Course Listing - by Instructor

Diane Bigler is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Missouri and Kansas with over 25 years of experience in the mental health field. She has held clinical positions as an outpatient and in-home therapist and clinical supervisor.

Diane was an Adjunct  Professor of Social Work for ten years at The University of Kansas, School of Social Welfare, and a Field Liaison and Field Instructor. She has also held administrative positions as a program Director and Coordinator.

Diane is a popular local and national trainer on various mental health and workplace development topics for clinicians and corporations and has facilitated over 500 trainings in recent years. Diane is most passionate about providing quality professional development to clinicians, employees, and leaders. Diane loves to spoil her four Dachshunds and rock out to 80’s music for fun.

Amber Booth-McCoy is a native of Little Rock, Arkansas. She served as an internal diversity, equity, and inclusion consultant for the largest academic research center in Arkansas and has a decade of experience and expertise in culture change, higher education, academic medicine, educational spaces, and healthcare. As of 2021, she serves as adjunct faculty at the historic Clinton School of Public Service. She is a 2x published author and TEDx speaker.  In 2017, Amber expanded her efforts towards influencing culture change by founding The Diversity Booth, Inc (TDB). TDB is an innovative inclusion, equity, and social justice consulting firm. TDB is experienced in co-creating sustainable, measurable, and inclusive cultures. Their diverse client portfolio includes several prominent international and national organizations. Amber leads TDB as Chief Executive Officer and serves as Board Chairperson on the Board of Directors. Amber maintains that Mama is by far the most rewarding, with indescribable pay, of all her many roles and responsibilities. She works zealously with the desire to see a world where everyone is treated equitably and their "pursuit of happiness" will never be impeded by hate, exclusivity, or discrimination.

Dr. Jessica Coker is an Associate Professor at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) within the Departments of Psychiatry, Obstetrics, and Gynecology. She is the medical director of the Women’s Inpatient Unit, co-director of the Women’s Mental Health Program, and chair of the Opioid Stewardship  Committee at UAMS. Her training and interests have focused on psychiatric disorders during pregnancy and the postpartum period. She has been awarded multiple grants focusing on substance use disorders during the perinatal period. She recently worked as a co-investigator on the Healthy Brain and Child Development Study in partnership with NIH. As medical director of the Women’s Inpatient Unit at UAMS’  Psychiatric Research Institute, she provides acute care to women with neuropsychiatric illnesses and is an awarded educator of residents and medical students who rotate on the unit. Dr. Coker works closely with the Department of Obstetrics and   Gynecology and the Institute on Digital Health and Innovation to provide consultation services with UAMS and throughout the State. She was voted as Best of the Best finalist for psychiatry by AY Magazine and a Little Rock Top Doc in Soirée Magazine in 2022. Dr. Coker is dedicated to improving the psychiatric treatment of women across Arkansas by advocating for increased access to treatment, removing barriers to treatment for pregnant and postpartum women, and providing evidence-based care. Outside of work, she enjoys reading and traveling, especially with her husband and 7-year-old daughter, Evelyn.

Shay has been in the Mental Health sector for more than 15 years. Initially starting her journey as a foster care social worker at the Department of Social Services, she realized very early in her career that she wanted to be a part of the change that kept families together. Shay received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from University of South Carolina and her Master's degree from Johnson C. Smith University in Social Work. Shay currently works as the Director of Operations at the Family Centered Treatment Foundation which provides training and organizational implementation to companies across the country. As if traveling for work isn’t interesting, Shay spends most of her free time traveling across the country and enjoying time with family.

Elizabeth (Leah) Diehl is Director of Therapeutic Horticulture at Wilmot Botanical Gardens and Lecturer in Environmental Horticulture, both at the University of Florida (UF). She is a licensed landscape architect, a master gardener, and a professionally registered horticultural therapist. She manages and teaches an undergraduate certificate program in horticultural therapy at UF, oversees research projects, and runs therapeutic horticulture programming for diverse populations, where she coordinates clients, volunteers, and students. Leah began her work in horticultural therapy in Chicago in 1993, where she started up a therapeutic and pre-vocational program for individuals with physical and developmental disabilities at Misericordia Home. She also serves as a consultant to several organizations in Singapore, where she developed a therapeutic horticulture certificate training program and collaborates on research and design.

Nicole is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Bachelor’s degree in Bible and a Master’s Degree in Counseling. She has a wide variety of mental health experience including working in outpatient mental health organizations as a program supervisor and clinician, as well as school-based mental health programs as a clinician, coordinator, and a School-Based Health Center Coordinator.Nicole is a certified Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor and a seasoned presenter on mental health topics including suicide prevention, adversity, trauma, Motivational Interviewing, how to identify students in need of services, and self-care.If you ever see her at a conference, ask her what she is knitting. She will likely have that project handy! Nicole and her husband have 2 teenagers, a farm, and enough wool to keep the house insulated.

Dr. Farst has worked as a child abuse pediatrician with the Team for Children at Risk at Arkansas Children’s Hospital since 2004. She completed undergraduate and medical school training at Texas Tech University. Following residency training in internal medicine and pediatrics, she was in primary care private practice for 3 years before completing a fellowship in child abuse pediatrics at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. She is currently the medical director for the Team for Children at Risk at AR Children’s Hospital and a professor of pediatrics with the Department of Pediatrics of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

Dr. Veneta Fricks is a native of Memphis, Tennessee. She earned a B.S. in Biology from Philander Smith College in 2013, an M.S. in College Student Personnel Services and Administration from the University of Central Arkansas in 2015, and a doctorate in Interdisciplinary Leadership Studies from UCA in 2022. Veneta is a 13-year member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. She serves as the Associate Dean of Students, secretary for the UCA Staff Senate, and advisor for several student groups at UCA. Veneta also serves as the coordinator for professional development for new professionals for the Arkansas Student Affairs Association and co-chair for the Multicultural Awareness Committee for SACSA, NASPA Region III. Veneta is committed to growing the next generation of student affairs professionals, bringing awareness to diversity, inclusion, equity, and access topics. She enjoys educating students on alcohol, drug, and mental health safety. Veneta resides in Conway, Arkansas, with her wife Kayla, 9-year-old son Ryan, and 5-year-old daughter Kay'Mariah.

Kerri holds a Master's degree from Arkansas State University in Counselor Education and a seminary degree from The Evangelical Institute in Greeneville, S C. Kerri has extensive training and experience in play, art and sand tray interventions and completed the Kansas City play therapy program. She is also trained in TFCBT, PCIT, EMDR and working with children on the spectrum. Kerri worked in the education field for 10 years as a school teacher, counselor and principal. She then became a licensed therapist. She provided counseling and worked as a Clinical Director for over 20 years. Kerri has tried many activities including hiking, biking, triathalons, karate, clogging, fencing and cooking. After her extensive exploratory phase ended, she realized she enjoys the slow life... riding in pontoon boats, wine tasting, reading and watching Netflix. Kerri co owns NextStep Counseling and Social Space ABA.

Angeletta Giles' greatest accomplishment is being a mom to Londyn, who was diagnosed with autism in 2012 at age 4. Since the diagnosis, Angeletta has founded PAAK-Parent Advocates for Awesome Kids as well as Autism Overcomers, a program where she has mentored and empowered individuals, parents, and families all around the world who are impacted by the autism diagnosis. Angeletta and Londyn’s journey has been featured in publications including Autism Speaks, Savvy Magazine, and Arkansas Children’s Hospital. In March 2020, Giles released her book, "Take Authority Over Autism," which encourages parents not to be focused on the label of autism but rather on the awesomeness of their precious child and their identity beyond the diagnosis.

Giles has two Masters of Science degrees: Instruction, Curriculum, Leadership, and Applied Behavior Analysis. She is also a BCBA-Board Certified Behavior Analyst and is pursuing her doctorate in Clinical Behavioral Health with a focus in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. She is also a Certified Brain Injury Specialist exam, where she utilizes her certification to integrate behavior analysis with traumatic brain injuries, cerebral palsy, and spina bifida diagnoses, to name a few. Angeletta has been honored to serve on various statewide and national advocacy councils, including the Arkansas Department of Special Education State Advisory Council for Disabilities and the National Family Advisory Council for the Autism Treatment Network. Giles represented Arkansas via the National Family Advisory Council for the Autism Treatment Network and gave remarks at the national meeting in 2014. Angeletta lives in Arkansas with her beautiful daughter and autism overcomer, Londyn, and their fur baby, Cali.

Millie is as passionate about wellness as she is about student development. She has an extensive background in public health and nutrition across multiple industries and loves to translate knowledge into life applications. She has a healthy obsession with wellness and has multiple certifications and specializations, including wellness coaching and regenerative nutrition, and is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. Fortunately, her path led her to the University Of Central Arkansas, where she is conducting programs with a focus on eight dimensions of wellness.

Dr. Hall began his career as a community pediatrician in 1973 before completing subspecialty training in neonatology in 1993. He has been on faculty at Arkansas Children’s Hospital since then and is now a Professor of Neonatology. He has been involved with neonatal multicenter opioid research for the last 20 years. Specifically, he studied the effects of opioid exposure on the ventilated preterm population as a site principal investigator with the NEOPAIN trial. He oversaw the successful recruitment of over 250 patients from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Arkansas Children’s Hospital for that study. He has invested in neonatal follow-up, successfully recruiting 40 ex-preterm patients for a study evaluating pre-attentional and attentional mechanisms in that population. He has experience with Community Advisory Boards through his work with recruitment for studies involving substance use disorder. He recently stepped down as medical director of the University nursery (almost 30 years) to focus on opioid research and clinical care for the mothers and their infants affected by this disease. Dr. Hall is the director of Peds PLACE, a virtual educational platform directed towards community health care providers.

Dr. Nicole McCauley, DSW, LCSW, Vice President In-Home and Prevention Services for Saint Francis Ministries. As the VP of In-Home Services, Dr. McCauley provides program support and oversight to in-home services in Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska, Ohio, and Texas. Dr. McCauley has been in the social work field since 2006. She received her BSW from Arkansas State University, her MSW from the University of Arkansas-Little Rock, and her DSW from Walden University. During the past 18 years, she has worked in school-based mental health, community-based mental health, day treatment care for adults, residential foster care, and psychiatric residential care. She currently serves in-home and prevention programs. She has volunteered for the CALL (Children of Arkansas Loved for a Lifetime), which strives to help provide home studies and resources needed to open foster and adoptive homes in Arkansas and reduce the wait time for these homes. Dr. McCauley serves on the Arkansas chapter's NASW Board of Directors. Dr. McCauley is certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She authored “Early Case Closure of the Intensive In-home Program in Arkansas,” which was published in 2021. She had the pleasure of presenting at the National Family-Centered Treatment Conference in March 2022, the National Association of Social Workers in June 2022, and the Family-Focused Treatment Association in July 2022 and July 2023.

Michael attended and graduated from Little Rock Central High School, Columbia College, and the United States Army School of Allied Health. He is a retired army veteran who served as a combat medic and a neuropsychiatric specialist. He retired from Baptist Medical Center and works as a Rehabilitation Facility Supervisor at the Arkansas State Hospital. Micheal has worked with diverse patient populations, including children, adolescents, adults, and geriatrics. He screened patients for heart, liver, and kidney transplants. Past associations with DWI clients, juvenile justice clients, school truancy clients, medical detox, Dual Diagnosis clients and has worked with inpatient psychiatric clients.

Dr. Murray is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at UAMS in the Division for Children at Risk. She attended Medical School at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and completed her pediatric residency at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in 2011. After residency, Dr. Murray spent one year as a pediatric chief resident before going on to finish a 3-year Child Abuse Fellowship at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. Dr. Murray joined the UAMS Department of Pediatrics in 2018 and currently practices as a Child Abuse Pediatrician at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, consulting for at-risk children admitted to the hospital and evaluating children at the ACH Clark Center for Safe and Healthy Children, a facility dedicated to the multidisciplinary care and treatment of neglected and abused children and families. Dr. Murray provides regular education to medical and non-medical professionals regarding the evaluation of child abuse, has published research in the field of abuse and neglect and is actively involved in ongoing efforts related to the prevention, recognition and treatment of child abuse.

Bambi is a licensed, certified social worker, somatic experiencing practitioner, and registered play therapist supervisor who works with young children and adults in her own private practice in Little Rock, AR. With over 15 years of experience, she specializes in anxiety, relational issues, mood disorders, grief, and loss, with a particular interest in complex trauma, attachment, and dissociation. Bambi applies a prescriptive approach, which includes play therapy models such as child-centered, TraumaPlay, therapy, Filial, and Synergetic. Additionally, she uses CBT, polyvagal/somatic work, expressive arts, sand tray, ego state, and attachment-based therapy with all ages.

Shona Ray-Griffith, MD is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and Obstetrics & Gynecology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She is board-certified in both psychiatry and addiction medicine. Dr. Ray serves as the ambulatory director of the Women’s Mental Health Program as well as the Program Director of the Addiction Medicine Fellowship. Her clinical expertise includes the management of mental illness, substance use disorders, and chronic pain throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Dr. Stephanie Rose is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Sciences, Addiction Studies Program, at the University of Central Arkansas. She graduated from Capella University in Minneapolis, Minnesota with her Doctor of Social Work with an emphasis in addiction. Dr. Rose received her Master’s of Social Work and Bachelor’s of Social Work from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Dr. Rose is a Licensed Certified Social Worker, Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, as well as, a Drug and Alcohol Clinical Supervisor. Dr. Rose is a member of the Arkansas Collegiate Network and served on the National Association of Social Work Board in several positions, including President. Dr. Rose continues to practice as a mental health professional with a focus on co-occurring disorders. Dr. Rose teaches both undergraduate and graduate students in the field of addiction. Research Interests: Trauma and Addiction, Service-Learning and Addiction Education, Pregnancy and Addiction, Developmentally Appropriate Interventions for Youth with Substance Abuse, Vaping and Tobacco Use, Behavioral Addictions, Addiction Trends and Treatment Among College Students, and Addiction and Treatment Policy.

Benjamin A. Sigel is a Licensed Psychologist and Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). Dr. Sigel earned his doctorate in clinical psychology from Oklahoma State University and completed his internship and postdoctoral fellowship at UAMS. Dr.Sigel’s areas of expertise include the assessment and treatment of children with a history of experiencing trauma and exhibiting problematic sexual behavior. Dr. Sigel is a Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) trainer and a trainer for the National Center on the Sexual Behavior of Youth (NCSBY). He is heavily involved in the UAMS ARBEST (Arkansas Building Effective Services for Trauma) program, which has disseminated evidence-based treatment for trauma and trauma-informed care across Arkansas. Dr. Sigel is the former director of the UAMS Child Study Center Traumatic Stress Clinic.

Allison B. Smith is a Licensed Child Psychologist and Assistant Professor at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). Clinically, Allison specializes in the treatment of traumatic stress in young children and their families. Allison is a nationally- certified therapist in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT) and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). Her research interests focus on child welfare-involved families, evidence-based treatment, and implementation science. She is also affiliated with the Arkansas Building Effective Services for Trauma (ARBEST) program.

Ryane Owens Sorey, LCSW, is an independently licensed clinician who has spent her entire career working in Arkansas schools. She has spent time providing direct mental health services to students, coordinating mental health programming as a district-level administrator, advocating for school-based mental health services, and, in 2021, added the development and coordination of a school health center to her resume. Ryane joined the Arkansas AWARE team in November 2022 as a regional trainer to pursue her passion for working with Arkansas educators to better understand trauma's impact on student learning and what educators can do to promote positive student outcomes. Ryane holds a Bachelor's in Social Work from Arkansas State University, a Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Tennessee, and is currently working toward earning a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership with an emphasis in Behavioral Health from Grand Canyon University.

Bonnie Stribling, certified Peer Recovery Peer Supervisor, is a grant manager for the newly formed Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health at the Department of Human Services. Bonnie has been involved with the peer recovery movement in Arkansas since 2017. She is certified as a Trainer of Trainers for the Arkansas Model of Peer Recovery Support and assisted in writing the supervisor training model. She has also been involved in developing the Arkansas Peer Advisory Committee (APAC) and the Arkansas Peer Ethics Review Committee (APERC). She became the first Peer Specialist for the Department of Youth Services at the Department of Human Services in 2019. She graduated in May 2023 from a concurrent program with the Master of Public Service program at the University of Arkansas Clinton School and the Master of Social Work program at the University of Arkansas - Little Rock. Her goals include working with young people across the state to understand that recovery looks unique to each person and that all people in Arkansas deserve a chance to find themselves in the recovery process. She has a young son, Jack Glenn, who lives with her full-time, and when she is not involved in activities with her recovery community, she enjoys quality time with him.

John Trentalange holds a doctorate in psychology and a master’s in counseling and is a licensed professional counselor in the states of Arkansas and \Colorado. John has a broad and diverse range of professional experiences, from counseling individuals, couples, children, and families specializing in healing from emotional-psychological trauma, attachment issues, anxiety, and depression. He is the author of Making Movies in Our Minds (Working Through Our Anxiety), in addition to designing curriculum for parents, early childhood educators, and anti-bullying and anti-victim groups for children. John has specialized training in attachment therapy, play therapy, and art therapy, and is a lifelong learner of developmental psychology. John has trained thousands of early childhood workers, elementary school teachers, school counselors, and social workers and provided curriculum and parent education to thousands of biological and adoptive parents. John has also taught college psychology courses and provided consultation to Department of Human Services adoption workers in several different states.

Dr. Tara Venable graduated from The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) in 2013 and completed her pediatric residency at Arkansas Children's Hospital in 2016. Upon completion of her training and pediatric board certification, Dr. Venable joined the UAMS faculty as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics. Dr. Venable has worked as a newborn hospitalist in both The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Arkansas Children's Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Units as well as care for infants in the Well Baby Nursery at UAMS since 2016. She is passionate about ensuring that all infants born in Arkansas receive optimal, evidence-based care. Dr. Venable has done several research projects and speaking engagements related to Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS) and is passionate about caring for infants and mothers affected by opioid addiction. She has joined the UAMS Psychiatric Research Institute in helping to prepare mothers for their upcoming infant's birth and is continually engaged in projects related to optimizing care for infants with NOWS. Dr. Venable also helps to moderate PEDS PLACE, a pediatric teleconference broadcast all over the state for continuing medical education.

Dr. Gwenevere White is a General Pediatrician with a passion for education, health equity, and serving vulnerable populations. She currently works as a neonatal hospitalist at Arkansas Children's Hospital and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).

Dr. White’s primary research interests lie in congenital syphilis and Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome, working to increase understanding and addressing critical issues affecting newborns and their families.

Additionally, Dr. White serves as the Treasurer of the Arkansas State Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She is also a Board member for the UAMS Milk Bank.

Dr. White’s dedication and impact have been recognized through various accolades. In 2023, she was honored with the Arkansas Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics Member of the Year Award and the American Academy of Pediatrics Special Achievement Award, acknowledging her outstanding contributions to pediatric care and advocacy. Within UAMS, her passion for education has been celebrated with the Department of Pediatrics Undergraduate Medical Educator of the Year Award and the Red Sash Award for her leadership and dedication to advancing medical education and healthcare equity.

Dr. White is married to Dr. Tremayne White and they have 3 children- Eli, Nola, and Noah. In addition to her healthcare duties, Dr. White and her husband are licensed insurance agents and own the White Insurance Agency, where they serve as independent insurance agents.

Dr. Ashley Whitlatch is an advanced practice provider with seventeen years of experience within the healthcare field. Her most recent education was from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, where she received a Doctorate of Nurse Practice in conjunction with a Master of Business Administration in May of 2022. Her provider experience includes Family Medicine, Urgent Care, and Preventative/Wellness Medicine.

Ashley has won several awards, including 'America's Top NP Award,' Chicago's 300 Black Women's 'Top 30 Women of Influential Leading Women', the '40 Under 40 Emerging Nurse Leader Award' for the state of Illinois, the American Heart Association's 'Peoria Woman of Impact Award,' the 'Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leadership Award', and '40 Leaders Under 40' for the city of Peoria. She was also recognized by Illinois' very own Comptroller Susana Mendoza for Women's History Month.

Ashley belongs to two professional organizations, including the American Nurses Association- Illinois and the American College of Healthcare Executives of North Texas. Ashley is also a children's author and published a book to uplift and encourage children of all ages. She has two children and loves to travel the world with them in her free time. She loves spending time with family and friends while making memories that will last a lifetime. She is determined to give back to her community by providing the safest care to her patients and educating healthcare providers.