Conversations That Protect: Supporting Kids and Families Through Mental Health Challenges
Empowering Families, Fostering Resilience
Navigating mental health conversations with children can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re facing the unique challenges that come with military or veteran family life. This 90-minute interactive session is designed to make those conversations easier, equipping you with practical tools grounded in neuroscience and trauma-informed care.
Together, we’ll explore strategies for building trust, creating safety, and supporting resilience in your family—always with compassion and without judgment. With a special lens on Domestic Violence Awareness Month, you’ll discover how to balance empathy with accountability, avoid enabling harmful behaviors, and put child safety first. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or community member, you’ll walk away ready to nurture healthy, open dialogue and strengthen your family’s well-being.
About the Speaker
Kamini Verma, LCSW-S, RPT-S is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Board-Approved Supervisor with over 14 years of experience in child and adolescent mental health. She earned her MSSW from the University of Texas at Austin and holds advanced credentials as a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, Certified Synergetic Play Therapist, and Trust-Based Relational Intervention®️ Certified Educator; she is also trained in EMDR and Theraplay (Level I). Kamini’s clinical expertise includes trauma, attachment, adoption, identity development, anxiety, and grief. She currently serves as the Child and Adolescent Clinical Lead at Samaritan Center. Kamini enjoys a good book, movie and spending time with loved ones.
Leslie Catlett, MA, LCSW-S is the clinical director for Samaritan Center, specializing in complex trauma and personality disorders. Her approach is rooted in attachment theory and a developmental model that destigmatizes personality traits developed in childhood. Leslie is trained in EMDR, TF-CBT, DBT, and CPT, and works with clients, combat veterans, and their families to address PTSD and moral injury. In her free time, Leslie enjoys knitting, cooking, and being a good-enough mother to two amazing adolescent human beings.
Samaritan Center is a nonprofit organization in Austin, Texas, dedicated to empowering individuals, families, and communities through holistic counseling, integrative medicine, peer support, and education. Their experienced clinicians provide a safe space for growth and healing, offering evidence-based, trauma-informed care for children, adults, and veterans. Samaritan Center’s mission is to promote mental, physical, spiritual, and social well-being for the whole family.
What You'll Gain
This Event is Open To
This event is open to all members of the military and veteran-connected community. Eligibility varies by session. View our event calendar for details on other offerings.
About EmpowerEd
EmpowerEd offers expert-led, topic-driven seminars designed to equip military and veteran families and community members with valuable information, practical tools, and trusted resources.
Most sessions are followed by an optional peer support event, Let’s Talk About It—a space to reflect, connect, and share takeaways in a supportive community. While attending the seminar is encouraged, it’s not required to join the discussion. Please note that registration for Let’s Talk About It is separate from the EmpowerEd seminar.
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Looking for one-on-one support? Peer 2 Peer Connect pairs you with a trained VSN Peer Leader for individualized support. For more resources and updates, follow @veteranspousenetwork and subscribe to the VSN Newsletter. Questions or concerns? We’re here to help at vsn@austin.utexas.edu.