Core Mindfulness
Instructor: Andrew Teton
For many years, cognitive-behavior therapy techniques have been almost exclusively utilized in the treatment of anxiety disorders. More recently, however, core mindfulness strategies that are rooted in Eastern spiritual and psychological practices have been applied to the treatment of various anxiety disorders and are often used in conjunction with cognitive-behavior therapy and acceptance-based techniques. This course is intended to increase and enhance participants’ knowledge of core mindfulness as related to the treatment of anxiety. Three specific methods will be reviewed: Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills training, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, as well as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Treatment models for Panic Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, PTSD, and child and adolescent anxiety disorders are presented. Illustrative case examples enhance the learning experience.

At the completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Identify historical antecedents and a clinical definition of core mindfulness, as well as its application in psychotherapy.
2. Apply Dialectical Behavior Therapy’s (DBT) Core Mindfulness Skills to the treatment of anxiety.
3. Utilize the various therapeutic applications of Jon Kabbat-Zinn’s Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Program in relation to treat anxiety.
4. Integrate treatment strategies from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness to treat Anxiety Disorders.
5. Understand treatment models for Panic Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, PTSD, and child and adolescent anxiety disorders.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Instructor: Patti Patton
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is one of the most treatment-resistant conditions that psychotherapists face. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), developed by Marsha Linehan, addresses this particular treatment challenge by focusing on psychosocial skills training and other various strategic interventions using both individual and group treatment. DBT focuses on changing the typical behaviors of the Borderline client such as suicidal and parasuicidal actions, behaviors that interfere with therapy, and behaviors that reduce the quality of one's life. DBT also focuses on teaching the Borderline how to cope with post-traumatic stress responses and improving distress tolerance skills and emotional modulation skills. Studies by Linehan show that DBT is highly effective and reduces the amount of self-injury and crises among BPD clients.

At the completion of this course participants will be able to:

1. Explain how Biosocial theory relates to Borderline Personality Disorder, specifically with regards to the consequences of invalidating environments.
2. Respond effectively to the unique emotional expressions and thought processes of clients with Borderline Personality Disorder.
3. Establish realistic and helpful treatment goals and behavioral targets within a DBT framework.
4. Recognize behaviors that can lead to therapist burnout when working with this population and implement alternate therapeutic strategies.

Emotional Affairs
Instructor: Patti Patton
“Emotional infidelity is intense but invisible, erotic but unconsummated. Such delicious paradoxes make it every bit as dangerous as adultery,” says Mark Teich’s in his article, “Love But Don’t Touch” (p. 91, Psychology Today, March/April 2006).
Although affairs have been around since Biblical times, infidelity has now taken an insidious new turn that some mental health professionals fear is the biggest threat that marriage has ever faced – that is, the emotional affair. This type of affair begins with a garden-variety friendship that develops almost imperceptibly until it eventually exceeds in importance the relationship with a one’s own spouse. Emotional affairs are characterized by deep emotional connectedness, the excitement of illicit secrets, and sexually charged (but unconsummated) relationships. In the age of the Internet and the egalitarian workplace, emotional affairs have become far more accessible than ever before. The effects can be just as psychologically devastating to the stability and intimacy of relationships as sexual affairs – sometimes even more so.

At the completion of this course participants will be able to:

1. Assess for emotional affairs in relationships and distinguish them from healthy, platonic friendships
2. Explain possible intrapersonal and interpersonal causes for emotional affairs. 
3. Apply the Jungian concept of the Ghostly Lover as a common contributing factor to emotional affairs. 
4. Demonstrate knowledge about treatment issues and interventions for repairing a relationship after an emotional affair.
5. Identify ways to prevent emotional affairs in committed relationships.

Law and Ethics
Instructor: Gerry Grossman
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.

At the completion of this course participants will be able to:

1. Recognize when they have legal and ethical responsibilities.
2. Understand how to carry out those legal and ethical responsibilities.
3. Maintain a standard of care against charges of criminal, civil, and ethical wrongdoing.
4. Know when and how to properly consult to better uphold legal and ethical responsibilities.

This course satisfies the requirements for the California Board of Behavioral Sciences mandatory Continuing Education course in Law and Ethics.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder
Instructor: Patti Patton
Most psychotherapists would agree that one of the most challenging of all disorders to address is Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD). This workshop provides attendees with a Psychodynamic presentation of developmental and relational theories associated with this complex disorder, including issues of shame, envy, rage, guilt, and depression in addition to various concomitant behaviors. Topics to be addressed include establishing and maintaining the holding environment, assessing the impact of narcissistic injuries, NPD and dual diagnosis, management of symptoms in contrast with treatment approaches, prevailing social issues, narcissists and family members, couple’s dynamics, and transference and counter transference. Case vignettes will be included and reviewed in a class-dialogue format.

At the completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Distinguish between healthy and pathological narcissism, and assess for and identify Narcissistic Personality Disorder, including various typologies of narcissism.
2. Understand the self-defeating and destructive patterns of Narcissistic Personality Disorder.
3. Examine the dynamics of dual diagnoses and other pertinent co-morbid disorders in relation to NPD.
4. Learn to work more effectively with narcissistic issues.
5. Explore the impact of prevailing sociological issues such as gender roles, fame and workplace dynamics.

Self-Care for Therapists
Instructor: Patti Patton
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".

At the completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the importance of self-care and work/life balance for clinicians, and the protective factors that aid in finding this balance.
2. Identify the signs and symptoms of both burnout and compassion fatigue.
3. Apply specific methods for improving health and vitality mentally, physically and spiritually.
4. Develop a clear and individualized plan for better self-care and improved work/life balance.

Suicide: The Aftermath
Instructor: Patti Patton
Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the United States, and for every person who completes a suicide, there are at least six to 10 “survivors” who will grieve the consequences. Among the emotional reactions to suicide are fear, anger, shock, denial, shame and blame; however, surviving a suicide also leads to what is called “complicated grief” which is a prolonged bereavement distinct from “normal” grieving processes. This kind of grief includes long-term desires to understand the reasons for the suicide, and because the survivor can never get answers, this questioning can last a lifetime. In addition, suicide can be a stigmatizing process, such that survivors may face blame and social exclusion, and may blame themselves for the death of their loved one.

This presentation will focus on the complex issues that occur when a parental suicide, child, teen, or gay teen suicide occurs. Generally, immediate, supportive and frequent therapy is necessary in the immediate aftermath. Individual, group and family therapy is recommended, particularly with orientations that encourage clients to speak honestly about the circumstances of the suicide. In addition, this presentation discusses the personal and professional issues that therapists face when a client completes a suicide.

At the completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Identify and assess the distinctive characteristics, and the mental and physical health risks of “complicated grief”.
2. Identify and assess the roles, grieving processes, and social consequences of suicide for its “survivors.”
3. Understand the range of treatment modalities for suicide survivors of any age or family constellation.
4. Understand and develop personal and professional strategies for coping with a client’s suicide.

3-Step Zen
Instructor: Kipp Ryodo Hawley
Instead of being clear, the mind is often a riot of stories, buzzing thoughts and emotions. How can we sort it all out?
Zen teacher Kipp Ryodo Hawley has developed a new approach to this old problem. Join Sensei Ryodo in this lively 3-hour experiential workshop that illuminates the mysteries of Zen in ways that we can use right here and now. We begin with seeing our states of mind as "places" that we visit, then go on to explore the "landscape" of each one. When is it helpful to be in a particular mindstate? When it is time to leave? We'll learn to move between these mental realms at will, and ultimately see how to integrate and balance them, resulting in a steady mindfulness that allows us to live in a dynamic way directly inspired by the living moment rather than being unconsciously driven by our fears, hopes and fantasies. Along with class time for learning the steps, we will have short periods of meditation for putting them into practice.

At the completion of this course participants will have:

1. A new roadmap for understanding and navigating their states of mind.
2. Discovered the state of equanimity that lies at the root of Zen and be able to return to it at will.
3. Specific techniques for practicing mindfulness that they can share with clients.
4. A new understanding and appreciation of the ancient-yet-fresh sayings of Zen.