Tuesday, September 29, 2026
10:30 AM–2:30 PM CT
Virtual Conference
Learn practical strategies
Connect with 12+ speakers and peers
Earn continuing education credits
About the Wellness Summit
Our 2nd Annual RMTAC Wellness Summit, “From Healing to Hope: Strengthening Well-being Through Effective Behavioral Health Practices,” brings behavioral health professionals together to strengthen well-being through effective, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive practices.
Through evidence-informed education, shared experience, and practical tools, this free virtual conference is designed for behavioral health professionals and organizations that serve newcomers, refugees, and resettled individuals across the United States.
Who is the Wellness Summit for?
Whether you are new to the field or an experienced practitioner, this summit offers valuable insights and practical tools to enhance your work. Join us to strengthen your skills and connect with peers committed to trauma-informed and culturally responsive care.
- Counselors, therapists, & psychologists
- Social workers, case managers, & clinicians
- Peer support specialists & community health workers
- Students & trainees in social work, counseling, psychology, public health, & nursing
RMTAC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 8077. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. RMTAC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Featured Speakers & Experts
Learn from leading voices in behavioral health, lived experienced, trauma, psychiatry, and community care.
Keynote Speaker
Norma Pimentel
Executive Director, Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley
Host: Breakout A
Héctor Colón-Rivera
Psychiatric Consultant, RMTAC
Host: Breakout B
Madhuri Jha
Principal & Founder, Thriving for All LLC
Host: Breakout C
Karen Johnson
Director of Mental Health Services, Trinity Church/Peacemaker Family Center
Host: Breakout D
Amy Dominguez
Director of Global Mental Health, Icahn School of Medicine
Host: Breakout E
Olivia Baylor
Clinical Consultant, RMTAC
Host: Breakout F
Haner Hernández
Trainer, Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network
Host: Breakout G
Susan Boyles
Chief Behavioral Health Office, Adelante Healthcare
Host: Breakout H
danyelle beal
Clinical Consultant, RMTAC
Host: Breakout H
Natalia Baires
Clinical Consultant, RMTAC
Host: Breakout I
Esther Rodriguez
Clinical Consultant, RMTAC
Host: Breakout I
Luz Chapa
Clinical Consultant, RMTAC
Host: Breakout J
Trenton Fedrick
Clinical Consultant, RMTAC
Panelist
Tenzin Bhuti
PhD Student in Counseling Psychology, Loyola University Chicago
Panelist
Emily Duval
Psychotherapist, San Diego, California
Panelist
Omar Reda
Founder & Director, Healing Trauma Institute
Schedule & Agenda Overview
10:30-10:40 AM CT
Opening Remarks
10:40-11:10 AM CT
Keynote Session
11:10 AM-12:10 PM CT
Breakout Sessions I
12:20-1:20 PM CT
Breakout Sessions II
1:25-2:20 PM CT
Panel Discussion
2:20-2:30 PM CT
Closing Reflections
Full Agenda
10:30 AM | Opening Remarks
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Dr. Mutsa Majero, Ph.D., LPC, NCC
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Sister Norma Pimentel, MJ
This keynote address is part of "RMTAC Wellness Summit 2026 - From Healing to Hope: Strengthening Well-being Through Effective Behavioral Health Practices".
Breakout Sessions I
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Dr. Hector Colón-Rivera, M.D., MBA, MRO, FAPA
Examine how displacement, trauma, acculturation, and barriers affect substance use and behavioral addictions among refugees and migrants. Explore culturally informed screening, peer support, and recovery pathways that strengthen access to care.
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Madhuri Jha, LCSW, MPH
Explore the adjustment needs of newcomer children and barriers to trust in care. Through a clinical case, learn culturally curious, trauma-informed strategies that respect identity, engage caregivers, and build rapport at the child’s pace.
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Karen Johnson, M.A., LMHC, CCTP, CCATP-CA
Explore five connected domains of wellness: physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and intellectual. Reflect on practices that strengthen resilience, reduce the cost of caring, and support sustainable well-being in helping professions.
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Amy Carol Dominguez, MPA
Learn how leaders can protect people and reduce burnout during crisis. Apply Psychological First Aid, reciprocal leadership, and team practices that support safety, connection, autonomy, and staff well-being under pressure.
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Olivia (NneNna) Baylor, LCPC, NCC, BC-TMH, CCTSI, CBC, PYT-200, CAMS-II, CFMHE
Explore how loss, culture, family, and community can shape recovery for refugee and migrant clients. Learn to recognize culturally influenced recovery behaviors, reframe assessments, and develop treatment goals with each client.
Breakout Sessions II
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Dr. Haner Hernández, Ph.D., CPS, CADCII, LADCI
Explore how mindset, personal voice, and community collaboration can strengthen behavioral health advocacy. Build trust and apply communication strategies that connect people with support and sustain community action.
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Susan Boyles, DSW, LCSW
Recognize how secondary traumatic stress, vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and burnout affect helpers. Explore evidence-informed treatment, peer support, boundaries, and organizational practices that protect whole-person wellness.
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dr. danyelle s. goitia beal, Psy.D., BCBA
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Dr. Natalia Baires, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Explore how neurodiversity, lived experience, culture, and overlapping identities shape mental health and access to care. Learn individualized, trauma-informed approaches for supporting neurodivergent youth and newcomer families.
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Esther Rodriguez, M.S.
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Luz Chapa, M.Ed., LPC, NCC, EMDR Trained
Strengthen crisis intervention for displaced survivors of sexual assault experiencing suicide risk. Learn culturally informed assessment, stabilization techniques, and safety planning that address language, systemic, and cultural barriers.
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Trenton D. Fedrick, Psy.D., CADC
Examine how trauma, migration stress, and cultural stigma shape co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions. Learn culturally informed screening, integrated care, and approaches that strengthen trust and treatment engagement.
Panel Discussion
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Tenzin Bhuti, MCP
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Dr. Emily Duval, Psy.D., LPCC
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Dr. Omar Reda, M.D.
This panel discussion is part of "RMTAC Wellness Summit 2026 - From Healing to Hope: Strengthening Well-being Through Effective Behavioral Health Practices".
Closing Reflections
2:20 PM | Reflections & Closing Remarks
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Dr. Lizzy Ortiz Mendez, Ph.D.