2025 Women's Recovery Conference:
Creating Connections and Transforming Isolation - Live Webinar

The 2025 Women's Recovery Conference will be presented via a live webinar format. Live attendance at the webinar is required to receive professional credit.

During the past decade, we have had greater turnout than ever for this vital conference. In response to the natural disaster created by hurricane Helene, and the current economic environment, we are significantly reducing fees this year. MAHEC is sincerely striving to support the Western North Carolina community at this time of need and to accommodate more individuals who otherwise would not be able to attend.

In a further effort to accommodate strained clinical work schedules and challenges with travel and lodging, MAHEC is offering one-day, two-day, and three-day options; all of which may be accessed via WebEx with direct access to presenters. This allows MAHEC to provide mental health credits which are classified the same as in-person, "live" training as they receive vital North Carolina updates to inform care.

This is the 39th year of the Women's Recovery Conference, where gender-responsive care which focuses on the needs of women in recovery and their families, is exclusively presented. The Preconference on Wednesday, May 7th includes four distinct half-day topics as well as an all-day Motivational Interviewing (MI) session, allowing for even greater registration choices.

The main conference day on May 8th provides topics addressing care needs relevant not just for North Carolina (NC), but also across the United States.

A special two-part presentation opens the day on Friday, May 9th, with an introductive North Carolina State of the State Address by the new DHHS MH/DD/SAS Women's Services Coordinator and an in-depth presentation by Dr. Elisabeth Johnson. Evidence-based strategies to promote hope, health, and healing are shared, as we continue to live though an unprecedented time of change, intertwining public and social health related crises. Strategies for coping with women's health challenges are embedded within this vital two-part session, designed to enhance the lives of both practitioners and the women whom they serve, strengthening recovery and laying a firm foundation for lifelong growth and positive transformation. Information on optimizing outcomes for women, including those who are pregnant or with families in North Carolina, will be provided, with a primary focus on the provision of compassionate care.

Attendance Options:
One-day, two-day, and three-day options are available, with options for "Wednesday Preconference Only" registration, "Thursday Only" registration, or "Friday Only" registration.

Please note that all session times listed below are in Eastern Standard Time.

• Rewiring for Recovery - Elizabeth Reese, PhD
  
• Considering the Ethics of Relationships in Women's Substance Use Disorder Treatment - Andrea Winkler, LCSW, LCAS

• Healing from Co-Dependence to Create Healthy Connections - Judy Swayne, LCSW, LCAS
  
• Ethics and Clinical Supervision of Mental Health and Substance Abuse - Dayna Guido, MSW, LCSW, ACSW

• Engaging Clients and Facilitating Change: Strategic and Intentional Use of Motivational Interviewing - Laurie Conaty, LCSW, LCAS

• Do You Know the "Power of 20"? - Kathryn Rossi, PhD
  
• HIV/STI Updates for Substance Use Professionals - Shannon Dowler, MD, FAAFP, CPE

• Jumping Off the Balance Beam Might Just Save Your Life - Nicole H. Lewis, MSW, LCSW, LCAS, CCS
  
• Foundations of Gender-Responsive SUD Treatment: How Did We Get Here and Why - Melissa L. Godwin, MSW, LCSW
  
• Healing Together: Addressing Addiction's Impact on the Family Unit - Essence Hairston, LCSW, LCAS, CCS
  
• Beyond Anger and Violence - Selden Holt, LCSW, LCAS-A

• Update from the State: Women's SUD Treatment in North Carolina - TBA
  
• Fostering Self-Compassion and Resilience: Connection in Recovery - Elisabeth Johnson, PhD, FNP-BC, CARN-AP, LCAS

• The Emerging Science of Recovery Community Centers - Dottie Saxon Greene, PhD, LCSW, LADAC II, QCS, CPRS, RCP, RYT
  
• Healing with One Another: Group Counseling for Substance Use Disorder - Geri Miller, PhD, LP, LCAS, CCS

Vital information for all providers working with women who are impacted by the opioid crisis is embedded within the entire three-day event.

A NOTE ON CREDITS

The 2025 Women's Recovery Conference offers up to 16 credit hours. * Please note that sessions will not be recorded, and live attendance at the webinar is required to obtain credit. Considering the Ethics of Relationships in Women's Substance Use Disorder Treatment at the morning Preconference on Wednesday offers 3.00 hours of Ethics training if selected.

Click here for detailed information about NCASPPB credit.

With the Support of