The workshops are held simultaneously, so you may only choose one.

WORKSHOP A: Sea Soma: An exploration of the integration of mind, body, community, and nature into psychotherapy.  (experiential group learning)

Presenter: Natalie Small, LMFT
Length: 3-hour, 3 CEU

During this embodied experiential 3-hour workshop you will be guided through both individual and group experiences that integrate mind, body and nature, specifically the ocean and beach spaces, for increasing emotional regulation, resilience, and interpersonal skills. Shifting from a processing group experience to an “in the moment” group experience. Natalie will guide you through trauma informed eco and soma practices that tap into the transformative power of joy, play, and community. This workshop will take place at the beach. You will want comfortable clothes to support the weather of the day, ability to take your shoes off, and if so desired to enter the water up to your knees or waist. No previous surf or ocean experience required. Surfing will not be part of this curated session.

WORKSHOP B: When the Bough Breaks: Ecological Response to Disaster, Moral Injury, and Trauma

Presenter: Matthew Schumaker, D.PT.
Length: 3-hour, 3 CEU

From lessons learned over 25 years in leading disaster responses, Dr. Schumacher will teach participants to therapeutically engage impacted cohorts by, with, and thru their process of surviving and healing from trauma and the unthinkable. This 3-hour interactive workshop will present an ecological model designed (1) to CONNECT with traumatized cohorts, (2) to join with and guide healing together in BETWEEN the rebuilding of lives and community, and (3) to persist and grow resilient BEYOND catastrophe. Participants will collaborate in planning and designing interventions to effectively engage and address these “breakages” in relationships of trust, where sources of trauma are environmental—disasters, disappointments, and even betrayal. Embedded as guides and participants rather than experts, this model emphasizes enhancement of intrinsic resilience, forging and strengthening native connections, and prioritizing local culture and agency. It is argued that healing occurs within reparative relationships among community, friends, family, and therapist(s), beyond modality or technique.

Many, but not all, of the sessions at the 2026 SEPI Conference will be offered for continuing education credit. Up to 15 credits may be issued, depending upon which sessions are attended. Some CE sessions are held simultaneously.

Continuing education for psychologists will be offered through the Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy (Division 29 of the American Psychological Association/APA). The Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy is approved by the APA to offer continuing education for psychologists, but the Society maintains responsibility for the program. CE Credit is granted to participants with documented attendance at individual workshops. Attendance is monitored. Credit will not be granted to registrants who are more than 15 minutes late, are absent for more than 15 minutes during a session, or those who depart more than 15 minutes early from a session. Registrants are asked to submit a completed evaluation form at the end of each session. It is the responsibility of registrants to comply with these requirements. It is the responsibility of the attendee to determine whether these CE credits are valid in his/her state of licensure.

Join us Saturday evening at the beautiful Annenberg Community Beach House, 415 Pacific Coast Highway, in Santa Monica, 7:00 pm. The event includes a beer-and-wine cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres, followed by dinner with music.

SEPI is pleased to announce that dormitories and apartment accommodations are available on the Pepperdine campus.

On-campus apartments are either two-bedrooms with 2 beds in each bedroom or four-bedroom apartments with 1 bed in each bedroom. Therefore, each apartment can accommodate up to 4 people. The apartments include a full kitchen, full bathroom, and linens.

The dormitories are four sleeping rooms together, double occupancy, sharing a common area and a double bathroom set-up. The sleeping rooms have a mini-fridge, desks, and include linens. This would be excellent, low-cost accommodation for students and/or groups traveling together.

ROOM CHARGES:

• 2 Bedroom Apartment which has 2 beds in each room and is charged at the rate of $85/night/person. (4 people maximum).
  
• 4 Bedroom Apartment which has 1 bed in each room and is charged at the rate of $85/night/person. (4 people maximum).
  
• 4 Bedroom Dormitory room which has 2 beds per room and is charged at the rate of: $50/night/person (Total 8 people).
  

Details are being finalized. Please check back soon.