Join our Embracing Faith & Mental Illness community for “Valuable Talks to Empower Those Who Support.” The Zoom series runs from February to June and September to December, held on the first Saturday of each month from 9:00 to 10:30 am (Mountain Time). In each session, Maree or a speaker will deliver an insightful Zoom presentation that offers support, education, and life-changing skills, with time for peer discussion. To receive reminders, subscribe to our Embracing Faith & Mental Illness email list or visit this page for updates on upcoming talks and events.
The Next Talk in Our Series
How to Respond When a Loved One Is Struggling
When someone you love is living with mental illness, knowing how to respond can feel overwhelming. In this practical and encouraging session, Dr. Andrew Graham—licensed mental health counselor, marriage and family therapist, and professor—shares simple, meaningful ways to respond with empathy, avoid common communication pitfalls, and offer hope.
Saturday, May 2, 2026 | 9–10:30 am Mountain Time | Zoom
Maree is Speaking Live in California
How to Communicate in a Way That Reaches Your Loved One
Join Maree Dee, Co-Founder of Circles of Hope and Founder of Embracing Faith & Mental Illness, for an in-person evening designed to encourage and equip those who support someone living with mental health challenges.
In this live talk, Maree will share practical tools on how to communicate in a way that truly reaches your loved one through the skill of validation—helping to reduce conflict, build trust, and create a deeper connection.
📍 Verve City Church, 14670 Ramona Ave, Chino, CA
📅 Tuesday, May 19
⏰ 6:30–8:00 PM
Hosted by Circles of Hope: Mental Health Support, this gathering offers a safe, supportive space to learn, connect, and be reminded that you are not alone.
2026 Valuable Talks to Empower Those Who Support
| Date | Title | Speaker |
| Saturday, February 7, 2026 | How to Show Self-Compassion for Family Members and Friends | Amanda Smith, LCSW |
| Saturday, March 7, 2026 | One Skill to Help You Avoid Compassion Burnout | Maree Dee, Founder of Embracing Faith & Mental Illness |
| Saturday, April 11, 2026 | How to Thrive in Christ Through Chaos and Uncertainty | Kelly Rosati, J.D., President of Hope for Brighter Tomorrows |
| Saturday, May 2, 2026 | How to Respond When Your Loved One is Struggling | Dr. Andrew Graham, LMHC, LMFT |
| Saturday, June 6, 2026 | Hope is Our Choice: How to Guard It from Thieves | Tracy Arntzen |
| Saturday, September 12, 2026 | How to Empower Emotional Strength and Boost Resilience as Caregivers | Maree Dee, Founder of Embracing Faith & Mental Illness |
| Saturday, October 3, 2026 | Title: TBD | Darcie Fuqua |
| Saturday, November 7, 2026 | Title: TBD | Kay Warren, Founder of Hope for Brighter Tomorrows |
| Saturday, December 5, 2026 | Title: TBD | Erin Canter, Pastor, Certified Mental Health Coach |
Before you leave, will you take a minute to share with us how our “Valuable Talks to Empower Those Who Support” are making a difference in your life?
Valuable Talks to Empower Those Who Support For Purchase
Our talks, Valuable Talks to Empower Those Who Support, are now available in our store! For a small fee, you can purchase access and view the recordings at any time for up to a year. And remember—if you join us live, every talk is free.
One Skill to Help You Avoid Compassion Burnout – 1-Year Access
When someone you support lives with mental illness, your compassion can be one of your greatest strengths—but it can also leave you vulnerable to burnout. In this practical and encouraging presentation, Maree Dee shares one essential skill that helps prevent compassion burnout: observing personal limits. Participants will also learn to recognize six signs that burnout may be creeping in, understand why personal limits matter, and explore a simple framework for honoring those limits.
How to Show Self-Compassion – 1-Year Access
Supporting someone you love who lives with mental illness can bring complex emotions. In this encouraging and practical talk, Amanda Smith shares how self-compassion can strengthen family members and our loved ones. Drawing from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and evidence-based practices, she offers tools to help you manage intense emotions, release guilt and shame, and build sustainable resilience
Reach Your Loved One: Targets and Levels of Validation (Part 2) – 1-Year Access
Take your validation skills to the next level with this second talk in the series. In Part 2, Maree Dee teaches how to identify what to validate and how to validate at different levels—so your communication can truly reach your loved one. Through real-life examples, you will learn how small, intentional shifts can lower emotional intensity, reduce conflict, and improve your relationships.
How to Communicate in a Way That Reaches Your Loved One (Part 1) – 1-Year Access
Discover how to connect with your loved one using validation. In this talk, Maree shares faith-filled guidance, real stories, and practical tools for validating emotions, thoughts, and more. building trust. Discover how small changes in communication can bring healing, connection, and peace into your home.
Supporting Executive Function Video – 1-Year Access
A compassionate workshop for those who love someone living with mental illness. Discover how understanding executive function skills can reduce stress, improve daily rhythms, bring clarity, and renewed confidence to your daily life—while deepening your faith and sense of peace.
Tools To Manage Overwhelm And Preserve Relationships Video – 1-Year Access
A compassionate workshop for those who love someone living with mental illness. Learn practical DBT skills from Vanessa Austin, MSW, LCSW, to reduce stress, communicate with care, and protect your own well-being.
Support Embracing Faith & Mental Illness: Valuable Talks to Empower Those Who Support
If you would like to be part of our mission to provide free presentations, please consider giving a gift to Embracing the Unexpected | Embracing Faith & Mental Illness with Maree Dee. Your contribution, no matter the amount, helps cover costs and is deeply appreciated. Please visit Give a Gift Today. Thank you for being a part of this vital cause!
Speaking Opportunites
Do you have a passion and a message for those who care for someone with a mental illness? Our talks aim to educate, teach life-changing skills, and provide support to caregivers. Please contact Maree Dee at maree@mareedee.com to inquire about speaking at one of our events.
Embracing Faith & Mental Illness Community
Embracing Faith & Mental Illness is a Christ-centered online community for people who care for someone with a mental illness. We have five unique ways for caregivers to participate. You choose what works best for you.
Click here to discover five unique ways for caregivers to participate.
Thank you for your ministry, Maree. The world needs this!
Thank you so much for your kind comment! It’s truly comforting to have a group of people who understand our similar circumstances. We all appreciate that feeling of connection.