At the UCLA Meyer and Renee Luskin Conference Center in Los Angeles, the 3rd annual meeting of the behavioral healthcare conference reveals a complex journey towards healing.
By John Lavitt
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 04/23/24 – For the third year, the prestigious UCLA Meyer and Renee Luskin Conference Center hosted the annual Emerging Themes in Behavioral Health Conference. Overflowing with clinicians, counselors, and behavioral healthcare executives, the 2024 theme was “Open to Hope Again.” Underscoring the challenges and innovations happening in behavioral healthcare, the conference emphasized that the ability to experience hope is the first step on any shared journey toward healing.
As a dual catalyst for professional evolution and individual well-being, a nourishing blend of expert-led sessions and experiential learning was balanced with powerful networking opportunities and catered meals. As the Platinum Sponsor of Emerging Themes, Montare Behavioral Health is led by JD Kalmenson, the CEO/Founder of this comprehensive brand of mental health treatment facilities across Southern California. Kalmenson believes that by sponsoring the conference each year, Montare is helping to foster innovation and awareness.
The Benefits of the Emerging Themes Conference included:
- Experiential learning in a dynamic environment where connections are fostered.
- Networking opportunities with leaders and peers in the behavioral health field.
- Engaging in discussions about the latest trends and advancements in behavioral health.
- A focus on renewal by aligning with the theme of hope that defined the conference.
Reflecting on the goals of such a conference, José C. Salazar, Dr.PH, the Director of Program Development at Tarzana Treatment Centers, points out, “The changing behavioral health field requires ongoing innovations for us to fully realize integrated, whole-person healthcare. By focusing on evidence-based practices, the behavioral health field can turn theory into the kind of applied services that can improve and save lives in our community. And that is the best type of hope and renewal for our field.”
In a resonant presentation focusing on saving lives, Kathleen Murphy, MA, LMFT, LPC, the Chief Clinical Officer of Breathe Life Healing Centers, underscored the importance of treating moral injury. Every medical provider becomes an agent of change in a world where everyone can heal. Teaching patients to embrace resilience and pride in their journey to healing makes it possible to shift from trauma to hope. However, unlike trauma, moral injury also implies a degree of responsibility. People suffering the shame of moral injury must accept their part in what happened and integrate that awareness into their moral compass.
Talking with The Hollywood Times after her presentation, Kathleen Murphy explained, “Life is like music, and people with moral injury are very practiced at playing concertos of despair and shame. If you want to begin the healing process, you need to practice a new genre of music, working on those initial scales of hope. Moreover, you need the patience to learn the music of compassion for yourself and others. By taking this journey, you open the door to hope moving forward. In other words, you can tune a human soul like a musical instrument. Indeed, tuning such an instrument is not easy, yet the outcome is beautiful.”
Photos by John Lavitt
