Topic: Gender Matters
E01 – Beyond Trauma: A Healing Journey for Women
 
Thursday, August 18 | 10:15 am - 11:45 am
 
 
While research and clinical experience indicate a high incidence of trauma and co-occurring disorders in women’s lives, counselors and clinicians often struggle with the realities of providing treatment. This workshop is based on the newly revised evidence-based treatment curriculum, Beyond Trauma: A Healing Journey for Women.  This twelve-session intervention is designed for use in outpatient, residential, and criminal justice settings.  Cognitive-behavioral techniques, mindfulness, body-focused exercises, expressive arts, and the principles of relational therapy are integrated in this strength-based approach.  The curriculum also has a psycho-educational component that teaches women what trauma is, its process, and its impact on both the inner self (thoughts, feelings, beliefs, values) and the other self (behavior and relationships, including parenting). This workshop includes demonstration of techniques that counselors can use to help clients develop coping skills, as well as emotional wellness. The newly revised six-session Healing Trauma intervention is also discussed.
 
Upon completion of this session, attendees will be able to:
  • Discuss essential elements in trauma-specific services for women
  • Explicate the process of trauma
  • Provide specific treatment interventions
 
Sponsored by: CeDAR
 
 
Topic: Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment
E02 - Treat My Eating Disorder, Then I'll Get Sober: What Substance Use Disorder Specialists Need to Know about Integrated Treatment for Patients with Eating Disorders
 
Thursday, August 18 | 10:15 am - 11:45 am
 
 
There is a high prevalence of substance use disorders (SUD) in patients with eating disorders (ED).  Approximately 50% of ED patients are abusing alcohol, illicit drugs, prescription medicines, or OTC drugs.  However, very few programs in either field have developed comprehensive, evidenced-based, integrated programs for this comorbid group.  Treatment providers in the SUD field are not routinely trained in interventions for ED, and SUD programs rarely provide the complex interventions necessary for ED recovery.  As a result, patients receive fragmented care, and frequently relapse as they vacillate between these disorders. Research suggests that individuals with co-occurring disorders have a greater chance of recovering from both disorders when they receive integrated treatment from the same practitioner. The workshop will begin with a brief review of the need for integrated treatment, and then will discuss the prevalence and psychoactive properties of drugs of abuses, the clinical characteristics of individuals with alcohol and drug abuse, and evidenced-based models for the treatment of ED/SUD.  It will conclude with a video case presentation of a dually diagnosed male patient and discuss how to formulate a comprehensive treatment plan for the long-term management and relapse prevention of both disorders.
 
Upon completion of this session, attendees will be able to:
  • Describe the principle guidelines for integrated treatment for patients with ED and SUD
  • Discuss the prevalence of SUD in ED patients and the psychoactive properties of the following substances: alcohol, cannabis; sedative, hypnotic and anxiolytics, stimulants, hallucinogens, and opiates
  • Compare the adaptive functions of both EDs and SUDs
 
 
Topic: Professional Development
E03 - Leadership Development through Assertive Communication
 
Thursday, August 18 | 10:15 am - 11:45 am
 
 
This session will be of interest to participants because a strong leader has excellent communication skills.  These skills are essential to successfully building and sustaining relationships.  Leadership is all about relationships.  Leaders who develop their teams to be independent, positive thinkers have the highest likelihood for success in any given experience.   This session will provide participants with the concrete skills to communicate in an assertive manner.  These skills will support leadership development both at the individual level and at the team level.  Teams who communicate well produce positive results.
 
Upon completion of this session, attendees will be able to:
  • Define the concept of assertive communication as it relates to leadership development
  •  Identify the differences between, assertiveness, aggression, and passivity in order to model this behavior for team members
  • Develop strategies for effective use of assertiveness
 
 
Topic: Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment
E04 - How to Reach the Unreachable: Engaging People with SUDs in Pre-Contemplation Phase
 
Thursday, August 18 | 10:15 am - 11:45 am
 
 
Telecare Corporation has designed its Co-Occurring Education Groups (COEG), a brand new, 16-week curriculum designed, developed, and tested by Telecare staff and clients. The COEG was created to engage hard-to- reach clients to learn about substance use and mental health in a brand new way: through weekly voluntary education groups, where people can join and leave as they please. The information is helpful and the environment is engaging. It is a respective, hopeful setting where people have room and time to explore and tell their stories, and find tools that can help them make change when they are ready and motivated to do so. Results have shown increased readiness for change and decreased use of high risk drugs and alcohol.
 
Upon completion of this session, attendees will be able to:
  • Know how to deliver an educational curriculum for hard to reach individuals
  • Identify what inspires and motivates individuals towards change
  • Practice using engagement tools and exercises used in the curriculum
 
 
Topic:  Ethics
E05 - Confidentiality, Boundaries and Dual Relationships:  Ethical Issues When Working with Patients and Families in Addiction Treatment
 
Thursday, August 18 | 10:15 am - 11:45 am
 
Michael F. Barnes, PhD, LPC, Clinical Program Manager, Center for Dependence, Addiction & Rehabilitation (CeDAR), University of Colorado Hospital
 
This session will review Federal Substance Abuse Confidentiality Regulations (42 CFR Part 2) and how they control what, when, and how information can be shared between a treating professional and their patients' family members.  It is important to note that while we frequently tell families that addiction is a family illness and that their open and honest participation in the treatment process is critical for a positive treatment outcome, we do not include the various family members as clients or afford them the same level of access or control of the clinical information associated with their loved one’s treatment progress and ongoing treatment needs.  The ethical and clinically competent addiction professional knows that meeting the needs of the patient and their family members, while adhering to rigid requirements of 42 CFR Part 2 is at the foundation of successful treatment outcomes.  Attendees will learn that the establishment of a healthy therapeutic relationship and the maintenance of this relationship through honest communication and clear boundaries that support patient’s rights is what provides a safe clinical environment, empowers patient self-directedness, and promotes collaboration between the patient, their family members, and other interested stakeholders. For many clients with significant attachment and trauma issues, the establishment of this level of relationship and boundaries can aspirational at best.   Attendees will also learn strategies for resolving common power struggles, boundary violations, and dual relationships with family members that come when dealing with difficult client populations.   
 
Upon completion of this session, attendees will be able to:
  • Understand and adhere to stipulations outlined in 42 CFR Part 2 as they pertain to the release of confidential patient information to families and other stakeholders in a patient’s treatment.
  • Learn strategies for developing a respectful therapeutic relationship and associated boundaries that promote patient self-directedness and utilization of input from concerned family members (and other stakeholders) as they move through the recovery process.    
  • Learn recovery management strategies that empower patients to utilize honest self-assessment and family feedback to collaborate on continuing care decisions, while avoiding the common power struggles that result from coercive and callusive dual relationships between counselors and family members who desire to control treatment outcomes by forcing patients to comply with treatment. 
 
 
Topic: Leadership and Management
B01 - Behavioral Healthcare Policy in an Election Year: The CEO's Action Plan
 
Thursday, August 18 | 10:15 am - 11:45 am
 
 
Opioid abuse has steadily been getting more and more national attention in policy circles, to the point where in 2016 it has become a major issue in the presidential race, and on Capitol Hill as well. Candidates from both parties have addressed the issue on the campaign trail, and have offered their solutions, which vary from lip service to in-depth strategies for addressing the issue. It is imperative to be prepared for the November elections, as they will most certainly impact the future of prevention, treatment, and recovery policies- at both the budgetary and regulatory level.  This workshop will not only examine the current political environment and why opioid abuse is a political issue, but how it is different- and surprisingly similar- to other health epidemics of the past and how they changed the course of politics.
 
Upon completion of this session, attendees will be able to:
  • Understand and know where different candidates for state and national office stand on opioid and addiction treatment.
  • Understand the political realities impacting advances in treatment and recovery.
  • Understand and have a historical context for the attention that opioid abuse is receiving on the campaign trail.
 
Topic: Emerging Drugs
D01 - New Emerging Psychoactive Substances: Designer Drugs Update
 
Thursday, August 18 | 10:15 am - 11:45 am
 
 
The session will discuss current trends in designer drugs and issues surrounding new and emerging products. It will be broken down categorically, addressing various classes of drugs based upon their mechanism of action. The categories that will be reviewed include: synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic stimulants (and naturally occurring plant products with similar activity); hallucinogens; psychedelic-stimulants; and older drug categories making a come- back.  In most instances, geography dictates the “flavor-of-the-week” so time for an open discussion and information sharing will be provided. As new products are emerging daily, efforts to stay current remain a challenge both scientifically and legally.
 
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
  • Identify the key characteristics and effects of synthetic drugs
  • Explain strategies for communicating the dangers involved with synthetic drug use.
  • Describe the current information available on the availability and patterns of synthetic drug use in the United States
  • Provide a detailed description of the following substances:
    • Stimulants: “bath salts” (synthetic) and khat (natural product)
    • Salvia
    • Kratom
    • Synthetic cannabinoids
    • Miscellaneous new-comers and older drugs making a come-back
    • Recent fentanyl analogues causing a significant rise in overdose deaths
 
Sponsored by: Dominion Diagnostics
 
 
Topic: Leadership and Management
B02 - Lunch Session: Addictions M&A at the Crossroads
 
Thursday, August 18 | 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
 
 
The mergers and acquisitions market in addictions and substance abuse is at an inflection point.  Demand is beginning to shift from a largely, high-end, out-of-network, residential focus, to lower-end, in-network and community-based programs that may be short on sex appeal, but long on cost, growth, and stability appeal.  We are already seeing this subtle shift in the recent swell of transaction activity involving medication assisted treatment providers.  In this session, we will discuss why the substance abuse deal climate is in transition, and how this may re-shape investment strategies, demand, and valuation in addictions M&A over the next 12-36 months.
 
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
  • Identify why the mergers and acquisitions climate in addictions is changing
  • Identify which segments in addictions are likely to experience the greatest growth in M&A activity
  • Summarize the outlook for consolidation of activity in Addictions over the next 12-36 months
 
 
Topic: Gender Matters
E07 - Lessons in Trauma: Helping the Transgender Community in Addiction Treatment
 
Thursday, August 18 | 1:45 pm - 3:15 pm
 
 
This course goes beyond Transgender 101 and addresses the topics relevant to helping the transgender community in addiction treatment. Understanding specific traumas that trans people experience and how to address them in treatment. Specific treatment interventions and how to embrace the trans community in your office, in your community and in your institutions will also be covered.
 
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
  • Express their bias as it relates to the trans community
  • Differentiate community trauma from personal trauma
  • Formulate a treatment plan for a trans client
 
Sponsored by: CeDAR, Presented by: NALGAP
 
 
Topic: Professional Development
E08 - Therapeutic Use of Self in Addictions Counseling
 
Thursday, August 18 | 1:45 pm - 3:15 pm
 
 
Research in Evidence Based Practice recognizes that our ability to connect with our clients as critical to positive treatment outcomes.  Connecting well with clients while maintaining the appropriate boundaries can be challenging. Guidelines and issues around self-disclosure, the advantages and disadvantages of a clinician's recovery status will be explored. How the use of narrative can enhance positive client connections.
 
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
  • Differentiate the advantages and disadvantages of using self disclosure to connect with clients
  • Identify the qualities of a clinician that both enhance and interfere with the development of the therapeutic alliance
  • illustrate the use of narrative in a clinical conversation
 
 
Topic: Counseling and Psychotherapy
E09 - Creating an Effective Family Treatment Program
 
Thursday, August 18 | 1:45 pm - 3:15 pm
 
 
When families come to a family program, they're often so anxious, consumed with shame and traumatized by addiction that they can't retain much information, let alone integrate any of it.  So trying to teach them through power point presentations and lectures is not effective.  By utilizing sociometric exercises to connect them with each other, we can lower their anxiety and warm them up to change, which allows them to truly integrate what is being taught, practice new ways of responding when their impaired family member completes treatment, and be open to doing their own work.  This didactic and experiential workshop will demonstrate effective techniques for engaging and working with family members that you can immediately take back to your own clinical setting.
 
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
  • Identify 2 effective sociometric exercises to utilize in creating effective family programs
  • Learn the technique of doubling and 2 rationales for using it
  • Learn 2 Psychodramatic techniques that can be utilized to teach families about addiction
 
 
Topic: Prevention/Intervention
E10 - Invisible Smoke – Issues with Vaping, E-Cigs and Synthetics
 
Thursday, August 18 | 1:45 pm - 3:15 pm
 
 
What is really in the cartridge? There are many hidden issues in the alternative smoking world.  The increasing trend to try and quit smoking by using vaporizers or e-cigs has several hidden health risks.  An increasing number of young people today are choosing vaping or e-cigs over traditional tobacco because they believe there are less health risks thus the confusion and controversy.  Medical marijuana advocates have even encouraged the use of vaporizers instead of smoking, stating vaping reduces the carcinogens a person is exposed to.  Synthetic drugs such as Spice / K2, Flakka, and other drugs may be added to the eliquid hiding the substance from law enforcement, parents and even friends.  This training will cover terminology, trends, health risks and statistics related to the alternative smoking, vaping and e-cig culture.
 
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
  • Discuss the pros and cons of vaping / e-cigs vs traditional smoking
  • Identify seven health risks associated with vaping and e-cig use
  • Demonstrate an increased understanding of the underground world related to vaping and illicit substances
 
 
Topic: Counseling and Psychotherapy
E11 - Unkept Promises:  Undiagnosed Untreated Collateral Costs to Families
 
Thursday, August 18 | 1:45 pm - 3:15 pm
 
 
This 90-minute experiential workshop is a fast paced, informative, humorous look at serious clinical considerations when working with family members and collateral dependents of pathological, addicted gamblers.  Moving from Mary (Losing Your Shirt)  Heineman’s sagacious advice to view the relationships within the support system as the “identified client,” and Joe (Counseling Problem Gamblers/ A Self Regulation Manual)  Ciarrocchi’s admonition to “incorporate spirituality into treatment,”  the presenters examine the promises made, broken , and trampled by well intentioned gamblers in early recovery.  The conclusion:  Treating family is crucial to successful recovery and these two clinicians know what works and what does not. 
 
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
  • Develop a plan to assist family members with their gamblers’ emotional imbalances as well as their own
  • Incorporate “meaning making” into the successful and realistic family treatment objectives regardless of the length of involvement with families and gamblers
  • Formulate balance confidentiality and openness when working with both sides of a couple , creating meaning and purpose despite devastating odds
 
 
Topic: Leadership and Management
B03 – Managing for the Future to Create a Sustainable & Successful Organization
 
Thursday, August 18 | 1:45 pm - 3:15 pm
 
 
Are you facing ever-changing payer requirements, regulatory changes, training challenges, changing treatment strategies and increased costs? All of these are realities today. Unfortunately, our future will bring more change, more data, more requirements and more barriers to success.
 
This fast-paced, thought-provoking session will outline a proven strategy to not just survive the future, but to excel and grow your organization to a level of sustainability and success beyond many a corporate development plan.  This participatory 60-minute session will provide each attendee a concrete, actionable plan. Built on proven principles that led a company to over 1400% growth while remaining profitable and mission driven, attendees will learn how to implement a 3-prong approach.  Beginning with a clear assessment of today’s reality on key components, attendees will then be driven to identify existing opportunities that can be grown in the future.  Transitioning into reaching into the future to clarify the Agency’s goals and long-term plans; the session will connect the two.  Finally, the session will end with the critical component when implemented will guarantee the highest probability of a sustainable, successful agency.
 
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
  • Lean How to Develop a Clear Statement of Organizations
    • Reality
    • Clinical
    • Financial
    • Threats
    • Opportunities
  • Define Success – Quantifiable Vision of Future Success
    • Clinical
    • Financial
    • Other
  • Focus on Simplified Key Drivers
    • Identification of the 2-3 key drivers to achieve the “Defined Success” from above
    • Learn relentless organizational focus on these drivers
 
Sponsored by: Credible Behavioral Health, Inc.
 
 
Topic: Gender Matters
E13 - Developing Effective Treatment for Men with Co-Occurring Addiction and Trauma Issues:  An Introduction to MATRIC and the 8 Agreements
 
Thursday, August 18 | 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
 
 
In 2013, twenty-three male and female leaders in the treatment of addictions, trauma and community mental health came together to discuss the societal and cultural impact of how males experience addiction and trauma and how these experiences impact clinical outcomes for men.  MATRIC, the Males, Addiction, and Trauma Recovery International Consortium emerged from this summit, along with a document called the 8 Agreements.  This presentation will provide a rationale for the development of MATRIC and a review of how the 8 Agreement will lead to the development and implementation of more effective treatment for men with co-occurring addiction and trauma issues.
 
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
  • List the 8 Agreements and discuss the clinical implications of each in terms of improving clinical outcomes for men with trauma and addiction
  • Evaluate the differences in biological and behavioral symptoms experienced by men and women in addiction treatment
  • Identify societal and cultural myths and stereotypes regarding men, power, relationships, and emotional experience and discuss how these myths impact the development and maintenance of addiction and the efficacy of addiction treatment
 
Sponsored by: CeDAR
 
 
Topic: Ethics
E14 – Ethical Implications of Trauma Informed Supervision- Counselor Wellness, Countertransference and Compassion Fatigue
 
Thursday, August 18 | 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
 
 
This session will examine how counselor unresolved trauma and compassion fatigue raise ethical issues in the supervisory relationship. We will discuss the signs and symptoms of both unresolved trauma and compassion fatigue in clinicians. Managers who provide clinical supervision for counselors with unresolved trauma and/or compassion fatigue are faced with some unique ethical dilemmas. Trauma informed supervision requires that the supervisor be sensitive to, and sometimes informed of, the emotional state and trauma history of their supervisees, without turning into their therapist. A manager who is supervising these clinicians must be diligent to avoid creating a dual relationship with them. Respondeat Superior (vicarious liability) indicates that supervisors are ultimately legally responsible for the welfare of clients counseled by their supervisees. Countertransference often elicits boundary violations from counselors as they struggle to manage their own feelings triggered by the therapeutic relationship. It is imperative that supervisors address countertransference. We will address how a supervisor can work with countertransference within the lens of compassion fatigue and the need for counselors to practice self-care. We will offer ways to respond, redirect and resolve issues associated with these.
 
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
  • Identify the signs, symptoms and solutions to counselor compassion fatigue
  •  Identify, describe and implement supervision based on 3 employee needs: Normative (managerial and code of ethics issues); Formative (education/professional development); Restorative (addressing the emotional impact of the work/compassion fatigue)
  • Describe the impact on client care of counselor unresolved trauma/compassion fatigue as seen in boundary violations, dual relationships, countertransference and inappropriate self-disclosure
 
Topic: Continuing Care/Recovery
E15 - Trans-institutionalization: Challenges in Recovery-Oriented and Reentry Services for People Involved in Criminal Justice Systems
 
Thursday, August 18 | 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
 
 
This session will address issues concerning the access for services and appropriate support for people involved in the criminal justice system that suffer from mental health disorders and substance abuse related disorders.  Co-occurring disorders have become the norm in many inmates exiting jails and prisons and there is an evident lack of coordinated systemic efforts to provide recovery-oriented services through residential support programs and governmental rehabilitation facilities.  During this session different models and initiatives will be discussed, mainly derived from the Sequential Intercept model, as a framework for understanding the approach given to people with co-occurring disorders that are involved in the criminal justice system.  The main purpose of discussing issues with trans-institutionalization is to strategically involve the community, at micro and macro levels, in developing priority services and interventions within local systems (private and governmental).
 
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
  • Identify the challenges of providing adequate integrated services to people involved in the criminal justice system that have co-occurring disorders
  • Explain the major concerns with the criminalization of mental health and substance use related disorders
  • Illustrate the diversion initiatives and the Sequential Intercept Model to manage offenders outside jails and into integrated treatment programs
 
 
Topic: Prevention/Intervention
E16 - How to Infuse Peers into Trauma Informed Care
 
Thursday, August 18 | 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
 
 
Since the inception of the guiding principles of recovery and the elements of a recovery-oriented system of care in 2005 by SAMSHA's Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, the implementation of Peer Recovery Coaches within an organization has evolved. Integrating Trauma Informed Care in behavioral health services reinforces the significance of utilizing Peers to support the individual's journey through the continuum of care. In Kent County, Network 180 and Arbor Circle have incorporated the use of peers to deliver and support trauma services that has led to an innovative approach to supporting ongoing recovery. This workshop, facilitated by the Peer Recovery Coaches who were an integral part in the development of service delivery, will demonstrate the use of Peers within a Trauma Informed Care framework. This will include the role of Peers providing community-based services, trauma group services and facilitation of ongoing support groups. Additionally, they will share elements of their role in service development.
 
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
  • Identify 2 strategies for using Peer Recovery Coaches in Trauma Informed Care and Trauma Treatment
  • Compare traditional Seeking Safety group services to groups co-facilitated by Peer Recovery Coaches
  • Describe 2 ways to support use of Peers in development of service model
 
 
Topic: Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment
E17- Adolescent Cannabis Use: Implications and Treatment Recommendations
 
Thursday, August 18 | 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
 
 
Cannabis is fast becoming the primary substance being abused by adolescents.  This discussion will facilitate an understanding of the trends in adolescent cannabis use, particularly the high-potency extracts.  Case material will be presented and will explore the impact of cannabis on the developing brain and the kindling effect of psychotic disorders.
 
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
  • Classify trends in adolescent cannabis use
  • Recognize the nurological impact of cannabis upon the developing brain
  • Outline the need to differentiate organic mental illness from substance induced mental illness
 
 
Topic: Leadership and Management
B04 - Hiring and Retaining Key Employees: What Works
 
Thursday, August 18 | 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
 
Bill Hazelton, Chief Marketing and Admissions Officer, Sober College
 
The founder of Sober College will “open the curtain” and allow an in-depth peek into the innerworkings of Sober College’s employee management system. From this, a template for key employee retention and management will be presented and allow the participants to measure their own experiences. Following a presentation and discussion, a panel of long-term key employees will provide personal insights for the participants.
 
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
  • Understand Employee Live Cycle Management “ELCM” in connection to key employee retention
  • Increase your ability to identify key employees through hiring and current employee pools
  • Develop a systematic approach to effective employee management leading to enhanced client outcomes