This presentation will focus on how Polyvagal Theory provides a plausible model to explain how and why intonation of voice and vocal music can support mental and physical health and enhance function during compromised states associated with illness, chronic stress, and trauma. The workshop will elaborate on the principles incorporated in the Safe and Sound Protocol™ and the lessons learned through preliminary clinical trials, current research, and feedback from clinicians applying the protocol to various clinical disorders including individuals with severe trauma histories.
Safe Conversations is a social action initiative to take relational science from the clinic to the culture in order to help facilitate a transition from an individualistic to a relational civilization. Since talking is the most dangerous thing people do, and since listening is the most infrequent, and since difference is the source of polarization, this relational intervention helps people talk without criticizing, listen without judgment and connect beyond their differences. Delivered globally, this relational technology could create a safe world in which everyone is equal, diversity is celebrated and inclusiveness is total.
Evidence-based therapy is moving in a process-based direction. In this workshop I will introduce Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as a form of process-based therapy that can be build around an extended evolutionary model and applied to a wide range of human concerns.
A central currency in the therapeutic exchange is negative experiences—depression, anxiety, trauma, addiction, etc. This practical and positive approach assumes that each core human experience has equivalent potential to be positive or negative, depending on the human relationship to it; and thus focuses on how problems may be transformed to resources by skillful human connection.
The end of mental illness will begin with a revolution in brain health. Unfortunately, most psychotherapists get limited information on how the brain works, even though it is the organ of loving, learning, behavior, and every decision made. Understanding the brain is critical to mental health clinical practice.
In this preconference workshop Daniel Amen will give therapists a working knowledge of brain function and tools to optimize it, including how to coach their clients to better brain health.
This one-day preconference introductory level workshop will provide a solid conceptual and practical framework for understanding the dynamic and fascinating field of hypnosis. The emphasis will be on starting to develop some of the core skills for designing and delivering hypnotically based interventions in ways that are consistent with your chosen style of practice. Thus, this workshop will include “hands-on” experiences as well as the opportunity to observe and deconstruct a recorded clinical hypnosis demonstration session.
In the aftermath of victimizing and traumatic events, most individuals are impacted, but some 75% will go onto evidence resilience, and in some instances Post-traumatic growth. This workshop will discuss the neurobiological and psycho-social factors that distinguish these two groups and consider the treatment implications. Following a discussion of the controversies and empirical status of various psychotherapeutic interventions, a Case Conceptualization Model that informs both assessment and treatment decision-making will be offered.
Many patients in psychotherapy practices are also taking various psychotropic medications including anti-depressants, mood stabilizers, anti-psychotics, anxiolytics, to name just a few. The psychotherapists of the 21st Century not only need to be masters at their own craft, but they also need a working knowledge of these various medications, their common side-effects, and how these medications can both help and hinder the psychotherapeutic process.
In Part 2 of Dr. Erickson’s Orientation to Sexual Development, Milton Erickson continues his interesting lecture about the natural developmental processes involved with sexual/relational maturity. This video begins with Erickson telling charming stories of his sons sexually and relationally developing, which illustrate the principles outlined in the video.