PRESENTED BY Alexia Rothman, Ph.D.

AFTERNOON SESSION | 12:45pm - 4:00pm

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This session is available for live stream.

THIS WORKSHOP CONTINUES OVER 2 DAYS. THIS IS A CONTINUATION OF DAY ONE (Nov 13)

After decades of clinical innovation and recent scientific research, the empirically validated Internal Family Systems (IFS) model has been shown to be effective at improving clients’ general functioning and well-being. This paradigm-shifting model provides clinicians with procedures for helping clients with the most challenging mental health profiles compassionately connect with the wounded, burdened, and traumatized parts of their systems.

The IFS model provides a compassionate, respectful, non-pathologizing approach to understanding the organization and functioning of the human psyche.

IFS embraces and celebrates the natural multiplicity of the mind. Its assumption that every part of the internal system has good intention and valuable resources allows clinicians to approach even the most troubling of “symptoms” with curiosity and respect. IFS offers therapists a powerful and effective set of tools for empowering clients with a wide range of clinical profiles to work effectively with their wounded parts, resulting in:

• A way to enter clients’ inner ecology without an overemphasis on containment and stabilization

• Symptom reduction, increased internal harmony and improved functioning for clients

• Deep self-healing within even the most troubled clients

Through instruction, video demonstration, experiential exercises and skills practice, Alexia D. Rothman, Ph.D., Certified IFS therapist and consultant and colleague of Dr. Richard Schwartz (founder of IFS) will show you step-by-step how to apply the most effective, empirically validated IFS interventions to help your clients connect with and understand their conflicting parts to facilitate deep, lasting healing.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Step 3: Healing the Traumatic Wound

• Develop a compassionate, connected relationship with the wounded part

• Witness the pain rather than re-experience it: Learn to be “with”, not “in”, to avoid re-traumatization

• Retrieve the wounded part from “trauma time”

• Release/unburden thoughts, feelings, and beliefs

•  Integrate change into the system: the post-healing process

Bringing IFS Concepts to Life

• “Working mediations” to allow participants to experience connection with parts of their own internal systems

• Experiential exercises to practice application of IFS techniques

• Video demonstration of IFS therapy with a real client

• Step-by-step commentary to solidify understanding of techniques illustrated in the video sessions

PRESENTED BY Caroline Buzanko, Ph.D., R. Psych

AFTERNOON SESSION | 12:45pm - 4:00pm

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This session is available for live stream.

THIS IS A CONTINUATION OF THE MORNING SESSION 

Despite all the resources and training programs out there, in our post-pandemic world, anxiety is more pervasive than ever before, and people are finding it harder and harder to cope. Unfortunately, when they seek support, many anxious clients do not receive the right kind of help and some professionals even make anxiety worse.

In this workshop, you will discover evidence-based interventions and practical strategies to boost anxious client’s internal locus of control and master anxiety. Designed specifically for mental health professionals, this workshop goes beyond the basics and offers specialized knowledge and skills to optimize outcomes with anxious clients. Using a transdiagnostic approach, you’ll leave with a toolbox filled with concrete strategies that you can use immediately, no matter the nature or severity of your clients’ anxiety.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

• Confidently explain the nature of anxiety in-depth, along with the neural pathways to anxiety and how this information informs treatment.

• Identify environmental factors that may contribute to anxiety.

• Develop a case formulation and intervention map based on the client’s triggers and anxiety-provoking situations.

• Explain the key components of evidence-based interventions for anxiety.

• Apply practical strategies to help clients manage anxiety effectively.

• Successfully help clients to face, and change their relationship with, fear.

• Use exposure therapy confidently in meaningful, successful ways.

PRESENTED BY Zachary Walsh, Ph.D.

AFTERNOON SESSION | 12:45pm - 4:00pm

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This session is available for live stream.

Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy has been described as the most important new development in mental health treatment in the last 50 years. The past decade has witnessed and incredible resurgence in interest in the potential of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy to address diverse mental health concerns and several psychedelic medicines are nearing approval as prescription medications. This workshop will get you up to date on this emerging therapy.

Spend a day learning: What is the history of these ancient medicines and how have they been used by the Indigenous peoples of the Americas? What are the similarities and differences among psilocybin, magic mushrooms, ayahuasca, DMT, LSD, MDMA, ecstasy, and ketamine? What does psychedelic psychotherapy look like? What is the legal status of these medicines? When and how can health care professionals get involved in using these medicines for addressing mental health and what might change over the next decade? What does the research tell us about clinical efficacy? What is microdosing? What are the risks and benefits for anxiety, depression, trauma & addiction?… and a lot more.

Understanding the new psychedelic landscape will help you to successfully engage with clients and students; to know how to explore psychedelic use and interest. This workshop will help you into leading edge research and lots of information you never learned in school.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

• Psychedelic pharmacology – how do psychedelics work in the brain

• The risks and benefits for anxiety, depression, trauma and addiction

• Aspects of psychedelic psychotherapy – preparation, psychedelic session, integration

• How to assess when psychedelic use might be a risk

• Legal landscape for psychedelic psychotherapy

PRESENTED BY Jonah Paquette, Psy.D.

AFTERNOON SESSION | 12:45pm - 4:00pm

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This session is available for live stream.

While most mental health approaches focus on addressing deficits and treating psychopathology, recent research has begun to shed light on the core principles for well-being, and how we can harness these skills towards lasting positive change. Combining neuroscience and positive psychology, participants in this workshop will learn about some of the key brain systems linked to well-being, and how to strengthen these through positive self-directed neuroplasticity. In addition, we will explore how specific skills such as compassion, gratitude, savouring, and self-compassion can improve our physical health, social connections, and overall functioning. We’ll also explore some of the common myths related to happiness, and discuss factors that help explain why happiness can feel so hard to come by.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

• Identify the key benefits of happiness to our physical health, emotional well-being, and interpersonal relationships

• Articulate the concept of the brain’s negativity bias and its importance

• Administer specific practices to cultivate self-compassion, create flow states, identify and utilize strengths, and savour positive experiences