Denver Psychoanalytic Society upcoming events

Save Me: An Exploration of Holding Through Music presented by Meghan Hinman Arthur, PhD, LPC (In Person) (September 10, 2026)

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 00:30:00 GMT

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Description: This multi-media presentation addresses analytic work at the end of life, erotic transference, and music as a vehicle of holding for both patient and therapist. Participants will be invited to consider how they frame, understand, and work with erotic transference with their own patients, as well as how to manage overwhelming affects (both the patient's and their own) in the treatment room.

Live and recorded music will engage the audience on both primary and secondary process levels, creating a felt sense of the case example and sparking an interactive discussion that offers a unique, and perhaps new, way of thinking about these phenomena.

CME Objectives:

Describe ways in which music can serve as an instrument of Winnicottian holding for both patient and therapist.
Demonstrate knowledge of Winnicottian holding in the context of erotic transference, and how this can manifest at the end of life.

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PRESENTER BIOGRAPHY

Meghan Hinman Arthur, PhD, LPC is a Society member and fourth-year candidate in the National Training Program at the National Institute for the Psychotherapies in New York City. She has been practicing for over 20 years and has an analytic practice in the Santa Fe Arts District, Denver.

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PROGRAM DETAILS

Date: Thursday, September 10, 2026

Time: 6:30 - 8:45 PM (MT)

Location: Lowry Conference Center located at 1061 Akron Way, Denver, CO 80230. There is plenty of free, accessible parking around the Conference Center. The lecture will NOT be livestreamed.

Cost:

DPS Members: $30
Non-DPS Members: $45
Students: $10

Guest Registration: Guests may be added to a DPS Member, Non-DPS Member, or Student registration for $10. Credit is not available for guests.

Registration: Registration is required and will close on September 10th. The cancellation policy is listed below.

Credit Note: Registration is required for CME credit. Guest registrations are not eligible for credit.

Donations: Consider including a donation with your registration to ensure programs like this continue to reach our community. Even a small gift creates a big impact. We are grateful for your support!

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CME INFORMATION

2.25 CME credits available

CME Certificates: In order to receive a CME certificate, the attendee must: pre-register, pay in full, attend the session, and complete an evaluation. A link to the online evaluation will be sent after the program and must be completed within one week. Certificates will be sent within two weeks of the program to allow for evaluations to be completed.

ACCME Accreditation Statement
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of American Psychoanalytic Association and Denver Psychoanalytic Society. The American Psychoanalytic Association is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

AMA Credit Designation Statement
The American Psychoanalytic Association designates this live activity for a maximum of 2.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Disclosure Statement
The APsA CE Committee has reviewed the materials for accredited continuing education and has determined that this activity is not related to the product line of ineligible companies and therefore, the activity meets the exception outlined in Standard 3: ACCME's identification, mitigation and disclosure of relevant financial relationship. This activity does not have any known commercial support.

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POLICIES

Confidentiality: During all programs, we will follow rules of confidentiality for clinical case material including disguising identifying information. Please do not discuss any case material outside of this program. Recording without authorization is prohibited.

Cancellation: While we understand that plans can change unexpectedly, our program arrangements and financial commitments are finalized in advance. For this reason, we cannot issue refunds for cancellations made within 10 days of the program. Thank you for understanding.

Photography Notice: By registering for this event, I hereby acknowledge and agree that the Denver Psychoanalytic Society (DPS) or its agents may take photographs and recordings for DPS purposes, including but not limited to news, publicity, and fundraising purposes, without further compensation to me. All such photos and videos are the sole property of the DPS.

A Consultation Group on Zoom for Psychoanalysts and Psychotherapists led by Shoshana Shapiro Adler, PhD & Anita Schmukler, DO (September 11, 2026)

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 15:00:00 GMT

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Shoshana Shapiro Adler, PhD and Anita Schmukler, DO are offering a consultation group for psychotherapists and psychoanalysts who wish to engage in sustained, thoughtful dialogue about clinical work within a psychoanalytic and psychodynamic framework.

The group will provide a confidential and collegial setting in which participants may present clinical material and reflect together on the complexities of therapeutic process. Particular attention will be given to transference and countertransference, the analytic frame, unconscious communication, and moments of uncertainty or impasse that arise in treatment.

Participation is intended for practicing clinicians who are interested in maintaining an ongoing reflective space for the exploration of analytic work.

To register, please contact Shoshana Adler, PhD, at 303-721-7939 for a brief introductory call and to receive the registration access code.

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FACILITATOR BIOGRAPHIES

Shoshana Shapiro Adler, PhD, a child and adult analyst and licensed psychologist, treats children, adolescents, and adults in psychoanalysis and psychotherapy. She is on the faculty of the Denver Institute for Psychoanalysis and the adjunct child faculty at the St. Louis Psychoanalytic Institute. She also has taught and supervised both nationally and internationally, particularly for psychoanalytic training programs in Chengdu and Yichang, China. In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Adler is President of the Denver Psychoanalytic Society (DPS) and a member of COCAP, the Child and Adolescent Psychoanalysis Committee of the International Psychoanalytic Association. Integrating two of her long-standing interests, she chairs the American Psychoanalytic Association (APsA) Study Group on Meditation and Psychoanalysis. She has a private practice in Denver, Colorado.

Anita Schmukler, DO is a Training and Supervising analyst at the Philadelphia Center for Psychoanalysis. She is a Board-certified psychiatrist and has worked with children, adolescents and adults for four decades. She has particular interests in learning disorders, eating disorders and multiple issues of child development. Working with parents is also a major interest.

Dr. Schmukler is an esteemed teacher and has lectured nationally and internationally (Royal College of Physicians in London. Meeting in Nice, France). She has published widely and edited three books: Saying Goodbye: A Casebook of Termination in Child and Adolescent Analysis and Therapy, Ethical Practice in Child Therapy, and Teaching Effective Supervision in Child Therapy.

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PROGRAM DETAILS

To Register: Please contact Shoshana Adler, PhD, at 303-721-7939 for a brief introductory call and to receive the registration access code.

Dates: Fridays, September 11, 18, 25, October 2, 2026

Time: 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM Mountain Time (11:00 AM - 12:30 PM Eastern Time)

Cost:

DPS Member: $150
Non DPS Member: $210

Location: Virtual via Zoom; The Zoom link will be emailed 24 hours before each session. Please check your spam, junk or secondary inboxes if you do not see it.

Group Size: The group will be limited in size to support depth of discussion and continuity of dialogue.

Registration: Registration is required. The deadline to register is August 28th. Cancellation policy is listed below.

Credit: There will be no continuing education credit offered for this group.

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POLICIES

Confidentiality: During programs, we will follow rules of confidentiality for clinical case material including disguising identifying information. Please do not discuss any case material outside of this program. No recording of case material is allowed.

To contact the Society office, please email office@denverpsychoanalytic.org.

A Consultation Group on Zoom for Psychoanalysts and Psychotherapists led by Shoshana Shapiro Adler, PhD & Anita Schmukler, DO (September 18, 2026)

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 15:00:00 GMT

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Participation is intended for practicing clinicians who are interested in maintaining an ongoing reflective space for the exploration of analytic work.

To register, please contact Shoshana Adler, PhD, at 303-721-7939 for a brief introductory call and to receive the registration access code.

_______________________________________________________

FACILITATOR BIOGRAPHIES

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PROGRAM DETAILS

To Register: Please contact Shoshana Adler, PhD, at 303-721-7939 for a brief introductory call and to receive the registration access code.

Dates: Fridays, September 11, 18, 25, October 2, 2026

Time: 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM Mountain Time (11:00 AM - 12:30 PM Eastern Time)

Cost:

DPS Member: $150
Non DPS Member: $210

Location: Virtual via Zoom; The Zoom link will be emailed 24 hours before each session. Please check your spam, junk or secondary inboxes if you do not see it.

Group Size: The group will be limited in size to support depth of discussion and continuity of dialogue.

Registration: Registration is required. The deadline to register is August 28th. Cancellation policy is listed below.

Credit: There will be no continuing education credit offered for this group.

_____________________________________________________________

POLICIES

To contact the Society office, please email office@denverpsychoanalytic.org.

A Consultation Group on Zoom for Psychoanalysts and Psychotherapists led by Shoshana Shapiro Adler, PhD & Anita Schmukler, DO (September 25, 2026)

Fri, 25 Sep 2026 15:00:00 GMT

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Participation is intended for practicing clinicians who are interested in maintaining an ongoing reflective space for the exploration of analytic work.

To register, please contact Shoshana Adler, PhD, at 303-721-7939 for a brief introductory call and to receive the registration access code.

_______________________________________________________

FACILITATOR BIOGRAPHIES

_____________________________________________________________

PROGRAM DETAILS

To Register: Please contact Shoshana Adler, PhD, at 303-721-7939 for a brief introductory call and to receive the registration access code.

Dates: Fridays, September 11, 18, 25, October 2, 2026

Time: 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM Mountain Time (11:00 AM - 12:30 PM Eastern Time)

Cost:

DPS Member: $150
Non DPS Member: $210

Location: Virtual via Zoom; The Zoom link will be emailed 24 hours before each session. Please check your spam, junk or secondary inboxes if you do not see it.

Group Size: The group will be limited in size to support depth of discussion and continuity of dialogue.

Registration: Registration is required. The deadline to register is August 28th. Cancellation policy is listed below.

Credit: There will be no continuing education credit offered for this group.

_____________________________________________________________

POLICIES

To contact the Society office, please email office@denverpsychoanalytic.org.

A Consultation Group on Zoom for Psychoanalysts and Psychotherapists led by Shoshana Shapiro Adler, PhD & Anita Schmukler, DO (October 02, 2026)

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 15:00:00 GMT

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Participation is intended for practicing clinicians who are interested in maintaining an ongoing reflective space for the exploration of analytic work.

To register, please contact Shoshana Adler, PhD, at 303-721-7939 for a brief introductory call and to receive the registration access code.

_______________________________________________________

FACILITATOR BIOGRAPHIES

_____________________________________________________________

PROGRAM DETAILS

To Register: Please contact Shoshana Adler, PhD, at 303-721-7939 for a brief introductory call and to receive the registration access code.

Dates: Fridays, September 11, 18, 25, October 2, 2026

Time: 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM Mountain Time (11:00 AM - 12:30 PM Eastern Time)

Cost:

DPS Member: $150
Non DPS Member: $210

Location: Virtual via Zoom; The Zoom link will be emailed 24 hours before each session. Please check your spam, junk or secondary inboxes if you do not see it.

Group Size: The group will be limited in size to support depth of discussion and continuity of dialogue.

Registration: Registration is required. The deadline to register is August 28th. Cancellation policy is listed below.

Credit: There will be no continuing education credit offered for this group.

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POLICIES

To contact the Society office, please email office@denverpsychoanalytic.org.

Identification of the Self as an Aggressor: Intergenerational Vicissitudes of Victim/Victimizer Self-Representations with Nanette C. Auerhahn, PhD (In Person) (October 02, 2026)

Sat, 03 Oct 2026 01:00:00 GMT

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Description: This presentation will examine contemporary psychoanalytic thinking about aggression, consider how societal violence influences identity and self-understanding, and explore how experiences of trauma and war can fuel desires for revenge, even among individuals who hold deeply humanistic values. The program aims to deepen clinicians' understanding of the psychological impact of violence and the ways traumatic experiences can contribute to cycles of abuse and aggression.

CME Objectives:

Examine current theory of aggression and distinguish it from previous theories, such as Ferenczi’s concept of Identification with the Aggressor.
Describe the intergenerational impact of societal violence on self-representations.
Explain how desires for revenge are kindled even among peaceful, religious individuals when confronted with the horrors of war.

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PRESENTER BIOGRAPHY

Nanette C. Auerhahn, PhD is a clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst in private practice in Beachwood, OH; faculty member and chair of education committee, Cleveland Psychoanalytic Center; since 2020 co-chair with Ira Brenner of the American Psychoanalytic Association’s annual discussion group on Effects of the Holocaust and Genocide on Survivors and Their Families

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PROGRAM DETAILS

Date: Friday, October 2, 2026

Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM (MDT)

Location: Lowry Conference Center located at 1061 Akron Way, Denver, CO 80230. There is plenty of free, accessible parking around the Conference Center. The lecture will NOT be livestreamed.

Cost:

DPS Members: $30
Non-DPS Members: $45
Students: $10

Guest Registration: Guests may be added to a DPS Member, Non-DPS Member, or Student registration for $10. Credit is not available for guests.

Registration: Registration is required and will close on October 2nd. The cancellation policy is listed below.

Credit Note: Registration is required for CME credit. Guest registrations are not eligible for credit.

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CME INFORMATION

1.5 CME credits available

CME Certificates: In order to receive a CME certificate, the attendee must: pre-register, pay in full, attend the session, and complete an evaluation. A link to the online evaluation will be sent after the program and must be completed within one week. Certificates will be sent out within two weeks of the program to allow for evaluations to be completed.

AMA Credit Designation Statement
The American Psychoanalytic Association designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

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POLICIES

American Fiction with discussant Jennifer Garfein, PsyD & Evelyn Green, LPC, CST (Film) (October 23, 2026)

Sat, 24 Oct 2026 00:30:00 GMT

The purpose of the film series is to encourage psychoanalytic dialogue
with respect to creativity and movies.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Description: American Fiction follows Thelonious "Monk" Ellison, a man grappling with personal loss who finds himself entangled in an absurd, involuntary con game with the liberal white media. As someone who claims he "doesn't even really believe in race," Monk is utterly unprepared for the lack of outrage—and the overwhelming praise—he receives when he attempts to satire the market's appetite for "Black trauma porn."

In this discussion, Jennifer and Evelyn draw from their distinct positionalities to make sense of Monk's unfolding story. Their dialogue is informed by Black lesbian feminist theory alongside diverse psychoanalytic frameworks, including the works of Winnicott, Laplanche, Lacan, and Fanon. They look forward to sharing their insights and engaging in a dialogue with you.

Format: The evening will begin with a presentation by the discussants followed by a group discussion. Please watch the film prior to the event. American Fiction is available to view with a premium subscription or rent on several platforms such as Prime, AppleTV, and Fandango.

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DISCUSSANT BIOGRAPHIES

Jennifer Garfein, PsyD earned her doctorate from the Graduate School of Professional Psychology and completed her doctoral and post-doctoral internships at the McGill University Health Centre at Montreal General Hospital. After gaining five years of foundational experience at the Aurora Mental Health Center, she transitioned into full-time private practice. Driven by a commitment to deeper clinical work, she completed the four-year Adult Psychoanalytic Post-Graduate Program at the Denver Institute for Psychoanalysis. She currently provides therapy for individuals both virtually and in-person.

Evelyn Green, LPC, CST earned her masters in Professional Counseling from the University of Colorado Denver. Following an internship at the Maria Droste Counseling Center, she was invited to remain on staff, spending six years working with adults, families, and children. Concurrently, she dedicated four years to supporting youth facing severe behavioral and psychological challenges at Meadowlark Cottages. Evelyn later pursued advanced training to become a Certified Sex Therapist, expanding her expertise to intensive couples therapy. She then transitioned into full-time private practice alongside a colleague, serving individuals, couples, and families.

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PROGRAM DETAILS

Date: Friday, October 23, 2026 (3rd Friday of the month)

Time: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM (MDT)

Location: Virtual using Zoom. The Zoom link will be emailed to registrants 24 hours before the event. If you don’t see our emails, please check your spam, junk, or secondary inboxes as they can sometimes be filtered there.

Cost: To help cover costs, there is a fee to register for this event. Donations are welcome during registration to help keep our programs affordable.

Nonmembers - $15
Society Members - $10
Students - $0 (Please list your training institution during registration.)

Registration: Registration is required. A confirmation email will be sent when registration is complete. Registration closes at 12:00 PM (MT) on October 23rd.

No CE Credit is available for this event.

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POLICIES

Confidentiality: During all programs, we will follow rules of confidentiality for clinical case material including disguising identifying information. Please do not discuss any case material outside of this program. Recording without authorization is prohibited.

To contact the Society office, please email office@denverpsychoanalytic.org.

Sleeping with the Enemy: AI, Grief, and the Shadow of the Analyst presented by Valerie Frankfeldt, PhD (Virtual) (November 12, 2026)

Fri, 13 Nov 2026 02:00:00 GMT

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Description: When Dr. Frankfeldt lost her analyst in 2024, she turned to an unexpected companion: ChatGPT. What began as a cursory attempt at coping with grief became a profound reckoning with her own ambivalence about AI, a journey she has since turned into an unflinching and deeply personal paper.

Dr. Frankfeldt used ChatGPT to help her explore a dream she had about that loss — and discovered surprising depths of insight and self-understanding. The AI even offered some solace during a time when beginning with a new analyst felt unpalatable. Yet the difference between intellectual insight provided by a machine and what is offered by a human-to-human relationship became unquestionably clear.

For a "proper" analyst who had always upheld the frame that provides a safe holding environment for treatment, was using ChatGPT as an adjunct helper "sleeping with the enemy"?

Dr. Frankfeldt’s commitment to human communication came up against ChatGPT's now-familiar "superpowers" — mirroring, sycophancy, and validation — raising urgent questions for the entire field:

The field of psychoanalysis is in jeopardy now that free or cheap AI "therapy" apps have become ubiquitous. Are analysts colluding with the erosion of the field?
Why are people — even therapists — flocking to chatbots for "therapy" in the first place?
What is the allure, usefulness, and danger of AI "therapy" apps?
What does it mean to reach a patient with a quintessentially human emotional communication?

This honest, searching talk raises essential questions for anyone who cares about the future of psychoanalysis and the irreplaceable human dimension of clinical work.

CME Objectives: (Participants will be able to:)

Describe the forces that make use of AI increasingly appealing.
Discuss the threat of AI in potentially replacing therapists.
Summarize the differences between an AI therapy bot and a human psychotherapist.

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PRESENTER BIOGRAPHY

Valerie Frankfeldt, PhD is a training analyst, faculty member, and supervisor at the Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Study Center. She has a special interest in the effects of technology on analytic work. Dr. Frankfeldt is a member of the American Psychoanalytic Association Council on AI and Psychoanalysis. She is in private practice seeing individuals and couples and providing clinical consultation in Greenwich Village in New York City.

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PROGRAM DETAILS

Date: Thursday, November 12, 2026

Time: 7:00 - 8:30 PM (MDT)

Cost:

DPS Members: $30
Non-DPS Members: $45
Students: $10

Guest Registration: Guests may be added to a DPS Member, Non-DPS Member, or Student registration for $10. Credit is not available for guests.

Registration: Registration is required and will close on September 10th. The cancellation policy is listed below.

Credit Note: Registration is required for CME credit. Guest registrations are not eligible for credit.

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CME INFORMATION

1.5 CME credits available

CME Certificates: To receive a CME certificate, the attendee must: pre-register, pay in full, attend the session with your name clearly labeled in Zoom, and complete an online evaluation within 7 days following the program.

An email with the evaluation link will be emailed after the program. Credit will be issued for actual participation time in 15-minute increments. CME certificates will be emailed within 2 weeks following the event if the evaluation is completed. Enabling your video while participating is strongly encouraged.

ACCME Accreditation Statement

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of American Psychoanalytic Association and Denver Psychoanalytic Society. The American Psychoanalytic Association is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

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POLICIES

Beautiful Thing with discussant Brian Ngo-Smith, LCSW, FABP (In-Person Film) (November 22, 2026)

Sun, 22 Nov 2026 22:00:00 GMT

The purpose of the film series is to encourage psychoanalytic dialogue with respect to creativity and movies.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Description: Set in a working-class housing estate in Southeast London during a sweltering summer, Beautiful Thing (1996) is a tender and uplifting coming-of-age story about two teenage neighbors, Jamie and Ste. Escaping their troubled home lives, the boys find solace in each other's company, slowly transforming their close friendship into a deeply touching romance. Supported by a vibrant cast of neighborhood characters, this classic perfectly balances sharp British humor with heartfelt realism to offer a wonderfully optimistic celebration of first love and self-acceptance.

Format: We'll watch the film together at the Sie FilmCenter, followed by a discussion. We are excited that this venue offers a full theater experience, complete with lounge, concessions, and full bar, providing plenty of opportunity to mingle before or after the event. Family and friends are welcome!

Discussant Biography: Brian Ngo-Smith, LCSW, FABP is a psychoanalyst and clinical social worker in Denver, CO. He received his MSW from the University of Iowa and completed analytic training at the Denver Institute for Psychoanalysis, where he is now on faculty. Brian has worked in the mental health field for over 20 years in residential, hospital, community mental health, and private practice settings. He is a past president of the American Association for Psychoanalysis in Clinical Social Work and he was the recipient of the 2024 Ernst and Gertrude Ticho Memorial Award from the American Psychoanalytic Association.

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PROGRAM DETAILS

Date: Sunday, November 22, 2026

Time: 3:00 - 6:00 PM (MDT)

Location: Sie FilmCenter located at 2510 East Colfax, Denver, CO 80206. Free parking is available in the garage located above the Sie FilmCenter, accessible from both Columbine and Elizabeth streets. Street parking is also available throughout the surrounding neighborhood, where posted.

The FilmCenter has a lounge area, concessions, full bar, accessible entrances and exits, accessible bathrooms, water fountains, and elevator/ramp access to all theaters. Click here for more information about accessibility at the theater.

Cost: To help cover the cost of theater rental, there is a $20 general admission fee for all attendees. There are a limited number of $10 student tickets available. If registering as a student, please list your training institution during registration. Friends and family are welcome. The registration fee covers admission only.

Registration: Registration is required and must be completed by 12:00 PM (MT) on November 19th. A confirmation email will be sent when registration is complete.

Guest Registration: If you would like to bring a guest, please include the number of guests and pay their fee during the registration process.

No CE credit offered.

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POLICIES

Cancellation: Due to fixed venue costs and advanced commitments, we are unable to offer refunds for this event. We appreciate your understanding in helping us sustain these programs.