The Gathering on Mental Health and the Church
Sessions
Speakers
Rick Warren, DMin - Pastor, Founder of Saddleback Church
Rick Warren is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, CA. He is the author of 8 books, including the bestselling Purpose Driven Life, which has sold more than 30 million copies in English. He is also the creator of The PEACE Plan, which seeks to plant churches/promote reconciliation, equip servant leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick, and educate the next generation in the United States and around the world.
Rick Warren, DMin - Pastor, Founder of Saddleback Church
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Kay Warren - Co-founder of Saddleback Church
Kay Warren is the co-founder of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, CA, with her husband, Rick, and the founder of the HIV&AIDS Initiative at Saddleback. She is an international speaker, best-selling author and Bible teacher. Her latest book, Choose Joy, Because Happiness Isn’t Enough was published in 2012. After their son, Matthew, took his life in 2013, the Warrens revealed that he had a lifelong struggle with mental illness. Rick and Kay are committed to raising awareness about mental illness, reducing the stigma many experience and equipping local churches and families to effectively minister to those living with mental illness.
Kay Warren - Co-founder of Saddleback Church
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Vice Admiral Vivek Murthy, MD, MBA - United States Surgeon General
As "America’s Doctor," Dr. Murthy is responsible for communicating the best available scientific information to the public regarding ways to improve personal and public health. As a proven leader who will employ 21st century approaches and technology to modernize the role of the Surgeon General, Dr. Murthy plans to focus his efforts on building partnerships within communities and across numerous sectors of society to address the epidemics of obesity and tobacco-related disease, to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness, to improve vaccination rates and to make prevention and health promotion the backbone of a strong and healthy America. Dr. Murthy firmly believes that our nation's greatest asset has always been its people.
Vice Admiral Vivek Murthy, MD, MBA - United States Surgeon General
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Thomas R. Insel, MD - Director, National Institute of Mental Health/NIH
Thomas R. Insel, M.D., is Director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) committed to research on mental disorders. Dr. Insel has served as Director of this $1.5B agency since 2002. During his tenure, Dr. Insel has focused on the genetics and neurobiology of mental disorders as well as transforming approaches to diagnosis and treatment. Prior to serving as NIMH Director, Dr. Insel was Professor of Psychiatry at Emory University where he was founding director of the Center for Behavioral Neuroscience and director of the Yerkes Regional Primate Center in Atlanta. Dr. Insel’s research has examined the neural basis of complex social behaviors, including maternal care and attachment. A member of the Institute of Medicine, he has received numerous national and international awards and served in several leadership roles at NIH.
Thomas R. Insel, MD - Director, National Institute of Mental Health/NIH
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Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy - Founder, The Kennedy Forum, Co-Founder, One Mind
Patrick J. Kennedy, Founder of the Kennedy Forum and Co-Founder of One Mind. A pioneer in mental health policy and advocacy, Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy served Rhode Island’s First Congressional District for 16 years, championing causes essential to the well-being of all Americans. During his time on Capitol Hill, Mr. Kennedy was the author and chief sponsor of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, groundbreaking legislation that guaranteed, for the first time in history, equal access to mental health and addiction services.
Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy - Founder, The Kennedy Forum, Co-Founder, One Mind
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Michael Botticelli, MEd – Director, National Drug Control Policy
Michael Botticelli was sworn in as Director of National Drug Control Policy on February 11, 2015. Previously, he served both as Acting Director and Deputy Director of National Drug Control Policy. He joined the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) as Deputy Director in November 2012. Mr. Botticelli has more than two decades of experience supporting Americans who have been affected by substance use disorders. Prior to joining ONDCP, Mr. Botticelli served as Director of the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, where he successfully expanded innovative and nationally recognized prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery services for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He also forged strong partnerships with local, state, and Federal law enforcement agencies; state and local health and human service agencies; and stakeholder groups to guide and implement evidence-based programs. These programs include the establishment of a treatment system for adolescents, early intervention and treatment programs in primary healthcare settings, jail diversion programs, re-entry services for those leaving state and county correctional facilities, and overdose prevention programs. He is also in long-term recovery from a substance use disorder, celebrating more than 26 years of sobriety.
Michael Botticelli, MEd – Director, National Drug Control Policy
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Sheila Walsh - Bestselling Author & Speaker
Sheila Walsh is a best-selling author from Scotland with over 5 million books sold. In her newest book “Loved Back To Life”, she shares how she found the courage to live free in the midst of her father’s suicide and her own clinical depression. Sheila lives in Dallas with her husband, son and three little dogs. Reach out to Sheila at braveheartsisterhood.com.
Sheila Walsh - Bestselling Author & Speaker
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Bishop Kevin W. Vann, JCD, DD - Bishop, Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange
Bishop Kevin Vann J.C.D., D.D. was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest in 1981 for his home Diocese of Springfield, IL and continued his graduate studies in Canon Law at the Angelicum in Rome. He served as a pastor for 16 years. Those years informed and guided his ministry in a profound way. He was installed as the third Bishop of Fort Worth Texas in 2005 and appointed as the fourth Bishop of Orange in 2012. He holds a number of positions at the national level which compliments his background and interests in health care and education.
Bishop Kevin W. Vann, JCD, DD - Bishop, Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange
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Daniel Amen, MD - Founder, CEO Amen Clinics Inc.
Daniel Amen is dedicated to optimizing and healing the brain. He is a physician, double board certified psychiatrist and ten-time NY Times bestselling author. He is the Founder of Amen Clinics in Costa Mesa and San Francisco, CA, Bellevue, WA, Reston, VA, Atlanta, GA and New York, NY. The clinics have the world’s largest psychiatric database of functional brain scans, totaling nearly 100,000 scans on patients from 111 countries. Dr. Amen is the lead researcher on the largest brain imaging and rehabilitation study on NFL players and he is the co-creator of The Daniel Plan with Rick Warren and Mark Hyman, a program to get the world healthy through religious organizations.
Daniel Amen, MD - Founder, CEO Amen Clinics Inc.
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Meredith Andrews - Singer, Songwriter
Meredith Andrews has always had a gift for writing honest, compelling songs. Over the course of her first two Word albums, people have come to appreciate the Dove Award-winning artist’s love for God. Her latest album Worth it All is a potent collection of songs that celebrate God’s sovereignty and share Andrews’ deep and unwavering faith. Her love for people and servant’s heart are rooted in her childhood. Meredith’s parents took in many foster children and adopted three boys who became her beloved brothers. Meredith and her husband, Jacob, have one son, Maverick, and another baby on the way.
Meredith Andrews - Singer, Songwriter
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Rev. Talitha Arnold—Senior Minister, The United Church of Santa Fe (United Church of Christ)
Rev. Talitha Arnold is a founding member of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention Executive Committee and co-leads its Faith Communities Task Force. A graduate of Yale Divinity School and Pomona College, she served as Yale's Associate Chaplain and with Connecticut and Arizona congregations before being called as Senior Minister of the United Church of Santa Fe (New Mexico). Author of Worship for Vital Congregations and articles for Feasting on the Word, The Christian Century, and NPR’s All Things Considered, she's currently working on A Desert Faith for a Desert Time. Honors include United Church of Christ's Antoinette Brown Award and Yale Divinity School’s “Outstanding Recent Alum.”
Rev. Talitha Arnold—Senior Minister, The United Church of Santa Fe (United Church of Christ)
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Jason Austin, LMFT— Program Manager, Behavioral Health Services, Orange County Health Care Agency
Jason Austin has over 21 years of experience in the behavioral health field and has worked with children, youth and adults in a wide variety of clinical settings in Orange County. Currently, Jason is the Program Manager overseeing the Behavioral Health Services (BHS) Navigation Unit, which includes the BHS information and referral line, OCLinks, and BHS Outreach and Engagement Services. Jason has a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology and is a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist.
Jason Austin, LMFT— Program Manager, Behavioral Health Services, Orange County Health Care Agency
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Pastor John Baker – Founder and Pastor, Celebrate Recovery®, Saddleback Church
John Baker is the pastor and founder of Celebrate Recovery, a ministry born out of the heart of Saddleback Church. Over the last twenty-three years, nearly 20,000 individuals have gone through this Christ-centered recovery program at Saddleback Church. The Celebrate Recovery program is now being used in thousands of churches nationwide. Over one million individuals have completed the program.
Pastor John Baker – Founder and Pastor, Celebrate Recovery®, Saddleback Church
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Pastor Johnny Baker – Pastor, Celebrate Recovery®
Johnny Baker has been on staff at Celebrate Recovery since 2004 and has been the Pastor of Celebrate Recovery at Saddleback Church since 2012. As an adult child of an alcoholic who chose to become an alcoholic himself, Johnny is passionate about breaking the cycle of dysfunction in his family and helping other families find the tools that will lead to healing and openness. He knows that because of Jesus Christ, and by continuing to stay active in Celebrate Recovery, Maggie, Chloe and Jimmy, his three children, will never see him drink. Johnny is a nationally recognized speaker and teacher of Celebrate Recovery and is a co-author of the Celebrate Recovery Daily Devotional, Celebration Place and The Landing, and is an Associate Editor of the Celebrate Recovery Bible.
Pastor Johnny Baker – Pastor, Celebrate Recovery®
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Kimberly Cripe, MPA – President and CEO, CHOC Children’s Hospital
CHOC Children’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Kimberly Chavalas Cripe leads one of the top pediatric healthcare systems in the nation. She has been with CHOC Children’s since 1991 as the EVP and COO, and was named President and Chief Executive Officer in 1998. Prior to joining CHOC, she was with Humana Inc. (now HCA) where she held a series of progressively responsible hospital, regional and corporate positions She currently serves on the Orange County Children and Families Commission, and the Board of Directors for the California Children’s Hospital Association and the Children’s Hospital Association.
Kimberly Cripe, MPA – President and CEO, CHOC Children’s Hospital
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Paolo del Vecchio, MSW –Director, Center for Mental Health Services, SAMHSA
Paolo del Vecchio, MSW, is the Director of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)’s Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS). SAMHSA is the lead Federal agency designed to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities. In this role, Mr. del Vecchio provides executive leadership for Federal efforts to improve the nation’s mental health service systems. This includes management of the federal/state mental health block grant program and directing a range of programs and activities that address topics such as suicide prevention, children’s mental health, homelessness, disaster mental health, HIV/AIDS, and others. A self-identified mental health consumer, trauma survivor, and person in recovery from addictions, Paolo has been involved for over 40 years in behavioral health as a consumer, family member, provider, advocate, and policy maker. He graduated summa cum laude with a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Temple University, has published widely, and is a highly sought after national leader and speaker. Paolo has been a leader in many Federal efforts including the Federal Advisory Planning Board for the Surgeon General's Report on Mental Health, the HHS Multiple Chronic Conditions Initiative, the HHS Living Community Initiative and numerous others.
Paolo del Vecchio, MSW –Director, Center for Mental Health Services, SAMHSA
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Michael Donaldson, ThM —Director, Pastoral Care, Families in All Stages, Diocese of Orange
Michael Donaldson was hired as the Director of Pastoral Care for Families in All Stages in July 2015. He previously comes from the Diocese of San Bernardino, where he served as a Pastoral Coordinator at St. Peter and Paul Church in Alta Loma. Michael found his passion in helping establish faith based parish groups such as caregiving and bereavement support groups. Michael obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Spanish from Cal State University Fullerton and completed his Master of Theological Studies from the University of Dallas.
Michael Donaldson, ThM —Director, Pastoral Care, Families in All Stages, Diocese of Orange
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Louise S. Dunn, DMin—Director, New Hope Crisis Counseling Center Hotline
Louise S. Dunn, D.Min. is the Director of the New Hope Crisis Counseling Center in Garden Grove, CA. Dr. Dunn has been teaching the crisis counseling training for New Hope counselors since 2003. Classes include active listening, grief counseling, suicide prevention and intervention, setting boundaries, and how to pray with people in crisis. Dr. Dunn is also the head of the Mental Health Advisory Board for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange.
Louise S. Dunn, DMin—Director, New Hope Crisis Counseling Center Hotline
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Renae M. DuPuis, MDiv - Chaplain, CHOC Children’s
Renae M. Dupuis, M.Div, R-HYI, is a Chaplain at CHOC Children’s and a parent to two children with mental health challenges. Renae received her Master of Divinity at Fuller Theological Seminary and has recently become certified as a yoga instructor. She is a Foster and Adoption Parent Ambassador for Olive Crest and an advocate and mentor for Intensive Treatment Foster families. Based on her experience as a parent of children with extensive needs, along with supporting parents in the hospital setting, Renae has developed strategies for engaging regular and effective self-care and is passionate about sharing them with other parents.
Renae M. DuPuis, MDiv - Chaplain, CHOC Children’s
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James Fix, PsyD - LEAP Faculty Member, Clinical Psychologist, Palomar Health
Dr. Fix is a licensed clinical psychologist and served as the Executive Director of the Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT) in San Diego, CA from 2006 until March of 2015 and is still a consultant to the PERT program. He currently provides CIT training throughout the United States as a consultant to several law enforcement agencies and is the psychologist for Palomar Health hospital system is San Diego. Dr. Fix is also a faculty member at the LEAP Institute and is a LEAP instructor. As both a professional and a family member, Jim has a unique understanding of the effects of mental illness on the individual, family, and community.
James Fix, PsyD - LEAP Faculty Member, Clinical Psychologist, Palomar Health
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Alice Forrester, PhD—Executive Director, Clifford Beers Child Guidance Clinic
Alice Forrester, Ph. D., is the Executive Director of the Clifford Beers Child Guidance Clinic in New Haven, CT. Clifford Beers Clinic is a community based, mental health center for excellence for the treatment of children and families. She is currently on Board of Directors of the Connecticut Community Providers Association, and is Past-President of National Association for Drama Therapy (NADT) and Past Chair of the National Coalition for Creative Arts Therapy Associations (NCCATA). She has served as the Project Director of two National Child Traumatic Stress Network grants, as well as participating as Guide Team Member in the New Haven CT MOMS Project. She was appointed by the CT Governor to sit on the Sandy Hook Commission. She has a Masters degree from New York University in Drama Therapy and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Fielding University.
Alice Forrester, PhD—Executive Director, Clifford Beers Child Guidance Clinic
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Katrina Gay - Director of Communications, National Alliance on Mental Illness
Katrina Gay is the National Director of Communications for NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, where she oversees strategic and operational communications initiatives including the website, media relations, public relations and marketing, NAMI FaithNet and publications. Since 1997, Ms. Gay has represented NAMI in various capacities including serving as Director of State Relations. She serves on numerous other committees, coalitions and boards. Prior to NAMI, Ms. Gay worked in both corporate and hospitality industry Public Relations. She has received many peer acknowledgements including awards for her work in strategic communications and social media engagement
Katrina Gay - Director of Communications, National Alliance on Mental Illness
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Jimmy Greene, MMus - Saxophonist, Composer
Jimmy Greene’s debut recording for Mack Avenue, Beautiful Life, is a celebration of the life of his 6-year-old daughter, Ana Márquez-Greene, whose life was tragically taken, along with 19 other children and 6 educators, on December 14, 2012 at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. A native of Hartford, CT, Greene is considered one of the most respected saxophonists of his generation since his graduation from the Hartt School of Music in 1997. Greene’s quartet performs at the Village Vanguard, Smalls, and Smoke in New York, and has performed in festivals and concert venues worldwide, including tour dates throughout the United States, Italy, Russia, Israel, Canada, Brazil, and Uruguay. In addition to his 10 CDs, Greene appears on 70 recordings as a sideman and has toured the world with the bands of Horace Silver, Freddie Hubbard, Tom Harrell, Harry Connick, Jr., Avishai Cohen, Lewis Nash, Steve Turre and Claudia Acuña among many others. Greene, the composer, won a prestigious 2013 Governor’s Arts Award from the State of Connecticut, a 2012 Innovator Award in Music from the City of Hartford, a 2010 Creative Works grant from the University of Manitoba, a 2009 Artist Fellowship by the Greater Hartford Arts Council, a 2005 ASCAP / IAJE Commission in honor of Ornette Coleman, a 2005 Artist Fellowship in Music Composition by the State of Connecticut and a 2004 Chamber Music America Grant in jazz composition. Greene is Assistant Professor of Music and Coordinator of Jazz Studies at Western Connecticut State University.
Jimmy Greene, MMus - Saxophonist, Composer
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Mary R. Hale, MS —Director, Behavioral Health Services, Orange County Health Care Agency
Mary Hale has more than 25 years in the behavioral health field. She currently serves as the Behavioral Health Director for Orange County where she has the responsibility for client centered/directed care and recovery of clients, families and communities quality, through a comprehensive community system of care for behavioral health available in a county with 3.1 million residents, with a budget of over $350 million per year and a clinical and peer staff of approximately 1000. She serves on a number of statewide committees and associations, many of which focus on co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Mary is the Acting President of the County Behavioral Health Director’s Association of California (CBHDA), Co-Chair of the Financial Services and Legislative Committees for CBHDA, and a member of the Board of Directors of the California Institute for Behavioral Health Solutions. Mary holds a Masters Degree in Clinical/Community Psychology. Her passion is to improve accessibility, co-occurring competency and cultural competency with a focus on continuous quality improvement. Mary and her husband Dave have one daughter, Keithley, and are longtime residents of Lake Forest, California.
Mary R. Hale, MS —Director, Behavioral Health Services, Orange County Health Care Agency
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Chuck Hannaford, PhD—Clinical Psychologist, President, HeartLife Professional Soul Care
Chuck Hannaford is a licensed clinical psychologist and has been in private practice and consultation with churches for over 30 years. He has served as the clinical director of inpatient, intensive outpatient, and outpatient programs for adults and adolescents. Dr. Hannaford has been active in the Southern Baptist Convention since 2004.
Chuck Hannaford, PhD—Clinical Psychologist, President, HeartLife Professional Soul Care
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Pastor Tommy Hilliker, MDiv - Pastor of Ministry, Saddleback Church
Tommy Hilliker, M.Div. is the ministry pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, CA. He leads and serves with his wonderful team to care for, connect and support the members of Saddleback and the local community. He is the author of the training program Leading and Launching Life-Changing Support Groups, a curriculum designed to help churches start a support group ministry and to train their leaders. Tommy’s life has been deeply affected by mental illness; he lost his brother-in-law to suicide in 2013 after a life long struggle with mental illness. Tommy’s desire is to help equip and strengthen compassionate church leaders around the world to reach out to people who are suffering.
Pastor Tommy Hilliker, MDiv - Pastor of Ministry, Saddleback Church
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Sharonne Herbert, PhD - Psychologist, CHOC Children’s
Sharonne Herbert, PhD, is a psychologist at CHOC Children’s. She completed her doctoral degree at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst; her internship at Harvard Medical School/Boston Children’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts; and her postdoctoral fellowship at CHOC Children’s. She is passionate about working with parents, particularly parents of children with disruptive behavior disorders, as well as with children who have anxiety, OCD, and tic disorders. She developed a parent training program delivered by clinicians for parents of hyperactive preschoolers, entitled "Parenting Hyperactive Preschoolers.”
Sharonne Herbert, PhD - Psychologist, CHOC Children’s
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Derek K. Hsieh, LCSW, PhD - Mental Health Clinical Program Head, LA County PMRT
Derek K. Hsieh, LCSW, PhD, is currently the Mental Health Clinical Program Head of the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health’s Psychiatric Mobile Response Teams (PMRT) which respond to various psychiatric crises and emergencies in the community. He is a member of the Mental Health Alert Team (MHAT) that provides assistance and consultation to federal and local law enforcement agencies in crisis negotiation with barricaded suspects and hostage situations in Los Angeles County. He is passionate about providing training and consultation to mental health professionals in the area of suicide and violence risk assessment, and has published many peer-reviewed journal articles.
Derek K. Hsieh, LCSW, PhD - Mental Health Clinical Program Head, LA County PMRT
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Heather Huszti, PhD - Chief Psychologist, CHOC Children’s
Heather Huszti, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist and Chief Psychologist at CHOC Children’s as well as the Section Chief for Pediatric Psychology. She also is the director of training for the Psychology Training Program at CHOC Children’s. She completed her doctoral degree in clinical psychology with an emphasis in family therapy at Texas Tech University and completed an internship and fellowship at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC). She was on faculty at OUHSC, where she was the director of the Pediatric Psychology Program. She joined CHOC Children’s in 2002.
Heather Huszti, PhD - Chief Psychologist, CHOC Children’s
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Pastor Kurt Johnston – Pastor of Student Ministry, Saddleback Church
Kurt Johnston has been on staff at Saddleback Church since 1997 and currently leads the student ministries teams at the local and international campuses. Kurt writes and speaks extensively and is a leading voice of influence on the topic of youth ministry.
Pastor Kurt Johnston – Pastor of Student Ministry, Saddleback Church
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Aaron Kheriaty, MD—Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Director of Medical Ethics Program, UC Irvine
Aaron Kheriaty, M.D. is an associate Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Program in Medical Ethics at the University of California Irvine School of Medicine. He serves as chairman of the clinical ethics committee at UCI Medical Center. Dr. Kheriaty is the author of "The Catholic Guide to Depression."
Aaron Kheriaty, MD—Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Director of Medical Ethics Program, UC Irvine
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Warren Kinghorn, MD, ThD—Assistant Professor, Duke University Medical Center, Duke Divinity School
Warren Kinghorn, MD, ThD is assistant professor of psychiatry and pastoral and moral theology at Duke University Medical Center and Duke Divinity School. He is also a staff psychiatrist at the Durham (NC) VA Medical Center, and co-directs the Theology, Medicine, and Culture Initiative at Duke Divinity School. His teaching and writing explores the moral dimensions of combat trauma, the philosophy of psychiatric diagnosis, and the way that theology can guide faithful Christian responses to mental illness.
Warren Kinghorn, MD, ThD—Assistant Professor, Duke University Medical Center, Duke Divinity School
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Robin Kissell, MD—Director, Borderline Personality Disorder Initiative, University of California, LA
Robin Kissell is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at UCLA and a Teaching and Supervising Analyst at the New Center for Psychoanalysis in Los Angeles. Dr. Kissell has spent most of her career pursuing her special interest in the study and treatment of those with personality disorders, particularly Borderline Personality Disorder. She is Director of the Borderline Personality Disorder initiative at UCLA, which provides training in Mentalization Based Therapy, an evidence-based treatment developed by Peter Fonagy, PhD and Anthony Bateman MD FRP of the Anna Freud Centre and University College in London. She in addition is certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy and has training in Transference Focused Therapy the two other major evidence-based treatments for BPD. Apart form her private practice in Los Angeles and work at UCLA she enjoys regularly teaching on the development of personality, personality disorders and borderline personality both at UCLA and the New Center for Psychoanalysis.
Robin Kissell, MD—Director, Borderline Personality Disorder Initiative, University of California, LA
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David Mandani, MSW, ACSW—Founder, President and CEO, Saving Face Saving Grace
David Mandani is the Founder and CEO of Saving Face Saving Grace (SFSG), a new nonprofit organization with a vision to serve the worldwide church and to be the nations go-to website for free Christian mental health resources. SFSG is committed to providing practical guidance and help to individuals, families, and organizations with a focus on delivering both biblical and empirical based training. David has served for over twenty years in nonprofit and behavioral health settings. Diagnosed with schizophrenia at age 18, he is committed to advocating, educating and sharing the comfort and hope he has found in Jesus Christ.
David Mandani, MSW, ACSW—Founder, President and CEO, Saving Face Saving Grace
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Nelba Marquez-Greene, LMFT—Executive Director, The Ana Grace Project
Nelba Marquez-Greene, LMFT is a clinical fellow of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy and has worked in private practice, community mental health and academic settings in the U.S. and Canada. Nelba served as the Coordinator for Klingberg Family Therapy Center’s outpatient child and adolescent psychiatric clinic and was an adjunct faculty member at Central Connecticut State University. But of all the titles she's ever held- being a mother to Ana and Isaiah and wife to Jimmy are her most treasured. The Greene/Marquez-Greene family had only moved to Sandy Hook, CT from Canada four months before the shooting that took their beloved daughter’s life. Ana Grace was 6 years old. Nelba and her husband Jimmy have partnered with Klingberg Family Centers to develop “The Ana Grace Project.” The goal of The Ana Grace Project is to promote love, community and connection for every child and family. “Love wins” is the family slogan they adopted after Ana’s senseless murder. Nelba maintains an online community of over 100,000 followers and an Ana Grace Project community where people from all over the world learn, share, grow and witness love through grief. She has bravely shared bits of her life both before and after the tragedy. Behind this is the belief that not only does Love Win- it will also save lives. The Ana Grace Project has adopted classrooms in New Britain that focus on social and emotional learning. They have hosted mental health conferences and professional learning opportunities with a staff of one (Nelba), an army of volunteers and a world class advisory collective. Nelba holds a Bachelor of Music from the Hartt School and a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from St. Joseph College. Nelba was the founding member of the Connecticut Association for Marriage and Family Therapy’s (CTAMFT) Diversity Committee and has served on the CTAMFT Board of Directors.
Nelba Marquez-Greene, LMFT—Executive Director, The Ana Grace Project
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Chaplain Jeff S. Matsler, STM, ThM, MDiv—Major and Bioethicist, U.S. Army
Chaplain (Major) Jeff Matsler, STM, THM, MDIV, is the US Army’s Bioethicist. He is a combat veteran (Desert Storm, Afghanistan). Work with the spiritually wounded began in 1993 as a VA Chaplain counseling veterans suffering addiction and PTSD. His first personal brush with moral injury came as a responder at the Oklahoma City Bombing. Jeff’s work on Saint Francis as a combat veteran experiencing posttraumatic stress has been presented in seminars nationwide and highlighted in Christianity Today. Stationed at Walter Reed Military Medical Center (MD), his current work focuses on the role of truth and accountability in healing.
Chaplain Jeff S. Matsler, STM, ThM, MDiv—Major and Bioethicist, U.S. Army
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Cecilia R. Mercado - Regional Coordinator, Fiesta Educativa Orange County
Coordinadora Regional - Fiesta Educativa Orange County Nació en Guadalajara México. Obtuvo su titulo professional de Profesora en educación con mención honorifica Tiene una hija con necesidades especiales Coordina un programa educativo como lider de 3 grupos de apoyo. Anualmente organiza una conferencia anual y un evento nivideño para padres Latinos y sus hijos con necesidades especiales.
Cecilia R. Mercado - Regional Coordinator, Fiesta Educativa Orange County
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David J. Miklowitz, PhD—Professor of Psychiatry, UCLA Semel Institute
Dr. Miklowitz is Professor of Psychiatry in the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the UCLA Semel Institute, and a Senior Clinical Research Fellow in the Department of Psychiatry at Oxford University. He completed his undergraduate work at Brandeis University and his doctoral and postdoctoral work at UCLA. His research focuses on family environmental factors and family psychoeducational treatments for adult-onset and childhood-onset bipolar disorder. His work has helped establish the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions as adjuncts to medication in the treatment of bipolar disorder. He currently directs the Child and Adolescent Mood Disorders program and the Integrative Study Center in Mood Disorders at UCLA. Dr. Miklowitz has received numerous awards for his research and writings. He has published over 250 research articles and 8 books. His book with Michael Goldstein, Bipolar Disorder: A Family-Focused Treatment Approach, won the 1998 Outstanding Research Publication Award from the American Association for Marital and Family Therapy. His book “The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide” is currently an international best seller, with over 240,000 copies in print. His most recent book is co-authored with Michael Gitlin, the “Clinician’s Guide to Bipolar Disorder: Integrating Pharmacology and Psychotherapy”
David J. Miklowitz, PhD—Professor of Psychiatry, UCLA Semel Institute
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Daniel Morehead, MD - Psychiatrist, Samaritan Center for Pastoral Counseling
Daniel Morehead is a psychiatrist in clinical practice in Austin, Texas. He is supervising psychiatrist at the Samaritan Center for Pastoral Counseling, and has served as associate faculty at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. He received psychiatry training at the Menninger Clinic, where he remained on staff for several years as Assistant Residency Director and Clinical Researcher. He is board certified in General Psychiatry and Neuropsychiatry, and maintains interests in brain science, psychotherapy and spirituality. He and his wife Carol are parents of three sons, and Carol serves in ministry at their local church.
Daniel Morehead, MD - Psychiatrist, Samaritan Center for Pastoral Counseling
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Hoang (Wayne) Nguyen, MD - Medical Director, Pediatric Psychiatry, CHOC Children’s
Dr. Nguyen is Medical Director of Pediatric Psychiatry at CHOC Children’s. Dr. Nguyen is board certified in Adult Psychiatry, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Pediatrics, and Psychosomatic Medicine. He attended medical school at Texas A&M Health Science Center. He completed his internship at the University of California-Irvine and his residency at the University of Utah Health Sciences Center. He is affiliated at UC Irvine as Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry.
Hoang (Wayne) Nguyen, MD - Medical Director, Pediatric Psychiatry, CHOC Children’s
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Tom Okamoto, MD – Psychiatrist
Tom Okamoto is a psychiatrist in active practice with over 25 years of experience in multiple settings, including psychiatric adult and adolescent inpatient and outpatient care, addiction recovery units, and research and academic roles. He serves as a treatment and consulting resource to counselors, pastors, and missionaries.
Tom Okamoto, MD – Psychiatrist
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Valerie Porr, MA—Founder and President, TARA4BPD, National Association for Personality Disorder
Valerie Porr is the author of the award winning book Overcoming Borderline Personality Disorder, A Family Guide to Healing and Change, and co-author of New Hope for People with BPD. Ms. Porr co-edited the Borderline Personality Disorder Journal of the California Alliance of the Mentally Ill and has published numerous articles on family experiences and BPD advocacy issues. Porr founded the Treatment and Research Advancements National Association for Personality Disorder (TARA NAPD) in 1995. TARA is the oldest international not for profit education and advocacy organization representing consumers, families, clinicians and researchers affected by BPD. Ms. Porr is the developer of The TARA Method, a principle-based family psychoeducational program based on evidence-based treatments such as Dialectic Behavior Therapy and Metallization Based Therapy that teaches family members how to help their loved ones with BPD while helping themselves. She is the recipient of the International Society for the Improvement and Teaching of DBT, 2001 Service Award. Over the past twenty years Ms. Porr has directed the only BPD Helpline and Resource and Referral service in the US. She has conducted family psychoeducational seminars and Family Survival Skills Workshops for over 2000 family members. Ms.Porr has been a public participant grant reviewer for the National Institute of Mental Health. She is also a teacher, artist-designer and a successful businesswoman.
Valerie Porr, MA—Founder and President, TARA4BPD, National Association for Personality Disorder
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Jerry Reed, PhD, MSW - VP & Dir, Center for the Study & Prevention of Injury, Violence & Suicide
Jerry Reed began serving as the Director of the Suicide Prevention Resource Center in July 2008. Additionally, Dr. Reed serves as the Director of the Center for the Study and Prevention of Injury, Violence and Suicide overseeing a staff of 45 and directs the work on multiple projects and serves as Co-Director of the Injury Control Research Center for Suicide Prevention with partners at the University of Rochester Medical Center. He served on the Board of the International Association for Suicide Prevention as Chair of the Council of Organizational Representatives. Dr. Reed recently co-led the committee that updated the U.S. National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.
Jerry Reed, PhD, MSW - VP & Dir, Center for the Study & Prevention of Injury, Violence & Suicide
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Constance Rhodes - Founder and CEO, FINDINGbalance, Inc.
Constance Rhodes is the founder and CEO of FINDINGbalance, a global non-profit using technology to build Christ-centered community for those seeking freedom from eating and body image issues. Key innovations include their “Lasting Freedom” online support program, “Hungry for Hope” eating disorders conference, and “Daily Vitamin” e-devo. She is also the founding director of the Christian Eating Disorders Collaborative Network (cedcn.org), and the author of two books including Life Inside the ‘Thin’ Cage: A Personal Look into the Hidden World of the Chronic Dieter. Her latest book, More Than a Number, will be published by NavPress in 2017. www.findingbalance.com
Constance Rhodes - Founder and CEO, FINDINGbalance, Inc.
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Jacqueline Rivera, LCSW, PPSC—Program Coordinator II, Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services
Jacquelyn is the Program Coordinator and Licensed Clinical Social Worker for Survivor Support Services including suicide prevention, intervention and postvention through the Orange County location of Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services. Jacquelyn has a strong background in child and family psychotherapy, crisis intervention, and suicide bereavement counseling
Jacqueline Rivera, LCSW, PPSC—Program Coordinator II, Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services
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Rev. Samuel Rodriguez - President/CEO, National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference
Rev. Dr. Samuel Rodriguez is the president and CEO of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference and CONELA; the world's largest Hispanic Christian organization serving millions of Latino Born Again Christians via 40,118 certified member churches in United States and over 450,000 churches across the world. CNN and Fox News named Rodriguez, “The leader of the Hispanic Evangelical movement,” and NBC/Telemundo called him "America's most influential Latino Evangelical leader." He serves on the boards of many organizations, including Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, National Association of Evangelicals and Christianity Today. Rodriguez has his master’s degree in educational leadership from Lehigh University and is the recipient of two honorary doctorate degrees; Baptist University of The Americas and Northwest University respectfully. He serves as senior pastor of New Season Christian Worship Center in Sacramento, California.
Rev. Samuel Rodriguez - President/CEO, National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference
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Senator Darrell Steinberg, JD - The Steinberg Institute for Advancing Mental Health Policy
Darrell Steinberg is one of the most respected political leaders in California, having most recently served as President Pro Tem of the State Senate from 2008 to 2014. His more than twenty-year career in public service also included six years in both the State Assembly and the Sacramento City Council. While his resume lists achievements in multiple areas, advancing mental healthcare policy has always been among Steinberg’s top priorities. Some of his most well-known contributions include Proposition 63, which provides over one billion dollars per year for mental health care, and SB 946, a groundbreaking law that ensures insurance companies cover treatment of children with autism and related disorders. In 2015, Darrell established The Steinberg Institute for Advancing Mental Health Policy. The Steinberg Institute aims to build legislative leadership to uphold California’s promise to build a full network of community services and support for people living with mental illness and related disorders. He serves as Professor and Director of Policy and Advocacy at the UC Davis Behavioral Health Center of Excellence.Darrell is currently a shareholder at Greenberg Traurig LLP, where he serves as Chair of the firm’s California Government Law & Policy Practice.
Senator Darrell Steinberg, JD - The Steinberg Institute for Advancing Mental Health Policy
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Elizabeth Styffe, RN, PHN, MN —Director, HIV&AIDS and Orphan Care Initiatives, Saddleback Church
Elizabeth Styffe RN PHN MN is the Director of both the HIV/AIDS and Orphan Care Initiatives at Saddleback Church. She is committed to mobilizing churches to care with tools and training to end both the Orphan Care and HIV crisis. She has developed practical principles for launching church ministries and therapeutic families for children from hard places. Elizabeth is a recognized leader in developing Church-based innovative and sustainable solutions which meet children at risk where they are, giving families skills including Trauma Informed Care, Trust-Based Relational Interventions (TBRI) , attachment insights and wrap-around services because when the church is equipped and mobilized, children have hope and remain in loving, safe, secure, nurturing families, re-unite or regain a family of their own. Elizabeth is the mother of 7 genius-prone children, caries tons of pictures of her 2 grandsons, and has been married to the love of her life for 33 years. She has long admired almost every mom and dad because they help form brains of little ones and deeply appreciates the hope of heaven where every tear will be dried and every sock lost in the dryer will be found.
Elizabeth Styffe, RN, PHN, MN —Director, HIV&AIDS and Orphan Care Initiatives, Saddleback Church
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Paul Summergrad, MD - Professor and Chairman, Department of Psychiatry, Tufts, Past President, APA
Paul Summergrad, MD is the Dr. Frances S. Arkin Professor and Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and Professor of Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine and Psychiatrist-in-Chief of Tufts Medical Center. Dr. Summergrad served as the 141st President of the American Psychiatric Association in 2014-15. An international leader in medical psychiatric illness and care, Dr. Summergrad is a Past President of the American Association of Chairs of Departments of Psychiatry and is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and a Fellow of both the American College of Psychiatrists and the American College of Physicians.
Paul Summergrad, MD - Professor and Chairman, Department of Psychiatry, Tufts, Past President, APA
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Jamie Tworkowski – Founder, To Write Love on Her Arms
Jamie Tworkowski is the founder of To Write Love on Her Arms, a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with addiction, depression, self-injury and suicide. TWLOHA began in 2006 as Jamie's attempt to help a friend and tell a story. Since then, the TWLOHA team has responded to more than 175,000 messages from over 100 countries, in addition to investing more than $1.2 million directly into treatment and recovery. Jamie's TWLOHA blogs are a source of hope and encouragement for thousands, and he speaks frequently at universities, concerts and conferences. In May of 2015 he released his first book, IF YOU FEEL TOO MUCH.
Jamie Tworkowski – Founder, To Write Love on Her Arms
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Jessica van der Stad – Area Director, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
Jessica Van der Stad is an Area Director for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. AFSP is the nation’s largest not-for-profit exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research, education, advocacy and outreach initiatives. As a survivor of suicide loss, Jessica’s work focuses on bringing people together from different communities and backgrounds to understand and prevent suicide, and to help heal the pain it causes.
Jessica van der Stad – Area Director, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
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Glenda Wrenn, MD, MSHP - Director, Div. of Behavioral Health, Satcher Health Leadership Institute
Dr. Glenda Wrenn Directs the Division of Behavioral Health at the Satcher Health Leadership Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine. After graduating West Point, Dr. Wrenn earned her medical degree from Jefferson Medical College, and trained at the University of Pennsylvania in psychiatry and as a Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholar. Her work explores resilience, mental health help seeking, and culturally centered integrated primary care behavioral health services. In the community, Dr. Wrenn serves on the Children’s Worship Team, and with her husband as Married Couples Community Group Leader at Buckhead Church in Atlanta, GA.
Glenda Wrenn, MD, MSHP - Director, Div. of Behavioral Health, Satcher Health Leadership Institute
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Chief Yost Zakhary, MPPA—Director, Woodway Public Safety and City Manager
Chief Zakhary started his law enforcement career with the City of Woodway, TX. He started out as a dispatcher in 1979 and worked his way up the ranks as a police officer, supervisor, and investigator. He was appointed Chief in 1985. In 2001, he was appointed City Manager/Public Safety Director. Chief Zakhary is an active participant in many law enforcement related positions and offices. In October of 2009 he was elected to serve as 4th Vice President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and has served on numerous IACP committees. In October of 2013, he was sworn in as President of the IACP. Chief Zakhary is an Adjunct Professor at Baylor University and McLennan Community College. He serves as chair for the M.C.C. Law Enforcement Advisory Committee Board and the county-wide E.M.S. Committee which serves the entire county. Chief Zakhary has served as the Board President of the McLennan County E-9-1-1 Board of Managers since its inception in 1986. Chief Zakhary holds a B.A. in Management and a M.A. in Public Policy and Public Administration from Baylor University in Waco, Texas. He is a graduate of the 160th Session F.B.I National Academy. Chief Zakhary is married to Julie and they have twin daughters, Lauren and Emily, age 20.
Chief Yost Zakhary, MPPA—Director, Woodway Public Safety and City Manager
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National Alliance on Mental Illness, Orange County (NAMI – OC)
NAMI Orange County is one of the largest affiliates of the nation’s leading grass roots organization for mental health education, support and advocacy. NAMI programs are unique in that all education and support programs are based upon the “lived experience” of individuals living with mental illness and their loved ones. The fellowship, peer-based education and support programs address the traumatic experience of mental illness, stages of recovery, along with the common problems and shared journeys by those whose lives are impacted by mental illness. Come learn how individuals living with mental illness and loved ones can support each other.
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