Article archive / September 1, 2014
Originally published: . Volume 5, No. 13. Source pages: 15, 16.
The La Counseling Assn will hold its annual conference at the InterContinental Hotel, 444 ST Charles Ave., in New Orleans, September 21 through 23. Pre- conference workshops will begin on September 20.
This year’s conference is packed with speakers and topics, including some samples below.
The invited keynote speaker, is Dr. Samuel Gladding.
Gladding is Chair and Professor in the Department of Counseling at Wake Forest University. He is a fellow in the American Counseling Association and former President. He will speak on “Some Fun and Funny Facts about Wellness: How Humor Adds to Your Health.” He will explain how “Humor adds to the quality and longevity of life. This keynote will highlight the value of humor and how the comical can be cultivated creatively and effectively in counseling.”
Gladding will also speak on “Becoming Creative or More Creative as a Counselor.” Counseling is a creative way of helping individuals to make choices and changes in their lives, he said, and the program will focus on ways counselors can be creative in sessions.
Dr. Gary Gintner will speak on “New Disorders and Specifiers in DSM-5.”
The DSM-5 introduced a number of new disorders and specifiers which may be unfamiliar to many counselors. Gintner will discuss these conditions and review treatment implications and recommendations. He will also present, “DSM-5 Informed Case Formation,” and “DSM-5 Depressive Disorders: Diagnostic and Treatment Implications.” Since DSM-5 introduces a new chapter on Depressive Disorders, Dr. Gintner will review the disorders in this area such as Major Depressive Disorder, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder, and Persistent Depressive Disorder. He’ll present diagnostic criteria, assessment issues and treatment recommendations and examples to illustrate diagnostic and treatment planning issues.
Dr Laura Choate will be speaking on “Treatment for Depression in Girls and Women.” Girls and women are twice as likely as men to experience depression, she notes and because of the differences, it is important for counselors to consider gender issues in the conceptualization and treatment of depression. The presenters will cover best practice treatments for depression with particular attention to girls’ and women’s needs.
Dr. Jan Case, will present “Humor and Service: The Importance of Not Being Too Earnest.” She notes in the program, “At times, the spirits of those who serve as counselors soar, but at other times, the cares and challenges experienced by the counselor can cause those same spirits to sink.” Presenters will help counselors to revisit the roles and significance of humor, and explore the fresh implications of humor for their own well- being and for the well- being of their clients.
Dr. Erin Dugan, will present, “Addressing Attachment Styles.” Dr. Dugan reminds us that individual psychotherapy is not always the most appropriate intervention when providing psychotherapy to young children. “Clinicians must first assess the child-caregiver relationship in order to determine the most appropriate treatment intervention. Assessment and evaluations are becoming key ingredients in establishing on-going treatment to children and their families.” According to materials, the presenters will give an overview of assessments and evaluation tools used to define the attachment style between a child, or children, and their caregiver(s). Additionally, this workshop will present varied approaches used to enhance the relationships between children and their caregivers.
Dr. Beth Christensen will present, “Of Mind and Matter: Physical Effects of Trauma.”
“Psychological trauma is becoming better understood as mental health professionals deal with survivors of combat, relational, and environmental traumas in a variety of settings. This session will familiarize the counselor with the effect of trauma on the brain and body in order to enhance understanding of clients and promote effective treatment planning and multidisciplinary coordination of care.”
Dr. John Simoneaux will present, “What Makes People Happy.” “Throughout the history or psychology and the mental health profession, most of our attention has focused on pathology—those things that lead to and hopefully ameliorate emotional discomfort,” noted the program. “For the past twenty years, however, significant resources have been directed at offering science in “positive psychology”’ with attempt to understand and explain how people experience fulfillment and contentment in this life. Thanks to these studies, we now have a better understanding about how people become and stay happy.” He will briefly review major research findings that informs professionals about effective ways to facilitate and enhance the lives of others.
For a complete listing of offerings, go to http://www.lacounseling.org/lca/Conferen ce.asp.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.