Speaker(s):

David Strabala, MSW

Presentation:

Hero stories are gaining more attention in culture, through superhero movies, focus on the hero’s journey, and even Trauma-Informed-Care asking, “What happened to you?” as a healing element. All alone, such healing focus on a hero’s power can become imbalanced, however, leading to narrow vision, hyper-masculinity and estrangement from community. Who can help? None other than the misunderstood character known as the trickster. A disruptor, fool, and seemingly evil, the trickster is also a creator. The trickster ways can be especially important today as many problems don’t respond well to typical forceful means.       

Using a djembe drum, the presenter will tell stories of heroes and tricksters from many cultures. He will compare heroes and tricksters to show how they complement each other in healing. The feminine in story will also be discussed, in the form of female protagonists and helpers and in action that balances masculine energy. The audience will learn the value of stories as containers for healing in three ways: through deeper, meaningful connections to self and others; through emergent insight and creativity; and as a guide to embracing non-violent conflict resolution. Focus will be placed on populations within the presenter’s specialties, primarily troubled teens and veterans with PTS.    

Objectives:

1. Discover how stories connect us more deeply to ourselves and the world
2. Experience how stories yield insights and creativity
3. Open up non-violent conflict resolutions through stories

Slides and Handouts:

STRABALA – -Trickster webinar 2021 Strabaladoc

Speaker(s):

Brian Ouellette, MA, LPC

Presentation:

This presentation looks at Moral Injury and how it contributes to the development of PTSD. Part of this presentation will look at the overlapping symptoms of PTSD and Moral Injury.  This presentation will look at the development of a person’s moral code, how combat trauma has the potential to create cognitive dissonance with someone’s moral code.

The presentation will also cite examples of quotes by various veterans from books such as, “What Have We Done”, and “Soul Repair”, as well as having a collaborative discussion with the participants.

Objectives:

1. Review how we develop morals.
2. Discuss cognitive dissonance as it relates to war and morals

Slides and Handouts:

OUELETTE_Moral injury and the Development of PTSD

Speaker(s):

Rhiannon Evans, M.S., BCBA, LBA

Lucas Evans, M.A., BCBA, LBA

Teresa Rodgers, PhD, BCBA, LBA

Presentation:

Staff working in high-stress environments are often faced with poor staffing ratios, competing job tasks and burnout. This creates a barrier to providing quality social opportunities and leads to environments where only challenging behavior results in meaningful social interactions. There is no magic fix to overcome these barriers; however, a whole-systems approach with active supervision can help sustain implementation of programs. The Missouri Department of Mental Health (DMH), Division of Developmental Disabilities calls this approach Tiered Supports.

Presenters will discuss how to use this approach and the results which have demonstrated significant reduction in severe problem behavior and increased quality of life in five separate applied settings in a forensic psychiatric facility serving individuals between the ages of 17-100. Similar results were found when applied to multiple community settings where residential services are provided and similar barriers exist. Furthermore, staff participating in the approach reported increased job satisfaction, including a better relationship with their supervisor, team, and the people they serve. Presenters will share applied examples from each setting.

Objectives:

1. Discuss common implementation barriers both in institutions and in community settings
2. Review a universal approach, in Missouri’s Department of Mental Health – Division of Developmental Disabilities, which focuses on active supervision and regular feedback
3. Examine data regarding the supervisors, DSPs, and people participating in the program across multiple applied settings within DMH
4. Learn how to implement a whole-systems, Tiered Supports, approach to increase sustainability of programs

Slides and Handouts:

EVANS_RHI_Spring Institute RE.LE.TR. 2021

Speaker(s):

Cynthia Mueller, PhD

Jodi Woodruff, PhD

Melissa Smyser

Amy Stevens

Dani Wilson

Jill Richardson

Presentation: This presentation provides the current outcomes of a four year grant through SAMSHA that has focused on the development of services and supports for the early detection of sign and symptoms of psychosis. Modeled after successful programs in Australia and Europe, SOC-CESS aims at identifying pre-psychosis symptoms early in children and youth such that the trajectory of their life can be positively influenced. More than twenty years of research has shown that early intervention in psychosis can dramatically reduce the both the length and severity of psychosis and the long term effects of this mental illness.

Objectives:

1. Review of research in early signs and symptoms of psychosis
2. Identify early signs and symptoms of psychosis
3. Introduce treatments and supports for children and youth identified as at risk for psychosis
4. Discuss implications for the expansion of mental health services to include screening, assessment, and treatment of children and youth at high risk for psychosis