Research to Recovery 2025: Full Schedule

Welcome to the 2025 Research to Recovery Conference

10:15am EDT

Sand Tray Therapy In Addictions Counseling (In Person only)

Tuesday May 20, 2025 10:15am - 12:30pm EDT

Join us for a session focused on the transformative use of Sand Tray Therapy in addictions counseling. This workshop is designed for mental health professionals seeking to integrate creative therapeutic techniques into their practice to enhance client engagement, promote self-exploration, and facilitate healing in the context of addiction recovery specifically with adolescents and young adults.

Speakers

Ederis Martinez-Cunion

Owner, Licensed Professional Counselor, Your Path Counseling Center

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and the owner of Your Path Counseling Center, which is private practice counseling center located in Ashland, VA. I have a M.S. in Applied Psychology with a concentration in Counseling from the University of Baltimore. I have extensive experience... Read More →

Sand tray and Addictions Counseling pdf

Tuesday May 20, 2025 10:15am - 12:30pm EDT
Academic Learning Commons - VCU 1102 1000 Floyd Ave, Richmond, VA 23220, USA

Clinical

3:30pm EDT

Latine Provider Panel (Live stream)

Tuesday May 20, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT

Academic Learning Commons - VCU - 1107

This panel will explore ways in which individuals, organizations and systems can better support people of Latin descent within our community especially those for whom English is not a first language. The panel will explore cultural, clinical and practical considerations, community partnerships, and resources that will improve services.

Speakers

Hector Vasquez

PRS, VCU

Yvette Coronado

Licensed Psychotherapist, Nature and Movement

Yvette Coronado’s hope with herself, family, friends and clients and everyone for that matter is to increase the harmony, love, bliss, and positive vibrations in life, for all, not just some, knowing that a kind of heaven can be here now on earth and not in some after life. Her... Read More →

Daniella Tailor

Clinical Social Worker, Virginia Commonwealth University

Daniella Tailor, LCSW is a clinical social worker at VCU’s University Counseling Services, supporting undergraduate and graduate students with a variety of mental health concerns. Her clinical passions include group therapy, relationship work, providing bilingual services for Spanish-speaking... Read More →

Liliana Spurgeon

Program Coordinator, UNM Collegiate Recovery Center

Liliana (Lily) Spurgeon is a bilingual Community Health Worker (CHW) and Peer Support Specialist, using her experience as a first-generation Latina and person in recovery to advocate for historically ignored communities in behavioral health. Lily has worked in several roles and positions... Read More →

Emely Baez Salazar

Certified Community Health Worker (CCHW) and a Social Work Intern Task Supervisor, Health Brigade

Emely Baez Salazar is a Certified Community Health Worker (CCHW) and a Social Work Intern Task Supervisor at Health Brigade. As an immigrant from the Dominican Republic, I have always been deeply committed to advocating for the Latino community in Richmond. My passion for helping... Read More →

Tuesday May 20, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Academic Learning Commons - VCU - 1107

Clinical

2:30pm EDT

Pregnancy and Addiction Panel (Live stream)

Wednesday May 21, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT

Academic Learning Commons - VCU - 1107

This panel discussion features individuals with lived experience of pregnancy during substance use disorder recovery, as well as medical professionals who specialize in caring for pregnant women and their families. Attendees will gain valuable insight into these two perspectives and explore how they can collaborate to improve care and support.

Moderators

Omri Morris

Peer Recovery Support Coordinator, Virginia Commonwealth University

Omri Morris is a black queer cis woman and mother in recovery from Substance Use Disorder and living with co-occuring mental health disorders. She chose abstinence as her main pathway to recovery, which means that she has chosen to abstain from using illicit drug and alcohol use for... Read More →

Speakers

Sonya Del Tredici

Lead Physician for Addiction Services, Wellspan Health

Sonya Del Tredici, MD, is a general internist specializing in primary care, addiction medicine, and medical education. She earned her medical degree from New York Medical College, completed her internal medicine residency at Robert Wood Johnson-UMDNJ in New Brunswick, NJ, and was... Read More →

Jan Brown

Founder and Executive Director, SpiritWorks Foundation Center for the Soul

The Rev. Jan Brown, is the Founder and Executive Director of SpiritWorks Foundation Center for the Soul. An ordained Deacon in the Episcopal Church, she currently serves as the Archdeacon of the Diocese of Southern Virginia and at Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg, VA. Jan is... Read More →

Candice McDaniel

Clinical Intergration Manager, Urban Baby Beginnings

Candice is a dedicated doula with extensive experience supporting families through a variety of birthing experiences. As the Clinical Integration Manager at Urban Baby Beginnings, she brings her deep commitment to maternal health into every aspect of her work. With a focus on eliminating... Read More →

Rachel Woods

Peer Recovery Specialist, The Peer Academy

Rachel Woods is an aspiring peer recovery specialist driven by a profound empathy shaped by her diverse experiences. Having overcome significant challenges, including mental health issues, substance use, homelessness, incarceration, and the loss of parental rights, she stands as a... Read More →

Kalie Owen

Clinical Social Worker, VCU Health

Kalie Owen LCSW, CSAC is the clinical social worker on the OB MOTIVATE team at VCU Health inRichmond, VA supporting pregnant and parenting women with substance use disorders. Kaliehas experience as a substance use counselor at a methadone clinic and developed a case loadthat included... Read More →

Wednesday May 21, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Academic Learning Commons - VCU - 1107

Clinical