Bridging The Trauma Gap Conference 2026
About this Event
Bridging The Trauma Gap Conference 2026
Welcome to the Bridging The Trauma Gap Conference 2026! Join us at The Capitol Room for a day filled with insightful discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities. This in-person event aims to bring together experts and professionals in the field of trauma to share knowledge and strategies for bridging the gap in trauma care. Don't miss this chance to engage with like-minded individuals and learn from some of the best in the industry. Register now to secure your spot!
Agenda
🕑: 07:30 AM - 08:30 AM
Registration/Check-In
🕑: 08:20 AM - 08:30 AM
Welcome/Announcements
🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:30 AM
Stress, Leadership, and Resilience Under Pressure
Host: Ian Leonard, Fox 9 Meteorologist
🕑: 09:30 AM - 09:45 AM
Break
🕑: 09:45 AM - 10:45 AM
A Port in the Storm: Real Self-Care as a Life Raft for Resilient Practitioners
Host: Dr. Lindsay Murn
🕑: 10:45 AM - 11:00 AM
Break
🕑: 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
Building Your Supportive Nest: An Art Therapy Perspective on Combating Burnout
Host: Presenter Highlight: Jessica Waldron, MS, LMFT, ATR
🕑: 11:45 AM - 01:00 PM
Lunch
🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:15 PM
Finding the Humor in Psychotherapy
Host: Glenn Maloney, MSW, LICSW, LADC
🕑: 02:15 PM - 03:30 PM
Lift While You Climb: Supervision Considerations for the Next Generation
Host: Kelly Hildre, MSW, LICSW
🕑: 03:30 PM
Dismissal - Reminders for Day 2
DAY 2
🕑: 08:00 PM - 08:45 AM
Registration/Check-in
🕑: 09:00 AM - 10:30 AM
A Collaborative Approach to Acute Mental Health Crisis Response
Host: Sgt. Tad Hoeschen
Info: With 27 years of law enforcement experience, Sgt. Hoeschen brings a wealth of insight from his work in patrol, investigations, SWAT, crisis response, and community outreach. He currently supervises the Community Crisis Intervention Team (CCIT) with the St. Cloud Police Department—overseeing units dedicated to mental health response, crime prevention, and threat assessment.
Sgt. Hoeschen holds a BS in Communication Studies and an MA in Criminal Justice Leadership, and is widely recognized for building strong, cross-sector partnerships between law enforcement, social work, and healthcare.
His presentation will walk us through:
• The development of a multi-disciplinary response model for acute mental health crises
• The evolution and future direction of St. Cloud’s Mental Health Response Unit
• Real-world applications of collaborative intervention using a police officer, social worker, and community paramedic team
🕑: 10:30 AM - 11:45 AM
Helping the Helpers: Using Creativity to Prevent Burnout
Host: Briana Colton, MA, ATR-BC, LPCC
Info: Briana Colton will lead an engaging session focused on something many professionals are feeling—but rarely given space to address: burnout, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma.
Helping professionals are often told to “practice self-care,” yet rarely receive practical tools when exhaustion becomes overwhelming. This workshop moves beyond surface-level strategies and invites participants to explore wellness through creativity, connection, and strengths-based reflection.
Participants will:
✔ Learn how creativity supports nervous system regulation and resilience
✔ Explore strategies to reduce risk of burnout and compassion fatigue
✔ Understand how vicarious trauma shows up in helping roles
✔ Leave with practical tools they can apply immediately in their work and personal lives
Briana is a Board-Certified Registered Art Therapist and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor who is deeply committed to helper wellness, stigma reduction, and expanding access to mental health support.
🕑: 11:45 AM - 01:00 PM
Lunch on Your Own
🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
The GPS Mindset: Navigating Life’s Challenges with Grit, Purpose, and Strength
Host: Kristin Gustafson
Info: Kristin's story is one of resilience, grit, and purpose. A former Ironman World Championship competitor, her life changed dramatically following diagnoses of Multiple Sclerosis and Dystonia. Rather than allowing those challenges to define her, she used them as the foundation for developing a powerful framework that helps individuals and organizations navigate adversity, uncertainty, and change with confidence.
Drawing from her experience as a leader, coach, athlete, and survivor, Kristin helps people strengthen mental performance, prevent burnout, and develop the habits needed to thrive when conditions are less than ideal.
Through practical strategies, powerful storytelling, and science-backed approaches, Kristin will challenge attendees to rethink how they respond when life takes an unexpected turn—and how to move forward with clarity, strength, and intention.
Because growth doesn't happen when the road is easy. It happens when we learn how to navigate the detours.
🕑: 02:15 PM - 03:15 PM
Burned Out. Checked Out. Fed Up. Now What?
Host: Justin Coates, MA, LPCC, NCC
Info: Across mental health, education, healthcare, child welfare, and public safety, burnout isn’t just about stress anymore. It’s about meaning, systems, and what happens when the work we care about most starts to feel unsustainable.
In this closing keynote, Justin will bring together themes from across the conference to explore:
Why burnout is rising across helping professions
The difference between exhaustion and moral injury
What happens when caring more doesn’t change outcomes
How professionals can reconnect with purpose without leaving the mission
What comes next for helpers who are ready for something different
This session is honest, practical, and designed to leave you with something stronger than motivation — a clearer path forward.
🕑: 03:15 PM - 03:30 PM
Q&A with Speakers
🕑: 03:30 PM
Dismissal & CEUs
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 91.70 to USD 174.66
