Room Parasol II

Speaker(s)

Description

Objectives

• Describe the Homeless System
• Review Evidence Based Practices
• Identify systematic challenges

Room Parasol II

Speaker(s)

Description

When someone is experiencing a significant mental health challenge like psychosis, depression or bipolar disorder it can feel as if a wall has been placed between them and everyone else. This is incredibly painful both for the person living with the mental health condition and for those who love them. This workshop will explore strategies to break through those clouds while also exploring the lived experience of mental illness.

Objectives

• Describe how mental health conditions can affect someone’s communication style
• Discuss strategies for connecting with someone experiencing paranoia, hearing voices or having other mental health symptoms
• Utilize recovery-oriented strategies to encourage strengths

Room Parasol II

Speaker(s):

Description

Writing is a therapeutic exercise that can help an individual process experiences, express emotions in a healthy way, and record events for future reference. Writing can also aid someone in drawing out memories of the past that may need to be addressed and resolved. In this presentation, Caroline S. Cooper, a published writer on mental health topics, will teach session attendees about different styles of writing and how they can benefit an individual moving through the recovery process. Caroline will also share how writing played a crucial role in her recovery as an example. During the presentation, attendees will have opportunities to participate in writing exercises to practice some of the material presented. A handout will be provided for notes and will contain a summary of the different styles presented.

Objectives

• Discuss how to approach writing without fear
• Write a poem to express feelings in a healthy way
• Use a journal to record their recovery journey
• Share personal experience as a way to heal and encourage others

Speaker(s):

Barajas-Muñoz, Alex, PhD

Presentation:

This workshop will familiarize participants with the important role non-medical professionals such as counselors, case managers, and social workers can play in the management of behavioral health medications treatment. Strategies for communicating with clients about their medications and typical client concerns and barriers will be discussed, as well as ways to address concerns and barriers. Tips for communicating with physicians and improving multidisciplinary collaboration will be presented. Information about the free BHMEDS-R3 App for your Android or iPhone/iPad available for your mobile device from the Google Play or iTunes App Store will also be presented.

Objectives:

1. Define the role non-medical professionals have in medication-assisted treatment for behavioral health clients. 
2. Describe how to address client concerns and barriers. 
3. Identify tools available to help work with clients and communicate with physicians about a client’s medication. 

Speaker(s):

Cooper, Caroline, MS

Presentation:

Sharing our recovery journey is beneficial to others and ourselves. When we tell our story, we encourage others and give them hope that they, too, can live full, productive, meaningful lives even while living with their disability. In the process, we remind ourselves that through the ups and downs of our journey, we have persevered, and can continue to do so. Session attendees will learn how to plan, prepare, and practice their stories. Presentation content includes: (1) choosing what to say and what not to say; (2) knowing their listeners; (3) preparing to share; (4) communicating effectively; and (5) creating a presentation. Practice exercises are provided throughout the presentation to guide individuals in the planning process. Most importantly, the presenter will encourage each person to recognize the uniqueness of their journey and the comfort and motivation they can bring to someone else who may need to hear their story.

Objectives:

1. Be confident that their story is worth sharing
2. Determine the audience they want to reach (even if 1 person)
3. Write their story
4. Prepare notes or an outline for sharing/presenting
5. Communicate effectively both verbally and nonverbally

Speaker(s):

McCullough, Amanda, MS, CRADC, PLMFT

Likcani, Adriatik, PhD, LMFT

Hartenstein, Jaimee, PhD, CFLE

Presentation:

For the last 19 years the US military has been engaged in combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. There have been many casualties because of these combat operations. These casualties of war left behind families that grieve their loss. This has created many young widows, a role which is traditionally thought to be at a much later stage in life. The loss of a spouse can be one of the most difficult losses to experience with far-reaching consequences. Presenters will describe findings of their study with young widows which explored how these young widows experienced the sudden traumatic loss of their spouse, explore the support systems used by these widows to cope with their loss and navigate the transition in their identity. Researchers will present findings and discuss interventions that counselors and therapists can utilize when working with this population. Preliminary findings of this research were presented at STI 2019 (very well received) and now authors return to present finding and implications upon having completed this research project.

Objectives:

1. Describe how these young widows experienced the sudden traumatic loss of their spouse.
2. Describe the support systems used by these widows to cope with their loss and navigate the transition in their identity.
3. Identify interventions that can be utilized when working with this population.