Article archive / June 1, 2012
Originally published: . Volume 3, No. 10. Source pages: 12.
Attendees at the Southwestern Psychological Association (SWPA) enjoyed the most extensive continuing education (CE) program in history at its recent 2012 conference in Oklahoma City.
Fourteen American Psychological Association (APA) accredited presentations were offered, including four dynamic invited speakers.
This year’s conference was lead by a Louisiana team. Dr. Lawrence Dilks, headed up the committee with the assistance of his intern Burton Ashworth, his psychological student Jackie Bourassa, and a doctoral student Billie Meyers. All are from southwest Louisiana. Burton Ashworth and Billie Meyers are currently pursuing their doctoral degrees from Fielding University. Jackie Bourassa is a graduate student at McNeese State University studying experimental psychology.
All three assistants contributed to the convention’s research poster sessions with the following titles: A Psychological Profile of Diaconate Candidates, Identifying Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities Using the WAIS- III, A Case Study of a Group Experiencing a Major Oil Rig Disaster, A Case Study of Psychological Consequences of Pre-frontal Lobectomy, Neuropsychological Consequences of Peritoneal Mesothelioma and A Case Study of a Toxic Chemical Exposure Group.
The CE program began with a six-hour pre-conference workshop by Dr. John Simoneaux, who detailed the upcoming changes for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM 5). Dr Simoneaux provided a ‘tour de force ‘ of the entire manual, pausing to emphasize areas of exceptional change such as PTSD of early childhood, autistic spectrum and the array of communication disorders.
The following three days saw numerous presenters expound on their specialties in a series of two- hour presentations.
Dr Marty Kransberg discussed the intervention technique known as Redecision Therapy. She is a clinical psychologist with a private practice in Texas, as well as academic professor for the Department of Psychology at Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara, California.
Dr. Valarie Waldmeier, head of the graduate nursing program at McNeese State University reviewed the latest changes in antidepressants with emphasis on clinical manifestations and mechanisms of action.
Dr Richard Kishur outlined effective treatment strategies for sex offenders, and Dr. Thad Leffingwell, a professor from Oklahoma State University, presented on motivational interviewing.
Dr. Tari Dilks, psychiatric nurse practitioner, reviewed the basic tenants of a psychopharmacological approach to the treatment of chronic pain. She reviewed fundamental neurochemistry and how it engenders the efficacy of medications. She presented a variety of medications and treatment while reviewing the primary side effects of each.
Dr. Dolores Subia Bigfoot shared with the audience parental training techniques utilized by her agency to reduce childhood abuse and facilitate social and psychological development with Native American children. And Dr. Sue Jacobs discussed ethical dilemmas faced by psychologists who provide services during natural disasters.
The general session also offered CE credit for a number of conference presentations, including the SWPA 2012 presidential addressed offered by Dr. Shelia M. Kennison entitled “Risk-Taking in Young Adults: A Terror Management Perspective.” Likewise, Dr. Joseph E. Trimble presented the prestigious APA/SWPA G. Stanley Hall address speaking on “Attentive Exploration of Ethnic Identification Perspective and Influence on Change, Measure, and Theory.”
Invited speakers were Dr. James W. Pennebaker spoke on “What Our Words Say About Us.” Dr. Ann S. Masten on, “Resilience after Catastrophes: Emerging Guidelines for Research and Practice,” Dr. Daniel L. Schacter presented, “Constructive Memory: Linking the Past and the Future,” and Dr. Mark V. Flinn delivered the provocative subject, “Hormones in the Wild: Anthropological Perspectives on Traumatic Experiences and Cortisol.”
All agreed this year’s conference was a major success.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.