Report from the Third Annual Conference of the Bahá'í Association of Mental Health Professionals, held at Louhelen Bahá'í School, November 15-18, 2001

The Bahá'í Association of Mental Health Professionals convened for its third annual conference at Louhelen Bahá'í School, November 15-18, 2001. With approximately 80 participants representing a wide variety of professional backgrounds — including psychiatry, psychology, counseling, social work, medicine, education and others — it was the largest conference to date of the young association.

The theme of the 2001 conference, which was dedicated to the memory of Mrs. Patricia Locke and Mrs. Helen Hatcher, was “Unfolding the Potential Within: Exploring the Nature of Psychospiritual Development.” This theme was explored in talks, panel discussions, workshops and artistic performances of the highest quality. In addition, two memorial services were held in loving recognition of the beautiful lives of Mrs. Locke and Mrs. Hatcher, and at the close of the conference $3,650 was collected and contributed in their names to the newly-established World Centre Endowment Fund.

Highlights of the conference included a rich psycho-historical analysis of the emerging self given by Jane Faily; a Bahá'í-inspired critique of psychology’s obsession with the “dark side” of adolescence given by Saba Ayman-Nolley; fascinating talks by Mary K. Radpour on the importance of attention to process in psychospiritual development and by Holly Timberlake on psychospiritual development and issues of diversity; a talk by Michael Penn on the relationship between hope and development; a penetrating and insightful talk by Johanna Vanderpol on the emerging field of Emotional Intelligence; an experiential workshop on the treatment of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder presented by Colette Harrison; and an extraordinary series of dance performances and workshops conducted by Lawrence McCullough who served as artist-in-residence.

With participants from throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico, the 2001 gathering was the largest, most diverse BAMHP conference to date. Conference attendees expressed appreciation for the quality of the presentations, as well as the atmosphere of love and spirituality that pervaded the sessions. One participant noted: "The experience of the conference exceeded any expectations I may have entertained." Another said, "I am feeling spiritually rejuvenated by the spiritual fragrance of the friends and the Louhelen environment."

Next year's conference will be held at Louhelen during the weekend of 14-17 November. The hope is that many individuals from Europe and Asia who wished to attend in 2001, but could not, will be able to join us in 2002.