Fairfax County, Virginia’s
Pathways to Wellness Conference 2021
“Still Striving, Still Thriving, Through It All”
A celebration of mental health recovery in uncertain times.
Our most recent conference was held in October 2021. It was a completely virtual conference, and a welcoming world focused on mental health recovery took shape online.
The Pathways to Wellness Conference is designed for persons with mental health issues, persons with co-occurring disorders, families, professionals, and others with an interest in the topics of wellness and recovery. And it’s planned and presented by people IN the recovery community.
Videos from 2021 and 2020 Conferences
See full-length videos of the keynotes and stories from our two most recent conferences.
Our keynote speakers and storytellers shared insights that may change your path forward.
- Keynote speaker Brien Stewart, a peer recovery specialist with a punk rock pedigree, tells his story of gratitude and life in recovery.
- Leslie Ann Wertz, Founder of The Victory PRS, shares the keys to flourishing in rough seasons.
- Mary McQuown of the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services traces the miles of progress made in mental health recovery service–and lays out the map of challenges yet to conquer in her keynote address.
- Michael Lane of the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board poses the question of how to dream of beautiful futures in the midst of crisis.
Learn more about each session and the interesting people behind them.
Our powerful lineup of workshops offered different ways to see more clearly.
- The Employment Lady, Marja Lee Freeman, shows how inspiration reveals new visions and pathways to positive thinking.
- An uplifting celebration of movement drives Martha Krabill Magny’s dance-focused workshop. The focus is on self-belief.
- Turning digital distances into online friendships sounds tough, but Monika Taylor of Recovery Program Solutions of Virginia (RPSV) lays it out and makes it doable. And fun.
- Making yourself an oasis of calm mindfulness through yoga is the theme of Kara Simon’s accessible and trauma-informed session.
Learn more about each session and the interesting people behind them.

The Pathways to Wellness Conference is organized and presented by the Wellness and Recovery Committee. The Conference is designed for persons with mental health issues, persons with co-occurring disorders, families, professionals, and others with an interest in the topics of wellness and recovery.