By: Maria Williams, MA, LMFT, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Program Director
This past May, El Centro de Amistad proudly hosted our 6th Annual Mental Health Conference, Healing Hearts: Restoring Hope in Uncertain Times, bringing together 180 mental health professionals, educators, students, and community partners committed to strengthening the well-being of children, families, and communities.
The conference explored culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and relationship-based approaches to healing, with sessions focused on resilience, attachment, neurobiology, therapist sustainability, expressive practices, and reflective care. Participant evaluations demonstrated overwhelmingly positive feedback, with the vast majority of attendees reporting that the conference objectives were achieved and that the content was meaningful, applicable to practice, and delivered by knowledgeable presenters.
Special Thanks
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to our keynote speakers:
- Dr. Barbara Stroud, whose inspiring opening keynote, Relationships as a Protective Factor, reminded us of the transformative power of connection, storytelling, and resilience in supporting healing.
- Dr. Andrés Consoli, whose closing keynote, The Person of the Therapist: Being Well to Serve Well, challenged us to reflect on our professional identity, ethical responsibility, and the importance of caring for ourselves to care effectively for others.
We also extend our sincere gratitude to our outstanding workshop presenters, whose expertise and passion made this year’s conference a truly enriching experience:
- Dr. Tiffany Ortiz, PsyD, IFECMH, RFII & Emeli Villanueva, MA, LMFT – Attachment, Trauma, and Immigration-Related Stress: Culturally Responsive Strategies for Supporting Children and Families
- Natalie Santoyo, LMFT, IFECMH, RFII & Elizabeth Medellin, ACSW– Restoring Safety and Connection in Uncertain Times: A Neurobiology-Informed Approach to Supporting Latino Children, Families, and Communities
- Dr. Elisa Roberts, EdD, LMFT – Holding the Weight: Clinical Strategies for Therapist Sustainability During Collective Stress
- Gloria Robles, MA, AMFT – Where Healing Finds a Voice: Integrating Expressive Practices in Trauma-Informed Care
What Participants Shared
Survey feedback highlighted several themes:
- Participants described the conference as engaging, meaningful, and highly relevant to their work.
- Attendees especially appreciated the emphasis on culturally responsive care, practical clinical strategies, and real-world application.
- Many shared that they felt seen, validated, and inspired their work with diverse children, youth, and families.
- Suggestions for future conferences included topics such as suicide prevention, trauma-informed care, school-based mental health, bilingual services, perinatal mental health, LGBTQ+ mental health, and family therapy.
One participant shared:
“I truly loved all the presenters, and I learned so much and enjoyed the entire mental health conference.”
Another reflected:
“I really felt seen and felt that my experience was validated as an immigrant, bilingual therapist.”
Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to making this year’s conference such a meaningful success. We look forward to continuing this tradition of learning, connection, and community—and we hope to see you at next year’s Mental Health Conference!
