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09-111a
Using Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills to Increase Clients’ Acceptance and Motivation to Change
Anna L. Remen, Ph.D.
The so-called “third wave” cognitive-behavioral therapies are a group of relatively new treatments that are rapidly gaining attention from clinicians and researchers. Whereas traditional CBT relies primarily on change-based technologies, such as cognitive restructuring, these more recent, innovative approaches add a major emphasis on acceptance strategies, such as mindfulness, dialectics and values. One such therapy is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan. DBT is an evidence-based treatment that has been found to be effective in the treatment of borderline personality disorder (BPD) and related disorders. In this workshop, we will discuss the ways in which acceptance and change strategies are incorporated into the treatment philosophy and, specifically, into the DBT skills of Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Interpersonal Effectiveness and Emotion Regulation. Dr. Linehan has recently made significant revisions to the Emotion Regulation skills module, and, although not yet published, these new skills will receive special emphasis in the workshop. In addition to working with clients with BPD, applications to using the skills with Axis I disorders will be discussed. Teaching techniques will include experiential exercises, case examples, group discussion and didactics. The course is appropriate for all levels of clinicians interested in learning ways to incorporate empirically tested acceptance and change-based strategies into their clinical work.
Faculty: Anna L. Remen, Ph.D. - Director, Northampton DBT Program, ServiceNet. Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry, SUNY Upstate Medical University. Independent Practice, Haydenville, MA.
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09-112a
Assessing Risk:
Interviewing Suicidal, Para-suicidal and Antisocial Clients
Kirk Woodring, L.I.C.S.W., C.G.P.
Although suicide rates over the past decade have gradually declined, suicide attempts and parasuicidal behavior continue to increase in frequency across the country. Assessing for risk requires not only understanding the intensity of ideation, the plan and the means, but also knowledge of cultural, racial and socio-economic pressures that may potentiate risk. This workshop will provide an analysis of the clinical and social factors influencing risk, as well as tools to use for interviewing and intervening with high risk individuals.
Faculty: Kirk Woodring, L.I.C.S.W., C.G.P. - Director of Ambulatory Services and Central Intake at the Brattleboro Retreat, and an Adjunct Associate Professor of Social Work at Smith College. Has experience in risk assessment includes supervision of psychiatric crisis services in Massachusetts, and consultation for numerous state and national organizations providing crisis debriefings following natural and human caused disasters.
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09-113a
Treating Complex PTSD and Dissociation
Denise J. Gelinas, Ph.D.
NOT AVAILABLE
This seminar will provide a coherent framework for treating complex PTSD (CPTSD). Such a framework provides a context within which clinicians can integrate and organize their own prior learning and clinical experience. So we will quickly review the core elements shared by simple and complex PTSD, then identify the added features which characterize CPTSD, focusing especially on dissociation. While it was once thought that significant dissociation was important only for Dissociative Identity Disorder, trauma-based dissociation is increasingly recognized as being central to the clinical processes underlying PTSD and especially CPTSD. For this reason, key concepts in the recently revised theory of structural dissociation will be presented. With this shared context, we will then address treatment, using the standard-of-care phase-oriented treatment approach. Each of the three phases will be described and specific interventions will be provided for each phase, including but not limited to stabilization techniques, working with the phobias of structural dissociation, metabolizing/processing techniques for traumatic material, working with ego states, and moving the client out into normal activities of living. Time is specifically reserved for participant comments, questions and discussion.
Faculty: Denise J. Gelinas, Ph.D. – Member, Associate Professional Staff, Department of Psychiatry, Baystate Medical Center; EMDRIA Approved Consultant in EMDR; EMDR Institute Facilitator and Specialty Presenter on Dissociation. Author: Integrating EMDR into Phase-Oriented Treatment for Trauma (2003), and co-author, as part of the International Society for the Study of Dissociation Task Force on Revision: Guidelines for Treating Dissociative Identity Disorder in Adults (2005). Private practice Northampton, MA.
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09-114a
Advanced Topics in Countertransference Phenomena
Barbara Jennings, M.S.W.
This seminar considers the research literature on countertransference from global, interdisciplinary sources. Special emphasis will be placed on one prominent lineage of interpersonal theorists who are less well known to social work clinicians than to some of their psychotherapist peers in psychiatry, psychoanalysis and psychology. After examining this theoretical and evidence-base for countertransference phenomena, we will demonstrate classic and unusual examples from case study transcripts, theatre and film segments. Our examples will include classical sex (erotic countertransference) and money (issues in payment) manifestations of countertransference complexities.
Faculty: Barbara Jennings, M.S.W. - Adjunct Instructor, Smith College School for Social Work, Northampton, MA; Adjunct Assistant Professor and lecturer, NYU School of Social Work, New York, NY; Doctoral candidate at New York University SSW, New York, NY; Author, The Role of Attachment in Everything and Adult Attachment and Psychotherapy (both in preparation for publication); Author of numerous journal publications.
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09-121a
Finding Hope:
The Role of Spirituality in Responding to Trauma
Carolyn Jacobs, M.S.W., Ph.D.
Spirituality is often a well of hope for those suffering the effects of trauma. This workshop will explore the religious and spiritual practices as resources for making meaning out of the ashes of traumatic events. The usefulness of both psychodynamic and transpersonal theoretical orientations as represented by Winnicott and Vaughan will be examined. Current research and practices informing assessment and intervention where spirituality is a central concern in responding to traumatic events will be presented. Particular attention will be given to faith development and process-oriented frameworks for including religious and or spiritual issues in histories, to understanding the personal meanings attached to symbols, rituals, beliefs, and divine figures, and to learning about internal relationships to religious and spiritual resources. While the focus of this seminar will be on a strengths assessment, this does not preclude an examination of those religious or spiritual experiences that have had a negative impact on the individual and group experience of coping with trauma. Case material and discussion will be used to explicate themes in clinical practice events. Particular attention will be given to the invisible wounds of war and the ways spiritual resources might contribute to healing. Participants are encouraged to bring clinical vignettes from their own practice.
Faculty: Carolyn Jacobs, M.S.W., Ph.D. - Dean and Elizabeth Marting Treuhaft Professor at the Smith College School for Social Work. Former Chair of the Research Sequence at the School for Social Work. Dr. Jacobs is currently a Spiritual Director and Director of Smith’s Contemplative Clinical Practice Certificate Program.
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09-122a
The Forgotten Mourners:
Helping Bereaved Children and Adolescents
Robert Zucker, M.A., L.C.S.W., F.T.
Too often, bereaved young people are disenfranchised grievers – misunderstood, ignored or forgotten. Participants of this daylong seminar will learn practical and essential strategies for helping grieving youngsters and young adults facing death. Topics will include: meaning making challenges, childhood developmental factors, magical thinking, managing overwhelming feelings, keeping healthy memories alive and managing traumatic grief. This powerful and comprehensive clinical training is for individuals who counsel and support children and teens and/or those who counsel adults whose children are grieving.
Faculty: Robert Zucker, M.A., L.C.S.W., Fellow in Thanatology - Grief counselor, writer and teacher. Received two Testimonials of Appreciation from the American Hospital Association and two blue ribbons from the New England Healthcare Assembly for work in the field of death and dying. The working title of his new book is Grieving Hand in Hand: How to Help Yourself and Your Child When Grief is Shared (St. Martin’s Press, publication pending).
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09-123a
Working with Trauma from a Somatic Experiencing® Perspective
Lois Bass, L.I.C.S.W.
For many clinicians, working with clients who have lived through overwhelming life events can pose difficult challenges. Current research supports the notion that trauma is in the whole nervous system and not in the event itself, which is why simple talk therapy often does not fully resolve symptoms of traumatic overload. Somatic Experiencing®, a therapeutic model developed by Dr. Peter Levine, is designed to address the psychobiological consequences that can result from unresolved developmental and shock trauma. Working in a carefully titrated way with the survival instincts mobilized in the fight/flight/freeze response, Somatic Experiencing® allows the body to return to its natural range of resilience. Somatic Experiencing® has application for individual clinical work as well as for interventions at the site of natural disasters or community trauma. This workshop will offer a window into how to incorporate the principles of Somatic Experiencing® into more traditional therapeutic perspectives. The basic concepts of this model will be presented through lecture, demonstration, video clips and case material. There will also be time for participants to share case material.
Faculty: Lois Bass, L.I.C.S.W. - Somatic Experiencing Practitioner®, Amherst, MA. Faculty Field Advisor and an Associate Adjunct Faculty member, Smith College School for Social Work. She has been a clinical social worker since 1979 and has worked in school settings, community mental health agencies and, for the past twenty years in private practice, specializing in issues of developmental and shock trauma. She completed her Somatic Experiencing® training in 2004 and has been assisting at trainings for the past three years. She has a part-time therapy practice in NYC and has been doing mental health relief work in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
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09-124a
Clinical Treatment of Problematic Anger, Hostility and Violent Behavior
Mark Nickerson, L.I.C.S.W.
Problematic anger, hostility and violent behavior take a huge toll on individuals and society. Yet, in general, this is an under addressed clinical issue. Clients tend to avoid facing these issues in treatment, most clinicians are under trained and intervention strategies are evolving. This workshop will define the scope and significance of the issue and connect it to a spectrum of clinical presenting issues including intimate partner violence, hostile and abusive parenting, bullying and a range of other related client presentations that become increasingly evident to the trained clinical eye.
Faculty: Mark Nickerson, L.I.C.S.W. has conducted an individual and family psychotherapy practice for 25 years with specialties including work with trauma, interpersonal violence and conflict resolution. He co-founded the Men's Resource Center of Western, MA 1985 and has led court sponsored programs for separated parents experiencing conflict for 15 years.
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09-125a
Homecoming as Safe Haven or a New Combat Zone: Detachment and Attachment with Military Couples
Kathryn Basham, Ph.D.
NOT AVAILABLE
Evidence of the effects of deployment can be seen in intimate partner violence, Post Traumatic Stress, depression/suicidality, substance abuse, and traumatic injury on the physical and mental health of returning U.S. servicemembers. This course draws from research data that explore the effects of deployment and combat stress on servicemembers and their families. Couple and family clinical social work practice methods grounded in a synthesis of trauma, attachment, object relations and cognitive-behavioral theories will be addressed. Attention to issues of diversity, ethics and our use of our “professional selves” will be included throughout all discussions. Managing potential secondary trauma and transference/countertransference phenomena are central throughout.
Faculty: Kathryn Basham, Ph.D. - Professor, Smith College School for Social Work and Editor of Smith College Studies in Social Work. As the only clinical social worker participating on a congressionally mandated committee sponsored by the Institute between 2005 and 2007, she has co-authored two texts titled Physiologic, Psychological and Psychosocial Effects of Deployment-Related Stress (2007) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Diagnosis and Treatment (2006). Her co-authored text titled Transforming the Legacy: Couple Therapy with Survivors of Childhood Trauma (2004) introduces a phase oriented practice model grounded in a synthesis of social, biological and psychological theories. Areas of research and teaching interests include: clinical practice models with survivors and families of childhood trauma and combat trauma; impasses in cross-cultural practice; pedagogy, diversity and anti-racism practice; and ethics. Recent publications, consultations and trainings have focused on couple and family therapy approaches with soldiers, veterans and their families at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center (D.C.) and several Veterans Administration Medical Centers throughout the country.
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09-131a
Clinical Case Management with Combat Veterans
Christopher Storey, L.I.C.S.W.
Taylene Watson, M.S.W.
NOT AVAILABLE
The seminar will draw on the diverse knowledge base of the social work profession to develop a multi-dimensional perspective on the goals of case management. The work of Donald and Clare Winnicott (1986) will be presented to describe the psychological underpinning of clinical case management. Material by Watzlawick, Weakland and Fisch (1974) will be used to identify different strategies for change based on how problems are initially defined within different systems. Contributions to family systems theory by Kantor and Lehr (1975) will illustrate the metaphorical connection between tangible and intangible needs. Kantor’s concept of the “Crisis Chain” will be used to assess problem acuity. Evidence based therapeutic techniques derived from cognitive-behavioral therapies will be described in detail.
Faculty:
Chris Storey, L.I.C.S.W. practices in the Mental Health Clinic at the VA Medical Center in Seattle. He received his M.S.W. from Boston College and his training in family therapy from the Kantor Family Institute. He is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Washington School of Social Work and a Clinical Instructor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Washington School of Medicine. He is enrolled in the Doctoral Program at the Smith College School for Social Work.
Taylene Watson, M.S.W. - Director of Social Work at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System in Seattle, WA. She received her M.S.W. from Western Michigan University and is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Washington School of Social Work. She has extensive experience in both mental health and medical social work and has a particular interest in caregiver support. Taylene was named the National Social Worker of the Year for the combined VA and Uniformed Military Services in 2006. The Washington Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers named her Social Worker of the Year in 1999.
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09-132a
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in the treatment of PTSD
Scott Cardon Cornelius, Psy.D.
Experiential avoidance can be thought of as a process wherein an individual is unwilling to contact certain thoughts/memories/feelings/sensations, and actively works to avoid or escape such experiences. Research on experiential avoidance strongly suggests that it plays a central role in posttraumatic stress disorder and other mental health problems. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a model of therapy that directly targets experiential avoidance and problematic control strategies by promoting acceptance of internal experience through practices of willingness and being fully present in the current moment. From this stance, clients are encouraged to reconnect with the life directions they most value and practice taking steps towards these directions.
This workshop is designed for clinicians who are working with clients with PTSD, and may be particularly relevant to those who are working with returning veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Participants will learn how to recognize experiential avoidance, and they will have opportunities to practice formulating in-the-moment interventions that are aimed at helping clients adopt a more open and compassionate relationship towards themselves and others. Since the nature of this work is inherently experiential, participants should be prepared to participate in experiential exercises that they can integrate into their own practice with their clients.
Faculty: Scott Cardon Cornelius, Psy.D. - Director of Training, Northampton VA Medical Center, Leeds, MA; Staff Psychologist, Northampton VA Medical Center; Staff Psychologist, U.S. Department of Defense, Vilseck, Germany; Clinical Supervisor/Staff Psychologist, Gateway Center for Human Services, Ketchikan, AK; Presenter on PTSD and OEF/OIF veterans.
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09-133a
Military Sexual Trauma:
Treatment Considerations in Working with Male and Female Veterans
Julia Sewell, L.I.C.S.W.
NOT AVAILABLE
"Military sexual trauma" (MST) is the term that the Department of Veterans Affairs uses to refer to sexual assault or repeated, unsolicited, threatening acts of sexual harassment that occurred while the veteran was in the military. Prevalence data ranges depending on the sources (2002 the Department of Defense: 54% of women, 23% of men reported sexual harassment in the previous year; VA study: 23% of female and 1% of males report sexual assault in military). Although sexual trauma occurs more frequently among women than among men, the disproportionate ratio of men to women in the military means that within the VA system, there are actually slightly more men than women who report experiencing MST. While there is little empirical data comparing experiences of military sexual trauma with experiences of sexual harassment and assault that occur outside of military service, there are aspects of MST that may make these experiences qualitatively different for victims. Issues such as the enmeshed living-working environment, reliance on the perpetrator or close associate to authorize medical, psychological or other basic needs, reluctance to report abuse for fear of facing career-ending consequences leaves one at risk for additional victimization and often increases a sense of helplessness and powerlessness.
Faculty: Julia B. Sewell, L.I.C.S.W. has 15 years clinical experience working in the trauma field with a background in co-occurring addiction disorders. Currently, she is the Military Sexual Trauma Coordinator for both divisions of the VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA. Ms Sewell also serves as clinical provider with the Women’s Trauma and Recovery Center at the Seattle Division VA Medical Center. She is a Clinical Instructor affiliated with the University of Washington, School of Social Work. Prior to working with the VA, Ms. Sewell was employed by the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office in the Victim Witness Assistance Program assisting with prosecution and victim advocacy.
09-134a
The Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury on Post Combat Adjustment
Jeffrey R. McCarthy, Psy.D.
NOT AVAILABLE
This course is designed to better understand the adjustment that occurs following exposure to combat, notably when the returning combat veteran is suffering the effects of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The aim of the course is better understand the effects of TBI and the impact this can have on post combat adjustment and/or Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.
Faculty: Jeffrey R. McCarthy, Psy.D. - Clinical Psychologist, Northampton VA Medical Center. Adjunct faculty instructor at Cambridge college, Greenfield Community College, and formerly at Naugatuck Valley Community College.
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09-135a
Cognitive Processing Therapy
Alan Bernhardt, Ph.D.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is a 12-session therapy that has been shown to be an effective treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). CPT focuses on how a specific traumatic event is construed by the client and how his/her beliefs about him/herself, others and the world have been effected. The therapy focuses on the identification of stuck points, i.e. generalized beliefs about each of those areas that disrupt the normal recovery process following a traumatic event and negatively impact the client’s life. Through a combination of education and Socratic questioning the client is assisted in identifying his/her stuck points and substituting more adaptive beliefs notably in the areas of safety, power and control, esteem, and intimacy. This course will review the theoretical underpinnings of CPT, evidence of its effectiveness and the specific components of the 12 session protocol. The instructor will illustrate with actual case material from veterans he has treated.
Faculty: Alan Bernhardt, Ph.D. is the Outpatient Therapist for veterans with PTSD at the Northampton Veteran Affairs Medical Center’s Substance Abuse Treatment Program for the past five years. He has worked for the VA for the past 15 years during which time he has treated many veterans with PTSD. Beginning in June 2008 he will be starting a new position as outpatient therapist for OEF/OIF veterans. Dr. Bernhardt received his Ph.D. degree in Clinical Psychology in 1974 from the University of Georgia. He has twenty-three years of clinical and nine years of undergraduate teaching experience and nine publications.
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09-136a
Responding to the Needs of Returning Soldiers and Their Families
Mark Nickerson, L.I.C.S.W.
The workshop will explore topics including:
- Readjustment of the returning soldier from a mental health perspective
- Common experiences and dynamics of combat and military life
- Assessing PTSD and its impact
- Risk indicators and interventions for substance abuse, violent behavior and suicidality
- Services available to veterans and their families
- Trauma treatment modalities including EMDR
- Case accounts of returning soldiers and family members
The workshop will include multiple professional presenters addressing various aspects of the overall content. It will also include a panel of returning soldiers and family members who will tell their stories and respond to direct questions from workshop participants.
Faculty: Mark Nickerson, L.I.C.S.W. has conducted individual and family psychotherapy practice for 25 years with specialties including work with trauma, interpersonal violence and conflict resolution. Dr. Nickerson co-founded the Men’s Resource Center of Western, MA 1985 and has led court sponsored programs for separated parents experiencing conflict for 15 years.
09-137a
Listening When Listening Hurts:
Understanding and Managing Compassion Fatigue and Vicarious Traumatization
Manfred J. Melcher, M.S.W., L.I.C.S.W.
NOT AVAILABLE
It has been said that listening is an art and that psychotherapists are professional listeners. The art of listening, unfortunately, may also become dangerous and lead to problems for the listener. Listening changes the listener, and its vicissitudes may impact one’s own sense of safety, well-being, or competency. This seminar will explore the terrain of clinical listening and how occupational hazards - compassion fatigue, secondary trauma, and burnout - may lead to decreased work performance or satisfaction. We will explore how to minimize, eliminate, and ameliorate the impact of dangerous listening and identify positive self-care practices. Participants will be encouraged to share their own experiences and engage in both didactic and experiential components. Anyone who listens to people in pain, provides services to those afflicted by oppression and discrimination, or bears witness to acute or chronic traumata, is encouraged to attend.
Faculty: Manfred J. Melcher, M.S.W., L.I.C.S.W. maintains an independent practice in Easthampton, MA. Serves as an Adjunct Faculty member for the Smith College School for Social Work and is the author of Becoming A Social Worker.
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Weekend A: June 13-15, 2009 >
Weekend B: June 18-20, 2009 >
Weekend C: July 16-18, 2009>
Summer Seminar registration information > |
