Breakout Sessions 2016
SESSION: PICTURE THIS...
LOCATION: ARENA FLOOR (Morning Session Only)
Malinda and Jenn will help you let your creative juices flow in this breakout designed to help you create and decorate a picture frame to capture your POW WOW memories. Picture frames and decorations will be provided, as well as creative support. Scrapbooking items will be available for Veterans wanting to create a scrapbook page instead. Veterans wanting to participate in scrapbooking will need to bring pictures from their military service that they can put onto a 12x12 scrapbooking page. 12x12 blank pages, stickers, colored paper, markers, adhesives, scissors, and other scrapbooking tools will be available to use.
MALINDA FAIRBANKS
LCSW, Assistant Chief Mental Health Residential Treatment Programs, Sheridan VA Health Care System Malinda graduated from the University of Wyoming, receiving her Bachelor and Masters of Social Work degrees, and was a member of the Phi Alpha Honors Society. Mrs. Fairbanks has been in the mental health profession for over a decade, practicing in Laramie WY, Cheyenne WY, and Sheridan WY. Mrs. Fairbanks has had the opportunity to work in many different areas of social work such as premature children and their families, adults and children with cognitive and physical disabilities, geriatrics, and Veterans specializing in trauma processing. Hobbies include scrapbooking, creating shadowboxes, scarves, cook books, cupcakes and many other adventures! |
JENN FAIRBANKS
MS, CRC, LPC, HUDVASH Coordinator, Sheridan VA Health Care System Jenn graduated from the University of Wyoming, receiving her Bachelors in Psychology and Criminal Justice. She received her Master’s in Counseling from South Dakota State University. Ms. Fairbanks is a recent graduate and has been in the counseling field for over 3 years. She has worked with various populations including Domestic Violence Victims, individuals with Traumatic Brain Injuries, individuals with Addictions, and Homeless Veterans. Ms. Fairbanks specializes in working with homeless Veterans find stable housing in the Sheridan community. Her hobbies include anything craft related. She enjoys finding projects on Pinterest and replicating them to decorating her home. Ms. Fairbanks has a knack for pictures and scrapbooking. |
SESSION: Let Your Personality Shine Through!
LOCATION: Oregon Trail Room
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a personality inventory that has been widely used for nearly 70 years as a tool for personal exploration, career choice, team-building, and even couples counseling. In this session you will learn the basics of type preferences, get a sense for what type you might be, and learn some insights about yourself and those around you! We will engage in fun group activities and conversation, and you’ll leave with some handouts leading you to further resources if you want to know more. Whether you’re new to the MBTI or have taken it before, all are welcome.
CHRISSY RENFRO
MS,LPC, NCC Army Psychological Health Coordinator Chrissy is the Psychological Health Program Coordinator (contractor) for the Wyoming Army National Guard in Cheyenne. Chrissy received her Master’s degree in Counselor Education from the University of Wyoming and previously worked in the community college system as a counselor and academic advisor. She is married with two daughters, ages 9 and 14; the family (including two large dogs) enjoys traveling, camping and watching sci-fi movies together. She has absolutely no skills in crafting. |
SESSION: THE SEMPER STRATEGY TO ALIGN & SHINE
“7 battle tested truths for building optimal wellness & resilience”
LOCATION: MORMON TRAIL ROOM
Does your busy schedule make you feel like you can’t get ahead, have you feeling “brain fog” more days than not, or cause you to get cranky with loved ones? Do you know that reducing stress and building resilience is important, but don’t know where to start?
Utilizing her SEMPER Philosophy, Sarah Plummer Taylor delivers simple, powerful steps for changing your views on stress, eating healthy, cultivating mindfulness, and creating a lifestyle you actually WANT to maintain.
You will not find diets, deprivation, or denial in Sarah’s tactics. It’s all about meeting yourself where you are and facing things head on, cultivating small changes that make big differences. Health isn’t only about food, it’s about what nourishes us mind, body, and spirit.
Listen, move, breathe, and relax! Learn about the effect of stress and fear on your body, mind, and spirit, and how to manage it to make that natural, adaptive energy work for you! As you settle in for this workshop and reconnect in simple yet powerful ways, you’ll see that you can tap into your innate strength and wisdom, empowering yourself well beyond the workshop.
Utilizing her SEMPER Philosophy, Sarah Plummer Taylor delivers simple, powerful steps for changing your views on stress, eating healthy, cultivating mindfulness, and creating a lifestyle you actually WANT to maintain.
You will not find diets, deprivation, or denial in Sarah’s tactics. It’s all about meeting yourself where you are and facing things head on, cultivating small changes that make big differences. Health isn’t only about food, it’s about what nourishes us mind, body, and spirit.
Listen, move, breathe, and relax! Learn about the effect of stress and fear on your body, mind, and spirit, and how to manage it to make that natural, adaptive energy work for you! As you settle in for this workshop and reconnect in simple yet powerful ways, you’ll see that you can tap into your innate strength and wisdom, empowering yourself well beyond the workshop.
SESSION: HELPING YOU SHINE: MINDFULNESS TEA CEREMONY
LOCATION: BRIDGER TRAIL ROOM
Dr. Tran will conduct two 60 minute sessions on mindfulness, encouraging you to embrace and live in the present, to Shine! Each session will be open to 20-30 people and it will consist of 15-minute talk on mindfulness followed by a 45-minute Tea Ceremony to help people experience awareness in the present moment. The Tea Ceremony is a 2500-year-old technique that helps enhance people’s ability to experience the present moment, with awareness, gratitude and without judgment.
This session will be offered in the afternoon only, and is limited to less than 30 participants. The session is designed for those participants who have attended Mindfulness Tea
This session will be offered in the afternoon only, and is limited to less than 30 participants. The session is designed for those participants who have attended Mindfulness Tea

VIVIANNE TRAN
Psy.D., Licensed Psychologist and Local Recovery
Coordinator, Sheridan VA Health Care System
Vivianne attended graduate school in Tampa, FL and obtained her Clinical Psychology degree in 2008. She worked full-time first as a psychology intern, then Postdoctoral student and later as a licensed psychologist in the Wyoming State Hospital from 2006 to 2011. She was hired at the Sheridan VAMC in December 2011. Her personal and professional interests are in mindfulness and meditation. She has attended two 10-day silent meditation retreats and multiple trainings in mindfulness, including Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). Her additional interests are applying and continuing to learn ways to empower people to reach their full potential
Psy.D., Licensed Psychologist and Local Recovery
Coordinator, Sheridan VA Health Care System
Vivianne attended graduate school in Tampa, FL and obtained her Clinical Psychology degree in 2008. She worked full-time first as a psychology intern, then Postdoctoral student and later as a licensed psychologist in the Wyoming State Hospital from 2006 to 2011. She was hired at the Sheridan VAMC in December 2011. Her personal and professional interests are in mindfulness and meditation. She has attended two 10-day silent meditation retreats and multiple trainings in mindfulness, including Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). Her additional interests are applying and continuing to learn ways to empower people to reach their full potential