Name: Connect & Cultivate: Professional Development for Mental Health Providers
Start: 2026-01-29T19:00:00-05:00
End: 2026-01-29T20:30:00-05:00
Location: Merchant Hall

Connect & Cultivate: Professional Development for Mental Health Providers | In the Shelter: Working within the Liminal Landscape of Traumatic Memory
Mental health care providers are invited to a professional development event hosted by the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program of Western Theological Seminary.
Our speaker will be Ryan Kuja, MA, MA, LPC. Ryan is a therapist, trauma specialist, spiritual director, and adjunct professor in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Western Theological Seminary. For the past decade, Ryan has been working with clients from an integrative perspective, weaving the medical and the mystical, the clinical and the contemplative, the neurobiological and the numinous. He holds a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (Grand Rapids Theological Seminary) and a Master of Arts in Theology and Culture (The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology). He is the author of the book "From the Inside Out," and his writing has been published with Sojourners, Red Letter Christians, Fathom Mag, Missio Alliance, and in several peer-reviewed journals. A global citizen, Ryan’s first career was in international mission, relief, and development, during which he lived in 15 cities and rural villages across 5 continents. He currently resides in Holland with his wife Katie and their 6-year-old triplets. In his free time, Ryan can be found surfing, paddleboarding, and skiing. For more information, visit ryankuja.com.
This event is designed to offer insights and tools that can directly enhance your practice, encourage your heart, and provide a valuable opportunity to connect with other mental health professionals in the area.
What to Expect
- 6:30 PM – Light finger food and drinks
- 7:00 PM – Talk by Ryan Kuja, MA, MA, LPC followed by Q&A
- 8:00 PM – Networking
Held once each semester, these events aim to foster meaningful relationships within the therapeutic community in West Michigan. Join us to network, exchange ideas, and support each other’s growth as practitioners.
The series is hosted by the Western Theological Seminary Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program. To learn more and to register today, visit https://wtsem.info/connectandcultivate.