Agenda

Opening RemarksGood Morning and Welcome to Day 3 of the 2025 Mississippi Trauma Informed Care Conference!Speaker

Presenters: Charlotte Arrowsmith, M.Ed., PLPC, CMHT, NC, and Julie Davenport, MSW, LMSW  The invisible overlap between autism spectrum disorder and vulnerability to abuse and exploitation is one of the most overlooked intersections in trauma-informed care. Autistic adults experience human trafficking, domestic violence, and sexual assault at disproportionate rates, yet most trauma services were never designed with them in mind.  This session takes a practice-grounded look at why that overlap exists and what trauma-informed providers can do about it. We will examine the specific traits and life circumstances that create heightened risk, explore how trauma presents differently in autistic survivors, and dig into the real barriers autistic adults face when they try to access systems and services. More importantly, we will leave with concrete, trauma-informed strategies that participants can bring back to their work immediately.Objectives: 1. Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to identify and explain autism-specific traits that increase an adult's vulnerability to human trafficking, domestic violence, and sexual assault.2. Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to demonstrate trauma-informed care strategies specifically adapted for autistic adult clients.  3. Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to identify structural barriers autistic adult survivors face when accessing systems and services, and list specific accommodations providers can advocate for improving access and safety.

Presenter: Kenyatta Lewis, MSW, LCSWChildren are deeply shaped by the language and interactions they experience, often carrying those messages into their sense of identity, relationships, and emotional well-being. This presentation explores the visible and invisible impact of verbal and nonverbal communication on children, particularly within the context of trauma, emotional abuse, and helping relationships. Through reflection, practical examples, and reframing strategies, attendees will be encouraged to assess the ways their words, responses, and interactions influence the children and families they serve.Objectives: Objective 1: Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to define and recognize the impact of verbal and nonverbal communication, including negative labeling and emotional abuse, on children’s emotional, behavioral, and developmental well-being.Objective 2: Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to examine how language used by caregivers and helping professionals can either reinforce trauma, shame, and maladaptive behaviors or support resilience, emotional safety, and healing.Objective 3: Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to identify trauma-informed, strength-based communication strategies that promote positive self-worth, connection, and healthy emotional development in children.

Megan Hamm, Ed.S, LPC-S, EMDRHelping professionals are often highly skilled at recognizing trauma responses in others while overlooking the emotional toll that chronic exposure to stress, crisis, and caregiving can have on their own well-being. This trauma-informed presentation explores compassion fatigue, burnout, and the impact of prolonged helping on the nervous system, professional effectiveness, and overall wellness. Participants will gain practical, evidence-informed strategies to strengthen resilience, establish sustainable boundaries, and continue showing up with compassion without running on empty.Objectives: Objective 1: Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to define and differentiate compassion fatigue, burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and other common emotional impacts associated with helping roles.Objective 2: Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to identify at least three indicators that compassion fatigue and chronic stress are impacting their nervous system, professional effectiveness, and overall well-being.Objective 3: Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to develop a trauma-informed personal sustainability plan that includes practical strategies for resilience, boundary-setting, and restorative self-care.

Transition to keynote

Presenter: Fran Baker, PhD., LCSWEthics can be as confusing and as complex as each situation you encounter. Understanding who your subject/client will be is essential in determining your ultimate decision/outcome. Documenting your rationale for your decision is vital to providing competent care and to explaining your reason for your ultimate decision.This session applies principles and standards from the CRCC Code of Professional Ethics for Rehabilitation Counselors and/or the ACA Code of Ethics to practical ethical dilemmas, professional decision-making, and documentation.Objectives: Objective 1: Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to discuss the various forms of ethics. Objective 2: Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to discuss why a person may be hesitant to report by your decision.Objective 3: Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to utilize a tool to document their decision.Objective 4: Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to apply relevant CRCC and/or ACA ethical standards to a professional decision-making scenario and document the rationale for the selected course of action.

Presenters: Gloria Morrow, PhD., Licensed Clinical PsychologistMen often experience profound emotional pain related to loss, trauma, father wounds, relationship challenges, racial stress, health concerns, and societal expectations; however, many have been socialized to suppress emotional expression and suffer in silence. This presentation explores the psychological, cultural, spiritual, and relational factors that influence men's emotional experiences and help-seeking behaviors. Drawing from The Things That Make Men Cry, Second Edition, participants will gain insight into the hidden emotional lives of men, the consequences of emotional suppression, and practical strategies for fostering emotional safety and healing. Through clinical examples, cultural considerations, and evidence-informed interventions, attendees will learn how to better engage men in therapeutic conversations that promote vulnerability, resilience, and emotional well-being.Objectives:Objective1: Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to identify at least three common emotional experiences and life stressors that contribute to psychological distress among men.Objective 2: Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to describe the psychological, physical, relational, and spiritual consequences associated with emotional suppression and suffering in silence.Objective 3: Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to describe the influence of masculine socialization, cultural norms, racial experiences, and family dynamics on men's emotional expression and help-seeking behaviors.Objective 4: Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to apply at least three culturally responsive and gender-sensitive clinical strategies to engage men in discussions about emotions, vulnerability, and mental health.Objective 5: Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to identify healthy and unhealthy coping strategies commonly used by men and identify interventions that support emotional resilience and healing.

Conference Reflection, Evaluation & Closing Remarks