March 20, 2025 - Central Ohio Mental Health Professionals CEU Luncheon

A Learning CEU Luncheon and social / networking event for Central Ohio Mental Health Professionals, hosted by Kaela Rae Vance LPCC-S, LLC, spotlighting featured presenter, Nicholas Bolton, LPCC, SEP. At this luncheon, Nicholas will be providing us with a presentation entitled "Reclaiming the Present: Healing Trauma Through Body Awareness".

About the Luncheon Presenter - Nicholas Bolton, LPCC, SEP:

With over a decade of experience in clinical mental health, Nicholas specializes in somatic psychotherapy, trauma resolution, and holistic wellness. His background combines psychology, experiential arts, and community behavioral health, enabling him to bring a compassionate, body-oriented approach to therapy. He holds a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Dayton and he's a certified Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner. He incorporates neurophysiological, body-oriented methods like Somatic Experiencing®, Polyvagal Theory, and mindfulness-based approaches, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), to support trauma resolution, emotional regulation, and healing. His work focuses on addressing early developmental trauma, helping clients resolve pre-verbal and attachment-based experiences that impact emotional regulation, relationships, and overall well-being. In his private practice, he helps individuals, couples, and families address trauma-related challenges, including depression, anxiety, addictions, and chronic pain. He also offers workshops and online courses, aiming to cultivate trauma-informed and resiliency-informed communities.

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: "Reclaiming the Present: Healing Trauma Through Body Awareness"

  • Introduction.

  • Foundations of Interoception and Exteroception.

  • Practical Applications in Therapy.

  • Clinical and Ethical Considerations.

  • Case Applications and Discussion.

  • Therapist Self-Regulation and Professional Resilience.

  • 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:

At the core of trauma lies a disconnection from our inner self. Healing, therefore, is not just about revisiting the past, but about reconnecting with ourselves in the present moment and reclaiming a sense of wholeness. Trauma has a way of pulling us back into the past, often without us even realizing it. Our bodies store these painful experiences, and through implicit memory, we continuously relive the trauma, as though it’s happening all over again. The body doesn’t distinguish between past and present—it reacts to triggers, sensations, and emotions from long ago as if they’re part of the current moment. The trauma lives in our reactions, shaping how we respond to the world today. This is where interoception and exteroception become powerful antidotes. Interoception is the practice of paying attention to the subtle sensations in the body, helping us become more present and aware. By tuning into these bodily sensations, we create the opportunity to differentiate between the echoes of the past and the reality of the present. Exteroception, on the other hand, anchors us in the external world, offering a stabilizing counterbalance when internal sensations become overwhelming. Together, these two forms of body-based awareness empower us to meet ourselves in the present with safety and steadiness, reclaiming our ability to fully experience the here and now. Meeting ourselves in this way, with curiosity and compassion, allows us to disentangle the past from our current reality. Through this awareness, we reclaim the present moment as our own, grounding ourselves in the now and allowing the body to experience safety and wholeness again. True healing unfolds not just in understanding our trauma, but in learning to inhabit our bodies fully—creating new patterns of trust, agency, and self-awareness.

CEU Event Objectives:

By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Describe how implicit memory influences trauma responses and impacts clients’ perception of the present moment.

2. Demonstrate interoceptive and exteroceptive techniques to help clients distinguish between past trauma and present experiences.

3. Integrate body-based approaches, including interoception, exteroception, and co-regulation, to foster client safety, trust, and self-regulation.

4. Identify ethical considerations and culturally sensitive

CEU Event Credits:

At the completion of this event and a brief CEU evaluation, attendee will receive a certificate of completion for 2 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