The Mental Health Board and the Center for Emotional Wellness of the Northwest Suburbs have partnered to offer this training opportunity for our Behavioral Health network.
REGISTER HERE!
FREE: 1 IDFPR CEU for LSW/LCSW, LPC/LCPC, Psychologists, and ISBE CPDU’s for School Professionals
SUMMARY
This interactive session equips educators, counselors, and mental health professionals with strategies to teach emotional regulation skills using grounding tools, coping skill toolkits, and mindfulness techniques. Participants will explore ways to engage students managing emotional or behavioral challenges, strengthen school–family communication, and collaborate with therapists and community supports. The focus is on creating cohesive systems that nurture emotional health, strengthen relationships, and build resilience among children and adolescents.
OBJECTIVES
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Teach and integrate emotional regulation strategies that build coping, self-awareness, and resilience in students.
- Partner with families and caregivers to reinforce emotional learning and support students experiencing stress, behavioral challenges, or low engagement.
- Collaborate with educators and mental health providers to design coordinated support systems that promote the well-being of students, families, and schools.
PRESENTERS
Dr. Melissa Katz, is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who received her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology with a child and adolescent specialization from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology. She is proud to provide excellent clinical training to graduate students through our residency program at the Center. Her areas of expertise include youth with neurodevelopment disorders such as ADHD and ASD, early childhood interventions, pediatric anxiety and mood disorders, OCD, parenting work and school consultation. Melissa combines evidence-based practices with systemic and dynamic approaches that focus on the unique needs and strengths of every child and family. In addition to clinical work, Melissa leads the charge towards integrative behavioral health care in our community. She is active in reducing barriers that might inhibit services and expanding the behavioral health care network into medical, school and community settings. She is a member of our clinical training team and has served as adjunct faculty at several clinical programs throughout the Chicagoland region. Melissa serves on the McHenry County Board of Health, the NAMI Board (National Alliance on Mental Illness) and is a founder of the Youth Empower Alliance (YEA).
Andrew Sanchez, LCPC, holds a Bachelor’s Degree in psychology from DePaul University and a Master’s Degree in community counseling from National Louis University. Andrew has extensive experience working with adolescents and adults with mental health and substance abuse issues. Andrew speaks Spanish fluently and has worked in a variety of outpatient and inpatient settings, treating children, adolescents, and adults. He empowers individuals to overcome obstacles and improve their lives by using an empathetic and collaborative approach to therapy.
Andrew has also developed a particular expertise in working with adolescents struggling with academic, social, and family problems through his experience in school, mental health, and hospital-based settings. Adolescents and adults find Andrew to be compassionate, caring and easy to open up to during the therapeutic process.
As Clinical Director, Andrew also provides training and support to staff. He is involved in the supervision and training of Master’s level students during their internship at The Center. Andrew regularly connects and networks with community leaders, businesses schools, doctor’s offices, and other members within the community.
