When our socio political environment is acutely challenging, both therapist and client are often navigating a similar internal and external crisis. Within the context of global stress, countertransference is heightened. Objective neutrality is replaced by our shared human experience of fear, anxiety and loss of our sense of safety. Damage to our emotional, social, moral and physical safety creates intense vulnerability. In the therapeutic relationship, this vulnerability manifests in a variety of treatment interfering ways such as: over-identification, emotional distancing, compassion fatigue, or the urge to “fix” the client. At these times, managing our own countertransference is paramount to best practice. This workshop will provide you with the tools you need to effectively use your own experience as clinical data, as well as to regulate your emotions, and behavioral reactions to our clients while supporting them through challenging times.

While much more widely understood then in the past, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder continues to be unrecognized and untreated in youth and adults. There are a multitude of myths and misconceptions held by both clients and clinicians alike. Still frequently misdiagnosed and untreated in youth, ADHD often goes unrecognized into adulthood. Children and youth are criticized for unrecognized symptoms and subsequently internalize negative message about their identity. Cognitive distortions such as “lazy, difficult, unintelligent or unable to learn,” contribute to limiting beliefs around those with ADHD, their strengths and capabilities. Masking of symptoms and overcompensation often leads to chronic stress and exhaustion, often exacerbating symptoms. This Workshop highlights how myths and misconceptions also impact clinicians’ ability to diagnosis and treat clients. An immersive workshop, both didactic and interactive, experiential teaching methods will be used for an embodied learning experience. Additionally, a plethora of interventions for emotional regulation, organization, professional and social functioning will be discussed and demonstrated. The workshop will also focus specifically on ADHD paralysis, a common symptom of overwhelm and stress. Time for participants to ask questions and practice the treatment interventions will be provided.

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THIS MONTH - JOHN OF JOHN

In the powerful and surprising “John of John,” Douglas Stuart sends a young art student back home to a family he thought he’d left behind.

Virtually every human being will experience some form of trauma and or chronic stress at least once in their lifetime. In addition to being a universal human experience, trauma and chronic stress has the potential to provide an opportunity for change, creating meaning and enhancing our sense of purpose. Within nature, supportive relationships and with access to the proper tools, humans can build or restore emotional, physical and spiritual balance. “Research around the world has revealed the variety of ways we can reconnect with nature and in doing so, the fit it brings to our mental and emotional health*.” *Dr. James Gordon

This Workshops’ immersive, experiential and interactive format provides the foundation for learning and integrating such evidence-based tools.

By framing concrete interventions within the context of the scientific research, Ellen will teach simple, practical skills that clinicians can implement immediately, thereby supporting their clients’ healing the wounds and scars of trauma.

Using various teaching and practice methods such a: small breakout rooms, media, as well as techniques from nature therapy, participants will learn to support clients in all the realms impacted by trauma (emotions -the improvement of their mood, somatization - decreasing stress hormones and cognitive - reducing rumination) promoting mind/body healing.

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When our socio political environment is acutely challenging, both therapist and client are often navigating a similar internal and external crisis. Within the context of global stress, countertransference is heightened. Objective neutrality is replaced by our shared human experience of fear, anxiety and loss of our sense of safety. Damage to our emotional, social, moral and physical safety creates intense vulnerability. In the therapeutic relationship, this vulnerability manifests in a variety of treatment interfering ways such as: over-identification, emotional distancing, compassion fatigue, or the urge to “fix” the client. At these times, managing our own countertransference is paramount to best practice. This workshop will provide you with the tools you need to effectively use your own experience as clinical data, as well as to regulate your emotions, and behavioral reactions to our clients while supporting them through challenging times.

The purpose of this Workshop is to reframe self-harming behavior within the lens of traumatic reenactment. By increasing our ability to apply what we know about how trauma influences thoughts, feelings, body sensations and human behavior; practitioners can develop greater empathy and understanding for this challenging and paradoxical symptom. Thereby, increasing the likelihood of having greater efficacy regarding treatment and prognosis. Clients, their loved ones, teachers and treatment providers often misunderstand self-harming behavior. By learning how trauma and chronic stress affect one's physiological and cognitive functioning; we can better understand the emotional pain our clients are trying to communicate when they self-harm. In this Workshop, participants will learn to identify and assess risk, as well as concrete interventions for collaborating with and engaging clients toward more positive outcomes.

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