Friday, February 17, 2012

REGISTRATION & CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST, 8:00 to 8:30 a.m.

SESSION I, 8:30 to 10:00 a.m.

Working with Anxious Clients
Michael Monic, M.A., LPC-S, LMFT
Private Practitioner

As our world becomes a more stressful place, it is imperative that all mental health professional have a clear understanding of anxiety. This session will cover the DSM IV TR criteria for various anxiety disorders such as: Panic Disorder, Social Phobia, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety, etc... Participants will be able to recognize, differentiate between and diagnose anxiety disorders with more ease. A treatment model focusing on behavioral modification (exposure therapy, flooding, systematic desensitization) will be discussed as well as various medications used to treat anxiety disorders. (Track 1) NBCC, LMFT, ADRA, and NASW approved.

What to Do When Your Group Becomes a Clump: Balancing the Essential Dynamics of Process and Content in Working with Groups of People
Jonathan J. Orr, Ph.D., LPC, NCC, Assistant Clinical Professor
Georgia State University

When there is too much process or content in any group, the flow of group dynamics can get clogged and the group becomes a clump. Clumps are heavy and overloaded and within them members are connected more by circumstance than intention. This presentation combines theory with practice to empower participants in facilitating intentional groups. A framework for conceptualizing, planning, and facilitating effective groups will be presented by Dr. Orr, and participants will have the opportunity to apply this framework to case studies. Participants will also be provided with practical strategies for planning and implementing their groups. By applying these strategies to their current and future groups, members can transform clumps into effective groups. (Track 2) NBCC, LMFT, ADRA, and NASW approved.

Effective Interviewing Techniques, Part 1
Daniel Sosnowski, M.S., President
SOS Polygraph Services

Daniel Sosnowski will discuss diagnostic dialogue questions intended to assist interviewers in obtaining more information regarding the facts and circumstances surrounding any investigation. His approach promises to result in more effective interviewing techniques and to assist interviewers in determining whether or not the answers received are believable. (Track 3) NBCC,LMFT, ADRA, and NASW approved.

Electronic Communications & Data Compliance for Healthcare
Ned Fasullo, Vice President Sales & Marketing
Transformyx

Select this seminar to learn about the features, advantages, and benefits of compliant data and communications solutions for the Healthcare profession, particularly with email, data and file storage and sharing, and long-term data retention strategies. ADRA, and NASW approved. (Track 4)

BREAK, 10:00 to 10:15 a.m.

SESSION II 10:15 to 11:45 a.m.

Dynamics of Poverty: An Analysis of Class Structure and an Overview of Poverty Issues in Louisiana
Yasmin Welch, LCSW
Private Practitioner

Yasmin Welch will combine theories and statistics on poverty and class structure with actual examples from work with Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Medicaid populations to look at issues of the cycle of poverty. She will address interventions to help break the cycle of poverty, as well as examine perceptions and prejudices in improving interactions with clients. (Track 1) NBCC, LMFT, ADRA, and NASW approved.

Phone a Friend or Street Shout-Out: What to Do When You Get Stuck as a Group Leader
Jonathan J. Orr, Ph.D., LPC, NCC, Assistant Clinical Professor
Georgia State University

Despite our best efforts in planning and implementing intentional groups, the flow of group dynamics can sometime become blocked or worse yet, grind to a halt. Moments like these, commonly referred to as critical incidents in group work, can be precipitated by difficult members, change in membership (attrition/addition), leadership changes, crisis, or trauma. However, with each block in group dynamics comes the opportunity for growth. Select this session to learn strategies for growing group dynamics through critical incidents. Participants will gain knowledge and techniques to deal with difficult dynamics in group work. (Track 2) NBCC, LMFT, ADRA, and NASW approved.

Effective Interviewing Techniques, Part 2
Daniel Sosnowski, M.S., President
SOS Polygraph Services

Daniel Sosnowski will discuss diagnostic dialogue questions intended to assist interviewers in obtaining more information regarding the facts and circumstances surrounding any investigation. His approach promises to result in more effective interviewing techniques and to assist interviewers in determining whether or not the answers received are believable. (Track 3) NBCC, LMFT, ADRA, and NASW approved.

The L.A. Tour: What’s happening with Autism on the West Coast?
Doris Monterroso, M.A., Training Coordinator, Assist. Professor
Los Angeles County Office of Child Care
Shantele Guidry, Senior Coordinator
Autism Support Alliance

While medical researchers continue to search for a cure for autism, the educational community is facing the reality of autism everyday in the classroom. Select this session to learn about working with students with autism in Los Angeles, California. What can we learn from their efforts and how does Louisiana compare? (Track 4) NBCC, LMFT, ADRA, and NASW approved.

LUNCHEON PLENARY, 11:45 to 12:45 p.m.
LMFT approved.

Candid Conversation

BREAK, 12:45 to 1:00 p.m.

SESSION III, 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.

Good Grief
Sara McDonald, Counselor
Shannon Cox Counseling Center

As a society in the 21st Century, death has become mystical and grief reactions even misunderstood or unwelcomed. Join Sara McDonald as she explains the historical perspectives and current research as a means to gain a better understanding of this trend. Learn how promoting healthy grief reactions among adults and children via practical and effective strategies can lead to identifying the “good” in grief. ADRA, and NASW approved. (Track 1)

Effective Interviewing Techniques, Part 3
Daniel Sosnowski, M.S., President
SOS Polygraph Services

Daniel Sosnowski will discuss diagnostic dialogue questions intended to assist interviewers in obtaining more information regarding the facts and circumstances surrounding any investigation. His approach promises to result in more effective interviewing techniques and to assist interviewers in determining whether or not the answers received are believable. NBCC, LMFT, ADRA, and NASW approved. (Track 3)

Forensic Psychiatry
James M. Anderson, M.D.
Private Practitioner

Join Dr. Anderson as he gives an overview of areas where mental health issues interface with the legal system in both civil (i.e., interdiction, commitment, execute a will, etc.) and criminal (i.e., competency to stand trial, sanity at the time of the offense) evaluations, using case examples to illustrate. A question and answer period will follow the presentation. NBCC, LMFT, ADRA, and NASW approved. (Track 4)

Family & Youth Counseling Agency, Inc.
220 Louie Street
Lake Charles, LA 70601