2026 Regional Roadshow: Kelowna

DAY 1

Full Day Workshop

Beyond the Wound: Implementing Effective Trauma Interventions

Psychological trauma impacts between 60 and 76% of Canadians, according to the Canadian Psychological Association and Health Canada. Of those, approximately 9% will develop PTSD, though many others will have their trauma manifest as other mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety. Such statistics highlight that the impact of trauma is pervasive, multifaceted, varied, and often lasts a lifetime, which creates complexity for assessors and treatment providers.

In this workshop:

> Dr. Carissa Muth will begin by providing a foundation based on the neuroscience of trauma, including current theories on the etiology of PTSD and Complex PTSD.

> Building on this understanding, the workshop will provide an overview of assessing trauma, including differential diagnoses, which is imperative to implementing effective treatments.

> Rather than defaulting to a single treatment method whenever a client presents with trauma, this workshop will guide participants in matching evidence-based treatment methods with presentations of trauma.

> Primarily, this workshop will present a staged approach to addressing trauma that includes the integration of therapeutic methods such as narrative therapy, CBT, DBT skills, and positive psychology.

Presenter: Dr Carissa Muth , PsyD, RPsych

Evening Social Reception

Join us for a casual evening following the first full day of learning. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow RCCs from across your region. Deepen professional relationships, share insights from the day’s learning, and build connections within BC’s mental health community.

DAY 2

Stakeholder Roundtable Discussion

This is where your voice can shape regional mental health policy.

Join a this dialogue with government officials, service partners, health authority representatives, and fellow practitioners to surface barriers, discuss emerging client needs, and co-create solutions that reflect front-line realities.

1/2 Day Workshop

From Disruption to Dialogue: Strengthening Relationships After Adverse Events

Every year, the risk of adverse environmental events such as fires and floods is increasing, with the Okanagan region listed as one of the highest-risk areas in Canada for wildfires.

While separate and distinct, the mental health crises impacting Canadians from the pervasiveness of opioids and environmental stressors are significantly interrelated. These mental health crises take a toll not only on the individual struggling with their mental health but also on their family, friends, and communities. Whether directly or indirectly, clinical counsellors likely encounter those impacted by opioids or the impact of environmental traumas on a regular basis.

In this workshop, Dr. Carissa Muth will present an overview of the neuropsychological factors involved in both trauma and addiction and highlight the numerous contributing components involved in the development and treatment of substance use. This will include the impact of stressors, such as the impact of adverse environmental events, on risk for substance use and overall wellbeing. Grounded in the science of addictions, this workshop will then provide a framework for treating both individuals struggling with substance use as well as their support systems.

Presenter: Dr Carissa Muth , PsyD, RPsych