Brazos Valley Psychological Association upcoming events

Beyond Hot Flashes: Menopause in Clinical Practice (3 CEUs) (12 Jun 2026)

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Beyond Hot Flashes: Menopause in Clinical Practice

(3 CEUs)

with:

Eden Schmeichel Ph.D.

When: Friday, June 12, 2026 from 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Where: Online via Zoom (link will be emailed 2 days before 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:

Menopause is more than a series of hot flashes. In addition to the well-known physiological changes, the psychological and emotional impact can be profound, often disruptive, and at times overwhelming. Despite this, many women report that their symptoms are dismissed as “normal,” minimized, or treated with antidepressants without a fuller exploration of hormonal influences.

The role of therapists during the menopause transition is therefore critical. As in all areas of clinical work, it is essential to consider the role of underlying physical and physiological factors in a client’s presenting concerns. Yet menopause-related hormonal changes are still too often under-recognized in mental health settings.

Psychotherapy can play a crucial role in identifying biological and psychosocial factors in menopause transition. Hormonal fluctuations can significantly affect emotional regulation, cognition, and overall mental health. Beyond providing emotional support and symptom management, therapists can offer validation that is both empathic and informed: not just that these experiences are “normal,” but that they are real, physiologically grounded, and worthy of attention and care. Clients need to know they are not “crazy.” Therapists can also support education and self-advocacy, encouraging women to seek appropriate medical care and collaborate with healthcare providers.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the stages of menopause and differentiate the associated physiological, psychological, sexual, and social changes.

2. Explain the hormonal changes during menopause and analyze the effects of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone on emotional and cognitive health.

3. Evaluate their clinical practice for gaps in menopausal care and develop strategies to improve patient assessment and advocacy.

About Our Speaker

Dr. Eden Schmeichel is a Clinical Psychologist who has been in private practice in College Station for over 20 years. She earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Since moving to the Brazos Valley in 2005, Dr. Schmeichel has worked at Texas A&M University through the Employee Assistance Program, as a contractor with the former Student Counseling Services, and as an Adjunct Faculty member teaching and supervising graduate students in the Department of Psychology, Clinical Program. Her professional experience also includes several years working in a nursing home setting, as well as conducting disability evaluations for veterans.

In the mid-2010s, Dr. Schmeichel helped revive the Brazos Valley Psychological Association alongside colleagues Dr. Jennifer Rockett and Dr. Celeste Riley, before stepping back to focus on her family. Now, with her children nearly out of the house, she is beginning to re-engage with the local professional community—leading to her enthusiastic (and somewhat impulsive) decision for the presentation today.

BVPA Peer Consultation Group (Zoom), Spring 2026 (19 Jun 2026)

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Can you believe it? It's time for...

Yet-ANOTHER ROUND OF THE

BVPA Peer Zoom Consultation Group

Spring 2026 SCHEDULE

begins at 12pm on March 20

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 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 Spring 2026 meeting schedule begins at 12:00 PM Central Time, on Friday, March 20, and then continues at 12:00 PM third Friday every month, through August 21, 2026. (Often the 3rd Friday of the month, but some date changes may occur due to holidays or unavoidable conflicts).

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.

Date changes may be required due to unavoidable conflicts,

in which case registered participants will be notified via email.

FREE Threat Assessment Training (3 CEUs) (10 Jul 2026)

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Threat Assessment Training- Free

(3 CEUs)

with:

Lauren Ghoston & Heather Kloeker-Webster, Ed.D.

When: July 10, 2026 from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Where: Online via Zoom (link will be emailed 2 days before the event)

Cost: Free

Program Description Flyer:

About Our Speakers

Lauren Ghoston serves as the Threat Assessment Manager at North Carolina A&T State University, where she became the university’s inaugural lead for behavioral threat assessment upon joining in 2023. She developed a comprehensive threat assessment and management program designed to proactively address safety and security concerns across the campus community.

Lauren brings extensive specialized experience to this role, drawing from her work in protective intelligence for public figures, investigations of workplace violence, and advocacy for victims and survivors of stalking, intimate partner violence, and other forms of threatening behavior. She has assessed thousands of inappropriate or concerning communications involving public figures, corporations, and Fortune 500 executives across the education, technology, and entertainment sectors.

As an active ATAP member, Certified Threat Manager, and registered Private Investigator in Virginia, Lauren advances prevention efforts by approaching the identification and management of potentially threatening behavior through a culturally competent and ethical lens.

Dr. Heather Kloeker-Webster is the Threat Assessment and Management Coordinator for UNC Charlotte’s Office of Threat Assessment and Management. Dr. Kloeker-Webster is responsible for coordinating the threat assessment and management process for the University community, including students, employees, and non-affiliates. Dr. Kloeker-Webster also serves as the Chair of the Campus Behavioral Intervention Team. Prior to this role, Dr. Kloeker-Webster worked in behavior management for over a decade within the field of student conduct.

Dr. Kloeker-Webster has previously served on the Board of Directors for the Association of Student Conduct Administration and as a three-time threat assessment faculty member for the Donald D. Gehring Academy. She has completed Behavioral Threat Assessment training with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations and presented with US Secret Service special agents, on the importance of threat assessment teams on college campuses to campus law enforcement officers. Dr. Kloeker-Webster’s doctoral research focused on threat assessment and management teams within higher education.

Dr. Kloeker-Webster is a Certified Threat Manager through the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals and is a Certified Master Trainer through the Department of Homeland Security’s National Threat Evaluation and Reporting.

BVPA Peer Consultation Group (Zoom), Spring 2026 (17 Jul 2026)

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Can you believe it? It's time for...

Yet-ANOTHER ROUND OF THE

BVPA Peer Zoom Consultation Group

Spring 2026 SCHEDULE

begins at 12pm on March 20

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 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 Spring 2026 meeting schedule begins at 12:00 PM Central Time, on Friday, March 20, and then continues at 12:00 PM third Friday every month, through August 21, 2026. (Often the 3rd Friday of the month, but some date changes may occur due to holidays or unavoidable conflicts).

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.

Date changes may be required due to unavoidable conflicts,

in which case registered participants will be notified via email.

BVPA Peer Consultation Group (Zoom), Spring 2026 (21 Aug 2026)

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Can you believe it? It's time for...

Yet-ANOTHER ROUND OF THE

BVPA Peer Zoom Consultation Group

Spring 2026 SCHEDULE

begins at 12pm on March 20

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 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 Spring 2026 meeting schedule begins at 12:00 PM Central Time, on Friday, March 20, and then continues at 12:00 PM third Friday every month, through August 21, 2026. (Often the 3rd Friday of the month, but some date changes may occur due to holidays or unavoidable conflicts).

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.

Date changes may be required due to unavoidable conflicts,

in which case registered participants will be notified via email.