North Louisiana Counselor Education Fall Conference October 5 th and 6 th, 2017 Presented by: Brentwood Behavioral Hospital and Family Solutions Counseling Center West Monroe Convention Center 901 Ridge Ave West Monroe, LA 71291 Thursday October 5, 2017 Program Title: Beyond the Label with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systemic Approach Presenter: Erin Rockett, MA, LPC-S, LMFT, AAMFT Clinical Fellow #63178 Start Time: 8:00am End Time: 9:30am CEUs: 1.5 Erin Rockett, MA, LPC-S, LMFT; is a Clinical Fellow of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy. She grew up in southern Mississippi and Arkansas. After earning a B.A. in secondary education (1992), and MA in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northeast Louisiana University (1996), she served as counselor for a juvenile Department of Corrections program. In 1999 she was Clinical Director for Our House emergency shelter care program for teens in Monroe, LA. She served as Family Therapist for Louisiana Methodist Children s Home for 13.5 years, becoming an LPC supervisor in 2010. Her work there included individual, family, and group therapy, clinical supervision, staff training course instruction, assisting with various chapel programming, and representing the home in various social agency contexts. In addition to
serving as a frequent speaker and consultant on ASD, other clinical practice areas include trauma intervention, (EMDR), grief work, and educator consultation. She has presented workshops on autism spectrum disorders, consultation paradigms, and client spirituality at regional and national conferences. She completed Forensic Interviewer training from the National Academy of Child Advocacy Centers, and has also undergone training in both EMDR and Theraplay. She was awarded the Order of Good Shepherd award for volunteerism, by Louisiana Methodist Children s home in December of 2012. In 2013 she left the children s home to begin private practice focused on consulting for child and adolescent issues, autism spectrum disorders, and grief/trauma work. Erin s clinical work is greatly influenced by the family systems, solution-focused, narrative, and trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy traditions, in addition to attachment-based work. Her background as an educator brings an awareness of developmental theories, learning modalities, and research-informed practice. In addition to clinical work, Erin has served as a board member and currently is a project chairperson for Junior Auxiliary of Ruston, a volunteer organization focused on children s advocacy. For several years Erin has increasingly engaged in children s ministry in her worship setting. Previous ministry-based roles include children s choir director and staff consultant. At this time she is the Director of Children s Ministry at McGuire UMC. This presentation will review current clinical parameters for Autism spectrum diagnosis, sample current research trends, identify the reciprocal impact of Autism and family/client social contexts. The role of client system cognition/narrative will be examined in the therapeutic setting. Intervention strategies will be explored for self-use in addition to strategies for the home/family, educational, and community settings. 1. Review current clinical definitions of Autism Spectrum Disorders from DSM-V and ICD-10; 2. Survey current trending research in Spectrum Disorder intervention and treatment; 3. Identify the social/professional systems which impact the client system with an Autism Spectrum diagnosis; 4. Explore the role of family member cognitions/narrative in the intervention process; 5. Identify common presenting problems and intervention strategies to be utilized in the individual, family, and educational environment.
Program Title: Sleep: Impact, Assessment and Treatment Presenters: Walter Buboltz, Ph.D.; Mercedes Gremillion, B.A. Start Time: 9:45am End Time: 11:15am CEUs: 1.5 (Assessment & Diagnosis) Walter Buboltz, is a Professor, Director of Training and a licensed psychologist in the State of Louisiana. He received his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Kent State University, a M.S in Counseling and Community Psychology from Marist College and a B.S. in Psychology from Union College. Dr. Buboltz has over 20 years of teaching and research experience at the undergraduate and graduate level. Dr. Buboltz is a dedicated researcher who has publications in areas of sleep quality/deprivation and human performance, career development, message framing, emotional labor and psychological reactance. Dr. Buboltz actively engages students in his research and several students over the years have been able to present and publish research with him. Dr. Buboltz teaches classes in career development/counseling, assessment, and counseling techniques and theories. Currently, Dr. Buboltz is on several editorial boards and serves on the Board of Directors of the American Sleep Association. Mercedes Gremillion is a 4th doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology Doctoral Program in Counseling Psychology at Louisiana Tech University. This program will first introduce the learner to the basic aspects of sleep, the impact that sleep has on individuals both physically and mentally. The learner will also be exposed to basic assessment practices for identify sleep related issues and finally will learn some basic intervention strategies to combat sleep difficulties. 1. To understand the basic of sleep and impact on individuals. 2. To gain an understanding of how to assess sleep related problems. 3. To gain an understanding of basic sleep interventions.
Program Title: Common Concerns in Early Recovery From Addiction Presenter: Sean Bryan, M.A., LPC, NCC Start Time: 11:30am End Time: 1:00pm CEUs: 1.5 (Working Lunch) Sean graduated from the University of Louisiana at Monroe with a B.A. in Psychology in 2003 and a M.A. in Substance Abuse Counseling in 2005. He received his licensure as an LPC on December 14, 2007 (License #3610). Since graduating in 2005, he has been privileged to work in a variety of fields, including: inpatient and outpatient substance abuse, inpatient and outpatient mental health, survivors of domestic violence, and survivors of sexual assault. He also spent a great deal of time working with war veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder during his internship. Sean s chosen approach to counseling is Gestalt Therapy, viewing the human condition as a constant struggle to maintain equilibrium. This equilibrium can be thrown off by Unfinished Business from our past or from unhealthy thought processes and beliefs about the world in which one lives. Many times, addicts and alcoholics use mood altering substances to create illusions of control and equilibrium when their lives are actually anything but stable. Through counseling, he hopes to assist the patient in: accepting emotions regarding the past and moving forward, developing more rational worldviews, and setting goals to ensure a healthy life in recovery. Sean also employs aspects of Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Existential Therapy, and education on the principles of the Alcoholics Anonymous program. This presentation is aimed to provide insight on some of the common problems and concerns that arise in the first year and a half of addiction recovery. Most of the information in this presentation comes from real world experience, as Sean has performed aftercare on an outpatient level for over five years between two different substance abuse treatment facilities and has worked on the inpatient level for 9 years. The potential suggestions come from the wisdom of the group process that Sean has employed in aftercare, wherein clients who are further on in their recover can share their experience, strength, and hope with struggling peers who are in a similar position. We will also briefly review the The Alcoholics Anonymous program and the 12 Steps and how these provide support for the recovery process.
1. Learn the basics about an AA/NA based recovery program; 2. Learn about common issues/concerns that arise with clients that are new in recovery; 3. Learn appropriate responses to these common concerns. Program Title: Ethics and Professional Development: The Foundation for Counseling and Clinical Work Made Easy Presenter: Thomas Estis, Ph.D., LPC, LMFT-S, LAC Start Time: 1:15pm End Time: 2:45pm CEUs: 1.5 Thomas Estis, Ph.D. is the Clinical Director/Owner of Aimwell Recovery Center Monroe, LA. He was previously the Clinical Director/Co-Owner of Woodlake Addiction Recovery Center in Ethel, Louisiana. Dr. Estis holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Social Work, a Master s Degree in Substance Abuse Counseling with a Minor in Marriage and Family Therapy, and a Bachelor degree in Sociology. Dr. Estis has more than two decades of professional experience in working with individuals and family counseling, particularly in the area of substance abuse/dependence and dual diagnosis issues. Dr. Estis is a National Certified Counselor (NCC), Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LPC), Licensed Mental Health Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Board Approved Supervisor (LMFT-BAS), Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC), and International Certified Addiction Drug Counselor (ICADC), and Louisiana Privilege Counselor Certification. He is a an active member of the Louisiana Counseling Association, American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, Louisiana Association of Substance Abuse Counselors and Trainees. He has served on the Louisiana Association of Substance Abuse Counselors and Trainees Board which is influential in promulgating substance abuse policy for the state. His research regarding the relationship between spirituality and addiction has been presented at State, Regional and National conferences and forums. Dr. Estis personal experiences as an ACOA shaped his professional philosophy of addiction and recovery. Combining insights from his family of origin and professional training has intensified his desire to offer hope to those who have alienated themselves from self and others via alcoholism, addictions, and/or responses to life s circumstances.
This presentation is designed to demonstrate the correlation between the Code of Ethics and Professional Development for the counselor, therapist, and/or clinician in the systemic and foundational application of all counseling and clinical services and the application for the persons and families served. The arrangement of information regarding ethics shall include: a definition, a brief history, interrelated theories, and primarily the utilization of the Code of Ethics as a tool in developing a foundational direction of most if not all counseling/clinical approaches. Counseling/Clinical work made simple by drawing from contents within the Code of Ethics. 1. Define ethics within the context of necessity for principled counseling and clinical work; 2. Define ethics within the context of necessity for 12-step progress and recovery. 3. Acquire information regarding the background of ethics for counseling and clinical work. 4. Review and consider the correlation between theoretical theories and ethics 5. Review general ethical principles within the Code of Ethics as a counseling/clinical tool. 6. Process exploratory questions formulated from the principles within the Code of Ethics 7. Compare/contrast the alignment of the 12-step principles and principles within the Code of Ethics 8. Request clinicians and counselors to utilize the principles discussed as a tool for personal and professional inventory and development Program Title: Substance Abuse: Understanding, Intervening, and Treatment options Presenters: Kerri Cunningham, LCSW, LAC Start Time: 3:00pm End Time: 4:30pm CEUs: 1.5 Presenter Biosgraphy: Kerri Cunningham is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Addictions Counselor. She received her master s in social work from Louisiana State University. She is the Program Director for Victory Addiction Recovery Center in Lafayette, LA. Kerri has just under 10 years of expertise in all levels of substance abuse counseling from inpatient treatment to private practice. Kerri s holistic approach to treatment is a focus on co-occurring and dual diagnosis with substance abuse
clients. She specializes in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, EMDR, interventions and trauma counseling. Addiction is a very complex disease with many factors that can contribute to it. This presentation will bring a pragmatic approach to addiction explaining diagnosis, intervention, and treatment. The disease model of addiction will be discussed to help participants understand how it affects the brain. DSM-V criteria will also be discussed when diagnosing someone believed to have a substance abuse problem. Finally, various treatment options and goals of different levels of care will be presented. 1. Understand and describe the disease concept of addiction. 2. List and describe common behaviors and defenses in addictions. 3. Understand treatment options for this illness. Program Title: Changing the Dance: Using Paradoxical Interventions Presenter: David Wheeler, PhD., Licensed Psychologist (Keynote Presenter) Start Time: 4:45pm End Time: 6:15pm CEUs: 1.5 Dr. David Wheeler has a limited private practice in the Ruston area. David is a graduate of Northeast Louisiana University (Now University of Louisiana at Monroe) in 1984 with a BA in Psychology and later obtained a Master's Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy in 1987. After graduating with his Master's Degree, he worked as a Family Worker at the Louisiana Baptist Children's Home in Monroe for 2 years. During that time, he married Christie Sims and together they moved to College Station, TX in 1989 for David to work on his doctorate in psychology. After 3 years in College Station, they moved with their firstborn baby daughter to Louisville, Kentucky to complete his internship at the Jefferson County Internship Consortium. This included working in community mental health and at the State Hospital in Louisville. They then moved to Ruston for David to work at the Louisiana Methodist Children's Home, where he has been employed since that time. Starting as a Family Therapist, he become the first staff psychologist after completing his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology in 1996 from Texas A&M and becoming a Louisiana licensed psychologist in 1997. He became the Director of
Clinical Services in 2002 and served in that capacity for 10 years. He provided outpatient counseling services through most of those years through the Family Counseling Center (FCC) in Ruston, a ministry of the Louisiana United Methodist Children and Family Services. At the FCC, he was privileged to work with clients of a wide variety of age and life challenges. David also taught a number of courses at Louisiana Tech University through the years and provided some assessment services at a local rehabilitation hospital. He enjoyed often working with older individuals in that capacity. Since moving to Ruston, he and Christie raised 3 children and Christie later entered the field of Real Estate. They have been active in Christ Community Church (later merging to become The Bridge Community Church) where David has served in various capacities, including the roles of teacher in the Learning Center, leader of adult small groups, member of the worship team, and as an Elder for several years. Dr. Wheeler's passion is helping people to experience increased wholeness, in body, soul (mind and emotions), spirit, and relationships. How do you deal with clients who seem entrenched in patterns of behavior and who seem resistant to direct interventions? This presentation will focus on how to conceptualize, design, and implement paradoxical interventions. Presenter will share a number of actual examples of cases in which a paradoxical intervention was used to create an opportunity for new possibilities for individual clients and families. 1. Participants will learn the meaning of paradox and a rationale for using paradoxical interventions in therapy. 2. Participants will learn the basic steps in a model of problem-focused strategic therapy. 3. Participants will learn how to design paradoxical interventions. Friday October 6, 2017
Program Title: Multicultural Competence and Social Justice Advocacy: Ethical Imperatives Presenter: Melanie M. Lantz, Ph.D. Start Time: 8:00am End Time: 11:15am CEUs: 1.5 (Ethics) Dr. Melanie Lantz is an Assistant Professor of Counseling Psychology at Louisiana Tech University, where she is also the Director of the Psychological Services Clinic. She earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at the University at Albany in 2015, after completing her predoctoral internship at the University of Florida's Counseling and Wellness Center. Her primary areas of research are multicultural competence, counseling, and training, social justice, and professional issues in psychology. Her clinical areas of expertise include addiction, assessment, and multicultural counseling. She is active in the American Psychological Association, serving in several leadership positions within Division 17, the Society of Counseling Psychology, and is currently up for election for the Education and Training slate on the APA's Board of Educational Affairs. In this 3-hour workshop, the current state of the literature on multicultural competence and social justice advocacy, as well as the expectations of the major professional associations such as the ACA and the APA, will be reviewed. Nuances of these competencies will be discussed, and the role of self-awareness as a prerequisite highlighted. The role of multicultural competence and social justice advocacy as necessary for the ethical practice of counseling and psychotherapy will be a primary focus of this presentation. 1. Participants will learn the basics of multicultural competence and social justice advocacy 2. Participants will become familiar with the expectations and positions of the major professional organizations as they pertain to multicultural competence and social justice advocacy 3. Participants will learn and come to understand the relationship between the ethical practice of counseling and psychotherapy, and multicultural competence and social justice advocacy.
Program Title: Introduction to Attachment Theory and Couples Therapy Presenter: Shane Morr, M.A., PLMFT Start Time: 11:30 End Time: 1:00 CEUs: 1.5 (Working Lunch) Shane Morr is a Provisionally Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist working for the Center for Children and Families in Monroe LA. Shane received his M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northcentral University in 2016. Shane has had a wide range of experiences in the field including working at a women s center, a private practice, a school based health center, and an inpatient facility. Shane also had experience working with clients in the states of Michigan, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Shane s experience with couples and families has taught him the importance attachment plays in relationships. Outside of clinical practice Shane enjoys being outside. Some of his hobbies are fishing, hunting, hiking, and camping. An introduction to Attachment theory and the implications for Couples Counseling, including a brief look into Emotionally Focused Therapy. This presentation will analyze the role that Attachment Theory plays in couples interactions. It will discuss how to utilize Attachment Theory in treatment. Attachment injuries and their implications for couples functioning will also be discussed. Various techniques and interventions that utilize an attachment theory approach will be considered. There will also be a section at the end concerning special considerations for different populations. 1) Discuss Attachment Theory A. Introduce Attachment Theory B. Attachment and Adult Love C. Johnson s 10 tenets of attachment 2) Discuss interventions and techniques that utilize Attachment Theory. A. Interventions for stage one: de-escalation B. Interventions for stage two: Changing interactional patterns C. Interventions for stage three: Consolidation and integration 3) Discuss special considerations for various populations. A. Culture and attachment B. Trauma and attachment C. LGBTQ and attachment
Title: Sexual Deviance: From Diagnosis to Treatment Presenter: Jodey Edwards, Ed.D., LPC-S Start Time: 1:15pm End Time: 2:45pm CEUs: 1.5 (Assessment & Diagnosis) Dr. Edwards is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S) with Appraisal Privilege, and a National Certified Counselor. He also holds certifications as a Louisiana Registered Clinical Sexual Offender Treatment Provider, a Certified Disaster Mental Health Services provider with the American Red Cross as well as Louisiana State Certified Guidance Counselor with Lifetime Certification Plus 30. His earned degrees include a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Northeast Louisiana University, a Master of Arts degree in Counseling & Guidance from Louisiana Tech University, a Master of Science degree in Health and Physiology from Louisiana Tech University, and a Doctor of Education degree in Leadership & Counseling from the University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM). He has been working in the mental health field since 1999, and he has been working as a counselor in private practice since 2004. He offers seminar trainings on topics such as, but not limited to, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Christian Counseling Integration, Parent Management Training, Sex Offender Treatment and Assessment, treatment strategies for high risk patients, cultural diversity, Motivational Interviewing, ethics, etc. He also teaches as an Adjunct, Assistant Professor for ULM s Department of Marriage & Family Therapy and Counseling Studies as well as for ULM s Psychology Department and the Dual Enrollment program for ULM and Claiborne Christian Schools. We will review deviant sexual behavior(s) and associated actions; review diagnoses related to deviant sexual behaviors; review the questions, What is normal sexuality (sexual preferences) and sexual behavior, and what is abnormal sexuality and sexual behavior? ; review the question, Is pornography (ab)use a diagnosable disorder? as well as the question, If this is a diagnosable disorder, how do we treat it? ; review certain cultural aspects of sexuality as well as cultural influences on sexuality; review specific risks often associated with sexual deviance, such as sex offense crimes and how these have been and are currently treated. 1. Attendees will better understand deviant sexual behavior(s) and associated actions.
2. Attendees will better understand certain diagnostic difficulties related to deviant sexual behaviors. 3. Attendees will better understand what current society defines as normal and abnormal sexuality and behavior, and they will better understand how societal rules and definitions might influence this. 4. Attendees will better understand certain difficulties related to differentiating between pornography use and pornography abuse as well as certain confusion related to diagnosis and treatment. 5. Attendees will better understand the impact of pornography on sexuality and sexual behaviors as demonstrated by empirical research and works in the field. 6. Attendees will better understand specific risks often associated with sexual deviance, such as sex offense crimes, and how what is defined as sexual offense has changed and continues to change within society. 7. Attendees will better understand connections between sex offense crimes and sexual deviance, and how sex offense crimes have traditionally been treated by mental health professionals. Program Title: Southern Men in Counseling and Psychotherapy Presenters: Bill McCown, PhD, Clinical Psychologist; Burt Ashworth, PhD, Clinical Psychologist (Assessment & Diagnosis) Start Time: 3:00pm Break: 4:30pm Start Back: 4:45pm End Time: 6:15pm CEUs: 3 Bill McCown is Associate Dean, College of Business and Social Sciences, University of Louisiana at Monroe, where he is also a professor of Clinical Psychology. He specializes in child and adult assessment of personality and other disorders and has taught classes in this field since 1989. He is the co-author of 50 professional publications and eight books. Burt Ashworth, PhD, is an assistant professor at University of Louisiana at Monroe and provisionally licensed Louisiana clinical psychologist who specializes in psychological testing of children with Asperger s and autism spectrum disorders. His many other careers include truck driving, and working as a logger and as a machinist. He also is a licensed teacher and taught Spanish in middle school. He has been known to ride a motorcycle and for many years was a successful pastor. In this hands-on session, you will learn why Southern Men are often some of the most difficult counseling and therapy clients you will encounter. You will gain knowledge of the unique historic, cultural, socioeconomic, racial, religious, and economic forces that shape African American and White Male identities in the South. You will come to understand problems, vulnerabilities, and strengths associated with "Southern Male" personalities when and why they
do-and-do not- seek treatment. Finally, you will learn strategies that work to help Southern men--and their families-- change successfully and for the long term. 1. Participants will understand the historic, economic, cultural, systemic, familial, and religious reasons that shape contemporary Southern men, regardless of their race, age, or social class. 2. Participants will understand how Southern men differ from other clients in selfreliance, conscientiousness, needs for affiliation, intimacy, achievement, and power, and in other traits. 3. Participants will understand how the legacy of racism, the Civil War, and social class affects Southern men and how it influences counseling and psychotherapy, including access to treatment. 4. Participants will understand how to properly diagnose and treat males within the context of mental health counseling and therapy; 5. Participants will learn when and why Southern men seek counseling and therapy, who they prefer to treat them, their comparative outcomes, and their level of satisfaction with treatment. 6. Participants will gain insight into treatment strategies that have the best chances of working for Southern men.