Glasser Institute for Choice Theory
Northeast Region
2026 Spring Conference

Understanding Human Behavior:  Choices & Decision Making

Download Conference program

Location:   Bethlehem PA:  A UNESCO World Heritage Site
Hyatt Place Bethlehem, 45 North Street, Bethlehem PA  18018

Conference Workshops

Friday April 17^th
1:00- pm 4:00 pm:  Introduction to Choice Theory:  Why We Do What We Do…and what’s that got to do with me?
Shruti Tekwani, LMHC, BCC, CTRTF & Lois DaSilva Knapton Ed.D., CTRTF

Learn how our five basic needs shape behavior and explore practical ways to apply these ideas in relationships, work, and everyday life. Walk away with insights and strategies you can use right away.

4:15-5:00:  The Student Led Classroom with Judith Barnes Claps, BA, M.Ed, CTRT certified

Imagine a vibrant classroom in which students learn not only information and skills, but also how to listen to one another, back up their opinions with facts, how to discern essential material all while having fun working together to ensure that everyone succeeds.

Saturday, April 18^th

9:00 am -5:00 pm:  Mental Freedom®: Empowering Educators and Counselors to Thrive Personally and Professionally with:Kim Olver LCPC, NCC, BCC, Speaker, Author, Trainer, Coach

• Do you ever feel weighed down by the emotional energy of those you serve?
• Do you ever find yourself so overwhelmed by your own personal challenges that it’s hard to stay fully present with your students or clients?
• Do you wish you had practical tools to strengthen your well-being while deepening your impact on others?

Mental Freedom® offers a powerful framework for shifting from stress and frustration to calm, clarity, and choice. In this interactive six-hour workshop, you’ll explore the six principles of Mental Freedom®, each designed to help you take responsibility for your happiness, transform painful emotions, and model healthy thinking for others. Through a combination of engaging instruction, small-group discussions, and real-world applications, you’ll learn how to use these tools both personally—to enhance your own resilience and joy—and professionally—to create more empowering relationships with students, clients, and colleagues.

By the end of the day, you’ll walk away with:

• Personal tools to quiet mental noise, manage emotional triggers, and reclaim innerpeace.
• Professional strategies to guide others without rescuing them and foster mutual respect and empowerment.
• A renewed sense of confidence, clarity, and balance in how you live, teach, and serve.

Questions?  Email  gifctnortheast@gmail.com

Continuing Education Information:
GIFCT-US has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider ACEP No. 5189.  Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly Identified. GIFCT-US is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

CE Forms will also be available at the conference registration desk with cash/check/money order payment (no credit cards)

Hotel Reservations:

Hyatt Place Bethlehem
Ph: 610-625-0500
Link:  https://www.hyatt.com/hyatt-place/en-US/abezb-hyatt-place-bethlehem
Group Code:  G-WGNE 

Hotel Information:
Participants are responsible for making their own reservations by using the above link or calling the hotel directly.  We have a block of 10 rooms reserved for a price of $139/night not including tax.  Additional blocks of 5 rooms may be added if there is demand; however, the price is not guaranteed.  Any remaining rooms reserved in our block will be released after March 3^rd.  The rooms available are King or 2 Queen bed suites with a pullout couch.  The hotel offers a free hot breakfast bar.  Parking is $12/day across the street.

Visiting Bethlehem:  Bethlehem is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, achieving this designation in 2024 recognizing the Moravian Church settlements that were established in 1741.  Bethlehem is an almost 300-year-old city known for its history and vibrant art scene.  Visitors have several museums, and guided tours available in the historic district.  Our hotel is in the Bethlehem historic district which is bustling with shops, restaurants and entertainment.  Bethlehem is home to the Crayola factory, Martin Guitar Factory, and America on Wheels, a museum of transportation technology.

About Our Presenters:

Shruti Tekwani, LMHC, BCC, CTRTF
Shruti is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who specializes in trauma, grief, and loss. She is also a certified coach and works as a School Counselor at the International School of Curacao. She received her Masters degree in Counseling Psychology from Northeastern University and has 13 years of experience working with college students in crisis and in a counseling environment. Shruti is a Basic Instructor for the William Glasser Institute and has formerly sat on the Choice Theory international and national boards. Shruti also serves on the conference committee for the Sibling Leadership Network, an organization that supports siblings of people with disabilities.  She serves on the MSSN (Massachusetts Sibling Support Network) Board of Directors and on the Board of Directors for the Indian Merchants Association Netherlands Antilles.

Lois DaSilva Knapton Ed.D., CTRTF
Lois is a loving wife, mother, grandmother, foster parent, educational administrator, budding author, and house flipper. I am also a former ski instructor for the disabled, college professor, ballroom dancer, coach, and referee, and I performed in community theater. I love to go camping and sing karaoke. I have done missions work in Nairobi, Kenya, Africa, in 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2022. I have served as the NE Rep. to WGI and the President of GIFCT-US board. I am currently enjoying retirement from 28 years in educational administration and looking forward to my next adventure.

Judith Barnes Claps, BA, M.Ed, CTRT
Judith earned a BA in education from Antioch College, a Masters in Education from Lehigh University and was certified in Control Theory, now known as Choice Theory.  As a single parent, she chose to concentrate on finding ways to use Choice Theory and other techniques in the classroom. This lead to her teaching as graduate level instructor for ten years focusing on how to apply Choice Theory in the classroom, and being a very active member of the NE Region of the Glasser Institute.  Judith was a classroom teacher for thirty years in grades three through seven, and a home and school visitor in the child study department for five years. She also served as a Pennsylvania Department of Education Peer Monitor for twenty years.

Kim Olver LCPC, NCC, BCC
Kim Olver has served as Executive Director of the Glasser Institute for Choice Theory–US (2010–2020) and William Glasser International (2013–2023), where she advanced Dr. Glasser’s work worldwide through speaking, training, and leadership. A passionate advocate of Choice Theory®, Reality Therapy, and Lead Management, Kim has trained thousands of professionals to create more effective, compassionate, and internally motivated environments. She is the founder of Olver International (formerly Coaching for Excellence, established in 2004), where she continues her mission to help people take responsibility for their happiness and success. Kim is also the creator of Mental Freedom®, a process built on the solid foundation of Choice Theory that empowers individuals to transform their thinking, relationships, and overall well-being.