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Gathering Is Community Care
Our events are more than just fundraisers—they are a chance for our community to come together, heal, and build a stronger safety net for everyone in Alameda County. We invite you to join us, have fun, and make a connection.
Psychosis with Jen Rooney
In this training, participants will deepen their understanding of psychosis and how to approach it clinically.
Crisis Response in the Community with Amy Walker
In this training, participants will deepen their understanding of the crisis responses services in Alameda County and how to best utilize them in their practices.
Caregivers of Youth with Suicidal Ideation Informational Workshop
What kinds of resources are available for a youth with suicidal ideation? Join us for a virtual informational workshop to learn about the crisis continuum and facts and resources that could be helpful for your youth.
Love in the Face of Grief
Love in the Face of Grief
Transformative Grief Practices for Maintaining Connection, Belonging, and Relationships After A Death
Drawing from stories in her upcoming book, Lorraine will discuss how stories of love remain in the face of grief and death. Not only are these stories of our dead available for the months and years following their death, but fostering restoration of stories and love with clients stands against the iatrogenic despair that conventional grief psychology produces by insisting clients say good-bye and find closure. This day-long workshop will be a heart-felt journey into relational worlds where love uplifts the stories of the dead for the bereaved to posthumously claim what was never lost. We will explore new ideas in grief counseling to respond to differing bereavement experiences by scaffolding theoretical underpinnings with practical application. Throughout the day, participants will learn how to have conversations with people who are living with grief by practicing with one another, showcasing that love doesn’t die when a person dies.
About the Presenter
Lorraine Hedtke, MSW, LCSW, Ph.D., is a veteran narrative therapist who has turned the world of modern-day grief psychology completely upside down. Her relational approach to grief counseling affirms the importance of love to guide us through some of the most challenging aspects of life. Her innovative approach supports the bereaved to sustain connections with those who have died, holding close to the shared stories to navigate a path forward that transforms the depth of yearning and distress grief brings. Love in the Face of Grief:
Transformative Grief Practices for Maintaining Connection, Belonging, and Relationships after a Death is her fifth book addressing grief and loss that encourages a loving new direction for the bereaved who live with a broken heart. Dr. Hedtke lectures worldwide about grief counseling, training counselors and medical professionals. Her work has been translated into Japanese, Spanish, Russian, and German. She has been featured on TEDx and is a leading voice reshaping the field of bereavement counseling.
Event Logistics
Date: April 17, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley | 2407 Dana St, Berkeley, CA 94704
Registration: https://bit.ly/LoveInTheFaceOfGrief
ADHD with Violette Hong MD CEU'S OFFERED
In this training on ADHD, participants will
1. Explain how executive function and energy regulation contribute to ADHD symptoms
2. Identify core DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for ADHD
3. Differentiate ADHD from at least 5 other differential diagnoses
Diagnosis with Veronique Lee
In this training, participants will learn techniques for approaching diagnosis with youth, and explore questions about best practices for client-centered care.
Dementia with Erica Kornblith
This workshop offers a deep dive into the clinical complexities of aging, beginning with a critical examination of ageism and personal biases that can impact the therapeutic relationship. Participants will gain the diagnostic clarity needed to distinguish normal cognitive aging from clinical impairment while mastering evidence-based strategies to provide effective, high-quality care for older adults.
Suicide Safety Planning: An Introduction for Medical Professionals
The workshop’s goal is to provide medical professionals with an introduction to suicide safety planning.
Cultural Humility with Larry Lariosa
Explore the impact of colonial mentality and historical trauma on Filipino society in this specialized Cultural Humility workshop. Participants will learn to identify the manifestations of internalized oppression and gain essential mental health insights for supporting those affected by colonial trauma.
Solution Focused Brief Therapy with Narges Dillon
This training provides an introduction to Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, focusing on the specific role of the therapist and the application of five core clinical interventions. Participants will gain practical experience in these techniques while learning how to effectively integrate solution-focused principles into the safety planning process. Learn directly from our executive director, Narges Zohoury Dillon.
Caregivers of Youth with Suicidal Ideation Informational Workshop
What kinds of resources are available for a youth with suicidal ideation? Join us for a virtual informational workshop to learn about the crisis continuum and facts and resources that could be helpful for your youth.
Healthcare Professional Wellness: Managing and Preventing Burnout
This workshop explores the unique factors that these medical professionals experience that contribute to burnout. It also explores ways individuals can support themselves and others through system wide support, long term, short term, and microstep support strategies.
988 Virtual Conference
A vital gathering for mental health professionals, community partners, and advocates to discuss the future of crisis care. This conference provides an opportunity to learn, network, and collaborate on improving the 988 system for all.
Thank you for a successful conference! Check out the conference session archive to learn more. Check back next fall for next year’s conference!
Sponsor an Event
Are you a local business or organization interested in making an impact?
Sponsoring an event is a high-visibility way to show your support for mental health in our community.