Friday Full Day Workshop 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
1. FROM LIFESTYLE ASSESSMENT TO THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS
James Robert Bitter, Ed.D., Professor Emeritus, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN.
The heart of Adlerian therapy is a psychological assessment based on Lifestyle Assessment. Using demonstrations and intentional practice, this workshop teaches participants how to conduct lifestyle assessments and discover the meaning of symptoms within personal experience. Coupled with an investigation of precipitating events, patterns of coping and perpetuant-reinforcers, a case conceptualization emerges as a foundation for implementing therapeutic interventions.
2. FAMILY STRUCTURE, ENCOURAGEMENT AND SOCIAL INTEREST: AN ADLERIAN APPROACH
Wes Wingett, Ph.D., LMHP, Norfolk, NE
This didactic and experiential workshop will focus on understanding ourselves and others through the study of personal family structure during childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and aging. Emphasis will be on identifying possibilities for encouragement of self and others and the development of social interest of self and others at each stage of life.
3. FROM HOPE TO HOMEWORK – THE COMPLETE ADLERIAN SESSION
Jody Housker, Ph.D., NCC, ACS, NBCCH, LPC, Atlanta, GA
Ever wonder why your clients say they want change but then seemingly put-up roadblocks to ensure life/relationships stay the same? This session will assist the Adlerian practitioner to understand client readiness for change, instill hope and/ or confront with care, craft language, as well as develop homework to bridge to the next session. This presentation includes lecture, demonstrations, and experiential activities.
Friday AM Half Day Workshop 9:00 am – 12:30 pm
4. DON’T BEND OVER BACKWARDS: CREATING AN INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR THOSE WITH DISABILITIES
Co-Presenter: Corbb O’Connor, blind since birth, he works to co-create an equal and joyous world by honoring and teaching others. He does this through his volunteer advocacy with the National Federation of the Blind, service to others in the ManKind Project, and works with enterprise organizations seeking to ensure their websites don’t exclude those with disabilities. A graduate of George Washington University’s economic and political communications programs, Corbb frequently presents about digital accessibility, disability inclusion, and marketing performance around the country, Chicago, IL.
Co-Presenter Kevin E. O’Connor, CSP, LCPC, LMFT, CCMHC, Graduate Faculty of Loyola University, Co-leader of NASAP’S Transformative Leadership and Coaching Section, a professional speaker and teacher of physician leaders in the United States, and Europe, Author, Chicago, IL
Safe environments are a necessary foundation for healing, yet few practitioners know how best to include people with disabilities. Fixing the accidental barriers will set you apart, create a useful relationship and respond to the needs of a diverse community. We will also demonstrate how people with disabilities use the web, including with screen readers used by the blind.
5. PSYCHOLOGICAL IMMUNE SYSTEM: CHALLENGES IN LIFE TASKS VERSUS LIFESTYLE RESOURCES
Daniela Cechova, Ph.D., is a psychologist and an associate professor at the Psychology Department in the Faculty of Arts of Comenius University, and head of the Psychological Institute at the Faculty of Medicine of Slovak Medical University. She is president of the Slovak Association of Individual Psychology, former president of the International Association of Individual Psychology. Daniela also works in private practice as a licensed counselor and certificated psychotherapist and Author. Bratislava, Slovakia.
Kristina Siroka is a counselor in private practice, and PhD. student at the Dept of Psychology at the Faculty of Arts at Comenius University. She is a lecturer at the Psychological Institute at the Faculty of Medicine at Slovak Medical University, Bratislava, Slovakia
The presenters will introduce the model of psychological immune system of Hungarian psychologist, Attila Olah. The psychological immune system consists of 16 cognitive, behavioral and motivational personality dimensions which protect an individual against negative consequences of stress in coping with life tasks (family/intimacy, friendships, and work). This model can be viewed as a complement to Adler’s conception of mental health, because it precisely defines lifestyle resources that create favorable conditions for the development of social interest.
Friday PM Half Day Workshop 1:30 – 5:00 pm
6. WHAT IS MENTAL HEALTH? THE PRACTICE OF MENTAL HEALTH
Timothy D. Evans, Ph.D., Carter and Evans Marriage and Family Therapy, Tampa, FL
How do we describe mental health? With all the unhappy people, the challenge we have is to teach people how to improve their own mental health without being labeled or when possible, to avoid being treated with medication. We know the attitudes, behaviors, and practices for being fully functioning. Good relationships, not control, are the core of mental health.
7. NAVIGATING THE BONUS FAMILY
Geri Carter, LMHC, Carter and Evans Marriage and Family Therapy, Tampa, FL
Katarina Evans, M.ED, NCC, Brave Tomorrow Counseling and Consulting, Statesboro, GA
Blending families is one of the most challenging jobs facing therapists today. Therapists as well as Bonus Mom and daughter will lead the group in learning how to use equality, encouragement, and social interest to help newly formed families to connect and thrive.
Saturday Keynote Address
TAKE ADLER TO THE WORLD: PRESENT LIKE A PRO TO 1 OR TO 1,000 WITH PRESENCE
Kevin E. O’Connor, CSP, LCPC, LMFT, CCMHC, Graduate Faculty of Loyola University of Chicago, a co-leader of NASAP’S Transformative Leadership and Coaching Section, Professional speaker and teacher for physician leaders in the United States and Europe, Author.
The keynote is devoted to taking your presentation skills one level up no matter your previous experience with public speaking. In person or on Zoom this keynote will focus on tips and techniques to make your work with Adlerian ideas more useful due to the way you present to others. Join us for a fast, fun and informative way to improve the way we can all present and more effectively help others know Adler and Dreikurs and ourselves!
Saturday 75 Minute Presentations
AN INTRODUCTION TO ADLERIAN PSYCHOLOGY
WHO IS ADLER AND WHY SHOULD I CARE?
Geri Carter, LMHC, Carter and Evans Marriage and Family Therapy, Tampa FL
Whether we realize it or not, we use a philosophy when relating to others. This presentation will offer Alfred Adler’s theory as a mentally healthy model that one may choose to improve relationships in marriages, families, work, and community.
ADLERIAN COUPLES COUNSELING: LIFESTYLES IN THE INFINITY SYMBOL
Calvin Armerding, LPC, Senior Associate, Travelers Rest Counseling Associates,Travelers Rest, SC
Lindsay Hill, LPC,, Senior Associate, Travelers Rest Counseling Associates, Travelers Rest, SC
Effective Adlerian couples therapy depends on an understanding of the interaction of the lifestyles of the members of the relationship. This presentation will offer a comprehensive strategy for assessing lifestyles, conceptualizing the interaction between lifestyles, and interventions to reorient couples away from competition toward cooperation. Lifestyle investigation strategies will be demonstrated.
ETHICS UPDATE
Jody Housker, Ph.D,. NCC, ACS, NBCCH, LPC Atlanta, GA
This three-part session will include an overview of the updated 2023 NBCC Code of ethics. In small groups we will work through several case studies. Then we will end the session with a board game created to focus on the ACA code of ethics, Adlerian theory, and random trivia in the category of Psychology.
THE DAWN OF EVERYTHING: FREEDOM, SOCIAL EQUALITY, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
James Robert Bitter, Ed.D., Professor Emeritus, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN
Recent archeological discoveries have focused on early human communities suggest that freedom, egalitarian relationships, social equality, and the prominence of women in the lifecycle were the norm. The world as we currently know it was not inevitable and does not have to continue today. This program details what archeology teaches us about freedom, social equality and ultimately social justice.
Saturday 75 Minute Presentations Cont.
THE ADAPTIVE PURPOSE OF EMOTIONS – HOPE, ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION
Paul Rasmussen, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist, WJB Dorn VA Medical Center, Columbia, SC
This presentation will describe the psychology of use by illustrating the evolutionary-based adaptive purpose of emotions. The interrelated nature of these emotional experiences will be emphasized with the Thought, Feeling and Action model of lifestyle expression. The presentation will include a description, exercise and demonstration.
PSYCHEDELIC-ASSISTED THERAPY
Timothy D Evans, Ph.D., Carter and Evans Marriage and Family Therapy, Tampa, FL
Psilocybin-assisted-therapy has resulted with individuals experiencing relational embeddedness. Moving from a state of separateness to interconnectedness. Allowing the individual to let go of rigid patterns of thoughts and rumination while creating and forming new lines of connection for the individual. This increase of connectedness is consistent with the views and theories found in Third Force Psychology.
ADLER AND EMDR: A PANEL DISCUSSION
Calvin Armerding, LPC, Senior Associate4, Travelers Rest Counseling, Travelers Rest. SC
Lindsay Hill, LPC, Senior Associate, Travelers Rest, Travelers Rest, SC
Mary Bennett Pickens, LPC, Travelers Rest Counseling, Beaufort, SC
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is becoming a popular way of treating mental health problems, especially trauma. This presentation will serve as a dialogue between Adlerian Psychology and the theories and methods of EMDR, with a particular focus on the importance of the body in a holistic understanding of human functioning. Q&A will also be included.
SPEAKING YOUR CLIENT’S LANGUAGE
Gary Bauman, Ph.D., Graduate Coordinator, Professor of Psychology, Lynn Darby School of Psychology and Adolescent Counseling, Ivester College of Health Services, Gainesville, GA
Discouragement often prevails as individuals attempt to negotiate the tasks of life. Lifestyle is the individual’s chosen way to attempt to navigate through life and to solve problems. In relationships, individuals may encounter conflicts with others due to differences in their lifestyle and failure to understand these differences. Helping professionals who learn how to speak their client’s language are more likely to help clients feel accepted, understood, and encouraged, and this is so essential to establishing the foundation of the kind of relationship that can lead to change.
ADLERIAN GROUP CASE CONSULTATION: A DEMONSTRATION
Wes Wingett, Ph.D., LMHP, Norfolk, NE
LaShanna Stephens, MS, LPC, CCMHC, ACS, NCC, Sound Advice Counseling, Macon, GA
This demonstration will illustrate Adlerian theory, practice, case conceptualization, and consultation strategies when applied to a specific client. A structured format will demonstrate the consultee-consultant relationship as they develop Adlerian interventions to understand and empower a client moving from problem perception to personal understanding to pattern recognition to personal and social progress.
SOMATIC EARLY RECOLLECTIONS
Mary Bennett Pickens, LPC, Travelers Rest Counseling, Beaufort, SC
This presentation will combine the exploration of lifestyle through early recollections with recent practices of using the five senses and body sensations to explore memories and sense of self. Learn through theory and a demonstration how to use the five sense and body sensations to identify early recollections with clients in the room of therapy.
BELIEFS EQUATE TO MOVEMENT FOR THE RICH AND FAMOUS
James A. Holder, MA, LPC, MAC, Owner, Positive Intensions, Florence SC
Early recollections guide us to the beliefs that precede the movement of the Presidents. Participants will have fun assessing and guessing the identity of world leaders through their early recollections.
STRENGTHENING COUPLES
Geri Carter, LMHC, Carter and Evans Marriage and Family Therapy, Tampa, FL
Adler’s task of intimacy requires that a couple make their relationship a priority, which is difficult, but necessary in today’s “selfie culture”. A model for helping couples cooperate will be introduced, as well as a live demonstration of problem solving.
LIFE TASKS AND SAFEGUARDS
Paul Rasmussen, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist, WJB Dorn VA Medical Center, Columbia, SC
In this presentation we will review the relationship between the tasks of life and safeguarding. A safeguard is anything that we focus our thoughts and actions on in order to avoid the burden and challenges of the life tasks. We will discuss common safeguards and ways to overcome them. It is by facing our safeguarding tendencies that we create greater psychological muscle.
GEMEINSCHAFTSGEFUHL IN THE BEDROOM: AN ADLERIAN APPROACH TO INTIMACY AND SEXUALITY
Lindsay Hill, LPC, Senior Associate, Travelers Rest Counseling Associates, Travelers Rest, SC
Adler’s task of Love/Intimacy is one of the greatest challenges of life. How we engage in this task is based upon our individual lifestyles, and is related to our sexuality and intimacy patterns and practices. Come learn practical and creative ways to understand and fulfill this life task!
HOW TO PAINLESSLY DESENSITIZE TRAUMA IN 45 SECONDS OR LESS UTILIZING AN ADAPTATION OF THE “AS-IF” TECHNIQUE
Irina Cromer, LISAW-CP, Columbia, SC
Reverend Earl W. Flora, PSY.D. He practices as a psychologist in Virginia.
Do you have clients that struggle with trauma but have a hard time addressing it safely? Do your clients complain that they have “too many thoughts” or a “racing mind” and cannot be in the present? Do your clients struggle with life despite “everything looking ok on paper”? Come to this presentation and learn how to safely help your clients address their trauma and become present by using the “as-if” technique. A demonstration of how to use this technique will be provided.
GEMEINSCHAFTSGEFUHL WITHIN THE BRAIN
Mary Bennett Pickens, LPC, Travelers Rest Counseling Associates. Beaufort, SC
Recent research has identified the value and significance of each part of the brain cooperating together for optimal mental health functioning. In essence, when the parts of our brain are experiencing a sense of gemeinschaftsgefuhl, we are able to find healing and regain connectivity with others. In this interactive session, learn a tangible technique of how to bring this concept into the room of therapy for clients to understand and implement in their day to day lives.
Sunday Workshops 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
A. ADLER GOES TO THE CINEMA
Calvin Armerding, LPC, Senior Associate, Travelers Rest Counseling Associates, Travelers Rest, SC
Lindsay Hill, LPC, Senior Associate. Travelers Rest Counseling Associates., Travelers Rest. SC
Adler didn’t only describe a model of psychopathology, but also offered a broad vision of human nature that can be used to understand art/media. This workshop will explore how Adler’s ideas show up in multiple films. Clips from Talladega Nights: The Legend of Ricky Bobby, The Social Network, and others films will be used to prompt analysis and discussion.
B. ADLER AND GOTTMAN: WHY MARITAL RELATIONSHIPS NEED A GOOD UNDERLYING FRIENDSHIP
LaShanna Stephens, MS, LPC, CCMHC, ACS, NCC, Sound Advice Counseling, Macon, GA
In this interactive program, participants will gain an understanding of the principles behind Adlerian marital and relationship counseling as well as those underlying Gottman Couples Therapy Method.
C. CLINICAL USE OF METAPHORS
Gary Bauman, Ph.D., Graduate Coordinator, Professor of Psychology, Lynn Darby School or Psychology and Adolescent Counseling, Ivester College of Health Services, Gainesville, GA
The use of metaphors in a clinical setting is a very powerful way to connect with clients. Metaphors can be used as a way of helping clients articulate the struggles faced, the unique perception held; and to brainstorm potential solutions for navigating one’s way through the struggle. They can also provide the opportunity for counselors to speak the language of the client by making references to the metaphor.
D. GETTING TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE MOVEMENT: AFTER THE ASSESSMENT
Paul Rasmussen, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist, WJB Dorn VA Medical Center, Columbia, SC
In this workshop, the different ways of doing therapy will be described prior to discussion of the importance of life management skills. Adler described therapy as a process of education and reorientation using Adlerian principles. The importance of education directing reorientation is emphasized within the context of the Adaptive Reorientation Model. An individual lives life in the moment, dragging the past behind. In the AR Model the emphasis is on getting to the right side of each moment.
