Midwinter Gathering (2023)
January 20, 2023
(Virtual Gathering on Zoom)
2 hours CE credit
Attachment Theory and Attachment to God Mason Hale

Mason will lead a brief overview of Attachment Theory and provide a glimpse into what we know about Attachment to God.
(1-Hour Presentation)
Mason has earned a Bachelor of Science in Bible, a Master of Arts in Pastoral Care and Counseling, and a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Freed-Hardeman University. He is currently a PhD student in Counseling and Supervision at Tennessee Tech University, the Young Adults Ministry Intern at the College Hills Church of Christ in Lebanon, TN, and a counselor for the Harpeth Hills Counseling Center. He holds the Temp. LPC-MHSP in Tennessee, is a National Certified Counselor, and a Board-Certified Christian Counselor.
Learning Objectives:
1) Provide a conceptual synopsis of Attachment Theory and relative principles.
2) Explore how parental attachment and attachment to God are related.
3) Examine the relationship between attachment to God and aspects of holistic wellness.
Religious Interculturalism and Spiritual Identity in Counseling
Dr. Douglas Ribeiro

This presentation will focus on religious culture and spiritual identity development. Particular focus will be placed on the professional dispositions necessary to develop cultural humility and competence for working with clients intersecting identities. Moreover, strategies will be presented on how to engage and broach issues of religion and spirituality as well as how to differentiate between a deficit-oriented vs a strengths-based approach to empowering clients in counseling.
(1-Hour Presentation)
Dr. Ribeiro is the director of Graduate Counseling and Chair of Psychology at Lipscomb University. Dr. Ribeiro joined the Psychology and Counseling faculty in August of 2012 after finishing his doctoral program in Counseling Psychology at Georgia State University.
As a Professional Counselor since 2006, Dr. Ribeiro has dedicated his clinical and research efforts to helping survivors of trauma achieve the psychological wellbeing and freedom we are all worthy of enjoying. Beyond his interest in psychological trauma, Dr. Ribeiro is interested in issues related to interpersonal relationships, masculinity, mood difficulties, struggles with attention and concentration, cultural adaptation, and recovery from substance and behavioral addictions such as “sex addiction.”
Dr. Ribeiro integrates several theoretical approaches that have been empirically shown to be effective. These include traditional approaches such as interpersonal, emotive, and cognitive psychotherapies as well as avant garde approaches that draw from neuroscience, narrative theory, and constructivism.
Learning Objectives:
1) Provide insights on how religious interculturalism and spiritual identity impacts the therapeutic relationship.
2) Discuss ethical considerations in therapy with regards to religious and spiritual identity related issues.
3) Suggest effective approaches and counseling interventions for religiously/spiritually related psychosocial challenges.
Past Midwinter Gatherings
January, 2022
Cassandra Riedy Rush:
The Incarnation of Trauma – A Call to Social Justice
(Virtual Gathering on Zoom)

Cassandra Riedy Rush (BA, Religious Studies, Georgetown University, 2009; MA, Theology, Ethics and Culture, University of Virginia, 2011; MA, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Belmont University, 2018; Doctoral Candidate, George Washington University) currently serves as a Lecturer at Belmont University for the Mental Health Program in the College of Theology Christian Ministry. She engages in private practice at New Moon Rising Wellness in Franklin, Tennessee where she specializes in trauma-informed care and perinatal mental health.