9239 Gross Point Road, Skokie
815 W. Van Buren, Chicago
180 W. Park Avenue, Elmhurst
Call 847-676-4447 x304 for appointments
or a confidential assessment
Spanish speaking therapists available
Home > Workshops & Training > Upcoming Schedule
Workshops & Training
Upcoming Workshops Schedule
Registration Form "Pieces of the Puzzle" Professional Workshop Series
January 1st 2012 - December 31st 2012
The popular Pieces of the Puzzle training series is back and better than ever! This year we have added a few new topics and lengthened others. As always the 3 hour trainings will be $50 and the 6 hour trainings are offered for $100. Participants will receive one CEU for each hour. Please click on the workshop titles below to see specific information for each training.
February 24th 2012 - February 24th 2012 - $50.00
Understanding and Meeting the Clinical Needs of Gay Men Through a Non-Judgmental Lens
Using a DBT focused lens, we will discuss specific clinical issues that confront gay men. Particular attention will be devoted to the interplay between environmental factors such as isolation, internalized and external homophobia and biological factors including alcohol, substance abuse and psychiatric conditions increase gay men's vulnerabilities to engage in sexually addictive behaviors. Importance will be placed on seeing sexually addictive behaviors through a non-judgmental lens, while exploring a key dialectical dilemma for gay men; how to celebrate sexual freedom while maintaining meaningful connections.
This workshop will be led by Ron Pestana, LCSW and will be held at our Skokie office from 9:00am to Noon.
Registration Form
March 16th 2012 - March 16th 2012 - $100.00
Bridging Mind and Body: Interventions in the Clinical Practice
Among the many things that traditional clinical training teaches us is the value and importance of words and language in the relationships that we develop with our clients……yet sometimes we are confronted with the limitations of the spoken word as a means to helping them achieve the level of personal understanding and self compassion which is necessary for the healing and change that they desire.
In this workshop, participants will be introduced to a variety of clinical interventions which use the body as a guide to access a deeper awareness of emotional issues and as a vehicle for healing. Included in the discussion will be the use of Yoga, Mindfulness, Breath, Reiki, Imagery, EMDR and Expressive Arts. As we explore how and when these modalities can be incorporated into our clinical practice, there will also be an opportunity to experience some of these interventions. This workshop will be led by Dee Crowley, LCSW, RYT and Peg Duros, LCSW, RYT.
Registration Form
April 20th 2012 - April 20th 2012 - $100.00
Trauma-Sensitive Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Trauma-Sensitive Dialectical Behavior Therapy, TS-DBT, fluidly integrates the two realms of standard DBT and trauma reactive symptom reduction techniques. The three stage treatment organizational model, The Collaborative Stage Model, grounds TS-DBT and weaves it into the fabric of the overall treatment process. This workshop focuses on increasing the therapist’s skills in attunement, effective of use of validation in the treatment process, affect co-regulation, and teaching skills that will decrease the client’s vulnerability to the mind state of trauma.
Clinicians will also learn specific DBT techniques such as
1) Diary Cards
2) Behavior Analysis
3) Dialectical Pros and Cons thinking
4) Mindfulness Techniques, that you can quickly add to your treatment intervention repertoire.
This special DBT workshop will run from 9:00 to 4:00 and your registration price will include lunch.
Ongoing Consultation
Ongoing consultation will be available once per month for an hour and a half at a rate of $40 per session. Consultation will be conducted by either Webinar or Teleconference to allow individuals to participate without having to leave their home or office.
Registration Form
May 18th 2012 - May 18th 2012 - $100.00
The Trauma State of Mind
Clients with trauma histories are often the hardest to engage in therapy. The sometimes traumatic re-experiencing in therapy and in their lives, can lead to dissociation, inner chaos or rigidity so consistently that they shut down their emotions, become seemingly unreachable, and can't even begin to engage or progress in the therapeutic process. In this workshop we will explore how to weave together a number of sensori-motor and mindfulness techniques with other approaches, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Imagery, and EMDR, to quickly help such clients move out of "trauma mind" and into mind states that give them a more secure internal locus of control. Clients then feel less helpless and more capable of “taking in” therapy, and participating effectively in their lives. You’ll learn how to pick up the body-cues of hyper-arousal and disassociation. Cues including nausea, shallow breathing, shaking, and changes in skin complexion. You will also learn how to teach clients to identify their own body and sensory experiences relative to different state of mind, thus becoming more attuned to their inner experience and better able to participate in the clinical work. The workshop will also cover mindfulness, breath awareness, and self observation techniques.
The first part of this training will be from 9:00 am to Noon in the Skokie office. The second part of the training will be conducted via Webinar at a later date do provide consultation and report back on new interventions. Both sessions will be led by Anita Mandley, LCPC and David Kessler, MA.
Registration Form
June 22nd 2012 - June 22nd 2012 - $50.00
A Clinician's Compass for Working with Traumatized Children
If you feel overwhelmed by the complexities of working with traumatized children and their families, this training will give you tools and clarity. First we will map out how trauma works with children in an understandable, applicable way. Then, concrete directions are offered for navigating the challenging road of healing children who have experienced multiple, traumatic experiences. You will learn how to use a three stage therapeutic model designed to give you a blueprint for structuring the process of change. Through visual, experiential and storytelling techniques, you will gain the knowledge you need to facilitate change.
This training will be held from 9:00 am to Noon in our Skokie Office and will be led by Kelli Underwood, LCSW.
Registration Form
July 20th 2012 - July 20th 2012 - $100.00
Introduction to TF-CBT
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is an evidence based model that treats Post Traumatic Stress symptoms in children, ages 4 to 18. TF-CBT provides systemic and structured interventions that help children and their families heal from traumatic events. This workshop will go through the components of TF-CBT, including: Psycho-education, Parenting Skills, Relaxation, Affect Regulation, Cognitive Coping, Trauma Narrative In-vivo Desensitization, Conjoint parent-child sessions, enhancing safety and future development. Case examples, ideas for implementing the components and trauma narrative samples will be included. We will also discuss how to implement TF-CBT with clients who have complex trauma and traumatic grief. Glenda Rogers, MFT, presenter.
Registration Form
August 10th 2012 - August 10th 2012 - $100.00
Post-Traumatic Slavery Syndrome
It would be impossible to experience more the 35o years of full spectrum invalidation, trauma, and abuse without monumental consequences. The impact of slavery, segregation, and racism has affected the African American emotionally, psychologically, neurologically, and genetically. This syndrome is often unrecognized, unacknowledged, and under-treated within the mental health community. The symptoms are often either not seen, or seen through the lens of criminal behaviors, or maladaptive idiosyncratic behaviors, as opposed to emotional, psychological, neurological, and genetic adaptations to trauma. The mental health community can be an effective agent of healing and change. The requirements include: education, acknowledgment, an effective treatment model, effective treatment interventions, and effective management of the therapist's own reactivity.
This training will be held from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm in our Skokie Office and will be led by Anita Mandley, LCPC.
Registration Form
September 14th 2012 - September 14th 2012 - $50.00
Translating the ADHD experience - Turning Vulnerabilities into Strengths
Working with the diagnosis of ADHD presents very differently in different people. Oppositional behavior, procrastination and laziness aren’t always what they seem. This training will help participants decode ADHD behavior, learn simple real world accommodations to assist people with ADHD as well as developing your own skills for dealing with this dynamic population.
This training will be held from 9:00 am to Noon in our Skokie Office and will be led by David Kessler, LCPC
Registration Form
October 19th 2012 - October 19th 2012 - $50.00
Angry & Violent Couples; Creating a New Paradigm Utilizing Effective Innovative Strategies