You have a job that, if left unchecked, could easily consume you-causing you to collapse into yourself, a bottle, porn, or any number of unhealthy anxiety-regulation strategies. One of the fundamental underpinnings of addiction is an intimacy disorder: addicts don't view people as a source of comfort, so they turn instead to chemistry (alcohol, drugs, etc.) or processes (porn, gambling, etc.) to find relief. In this session, we will explore how to endure the really hard things you face in your job and, more importantly, how to share the impact-not the details-of your day with those closest to you. By learning to draw comfort from your relationships rather than from chemistry, you can build healthier ways of managing stress and staying whole in the work you do.

Ken Howard is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist (LCMFT), and Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT). He established his private practice in the Mission, Kansas area in 2009, following five years of experience in family-serving agencies. At Healthy Families Counseling and Support, he worked with couples to build the skills and tools needed to create strong bonds of attachment. He also spent two years at Willowbrook, providing in-home therapy for children with severe behavioral and mental health diagnoses. Ken earned his bachelor's degree from MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, Kansas, and a master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Friends University in Kansas City. He also served 11 years in the Army National Guard as a Combat Medic. Married for 20 years and a father of two, Ken values his faith, family, and friendships as the foundation of his life and the driving force behind his passion for helping others.