December 18, 2025 - Central Ohio Mental Health Professionals CEU Luncheon

A Learning Luncheon and social / networking event for Central Ohio Mental Health Professionals, hosted by Kaela Rae Vance LPCC-S, spotlighting featured presenter, Abbie Ames, LPCC from Abbie Ames Counseling. At this luncheon, Abbie will be providing us with a presentation entitled "When Mom Isn’t Okay: Making Space for Grief After Perinatal Loss".

About the Luncheon Presenter - Abbie Ames, LPCC:

We’re honored to introduce Abbie Ames, LPCC, a compassionate and down-to-earth therapist whose work centers on supporting women in the often-overwhelming journey of modern motherhood. Abbie specializes in helping moms who feel anxious, burned out, or disconnected from themselves—often former Type A perfectionists who never expected motherhood to feel so heavy. With advanced training in EMDR, therapy intensives, and parts work (IFS), she guides clients through untangling the pressures of parenting, healing unresolved trauma, and breaking cycles they never wanted to repeat. Abbie’s approach is authentic and approachable—jeans, messy bun, and all—because she believes healing requires a safe, real space where clients can show up exactly as they are. She draws deeply from her own experiences with fertility challenges, pregnancy loss, postpartum anxiety, and grief, which have given her both empathy and a powerful commitment to helping other moms feel seen, supported, and empowered. Her goal is simple yet profound: to help women feel lighter, calmer, and more like themselves again—reminding them they don’t have to carry the weight of motherhood alone.

About the Luncheon Host - Kaela Rae Vance, LPCC-S:

Kaela is a Central Ohio Therapist whose clinical focus areas are grief and trauma. As a result, Kaela often sees patients also struggling with Anxiety, Depression, and PTSD. Kaela is trained in numerous modalities, including CTG, TF-CBT, and EMDR. Kaela honed her skills in grief and trauma counseling through her experience at the Family Support Program within Nationwide Children's Hospital Big Lots Behavioral Health Services as a Pediatric Trauma Therapist. Prior to her tenure at NCH, Kaela gained valuable experience at Columbus Springs, as an In-Patient Clinical Counselor. In spring of 2022, Kaela launched and grew her private counseling practice in Dublin, Ohio, which in January 2024 evolved into Teal Saguaro Wellness.

About the CEU Provider - Strongblossom, Inc.:

Strongblossom, Inc. is an approved provider of continuing education by the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board for counselors, social workers, and marriage/family therapists. Approval #: RCST112403. Strongblossom is a Michelle Risser company. Michelle has been a therapist for over 20 years, certified in EMDR through EMDRIA, with advanced training in perinatal mental health through Postpartum Support International. In addition to counseling, Michelle provides clinical and business consulting, burnout coaching, and continuing education.

Luncheon Itinerary:

• 10:45am - Check-In:

  • Brief social time as people arrive.

  • Brief welcome and introduction.

  • Pickup lunch to eat during presentation.

• 11:00am - CEU Presentation: "When Mom Isn’t Okay: Making Space for Grief After Perinatal Loss"

  • Introduction.

  • Presentation

  • Brief Q&A time with the presenter (Come prepared with a couple brief questions for the presenter!).

• 1pm, Sign-Out and Event conclusion.

CEU Event Description:

This presentation explores the unique grief responses following perinatal loss, equipping clinicians with trauma-informed strategies to support mothers and families through compassionate, effective care.

CEU Event Objectives:

• Identify the psychological, emotional, and physical impacts of perinatal loss on mothers and families, including common grief responses and risk factors for complicated grief.

• Apply trauma-informed therapeutic strategies, including EMDR and parts work, to help clients process grief and reduce feelings of isolation or self-blame.

• Demonstrate ways to create safe, validating clinical spaces that normalize grief, foster resilience, and support long-term healing after perinatal loss.

CEU Event Credits:

At the completion of this event and a brief CEU evaluation, attendee will receive a certificate of completion for 1.0 CEU credits. CEU credits can only be awarded to individuals who pre-purchase the CEU option when RSVPing for the event, check-in prior to the event beginning, check-out at the conclusion of the event, and complete the required CEU evaluation.

Food & Beverage:

A light snack and bottled water will be provided to attendees, and McAlisters Deli (you may make an entrée selection when you RSVP) will be provided to those who choose the lunch option when RSVP-ing.

Event location:

Dublin, Ohio. Specific location shared at time of RSVP. Be sure to check your email after submitting your RSVP. If you do not receive your confirmation email with additional event details, please email info@tealsaguaro.com

RSVP Cancellation:

Please note, event space is limited. So please only register if you are committing to attend. Obviously things come up, so if you discover after registration that you're unable to be present, please email info@tealsaguaro.com so that we can release your spot to anyone else who would like to attend. Failing to let us know may result in you being unable to attend future events.

Registration Prerequisites:

Please note, RSVP is required for this event, we're unable to accommodate walk-in guests due to seating and catering limitations. Unless otherwise approved, attendance is contingent upon attendee being employed in the mental health field. If an registrant is found to not meet these prerequisites for this event, the registrant will be contacted and asked not to attend. Future events are being organized for additional topics and be offered to a broader audience. Full event policy can be found here.

Questions about this event?

Reach out via email at info@tealsaguaro.com

Event Sponsorship or Presenter Opportunities:

If you would like to help host future events or be considered as a presenter at a future event, please reach out via email at info@tealsaguaro.com