At The Juniper Center, we’ve always valued being part of community events and conferences that support well-being, and this time we knew we wanted to create something truly special. Partnering with Plena Mind Center, Therapy Etc, and Newport Healthcare, we began planning the Innovations in Mental Health: Treating Children, Teens, and Families Conference with one goal in mind: to bring fresh energy, ideas, and resources to the professionals who serve young people and their families. When we first came together to imagine this event, we all shared a deep belief in the power of collaboration to strengthen the mental health field—and that belief has guided every step of the process.
Putting A Spotlight on Children and Families
In our early conversations, one theme kept coming up again and again: while many conferences focus on adults or on the business side of mental health, children, teens, and families are often left without the dedicated spotlight they deserve. That realization became the heart of this project. We knew it was time to do something different. Innovations in Mental Health has been hosted in other states, but bringing it to Illinois for the very first time felt important—not just for us as organizers, but for the community we serve. Together, we set out to design an event that would showcase innovative approaches across all levels of care, from outpatient services to residential programs, to make a lasting impact in Northern Illinois.
Discussing Various Topics in the Mental Health World
From the start, we wanted this conference to feel alive with collaboration. That’s why we invited speakers from diverse backgrounds, each bringing years of experience in working with children, teens, and families. The sessions reflect the issues we see at the core of effective care—Anxiety and OCD, Family Systems, School-Based Interventions, Psychiatric Care, and Assessments. Whether it’s integrating academic growth into the clinical experience, applying Internal Family Systems and Radically Open DBT, addressing OCD through SPACE, or uncovering treatable root causes and comorbidities, these presentations are designed to be both innovative and practical. Our vision was to create a program that leaves every attendee feeling both informed and inspired.
Creating Opportunities for Connection and Collaboration
We also understood that what happens between sessions can be just as valuable as what happens during them. That’s why we intentionally built in extended breaks, a hosted breakfast and lunch, and time after each presentation for conversations to flow. We wanted to make sure this day created space for real connection—for providers in child, adolescent, and family care, including those working in SUD and ED treatment, to meet, share ideas, and form new referral relationships. We hope that attendees will leave not only with new clinical strategies but also with new professional bonds that strengthen the broader network of care for families in our region.
Gaining A New Arsenal of Resources
Because this is the very first year, we feel a special sense of anticipation. For us, success isn’t just about pulling off a great event—it’s about what people take with them when they leave. If attendees walk away re-energized, equipped with new tools, and inspired to see their work in new ways, then we’ll know we’ve achieved what we set out to do. More than that, we see this inaugural conference as the beginning of a tradition—one that grows each year and establishes Illinois as a hub for innovation in child and family mental health.
We couldn’t be more excited to welcome you to the first-ever Innovations in Mental Health conference in Illinois, co-hosted by Therapy Etc, Plena Mind Center, The Juniper Center, and Newport Healthcare. In one full day, attendees will earn 6.5 CE credits, hear from incredible speakers, and gain insights that will make a difference in their clinical practice. We’ve poured our collective energy and expertise into creating a day that is both practical and inspiring, and we can’t wait to share it with you. If you’d like to be part of this inaugural experience, you can register here: https://app.e.help.newporthealthcare.com/e/es?s=283177&e=182294&elqTrackId=faa7701f65f54181aee50e5fa424b845&elq=70b68c3edb8c4b54805e919dc8fea868&elqaid=3177&elqat=1&elqak=8AF5D0D5802A72C397497A738EBDA5290F4B01EC28E92790E230D4D8CC1A8D26F25B.
We look forward to seeing you there!