Connection before Correction strategy to respond to children’s behavior. We’ll focus on delving deeper underneath behaviors to the lagging skills, unmet needs, or limiting beliefs often driving the behavior to use the “kids do well if they can” lens. Leave with practical Connection skills (even when the parent and child are dysregulated) and how to redirect children to better coping strategies, perspectives, or skills.

Sarah Sherman has been teaching students with emotional and behavioral challenges from the inner cities to the Seacoast of NH as well as working with teachers/administrators/parents on understanding how SEL disorders, trauma/toxic stress, and what we know about neuroscience, impact students to provide support and practical strategies for 20 years in the capacity of Special Educator, SEL Consultant, and Instructor through UNH PD. She has a Masters in Special Education, is a Nationally Board Certified Teacher, and completed Post-Graduate Certificates in Applied Behavior Analysis and Trauma Informed Practices and Policies. She combines her unique experiences, neuroscience and research-based practices, and strength-driven connection-making to remove barriers and build skills in both students and adults. She presents in a relative and engaging way that is full of discussion, reflection, and application of content that leaves people inspired and prepared to make a change.

Join Capital Art Therapy for an engaging, hands-on workshop that explores the power of play and creativity to support emotional regulation, healthy development, and caregiver-child bonding. Through art-based activities, movement, and guided discussion, participants will discover simple, joyful ways to promote resilience and connection in everyday life.

Susan Reidl, LCMH and Registered Art Therapist, is the founder of Capital Art Therapy LLC in Concord, New Hampshire, launched in 2019. She blends art therapy with evidence-based talk therapy—including CBT and trauma-informed techniques—to support clients of all ages with anxiety, depression, ADHD, grief, and more. With a Master’s in Art Therapy from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (2016) and her post‐graduate credentials completed in NH, she became a registered art therapist in 2019 and holds over seven years of combined clinical experience. At Capital Art Therapy, she offers individual, family, and group sessions (in-person and telehealth), utilizing expressive arts, mindfulness, TF-CBT,EMDR, and other modalities to promote emotional resilience and self-expression.

Protective factors are key areas that support the well-being of families and children. These factors have been proven to promote strong and resilient families. Participants will engage in hands-on activities, group discussions, and resource sharing.

Julie Day’s passion for this work grew out of her own experience as a parent seeking resources and opportunities at a Family Resource Center in New Hampshire. She went on to serve in parent leadership roles at the local program, state, and national levels, including as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Alliance of Children’s Trust and Prevention Funds.

In addition to being a national trainer on parent leadership development, she is a Community Health Worker with Granite United Way New Hampshire and an active member of the Capital Area Food Access Coalition. She received her B.A in Human Services from Springfield College and her Master of Public Health degree from Southern New Hampshire University.

The middle and high session participants will delve into the uniqueness of the teen brain and its drive for autonomy. We’ll focus on communication and psychological research-based strategies to make slight shifts in language that drop the defenses of teens and respect their autonomy, so they will listen, as well as practical strategies that build a sense of safety and non-judgement, so teens want to open up.

Sarah Sherman has been teaching students with emotional and behavioral challenges from the inner cities to the Seacoast of NH as well as working with teachers/administrators/parents on understanding how SEL disorders, trauma/toxic stress, and what we know about neuroscience, impact students to provide support and practical strategies for 20 years in the capacity of Special Educator, SEL Consultant, and Instructor through UNH PD. She has a Masters in Special Education, is a Nationally Board Certified Teacher, and completed Post-Graduate Certificates in Applied Behavior Analysis and Trauma Informed Practices and Policies. She combines her unique experiences, neuroscience and research-based practices, and strength-driven connection-making to remove barriers and build skills in both students and adults. She presents in a relative and engaging way that is full of discussion, reflection, and application of content that leaves people inspired and prepared to make a change.

School refusal is incredibly difficult and stressful to address. There are many reasons why a child may struggle to attend, including mental health issues, executive functioning challenges, and limited understanding of the tremendous value of an education. For many, a child's school refusal behavior is paralyzing the entire family. Mornings are characterized by power struggles and pleading. It can feel hopeless as the absences pile up and the child falls further behind. This training is designed to help parents understand why their child is refusing school and provides concrete strategies to guide parents in designing interventions to get their child re-engaged in learning.

Alex Hirschberg is a clinical psychologist and founder of Hirshberg Behavioral Health Services in Hadley, Massachusetts. Dr. Hirshberg provides consultation and professional development services to dozens of public school districts across New England with a focus on comprehensive school mental health and social and emotional learning.  He also provides psychological assessment and has a small outpatient therapy practice specializing in Cognitive Behavior Therapy for youth with anxiety and mood disorders. 

This training provides foundational knowledge around mental illness and suicide prevention, current resources, and supports including recognizing signs and symptoms related to mental health conditions, understanding impact of stigma and trauma, skills for intervening with someone exhibiting signs of crisis and identifying resources and avenues for referral.

NAMI volunteers bring peer-led programs to a wide variety of community settings. With the unique understanding of people with lived experience, these programs and support groups provide outstanding free education, skills training and support.

This workshop will explore how to nurture relationships and improve mental health outcomes through skillful validation. Adolescence is marked by significant changes in the brain in relation to emotional and social development, which can make young people particularly sensitive to how we communicate with them. Validation is a fundamental human need that is essential for healthy development, maintaining trust and connection, and feeling secure and loved. We will explore what validation is and what it isn’t and how we can make small shifts in verbal and nonverbal communication to help children feel more seen, heard, and loved. We are our best selves when we know we matter. This workshop will highlight skills that can strengthen your relationship with your children, your partner, your friends, and yourself.

Haley Campbell is an educator and mental health advocate. After teaching literature and writing at the middle school, high school, and college levels for a combined fifteen years, she understands that our best learning happens when we feel emotionally safe, seen, and connected. Diagnosed with depression and CPTSD, her own healing journey led her to working in youth mental health where she specialized in youth suicide prevention, mentoring young people through the exploration of building a life worth living and coaching families in deepening their connection with their children. She holds a Masters in Teaching and a Masters in Writing and several certifications in mental health, including Connect Suicide Prevention, Motivational Interviewing, and Mental Health First Aid.