Speaker(s):

Angela Skurtu, MEd, LMFT

Presentation: In this presentation, I cover some basic milestones that couples need to work through in order to work through infidelity. Cases of infidelity are commonly reported to be the hardest problems to treat. The milestones I cover come from my upcoming book: “Helping Couples Overcome Infidelity: A Therapist’s Manual” (Routledge, 2018). These milestones include: Reducing the crisis; acknowledging the pain caused; choosing to stay or leave the relationship; answering difficult questions; rebuilding trust; redefining the relationship; working through relationship problems; forgiveness. More specifically, I discuss challenging cases, countertransference issues, and helpful intervention strategies. My trainings include question and answer format, small and large group discussion, and lecture. Infidelity accounts for half of my private practice. I also will discuss confidentiality issues, how to identify if a client is lying or still in the “other” relationship, and what to do to help couples get better outcomes. My favorite part of this training includes covering the hardest cases I have treated.

Objectives:

• Identify basic milestones couples need to work through to overcome infidelity
• Discuss challenging cases, countertransference issues and helpful intervention strategies
• Describe confidentiality issues, how to identify if a client is lying or still in “other” relationship and how to help couples achieve better outcomes

Slides and Handouts:

Skurtu_References.

Skurtu_InfidelityMIMH2018

Skurtu Worksheet_GESPrinciples

Speaker(s):

Rebecca Ehrke, PsyD

Presentation: Somatic Experiencing (SE), developed by Peter Levine, Ph.D., author of the best seller, Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma, is a potent psychobiological approach to resolving symptoms of trauma and chronic stress. SE offers a framework to assess where your client is “stuck” in the defensive responses of fight, flight or freeze and provides clinical tools to resolve these fixated physiological states that underlie many trauma symptoms. Participants will be introduced to the principles of Somatic Experiencing and learn a few practical skills that help resolve trauma without retraumatization. This presentation will be a combination of didactic and experiential learning modalities. Dr. Ehrke will utilize lecture, case examples, video clips and experiential exercises to help participants gain an understanding of Somatic Experiencing and why it is highly effective in treating PTSD.

Objectives:

• Identify several basic principles of Somatic Experiencing
• Review a few basic tools to support physiological and emotional regulation in those who have experienced trauma
• Describe the different branches of the Autonomic Nervous System and how they are affected by stress and trauma
• Discuss how psychological and physiological symptoms of trauma occur as a result of being “stuck” in fight, flight, freeze or collapse survival responses

Slides and Handouts:

Ehrke_MIMH Spring Institute Presentation 2018

Speaker(s):

Stephanie Mott, MSW

Presentation: This is a discussion of working with transgender clients provided by a transgender psychotherapist, educator, and activist. It is designed to provide information of effective and inclusive terminology, understanding the role of the therapist in not only assessing for gender dysphoria, but being able to support the client effectively as they make decisions about their journey. It is based in guidance from the World Professional Association for Transgender Health: Standards of Care Emphasis is placed on understanding obstacles for trans and gender non-conforming clients, navigating the journey of coming out, and understanding the risks and benefits of transition-related decisions.

Objectives:

• Review culturally competent language when working with transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) clients
• Describe obstacles and challenges often faced by TGNC individuals
• Discuss clinical considerations for working with TGNC clients
• Utilize the World Professional Association for Transgender Health: Standards of Care (version 7)
• Access and share information on resources with TGNC clients

Slides and Handouts:

Transgender Presentation 06-01-18

Speaker(s):

Justin Puch, MA, LPC

Presentation: This year the NIH announced our next national health crisis- loneliness. This presentation will look at how disconnection and poor relationship skills have greatly impacted substance use at a macro scale within our society. Within the past decade we have learned much from bioneurology and how humans are wired for connection and how disconnection impacts how we think, feel, and behave. Using bioneurological concepts, as well as social science ideas from Brené Brown, the presentation will provide education on the correlation of disconnectedness and substance use, as well as give tools to help clients become more connected, less likely to relapse, and develop a more satisfying life.

Objectives:

• Define concept of disconnectedness, especially involving populations with historical markers of disconnection, including adolescents and geriatric populations
• Describe the collation of disconnectedness and substance use
• Provide tools to help clients become more connected, including how differing demographics use connections differently
• Utilize concepts within a relapse prevention plan

Speaker(s):

Kathryn Thumann, MSW, LCSW

KaeLee Newton, MS

Mark Felchlia, PhD

Presentation: This presentation will focus on the implementation of “Michael’s Game” in a Forensic setting, specifically the Cognitive Behavior Program at St. Louis Psychiatric Rehabilitation Center. The presenters will review pre and post testing scores using the Peters Et Al Delusion Inventory (PDI 21), implications of this group in an inpatient setting versus a traditional outpatient setting, and additional qualitative benefits of the group in the Cognitive Behavior Program setting where it was implemented.

Objectives:

• Describe Michael’s Game and it’s intended use/benefits
• Identify alternative benefits to implementing Michaels Game in an inpatient setting
• Identify opportunities to measure pre and post group symptoms using the PDI 21

Slides and Handouts: 

Thumann_Spring Institute 2018 – Michael’s Game

Speaker(s):

Kaleigh Cornelison, BA, MSW, LCSW

Presentation: Technology and social media shape the identities and world views of today’s young people. Teen sexuality, relationships, and identity are interwoven with cell phones and social media, and many professionals are left wondering: what does it all mean? This workshop will start from the ground up, beginning with definitions and a roadmap of technology commonly used by adolescents. From there, we will examine how technology shapes teen sexuality, relationships, and identity — for better or for worse. We will discuss teen relationship abuse and technology, as well as ways that teen relationships can be strengthened by technology. Finally, the workshop will focus on how to work with and relate to teens through the lens of technology.

Objectives:

• Identify 3 or more popular social media apps/sites used by teens
• Describe 3 or more examples of how technology and social media shape adolescent identity and relationships
• Utilize 3 or more specific strategies that strengthen professional practice as it pertains to youth and tech/social media use

Slides and Handouts:

Cornelison_PowerPoint for MIMH Conference

Speaker(s):

David Strabala, MSW, LCSW

Presentation: This program demonstrates the healing value of ancient hero’s journey tales, especially for veterans and first-responders with PTSD. Hero tales are common in movies, such as in Star Wars or The Matrix, but certain fairy tales can offer a more personal and private integration of psychological material that runs deep and broad. The presenter has used an African djembe drum the last 20 years to tell such stories to troubled teens and for the last two years to adult warriors in week-long retreats. Specific stories used with warriors will be told to allow participants to experience and discuss their own reflections and to consider sharing stories with clients. Much focus will be on holistic and archetypal patterns in our life stories.

Objectives:

• Describe the unique features of storytelling that offer healing/integration to clients
• Discuss how stories can elicit insight or self-diagnosis of patterns inside you or your clients
• Define the main features or turning points in the “hero’s journey” or initiation

Speaker(s):

Nathan Honeycutt, MSC

Presentation: This presentation will provide a second part to the previously submitted presentation. This presentation will focus on helping clients identify healthy ways to define themselves and develop better self-value, self-esteem, and self-appreciation in spite of their past mistakes.

Objectives:

• Summarize previous, Part 1, presentation
• Describe healthy ways of developing personal identification
• Process the benefits to healthy identification
• Discuss how to help clients focus on using the lessons learned from the past

Slides and Handouts:

Honeycutt_Part 2_What I have done does not define who pt 2

Speaker(s):

Kay Glidden, MS

Beth Reynolds Lewis, BS

Presentation: Is your bucket empty? Do you need replenished? You pay an emotional price for doing the work that you do. Some of us hear difficult stories daily and are frequently exposed to traumatic details from the individuals, families and co-workers we are working with. We are not always able to help everyone who comes to us for help – the demands often outweigh what we can offer. Compassion fatigue has been called “a disorder that affects those who do their work well” (Figley, 1994). The level of compassion fatigue staff experience can ebb and flow. Even very healthy staff with optimal life/work balance and self-care strategies can experience compassion fatigue. Conference attendees will improve their understanding of compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, burn out and moral distress. Attendees will identify their signs and symptoms of compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma and learn specific tools and hands-on resources to increase health and resiliency.

Objectives:

• Review the definitions of compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, burn out and moral distress
• Identify the signs and symptoms of compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, burn out and moral distress
• Utilize hands-on tools and resources for building resiliency

Slides and Handouts:

Glidden_Compassion Fatigue Resources4-18CR

Glidden_EFFECTIVE ORGANIZATIONAL& individual STRATEGIES FOR ADDRESSING COMPASSION FATIGUECR

Glidden_CFT VT – Signs and SymptomsCR

Glidden_one page R3 CF journal