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In Person
Innovations in Mental Health Conference in Minnesota

The Brain-Gut Connection

Lizzie Greenhill, LICSW
Hannah Dufek, MS, LADC, LPCC
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Description

The training session will explore the relationship between mental health and digestive health, highlighting how anxiety, depression, trauma, and grief may arise with both patients and healthcare professionals. Attendees will gain a general understanding of the brain-gut connection and practical strategies for providing mental health-informed care. Through real-world examples, evidence-based interventions, and trauma-informed approaches, attendees will leave with actionable tools to support both patients and colleagues in a multidisciplinary healthcare setting.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

  • Explain the bidirectional relationship between mental health and the gut, including how anxiety, depression, trauma, and grief impact GI function.

  • Recognize how mental health concerns may present in patients at different stages of care and how they can influence symptoms and treatment engagement.

  • Utilize mental health-informed communication techniques and patient-centered interventions to improve patient experiences and outcomes.

  • Identify common mental health-related stressors and responses in colleagues and apply strategies to foster a supportive environment.

Educational Goal

The educational goal of this workshop is for participants to gain a general understanding of the brain-gut connection and practical strategies for providing mental health-informed care. Through real-world examples, evidence-based interventions, and trauma-informed approaches, attendees will leave with actionable tools to support both patients and colleagues in a multidisciplinary healthcare setting.

Target Audience

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

Presenters

Lizzie Greenhill, LICSW
Lizzie Greenhill, LICSW is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and Clinic Director at CARE Counseling. She holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work and brings extensive experience from residential and intensive outpatient (IOP) care settings, with a specialization in eating disorders and substance use. Lizzie also has a background in medical social work, supporting older adults facing chronic mental and physical health challenges. Her clinical interests include attachment and relational theory, as well as motivational interviewing, which informs her compassionate and evidence-based approach to care. Lizzie presents in the community on mental health topics related to professional wellbeing, body-image, workplace conflict resolution, and resiliency.
Hannah Dufek, MS, LADC, LPCC
Hannah Dufek, LADC, LPCC is a mental health professional, Clinic Director, and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Specialist at CARE Counseling. Prior to working in outpatient mental health, Hannah worked in community mental health work supporting refugees and immigrants, intensive residential treatment facilities, and substance use treatment centers doing individual, couples, family, and group work. Hannah has studied the experiences of marginalized groups in therapy and continues to provide education and training for mental health providers in the community as well as organizations that do not often talk about mental health or cultural identity. Her clinical interests include identity exploration and intersections, substance use concerns and recovery, relational work, and trauma. As a leader, she is passionate about building and increasing clinician confidence through teaching tangible skills to empower great therapeutic work.

Financially Sponsored By

  • Newport Healthcare