The Power of Gathering, Sharing, and Shaping the Future of Behavioral Health
From Ancient Circles to Modern Breakthroughs in Behavioral HealthFrom the first fireside councils to today’s cutting-edge events, humans have always gathered to learn, heal, and evolve. The act of coming together to exchange wisdom is ancient—sacred, even. It’s how we’ve survived, innovated, and grown as individuals and as a collective.
In Ancient Greece, symposiums were places of philosophical debate, music, and meaning—spaces where Socrates and Plato shaped thought through conversation, not lectures. In Indigenous traditions, circles of storytelling and ceremony became portals for wisdom to be passed from heart to heart, elder to youth. In Islamic cultures, majlis brought scholars together to explore science, art, and healing. Even medieval universities, born from monasteries, were built around the idea that learning flourishes in shared presence.
Today, conferences are the modern embodiment of those ancient traditions—where we still seek connection, understanding, and vision. The best ones do more than educate; they transform.
At Emerging Themes in Behavioral Health, we’ve designed a space that honors this legacy and brings it into the now—with a powerful blend of science, creativity, and soul.
So, what makes a great conference?
It’s not just about having a full schedule or big-name speakers. It’s about creating an experience—a circle where clinicians, researchers, C-suite leaders, business developers, and healers come together to exchange more than ideas. We exchange energy, inspiration, and intention.
We learn from visionaries like:
- Dr. Skip Rizzo, exploring clinical virtual reality and the future of mental health
- Dr. Don Grant and Dr. Barbara Nosal, unpacking the impact of caregiver device use on attachment
- Mari Smith, showing us how social media shapes the psychology of connection
- Dr. David Fakunle, bringing storytelling to life as a therapeutic and cultural tool
But we also breathe, reflect, and play.
This Year’s Highlights Include:
Wednesday Night Opening
Kick off with our Vendor Reception and be transported by the intuitive magic of Riccardo Berdini, Mentalist and Magician.
Thursday Morning: Immerse in bold, relevant sessions with leading voices in trauma, tech, and integrative care.
Thursday Lunch: Storytelling for Change Dr. David Fakunle leads us in a rhythmic, musical experience of narrative healing.
Thursday Night: Sip & Sketch + UCLA Veterans Art Exhibit
Mocktails, hors d’oeuvres, community, and creative expression with the UCLA Veterans Family Program and David Morin who will lead an immersive art exercise for all.
Friday Morning Soul Reset
Begin with Cathartic Release Breathwork led by Olympian and psychologist Dr. Marcus Rogan—followed by a powerful panel facilited by Dr Lauren Costine, PhD on Creativity & Brain Health featuring Ping Ho, The Brothers Koren, and Dr. Robert Bilder.
This conference isn’t just a professional event—it’s a modern gathering of minds and hearts, built on an ancient foundation. It’s a place where science meets spirit, where research meets rhythm, and where learning meets transformation.
We’re not just talking about healing—we’re embodying it.