Thursday, November 5, 2026

12:00 PM - 2:00 PM CST | 2 CEHs | $40

Discover how healing begins when love meets rejection in this compelling mother–daughter testimony. Confronting the pain of reactive attachment and defiance, they share how resilience, trauma-informed care, and commitment rebuilt trust and rewired their relationship. This inspiring session offers clinicians and parents deep insight into attachment repair, emotional regulation, cultural acceptance and the transformative power of unconditional connection. This session will leave time for questions from the audience. 

Kelly Pittman & Jayna Pittman

About the Presenters: Kelly Pittman is the Director of Neurotechnology at A Chance To Grow, a nonprofit dedicated to helping children and adults overcome physical and emotional challenges through brain-based therapies. An Emotional Freedom Coach and award-winning author of Unleashing Happiness, Kelly’s greatest teacher has been her daughter, Jayna, adopted from China at age two. Together, they share their powerful journey of healing and connection. In their presentation, The Myth of Rejection: Two Sides of a Transracial Adoption, Kelly and Jayna offer insight into trauma, attachment, and resilience—inviting families to move beyond fear and rebuild extraordinary, connected relationships. 

Jayna Pittman graduated summa cum laude from the University of Northwestern through the prestigious Act Six Leadership Program. She now serves as the Kids Operations Specialist at a local nonprofit, where she helps families build stronger connections through understanding and compassion. Mirroring her mother’s advocacy, Jayna is passionate about empowering parents to meet their children where they are—emotionally and developmentally—and to never give up. Together, Jayna and her mom share their story to inspire hope and demonstrate that even relationships once thought impossible can become extraordinary. 

Available until November 11, 2026

3 CEHs | $90

Price: $90

This presentation is expected to be approved for 3 hours of clinical content & .5 hour of cultural competency content.

Description of Presentation:

What really is ADHD, and how can it best be treated? Practical information for parents, teachers, and clinicians. An extensive review of comorbidity, specific factors for differential diagnosis (anxiety, depression, ODD, OCD, ASD) and evidence-based treatment. 

Gary Johnson, PhD, LP, LMFT, Director of CALM and Kotatee Tamba, PsyD, LICSW, CALM

Learning Objectives:
1. Able to identify subtypes of ADHD.  
2. Name at least 3 symptoms which differentiate ADHD vs anxiety, OCD, ODD, Autism, or Depression. 
3. Able to identify at least two current research-based strategies for treatment of ADHD.

About the Presenter: Dr. Gary Johnson has specialized in ADHD for the past 35 years. Having ADHD himself (along with 2 of his children) he brings a personal, often humorous, focus to this disorder. Gary is a frequent presenter at MACMH events, including presenting a research update on ADHD for the past 15 years. He has been honored with awards from the Minnesota Psychological Association and MACMH.

Dr. Kotatee Tamba is a clinician at the CALM clinic, focusing on differential diagnosis and effective treatments plans for complex cases. In addition, he provides therapy for clients struggling with aspects of ADHD. He specializes in working with parents to better understand the disorder and how to address behavioral issues. 

Thursday, December 3, 2026

12:00 PM - 2:00 PM CST | 2 CEHs | $40

 The audience will discover the most effective strategies to support children during painful losses of all kinds.  Looking at how we adults are the role models and how we can teach children to process loss and why it is a life-changing skill.

Jan Sautter, Certified Advanced Grief Recovery Specialist 

About the Presenter: Jan's personal and professional experience has given her expansive knowledge helping others navigate loss.  With compassion, knowledge and even some humor, her insight and delivery examines common myths about grief and identifies strategies to heal. 

Available until December 10, 2026

3 CEHs | $60

Key Warning Signs of Early Onset Mental Illness and Suicide Prevention Best Practices meets the state requirements for educator licensure renewal. Attendees will learn strategies, interventions, accommodations, and modifications to help students flourish emotionally and socially in school settings and in the community.  The presenter describes signs and symptoms of mental illness in children and youth, including developmental differences from infant and early childhood through transition age youth. Resources will be shared to help educators, families and other professionals connect children and youth with appropriate levels of care when needed. A comprehensive school wide toolkit for prevention, intervention, and postvention of suicide will be discussed and shared with participants. 

Deborah Cavitt, MS, Manager of Advocacy and Education - Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health

Deborah Cavitt, MS is an advocate, trainer, and project director for Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health (MACMH). Cavitt gives presentations and works on projects with schools, children, youth, parents, and professionals to increase understanding and reduce the stigma related to mental health disorders. As a parent coach and advocate, she helps families navigate systems on their journey of raising a child with mental health challenges. Deborah has a master’s degree in human services with specializations in mental health and substance use counseling and a bachelor’s degree in education. Before joining MACMH, she worked as a prevention specialist and grant coordinator for a substance abuse treatment agency in Iowa City. Preceding her mental health and substance use prevention work, she was a teacher for over twenty years, working on the White Earth Indian Reservation in Northern Minnesota.