TOPICS FOR EVENTS & SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Genuine conversations presented by Anita Ritchey
Anita is a mental health therapist who has served many people who struggle with various topics concerning mental fitness or relational wounds. She is excited to share some practical techniques for improving awareness, growth & healing. Please see the upcoming workshops advertised below and feel free to reach out with any questions. Looking forward to seeing you there!
When Conflict Crosses the Line: Recognizing Abuse and Restoring Safety
Sept 13th 2025
Registration Deadline: Sept 10th
Snacks & coffee provided
Relational abuse can take many forms, and it is important to recognize that not all abuse is physical. We will take a deep dive into the many types of abuse and what it takes to identify healthy resolution, with or without the abusive partner.
Participants will learn:
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To recognize the full spectrum of abuse: physical, emotional, sexual, financial, spiritual and neglect
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Understand how abuse can be subtle, hidden, or normalized in relationships and systems (gaslighting, deflection, & more)
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How to know whether to stay or go
Register Here for
Upcoming Events
When Conflict Crosses the Line: Recognizing Abuse and Restoring SafetySat, Sep 13Newstart Church
Understanding Attachment Styles: Your Path to Secure ConnectionSat, Oct 11Newstart Church
Rewire Your Brain: Break Old Cycles and Build a Stronger YouSat, Nov 08Newstart Church
FREE Therapeutic FunSat, Dec 13Newstart Church
Light in the Dark: A Workshop on Navigating Depression & the Winter BluesSat, Jan 10Newstart Church
Dating in a Modern World: A Real Talk WorkshopSat, Feb 14Newstart Church
From Frazzled to Focused: A Fresh Take on Living with AnxietySat, Mar 14Newstart Church
Unshakable Worth: Remember Who You AreSat, Apr 11Newstart Church
$20 each; Dec 13th is FREE
One-Day Women's Retreat at Harvest Hills Farm-May 9th
Workshops, engaging activities, yoga
Stay tuned for details...
Understanding Attachment Styles: Your Path to Secure Connection
Are you ready to deepen your relationships, build emotional resilience, and better understand yourself and others? This interactive workshop offers a powerful introduction to attachment theory and how your early relational patterns impact your adult relationships, romantic, platonic, or professional.
Participants will:
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Learn the four primary attachment styles: secure, anxious, avoidant, and disorganized
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Discover how your attachment style was formed and how it shows up in your current relationships
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Gain tools to shift toward secure attachment—both within yourself and with others
Oct 11, 2025
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Rewire Your Brain: Break Old Cycles and Build a Stronger You
This uplifting and therapeutic workshop guides you through the process of gently retraining your brain and body to move out of survival mode and into a place of balance, confidence, and emotional strength. You’ll walk away with tools that support healing, clarity, and lasting inner change.
Participants will learn:
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How your brain and body hold onto patterns and how to release what no longer serves you
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Gentle techniques to calm your nervous system and feel more grounded
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Simple daily practices to help you feel safer, stronger, and more connected to yourself
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How to create space for joy, clarity, and emotional resilience
Nov 8, 2025
Therapeutic Fun
Take a break from the holiday stress and join us for a time of laughter, connection, and fun. This FREE event is a joyful, lighthearted gathering where adults (or teens who enjoys being with fun grown-ups) can unwind, recharge, and enjoy meaningful moments with others.
In the midst of the hustle and bustle, this is your chance to notice YOU through engaging games, creative activities and a silly environment.
Feel free to wear your favorite fun holiday attire!
RSVP appreciated
Dec 13, 2025
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Light in the Dark: A Workshop on Navigating Depression & the Winter Blues
Winter can be a challenging time for many—shorter days, colder weather, and the weight of seasonal expectations can deepen feelings of sadness, isolation, or hopelessness. Light in the Dark is a therapeutic workshop created to offer support, understanding, and practical tools for anyone struggling with depression or the winter blues.
This is a gentle, judgment-free space to feel seen, gain insight, and connect with others who get it.
Participants will:
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Learn how seasonal changes can impact mood and energy
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Explore the emotional and physical signs of depression and winter blues
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Discover coping tools and self-care practices that actually help
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Connect with others in a supportive and validating environment
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Identify small, manageable shifts that can bring more light into daily life
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Leave with a personalized "winter wellness" plan to carry forward
Jan 10, 2025
Dating in a Modern World: A Real Talk Workshop
Dating today can feel exciting, confusing, overwhelming—or all of the above. Between swiping, ghosting, texting games, and shifting expectations, it’s easy to feel lost or frustrated. This workshop creates a real, supportive space to explore modern dating with clarity, confidence, and self-awareness.
Whether you’re newly single, chronically dating, or just curious, this is your chance to reset your perspective, reflect on what truly matters to you, and learn how to date in a way that feels grounded and authentic.
Participants will:
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Explore how dating apps and social media impact relationships and connection
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Reflect on your own needs, values, and boundaries in dating
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Learn how to communicate clearly and confidently with potential partners
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Recognize red flags and green flags in early interactions
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Shift from "performing" to showing up as your real self
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Share stories, challenges, and insights in a judgment-free space
Feb 14, 2025
From Frazzled to Focused: A Fresh Take on Living with Anxiety
Let’s face it, anxiety can be a real pain. One minute you're fine, the next you're spiraling over a text, a meeting, or a totally imaginary scenario. Sound familiar? You're not alone.
This workshop is your chance to press pause, take a breath, and learn how to stop letting anxiety run the show. Through hands-on tools, group activities, and real talk, we’ll break it down, build you up, and help you walk away feeling more grounded, confident, and in control.
No lectures, no judgment; just a supportive, energizing space where you can learn, laugh, and take your power back.
Participants will:
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Learn how anxiety works (and why your brain isn't broken)
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Try out simple, effective tools to calm your body and quiet your mind
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Use creative reflection to outsmart anxious thought loops
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Build a personal “anxiety survival kit” that actually works for you
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Share stories and insights with people who get it
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Walk out feeling lighter, stronger, and more in charge of your peace
Mar 14, 2025
Unshakable Worth: Remember Who You Are
What would it look like to accept yourself without the pressure to be perfect? This workshop dives into self-worth, identity, and learning to care for yourself from the inside out.
Participants will learn:
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Why we develop low self-esteem
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When conditional love is healthy
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Why accepting compliments is important
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How to start identifying who they are
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How to affirm strengths while acknowledging weaknesses
Apr 11, 2025
Talk Less, Say More: Building Boundaries with Impact
Communication is more than what we say, it’s how we show up. This workshop helps participants understand assertiveness and boundaries as tools for healthy relationships, not just defense mechanisms.
Participants will learn:
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Why people pleasing is not producing the outcome you want
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How to improve assertive communication & skills for setting healthy boundaries
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How to improve confidence in communication
Available upon request
Additional Topics
Looking for something specific? Anita can tailor a talk to your group’s needs.
Here are additional areas of expertise:
Trauma
Anxiety
Depression
Suicidal Ideation
Grief
Divorce
Core Beliefs
Self-Esteem
Communication
Boundaries
Abuse
Trust After Betrayal
Religious Trauma
The Damage of Purity Culture
Self-Awareness & Growth
Schedule Anita for Your Next Event
Anita offers practical, thoughtful presentations that meet people where they are—with honesty, warmth, and depth.
Whether you're hosting a small gathering or a large event, Anita offers presentations tailored to your setting.
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Retreats
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Conferences
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Luncheons
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Special Events
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Church Gatherings
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Panel Discussions
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Videocasts
Ready to offer your group a space for honest reflection and growth? Let’s talk about what would serve them best.