2026 ANNUAL LCPCM SPRING CONFERENCE
Morning Presentation
“An Integrative Approach to Work with Emotional Avoidance in Asian Clients”
Many clinical trainings highlight effective interventions and moments of emotional breakthrough. While these moments are truly exciting, they can overshadow a quieter but central part of therapeutic work: the strenuous and repetitive process of rolling with emotional avoidance prior to breakthrough.
Based on my extensive work with emotional avoidance in Asian clients, as well as my own lived cultural experience, this presentation invites fellow therapists to look more deeply at emotional avoidance through the Protective Pathways Model—an integrative, culturally responsive framework that centers protection and safety as meaningful responses to cultural legacy and collective trauma. Grounded in cultural–historical and feminist lenses, the model conceptualizes emotional avoidance as an adaptive, relational strategy shaped by culture, power, and attachment needs, rather than as resistance or lack of insight.
Drawing from EFT, IFS, and somatic approaches, the training offers practical guidance for assessing and working with protective strategies in creative, flexible, and culturally attuned ways. Through case examples, participants will learn how to pace emotional work, build safety and resources, and support emotional access without coercion—trusting that understanding protection is a crucial component of empowerment and meaningful, sustainable change.
Presenter: Si Meng, LCPC
Si Meng, LCPC, is a licensed bilingual psychotherapist based in Ellicott City, Maryland. She earned her Master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University in 2021 and subsequently built a private practice specializing in relational trauma, communication skills, and immigrant family dynamics. Through her clinical work, she has developed extensive experience working with Asian clients and integrating cultural, relational, and somatic perspectives into therapy.
Afternoon Presentation
“Cultural Multiplicity”
This workshop helps supervisors, mid-managers, other staff members begin to understand the world better, and prevent and overcome cultural, racial, and ethnic divisions and misunderstandings.
Participants will learn the following:
Presenter: Dr. Juanita DeShazior, LCPC
Dr. DeShazior has over 25 years of experience as a licensed psychotherapist in the field of Forensic Psychology, Substance Abuse Counseling, Individual and Family Therapy, Trauma Informed Counseling, Re-Entry, Rehabilitation Services, Children/Adolescent Therapy, Social Services, and Group Facilitation. Her training provides her with an advanced competence to offer services that addresses civil and criminal psycho-legal issues. She also conducts psychological assessments and evaluations for individuals and groups.
SCHEDULE
Registration and Breakfast: 8:00 AM
Business Meeting: 9:00 AM
Morning Session: 9:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Networking Lunch: 12:15 PM - 1:30 PM
Afternoon Session: 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Registration (and payment) deadline is 11:59pm April 17, 2026.
Attendees will be required to turn in a signed attendance form (which will be provided) before leaving in order to receive a CEU certificate. Both morning AND afternoon sessions must be attended. Partial credit will not be given. A link will be sent to an evaluation form and the certificate on Tuesday, May 5.
Cost:
Conference Fees: LCPCM Members: $125 Non-Members: $165 LGPC/Retired: $75 Student: $65 (not for LCPCs or LGPCs)
Membership Fees*: LCPC: $90 Retired: $55 (not working as an LCPC) LGPC: $45
Student: $25 (not for LCPCs or LGPCs)
*If you join when you register, you are eligible for the membership rate.
Walk-ins are registered on a first come, first served basis as space allows after all those registered in advance sign-in. Late registrants and walk-ins will be charged an additional $20 late fee.
Cancellations before April 17, 2026 will be charged a $15 processing fee. There will be no refunds, no exceptions, after April 17, 2026.
Other Information:
A buffet lunch will be served.
6 CEU’s Approved by the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors.
LOCATION
Doubletree Hilton
5485 Twin Knolls Road
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 997-1060
Directions
From 495 to I-95 North towards Baltimore:
Take 32 West toward Columbia and exit 16A for 29 North. Then take exit 20A for 175 East. Keep right on 175 East and turn right at light onto Thunder Hill Road. Take next Right onto Twin Knolls Road and turn right at hotel sign into parking lot.
