Upcoming Public Events

If you’d like to see Dr. Hecht speak, check out her upcoming public events and classes below. To learn more about private professional development talks, trainings, or speaking engagements for your organization, please reach out here.

November 2026

Keynote: The Power of Brave Parenting

ISD 196 Parenting Conference: Fostering Resilience - Supporting Learners, Strengthening Communities

November 7, 2026, 8:00am. Eastview High School: 6200 140th St W, Apple Valley, MN 55124

Free! Registration recommended/required for childcare during conference. Register here.

———Past Events———

September 2026

Keynote: C.A.R.E. Summit

C.A.R.E Summit: Supporting Families, Educators and Professionals Across the Lifespan

September 28, 2026, 8:30am. Byrant Conference Center, Tuscaloosa, AL.

Anxiety in children and adolescents is on the rise — and the ways caring adults respond can either fuel it or help dismantle it. This keynote explores how anxiety works in youth, why well-intentioned support from adults often backfires, and what parents and other caring adults can do to raise brave, resilient kids. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of their role in supporting anxious youth and practical strategies to put into action.

May 2026

Resilience and Surge Capacity

Association of Healthcare Journalists Conference

May 28-30, 2026. Minneapolis, MN

Conference registration required.

April 2026

Panel Discussion: Varied Perspectives on AI in Clinical Practice — From Early Adoption to Skepticism in a Field Without Consensus

Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) Annual Conference, Chicago IL.

April 9-11, 2026. Specific Date/Time TBD.

Conference registration required. Register here.

February 2026

Brave Parenting: Principles for Raising Confident Kids

Hidden River Middle School, 1700 Summit Ave., Saint Paul, MN 55105

02/19/2026, 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM CT

Free admission; Hosted by the Hidden River Middle School & Randolph Heights Elementary School PTOs.

January 2026

Degrees of Pressure: Navigating Anxiety and Stress in Academia

Greenspun Auditorium, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV, 89154, United States

01/29/2026, 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM PT

Free admission; registration required. Register here.

Graduate school can be a thrilling period of intellectual growth, but for many students, it is also marked by substantial anxiety, stress, and burnout. Graduate students report significantly higher levels of anxiety than the general population, and poor mental well-being is a leading contributor to attrition from graduate programs—both heartbreaking and costly for students and faculty alike. This session will examine the psychological demands of academic life, including the distinction between stress and anxiety, a review of stressors specific to academia and their impact on well-being and performance, and evidence-based strategies for managing both anxiety and stress. The session will also offer practical, research-informed approaches for faculty, staff, and other supporters to assist students navigating anxiety during an inherently high-pressure phase of life.