Stress Response and the Brain
2025-03-21 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Chicago) | Virtual
Have you ever wondered how stress affects you physiologically? Would you like to learn simple ways to explain this phenomenon to your clients?
Join us as we examine the human physiological response to stress and the impacts of ongoing toxic stress levels. Counselors and helping professionals will learn how to educate their clients about their physiological responses to stress and implement strategies for managing symptoms.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to

Discuss the human physiological response to stress
Explain the short and long-term impacts of early and ongoing exposure to stress
Apply knowledge and clinical skills to counseling interventions discussed in the session that address heightened stress response

REGISTER HERE
Cost: $25
Seats are limited. Please ensure you are registered no later than Monday, March 17th to secure your spot.
Please be sure to review our policy and procedure for any questions regarding cancellations, refunds and confidentiality.
Continuing Education Hours:
LPCs Earn 1.5 CE (Continuing Education) hours

___________________________________________________________________
Speaker: Erin Kaszynski, PhD, LPC
Dr. Kaszynski is the Associate Director of Clinical Education and Research at ACER. She holds a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision with an emphasis in Multicultural Counseling and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas. “Dr. K” has experience providing trauma-focused services to a diverse population across multiple counseling settings. Trauma-focused, multiculturally responsive care is a theme in her professional training, teaching as a professor, and research in the counseling field. For more information on Dr. Kaszynski’s professional experience, visit her on Linkedin.
Speaker: Kyle Blidy, PhD
Dr. Blidy is the Assistant Director of Education, Training, and Research at ACER. He holds a PhD in Neuroscience and five years of research experience focused on treatments for neuropsychiatric ailments. His work includes: 1) identifying neural profiles necessary for language recovery post-stroke; 2) identifying neural markers that predict therapy response among individuals with PTSD and/or SUDs; 3) examining how the brain reacts to social threats and whether intra-nasal oxytocin can reduce these reactions in individuals with cocaine use disorder; and 4) investigating how the brain creates rewarding memories among individuals with PTSD who struggle to feel joy. Dr. Blidy has showcased his work via publication and at national and international conferences. His goal is to identify moderators of treatment effectiveness across trauma-related conditions.
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Agenda:
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm Stress Response and the Brain

Implementing a Trauma-informed Multiculturally Responsive Approach to your Clinical Practice
2025-03-28 08:30 - 11:30 | Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Metrocare Services, Midway Road, Addison, TX, USA, 16160 Midway Road, #218, Addison, TX, 75001, United States
As counselors and mental health professionals, we seek to expand our knowledge of the diverse populations we serve, and the complexity of how traumatic and stressful life events impact the mental health of individuals, families, communities, and systems. In this session, we will explore the framework for a trauma-informed multiculturally responsive perspective and how to integrate this into your clinical practice.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to

Discuss the pillars of the Trauma Informed Care and the Multicultural Orientation Framework
Understand personal and professional counseling competencies that support working with individuals from diverse backgrounds
Analyze strategies for integrating a trauma-informed multiculturally responsive counseling practice
Apply trauma-informed, multiculturally responsive perspectives and behaviors to your counseling practice

REGISTER HERE
Cost: $25 Community Members / FREE for Metrocare Staff when they register using their Metrocare email address
Seats are limited. Please ensure you are registered no later than Friday, March 21st to secure your spot.
*Metrocare staff should obtain supervisor approval before registering for the event.
**Please be sure to review our policy and procedure for any questions regarding cancellations, refunds, and confidentiality.
Continuing Education Hours:
LPCs Earn 3 CE (Continuing Education) hours

___________________________________________________________________
Speaker: Erin Kaszynski, PhD, LPC
Dr. Kaszynski is the Associate Director of Clinical Education and Research at ACER. She holds a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision with an emphasis in Multicultural Counseling and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas. “Dr. K” has experience providing trauma-focused services to a diverse population across multiple counseling settings. Trauma-focused, multiculturally responsive care is a theme in her professional training, teaching as a professor, and research in the counseling field. For more information on Dr. Kaszynski’s professional experience, visit her on Linkedin.
____________________________________________________________________
Agenda:
8:15-8:30am Sign in and grab a breakfast pastry
8:30am – 11:30am Implementing a Trauma-informed, Multiculturally Responsive Approach to your Clinical Practice
11:30-11:45am Post Session Q&M

Nurse's Open Clinic
2025-04-10 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-05-08 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-06-12 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-07-10 10:00 - 11:00
Every 2nd Thursday of the Month 10AM – 11AM (CST) Central

The Nurse’s Open Clinic is designed to create a welcoming and accessible environment where individuals can receive up-to-date health information. Operated by qualified nurse, the clinic offers a range of educational sessions aimed at promoting wellness, managing chronic conditions, and providing care for various illnesses. The open structure of the clinic encourages a sense of community, allowing individuals to seek help without the barriers often present in traditional healthcare settings. By emphasizing preventive care and health education, the Nurse’s Open Clinic empowers individuals to take charge of their health and well-being.

To register click here!

Choices that Matter: A Practice-Focused Introduction to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
2025-04-18 08:30 - 11:30 | Metrocare River Bend 1345, 1345 River Bend Dr., Dallas, 75247, United States
Join us for an introduction to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. This counseling practice helps clients develop psychological flexibility that support their sense of meaning, enhance their ability to adapt to challenges, and learn value-based decisions.
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Discuss the history of the ACT model and the current research base for the efficacy of ACT
Identify the 6 core concepts of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and corresponding interventions for each concept
Apply 6 core concepts of ACT to various treatment settings; including general mental health, addiction, and family treatment.

Register Here!
Cost: $25
Location: Mustang Room (first floor)
Seats are limited. Please ensure you are registered no later than Friday, April 11th to secure your spot. Breakfast snacks will be provided.
Please be sure to review our policy and procedure for any questions regarding cancellations, refunds and confidentiality.
Continuing Education Hours:
LPCs Earn 3 CE (Continuing Education) hours

__________________________________________________________________
Speaker: Andrew Ahles, LMFT-S, Clinical Training Manager, Metrocare
Andrew Ahles, LMFT-S has worked for over a decade as a Marriage and Family Therapist in both outpatient and inpatient treatment settings to provide compassionate and effective therapy to individuals and families suffering from severe mental illness and addiction. As an experienced LMFT and LMFT supervisor, Andrew loves engaging with even the most complex family cases to shift patterns and create space for change. Andrew is trained in multiple couples and family counseling models including Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFT) and Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT).
As the Manager of Clinical Training at Metrocare, Andrew leads the organization in providing clinical and trauma-informed training for all mental health professionals and counseling staff. Andrew is a Certified Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) trainer and facilitates professional and community training on topics including Family Therapy, Trauma Informed Care, Mental Health Awareness and Education, Professional Boundaries, Gambling Disorder, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. He is passionate about supporting counselors as they provide life-changing services to the community.
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Agenda:
8:15 am – 8:30 am Sign in and Introductions (Grab a Breakfast Snack)
8:30 am – 11:30 am Choices that Matter: A Practice-Focused Introduction to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
11:30 am – 11:40 am Closing Remarks and Survey

Adopting a Trauma-informed Clinical Supervision Approach
2025-05-02 12:00 - 13:30 | Virtual
Trauma-informed supervision integrates the elements of trauma-informed care and relational dynamics of the supervisor-trainee relationship. In this session, participants will explore the elements of trauma-informed supervision, including strategies for implementing the approach to practice.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
• Explain the elements of trauma-informed supervision and its importance to the practice of supervision
• Identify the characteristics of trauma-informed clinical supervisors, supervisory relationships, and potential challenges of this approach
• Implement trauma-informed practice principles to Bernard’s Discrimination Model for counselor supervision
REGISTER HERE
Cost: $25 Community Members / FREE for Metrocare Staff when they register using their Metrocare email address
Seats are limited. Please ensure you are registered no later than Friday, April 25th to secure your spot.
*Metrocare staff should obtain supervisor approval before registering for the event.
**Please be sure to review our policy and procedure for any questions regarding cancellations, refunds, and confidentiality.

Continuing Education Hours:
LPCs Earn 1.5 CE (Continuing Education) hours

___________________________________________________________________
Speaker: Erin Kaszynski, PhD, LPC
Dr. Kaszynski, LPC is the Associate Director of Clinical Education and Research at ACER. She holds a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision with an emphasis in Multicultural Counseling and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas #74929. “Dr. K” has experience providing trauma-focused services to a diverse population across multiple counseling settings in the DFW area. Trauma-focused, multiculturally responsive care is a theme in her professional training, teaching as a professor, and research in the counseling field. For more information on Dr. Kaszynski’s professional experience, visit her on Linkedin.
____________________________________________________________________
Agenda:
12:00pm – 1:30am Adopting a Trauma-informed Clinical Supervision Approach
1:30-1:45pm Post Session Q&A

On the Spot Career Fair
2025-05-31 09:00 - 13:00 | J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX, 75201, United States
Interested in a Career with Metrocare?
The following is a registration sheet for our career fair, Saturday, May 31, 2025, from 9:00 am-1:00pm.
To view our open positions, please click here
This event is full and no longer accepting registrations.

Military Cultural Competency (MCC) Virtual Community Training
2025-07-09 12:00 - 14:00, 2025-08-09 12:00 - 14:00, 2025-09-09 12:00 - 14:00, 2025-10-09 12:00 - 14:00, 2025-11-09 12:00 - 14:00, 2025-12-09 12:00 - 14:00, 2026-02-11 12:00 - 14:00, 2026-03-11 12:00 - 14:00 and 1 more date
The Military Veteran Peer Network Dallas Chapter is offering Military Cultural Competency Virtual Community Training on the Second Wednesday of every month starting on June 11, 2025 from 12pm to 2pm CST via Zoom for everyone in the local community who is interested in gaining the knowledge and skills needed to effectively engage with Service Members, Veterans and their families. By understanding Military Culture, we can build trust and create supportive environments.

Military Cultural Competency
Military Cultural Competency

Name(Required)

First

Last

Email(Required)

Enter Email

Confirm Email

Phone(Required)Are you military affiliated?(Required)

Yes

No

Please note: Zoom link will be sent a day prior to the meeting.
For questions, please contact D’Ann Jones at dann.jones@metrocareservices.org or (469)-890-7969.

Brain Stimulation in Mental Health Care: Current FDA Approvals, Clinical Applications, and Future Directions
2025-07-11 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Would you like to gain insight into brain stimulation techniques recognized in psychiatry?
This session will explore how transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) work, their FDA-approved uses, and how they compare to traditional therapies. Grounded in current research, this training will equip helping professionals with knowledge to discuss these emerging treatments with patients, address common misconceptions, and consider how neurostimulation can complement existing treatment approaches in clinical practice.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Describe the FDA-approved uses of TMS and tDCS in mental health treatment.
Identify key clinical applications of brain stimulation for treatment resistant depression, smoking cessation, and other disorders.
Recognize the future potential of these interventions and their place in evidence-based practice.
Discuss ethical considerations in patient education, referrals, and scope of practice for mental health clinicians.

REGISTER HERE
Cost: $10 Community Members / FREE for Metrocare Staff (register using Metrocare email address)

Seats are limited. Please ensure you are registered no later than Monday, July 7th to secure your spot.
*Metrocare staff should obtain supervisor approval before registering for the event.
**Please be sure to review our policy and procedure for any questions regarding cancellations, refunds, and confidentiality.
ALL PARTICIPANTS will be asked to complete a survey at the end of the training.
Those who complete the survey WILL RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE within 7-10 business days.
__________________________________________________________________
Speaker: Kyle Blidy, PhD
Dr. Blidy is the Assistant Director of Research for the Altshuler Center for Education and Research at Metrocare.
He for holds a Master’s degree in Education and PhD in Neuroscience with five years of research experience focused on treatments for neuropsychiatric ailments.
His work includes:
1) identifying neural profiles necessary for language recovery post-stroke;
2) identifying neural markers that predict therapy response among individuals with PTSD and/or SUDs;
3) examining how the brain reacts to social threats and whether intra-nasal oxytocin can reduce these reactions in individuals with cocaine use disorder; and
4) investigating how the brain creates rewarding memories among individuals with PTSD who struggle to feel joy.
Dr. Blidy has showcased his work via publication and at national and international conferences. His goal is to identify moderators of treatment effectiveness across trauma-related conditions.
____________________________________________________________________

4th Annual Back 2 School Fair
2025-07-19 09:00 - 12:00 | Harry Stone Recreation Center, 2403 Millmar Dr, Dallas, TX, 75228, United States
Metrocare’s 4th Annual Back to School Community Fair
Metrocare began hosting its Back to School Community Fair in 2021 in response to the needs of the children and teen clients we serve. The fair offers families an opportunity to receive school supplies and vital resources and information from community partners and local businesses. In 2024, Metrocare provided supplies and connected the families of over 400 children to community resources to prepare them for a new school year.
Metrocare is the largest provider of mental health and developmental disability services and provides a broad array of services from mental health care, crisis services, programs for veterans and their loves ones, accessible pharmacies, housing and supportive social services. Metrocare’s Altshuler Center for Education & Research advances innovative mental health research while training multidisciplinary clinicians needed to expand the clinical workforce across Texas.
Event Registration
Registration for this event is now closed.

Hillside Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
2025-09-25 09:00 - 11:00 | Metrocare Hillside, 3242 Remond Drive, Dallas, TX, 75211, United States
Content is protected.

Hillside Partner Open House
2025-10-29 15:30 - 17:00 | Metrocare Hillside, 3242 Remond Drive, Dallas, TX, 75211, United States

Fall Festival
2025-11-01 14:30 - 16:30 | 4701 Samuell Blvd, 4701 Samuell Blvd, Dallas, 75228, United States
Celebrate the season with us at this beloved community event! Enjoy a fun-filled day featuring games, face painting, arts & crafts, and more.
Feel free to come in costume and join the festive spirit, we can’t wait to see your creativity shine!
Bring your friends and family—it’s going to be a blast!

Date: Saturday, November 1
Time: 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Location: 4701 Samuell Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75228

Holidays at Hillside
2025-12-06 14:30 - 16:30 | Metrocare Hillside, 3242 Remond Drive, Dallas, TX, 75211, United States
Celebrate the Holidays with Metrocare! Join us for a free, family-friendly event filled with festive fun:

Cookie & ornament decorating
Hot cocoa station
We Rock The Spectrum pop-up shop
Coloring and stocking decorating
Yard games, such as ring toss & mini-basketball
Pictures with Santa

Date: Saturday, December 6
Time: 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Location: 3242 Remond Drive, Dallas, TX 75211

To ensure we have enough crafts and supplies, please register using the form below. Bring your friends and family—it’s going to be a blast!
Online registration is closed, but you can register on-site at the event.

Brain Food Presentation
2025-12-16 16:30 - 18:00 | Hillside, 3230 Remond Dr., Dallas, 75211, United States
Join Us for “Brain Food: How Healthy Eating Supports Mental Well-Being”!
Discover how the food you eat can boost your mood, sharpen your focus, and keep your brain happy.
Learn simple, practical habits for balanced nutrition that make a big difference in mental health.
December 16, 2025 | 4:30pm-6pm
3230 Remond Dr., Dallas, TX 75211

Brain Food Presentation

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Aging Minds, Unique Journeys: Cognitive Wellness in the IDD Community
2026-01-29 08:00 - 12:00 | Scottish Rite for Children | T. Boone Pickens Training and Conference Center, 2222 Welborn Street, Dallas, TX, 75219, United States
Join us for “Aging Minds, Unique Journeys: Cognitive Wellness in the IDD Community”—a dynamic seminar presented by Metrocare’s Altshuler Center for Education and Research, IDDiversity department, and Local Intellectual & Developmental Disability Authority (LIDDA). Attendees will enjoy complimentary coffee, breakfast, and free parking while gaining valuable insights into cognitive wellness for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Event speakers are Dr. Teresa Moro and Dr. Laura Golden. Space is limited—register today to secure your spot!
Date: Thursday, January 29, 2025
Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Scottish Rite for Children’s T. Boone Pickens Training and Conference Center
2222 Welborn Street, Dallas, TX 75219
Register Here

Dr. Teresa Moro is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work in the College of Health Sciences at RUSH University Medical Center in Chicago. She is also a Health Services Researcher at the Center for Health and Social Care Integration (CHaSCI) and a member of the Coalition for Social Work and Health. Currently, Dr. Moro is leading several projects exploring workforce development with social workers and community health workers. Her work focuses on improving health and healthcare delivery for people with multiple chronic conditions, older adults, and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities by addressing social as well as medical factors.
Dr. Laura Golden is a licensed and registered Occupational Therapist in the state of Texas. She is the System Director of Transition and Teaming at MHMR of Tarrant County, which provides services and support to people of all ages with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Tarrant County. She is a member of the Transition Support Team, which supports Betty Hardwick Center, Center for Life Resources, Helen Farabee Centers, and Pecan Valley Centers. Areas of expertise include intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing disorder, trauma, and dementia.

Anxiety and Depression in Children
2026-02-19 11:00 - 17:00
February 19, 2025 | 11:00 AM CST
This presentation examines the emotional, behavioral, and developmental challenges commonly associated with Anxiety and Depression in Children.
It highlights early warning signs, diagnostic frameworks, and research‑based assessment tools that support accurate identification of these conditions across diverse age groups. The session also reviews prevalence trends and key risk factors influencing childhood mental health.
Designed for educators, healthcare professionals, mental‑health providers, and caregivers, the presentation emphasizes a compassionate, family‑centered, and multidisciplinary approach to promoting resilience and well‑being in children.
After participating in the session, attendees will be able to describe six types of anxiety.
After participating in the session, attendees will be able to recognize eight symptoms of depression in children.
After participating in the session, attendees will be able to identify six ways to help anxious kids in the classroom.

To register click here.

Q & A with a Child, Adolescent, & Adult Psychiatrist
2026-03-17 11:00 - 12:00
Dr. Mirzatuny serves as the Medical Director and Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychiatrist at Metrocare Services in Dallas. Dr. Mirzatuny graduated from Saint Edwards University in Austin TX, and completed medical school at Shiraz University, School of Medicine in Shiraz, Iran. Dr. Mirzatuny completed his internship at the University of Texas Health Science Centers at Houston Hermann Hospital, and at the M.D. Anderson Tumor Institute in Houston, TX. Dr. Mirzatuny completed a Fellowship Program at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Dallas, which included training with UT Southwestern Medical Center, Children’s Health Dallas, Parkland Health & Hospital System in Dallas, TX, and Terrell State Hospital, a Child Adolescent Unit in Terrell, TX. Dr. Mirzatuny holds a license with the Texas Board of Medical Examiners, and a certificate with the Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). Dr. Mirzatuny’s teaching experience started in 1982. He taught a group of Sophomore Medical Students called the Psychiatry Teaching Group, and he taught a group of Senior Child Psychiatry Fellows.

Register Here!

DFW Alliance in Mental & Behavioral Health Research Symposium
2026-04-10 08:30 - 15:00 | Scottish Rite for Children | T. Boone Pickens Training and Conference Center, 2222 Welborn Street, Dallas, TX, 75219, United States
The 2026 DFW Alliance in Mental & Behavioral Health Research Symposium has passed. Thank you to the researchers, clinicians, students, and advocacy leaders who contributed to this year’s event and helped strengthen cross-institutional collaboration across North Texas.
You may view our 2026 Symposium Award Winners here
This page will remain available for reference as we continue building the DFW Alliance and preparing for future symposium events.
Please stay tuned for upcoming updates.

Hosted by Metrocare’s Altshuler Center for Education and Research (ACER), in partnership with faculty from UT Southwestern, UT Dallas, UT Arlington, University of North Texas, and East Texas A&M University – Commerce.

Metrocare is the largest provider of mental health services in North Texas. Metrocare’s ACER supports clinical research in real-world settings, driving treatment innovations that bring renewed hope to those in public mental health.

The symposium brings together researchers across the DFW metroplex to share emerging work, strengthen cross-university partnerships, and spark new research collaborations. Attendees are encouraged to present ongoing projects, pilot findings, or planned studies to receive feedback and expand collaborative networks within the region. The Symposium provides a venue for exposing research ahead of publication.

We cannot wait to see you at the Symposium!
Symposium Agenda
8:30 – 9:00AM – Registration and Breakfast
9:00 – 9:50AM – Metrocare Welcome featuring John Burruss, MD [Bio]
10 – 10:50AM – Poster Session 1 and Selected Oral Talks
11:00 – 11:45AM – Keynote featuring Joseph Guillory, MD [Bio]
12:00 – 12:50PM – Lunch & Mentor / Mentee Sessions
1:00 – 1:50PM – Poster Session 2 and Featured Talk- Choosing a Major, Graduate Program, and Advisor
2:00 – 3:00 PM – Closing Remarks with the DFW Research Alliance Panel
Poster Abstract Submissions
We invite researchers of all backgrounds and levels of experience to submit an abstract. You can find more information about submissions here. Abstracts will be accepted from December 5th, 2025 until March 23rd, 2026 at 11:59PM CST. The oral talk submission deadline has passed. However, high merit posters will be considered for an award.

Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI)
2026-04-23 10:00
Objectives:
Participants will demonstrate knowledge in how to help people with IDD using TBRI® as an evidence based, trauma informed, holistic intervention rooted in attachment.
Discuss strategies and techniques that make it easier to relate to people with IDD in the ways they communicate best, non-verbally and through playful interaction.
Discuss strategies to help teach people with IDD self-regulation through internal (physiological) and external (environmental) strategies.
Recognize the importance of a balance between structure and nurture for regulation and changed behavior.

Register Here
