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CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAM

2009-2010 Continuing Education Series Seminars
We have designed a series of workshops comprised of popular topics
and presented by expert staff.

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Substance Abuse (Intensive)
Date: March 12, 2010
Location: University City, Philadelphia Office
CE Credits: 5
Cost: $115
Speakers: William Coffey, MSS, LCSW and Brendan Greer, MD, MBA
Time: 8:30 AM Registration; 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Presentation
(Bring brown bag lunch)

Summary: The disorders of substance abuse are common, costly, and challenging to understand or treat. Denial of disease and resistance to treatment are hallmarks of these conditions in the individuals who suffer from them and often in their family and social systems. Even when the disorders are acknowledged and treated wholeheartedly, treatment failure is frequent. Our true understanding of their complexity is surprisingly limited.

In this one day Intensive our approach will focus on how to: identify these disorders; understand the current knowledge regarding the neural, genetic, and systemic pathology of these disorders; and care for those with these disorders based on decades of empirical experience integrated with the current state of knowledge about therapeutic and biologic approaches.

Educational Objectives: 1) To learn how to identify substance abuse disorders; 2) To learn about the neural, genetic and systemic pathology of substance abuse; 3) To learn treatment approaches for substance abuse that are empirically validated; 4) To investigate the current state of knowledge about therapeutic and biologic approaches to substance abuse; 5) To acknowledge the limited scope of our understanding of substance abuse and what this means for clinical practice.

 

The Impact of Trauma on the Family:
Towards an Integrated Model of Coping and Adaptation (Intensive)
Date: May 11, 2010
Location: University City, Philadelphia Office
CE Credits: 5
Cost: $115
Speaker: Bea Hollander-Goldfein, PhD, LMFT
Time: 8:30 AM Registration; 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Presentation
(Bring brown bag lunch)

Summary: This workshop will provide an overview of the field of Trauma studies through the exploration of an evolving integrated model of coping and adaptation after extreme trauma developed over the past 15 years by the Transcending Trauma Project. Important concepts in the field of trauma will emerge through this model which will also serve as an introduction to the consideration of the intergenerational impact of trauma. The inclusion of phenomenology and positive psychology has certainly addressed the skewed emphasis on pathology that characterized the field prior to the 90's. Advances in understanding human development and human functioning, in addition to the major contributions of the new brain science, have added to our understanding of trauma's impact. The interpersonal perspective applied to trauma studies is a logical extension of systemically oriented concepts. The related literature on resilience will also be explored.

Educational Objectives: 1) To track the development of the Trauma studies field from emphasis on pathology to a more integrated understanding of post traumatic effects; 2) To explore an integrated model of coping and adaptation after extreme trauma that includes various models of traumatic impact and post trauma adaptation; 3) To study the relationship between individual and familial development pre-trauma and individual and familial development post-trauma; 4) To examine the contribution of the new brain science and mind/body approaches to an understanding of trauma's impact and the treatment of post traumatic symptoms; 5) To explore excerpts of interview transcripts for a deeper understanding of the relational context for post traumatic impact and the development of successful adaptation.

 

Mindfulness in the Therapeutic Encounter
Date: May 25, 2010 - July 13, 2010
Location: University City, Philadelphia Office
CE Credits: 30
Cost: $650
Speaker: Ruthy Kaiser, RN, MFT for Part I and Donald McCown, MAMS, MSS for Part II
Times:
Part I - May 25 (9:00 to 12:00), June 1 (9:00 to 12:00), June 8 (9:00 to 12:00) and June 15 (9:00 to 3:00)
Part II - June 22 (9:00 to 12:00), June 29 (9:00 to 12:00), July 6 (9:00 to 12:00) and July 13 (9:00 to 3:00)

Click here to view the flyer for our Mindfulness Program

Course Description: Mindfulness, defined as paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, without judgment, is being used in a growing range of psychotherapeutic interventions. This course offers a combination of experiential explorations of mindfulness practice and didactic content regarding the application of mindfulness in the therapeutic encounter. It balances two emphases: personal development as a mindfulness practitioner, and professional development through understanding the theory, empirical research base, and essential skill sets for application of mindfulness in the therapeutic setting. The first 15 instructional hours will support the cultivation of a personal mindfulness practice. Students will learn four formal practices - body scan, sitting meditation, moving meditation (yoga), and walking meditation - and will be guided in bringing mindfulness into everyday life through informal practice, as well. The second 15 instructional hours will shift the focus to applications of mindfulness in clinical contexts. Students will explore the historical and theoretical background of meditation in psychotherapy, get an overview of the evidence base supporting the mindfulness-based interventions, review the neurobiology of mindfulness practice in both intra-subjective and inter-subjective modes, and consider - explicitly - the applications of mindfulness in the therapeutic dyad and larger systems. Students will learn several mindfulness practices for immediate use with clients. Time will also be devoted to group supervision in the use of these practices.

Objectives: 1) Summarize the definition of mindfulness, particularly its three axioms: intentionality, attention to the present-moment, and an attitude of non-judgment. 2) Describe the history and development of meditation-based and mindfulness-based interventions in the West, particularly in the past 60+ years. 3) Critique the evidence base for efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions for a wide range of conditions and therapeutic applications, including couples and family therapy. 4) Apply insights on stress physiology to personal life and clinical practice. 5) Describe the neurobiology of inter-subjective and intra-subjective mindfulness. 6) Apply insights on mindful interpersonal communications to personal life and clinical practice. 7) Apply formal mindfulness practices in the context of personal life, including the development of a personal practice of mindfulness meditation. 8) Assess the effects of informal mindfulness practice on personal life experiences. 9) Assess the importance of the person of the clinician - therapeutic presence and empathy - in the process of teaching mindfulness. 10) Describe how mindfulness practice may assist in reducing/avoiding compassion fatigue and vicarious traumatization. 11) Apply simple mindfulness practices for use with patients. 12) Demonstrate the use of mindfulness in cinical practice through direct application with clients, while receiving support and feedback from instructor and class. 13) Apply concepts of relational mindfulness to encounters with clients. 14) Apply concepts of relational mindfulness to group and community development. 15) Explore and compare the many local and national options for further training in mindfulness practice and the mindfulness-based interventions available to clinicians.

Military Families (Intensive)
Date: June 4, 2010
Location: University City, Philadelphia Office
CE Credits: 5
Cost: $115
Speaker: Will Barnes DMin, MFT
Time: 8:30 AM Registration; 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Presentation
(Bring brown bag lunch)

Summary: Warriors and their families face extreme challenges in preparing for deployment and in returning from a war zone. Practitioners need to know what services are available and what treatment strategies can help at each stage of the deployment and reunification process. This workshop will define the seven cycles of deployment and reintegration and explain the treatment strategies connected to each stage of the process for the warrior and his/her family. Recognizing external events that impact the process will be discussed in detail. Special focus will be placed on developing a plan to help children of warriors cope with war. Included will be a discussion of assessing PTSD and utilizing treatment strategies.

Educational Objectives: 1) Define the seven cycles of the deployment and reintegration process. 2) Recognize and develop treatment strategies for personal and family needs connected with each stage of the process. 3) Recognize and respond to external circumstances and events that might impact the process. 4) Assess and develop treatment strategies to meet the challenges posed by changes in family structure. 5) Help formulate a plan for helping children of soldiers cope with war. 6) Assess and develop treatment strategies for post-traumatic stress and its systemic consequences.

 

Families in Transition (Intensive)
Date: June 7, 2010
Location: University City, Philadelphia Office
CE Credits: 5
Cost: $115
Speaker: Priscilla Singleton, MSW, LMFT, LCSW and Michele Southworth, JD, LMFT
Time: 8:30 AM Registration; 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Presentation
(Bring brown bag lunch)

Summary: The phenomenon of divorce has a large presence in modern-day America. Most clinicians will encounter the following constellation of issues in their practices: 1. couples making decisions about whether to stay in their marriages, 2. families struggling at the brink or in the midst of the divorce transition, and 3. children and adult children of divorce, and post-divorce families dealing with single or shared parenting.

This intensive workshop will delineate the stages of the divorce process in its functional and dysfunctional aspects, as it unfolds for the adults and the children in the family, as well as for the family as a whole. It will also consider the special strengths and limitations of the different forms that the post-divorce family can take. We will discuss family dynamics and treatment approaches for adults in conflict and for children under stress. The class will also cover treatment modalities such as mediation, co-parent counseling and parent coordination so that attendees can be well-informed about the options available to help the divorcing families with whom they may work.

Educational Objectives: 1) Learn about the stages of the divorce process for functional and dysfunctional families. 2) Differentiate the impact of divorce on the adults vs) the children in the family unit. 3) Understand the strengths and limitations of the post-divorce family. 4) Study treatment approaches to assist adults in conflict and children under stress. 5) Study specific treatment modalities such as mediation, co-parent counseling and parent coordination.

 

 

Completed Seminars in this Series

AAMFT Approved - 5 Hour Supervision Refresher Course
Training Systems Oriented Therapists:
Current Issues in the Practice of Supervision
Date: October 29, 2009
Location: University City, Philadelphia Office
CE Credits: 5.5
Cost: $155 (includes course packet)
Speaker: Bea Hollander-Goldfein Ph.D., LMFT
Time: 8:30 AM Registration; 8:45 AM - 3:30 PM Presentation
(Bring brown bag lunch)

Summary: The 5-hour Approved Supervisor Refresher Course is designed to guide the focused study of recent MFT supervision literature. This will be accomplished by reviewing MFT supervision literature published within the past 5 years. The overarching focus will be on supervision from an Integrative Systemic Framework. The Council for Relationships has an integrative approach to clinical practice, training and supervision.While this approach is often discussed in clinical case conferences that focus on treatment issues, it continues to be important to discuss the challenge of doing supervision from an integrative perspective.

This inquiry has even more relevance as we have witnessed the rapid evolution of the MFT field over the past 5-10 years. Not only does this raise the issue of how to “truly” do integrative supervision, it also raises the challenge of how to stay up to date with the developments in the field.

Educational Objectives: 1) Review recent MFT supervision literature and to become acquainted with trends in the field; 2) Have an opportunity to discuss supervisory issues with other approved supervisors as a source of support and collaborative problem solving related to supervisory challenges; 3) Review the requirements for supervision including the regulations for state licensure; 4) Re-examine ethical and legal issues that arise in clinical supervision by giving examples of actual issues faced by interns and supervisors; 5) Review and discuss recent research on supervision outcome and process; 6) Explore the supervisor’s role in the personal and professional growth of our supervisees; 7) Examine Supervisor Multicultural Competence Inventory; 8) Explore cultural competence and therapist values in supervision; 9) Learn the Events Based Model research application to the study of the supervisory process; 10) Review and discuss the Marriage and Family Therapy Core Competencies developed by AAMFT; 11) Analyze the implications for supervision of research evidence supporting the efficacy of particular models and particular interventions; 12) Explore the challenges of supervision from an integrative psychotherapy perspective; 13) Examine the “Couples Road Map” and its potential use in supervision; 14) Explore the question: Is Integrative Supervision an effective approach if students and supervisors want to include skill training in EFT, Internal Family Systems, AEDT or any of the other affectively based, mind/body approaches?

 

Psychopharmacology (Intensive)
Date: November 24, 2009
Location: University City, Philadelphia Office
CE Credits: 5
Cost: $115
Speaker: Sarah DeMichele, MD
Time: 8:30 AM Registration; 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Presentation
(Bring brown bag lunch)

Summary: This workshop will review a variety of medications that are prescribed to people to treat psychiatric symptoms. A review of basic brain anatomy and chemistry as it applies to modern psychopharmacology will be provided. Five major categories of medication will be reviewed in detail: antidepressants, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, stimulants and sedative/hypnotics. Issues pertaining to medication selection, tolerability and compliance will be discussed, with an emphasis on the role of the therapist as a vital part of the treatment “team”.

Educational Objectives: 1) Describe basic neuroanatomy and neurochemistry as they relate to mood, anxiety, psychosis, attention and sleep. 2) Recognize categories of medications used to treat common psychiatric symptoms: antidepressants, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, stimulants and sedative/hypnotics. 3) Describe side effect profiles of these five main categories of medications. 4) Utilize knowledge to support patients who are taking these medications and/or are struggling with issues regarding medication. 5) Apply knowledge to work collaboratively with psychiatrists, primary care or other physicians involved in a patient’s care. 6) Recognize the important role a therapist has in not only supporting clients who are taking medication but also in being a member of a treatment team.

 

Intimate Family Violence (Intensive)
Date: December 11, 2009
Location: University City, Philadelphia Office
CE Credits: 5
Cost: $115
Speaker: Rita DeMaria, PhD
Time: 8:30 AM Registration; 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Presentation
(Bring brown bag lunch)

Summary: This intensive workshop will provide a broad-based perspective on intimate family violence. Contemporary issues in working with family violence will be addressed along with specific recommendations for clinical practice. Child abuse and neglect will be discussed along with current guidelines for therapeutic intervention. The presentation will include a historical perspective, an overview of research, and practical requirements for addressing intimate family violence. Video presentations will serve to heighten awareness and increase sensitivity to these issues. Participants will be provided a directory of resources for the greater Philadelphia area.

Educational Objectives: 1) Gain a broad based perspective on intimate family violence; 2) Understand intimate family violence within contemporary society; 3) Learn treatment approaches for working with intimate family violence; 4) Learn therapeutic interventions for working with child abuse and child neglect; 5) Gain sensitivity to this life experience; 6) Learn about local resources.

 

Disability Experience (Intensive)
Date: February 16, 2010
Location: University City, Philadelphia Office
CE Credits: 5
Cost: $115
Speaker: Matthew Purinton, MSW
Time: 8:30 AM Registration; 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM Presentation
(Bring brown bag lunch)

Summary: Understanding the Disability Experience - a highly experiential program - will provide participants with a chance to engage in a learning environment where they will explore the relationship between those who give and receive care, the frustration of disabled people in dealing with inaccessible environments, and the dynamics involved in caring relationships.

Educational Objectives: 1) Gain an understanding of the difference between the medical and socio-cultural models of disability. 2) Identify the possible pathologies of a relationship complicated by caring. 3) Develop an understanding of the opportunities for trauma of living in an inaccessible world. 4) Understand how a lack of accessibility stresses relationships. 5) Learn how staring affects the body image. 6) Develop a sensitivity to the "control dynamic" common in helping relationships. 7) Contemplate how different disabilities affect world view. 8) Contemplate the economic cost of disability. 9) Gain an appreciation for disability culture. 10) Gain an understanding of the challenges of parenting and disabilities. 11) Understand the complications of divulging the particulars of a disability to a prospective partner. 12) Develop a sensitivity to the reasons why sports are so important to people with disabilities.

 

If you would like to register for any of the above workshops/intensives for CE credits, please contact Mackenzie Koch at (215) 382-6680 x 3124 or mkoch@councilforrelationships.org.

Continuing Education Series Refund Policy
All workshops are 100% refundable up to two weeks before the date of the workshop.

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