VMHTI 2026 Conference: Beyond the Uniform: Veteran Experiences Across Identity, Generation, and Community

  Registration is closed for this event
Free Registration — Open to All This conference is free to all participants, regardless of NASW membership. Earn 10.0 CE credits over two days.
📅 Friday, August 14, 2026  |  9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
📅 Saturday, August 15, 2026  |  9:30 AM – 1:30 PM
💻 Online – Live (Zoom)

10.0 Continuing Education Credits
Register Now — It's Free

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Format
Online — Live Virtual
Fee
Free to All
CE Credits
10.0 Credits
Eligible Licenses
Social Workers, LMFTs, LMHCs, Licensed Psychologists

Practice Areas

Military / Veterans Mental Health Cultural Competency & Humility

Who Should Attend

Student Emerging / Beginner Mid-Career / Intermediate Advanced / Expert

About This Conference

The VMHTI 2026 Conference, Beyond the Uniform: Veteran Experiences Across Identity, Generation, and Community, is a 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 a deeper understanding of veteran experiences and how to provide effective, culturally responsive support. Sessions explore identity, generation, trauma, spirituality, and the social dynamics that shape veterans' lives and mental health.

Conference Schedule

Day 1 — Friday, August 14, 2026  |  9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
9:00 – 9:30 AM Welcome
9:30 – 11:00 AM Foreign Born Veteran
11:00 – 11:10 AM Break
11:10 AM – 12:40 PM Military Sexual Trauma (MST)
12:40 – 1:10 PM Lunch Break
1:10 – 2:40 PM Veterans and Diagnoses Beyond PTSD
2:40 – 2:50 PM Break
2:50 – 4:50 PM The Enlisted/Officer Divide
4:50 – 5:00 PM Closing
Day 2 — 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
11:40 – 11:50 AM Break
11:50 AM – 1:20 PM Voices of Vietnam Vets
1:20 – 1:30 PM Closing

Moderator

AL
Anyisa Leonardo, LCAT, ATR-BC
Conference Moderator  |  Chief Marketing Officer, Water Gap Wellness
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 provides 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.

Additional panelists to be announced. This conference features many guest speakers and panelists across both days.

CE Certificate Information

Full attendance required. To receive CE credits, participants must attend the entirety of the conference on both days. No partial credit will be awarded.

Participants do not need to complete an evaluation after Day 1. After Day 2, a course evaluation will be sent to the email address used during registration.

Evaluation deadline: Friday, August 21, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Certificate delivery: Within 3 weeks — by Friday, September 4, 2026, to the email address used during registration.

Content Notice

This conference focuses on veteran cultural immersion and aims to equip clinicians with a deeper understanding of veteran experiences. As part of this learning process, participants may be exposed to difficult and sensitive topics, including but not limited to: 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 during discussions 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 require additional accommodations, please email info.naswny@socialworkers.org. To ensure your needs can be met, please submit accommodation requests at least 10 business days before the event.

Questions & Feedback

NASW-NY strives to provide high-quality programming. Participant feedback may be submitted through the end-of-conference evaluation. For additional questions or concerns, please contact info.naswny@socialworkers.org.

Register Now — It's Free

Free for all participants  |  10.0 CE Credits  |  August 14–15, 2026

When
August 14th, 2026 9:00 AM to August 15th, 2026 5:00 PM
Event Fee(s)
NASW-NYS Member $0.00
NASW Other Chapter Member $0.00
Non-Member $0.00
NASW-NYS Student and Transitional Member $0.00
Information for Certificates
Presenter(s) Multiple presenters
Instruction Method Live Webinar
Total Contact Hours/CEUs Awarded 10
File
Files