
CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY RELATIONSHIPS
Strengthening Relationships in the LGBTQ+ Community Since 2014

GROUPS OF 3 OR MORE GET A 30% DISCOUNT !
With insights from these trusted mental health professionals—and many others









This project made possible in part due to funding from the Diversity Innovation Grant Program coordinated by the Office of the Provost and Intercultural Center at Monmouth University
CONTEMPORARY RELATIONSHIPS CONFERENCE 2026
+ CHOSEN FAMILY FAIR & OPEN MIC TALENT SHOW!
STRENGTHENING LGBTQ+
RELATIONSHIPS IN CHAOTIC TIMES
MAY 15-16, 2026
Monmouth University
West Long Branch, New Jersey
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The most celebrated event supporting LGBTQ+ relationships—where research and real-world practice meet annually.

JOIN US IN NEW JERSEY!
​ACCESS TO ALL EVENTS
$295
$245 - EARLY BIRD
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Multiple breakout sessions
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Keynote address by Hannah Wilson
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Plenary session by Christian de la Huerta
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​Cool swag bag with free stuff from our sponsors
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An invitation to our Friday Night Social in town
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Earn up to 9 continuing education credits
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And so much more!
GROUPS OF 3 OR MORE
GET A 30% DISCOUNT!

SCHEDULE
subject to change
DAY ONE - FRIDAY, MAY 15, 8:50AM - 5:00PM
CONFERENCE (Doors open at 8am)
Workshops and presentations open to those who register for the full two -day conference
DOORS OPEN
Rebecca Stafford Student Center - Anacon Hall
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Check-in, Get coffee, Find your seat, Connect with others
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Rebecca Stafford Student Center - Anacon Hall
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Naomi Brown, LCSW, QTAP (she/they)

OPENING PLENARY
Rebecca Stafford Student Center - Anacon Hall
Wearing Two Hats:
The Therapist as Healer and Hellraiser
Jeff Lutes, LPC, QTAP (he/him)

FRIDAY BREAKOUT SESSION #1: OPTION 1
Classroom 204, Pozycki Hall
Embodied Liberation: A Trauma-Informed, Sex-Positive Framework for Strengthening LGBTQ+ Relationships
Christa McCrorie, LICSW-S, PIP; CD (DONA); CST - under supervision (she/any)

FRIDAY BREAKOUT SESSION #1: OPTION 2
Classroom 205, Pozycki Hall
My Land is Not Your Land: Displacement, Loss, & The Pursuit of Safety
Marissa Rivera, LPC, QTAP (she/her/ella)

FRIDAY BREAKOUT SESSION #1: OPTION 3
Classroom 206, Pozycki Hall
Using Therapeutic Collage and Parts Work to Deepen Self-Awareness, Self-Compassion, and Self-Trust
Emily Stone, PhD, LMFT-S (she/her)

FRIDAY BREAKOUT SESSION #2: OPTION 1
Classroom 204, Pozycki Hall
Beyond Biology: Understanding the Mental Health Implications of Fertility for LGBTQIA+ People
Giana Simonelli, LAC (she/her)

FRIDAY BREAKOUT SESSION #2: OPTION 2
Classroom 205, Pozycki Hall
Beyond Affirmation: Relational, Abolitionist, and Liberatory Clinical & Supervisory Practices for LGBTQ+ Relationships
Dr. Anna Morgan-Mullane, DSW, LCSW (she/her)

FRIDAY BREAKOUT SESSION #2: OPTION 3
Classroom 206, Pozycki Hall
Working in the Erotic Field: Desire, Containment, and Development Across Queer Therapist–Client Dyads
Joseph Mikulka, LCSW-R (he/him), and Rahim Thawer, MSW, RSW (he/him)


Rebecca Stafford Student Center - Anacon Hall
Enjoy lunch catered by Monmouth University and visit the following poster sessions:
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1. Building Relational Resilience in LGBTQ+ Adults with Borderline Personality Disorder Histories
Thomas Flanagan, MA (he/him), and Henry White, PsyD (he/him)
2. Beyond Romance: Conscious Love as a Healing Practice
Christian de la Huerta, BA, Certified Breathwork Practitioner
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3. Interrupting Escalation in Intimate Relationships: A Nervous-System-Informed Framework for Staying Connected Under Stress
Michele Omara, PhD, LCSW


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KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Rebecca Stafford Student Center - Anacon Hall
The Art of Being a Menace
Hannah Wilson, PhD, LCPC-S, CST

FRIDAY BREAKOUT SESSION #3: OPTION 1
Classroom 204, Pozycki Hall
Communication Strategies for Neurodivergent Partnerships
Jamie Goodwin, PhD (she/her), and Marley Flynn (she/her)

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FRIDAY BREAKOUT SESSION #3: OPTION 2
Classroom 205, Pozycki Hall
Rethinking EMDR: A Neuro-Affirming Approach for TGD Clients
Emery Rodriguez, MS, LPC - Associate (they/he), and Marissa Rivera, LPC, QTAP (she/her/Ella)


FRIDAY BREAKOUT SESSION #3: OPTION 3
Classroom 206, Pozycki Hall
Queer Inclusive Birth Work and Sex Work Education for Embodied Healing, Relational Resilience, and Justice
Christa McCrorie, LICSW-S, PIP; CD (DONA); CST - under supervision (she/any)

FRIDAY BREAKOUT SESSION #3: OPTION 4:
Rebecca Stafford Student Center - Anacon Hall
Exploring QTAP Certification: An overview of our 60-hour Queer & Trans Affirming Professional program for those considering enrollment
Faculty, Center for Contemporary Relationships
FRIDAY CLOSING PLENARY:
Rebecca Stafford Student Center - Anacon Hall
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Proudly Authentic: Living Heroically Beyond Pride Month
Christian de la Huerta

​EVENING HANGOUT (optional)
An off-site social gathering at a local restaurant/pub to wind-down with attendees, presenters, and volunteers.. Location will be emailed to all those who register for the conference.

DAY TWO - SATURDAY, MAY 16, 9AM - 2PM (Doors Open at 8:30am)
CONFERENCE + CHOSEN FAMILY FAIR & OPEN MIC TALENT SHOW
The general LGBTQ+ public and their allies join conference attendees. Everyone begins in Anacon Hall. During breakout sessions, workshops marked COMMUNITY are designed for a general audience, while those marked CLINICAL are intended primarily for health and mental health professionals. However, attendees are welcome to attend the workshops of their choice.
DOORS OPEN
Rebecca Stafford Student Center - Anacon Hall
​
Check-in, Get coffee, Find your seat, Connect with others
WELCOMING REMARKS
Rebecca Stafford Student Center - Anacon Hall
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New Jersey Assemblywoman Luanne M. Peterpaul, ESQ (District 11)

ALL ATTENDEES OF CRC & CHOSEN FAMILY FAIR
SATURDAY OPENING PRESENTATION
Rebecca Stafford Student Center - Anacon Hall
Love is Love: A Sneak Peek of an Upcoming Film on the History of the LGBT Women's Movement
Robin Kampf, Director
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COMMUNITY - CHOSEN FAMILY FAIR
SATURDAY BREAKOUT SESSION #1: OPTION 1
Classroom 204, Pozycki Hall
The Relationship Beneath the Relationship: Internalized Bias in Adult Intimacy
Uchenna Lizmay Umeh (Dr. Lulu), MD, MBA, FAAP, CLC (she/her)

COMMUNITY - CHOSEN FAMILY FAIR
SATURDAY BREAKOUT SESSION #1: OPTION 2
Classroom 205, Pozycki Hall
Creating Safe Families in Unsafe Times
Naomi Brown, LCSW, QTAP
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COMMUNITY - CHOSEN FAMILY FAIR
SATURDAY BREAKOUT SESSION #1: OPTION 3 for kids & parents
Classroom 206, Pozycki Hall
Family Fun Zone!
Families are invited to drop in and enjoy a playful, hands-on space designed for children and the adults who accompany them. Throughout the event, this area will feature story time moments, colorful collaborative art, simple craft-making, and sensory play inspired by themes of creativity, pride, and family. Please Note: In accordance with Monmouth University policy, all minors must be supervised by an authorized adult at all times while participating in events on campus.

CLINICAL - CRC ATTENDEES
SATURDAY BREAKOUT SESSION #1:
Rebecca Stafford Student Center - Anacon Hall
Practicing Ethically While Under Attack:
Moral Injury in Queer-Affirming Care
Erin MacDonald, LCSW-S, QTAP
ETHICS
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COMMUNITY - CHOSEN FAMILY FAIR
SATURDAY BREAKOUT SESSION #2: OPTION 1
Classroom 204, Pozycki Hall
Talk It Out: A Practical Introduction to Nonviolent Communication in Mental Health & Relational Life Rodrigo Bravo, MPH, MD(c) (he/him)

COMMUNITY - CHOSEN FAMILY FAIR
SATURDAY BREAKOUT SESSION #2: OPTION 2
Classroom 205, Pozycki Hall
Queer Death Café
Melissa Delizia, MSW, LSW, DSW (she/they)

COMMUNITY - CHOSEN FAMILY FAIR
SATURDAY BREAKOUT SESSION #2: OPTION 3 for kids & parents
Classroom 206, Pozycki Hall
Family Fun Zone!
Families are invited to drop in and enjoy a playful, hands-on space designed for children and the adults who accompany them. Throughout the event, this area will feature story time moments, colorful collaborative art, simple craft-making, and sensory play inspired by themes of creativity, pride, and family. Please Note: In accordance with Monmouth University policy, all minors must be supervised by an authorized adult at all times while participating in events on campus.

CLINICAL - CRC ATTENDEES
SATURDAY BREAKOUT SESSION #2:
Rebecca Stafford Student Center - Anacon Hall
Reflections On Trauma, Addiction, and Recovery: A Dialogic Journey with a Client and His Therapist - Adriana Gil-Wilkerson, PhD, LMFT-Supervisor, AAMFT Approved Supervisor, QTAP (she/her/they/them), Marsha McDonough, PhD (she/her), James Boucher, Consultantee (he/him)



ALL ATTENDEES OF CRC & CHOSEN FAMILY FAIR
Rebecca Stafford Student Center - Anacon Hall
Lunch served by Monmouth University
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ALL ATTENDEES OF CRC & CHOSEN FAMILY FAIR
Rebecca Stafford Student Center - Anacon Hall
OPEN MIC TALENT SHOW!
​1:00 - 2:00pm
Attention poets, singers, comedians, magicians, storytellers, and anyone with hidden talents - APPLY HERE
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COMMUNITY - CHOSEN FAMILY FAIR
SATURDAY BREAKOUT SESSION #1: OPTION 3
Rebecca Stafford Student Center - Anacon Hall
Family Fun Zone!
Families are invited to drop in and enjoy a playful, hands-on space designed for children and the adults who accompany them. Throughout the event, this area will feature story time moments, colorful collaborative art, simple craft-making, and sensory play inspired by themes of creativity, pride, and family. Activities are designed for a range of ages and encourage parents and caregivers to participate alongside their children as they explore, create, and celebrate together.


ABOUT US
Since our inception in 2014, the Contemporary Relationships Conference (CRC) has been bringing cutting edge science and practical experience to explore dating,
relationships, and parenting within the LGBTQ+ community. In addition to the annual conference, we launched a second leg of programming in 2021, the Queer and Trans Affirming Professional (QTAP) certification, that has since produced dozens of QTAP certified professionals dedicated to serving our population and the specific needs therein, raising the bar of cultural competency for our community.
During this time of growth, we found the need to expand our leadership to accommodate the new demands of this growing organization. In 2024 we established The Center for Contemporary Relationships, with a formal board, composed of three committees, which will govern both CRC and QTAP as well as any new programs that may be developed in the future. This governing body is actively seeking committee members who are passionate about the mission of The Center and have interest and energy in helping guide the organization into its next iteration. We thank you for your support and are excited for the future of The Center for Contemporary Relationships.

