2nd Community Convening

The Webster University Department of Professional Counseling and the Webster Institute for Clinical Scholarship at Webster University are partnering with Mental Health America of Eastern Missouri to host the 2nd Annual Community Convening.  

The theme of the Community Convening is Healing from Community Violence and Racial Trauma. The Community Convening is an annual gathering of clinicians, youth and family providers, students, funders, and individuals who are working to increase access to high-quality, affordable mental healthcare in the St. Louis region. 

 This event will feature renowned DEI expert Dr. Maysa Akbar as the keynote speaker, along with several other mental health professionals from the St. Louis region.    

 The Convening will:   

--Provide an opportunity for members of the community to reflect together on important factors that impact mental health and wellbeing in the Saint Louis region, and to learn about culturally informed approaches to individual and community healing 

--Disseminate knowledge and develop skills among professionals from various disciplines so we are better equipped to provide or to refer individuals to quality, culturally responsive mental healthcare 

--Promote a greater sense of community among mental health providers and other professionals in the region 

--Offer continuing education credits to mental health providers free of charge 

The Annual Community Convening also seeks to foster our diverse, supportive professional community that effectively works to meet the needs of high-need, underserved individuals and families. In this setting, we recognize, share, and celebrate the contributions of the mental health professionals and other professionals in various interdisciplinary fields. We seek to inspire one another and to be inspired!   

There will be an opportunity to earn up to 3 hours of FREE Continuing Education Credits for Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, and select helping professionals. 

The event is free and open to the public.  

A light breakfast and lunch will be served.   

Dr. Maysa Akbar is a groundbreaking psychologist, best-selling author, and healer. Dr. Akbar is a thought leader and expert in racial trauma, allyship, diversity, equity, and inclusion. She is an engaging and dynamic speaker who is sought by corporations, philanthropies, nonprofit organizations, urban school districts, and social service agencies in their efforts to promote antiracism and advance racial equity. She brings insight, courage, and passion to her conversations with communities of color and white communities alike.

In her first book, Urban Trauma, A Legacy of Racism, Dr. Akbar introduces the Urban Trauma™ framework, unpacking how people of color live in a state of crisis due to oppressive societal systems, resulting in feelings of anger, rage, and hopelessness. In her second book, Beyond Ally: The Pursuit of Racial Justice, with wisdom and compassion, Dr. Akbar advances her racial justice work through the creation of the Ally Identity Model, which details the stages of allyship in dismantling systemic oppression.

Dr. Akbar is a board-certified clinical psychologist and has held an Assistant Clinical Professor position at Yale University, School of Medicine. She is also the founder of Integrated Wellness Group, a psychotherapy practice in New Haven, CT specializing in treating race-based trauma since 2008.

Webster University Department of Professional Counseling is an NBCC Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 450. Webster University Department of Professional Counseling solely is responsible for this program, including the awarding of NBCC credit.