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Author: Megan Finnegan

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Building Evidence Based Practices in Corrections Treatment Environments – Utilization of the Texas Christian University’s Internal Evaluation Protocol

Speaker(s):

Duane Cummins, PhD

Lindsey Quinn, MA, CRADC

Presentation:  This presentation will provide an overview of the Texas Christian University (TCU) assessment tools and utilization of these tools in direct client care, program design, program development, and measurement of program efficacy. The Internal Evaluation Process (IEP) which utilizes these tools can provide empirical insights for any program design, as well as provide a clear roadmap for measuring effectiveness. Additionally, application of the TCU tools to direct client care will be discussed. These skills can be invaluable in developing original evidence-based practices, and in better the value of effect of practices on specific areas of functioning.

Objectives:

  1. Understand the TCU assessment process
  2. Utilize the TCU assessment process in creating individualized treatment plans
  3. Utilize the TCU assessment data in measuring the effectiveness of program components
  4. Utilize the TCU assessment data in empirically measuring program effectiveness
  5. Utilize the TCU assessment data in formulation of an evidence base for development of pilot practices

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Quinn, Lindsey, MA, CRADC

Lindsey Quinn holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Ithaca College, and a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from the School of Professional Psychology at Forest Institute. Ms. Quinn has worked for the past five years with the Gateway Foundation, where she is currently the Program Director of a 240 bed in-prison residential substance use and co-occurring disorder treatment program for women, and a 62 bed in-prison substance use disorder treatment program for male clients in a special needs in-prison residential therapeutic community. Ms. Quinn has been a Clinical Research Team Member at Ithaca College where she developed a poster titled “Sensation Seeking and Psychostimulant Drug Use” for the James Whalen Academic Symposium. Ms. Quinn has a particular passion for applying science and research to practice, hence her presentation focus, applying Texas Christian University’s Internal Evaluation Protocol to assessment, treatment planning, program development and counselor supervision at Gateway Foundation’s programs at Women’s Eastern Reception and Diagnostic and Northeast Correctional Centers.

Presentation(s): 

Building Evidence Based Practices in Corrections Treatment Environments – Utilization of the Texas Christian University’s Internal Evaluation Protocol

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Cummins, Duane, PhD

During the past 37 years Dr. Cummins has functioned in a variety of different positions within the Missouri Department of Corrections and the Missouri Department of Mental Health, as well as having served Gateway Foundation in numerous markets. Duane has had the opportunity to train employees in a wide range of professional disciplines and has participated in the development of numerous original offender programs and program designs. Duane has a substantial grasp of the unique issues presented by individuals expressing both substance use and criminal behavior often compounded by other mental health conditions.

Presentation(s): 

The Changing Face of Corrections Based Substance Use Services

 

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Psychotherapy and Behavioral Health Interventions with Older Adults

Speaker(s):

Ann Steffen, PhD, ABPP

Nick Schmidt, MA, MS

Presentation:   As the U.S. population ages, the number of age-related morbidities continues to increase. There is a national shortage of mental health practitioners who are prepared to work with older adults (Institute of Medicine, 2012). This presentation focuses on the specific opportunities and challenges for addressing the interaction of physical and mental health concerns in older adults and their involved family care partners. State of the art information will be provided about the unique mental health concerns of older adults who are also experiencing physical health problems. This presentation will address best practices in evidence-based assessment and intervention strategies with older adults and family care partners. Participants will also be provided with resources for future professional development in mental health and aging. 

Objectives:

  1. Identify attitude, knowledge and skill competencies for evidence-based assessment and treatment of older adults
  2. Describe key considerations in the assessment and treatment of older adults with co-morbid physical and mental health concerns
  3. Discuss in-session strategies for overcoming challenges in psychotherapy with older adults

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Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Refining and Consistently Applying Essential Skills, Part II

Speaker(s):

Ann Steffen, PhD, ABPP

Presentation: This INTERMEDIATE level workshop is aimed at clinicians familiar with cognitive behavioral therapies and who want to improve their psychotherapy practice. CBTs have been shown in more than 1000 research studies to be effective for many different disorders and problems across the lifespan. National data indicate that CBTs are not consistently implemented in practice settings, greatly reducing treatment effectiveness. This three-hour workshop (Part I & Part II) is aimed at giving providers both a stronger conceptual basis for their use of core CBT components and a greater understanding of the associated microskills that can be directly applied to their practice. It is strongly advised that participants attend both sessions, as Part II builds upon material covered in Part 1. 

Objectives:

  1. Identify the essential defining features of the CBTs and describe the rationale for each
  2. Identify 1-2 core components of the CBTs to competently apply in next month with current patients/clients 
  3. Create a plan for continued professional development in the CBTs

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Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Refining and Consistently Applying Essential Skills, Part I

Speaker(s):

Ann Steffen, PhD, ABPP

Presentation: This INTERMEDIATE level workshop is aimed at clinicians familiar with cognitive behavioral therapies and who want to improve their psychotherapy practice. CBTs have been shown in more than 1000 research studies to be effective for many different disorders and problems across the lifespan. National data indicate that CBTs are not consistently implemented in practice settings, greatly reducing treatment effectiveness. This three-hour workshop (Part I & Part II) is aimed at giving providers both a stronger conceptual basis for their use of core CBT components and a greater understanding of the associated microskills that can be directly applied to their practice. It is strongly advised that participants attend both sessions, as Part II builds upon material covered in Part 1. 

Objectives:

  1. Identify the essential defining features of the CBTs and describe the rationale for each
  2. Identify 1-2 core components of the CBTs to competently apply in next month with current patients/clients 
  3. Create a plan for continued professional development in the CBTs

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Steffen, Ann, PhD, ABPP

Ann Steffen, Ph.D., ABPP is currently a professor of psychology and gerontology at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, where she has spent her career in teaching, research, supervision and direct clinical services. Dr. Steffen is a faculty clinician at the UM-St. Louis Community Psychological Service, and is dual board certified in Behavioral & Cognitive Psychology and in Geropsychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP).

Presentation(s): 

Culturally-Attuned Behavioral Activation to Support Psychological Resilience

CBT to Support Healthy Grief in the Face of Loss

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Somebody’s Watching Me: A Study in Gang Stalking

Speaker(s):

Zohaib Haque, MD

Presentation: This case study was of an intriguing patient treated at the Jackson County Correctional Facility that presented with a rare symptomatology of Delusional Disorder along with a co-occurring diagnosis of Malevolent Antisocial Personality Disorder. The presentation’s goal is to highlight how this particular symptom of Delusional Disorder has developed a unique internet “echo chamber” which has led to novel treatment resistance in a traditionally tough to treat sub-group. The presentation aims to reach a wide audience of practitioners in the field in how to approach this patient from a therapeutic, counseling, and pharmacologic angle. This interactive session will focus on empowerment in the face of specific challenges that can limit individuals who are in recovery from living the life of their choosing to the fullest. Recovery-oriented cognitive therapy provides a framework for understanding these challenges (low energy, aggressive behavior, self-injury, persecutory beliefs, grandiose beliefs, forensic involvement, anosognosia) along with strategies for action that enable family, peers, and providers to become the empowering collaborators.

Objectives:

  1. Identify and define Gang-Stalking symptoms
  2. Understand the DSM-5 criteria for Delusional Disorder
  3. Understand current treatment guidelines for Delusional Disorder including pharmacological and psychotherapeutic

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Haque, Zohaib, MD

Zohaib Haque was born and raised in Atlanta, GA. In high school Haque wanted to pursue a career in medicine after working with children from struggling neighborhoods in Atlanta and the elderly Haque’s own family. Haque decided to attend a six year medical program at the American University of Antigua. After graduating from medical school Haque took time off to grow and sell a footwear business and later found a true calling in Psychiatry.

Haque pursued research more heavily in Psychiatry for two years in St. Louis working with psychiatrists at Saint Louis University and a private psychiatric hospital. There Haque published papers and reports using novel treatments for Treatment Resistant Depression. Haque has since joined the University of Missouri in Kansas City Psychiatry Residency program and is currently a second year resident with plans to pursue a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry.

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Using NCI Data to Enhance Developmental Disabilities Services & Supports

Speaker(s):

Caitlin Bartley, BA, BSW, MSW

Presentation: National Core Indicators (NCI) is a nationwide collaboration between the Human Services Research Institute (HSRI), the National Association for State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services, and participating states and sub-state entities. NCI provides state developmental disability agencies with a set of performance measures with which states can track and measure their own performance and compare their performance to other states and national averages. This presentation explores what NCI is, what the data tells us, and how a developmental disabilities agency can use the data for quality enhancement initiatives. Specific examples of how the Missouri Division of Developmental Disabilities utilizes NCI data will be given.

Objectives:

  1. Describe the purpose and goals of the National Core Indicators (NCI) Project
  2. Identify how NCI data can be used for quality enhancement purposes
  3. Understand how the Missouri Division of Developmental Disabilities utilizes NCI to inform quality enhancement initiatives to improve the quality of home and community based services.

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