Brazos Valley Psychological Association upcoming events

Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy with Diverse Couples: Addressing the Elephant in the Room (3 CEUs) (11 Sep 2026)

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy with Diverse Couples: Addressing the Elephant in the Room

(3 CEUs)

with:

Dr. Karen Hammack & Dr. Jerez Mitchell

When: Friday, September 11, 2026 from 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Where: Online via Zoom (link will be emailed 2 days before the event & midnight on the morning of the event)

Cost: BVPA Members Free, Non-Members $80, TPA Members 10% discount at registration with TPA Member Number, Student Non-Members $10.

Program Description:

The primary purpose of this presentation is to discuss the importance of acknowledging a variety of diverse identities and potential issues in the couple therapy process (IBCT), to offer guidance on IBCT modification, and to build a deeper framework with specific questions and language to create a more focused approach. IBCT is built upon a foundation of understanding and acceptance as essential for change, and considering a client’s personal and social history is vital. As IBCT explicitly incorporates these individual factors and vulnerabilities (emotional sensitivities), as well as the broader context (external stressors), it is the ideal couple therapy to intentionally consider cultural factors (Christensen, 2020).

This presentation allows for a focused discussion of challenges and opportunities using IBCT across racial and sexual identity lines particularly. The panelists will discuss: (1) strategies to acknowledge and address race and sexuality flexibly and effectively with couples, considering racial and sexual identity and cultural context of the therapist and the members of the couple (2) factors related to race-based and sexuality-based emotional sensitivities (trauma including macro and microaggressions); incorporating these into case conceptualization (DEEP) and intervention (3) considerations with interracial couples and couples with sexual identity differences, particularly when only one partner might be similar to therapist; (4) generalizability to other CBTs.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the session, the learner will be able to:

Name three strategies therapists can use to invite conversation about race and/or sexual identity.

Name three sensitivities that are common among Black/African American couples in America, as a consequence of the nation’s systemic racism and violence; and three sensitivities common among sexual minority couples, as a result of this country’s legal and societal violence and marginalization.

Identify strategies for naming race-based or sexual identity sensitivities in an effective and non-harmful way.

Name two pitfalls when the therapist has similar racial or sexual identity to one partner but not both; name one strategy for maintaining alliance with both.

About Our Speakers

Dr. Karen Hammack is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Charleston, SC. She obtained her Master’s degree from Columbia University, Teacher’s College in NYC, followed by her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology (emphasis in children and families) from the University of Mississippi in 2007. As part of her training, Dr. Hammack completed a child and family internship and postdoctoral fellowship at the Medical College of Georgia, before moving on to the VA healthcare system in 2009. During her time at the VA, she received extensive training in couples work, primarily Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy, and continues to serve as a national trainer and presenter for IBCT.

Dr. Jerez Mitchell is a Licensed Psychologist, dedicated mental health advocate, and co-founder of Tapestry Wellness Solutions, LLC. Cultivating emotional well-being across the lifespan since 2011, she provides expert mental health consultation, therapeutic care, and curated wellness workshops. As a seasoned professional, she also leads specialized continuing education training for therapists that strengthen the therapeutic field. Utilizing a holistic, mind-body approach, she empowers both individuals and organizations to achieve sustainable, collective well-being.

BVPA Peer Consultation Group (Zoom), FALL 2026 (18 Sep 2026)

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Here we go again...

ANOTHER ROUND OF THE

BVPA Peer Zoom Consultation Group

FALL 2026 SCHEDULE

begins at 12PM CT on September 18

Meetings are a free benefit for BVPA Members

& Associate Members

and are eligible for 1 CEU per meeting

(Depending on content of discussion, could count towards Ethics or Diversity requirement)

Registration is restricted to BVPA Full and Associate Members.

Interested non-members are encouraged to join BVPA

in order to attend.

Peer Consultation Meetings provide an opportunity for members to provide one another with valuable information to increase the efficacy of our work, as well as provide an opportunity to engage in “best practices” for consultation about difficult cases. As you may recall, one of the best risk management practices, when dealing with difficult clients or situations, is to document peer consultation in your notes.

In addition to consultations on individual cases brought by participants, issues of general concern that we address include professional liability questions, compliance with regulations, the impact of changes in legislation, insurance guidelines, and practical questions about the business of running a practice. Additionally, you may have a specific area of expertise that you would be willing to share with the group, such as training in specific treatment modalities, expertise with certain populations, teletherapy expertise, or insights that come from years of practice.

Please join us and take advantage of this free membership benefit.

Our FALL 2026 meeting schedule begins at 12:00 PM Central Time, on Friday, September 18, and then continues at 12:00 PM every third Friday of each month, through February 19, 2027. (Note 1 EXCEPTION: Nov 13 instead of Nov 20, due to another event planned at that time).

Meetings run for 1 hour. Registration is for the full series of meetings, but we understand that scheduling conflicts come up, so if you can't make a particular session, please notify info@bvpa-tx.org.

Registration is limited, so please register early.

Additional date changes may be required due to unavoidable conflicts,

in which case registered participants will be notified via email, so please open all emails from BVPA.

The Role of the Behavioral Health Provider in Treating GI Disorders: Increasing Gut-Brain Competencies (3 CEUs) (09 Oct 2026)

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 18:00:00 GMT

The Role of the Behavioral Health Provider in Treating GI Disorders: Increasing Gut-Brain Competencies

(3 CEUs)

with:

Ellen Joseph, PhD

When: Friday, October 9, 2026 from 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Where: Online via Zoom (link will be sent 2 days before & at midnight prior to the event)

Cost: BVPA Members Free, Non-Members $80, TPA Members 10% discount at registration with TPA Member Number, Student Non-Members $10.

Program Description:

The gut and brain are in constant conversation — and for many patients, that connection is at the heart of their gastrointestinal (GI) struggles. This presentation offers behavioral health providers a practical, engaging overview of common GI conditions and the gut-brain axis, including an introduction to the field of gastropsychology and its growing role in whole-person GI care. Attendees will also explore how sex, gender identity, and cultural norms shape the way patients experience and manage these conditions, and will walk away with concrete tools, patient-friendly language, and actionable strategies to integrate into their practice right away.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the session, the learner will be able to:

Identify 3–5 GI disorders that fall within the scope of behavioral health treatment.

Explain the gut-brain interaction in clear, accessible, patient-friendly language.

Examine how sex, gender identity, social norms, and cultural background intersect with patients' lived experiences of GI conditions.

Apply 2–3 targeted modifications to assessment and treatment approaches to better serve patients with GI conditions.

Connect patients to 2–3 practical, patient-focused resources for living with GI conditions.

About Our Speaker

Ellen Joseph, PhD (she/her) is a Counseling Health Psychologist and Partnership Liaison at GI Psychology, a virtual, national group psychology practice that specializes in treating GI disorders. Dr. Joseph has a wealth of experience working in integrated medical settings and has a passion for treating patients of all ages with chronic and acute medical conditions. She particularly enjoys treating patients with gastrointestinal disorders given the associated stigma and significant impact on valued areas of their lives. Dr. Joseph's passion is helping patients reclaim control over their lives and enhance overall satisfaction and meaning. With regard to research, Dr. Joseph explores the role of positive psychology, self-compassion, and acceptance-based interventions to address health psychology-related issues like IBD, chronic pain, and weight stigma.

BVPA Peer Consultation Group (Zoom), FALL 2026 (16 Oct 2026)

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Here we go again...

ANOTHER ROUND OF THE

BVPA Peer Zoom Consultation Group

FALL 2026 SCHEDULE

begins at 12PM CT on September 18

Meetings are a free benefit for BVPA Members

& Associate Members

and are eligible for 1 CEU per meeting

(Depending on content of discussion, could count towards Ethics or Diversity requirement)

Registration is restricted to BVPA Full and Associate Members.

Interested non-members are encouraged to join BVPA

in order to attend.

Peer Consultation Meetings provide an opportunity for members to provide one another with valuable information to increase the efficacy of our work, as well as provide an opportunity to engage in “best practices” for consultation about difficult cases. As you may recall, one of the best risk management practices, when dealing with difficult clients or situations, is to document peer consultation in your notes.

In addition to consultations on individual cases brought by participants, issues of general concern that we address include professional liability questions, compliance with regulations, the impact of changes in legislation, insurance guidelines, and practical questions about the business of running a practice. Additionally, you may have a specific area of expertise that you would be willing to share with the group, such as training in specific treatment modalities, expertise with certain populations, teletherapy expertise, or insights that come from years of practice.

Please join us and take advantage of this free membership benefit.

Our FALL 2026 meeting schedule begins at 12:00 PM Central Time, on Friday, September 18, and then continues at 12:00 PM every third Friday of each month, through February 19, 2027. (Note 1 EXCEPTION: Nov 13 instead of Nov 20, due to another event planned at that time).

Meetings run for 1 hour. Registration is for the full series of meetings, but we understand that scheduling conflicts come up, so if you can't make a particular session, please notify info@bvpa-tx.org.

Registration is limited, so please register early.

Additional date changes may be required due to unavoidable conflicts,

in which case registered participants will be notified via email, so please open all emails from BVPA.

BVPA Peer Consultation Group (Zoom), FALL 2026 (13 Nov 2026)

Fri, 13 Nov 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Here we go again...

ANOTHER ROUND OF THE

BVPA Peer Zoom Consultation Group

FALL 2026 SCHEDULE

begins at 12PM CT on September 18

Meetings are a free benefit for BVPA Members

& Associate Members

and are eligible for 1 CEU per meeting

(Depending on content of discussion, could count towards Ethics or Diversity requirement)

Registration is restricted to BVPA Full and Associate Members.

Interested non-members are encouraged to join BVPA

in order to attend.

Peer Consultation Meetings provide an opportunity for members to provide one another with valuable information to increase the efficacy of our work, as well as provide an opportunity to engage in “best practices” for consultation about difficult cases. As you may recall, one of the best risk management practices, when dealing with difficult clients or situations, is to document peer consultation in your notes.

In addition to consultations on individual cases brought by participants, issues of general concern that we address include professional liability questions, compliance with regulations, the impact of changes in legislation, insurance guidelines, and practical questions about the business of running a practice. Additionally, you may have a specific area of expertise that you would be willing to share with the group, such as training in specific treatment modalities, expertise with certain populations, teletherapy expertise, or insights that come from years of practice.

Please join us and take advantage of this free membership benefit.

Our FALL 2026 meeting schedule begins at 12:00 PM Central Time, on Friday, September 18, and then continues at 12:00 PM every third Friday of each month, through February 19, 2027. (Note 1 EXCEPTION: Nov 13 instead of Nov 20, due to another event planned at that time).

Meetings run for 1 hour. Registration is for the full series of meetings, but we understand that scheduling conflicts come up, so if you can't make a particular session, please notify info@bvpa-tx.org.

Registration is limited, so please register early.

Additional date changes may be required due to unavoidable conflicts,

in which case registered participants will be notified via email, so please open all emails from BVPA.

BVPA Peer Consultation Group (Zoom), FALL 2026 (18 Dec 2026)

Fri, 18 Dec 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Here we go again...

ANOTHER ROUND OF THE

BVPA Peer Zoom Consultation Group

FALL 2026 SCHEDULE

begins at 12PM CT on September 18

Meetings are a free benefit for BVPA Members

& Associate Members

and are eligible for 1 CEU per meeting

(Depending on content of discussion, could count towards Ethics or Diversity requirement)

Registration is restricted to BVPA Full and Associate Members.

Interested non-members are encouraged to join BVPA

in order to attend.

Peer Consultation Meetings provide an opportunity for members to provide one another with valuable information to increase the efficacy of our work, as well as provide an opportunity to engage in “best practices” for consultation about difficult cases. As you may recall, one of the best risk management practices, when dealing with difficult clients or situations, is to document peer consultation in your notes.

In addition to consultations on individual cases brought by participants, issues of general concern that we address include professional liability questions, compliance with regulations, the impact of changes in legislation, insurance guidelines, and practical questions about the business of running a practice. Additionally, you may have a specific area of expertise that you would be willing to share with the group, such as training in specific treatment modalities, expertise with certain populations, teletherapy expertise, or insights that come from years of practice.

Please join us and take advantage of this free membership benefit.

Our FALL 2026 meeting schedule begins at 12:00 PM Central Time, on Friday, September 18, and then continues at 12:00 PM every third Friday of each month, through February 19, 2027. (Note 1 EXCEPTION: Nov 13 instead of Nov 20, due to another event planned at that time).

Meetings run for 1 hour. Registration is for the full series of meetings, but we understand that scheduling conflicts come up, so if you can't make a particular session, please notify info@bvpa-tx.org.

Registration is limited, so please register early.

Additional date changes may be required due to unavoidable conflicts,

in which case registered participants will be notified via email, so please open all emails from BVPA.

BVPA Peer Consultation Group (Zoom), FALL 2026 (15 Jan 2027)

Fri, 15 Jan 2027 18:00:00 GMT

Here we go again...

ANOTHER ROUND OF THE

BVPA Peer Zoom Consultation Group

FALL 2026 SCHEDULE

begins at 12PM CT on September 18

Meetings are a free benefit for BVPA Members

& Associate Members

and are eligible for 1 CEU per meeting

(Depending on content of discussion, could count towards Ethics or Diversity requirement)

Registration is restricted to BVPA Full and Associate Members.

Interested non-members are encouraged to join BVPA

in order to attend.

Peer Consultation Meetings provide an opportunity for members to provide one another with valuable information to increase the efficacy of our work, as well as provide an opportunity to engage in “best practices” for consultation about difficult cases. As you may recall, one of the best risk management practices, when dealing with difficult clients or situations, is to document peer consultation in your notes.

In addition to consultations on individual cases brought by participants, issues of general concern that we address include professional liability questions, compliance with regulations, the impact of changes in legislation, insurance guidelines, and practical questions about the business of running a practice. Additionally, you may have a specific area of expertise that you would be willing to share with the group, such as training in specific treatment modalities, expertise with certain populations, teletherapy expertise, or insights that come from years of practice.

Please join us and take advantage of this free membership benefit.

Our FALL 2026 meeting schedule begins at 12:00 PM Central Time, on Friday, September 18, and then continues at 12:00 PM every third Friday of each month, through February 19, 2027. (Note 1 EXCEPTION: Nov 13 instead of Nov 20, due to another event planned at that time).

Meetings run for 1 hour. Registration is for the full series of meetings, but we understand that scheduling conflicts come up, so if you can't make a particular session, please notify info@bvpa-tx.org.

Registration is limited, so please register early.

Additional date changes may be required due to unavoidable conflicts,

in which case registered participants will be notified via email, so please open all emails from BVPA.

Systemic Thinking in Clinical Practice: An Introduction to Bowen Family Systems Theory (3 CEUs) (22 Jan 2027)

Fri, 22 Jan 2027 19:00:00 GMT

Systemic Thinking in Clinical Practice: An Introduction to Bowen Family Systems Theory (3 CEUs)

with:

Federico Mendez

When: Friday, January 22, 2027 from 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Where: Online via Zoom (link will be emailed 2 days before the event & midnight on the morning of the event)

Cost: BVPA Members Free, Non-Members $80, TPA Members 10% discount at registration with TPA Member Number, Student Non-Members $10.

Program Description:

Systemic family therapy asks clinicians to look beyond the individual client and see the emotional system they are embedded in. This 3-hour interactive workshop introduces Bowen Family Systems Theory as a practical lens for case conceptualization. This workshop covers differentiation, triangulation, and multigenerational patterns, applying these concepts hands-on in small groups using real clinical material. Participants will leave with a working framework for reading family process, not just content.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the session, the learner will be able to:

1. Define differentiation of self and distinguish it from popular misreadings

2. Identify triangulation and emotional reactivity patterns in clinical case material.

3. Apply a Bowen Family Systems Theory lens to individual, couple, or family case conceptualization.

About Our Speakers

Federico Mendez is a licensed marriage and family therapist–supervisor

and doctoral candidate specializing in couples therapy, ADHD, and

chronic illness. His work examines the intersection of ADHD, chronic

illness, and couple functioning, emphasizing relational adjustment,

emotional regulation, and adaptive processes from a Bowen Family

Systems Theory perspective.

BVPA Peer Consultation Group (Zoom), FALL 2026 (19 Feb 2027)

Fri, 19 Feb 2027 18:00:00 GMT

Here we go again...

ANOTHER ROUND OF THE

BVPA Peer Zoom Consultation Group

FALL 2026 SCHEDULE

begins at 12PM CT on September 18

Meetings are a free benefit for BVPA Members

& Associate Members

and are eligible for 1 CEU per meeting

(Depending on content of discussion, could count towards Ethics or Diversity requirement)

Registration is restricted to BVPA Full and Associate Members.

Interested non-members are encouraged to join BVPA

in order to attend.

Peer Consultation Meetings provide an opportunity for members to provide one another with valuable information to increase the efficacy of our work, as well as provide an opportunity to engage in “best practices” for consultation about difficult cases. As you may recall, one of the best risk management practices, when dealing with difficult clients or situations, is to document peer consultation in your notes.

In addition to consultations on individual cases brought by participants, issues of general concern that we address include professional liability questions, compliance with regulations, the impact of changes in legislation, insurance guidelines, and practical questions about the business of running a practice. Additionally, you may have a specific area of expertise that you would be willing to share with the group, such as training in specific treatment modalities, expertise with certain populations, teletherapy expertise, or insights that come from years of practice.

Please join us and take advantage of this free membership benefit.

Our FALL 2026 meeting schedule begins at 12:00 PM Central Time, on Friday, September 18, and then continues at 12:00 PM every third Friday of each month, through February 19, 2027. (Note 1 EXCEPTION: Nov 13 instead of Nov 20, due to another event planned at that time).

Meetings run for 1 hour. Registration is for the full series of meetings, but we understand that scheduling conflicts come up, so if you can't make a particular session, please notify info@bvpa-tx.org.

Registration is limited, so please register early.

Additional date changes may be required due to unavoidable conflicts,

in which case registered participants will be notified via email, so please open all emails from BVPA.