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Class Schedule
Classes are subject to change without notice.
Course Descriptions
Forgiveness Many clients struggle for years with unresolved issues of anger, resentments, and bitterness, yet few practitioners have been specifically trained in forgiveness therapy. Forgiveness remains one of the most misunderstood of psychological dynamics, not just for clients, but also for some therapists. What is forgiveness? How do people learn to forgive? What are the consequences of forgiveness? Forgiveness may be considered a gift to the forgiver, as he or she “deserves” to be set free from the burden of bearing repeated painful memories. Authentic forgiveness is an active and positive process that empowers clients to acknowledge their hurtful feelings without being tyrannized or paralyzed by them. Forgiveness includes letting go of the original offense, as well as developing the grace and courage to move forward with a renewed sense of meaning.
Objectives of this workshop include:
Histrionic Personality Disorder Captivatingly dramatic, bubbling with enthusiasm, tingling with sexual excitement, and sometimes tragically heartbreaking… this may sound like a description of the latest reality TV show, but it also describes many characteristics of Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD). In spite of its familiar feel, there is much confusion and controversy among professionals about the etiology, conceptual dynamics, and treatment of HPD. This course is designed to provide a multifaceted exploration of assessment, developmental, relational and treatment dynamics with regard to HPD. Dual diagnoses and other pertinent co-occurring disorders will be discussed in relation to HPD. Treatment dynamics and therapeutic implications will be presented to address histrionic issues more effectively. Prevailing sociological issues will be discussed including the impact of social networking sites and the public’s “adoration” of celebrities and fame. Illustrative case examples enliven the learning process and enhance the acquisition of therapeutic skills.
At the completion of this course, participants will be able to:
Teen Dating Violence and Abuse According to statistics, one in three teenagers have experienced violence in a dating relationship (Alspaugh, 2009). The number of teens who experience verbal, emotional and even sexual abuse in dating relationships is even greater. Dating violence impacts all economic, racial, cultural, religious and social groups. As teenagers inherently have far less power and psychological influence in society than adults, they face an even higher risk of serious injury. Many teens misperceive abusive acts as signs of “love,” which significantly impacts their ability to ask for help. This course will discuss assessment techniques for teen dating abuse and address pertinent treatment issues for the victimized teen, including prevention skills for dating violence. Attention will also be given to the Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgender teen population as related to sociological issues that affect teen dating violence. Treatment dynamics involving parents whose teenager is in a violent relationship will also be addressed.
Emotional Resilience Emotional resiliency has become a cutting-edge topic of research in the aftermath of disasters such as 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, the devastating Haitian earthquake, and the current economic crisis. As with almost any type of behavior, resiliency can be learned to help people rebound quickly and more efficiently from any traumatic situation. Resiliency also incorporates recruiting outside resources for support. People who practice resiliency skills are better able to convert experiences of hardships into experiences of increased empowerment, inner strength, and personal meaning. This course defines emotional resilience and differentiates it from survival skills. It identifies many of the core qualities and attitudes of resiliency, and explores specific goals and interventions that help to develop characteristics associated with resiliency. Mindfulness principles that promote resiliency will be discussed.
Veterans & PTSD Iraq and Afghanistan military veterans are at high risk for PTSD and a host of serious co-occurring issues such as substance abuse, depression, domestic violence, and suicidality. This workshop utilizes resources from the National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs to help therapists better understand and assess for the mental health impact caused by combat-related PTSD and vicarious trauma. Information learned from Vietnam-era veterans with chronic PTSD will be included to enhance the learning experience. Special attention will be given to the impact of sexual harassment and abuse of women in the military. Treatment methods that focus on helping veterans process their traumatic experiences and cope with a range of other trauma-related symptoms are presented.
At the completion of this course participants will be able to:
Domestic Violence: Helping Couples Heal Domestic violence is a serious, pervasive, multi-level and complex phenomenon in our society. It occurs in every country, culture and age group. It affects all people of all socioeconomic levels, religious affiliations, and educational backgrounds. The impact of domestic violence is far-reaching and invasive, impacting families, children and the community. Working to resolve this problem begins with increased awareness. Domestic violence is often a hidden condition in families – help often comes too late or after serious trauma has occurred. Recognizing the many red flags that indicate a couple may be in an abusive relationship may prevent the occurrence of domestic violence. In this seminar, we will present the components of domestic violence, the survivor, the perpetrator and different forms of abuse. We will review ways to help couples communicate more effectively early in their relationship; address the issues which lead to angry and violent outbursts; place responsibility where it belongs to decrease the likelihood of intimate partner abuse and increase the probability of an equitable and cohesive relationship.
Law and Ethics A thorough understanding of current laws and ethical standards pertaining to psychotherapy is critical for therapists. This course, complete with an engaging PowerPoint presentation, will present a comprehensive, up-to-date overview of issues such as privilege and confidentiality, danger to self or others, treatment of minors, mandated responsibilities and other legal issues related to MFT and LCSW practice. Recent changes in the law will be highlighted.
This course satisfies the requirements for the California Board of Behavioral Sciences mandatory Continuing Education course in Law and Ethics.
Helping Children Develop Social Skills This course reviews treatment interventions and techniques using a variety of theoretical orientations including addressing social delays. Currently, incidence rates of children with social skill deficits have increased. The demand for remediation programs and treatment modalities has subsequently grown. Diagnoses, according to DSM-IV-TR, include children with Asperger’s Syndrome, high functioning Autistic Disorder, and Pervasive Development Disorder NOS. The additional reasons for children’s lack of social skills development will also be presented. Social skills are essential for successful interpersonal communications. This course will outline how to recognize these social deficits, how they impact a child’s sense of self, how they impact others and how the child is perceived. This course will deliver tools and techniques for working with a child who experiences these issues and will provide instruction toward a successful outcome for a child who lacks the social skills necessary for satisfying and long-term relationships.
Families with Special Needs Children With the increasing prevalence of AD/HD, Autism and Asperger's developmental disorders, therapists are challenged to support not only the "Special Needs" child, but also the whole family. Therapists must guide families through the process of finding an accurate diagnosis, modifying treatment plans (i.e. medication, behavioral strategies, developmental needs), and navigating the school system, extended family and the treatment team. The parent(s) are charged with new and overwhelming financial, logistical, and emotional burdens, and the careful guidance for them is an essential factor in the child's treatment. This presentation defines "Special Needs", the diagnostic and treatment issues, and provides a general profile of the children diagnosed as such. This presentation will provide clinical information to assist therapists with understanding and accommodating treatment goals and interventions for the "Special Needs" child and family unit. A major focus is upon the complexities that come with parenting a "Special Needs" child. Finally, the role and identities of the "normal" sibling(s) are considered.
Self-Care for Therapists Burn out. Most clinicians experience times when the pressures of work become too much to handle. Without realizing the effect their professional life is having on their personal life, clinicians may experience recurrent sickness, irritability, fatigue, or relational problems. In this 3-hour workshop, students will learn to identify the signs and symptoms of burn out, and learn practical and uniquely personal ways to manage stress and to (as Julia Cameron states) "fill their well".
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NOTE: Course titles are subject to change.
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