Report from the Second Annual Conference of the Bahá'í Association of Mental Health Professionals, held at Louhelen Bahá'í School, November 16-19, 2000

Caring for the Light of the Spirit—

The second annual national conference for the Bahá'í Association of Mental Health Professionals (BAMHP) was held again this year at Louhelen from November 16th through the 19th. In attendance were people from as far away as Alaska and California.

The purpose of the conference was to “explore the application of research and clinical theory to the treatment of a variety of trauma-related conditions."

The range of presentations offered indicates not only the breadth of the topics covered, but also illustrates how spirituality is being rewoven into current modes of therapeutic intervention, from Dr. P. N. Vasavan Nair’s talk on using the meditative faculty in therapy, to music therapy, to cultural competency and the therapist, to the historic domination of men over women, to energy-based therapies and the Bahá'í Writings, to the phenomenon and treatment of prisoners who have been wrongfully convicted, to the Authenticity Project. Music for the conference was inspirationally, lovingly, and beautifully performed by Susan Lewis Wright.

Comments here from participants

On Sunday, participants met in an exciting session of goal and agenda setting for the coming year for the association. Using a nominal group process, a wide array of important and vital ideas were generated from which those ranked the highest were chosen as goals for the year. Association members then chose which of the 10 goals they were committed to furthering. The Board is in the process of getting these committees formed so that work can begin. The 10 goals for this coming year are as follows (highest ranking item first):

1. Solicit, review, share, publish materials of members.

2. The creation of a bibliography of materials to enhance practice.

3. Develop concept of healthy/optimal individual in Bahá'í Writings

4. Deal with domestic violence crisis in Bahá'í community: prepare manual; invite survivors & counselors to address the conference.

5. Generate a possible framework and proposal for consultative teams to assist L.S.A.s with various problems

6. Panel of members working in different settings to share success stories with integrating spirituality; combined with planning committee for next conference – more grassroots input; call for papers;

7. Align our goals and objectives with UHJ directives, specifically regarding children and youth.

8. Seminar on bringing spiritual framework to psychotherapeutic issues for next conference (see #6).

9. Establishment of a Membership Committee, especially to attract diversity.

10. Establishment of a mentoring program

Also, two new board members were selected and approved by the N.S.A. to replace ______________and William Hatcher who stepped down after both contributed so selflessly and graciously to the formation of this association. The two new members are Carmel Davey-Hatcher and Holly Timberlake.