Public Speaking
Over the years I have been hearing from more and more colleagues in the behavioral health sciences that they either had just one or maybe two courses on addiction during their academic careers, or conversely, they had just one or maybe two courses on mental health during their academic career.
If you are an educator teaching in sociology, psychology, health sciences, or addiction studies I can create a lecture that will enhance the material you are currently presenting from the substance abuse & co-occurring disorder perspective. I can be contracted for a single day with multiple classes or we can discuss additional days or weeks.
In addition to my clinical background in this area of mental health I am also a person that has recovered from substance abuse and a co-occurring disorder thereby presenting a 'unique' perspective to the participants.
Workshop Offerings
"Humor as a Therapeutic Component within Counseling Relationships
& Health In General."
Research will be presented as to the types of humor therapists utilize and in what situations they tend to employ this strategy. Over the past twenty years many of the anecdotal benefits of humor have been empirically proven. Such as laughter lowering blood pressure, decreasing stress hormones, increasing muscle flexion to name a few. Did you know that there are approximately sixty-four different types of humor? Are there times when humor can be detrimental? In what instances, by the usage of what types?
“Stress-Busting for the Mental Health/Health Care Worker.”
In this workshop, participants look at stressors not only in the workplace, but in all areas of their daily life. Participants are led through a lifestyle questionnaire with open discussion encouraged; then a didactic that presents some of the more common forms of everyday stress; The presentation concludes with day-to-day stressors being discussed, (with emphasis on those in the workplace). Participants will take an active role in the formulation of solution scenarios that will affect change.
“Relapse Warning Signs: Past Views & Present Views.”
Presentation from the 30th Annual Harvard Medical School/Cambridge Hospital’s “Treating the Addictions” two-day conference. Participants are led through the past views held in the addiction field as to what constituted relapse warnings signs, and then through a present clinical view of relapse warning signs. Particular interest is paid to chronic relapse and co-occurring disorders. Also included, are resources available for the dual diagnosed.
“Working with Clients that have Substance Abuse & Co-Occurring Disorders”
In this workshop, participants will gain an understanding of what constitutes a co-occurring disorder, the differing types that fall under this heading, what techniques to utilize when working within this population. The issue and complications of “substance induced mood disorder” will be discussed with clinical observations presented. Aftercare planning and the presentation and explanation of community support groups, such as DRA, DBSA, SMART Recovery.
(Addiction Treatment Facilities and Addiction Education Programs find this workshop to be especially beneficial for those on staff without co-occurring disorder experience)