2026 CONFERENCE FOR PROFESSIONALS
Thursday April 16, 2026 | 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
“12 Essential Insights for Emotional Sobriety” with Dr. Allen Berger (6 CEs approved)
Back in the 1950’s, Bill Wilson described emotional sobriety as the result of working on each of the Twelve Steps, he stated in the Twelve and Twelve, “Here (speaking about Step Twelve) we begin to practice all Twelve Steps of the program in our daily lives so that we and those about us may find emotional sobriety.” It was his hope that his discussion of emotional sobriety would launch the next major development in AA, but unfortunately this didn’t happen — that is until now. In the past fifteen years we have seen an increased interest in emotional sobriety. We are finally recognizing its important role in recovery, that it is an important element of internal recovery capital. This workshop will take an in-depth look into emotional sobriety. Dr. Berger will introduce you to the experiences and awarenesses that will help your clients develop what Bill Wilson called “real maturity and balance” in their lives or a “true independence of spirit.” The goal of this workshop is to provide you with the necessary concepts and clinical interventions that will facilitate the expansion of consciousness and emotional maturity in working with your clients.
Learning Goals/Outcomes:
- Define emotional sobriety, real emotional maturity, and paradoxical theory of change
2. List four insights that facilitate the development of emotional sobriety
3. Discuss the importance of an emotional center for gravity
4. List four consequences of depending on environmental support
5. List two characteristics of the consciousness of emotional sobriety
6. Define the difference between self-support vs defiant independence
7. List four characteristics of emotional sobriety
8. Describe two clinical interventions to help a client become aware of their unreasonable expectations
9. Describe two clinical interventions to facilitate acceptance
Allen Berger, PhD is a licensed clinical psychologist and leading expert in the
science of recovery from addiction. Dr. Berger is a talented psychotherapist with
over five decades of clinical experience. He received his doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of California, Davis, and is internationally recognized as one of the foremost experts on emotional sobriety. Dr. Berger is known for his unique understanding of the process of recovery. He integrates his own personal experiences in recovery and the principles of modern psychotherapy with Twelve Step philosophy. His personal and professional experiences have resulted in the development
Thursday Evening Banquet, April 16, 2026 | 5:30 – 9 pm
Recovery Comedy: One Laugh at a Time | Andy Gold (1 CE approved)
Laughter is good for the soul and being able to laugh at oneself in recovery can help with healing. Helping clients find fun and humor in life can aid in long term recovery. Using humor, wisdom and personal insight, this presentation will offer an opportunity to laugh, cry, and gain insight into your own recovery and/or how you can help others around you.
Andy Gold is a nationally touring stand-up comedian and recovery advocate who uses humor as a powerful tool for connection, healing, and education. Drawing from his own lived experience with addiction and long-term recovery, Andy brings an authentic, deeply human perspective to conversations about substance use, stigma, and resilience.
Andy has shared his story with healthcare providers, educators, prevention specialists, and community organizations across the country, offering a refreshing and meaningful reminder that recovery is possible—and that connection remains one of our most powerful tools.
Learning Objective:
1. Identify ways to use and experience humor/laughter in treatment and recovery.
5:00 pm | Doors Open.
5:30 pm | Buffet Dinner catered by Whitefoot Catering
6:30 pm| Dessert Auction
7:00 pm | Comedy Show
8:00 pm | Raffles Announced
Evening festivities will include buffet dinner, dessert auction, raffles, and a whole lot of fun you won’t want to miss!
Friday, April 17, 2026 | 8:30 am – 3:00 pm
“Cannabasics for Behavioral Health Professionals” with Nate Grimm (5 CEs approved)
It can seem like cannabis is everywhere we look. As societal and legal acceptance of cannabis continues to grow, availability and use will also increase. Nate will share detailed and current insights on drug trends in Nebraska, with a focus on cannabis and the many challenges associated with it, and its impact on individuals, employers, and communities. This workshop
will help participants better understand cannabis, its derivatives, and the potential behavioral and health challenges it presents as we work with individual clients, students, schools, businesses, and the community as a whole in a world where cannabis is often seen as “no big deal.”
Learning Objectives:
- Define common cannabis terminology
- Explain neurochemistry of cannabis
- Demonstrate how to effectively communicate with cannabis users
- Recognize different cannabis products and accessories
- Identify common signs of cannabis impairment
- Discuss potential negative outcomes of cannabis use
Nate Grimm is an experienced and active Police Officer, Drug Recognition Expert (DRE), and DRE Instructor. He is a thirteen-year veteran of policing and the owner and lead instructor of CopSmart. Nate has held a variety of policing assignments including patrol officer, field training officer, recruiter, firearms instructor, tactical flight officer, academy instructor, and terrorism liaison officer. He has served on the Weld County Colorado Regional DUI Taskforce and currently serves on the Mothers Against Drunk Driving Nebraska State Advisory Board.
CNCAA reserves the right to withhold a $65 processing fee for all cancellations. Force majeure: In the event CNCAA is prevented fr0om carrying out its obligations as a result of any cause beyond its control, such as but not limited to acts of God, war, acts of terrorism, airline flight cancellations, strikes, lock-outs, flood, commercially unfeasible or failure of third parties to deliver goods or services, CNCAA shall be relieved of its obligations and liabilities for as long as fulfillment is prevented. The Central Nebraska Council on Alcoholism and Addictions is a non-profit corporation
and is supported in whole, or in part by Grant # 93.959 under the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant and Grant # 1H79TI081706-01 under Nebraska’s Targeted Response to the Opioid Project from the Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration Center for Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, the State of Nebraska DHHS Tobacco Free Nebraska Program, Hall County, Heartland United Way, various fundraising activities, and tax- deductible donations. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the DHHS; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
These sessions have been approved by the Central Nebraska Council on Alcoholism and Addictions, Inc. as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for up to 12.0 CEs, NAADAC Provider #236874, Central Nebraska Council on Alcoholism and Addictions, Inc. is responsible for all aspects of its programming.
All conference sessions are open to all alcohol/drug counselors.
Criminogenic and LADC Continuing Education Hours have been APPROVED!!
Depending upon your scope of service, these workshops may meet the criteria of an approved continuing education program for mental health and social work practices, marriage and family therapists, and professional counselors.
Mission Moments
This organization has a staff of people genuinely committed to helping their community! Every time I’ve called or visited, the people there have been kind, knowledgeable, and had a sincere desire to help in any way they could. In my experience here I learned more than I ever expected, and left feeling much better than I did when I came.
Kids Power 2 helps me to be drug free and helps me with my mom’s problem.
I like getting together to see friends at Kids Power 2 that I don’t usually get to see. I am concerned for my friends. Kids Power 2 is fun and so is getting to go to Timberlake.
My child now has an increased knowledge and awareness, especially after reading and going over the homework and other paper brought home from the program.
CNCAA helped me in the very beginning of my recovery process with their wonderful lending library.
Being a part of an organization that cares so much about the community is a place I want to be. Until we, as community members, come together as a force to educate those needing assistance, we struggle. CNCAA has mission to be that force.
Kids Power really helped my children cope with a life changing effect of alcoholism. It gave them the tools and confidence to get through.
My son runs, walks, and jumps on the trampoline more often. We also go for walks to the park more often as a family.
He’s more focused, well mannered, and he has better self-esteem.
I feel passionate about spreading any type of help for families going through the devastation of addiction. More importantly, showing families that there is hope and solutions to live a beautiful, fun, and peace-filled life.
I liked the program. You shared an important message to our kids, such as how to prevent problems with alcohol and drugs. Thank you!
My son has a better judgement when selecting foods and choosing foods lower in fat. The whole family has learned a lot too!
The program is a different approach to teach a child about important issues. These issues can be really hard to talk about.
I think the program is wonderful and my child loves to go to CATCH Kids Club!
I always visited to get medallions, cards, or books. Staff was always friendly and helpful. The Council was very important to my daughter and that is what made me want to get involved. I had not realized all the kids programs offered, but that is the main reason I want to stay involved. Prevention is key. Thank you Connie and staff for all you do!
Since Discovery Kids, she has shown a lot more responsibility and is trying to be more of a leader.
The first time I attended Tree of Hope, I was living at Hope Harbor two years ago. Representatives of CNCAA had visited while I was in treatment at St. Francis ADTC. What wonderful gifts and literature I have purchased from the store. I plan to utilize the tobacco free program in the future. Thank you for supporting my recovery!
Thank you! Kids Power gave us HOPE!
Photos in testimonials are random and do not necessarily portray the author of the statement.