Second Saturday Seminars

Saturday, September 10th @9:00 am (CST)

Trauma has touched the lives of many clients that walk through our doors. As helping professionals, awareness of trauma’s impact neurologically, behaviorally, and emotionally is crucial to guiding someone towards peace. Our language must be both compassionate and hopeful. This presentation will address the impact of trauma, how to create a safe space for healing to occur, define healing, review the current trauma treatment interventions (both top-down and bottom-up approaches), as well as encourage self-reflection of how our own stories influence our capacity as helpers. This presentation is designed for both new and seasoned professionals to enhance and refocus the importance of using a trauma lens in providing the most effective treatment possible.

Saturday, October 8th @9:00 am (CST)

This seminar will review the symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and their impact on relationships and communication. It will delve into often overlooked aspects of ADHD including how symptoms present differently in adults and women, the role of emotion regulation, and the importance of executive function skills. It will provide practical knowledge, strategies, and resources to help attendees better support individuals whose relationships have been impacted by ADHD.

Using Best Practices to Serve Perinatal People Affected by Postpartum Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMAD)

Saturday, November 12th @9:00 am (CST)

The way society views “modern motherhood” is hurting moms and families. Perinatal experts Elizabeth Stallone-Lowder MSW, LCSW and Kim Martino-Sexton BA, M.Ed will train participants on the importance of utilizing their proprietary “Heartland Protocol” for Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) developed after almost 40 years of combined experience in the field of perinatal mental health. Implementing the Heartland Protocol with your client population will help identify, treat and can prevent PMAD. Learn how to spot red flags earlier and make a real difference in the lives of your clients. This protocol features evidence-based practices and involves in-depth learning and experiential exercises related to better understanding PMADs in regards to assessment, referral practices and appropriate follow-up care. Important factors emphasized throughout this training are racial disparities in healthcare, compassion fatigue prevention, and mindfulness for clients and providers alike. This training is designed to ultimately benefit moms in the perinatal lifestage as well as their families by equipping professionals with evidence-based tools and skills with a focus on clinical concepts such as containment, empathy, destigmatizing mental health, holding space as well as a person-centered approach. Professionals who specialize in PMAD are encouraged to attend as well as ANY care provider who works directly with women, parents and families.

Saturday, December 10th @9:00 am (CST)

This workshop reviews best practices for working with individuals living with dementia and those supporting them, including psychotherapy, Cognitive Stimulation Therapy, Reminiscence Therapy, Life Review and person-centered care, in an effort to prepare dementia-capable practitioners and expand programming to enhance the quality of life of this population.

Britt Lueken is a licensed social worker and former Montessori teacher. Her passion for working with older adults started when she began taking care of her grandmother, who had Alzheimer’s. She continues to be influenced by Montessori in her work with older adults, which provides a methodology for constructive communication, fostering independence, self-efficacy and the cultivation of a community rooted in respect and dignity.

Cheryl Kinney is a licensed clinical social worker and certified life coach with over 30 years experience working with older adults and caregivers. Cheryl teaches University-level courses on aging and recently launched a private counseling practice after working over 24 years for the Alzheimer’s Association. Cheryl has lost her father, his parents and several of their siblings to Alzheimer’s disease.

Together, Britt and Cheryl created Memory Keepers, LLC, a virtual program based on the principles of cognitive stimulation therapy and other evidenced-based interventions for those living with dementia.

Saturday, January 14th @9:00 am (CST)

DESCRIPTION COMING SOON!

Saturday, February 11th @9:00 am (CST)

This seminar will discuss the ways developmental trauma affects brain development and ways that neurofeedback can help to train the brain out of trauma-induced, maladaptive ways of being. The seminar will be based on the work of Dan Siegel, Allan Schore, Sebern Fisher, and Ruth Lanius.

Reframing Therapeutic Work with the Adulterer and the Betrayed

Saturday, March 11th @9:00 am (CST)

How often have you sat with a couple in the aftermath of an affair where the betrayed dominates the session with the need to share their hurt, disbelief, and anger while the cheater sits mutely? How often have you worked with a couple who can’t move past discussing ‘why’ the betrayal happened even years after an affair? This presentation specifies therapeutic steps the violator needs to take to deepen their apology. Saying “I’m Sorry” is not enough to communicate remorse and rebuild trust. You, as the therapist, must encourage the integration of past transgressions with expanded awareness, authenticity, and honesty.

As necessitated to balance the relationship repair, Dr. Miller will also lead a discussion and general tips for the work of the betrayed. Case studies inclusive of heterosexual and same-sex couples, those who had in-person affairs and secret online relationships, will illustrate that healing for both individuals cannot happen without deep introspection. The discussion will stimulate, shift, and re-energize therapists’ affair repair work. Attendees will receive a free e-book edition of More Than Sorry: 5 Steps to Deepen Your Apology After You Have Committed Infidelity.

Attendees will be able to summarize the five steps to deepen an apology after an affair, list five exercises for clients to deepen their self-understanding and identify personal biases in working with infidelity.

Reject the Diet Culture and Embrace Intuitive Eating

Saturday, April 8th @9:00 am (CST)