Originally published: . Volume 5, No. 9. Source pages: 15.
The 12th Annual Mental Health Summer Symposium, sponsored by Professional Training Resources (PTR), will be held July 16–18 in Lafayette, Louisiana at the Hotel Acadiana. Highlights for this year’s conference include McNeese’s Dr. Dena Matzenbacher, Teri Theaux, LPC, and Dr. Bryon Simoneaux.
Owner and Director, Dr. John Simoneaux opens the first day of the Symposium with training on Diagnostic V-Codes and Other Conditions that are outlined in DSM-5, followed by Dr. Byron Simoneaux with a workshop on PTSD. “The first afternoon is particularly exciting,” said John Simoneaux, “because a new and much improved Dr. Simoneaux, son Byron, will be teaching about PTSD, based on his experiences working on a specialized in-patient PTSD unit at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in North Little Rock.”
Teri Theaux, LPC, heads off the second day, with a workshop to help mental health professionals learn how to work with parents in ensuring educational success for their children. Ms. Theaux brings years of practical experience in the schools to this overview.
Dr. John Simoneaux will present in the afternoon about one of his favorite topics, Antisocial Personality Disorder, one of the more frequent diagnoses he encounters in his forensic practice.
The third day kicks off with a Summer Symposium veteran, Dr. Dena Matzenbacher, Psychology Chair from McNeese State University. Matzenbacher will discuss implications of extended adolescence. “Dr. Matzenbacher is a dynamic and entertaining speaker, her previous presentation at the Summer Symposium was extremely well received,” John Simoneaux told the Times.
The symposium concludes with training on Ethics, this time discussing ethical problems relating to the beginning and ending of therapy, presented by Dr. John Simoneaux.
“Over 200 mental health colleagues in Louisiana have found the Symposium to be a great way to have fun while earning 23 continuing education hours on a variety of practical and useful topics,” Dr. Simon- eaux said. “With the Symposium, you will learn in a relaxed atmosphere, you will laugh, and you will gather all of the hours you need.”
“During the presentations you might even get a prize for saying something smart, or asking a good question, in the midst of all of the education, there are door prizes, games, and other entertainment. Participants are encouraged to dress very casually––jeans and t- shirts are fine––and to join the staff in the evenings for music, refreshments, and talk.”
Because of its growing popularity, some people are turned away each year, so early registration is encouraged, he noted. For more information contact PTR at 318-443-0845 or 888-229-8128, or go to professionaltrainingresourc esinc.com
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.