SAL 12 Step In-Person Conference 2026
Sat Apr 18, 2026 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM | Utah Valley University, 84058
Joshua Walpole - Keynote
Have you ever caught yourself asking…
“Why did I do that?”
“Why do I keep ending up here?”
Or even deeper… “Is change really possible for me?”
Those questions—the honest ones we often wrestle with in silence—are where real transformation begins.
You will hear from someone who has built his life’s work around helping people answer those very questions.
Joshua Walpole is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and National Certified Counselor who has a deep fascination with the “why” behind human behavior—what drives us, what holds us back, and what ultimately helps us change.
But Joshua doesn’t just explore the “why” for curiosity’s sake—
He helps people use it as a pathway to healing.
In a world that often pushes us into autopilot, reacting instead of responding, Joshua teaches something profoundly simple—and incredibly powerful:
The ability to pause…
To become aware…
And to choose with intention.
Because in that space—that small but critical space—
is where healing begins.
Joshua specializes in trauma work, particularly in the areas of compulsive sexual behaviors, pornography and sexual addiction, and betrayal trauma. He works with individuals, couples, and families navigating some of life’s most painful and complex experiences—helping them move from shame and disconnection… to clarity, strength, and hope.
And what makes his message so impactful is this:
He genuinely believes that no one is too far gone.
That no matter how stuck someone feels…
There is always a way back.
Through approaches like Lifespan Integration, experiential therapy, psychodrama, and existential work, Joshua helps people not just understand their story—but begin to rewrite it.
His work is grounded not only in professional training, but in lived experience—giving him a level of empathy and authenticity that people can feel the moment he speaks.
So today, as you listen, I invite you to consider your own “why”…
And what might be possible if you gave yourself the space to pause, to understand, and to choose differently.
Amanda Christenson - Keynote
There are moments in life when everything we thought was stable… suddenly isn’t.
Trust is broken.
Connection feels distant.
And hope—real, steady hope—can feel just out of reach.
But what if those very moments… are where healing actually begins?
Today, we have the privilege of hearing from someone who has dedicated her life to walking with people through those exact moments—helping them rebuild, reconnect, and rediscover meaning on the other side of pain
.
Amanda Christenson is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, the owner of Hope Therapy, and a recognized leader in the field of relationship healing. With over a decade of clinical experience, she specializes in some of the most complex and sensitive challenges couples face—betrayal trauma, compulsive sexual behavior, infidelity, and PTSD.
She approaches her work through powerful, evidence-based methods like EMDR, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and Internal Family Systems—combined with something even more impactful: warmth, honesty, and a deep respect for the courage it takes to keep showing up when life hurts.
Amanda isn’t just a clinician—she’s a mentor, a speaker, an adjunct faculty member at Brigham Young University, and an AAMFT Approved Supervisor shaping the next generation of therapists. She’s also been recognized as one of Utah Valley’s “40 Under 40,” a testament to the real impact she’s making in people’s lives and communities.
But what truly sets Amanda apart is this:
She doesn’t just teach about healing—
She helps people experience it.
She believes that even in the aftermath of broken trust, there is a path forward…
That connection can be rebuilt…
And that with the right guidance, accountability, and compassion—people can move from surviving… to truly living again.
So today, as you listen, I invite you to lean in—
Because what you’ll hear isn’t just theory.
It’s real. It’s practical. And it has the power to change lives.
Breakout Sessions:
Men’s:
- Active surrender – Steven C
- Staying present and empathetic while facing your character defects – Nikitas
- Community, brotherhood and sponsorship – Jonathan
Women’s:
- The 3 steps of surrender – Rhyll C
- Facing the grief – Lisee
- Healing through music – Shayna
- Serenity room
Testimonials:
- “Seeing couples together and how they shared their struggles really gave me hope.”
- “I really felt a good connection”
- “Both keynotes and breakout sessions were all excellent”
- “My favorite part was meeting online SAL brothers in person
