I'm beyond excited to be at the first PCIT International World Congress being held in Schweinfurt, Germany. I had the honor to present a mini clinical skills workshop on my adaptation of PCIT for traumatized youth--"Trauma-Focused PCIT (TF-PCIT):  Combining PCIT and TF-CBT." My presentation was one of two scheduled during the first time block after opening remarks and the Keynote speaker. The workshop was well-attended, and I had the opportunity to meet many PCIT providers from around the globe after I presented. A little side note:  I had submitted my proposal for this workshop in German but was asked to present in English. When I started my presentation, I did my introduction in both German and English. Despite the normal kind of anxiety that comes along with presenting in front of a room of professionals, I had fun sharing my experiences with this adaptation and leading attendees in hands-on activities I use in these sessions. Thank you to my PCIT colleagues who assisted with handing out materials and capturing this photo of me presenting!

It was a busy day for me at the second day of the 2015 PCIT International Convention. During the Labeled Praise Luncheon, I received the PCIT International Advocacy and Community Service Award. I knew I had been nominated, but to see my face and story on the main screen of the room definitely provided me with a blessed surprise. My trainer presented the award to me with tears of pride in her eyes. I felt so truly appreciated for the work I've done in Louisville to bring PCIT to our community. Through my agency's period of change in CEO, productivity requirements, declaration of bankruptcy, and significant changes in Medicaid, I was successful in obtaining my certification as a PCIT Therapist and Level I Trainer while training a cohort of five clinicians. Two of these clinicians completed all training requirements, and one went on to become certified. There were many barriers I had to creatively overcome, which is another part of my job I honestly love. I appreciate a challenge, and I'm excited to continue disseminating PCIT in my local community. I'm certain that no matter what barriers stand in my way, I will find ways to overcome them in order to more broadly serve families in Louisville. 

Aside from the wonderfully overwhelming choices of presentations to attend, today I was internally preparing for my own presentation on my adaptation of PCIT for traumatized youth:  Trauma-Focused PCIT (TF-PCIT). As part of the Treatment Delivery and Monitoring with Trauma Cases Symposium, I had to condense all the information I wanted to share into a 15-minute presentation. I felt honored to present alongside well-known researchers in the field, Susan Timmer and Brian Allen, and to receive feedback from the symposium discussant, Master Trainer Amy Herschell. I had a lot of people coming up to me afterwards expressing interest in my adaptation and asking questions. It felt wonderful to know there was interest in my adaptation. I hope to be able to research its use in the future.