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Scars to STARs Day (STARs Day) is a free annual global event, and STAR Network’s gift to the world for Mental Health Awareness Month. Our Keynote, the Hon. Patrick J. Kennedy reminds us that our STARs – Survivors of Toxic Abusive Relationships, and all Mental Health Communities are emblematic of Profiles in Mental Health Courage.
The vital focus of trauma-informed recovery in the areas of attachment disorders & narcissistic abuse this month inspires all to find the courage to Transform Pain into Purpose. Mr. Kennedy joins our International STAR Ambassador Richard Grannon and a host of powerful leaders and influencers to inspire all men, women, teens & tweens, and workers/managers worldwide.
Healing stories, empowerment, and practical tools.
Networking, trauma-informed approaches, and research insights.
Visibility as champions of mental health.
Richard Grannon is a dedicated advocate for individuals seeking to break free from narcissistic abuse and reclaim their self-worth. With a deep understanding of human psychology, he integrates a range of therapeutic approaches—including Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamics, and Zen meditation—into a practical and effective methodology for recovery.
Grannon’s journey began in self-defense and security training, where he instructed police officers and soldiers in handling the mental stresses of combat. During this time, he noticed that many of those he trained faced personal struggles at home, inspiring him to expand his work into psychological resilience and recovery from abuse.
A graduate of Aston University with a BSc in Psychology and a specialization in NLP, Grannon chose to forge his own path rather than conforming to conventional psychotherapeutic practices. He founded The Spartan Life Coach, a pioneering multimedia program that equips survivors of narcissistic abuse with the tools to regain confidence, autonomy, and emotional strength.
His work extends beyond coaching, as he has also been a motivational speaker and program developer in the British education system, where he has helped children and teenagers develop resilience and mental toughness. He trained with NLP co-founder Richard Bandler, further refining his expertise in psychological transformation.
Through his teachings, courses, and extensive online presence, Richard Grannon continues to shed light on the realities of narcissistic abuse—an issue he believes remains critically overlooked in modern society. His mission is clear: to help individuals reclaim their power, heal from past trauma, and build a future free from psychological manipulation.
Jennifer Libby has been a psychotherapist for over 20 years treating at-risk and “difficult to treat” adolescents with experience in inpatient and outpatient psychiatry, as well as many years in the public and private education sectors. Jennifer continues to work closely as an advisor on the development of purpose driven Next Gen programs.
However, after watching the youth mental health and teen suicide crisis unfold over the last 20 years and living through becoming a grieving parent after the unexpected death of her 9 month old son, Jennifer felt like she needed to do more to make mental health less stigmatized and more accessible for teens.
In 2020, Jennifer founded Promly, an award winning social connecting ecosystem for young people 13-19 (with AI age gates for a safer space) created alongside a GenZ team to get ahead of the youth mental health, anxiety & social media crisis, while also including a scalable path to real life activities, internships, and civic action for young people under 25.
Promly offers genuine connection through interests, school clubs, and life goals while also providing 360 degrees of wrap around mental health support including talk, text, peer support, and even turns the phone into an anxiety/panic reducing biofeedback device (reading heartrate during panic from the phone flash and guiding the user to calm) – available for teens everywhere, regardless of ability to pay. Promly aims to connect and empower teens globally while creating easier access to layers of mental health support and innovation (partnered with UCSF’s Neuroscience lab, “Music as Medicine” out of Stanford, and Harvard’s Program for Refugee Trauma), especially as it relates to underserved populations and policies that directly impact young people.
Jennifer’s advocacy for better treatment of youth by Big Tech has resulted in her being invited to speak directly to 26 U.S. House Representatives regarding her on-going efforts (informed by client experience and Promly’s Gen Z advisory board) to have YouTube remove and/or disrupt the algorithm for the “how to tie a noose” and “how to hang yourself” videos that even in 2025 continue to provide step-by-step video instruction that seems to be contributing to many more teen suicides.
Jennifer also represents Promly working closely with The Black Mental Health BrainTrust through Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman’s office, leads Promly’s Young Innovators Coalition, alongside GenZ board member, Christian Elam. The Innovators Coalition is a nonpartisan effort to better represent the youth voice in policy.
Most recently, Promly’s policy team co-authored the Kids Advisory Council, including formal youth representation, into the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA- Passed in the Senate 91-3 in July 2024). When this policy passes, it will be the first time in US history that youth representation has been formally and effectively included in a federal policy. The “Advisory Council” Promly co- authored is a piece of actionable legislation that can easily be applied to policies globally to effectively give young people 16-25 a formal and collaborative seat at the table in policy creation and implementation, especially as it relates to policies that directly impact young people.
Promly sent 3 youth delegates to the UNGA in 2024 and plans to continue expanding their work and reach in collaboration with other impact leaders across the globe. Jennifer recently received the 2025 UN World Logic Day Award for her work inmental health and innovation to promote peace globally. Promly’s Innovator’s Coalition (www.forchangemakers.org) will be hosting a series of live events including The ChangeMakers Festival at The Prudential Center in Newark, NJ and inWashington DC at a new brick and mortar location in Dupont Circle. Promly will be releasing another ecosystem mobile application (4ChangeMakers app) for the 17-30 year old global population to help unite young changemakers from numerousnonprofits in a variety of social impact initiatives globally to amplify collective social impact efforts for greater reach.
Jennifer has been asked to speak publicly on a variety of other mental health concerns impacting teens and has provided consultation with numerous agencies including Center for Humane Tech (producers of the “The Social Dilemma”) on best practices for teens and tech and most recently, Promly interns were included in “The Social Awakening”, the sequel to “The Social Dilemma”.
Jennifer is also in another docuseries that takes a close look at the mental health crisis,meaningful current innovation in brain health, and the potential policy changes that are driving better outcomes. Jennifer is already helping to raise awareness of theindications of and mitigations for youth distress, as well as brain health innovations that are currently helping even the most hard to treat young people through speaking engagements scheduled at technology and health forums, as well as large corporate, partnerships, and other organizations throughout the year. She was recently named one of New Jersey’s top 100 innovators of 2024 in tech innovation.
Jennifer now resides in the great Garden State with her husband and four daughters. She loves skiing, is a huge fan of Gen Z, and feels like life would be better if every room had a disco ball.
George M. Rapier III, M.D., is Chairman and CEO of WellMed Medical Management, Inc., a growing, diversified, award-winning health care company specializing in care for older adults. A noted physician, Dr. Rapier founded WellMed in 1990 with two clinics in San Antonio, Texas, where WellMed remains headquartered.
WellMed is located in Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Houston, Rio Grande Valley and San Antonio. WellMed has expanded its senior care in Las Cruces, New Mexico and Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Tampa and Treasure Coast in Florida. WellMed specializes in senior health care by providing full coordination of care through providers who are board certified or specialize in Geriatrics, Family Practice, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Hospital Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine, Podiatry, Palliative and Supportive Care, Neurology, Podiatric Surgery, Cardiology, Dermatology and Rheumatology.
Dr. Rapier is a Dallas native who earned his medical degree from the University of Florida College of Medicine. He interned at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, where he also completed his residency. Dr. Rapier served as an assistant professor of medicine at the UT Health Science Center.
Over the years, Dr. Rapier developed a large and successful internal medicine practice while also concentrating on improving skills in physician and staff management. In 1990, he founded WellMed Medical Management, formerly known as Princeton Medical Management Resources.
Since the beginning, Dr. Rapier has made senior care and improving delivery of health care services a priority for WellMed. Dr. Rapier chaired a number of crucial committees required for medical group expansion and gained significant knowledge relevant to the changing payer and income structure of today’s medical group practice.
In October 1994, Dr. Rapier spearheaded implementation of a groundbreaking Electronic Medical Records project at the medical group practice. All WellMed clinics now have access to the system and ongoing training is available to all providers. Updates continue to customize the program to fit the needs of primary care practices in the managed care environment.
Dr. Rapier also led development of Clinical Health Protocol Screening software to access and evaluate clinical, lab and medication data providing preventive health and screening recommendations to physicians. He developed and continues to work with specialists to implement disease management programs to enhance the quality of life for WellMed patients.
Dr. Rapier has received numerous honors over the years as a business leader, medical professional and philanthropist. In 2009, he was named Physician Entrepreneur of the Year by Modern Physician, a leading online news source for health care executives and professionals. That same year he was inducted into the Mexican American/Hispanic Physicians Hall of Fame “for his contributions to the medical community and for his incredible community involvement.”
In 2010, the Mexican American Unity Council awarded Dr. Rapier with its Community Spirit Award for his philanthropic work in health care and education, and the La Prensa Foundation named him a 2010 Hispanic Heritage Award winner.
In 2021, he was named the Florida Council on Aging 2021 President’s Award honoree for his ongoing support of the agency and the older adults it serves. Dr. Rapier started supporting the agency in 2017 and this year gifted one of the largest amounts the FCOA has received in its history.
Dr. Rapier also established what is now known as the Rapier Family Foundation. This personal family charity distributes more than $1.5 million annually to causes benefiting at-risk youth, homeless animals and the environment. The Rapier Family Foundation has made donations totaling well over $35 million to various charities including Morgan’s Wonderland, the Battered Women and Children’s Shelter, Healy Murphy Center, City Year San Antonio, Boys & Girls Club of San Antonio, The 100 Club of San Antonio, DaisyCares, SpaySA and Communities in Schools of San Antonio.
In 2006, Dr. Rapier also co-founded the non-profit WellMed Charitable Foundation, which supports seniors and their caregivers in our community with special emphasis on wellness, prevention and living with chronic illness. Adults age 60 and older can take advantage of free membership at 10 senior centers across Texas and Florida operated by the WellMed Charitable Foundation. Over a 12-year period, the WellMed Charitable Foundation has invested $31 million in Texas and Florida.
With local partners, the WellMed Charitable Foundation launched the Caregiver Teleconnection in 2011, a free service providing social interaction and education to caregivers using telephone technology. This first-of-its-kind program in the United States is available nationwide.
In 2011, Dr. Rapier spearheaded WellMed’s partnership with OptumTM, one of the nation’s largest health and wellness companies, to further expand its health care delivery system in existing and new markets. Dr. Rapier has served as a physician leader for the larger enterprise, and currently leads Optum’s clinical performance work, ensuring that all Optum entities are driving value and quality across care delivery markets to positively impact the health – and lives – of the patients we serve.
Doug Tieman is a transformative leader in behavioral healthcare with over four decades of experience, currently serving as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the STAR Network Foundation. As former President and CEO of Caron Treatment Centers, he led its national expansion, forged research partnerships, and raised over $250 million to advance addiction recovery.
A champion of patient-centered, outcomes-based care, he has testified before Congress, chaired the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP), and remains a sought-after advisor in healthcare innovation and nonprofit leadership. He serves on multiple boards, including Tower Health, Arcs Health, and TAR, an organization addressing complex PTSD. A recognized speaker and author of Flying Over the Pig Pen, Tieman continues to drive ethical treatment practices, mental health advocacy, and leadership excellence through the STAR Network Foundation.
“Dr. Jamie” Huysman is the Founder and Executive Director of STAR Network, a 501(c)(3) dedicated to supporting STARs – Survivors of Toxic Abusive Relationships worldwide. He also serves on the advisory board of the Wellmed Charitable Foundation. With an extensive career in developing outstanding clinical programming for the addiction and mental health communities, Dr. Jamie has continuously filled critical gaps in mental and behavioral health advocacy.
Dr. Jamie has appeared on hundreds of talk shows, court programs, reality shows, and news broadcasts, offering clear and accessible insights into trauma, addiction, and complex behavioral issues such as psychopathy, sociopathy, narcissism, homicidal, and suicidal behaviors.
In addition to his work with STAR Network, Dr. Jamie has an extensive background in behavioral healthcare management. He has run companies specializing in behavioral healthcare in both freestanding and medical-surgical environments and has developed a broad network of colleagues within hospital and managed care settings. As the founder of TV Aftercare, he has also been pivotal in post-broadcast support for audiences dealing with sensitive issues aired on television.
Dr. Jamie further served as Vice President of Provider Relations and Government Affairs at WellMed Medical Management, where he later became the organization’s Chief Compassion Officer, tasked with addressing physician burnout. In this role, he co-hosts regular radio podcasts titled “Caregiver SOS”, focusing on the needs of caregivers and healthcare professionals.
In his own personal recovery journey, he identified significant gaps in the addiction world, particularly in the treatment of CPTSD, and it is these gaps that STAR Network is now filling. STAR Network provides support through programs like TAR Anon™, a free support network for survivors, and is rolling out prevention parenting programs in hospitals nationwide.
Dr. Jamie is a visionary leader whose work focuses on creating culturally and clinically specific programs, ranging from support for men, women, and teens to addressing issues like worksite burnout, high-conflict family dynamics, and compassion fatigue. STAR Network’s TAR Anon™ is at the forefront of providing positive, neuro-regulative, supplemental support that can benefit both clients and staff in addiction and trauma recovery settings.
In sharing his personal journey of healing from CPTSD after leaving a toxic, abusive relationship, Dr. Jamie reveals the passion behind the creation of the STAR Network and its flagship program, TAR Anon™. As an engaging speaker, he emphasizes the importance of breaking the cycle of family trauma, famously stating, “If you don’t break the cycle of family trauma, the family trauma will break you.”
STAR Network continues to grow rapidly, with innovative and cutting-edge programs that foster healing and recovery on a global scale.
Dr. Giselle Faubel is a world-renowned psychologist with a passion for equine-assisted therapy and coaching. After graduating from Harvard, she began her career as a pediatric neuropsychologist and has since dedicated her life to applying the powerful relationship between humans and horses in therapeutic and corporate settings.
She is the founder of Equulibrium™, an organization that has provided equine-supported therapy and executive coaching for over 20 years and has transformed the lives of countless individuals while garnering international recognition. Her work with veterans has been featured by National Geographic and she has led workshops around the world focused on treating autism, trauma, substance abuse, and other mental health conditions.
Dr. Faubel’s innovative trauma informed work has led her to develop a new modality called Equidelics™, where she combines the powerful effects of equine therapy with psychedelics. This new field is proving to leave a lasting mark on the world of psychology and horse-human connections.
Dr. Faubel is eager to share her wealth of knowledge and experience with the world in the upcoming Documentary titled Equidelics. She aims to enlighten people about the profound healing potential of equine therapy when used in combination with psychedelics. Because of the need for specialized treatment facilities, where these treatments can be done safely, she has partnered with a group of highly talented professionals and created a clinic – Oasis Las Olas in Fort Lauderdale, FL, where these treatments will be offered as they become available in the US.
Marjorie Morrison is a visionary leader and passionate advocate for mental health education. Driven by the belief that evidence-based information should be accessible to everyone, she has combined 25 years of clinical experience with digital technology to revolutionize the way mental health education is delivered.
Marjorie is the co-founder of Psych Hub, the world’s largest mental health education and connection platform, which she launched alongside former Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy. As CEO, she led Psych Hub’s rapid expansion, pioneering innovative approaches to designing and delivering evidence-based educational content for some of today’s most pressing mental health challenges. Under her leadership, Psych Hub has garnered over 30 million YouTube views, produced more than 1,500 educational assets, and built a network of 800+ partners, including Fortune 100 companies, government agencies, universities, and nonprofits.
In January 2025, Marjorie was named Executive in Residence for Mental Health at SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management), where she focuses on advancing mental health strategies within the workplace.
Prior to founding Psych Hub, Marjorie was the founder and CEO of PsychArmor Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to bridging the military-civilian divide through educational content designed to support service members, veterans, and their families. Under her leadership, PsychArmor became widely recognized as a “Best-in-Class” resource for organizations seeking to hire, retain, and support the military community.
Marjorie’s commitment to supporting military mental health was forged in the field, where she spent years developing and implementing a revolutionary proactive counseling program for the U.S. Marines. Her research laid the foundation for groundbreaking mental health solutions that have since been adapted across all military branches.
A California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), Marjorie is also a Credentialed School Counselor and the author of The Inside Battle: Our Military Mental Health Crisis. A renowned mental health subject matter expert, she has spoken at over 300 national conferences, hosted 350+ podcast interviews with industry leaders, published numerous articles, and has been featured extensively in national media.
Marjorie was a 2023 Emerson Collective Dial Fellow, a recognition awarded to transformative leaders addressing major societal issues in innovative ways, and a 2022 Nashville Healthcare Council Fellow. Over the years, she has been honored by numerous organizations for her leadership, including Smart Business Dealmaker of the Year, the Nashville Business Journal Women of Influence Award, and the Easter Seals Advocacy Award.
A California native, Marjorie lives in New York City and is the proud mother of three adult children: Jacob, Lindsey, and Charlie.
During his time in Congress, Patrick J. Kennedy was the lead author of the landmark Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (Federal Parity Law), which requires insurers to cover treatment for mental health and substance use disorders no more restrictively than treatment for illnesses of the body, such as diabetes and cancer.
In 2013, he founded The Kennedy Forum, a nonprofit that unites advocates, business leaders, and government agencies to advance evidence-based practices, policies, and programming in mental health and addiction. In 2015, Kennedy co-authored the New York Times Bestseller, “A Common Struggle: A Personal Journey Through the Past and Future of Mental Illness and Addiction,” which details a bold plan for the future of mental health care in America.
In 2023, The Kennedy Forum launched the Alignment for Progress, a movement to align leaders from across industry and across the aisle to achieve 90/90/90 by 2033: 90% of all individuals will be screened for mental health and substance use disorders; 90% of those screened will be able to receive evidence-based treatment; 90% of those receiving treatment will be able to manage their symptoms in recovery.

Kennedy’s second co-authored book “Profiles in Mental Health Courage” launched in April 2024 and delves into the compelling stories of a diverse group of Americans who have struggled with their mental health – many of whom are sharing their stories for the first time.
Kennedy is also the founder of DontDenyMe.org, an educational campaign that empowers consumers and providers to understand parity rights and connects them to essential appeals guidance and resources; co-founder of One Mind, an organization that pushes for greater global investment in brain research; co-chair of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention’s Mental Health & Suicide Prevention National Response to COVID-19 (National Response); and co-chair of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Behavioral Health Integration Task Force.
Feeling overwhelmed or emotionally triggered? Visit TAR Anon – a safe, supportive fellowship for healing from Toxic Abusive Relationships.
All times are in EDT.
Friday, May 16, 2025
Kicking off the second Annual Scars to STARs Day, Dr. Jamie Huysman will set the stage with an overview of the day’s schedule, event goals, and key themes. This welcome address will highlight the power of resilience, connection, and transformation, ensuring attendees are prepared for an inspiring and impactful day ahead.
STAR Network Foundation
Founder, Executive Director
Trauma strips away our sense of self, leaving us lost, powerless, and disconnected. Richard Grannon guides attendees toward reclaiming personal identity and authenticity after trauma through psychological insights and practical strategies. Learn skills to break free from limiting narratives, rebuild self-trust, and step into your own power.
STAR Network Foundation
International Ambassador
Mental health care is evolving, but are we keeping up? Marjorie Morrison explores innovative, educational, and digital solutions to bridge the gap between access and treatment. Drawing from her career as a clinician, entrepreneur, and advocate, her strategies for transforming the mental health landscape in support of individuals and communities.
SHRM
Executive in Residence for Mental Health
Doug Tieman, STAR Network Board Chair and leader in addiction recovery and behavioral health, introduces this year’s keynote speaker – The Honorable Patrick J. Kennedy. Drawing on decades of experience in treatment advocacy and policy reform, Tieman will set the stage for Kennedy’s powerful address on transforming mental health treatment.
STAR Network Foundation
Chairman of the Board
Our Scars to STARs Day keynote speaker, Patrick J. Kennedy, will deliver a moving trauma-informed message of resilience, hope, and transformation. Drawing from Profiles in Mental Health Courage, he will share inspiring stories of people emerging from addiction and mental illness – turning pain into purpose, hell into heaven, and victims into STARs in a fragmented healthcare world.
The Kennedy Forum
Co-Founder
Social media plays a powerful role in shaping young minds – but at what cost? Jennifer Libby – seasoned trauma informed psychotherapist and youth advocate – explores the urgent need for healthier, and more responsible digital spaces. Jen will also talk about social media effects on teen mental health, harmful online content, and prioritizing well-being for future generations from a neuro-safe perspective.
Promly
Psychotherapist, Founder, Speaker and Changemaker
Take a sneak peek at Equidelics – a groundbreaking fusion of equine therapy and psychoactive healing. This innovative approach empowers survivors, fostering emotional restoration, resilience, and renewed strength. By harnessing the wisdom of horses alongside cutting-edge therapeutic techniques, individuals can transcend depression, anxiety, and trauma – unlocking a profound path to healing and transformation.
WellMed Medical Management
Founder, CEO
Equidelics
Executive Producer
Questions posed from attendees from our STARs Day event provide the impetus for an engaging and insightful fireside chat where Richard Grannon, Doug Tieman, and Dr. Jamie Huysman will answer with trauma-informed honesty, expertise, and real-world experience.
STAR Network Foundation
International Ambassador
STAR Network Foundation
Founder, Executive Director
STAR Network Foundation
Chairman of the Board
To conclude STARs Day, Dr. Jamie will weave together our speakers’ powerful insights around themes of identity, innovation, digital responsibility, education, and policy advocacy. He will show how to turn knowledge into action, trauma into triumph, and pain into purpose. This session will leave you inspired and empowered to continue your healing journey and recovery to break the cycles of intergenerational trauma.
STAR Network Foundation
Founder, Executive Director
Walk the Red Carpet of Awareness, Transformation and Self Love!
We are pleased to invite you to engage with our attendees on their healing journey through our virtual exhibition hall, which will be open throughout STARs Day. Take this opportunity to showcase your trauma-informed services in support of our recovering STARs.
We are no longer accepting exhibitor registrations.
Sponsoring Scars to STARs Day tells the world that your organization strongly supports STAR Network’s mission of education, empowerment, and support for trauma survivors. Your sponsorship gift benefits STAR Network Foundation – a 501(c)(3) nonprofit – is fully tax deductible.
STAR Network’s annual gift to you for Mental Health Awareness Month is STARs Day 2025.
No one will be turned away.
As you register, the ripple effect of paying it forward is a genuine act of kindness benefitting everyone on a healing journey, creating a wave of positive change worldwide. This event is only possible because of your generosity.
Your gift of at least $25 will help us present this transformative experience and continue TAR Anon, our free Virtual Recovery Program for people trying to heal from transgenerational trauma and toxic abuse. Only through your generosity can we bring healing, hope, and lasting global change all around us – creating a less toxic world for our children and our children’s children.
If you do not break the family trauma, the family trauma will break you.
— Dr. Jamie
STAR Network Foundation, Inc.
Registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
STAR Network™, and our worldwide programs TAR Anon® and TAR Tales®, are nonprofit initiatives dedicated to supporting individuals in Toxic Abusive Relationships™ (TAR™). We exist to foster awareness, healing, and empowerment – not to profit from suffering. Recovery from TAR™ is a deeply personal journey of self-discovery, not a game or a commercial endeavor.
We are in no way affiliated with any for-profit entities using the acronym TAR™ in any healthcare context.