasquez will share proven strategies to reduce physical stress and improve mood, along with hands-on practice using body-based calming skills that work for everyday stress relief and immediate crisis response.ObjectivesObjective 1: Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to explain the difference between ordinary stress and complex trauma, using a capacity model to understand behavioral and crisis responses.Objective 2: Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to apply practical strategies that create safe, stable environments to prevent re-traumatization and strengthen client emotional regulation skills.Objective 3: Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to use body-based calming techniques to reduce the physical effects of toxic stress (such as high cortisol and inflammation), manage crisis situations, and combat professional burnout.Morning Session: Provides participants with the latest research regarding the impact of adverse childhood experiences, stress science, and the effects of trauma on perception, emotional regulation, and behavior. Participants will then be provided with real-world,actionable recommendations on how to build safety and stability, increase emotional regulation skills and reduce traumatization in those who’ve experienced trauma.Morning Session (3 hours)• Condensed review of ACEs and the connection to long-term health outcomes• The mentalist model versus the capacity model • Comparing and contrasting stress and trauma• The role of emotions and feelings in crisis response• The effects and behavioral manifestations of complex and relational trauma.
Featured Presenter: Matthew Vasquez, PhD, LMSWAfternoon Session: Focuses on connecting the impact that stress and trauma have on physical and mental health, including job performance. Participants will be presented with the latest science regarding stress mitigation practices that can help improve their mood, feel better regulated, and have more optimistic views regarding their professional and personal work and relationships.ObjectivesObjective 1: Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to explain the difference between ordinary stress and complex trauma, using a capacity model to understand behavioral and crisis responses.Objective 2: Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to apply practical strategies that create safe, stable environments to prevent re-traumatization and strengthen client emotional regulation skills.Objective 3: Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to use body-based calming techniques to reduce the physical effects of toxic stress (such as high cortisol and inflammation), manage crisis situations, and combat professional burnout.Afternoon Session (3 hours)• Overview of stress science• Discussion of long-term (toxic) stress and effects of cortisol and inflammation on the body• Review of evidence-based interventions that can lower cortisol, fight inflammation, and improve mood• Demonstration of body-based calming and stabilization skills that can be used to lower stress and used as a crisis response protocol.
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