Fall Social Work Institute

Keynote Presentation:

Hell NO we won’t change:
Motivating Change in Complex Trauma Survivors (1.5 hrs)

Robert Rhoton, PsyD, Psychologist, LPC
CEO Arizona Trauma Institute

Complex trauma survivors often experience profound and pervasive effects that can impact their ability to stay motivated in treatment. Complex trauma, also known as chronic or relational trauma, involves experiencing multiple and prolonged traumatic events, often in the context of relationships or a caregiver system. The strategies that organically emerge to preserve safety, reduce threat and arousal have become automatic (auto-pilot) behaviors that often interfere with the transformation process. During this 90-minute presentation, you will learn the five basic reasons motivation is a challenge for both the client and the helper in treatment and how to enhance “motivation” in treatment.

Learning Objectives:

• Avoidance and numbing: Trauma survivors often develop coping strategies such as avoiding or numbing difficult emotions, thoughts, or memories. This can make it challenging to engage in therapy, which requires facing and processing these experiences. As a result, survivors may feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or disengaged from the therapeutic process.
• Trust issues: Complex trauma can shatter a person’s sense of safety and trust in others. This can make it difficult for survivors to trust their therapist or the therapeutic process, leading to resistance or avoidance of therapy. In addition, some survivors may have a history of being mistreated or retraumatized by mental health professionals, which can increase their reluctance to engage in treatment.
• Shame and self-blame: Survivors of complex trauma may struggle with intense feelings of shame and self-blame, believing that they are responsible for the trauma they experienced. This can lead to self-doubt, low self-esteem, and a sense of unworthiness, which can make it difficult to engage in treatment or believe that recovery is possible.
• Overwhelming emotions: Complex trauma survivors may struggle with intense and overwhelming emotions, such as fear, anger, shame, or guilt. These emotions can be triggered by therapy sessions, making it difficult for survivors to stay engaged and motivated in treatment. Additionally, some survivors may struggle to regulate their emotions, making it challenging to tolerate the distress that can arise during therapy.
• Multiple or co-occurring issues: Survivors of complex trauma often have multiple or co-occurring issues, such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, or physical health problems. These issues can be interconnected, making it difficult to address them separately. As a result, survivors may feel overwhelmed or discouraged by the complexity of their treatment needs.

Ethics in the Clinical Relationship (1.5 hrs Ethics)

Mark Sanders, LCSW, CADC

Mark Sanders, LCSW, CADC is a nationally-recognized clinician and educator. During this program, Mark addresses critical ethical principles that guide ethical decision making in clinical relationships.

Objectives: By the end of this workshop, you will:

• Be able to utilize 8 principles which can guide ethical decision making
• Be aware of how counselor unfinished business can impact ethics
• Be able to establish healthy boundaries in the clinical relationship
• Be aware of 5 types of transference and how they can impact ethics
• Be able to use countertransference as a gift to avoid ethical dilemmas
• Be able to terminate the clinical relationship in an ethical manner

Sexual Offenders:
Clinical Treatment & Recovery, Challenges & Successes (1.5 hrs)

Marie Romeo, MSW, LCSW

Learning Objectives:

• Address the challenges in working with clients who have engaged in sexual abuse.
• Explore why is it important to work with individuals who have used sexual abuse.
• Discuss best practices in working with the sexual offender population.
• Discuss self-care, including recognizing clinical bias and identifying secondary trauma and compassion fatigue.

Everyone Dies, It’s Inevitable! (1.5 hrs)

Nancy H. Betker, MSW
Compassion & Choices – Chicago

Denial, avoidance, family scripts and promises, unfinished business, and failure to prepare are all strikingly familiar issues surrounding death and dying and family systems. This program presents counseling methods and resources that make discussing and planning for the reality of “your inevitable death” a positive supportive process.

Learning Objectives:

• Address psycho/social barriers to talking and planning about our inevitable death
• Define the medical landscape of end-of-life options
• Become familiar with and know why basic paperwork helps avoid conflict and guilt around death
• Learn how to introduce the topic of preparation to clients and your own loved ones
• Provide free resources for participants and their clients

Child and Elder Abuse & Neglect-Mandatory Reporting (1 hr Mandatory Reporting)

Nicole Miller, LCSW

Social workers are one of many professions that bear the responsibility of being mandated reporters. Current research presents both the necessity & impact of increased mandated reporting in our society. While it serves to protect the most vulnerable populations, it can also create a culture of fear and mistrust. This workshop identifies your professional responsibilities and both the benefits and the challenges associated with mandated reporting, while also distinguishing region-specific regulations.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the necessities and barriers associated with mandated reporting.
• Recognize the need for balancing reporting and protecting patient rights, confidentiality and rapport.
• Navigate the legal obligations as required by one’s region/state.