10/31/2025
For years, I’d leave conferences feeling discouraged. So many promised to focus on the care and treatment of children, adolescents, and families — but rarely delivered. Like many of my passion projects, this conference was born from that frustration and from a genuine desire to create something better: a space where professionals who actually work in this niche could learn, connect, and grow together.
But while the clinical passion was there, this vision needed partnership — and I am incredibly grateful for the people who helped make it real. When I thought about community partners who might share this goal, three names came to mind immediately: Robyn Duberstein from Newport Academy, Greg Weigand from Plena Mind Center, and Jessica Buettner from Juniper Center.
A huge thank you to Drs. Amber May & Jehu Strange of Northshore Wellness, Dr. Tom Malia of Growth Psychological Services, and Scott Rein for their partnership and sharing their knowledge with us.
The Innovations Conference was the result of months of collaboration among organizations deeply committed to advancing mental health care for young people and their families. Together, we set out to create something that highlights innovative and practical approaches across every level of care — from outpatient services to residential treatment.
It is my hope that this conference becomes the beginning of a tradition — one that continues to grow and helps make Illinois a true hub for innovation in child and family mental health.
