About the Conference
The integration of spirituality and religion into the behavioral sciences has long been a contested and complex endeavor. Although psychology and sociology share with religion a fundamental concern for human experience and flourishing, these disciplines have historically operated from divergent epistemological assumptions and methodological frameworks. This conference will examine recent developments in the philosophy of science that offer promising pathways toward meaningful integration, critically assess the theoretical and practical challenges such integration may present, and highlight emerging examples of biopsychosocial-spiritual research that illuminate the potential of this interdisciplinary approach.
2026 Annual Conference
Neurodiversity and Spirituality
Co-sponsored by the LLU Center for Christian Bioethics
Our 2026 conference will be held on April 17, 2026 from 8 AM-1:30 PM (PDT) in our Department of Social Work and Social Ecology, which is located at 1898 Business Center Drive, San Bernardino, CA 92408. An online attendance option is also available. This conference is free of charge and open to all.
Highlights
- Keynote Speaker: William C. Gaventa, MDiv—author, speaker, trainer, and consultant primarily in the arena of faith and disability (more details below)
- Panel Discussion
- Research Presentations + Poster Presentations
- Credit Hours: APA + RN
- Breakfast and Lunch
Details
Overview
Neurodiversity reflects the rich and varied expressions of the human condition, shaping how individuals experience, interpret, and navigate the world. This conference seeks to deepen participants’ understanding of neurodiversity within a holistic biopsychosocial-spiritual framework, inviting learners to explore the profound ways spirituality intersects with identity, meaning-making, health, and community belonging.
Through interdisciplinary dialogue, clinical perspectives, lived-experience narratives, and spiritually informed approaches to care, participants will examine how neurodiversity can be affirmed and supported across healthcare, mental health, and spiritual care settings. The program emphasizes whole person care and the creation of inclusive environments that embrace the strengths, needs, and dignity of neurodivergent individuals. By engaging with examples of compassionate, relationship-centered practice, participants will be encouraged to reimagine how communities of care can more fully honor neurodivergent ways of being. Ultimately, the conference invites each learner to reflect on the spiritual journey toward wholeness—recognizing how embracing neurodiversity can deepen our collective understanding of healing, connection, and human flourishing.
Objectives
Upon completion of this learning activity, the participant will be able to:
- Explore neurodiversity as part of the human biopsychosocial-spiritual experience.
- Discuss how holistic care of those with neurodiversity emerges from spirituality.
- Consider the roles that mental health and spiritual professionals have for creating communities inclusive of those with neurodiversity.
Keynote Speaker
William C. Gaventa, MDiv
Bill Gaventa is an author, speaker, trainer, and consultant primarily in the arena of faith and disability. He is the founder and Director Emeritus of the Institute of Theology and Disability and served as the initial President of the Disability Ministry Network. He was the Director of Community and Congregational Supports at the Elizabeth M. Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities in New Jersey from 1995-2013. Primary areas of experience and expertise include spiritual and faith-based supports with people with disabilities, training for clergy, seminarians and community services staff, aging and end of life/grief issues in intellectual and developmental disabilities, cultural competence, inclusive ministries and community building. He served as the President of American Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 2016-2017. He was Editor of the Journal of Religion, Disability and Health for 14 years, and is author of Spirituality and Disability: Recovering Wholeness, published by Baylor University Press in 2018.
Schedule
| Time | Topic |
| 7:15 am | Check In |
| 8:00 am | Welcome - Bev Buckles & Dilys Brooks |
| 8:15 am | Keynote Speaker: William Gaventa, MDiv |
| 9:30 am | Break |
| 9:45 am | Panel Discussion |
| 11:00 am | Break |
| 11:15 am | Research Presentations |
| 12:30 pm | Lunch and Poster Session |
| 1:30 pm | Adjourn |
Notes and Logistics
Fees
All participants: Complimentary
Sponsors
LLU School of Behavioral Health
LLU Center for Christian Bioethics
Accommodations
If you have any special needs/accommodations, please contact Staff Development at 909-558-3500 or [email protected] at least ten (10) business days prior to the conference.
Cancellations
In-person seating is limited, so if you need to cancel your registration please email [email protected] as soon as possible to open your seat for another participant.
Location
CE Statements
- Loma Linda University Medical Center Office of Staff Development is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. LLUMC Office of Staff Development maintains responsibility for this program and its contents. This event meets the qualifications for 2.5 hours of continuing education credit for psychologists as required by the American Psychological Association.
- Loma Linda University Medical Center, Staff Development is a provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number 00239, this program is approved for 2.5 contact hours.
- Chaplains reciprocate with American Psychological Association
Credit Hours
Archive
Past Conferences
2025
Our fifth Biopsychosocial-Spiritual Research Conference was held on April 25, 2025 from 8:30 AM - 1:30 PM and was free to attend, either online or in-person. The program included speakers, a Q&A session, student presentations, and poster presentations.
The conference theme was "Faith & Healing: Spiritual Care for Diverse Communities." Featured speakers included Jessica ChenFeng, PhD, LMFT, Fuller Theological Seminary; Lynn Raine, PhD, LCSW, LLU School of Behavioral Health; Nicholas Grier, PhD, MDiv, Claremont School of Theology; and Wayne Cortez, Peer Support Specialist for Riverside-San Bernardino County Indian Health.
Poster Gallery
Exploring New Horizons: A Grounded Theory Study on the Experiences of Latinx Parents of Chronically Absent Students
Cristie Granillo, Nishita Matangi, Beatriz Gonzalez, Lynn Raine, Susanne Montgomery. View Poster
An Initial Inquiry into Bicultural Parenting: Exploring the Experiences of a Second-Generation Asian American Parent
Nikita Ravindra Bangera, Jacqueline Williams-Reade. View Poster
Navigating Cultural Pressures and Identity Among Asian Americans: An Initial Qualitative Exploration
Caryn Hsu, Jacqueline Williams-Reade. View Poster
The Association between Depression, Cancer Types, and Trust between Cancer Patients and their Healthcare Providers in Post-Genocide Rwanda
Joanna Fernandez, Samuel Habimana, Susanne Montgomery. View Poster
Proposed Study: "Discovering the Psychological Odyssey: Post-Pandemic Stresses of Undocumented Chinese Immigrants in New York City"
Enyi Zhang, Bryan Cafferky. View Poster
Bridging Cultures: Empowering LCSWs to Deliver Culturally Congruent Care (CCC)
Elana Berman, Lynn Raine, Qais Alemi. View Poster
Mastery Mediates the Association between Religious Problem-Solving & Exercise among Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes
Justin S. Yin, Kelly R. Morton. View Poster
Social Infrastructures and Life Satisfaction
Katie C. Jang, Zephon Lister. View Poster
Prostate Cancer Myths and Misconceptions: A Comparative Analysis of Black Christian and Muslim Communities
Gregory Cheadle, Susanne Montgomery, Lisa Roberts, Qais Alemi. View Poster
Addressing Mental Health Challenges Together via Community Resiliency Model: A Longitudinal Study with Survivors and Released Genocide Prisoners in Rwanda
Samuel Habimana, Zephon Lister, Emmanuel Biracyaza, Kimberly Freeman, Susanne Montgomery. View Poster
2024
Our fourth Biopsychosocial-Spiritual Research Conference was held on April 12, 2024, in a hybrid format (both on campus and via Zoom). It was generously co-sponsored by the LLU Center for Christian Bioethics.
- Part 1: Welcome and Devotional
Presented by Dr. Beverly Buckles (Dean) and Dr. Dilys Brooks (Chaplain)
Watch - Part 2: Keynote - "LGBTQ+ Religious/Spiritual Stress-Trauma and the Complex Beauty of LGBTQ+ Faith"
Presented by Rev. Cody J. Sanders, PhD, Associate Professor of Congregational & Community Care Leadership at Luther Seminary
Watch - Part 3: Panel of Respondents
Presented by Talolo Lepale (SBH Social Work & Social Ecology) and Dr. Dilys Brooks
Watch - Part 4: Poster Session
Presented posters may be viewed here.
2023
Our third Biopsychosocial-Spiritual Research Conference was held on April 7, 2023, in a hybrid format (both on campus and via Zoom).
- Part 1: Welcome and Devotional
Presented by Dr. Beverly Buckles (Dean) and Dr. Dilys Brooks (Chaplain)
Watch - Part 2: Keynote - "Gender Identity and Faith in Clinical Practice: Applications of the GRIT Approach"
Presented by Dr. Mark Yarhouse, Director, Sexual and Gender Identity Institute, Wheaton College (Wheaton, IL)
Watch - Part 3: Panel of Respondents
Presented by Dr. Alex Dubov (SBH Interdisciplinary Studies), Dr. Gerald Winslow (School of Religion, Ethical Studies), and Dr. Jana Boyd (LLU Sexuality and Gender Alliance sponsor)
Watch - Part 4: Poster Session
Presented posters may be viewed here.
2022
Our second Biopsychosocial-Spiritual Research Conference was held on February 18, 2022, via Zoom.
- Part 1: Welcome and Devotional
Presented by Dr. Adam Aréchiga (former SBH Associate Dean) and Dr. Dilys Brooks (Chaplain)
Watch - Part 2: Keynote - "Spirituality as an Aspect of Diverse Identities and Experiences in Interdisciplinary Settings"
Presented by Dr. Caroline C. Kaufman (McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School)
Watch - Part 3: Presentation - "Proposed SBH Religious and Spiritual Clinical Training Competencies"
Presented by Dr. Kenny Boyd (SBH Psychology)
Watch - Part 4: Research Presentations
Presented by Abraham Reynolds, Tyson Albertson, and Veronica Nakla
Watch
2020
On November 13, 2020, the School of Behavioral Health hosted our first Biopsychosocial-Spiritual Research Conference via Zoom.
- Part 1: Welcome and Devotional
Presented by Dr. Beverly Buckles (Dean) and Terry Swenson (Chaplain)
Watch - Part 2: Presentation - "Biopsychosocial-Spiritual Philosophy of Science"
Presented by Dr. Kenny Boyd (SBH Psychology)
Watch - Part 3: Panel Discussion
Featuring Dr. Adam Aréchiga (former School of Behavioral Health faculty), Scott Perryman (Children’s Hospital), Dr. Iris Mamier (School of Nursing), Terry Swenson (Chaplain), Dr. Henry Lamberton (School of Medicine), and Dr. Calvin Thomsen (School of Religion)
Watch - Part 4: Research Poster Presentations
Presented by Jade Seto, Sean Roche, and Jeffrey & Gina Gang
Watch