Workshop Description
The VMHTI 2026 Conference, Beyond the Uniform: Veteran Experiences Across Identity, Generation, and Community, is a free two-day live virtual conference designed to deepen clinicians' understanding of the diverse experiences within the veteran community.
This conference focuses on veteran cultural immersion, equipping participants with culturally responsive tools and perspectives to provide more effective support. Sessions explore identity, generation, trauma, spirituality, and the social dynamics that shape veterans' lives and mental health — moving beyond a single narrative to reflect the full complexity of who serves and what they carry.
Conference Schedule
Friday, August 14, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- 9:00 – 9:30 AM — Welcome
- 9:30 – 11:00 AM — Foreign Born Veteran
- 11:10 AM – 12:40 PM — Military Sexual Trauma (MST)
- 1:10 – 2:40 PM — Veterans and Diagnoses Beyond PTSD
- 2:50 – 4:50 PM — The Enlisted/Officer Divide
- 4:50 – 5:00 PM — Closing
Saturday, August 15, 2026 | 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM
- 9:30 – 9:40 AM — Welcome Back
- 9:40 – 11:40 AM — Religious Practice as Post Traumatic Growth
- 11:50 AM – 1:20 PM — Voices of Vietnam Vets
- 1:20 – 1:30 PM — Closing
Learning Objectives
Following this conference, participants will be able to:
- Identify the unique cultural, psychological, and social experiences of diverse veteran populations, including foreign-born veterans and veterans across generational cohorts.
- Recognize the prevalence and clinical impact of Military Sexual Trauma (MST) and apply trauma-informed approaches in practice.
- Expand diagnostic awareness beyond PTSD to better address the full range of mental health presentations among veterans.
- Describe the social dynamics of the enlisted/officer divide and their implications for peer relationships and help-seeking behavior.
- Integrate an understanding of religious and spiritual practice as a pathway for post-traumatic growth in veteran populations.
Continuing Education
10.0 CE Credits
This conference is approved for licensed social workers, licensed mental health counselors, licensed marriage and family therapists, and licensed psychologists. Open to all — no NASW membership required.
To receive CE credits, participants must attend the entirety of both days. No partial credit will be awarded. A course evaluation will be sent after Day 2 and must be submitted by Friday, August 21, 2026 at 5:00 PM. Certificates will be delivered by Friday, September 4, 2026.
Fees
Presenter
Moderator: Anyisa Leonardo, LCAT, ATR-BC
Aynisa Leonardo is a Licensed Clinical Art Therapist (LCAT, ATR-BC) with over a decade of experience in addiction and mental health services. She is the Chief Marketing Officer at Water Gap Wellness, where she supports community outreach, treatment placement, education, and program development.
She has concentrated on advanced clinical education locally and nationally, providing evidence-based and interactive presentations for community organizations, medical facilities, non-profits, and corporate agencies to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and improve collaboration across the healthcare community.
This conference features many additional panelists and guest speakers across both days.
Disclaimer
This conference focuses on veteran cultural immersion and aims to equip clinicians with a deeper understanding of veteran experiences. Participants may be exposed to difficult and sensitive topics, including combat trauma, sexual assault, violence, abuse, political and geopolitical issues, military policy, and social dynamics within the veteran community. Explicit language may also be used to accurately reflect veteran communication styles and lived experiences.
The views expressed by speakers and participants do not reflect the official stance of NASW-NY. They are presented for educational purposes, to encourage meaningful discourse, and to raise awareness among clinicians and communities serving the military and veteran community.
Anti-Harassment Policy
NASW-NY is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all attendees. By registering, participants agree to abide by the NASW-NY Anti-Harassment Policy.
Accessibility
Closed captioning through Zoom will be provided for all sessions. If you need additional accommodations, please email info.naswny@socialworkers.org at least 10 business days before the event.
Questions
Please email info.naswny@socialworkers.org with any questions or feedback.