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The Adolescent & Young Adult Collective (AYAC) 2026

Hidden Healing: Creative Approaches to Supporting Young Men (2C)

Ronald "Dean" Porterfield, LPC-MHSP
Kenneth Davis, LADAC
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Description

Young men often face unique barriers to engaging in traditional therapeutic services, including stigma, cultural expectations, and discomfort with conventional treatment formats. This presentation explores innovative approaches to increasing engagement by incorporating therapeutic interventions that are integrated into activities and environments that feel more natural and accessible to young men. By reframing therapeutic interactions and utilizing strengths-based, activity-driven strategies, clinicians can create opportunities for meaningful connection and emotional growth without relying solely on traditional therapy. The presentation will also explore the impact of the Vrabel Young Men's Collaborative, a young men's group formed with NFL Coach Mike Vrabel.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

  • Identify at least three common barriers that prevent young men from engaging in traditional therapeutic services, including stigma, cultural expectations, and discomfort with conventional therapy formats.

  • Describe at least two activity-based or strengths-focused strategies that can be used to increase therapeutic engagement among young men.

  • Explain how peer support groups and community involvement, such as the Vrabel Young Men's Collaborative, can enhance engagement, accountability, and personal growth for young men in treatment.

Educational Goal

The educational goal of this presentation is to explore innovative, activity-based approaches that increase therapeutic engagement among young men by reducing stigma and integrating interventions into natural environments. It also aims to highlight how cohesive treatment teams and peer-based initiatives, such as the Vrabel Young Men’s Collaborative, can strengthen support, foster accountability, and promote meaningful personal growth.

Target Audience

  • Addiction Professional
  • Counselor
  • Marriage & Family Therapist
  • Psychologist
  • Social Worker

Presenters

Ronald "Dean" Porterfield, LPC-MHSP
Dean Porterfield, LPC-MHSP, Approved LPC Supervisor currently serves as the Executive Director of Adolescent Recovery of Cumberland Heights (ARCH) Academy and is on the Leadership Team of Cumberland Heights Foundation. Dean has been with Cumberland Heights for over 13 years. As the Executive Director he is responsible for day-to-day operations of ARCH Academy as well as overseeing program development, staff development, referral relations, research and community outreach/education on teen addiction. Dean is also the owner of Do Life! Counseling and Consulting, PLLC in Nashville, TN. Dean has served as Executive Director of an outdoor therapeutic program for adolescent’s male for over 10 years. Dean also has served on the Board of Director of NATSAP (National Board of Therapeutic Schools and Programs), and frequently presents at national, international, and local conferences. Dean is also an approved LPC clinical supervisor. Dean brings over 24 years experiences working with the adolescent population and their families. He believes in a strength-based approach and understands that authentic relationships with the teens and families we serve is paramount for lasting change. Dean is also invested in combining true tested approaches such as the Twelve steps with other evidenced based clinical modalities of intervention to treat not only the substance abuse, but also the underlying struggles that compliment the teen’s self-medicating behavior. Dean is a sought-out speaker who has spoken at numerous conferences nationally and internationally over the course of his career.
Kenneth Davis, LADAC
Kenneth is a dedicated and compassionate Adventure Therapy Coordinator at ARCH Academy with extensive experience in adventure and experiential therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and motivational interviewing. He is passionate about empowering adolescents to make meaningful life changes and enhance family dynamics. Kenneth is passionate about the spiritual impact of the outdoors and helping individuals reconnect with nature to find their true selves. He has worked in the substance abuse field since 2016 in a variety of different roles. Kenneth currently holds an LADAC license in Tennessee and attends Hazelden Betty Ford, working towards a MA in Addiction Counseling.

Financially Sponsored By

  • Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers