GACA Professional Development Series

 In-Person Only

Trauma Intensive: A Fall Clinical Retreat at Black Bear Lodge

November 6-7, 2026

8.0 CE Hours Approved by GSCSW, NAADAC and NBCC. 

This will apply to the CACMHI Training Requirements.

Location: Black Bear Lodge, 310 Black Bear Ridge, Sautee Nacoochee, GA 30571

Friday, November 6:

5:00 PM  Check-In Begins

6:00 PM  Workshop Begins

7:30 PM  Depart for Dinner 

9:00 PM Free Time - Rest and Relax with Fellowship, Games, Fireplace

Friday Night Workshop:  

Addressing Trauma in Early Substance Use Recovery

Brief Description:

Early recovery can be a particularly vulnerable time for individuals with a history of trauma. This workshop explores the intersection of trauma and substance use during the early stages of recovery, with attention to how trauma responses may influence emotions, behaviors, relationships, and treatment engagement. Participants will explore trauma-informed approaches for creating safety, building trust, and supporting clients as they develop healthier coping strategies and begin the recovery process.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify common trauma responses and their potential impact on individuals in early substance use recovery.
2. Describe trauma-informed strategies for promoting safety, trust, and therapeutic engagement during early recovery.
3. Apply practical approaches for supporting healthy coping and reducing the risk of trauma-related barriers to recovery.

Presenter:  Hannah Funderburk, MS, LPC, CPCS | 1.5 Hours

Hannah Funderburk is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor in the state of Georgia. She graduated from Georgia State University with her Master’s in Professional Counseling in 2014. She began working at Black Bear Lodge as a Primary Therapist in May of 2016 and later became the Director of Clinical Services.

Her passion and expertise in the field of addiction and behavioral health make her uniquely adept in treating patients in early recovery. She focuses on instilling a sense of hope while offering a safe place for patients to process the challenges that led to seeking treatment at Black Bear. Hannah’s focus as the Clinical Director is supporting the Clinical Team in providing the best care possible to our patients.

In her free time, Hannah can be found spending time with her husband and playing with their 2 dogs and 4 cats, several of whom have special needs. She also enjoys reading and baking new recipes.

Saturday, November 7 Morning:

8:00 AM  Breakfast in the Dining Hall

8:45 AM Tour of Black Bear Lodge

9:30 AM  Workshop Begins

12:30 PM Workshop Concludes

Saturday Morning Workshop:

Foundations of Trauma-Related Dissociation

Description

Dissociation is a complex and often misunderstood response to trauma. It can affect how individuals experience themselves, their surroundings, their memories, and the present moment. This workshop provides a foundational exploration of trauma-related dissociation and its clinical significance. Participants will examine how dissociation may present, factors that can help clinicians better understand these experiences, and considerations for responding effectively in clinical practice.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the core features and presentations of trauma-related dissociation.
2. Explore clinical considerations related to recognizing and understanding dissociative experiences.
3. Discuss approaches for responding to trauma-related dissociation in clinical practice.

Presenters:  Kimberly Alexander, MBA, LPC, CPCS, CMAC, ACS and Eric Rodgers LPC, NCC, CPCS, BC-TMH, CMAC, GCDF, BCC

Kimberly Alexander is a dynamic leader and seasoned behavioral health professional with nearly three decades of experience helping individuals and organizations thrive. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor (CPCS), and Master Fitness Trainer. Kimberly holds an MBA from Emory University and a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Richmont Graduate University.

Currently serving as Georgia State Director for Gateway Foundation’s Corrections Division, Kimberly manages substance use treatment programs within the Georgia Department of Corrections. Her unique background—spanning clinical administration, neuroscience pharmaceutical representation, and executive leadership—equips her to tackle complex challenges in behavioral health with confidence and clarity.

Kimberly is passionate about educating and inspiring audiences. Through engaging presentations, she shares practical strategies for navigating clinical, ethical, and leadership challenges in real time. Her mission is to empower professionals to think critically, act decisively, and lead with purpose.

Eric Rodgers is a Licensed Professional Counselor, clinical supervisor, and behavioral health leader with experience spanning clinical practice, leadership, and professional development. He is the founder of Just for Men Behavioral Health and is passionate about helping clinicians strengthen their practice through evidence-based approaches, practical leadership, and professional growth.

Eric earned a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, a Graduate Diploma in Coaching Psychology, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Throughout his career, he has worked in medical and psychiatric hospitals, residential treatment programs, corporate crisis intervention, and private practice, and has served as a Clinical Director for multiple behavioral health organizations in Georgia.

Saturday, November 7th Afternoon:

12:30 PM  Lunch in the Dining Room

1:30 PM  Workshop Begins

4:30 PM  Workshop Concludes

Saturday Afternoon Workshop:

Using Expressive Art Therapy Techniques to Combat Trauma

Description:

Our clients do great work with us to deal with their presenting problems, but then often report ongoing feelings of despondency and anxiety. Many of these feelings can be a result of our clients struggling with pervasive misbeliefs of worthlessness and shame as well as inappropriate guilt. These individuals cannot merely be taught to change this way of thinking by talk therapy alone, as these misbeliefs are ingrained in their perception of the world. Learn expressive techniques to help your client overcome these destructive cycles on a deeper level. 

Individuals who struggle with substance abuse and dependence usually report feelings of worthlessness and shame that prevent them from learning to have self-compassion and self-love, and can often lead to a relapse into their typical self-defeating behaviors. Learn how to help them work through this destructive cycle and replace it with increased self-acceptance.

Objectives:

1. Identify shaming misbeliefs and inappropriate guilt based on thought patterns reported by clients.
2. Learn the shame cycle, healthy guilt cycle, and inappropriate guilt as well as how to distinguish between them. 
3. Learn creative art therapy exercises in order to help clients internalize healing from feelings of shame and inappropriate guilt.  

Presenter: Jennifer Yaeger, LPC, CMAC, CPCS

Jennifer Yaeger has a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor, and a Certified Master Addiction Counselor. She has been working with clients for over 20 years in a variety of settings including inpatient, intensive outpatient, and outpatient and has created programming for various programs. She has given presentations for Georgia School of Addiction Studies, Licensed Professional Counselors Association of Georgia, Georgia Addiction Counselors Association, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Certification Board of Georgia, and other organizations. 

She has been trained in Trauma-Informed Expressive Art Therapy, Trauma-Informed Yoga, Nature-Based Expressive Arts Therapy, and EMDR. She is also the author of the workbook, "21 Day Expressive Art Therapy Journal for Emotional Expression." 

She is the Owner and Clinical Director of Sea Glass Therapy, in which Counseling, Yoga, Acupuncture, Massage, Himalayan Salt Sauna, Self Care Retail, Reiki, and Various Workshops are offered to promote healing. 

She is the Founder of Frayed Edges Foundation, a nonprofit organization that offers scholarships for counseling and provides emotional and mental wellness activities for her community.