Bringing the Institute to You

Lisa can travel to your locale to provide half day and full day workshop trainings and keynote addresses on the following subjects: (You can also customize a training by "blending" the content of more than one workshop, to best meet the needs of your participants.)

(A) CLINICAL ISSUES:

1) Desperate Times Call for Creative Measures: Working with "Resistant" Adolescents *

explores the developmental tasks/challenges of adolescence
processes the definitions/ manifestations and meanings of client "resistance" or stuckness
the impact resistance has on the helping professional
offers positive re-frames for understanding/interpreting resistance
offers strategies for addressing client ambivalence/ fear of processing emotionally-charged material/ remembering trauma, etc
experientially teaches creative techniques to utilize and work-through resistance.
(Ericksonian hypnosis, art and play therapies, using clay, guided imagery, etc.)
this workshop can also be formatted to fit an adult population

2) Treating Adult Trauma Survivors: A Strength- Based Approach

defines traumatic experiences and the fundamental components of trauma, including the dynamics of dis-empowerment, "fight/freeze/flight" and loss
processes common family-of -origin dynamics related to boundaries, communication, and roles
explores the childhood challenge of attaching to an abusive caretaker and its impact on affect regulation
identifies the necessary childhood coping strategies designed to promote emotional survival, and connects these strategies to adult "symptoms"
explores the advantages to a strength-based approach to trauma treatment
identifies guidelines, goals, and creative modalities to help survivors heal

3) Keeping Them Present While They Heal Their Past: Tools for Re-Storying Trauma

identifies specific treatment goals for working with traumatic experiences
processes creative ways to install and enhance internal and external safety
addresses issues of pacing and anchoring
identifies specific strategies for containment to prevent flooding
incorporates guided imagery to create inner protection
provides a variety of flashback halting protocols
distinguishes between productive and destructive abreactions
focuses on repairing and re-storying prior traumatic events
teaches clinicians how to use "then" vs "now" distinctions in treatment

4) Hypnosis, Guided Imagery, and Focusing: Moving Beyond Talk Therapy

identifies specific reasons why "talk therapy" stops working with clients, and why hypnotic and internally-based strategies can be successful alternatives
describes the steps that are necessary to help prepare clients for hypnosis or guided-imagery work
describes and demonstrates an Ericksonian induction to create an altered state of awareness and relaxation.
demonstrates the process of “focusing” and its impact on somatization
teaches several guided imagery exercises designed to enhance internal safety and assist with the re-storying of difficult memories
offers participants many opportunities to experience, firsthand, the benefits of working with an increased awareness of body sensation, and the empowerment of identifying and strengthening internally based resources for healing

5) Hypnotherapy Techniques for Affect Regulation: Addressing Over-Arousal in Trauma Survivors

identifies the myriad advantages to using Ericksonian hypnotherapy with trauma survivors
explores specific strategies that allow therapists to customize inductions, so they meet the needs and address the concerns of traumatized clients.
offers demonstrations and experiential opportunities to practice several different relaxation inductions that help bring clients to safe "trance states"
explores a wide variety of induction "scripts" that help address anxiety, over-arousal, depression, low self-esteem and the emotional triggering that happens for trauma survivors
describes specific inductions that enhance competence and a sense of hope for trauma survivors
gives therapists tools to re-stabilize trauma survivors, thus reducing abreactions and flashbacks

6) It's Not a No-Brainer: Integrating Neuroscience into the Treatment of PTSD and Trauma

identifies the fundamental effects of trauma on neurobiology and memory
describes the difference between the limbic system and the cortex, and how traumatic experiences affect brain functioning
integrates an understanding of trauma and the brain into concrete strategies designed to establish safety, short-circuit flashbacks and prevent flooding
explores specific ways to keep clients grounded in their bodies and in the present
uses information about the brain to help clients manage and modulate arousal, process traumatic experiences, and even alter brain chemistry to improve affect
explores specific ways to help clients positively "change their brains" through music, aromatherapy, cognitive strategies, self-talk and guided imagery

7) Food For Thought: Understanding Eating-Disordered Behavior in Sexually Abused Adolescents/Adults

provides a paradigm to view eating-disordered behavior as re-enactment and perpetuation of sexual trauma
identifies clinical red flags/ diagnostic criteria for bingeing, bulimia and anorexia
explores the dynamics and meta-communication of eating- disordered behavior

explores parallels between sexual trauma, bingeing, purging and starvation
processes treatment strategies designed to address symptoms and healing
case scenarios and clients' artwork are integrated into workshop

**a modified version of this talk can also be presented to middle school and high school students to educate them about eating disorders

8) The Diagnosis and Treatment of Dissociative Identity Disorder

explores the process of dissociation/splitting/fragmenting/ creating alters
provides step-by step approach to diagnose and work with D.I.D. clients
includes focus on how to work with alters/ how to deal with anger/ self-mutilation
treatment paradigms and creative modalities
presenting problems/ adult manifestations
how to avoid common pitfalls/ worker burn-out
incorporates client artwork/ writings

9) The Cutting Edge: Understanding and Working with Adolescent/Adult Self-Injury

explores categories and definitions of self-injurious behavior
explores connections between adolescent developmental challenges and SIB
processes the correlations between physical/sexual trauma and SIB
identifies the most common reasons why clients engage in self-mutilation
processes the cycle of self harm and how to short circuit it
addresses the role dissociation plays in self-harm
treatment considerations and interventions (what helps and what doesn't)
offers an effective alternative to standard safety contracts
issues of counter-transference
employs clients' artwork and writings

10) Working Collaboratively with "Parts" to Address Self-Injurious Behaviors

incorporates Richard Schwartz's "Internal Family Systems" (IFS) model into the treatment of self-harm
identifies the manifestations of self-injury and connects the cognitions, affect and behaviors to "manger," "firefighter" and "exiled" parts
identifies a specific cycle of self harm and the role different parts play in triggering and maintaining the cycle
explores the more common kinds of "parts" that operate in regards to self-injurious behaviors
offers specific creative treatment interventions that allow parts to be identified, honored and worked with for the mutual benefit of the system
offers an effective alternative to standard safety contracts
gives participants the opportunity to process the artwork and two-handed writing of different "parts" within the system
applicable to a wide range of self-destructive behaviors including addictions, eating disorders and self-mutilation

11) When the Brady Bunch is Just A Fantasy: Assessing and Strengthening Your Clients' Parenting Skills

using the context of office/ school/ home visit to observe parent-child interactions
how to address issues of healthier parenting
understanding the roots of dysfunctional parenting
understanding the impact of traumatic transference and triggering
strategies to foster cooperation rather than obedience
how to model healthier parenting skills for your clients
working with "resistant" or difficult caretakers
confronting abusive parenting

12) Understanding Addictions in Trauma Survivors

defines the dynamics related to trauma
addresses family-of-origin issues, genetic pre-disposition and learned behavior as it relates to addictions

explores the childhood challenges of attachment and trust with substance abusing parents
identifies inevitable childhood coping strategies and "symptomatic" adult manifestations for trauma survivors
connects the relationships between prior trauma and adult substance abuse
offers treatment paradigms and intervention strategies designed to address safety, stability, containment, and abstinence
addresses issues of counter-transference and burn-out

13) Understanding and Treating Depression: Pharmacological and Non-Pharmacological Interventions

(co-led by Kevin Ferentz, M.D.)

provides participants with in-depth information about depression
processes risk factors, why people become depressed
addresses the vegetative symptoms of depression
explores how external factors can influence and maintain a depressive episode
exposes participants to the variety of drugs used in the treatment of depression
addressed common myths and resistances that people have to medication
focuses on non-pharmacological treatment strategies including: education; empowerment; cognitive-behavioral strategies; solution-focused techniques; self-soothing techniques; art therapy; and the use of significant others

14) The Identification and Treatment of Trauma Survivors

describes the characteristics associated with traumatic events
identifies the "red flags" and somatic manifestations of trauma
explains how to obtain a trauma history from a client
offers interventions designed to treat the symptoms of trauma

15) Beyond the ABC's of ACOA's

explores common dynamics in families with alcoholic caretakers
explores the four common "child of alcoholic" roles
addresses typical presenting problems/ adult manifestations
dynamics present in the worker/ ACOA client relationship
treatment issues/ paradigms and effective modalities

16) Working with Traumatized Parents

explores relationship dynamics and treatment issues relevant to "survivor" parents
addresses the "resistance" often experienced with traumatized parents
explores traumatic transference and its impact on the therapeutic alliance
identifies the most common ways in which parents are triggered by their children
processes dysfunctional parenting styles
offers healthier parenting strategies for "survivor" parents
discusses how to appropriately confront and work with abusive parents

17) Adolescence: Challenges and Traumas

explores the developmental tasks, challenges and traumas of adolescence
defines the different "selves" that evolve during adolescence
addresses the critical role that "identity" plays in development
offers re-frames for "resistant" and "difficult" adolescent behaviors
processes a variety of interpersonal/environmental dynamics that traumatize
explores factors that influence the extent to which adolescents are traumatized by life events
offers parental/clinical strategies to interact more effectively with adolescents

an additional component can be added to this workshop-focusing on issues of adolescent depression

18) Understanding the Impact of Sexual Assault and Trauma: Separating Fact from Fiction

defines the basic elements of trauma, sexual assault and PTSD
processes cognitive, emotional, behavioral manifestations that result from victimization
explores how to identify and de-pathologize common victim issues including: distortions, dissociation; uncooperative or belligerent behaviors; recanting
addresses typical coping strategies used by victims
identifies specific myths related to sexual assault victims and their presentation during the interview/interrogation process and when being prepped to testify

19) Interviewing Sexual Assault Victims within the Context of Trauma: Helping Law Enforcement Re-Frame a Victim's Presentation

defines the basic elements of The Reid Technique- the universal interview/interrogation model that is used be law enforcement
identifies deceptive vs. truthful verbal and non-verbal behaviors during an interview as per The Reid Technique
identifies the typical verbal and non-verbal presentation of victims who have a prior history of trauma and abuse
describes the specific ways in which trauma survivors get re-triggered during an interview with law enforcement
offers alternaitve, effective and compassionate ways to successfully interview sexual assault victims

20) Ethical Decision Making in Clinical Practice

uses the NASW Code of ethics to explore values, duties, and ethical principles that guide clinical practice
processes legal obligations including: the duty to warn, report and protect
explores Dolgoff's Ethical Principle Screen and the hierarchy of ethical principles
addresses deviations from the "standard of care"
identifies "red flags" that suggest over-involvement, poor boundaries
identifies and explores the dynamic of "iatrogenic damage"
provides many opportunities to individually and collectively process difficult case scenarios and apply ethical principles

21) The Balancing Act of Dr. Melfi and Tony Soprano: Walking the Tightrope of Ethical Clinical Practice

uses a variety of film clips from the HBO series "The Sopranos" to explore the therapeutic alliance between a mob boss and his therapist, and the inevitable ethical issues that arise from their relationship
explores COMAR rulings and the NASW Code of Ethics as they relate to the legal obligations of clinical practice
addresses deviations in the "standard of care" related to boundaries, confidentiality and dual relationships
identifies "red flags" that suggest counter-transferential triggers and over-involvement
explores the victim/perpetrator dynamics that often get re-enacted in the therapeutic relationship
illustrates challenges related to self-disclosure, limit-setting, boundary-testing, and transference
addresses the appropriate guidelines for termination

22) Working with Trauma: Challenges, Pitfalls and Rewards

processes the particular challenges of working with traumatized clients and toxic material
addresses boundaries, self-disclosure, counter-transferential issues
explores vicarious traumatization and burn-out
explores the pitfalls of working with abreactive experiences including inappropriate pacing, lack of containment, flooding
processes the sense of fulfillment, purpose, and productivity that can be experienced in working with trauma survivors

(B) ISSUES OF SELF-CARE FOR THE HELPING PROFESSIONAL:

23) Transcending Pickles and Jams: The Art of Preserving Yourself

addresses ways to preserve and enhance who you are and what you do
explores the challenges of "taking care of others" inherent to helping professionals
addresses issues of internal vs. external validation at the workplace
explores ways to protect yourself against co-dependent dynamics
addresses issues of boundary setting, assertiveness skills and emotional triggers
experiential ways to address issues of self-care, personal needs and rights

(writing exercises, collages, role plays, using clay)

24) Traumatic Transference and Counter-transference: Trauma and Its Impact on the Therapeutic Alliance

processes the unique and complicated dynamics between trauma survivor/practitioner
explores how traumatic past relationships permeate the therapeutic alliance
addresses issues of trust, betrayal, dependency, control
looks at traumatized children, adolescents and adults
how "testing" and provocative behaviors, hyper-vigilance, abreactions challenge therapy explores counter-transferential issues: vicarious traumatization; rescuing; enabling
offers strategies for limit-setting and maintaining appropriate boundaries
includes case scenarios and experientials

25) Co-Dependency and the Health Care/ Helping Professional

understanding the evolution and manifestations of co-dependency
dynamics of co-dependent relationships with clients
the impact co-dependency has on helping professionals
how to avoid/transcend co-dependent interactions
addresses burn-out, issues of boundaries, self-care, etc.

26) Helping Others While Taking Care of Yourself

allows participants to re-evaluate their relationships with and feelings about their workplace environment, clients and colleagues
focuses on boundary setting and staying mindful of personal needs and feelings
explores co-dependency and the dynamics of enabling and rescuing
helps participants understand how co-dependency manifests for them in the workplace and in their personal lives
processes ways to reduce and avoid co-dependent interactions/manage stress

27) Paying No Attention To The Man Behind The Curtain

explores the ways in which our minds and bodies manifest stress, over-load and burn-out

discusses ways in which we ignore our internal cues and compromise self-care
offers strategies to deal with workplace stress, enhancing "stillness" and relaxation
techniques for inner awareness, self-esteem and playfulness
employs Ericksonian guided-imagery,"focusing", deep breathing
work with clay, writing exercises and simple body movements
small group work, writing experientials and clients' artwork is incorporated

(C) ISSUES RELATED TO WORKPLACE DYNAMICS:

28) Understanding and Working with Difficult People: Keeping it Together When it Starts to Fall Apart

explores the inherent challenges of the helping professions
understanding why people are difficult
the impact difficult people have on the health care professional
strategies for working with difficult people
communication/assertiveness/ managing anger/ negotiating and mediating
setting limits and boundaries/ protecting yourself emotionally
involves role plays and experiential exercises

29) Reducing Stress and Increasing Positive Thinking in the Workplace

explores the physiological process of stress and how it effects your body
processes possible causes of workplace stress
reviews emotional, cognitive, behavioral and physical manifestations of stress
focuses on the cognitive therapy paradigm: identifying negative or distorted thoughts; how to re-frame thoughts and make them more positive; changing the way you think to change the way you feel
teaches David Burns' cognitive strategies including: examining the evidence; the double-standard test; re-attribution; cost-benefits analysis; playing devil's advocate, to help change thinking
uses meditation, internal focusing, deep breathing, guided imagery and physical exercise to help with stress relief.