November 19, 2026 - 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, Nathan D. Tomcik, PhD, ABPP and Jimmy Portner, LISW-S, LICDC-CS, BCD from Radically Open Connections. At this luncheon, Nathan & Jimmy will be providing us with a presentation entitled "When Control Becomes the Problem: An Introduction to RO-DBT & Emotional Overcontrol".

About the Luncheon Presenter - Nathan D. Tomcik, PhD, ABPP:

Dr. Tomcik is a Senior Clinician in Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO DBT) with over 20 years of experience providing evidence-based mental health care to individuals, couples, and families. He specializes in treating emotional overcontrol, treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, trauma, and relationship difficulties. He earned his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Tennessee and his Master's degree from Pepperdine University and is board-certified in Couple and Family Psychology. As former Deputy Chief of Behavioral Health at the Columbus VA, he helped expand access to specialized mental health services and played a key role in implementing RO DBT programs nationwide. He is passionate about helping clients achieve lasting change through greater openness, flexibility, and meaningful human connections.

About the Luncheon Presenter - Jimmy Portner, LISW-S, LICDC-CS, BCD:

Jimmy is a certified trainer and provider of Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO DBT) with over 20 years of experience in mental health and substance use treatment. Since 2014, he has specialized in helping individuals struggling with emotional overcontrol and treatment-resistant conditions develop greater openness, flexibility, and meaningful connections. He holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Social Work from The Ohio State University, where he has also served as an adjunct lecturer for more than a decade. As a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT), Jimmy has trained and supervised clinicians nationwide, focusing on evidence-based practices that promote lasting change. He is passionate about helping both clients and professionals grow through authenticity, compassion, and connection.

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 Control Becomes the Problem: An Introduction to RO-DBT & Emotional Overcontrol"

  • 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:

Some individuals appear successful, responsible, and emotionally stable on the outside while quietly struggling with isolation, perfectionism, rigid thinking, and difficulty forming meaningful connections. This presentation introduces Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO-DBT), an evidence-based treatment designed to address maladaptive emotional overcontrol and the challenges that often accompany it. Participants will explore how excessive self-control can contribute to treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, social isolation, and relationship difficulties, while learning how RO-DBT uses openness, flexibility, and social signaling to support lasting change. Presented by Nathan D. Tomcik, PhD, ABPP, and Jimmy Portner, LISW-S, LICDC-CS, BCD, co-founders of Radically Open Connections, this introductory course will help mental health professionals better recognize emotional overcontrol and understand how RO-DBT can complement their clinical work.

CEU Event Objectives:

• Identify the core characteristics of emotional overcontrol, including rigid thinking, perfectionism, emotional inhibition, and difficulties with social connection.

• Explain the foundational principles of Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy (RO-DBT) and how openness, flexibility, and social signaling contribute to emotional well-being.

• Recognize clinical presentations that may benefit from RO-DBT and describe how its principles can be applied to support clients struggling with emotional overcontrol and treatment-resistant conditions.

CEU Event Credits:

At the completion of this event and a brief CEU evaluation, attendee will receive a certificate of completion for 1.5 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