2025 TraumaTALKS Conference
Supporting Youth Populations
February 2025
Stay tuned for information about next year’s conference!
Chester Street Foundation brings together clinicians, researchers, and experts on childhood trauma for its annual TraumaTALKS Conference. The one-day symposium highlights youth populations who are at risk for trauma and equips participants with best practices for helping children on their road to recovery.
Thank you to our 2024 Sponsors
2024 Presenters & Sessions
Riding the Wave: Social Issues, Trauma, and Mental Health
Diane T. Vines, MA, LMFT-S, LPC-S, RPT-S
Director — NMT, The Neurosequential Network
The complex human brain is a historical organ and the source of everything we think, feel, and do. This talk will briefly discuss trauma and the intersection of our social environment and mental health.
Parenting the Traumatized Child: Enlisting Parents to Provide Trauma-Informed Support
Melissa Goldberg Mintz, Psy.D
Psychologist, Author, and Trainer with Secure Base Psychology, PLLC
Parents are the key to helping children heal after experiencing adversity. Learn about specific evidence-based techniques providers can teach to parents to help kick-start the healing process.
Understanding the Trauma of Refugees: A Personal Perspective
Abdulla Alobaidi
MD Baylor College of Medicine, Menninger Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences
This presentation aims to shed light on the profound emotional and psychological challenges experienced by refugees. Drawing on personal narratives and firsthand experiences, participants will be exposed to a unique perspective.
Where Have THE Wins Gone?
The 88th Texas Legislature AND Children’s Mental Health
Rebecca Fowler
Director of Public Policy & Government Affairs at Mental Health America
A deep dive into the impacts of the 88th legislative sessions on children’s mental health, including a review of the state budget, successful bills, and key missed opportunities. Learn how school-based mental health supports and trauma-informed policy gains have been scaled back and how stakeholders can impact change outside the 140-day cycle of the Texas Legislature.
Unveiling the Digital Dilemma: How Social Media Shapes Traumatic Experiences in Teenage Girls
Jenny Hughes, Ph.D
Trauma Psychologist, Founder & CEO BRAVE Providers, LLC
Following recent reports by the U.S. Surgeon General regarding the negative impacts of social media on youth mental health, we must acknowledge the interplay between social media and traumatic experiences faced by adolescent girls. In this presentation, we will uncover the ways digital platforms influence and exacerbate challenges already faced by our teen girls as we shed light on the urgent need for understanding, support, and informed interventions for this vulnerable group.
Also Featuring: Mindfulness Facilitator
Ann Friedman, Ph.D
Psychologist, Director of Curriculum at Jung Center’s Mind Body Spirit Institute
2024 TraumaTALKS Conference
“The conference was all so very informative and applicable to the work that I do.”
“The different presenters were fabulous, and each offered valuable information in regard to how trauma affects our students.”
“All of the speakers were wonderful and very informative. I can’t wait to attend another conference again.”
“I liked the diversity of topics, common themes, and well-educated presenters.”