Presenter: Allison LoPilato, PhD; Rebecca Schneider, PhD; Joya Hampton-Anderson, PhD

CE Details: 3CE, Intermediate

Values work is central to several psychotherapies and is an important aspect of treatment. This is particularly true for adolescents given the critical development of identity and autonomy during this period. This workshop provides a comprehensive overview of how to integrate values into adolescent treatment. Part 1 will highlight the role of development, context, and identity (e.g., racial/sexual minority) in values clarification and how these considerations inform treatment. Part 2 will illustrate values in action for depressed/anxious adolescents. We will discuss how values are impacted by these disorders and demonstrate how to effectively incorporate values to strengthen existing interventions.

PRESENTER QUALIFICATIONS

Allison LoPilato, PhD is an Assistant Professor in the Emory Department of Psychiatry and Co-Director of the Emory Child & Adolescent Mood Program. She is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in the treatment of youth mood disorders and emotion dysregulation. She is certified in DBT-Child and has extensive training in DBT, BA, and CBT interventions.  Dr. LoPilato is an NIH-funded clinical research investigator focused on identifying new intervention targets for youth mood disorders and designing teen-driven care. She co-developed an adolescent treatment manual and has given several national clinical workshops on adolescent depression treatment. Dr. LoPilato is also the author of several research papers and book chapters on mental health, childhood adversity, stress and treatment in youth populations.

Rebecca Schneider, PhD is an Assistant Professor and licensed psychologist at the Emory University School of Medicine. She is the Director of the Child OCD Program at Emory (COPE), a telehealth-based intensive outpatient program for youth with OCD. Dr. Schneider received her PhD from the University of Colorado Boulder and completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the OCD Institute for Children and Adolescents (OCDI Jr.) at McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School. Her clinical and research interests focus on using acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) with an emphasis on values to enhance exposure treatment for OCD and anxiety in youth. Dr. Schneider is a board member of OCD Georgia and co-founder of the OCD Special Interest Group of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science. She has published several research papers and given numerous presentations on ACT, emotion dysregulation, and OCD and anxiety in youth.

Joya Hampton-Anderson, PhD is an Assistant Professor and Licensed Clinical Psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Emory School of Medicine. Dr. Hampton-Anderson received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Emory University and completed her postdoctoral fellowship at Emory University School of Medicine. Her program of research aims to understand the sociocultural determinants of health disparities and integrated health outcomes in youth and families, with a particular interest in childhood adversity, chronic stress, and culturally responsive clinical practice and research. Clinically, Dr. Hampton-Anderson works with youth and families using an integrative, empirically supported, and culturally responsive approach to treatment. She has published several research papers and given numerous presentations on culturally responsive care and racial/ethnic minority mental health concerns.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Describe the theoretical, developmental, contextual, and identity-related factors that influence values clarification and work with adolescent populations.
2. Demonstrate how targeted values work can be implemented in treatment for depressed and anxious adolescents.
3. Review common conflicts and obstacles to values work specific to adolescents.

Presenter: Lori Welch-Sigmon, Ph.D., HSP

CE Details: 3CE Intermediate

An increasing prevalence of substance abuse means that many clients who present for therapy for other conditions also qualify for substance use diagnoses. Training programs provide minimal education about substance use disorders (SUDs) and psychologists wrestle with best practices for addressing them in clinical practice. This seminar focuses on substance abuse in individuals with co-occurring mental health conditions and explores evidence-based assessment strategies to inform treatment recommendations. Recommendations focus on motivating and engaging the client in services for substance abuse, with considerations for clients with suicidal ideation, serious mental illness, cultural and socioeconomic barriers, and systemic factors impacting access.

PRESENTER QUALIFICATIONS

Dr. Lori Welch-Sigmon is an Assistant Professor at Augusta University/Medical College of Georgia in the Department of Psychiatry, as well as Assistant Professor and Faculty Mentor with Liberty University in the Department of Counseling. She provides hospital-based clinical training for doctoral students in severe mental illness, substance abuse, and comorbid health issues. She received postdoctoral training in Community Psychology and spiritually integrative care in Atlanta, Georgia and has post-doctoral certifications in Executive/Leadership Coaching from the College of Executive Coaching and Kennesaw State University. She has served on the MCG Group for Women in Medicine and Science Policy and Advocacy Committee (Co-Chair), Department of Psychiatry DEI Committee, and Medical Student Promotion Committee. She is a reviewer for teaching awards, conferences, and trainee research projects. Dr. Welch is a member of the National Register of Health Service Psychologists, Georgia Psychological Association, Southeastern Psychological Association, and American Association of Christian Counselors.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Identify when clients with co-occurring disorders would benefit from substance abuse screening and summarize best practices in diagnostic assessment procedures for substance use disorders.
2. Outline best practices with clients with varying circumstances, including suicidal ideation, serious mental illness, cultural and socioeconomic barriers, and systemic factors impacting access.
3. Apply strategies for providing feedback, using client values, and increasing motivation to engage in substance abuse treatment.

Presenter: Traci S. Williams, PsyD, ABPP, CFT-I™

CE Details: 3CE, Intermediate

Most mental health graduate programs do not include training in the assessment and treatment of financial health concerns. Meanwhile, according to APA’s Stress in America survey (2022), 65% of adults note money as a significant source of stress. Conflicts around money are notable in distressed couples and often contribute to separation and divorce (Hill et al., 2017). Overall, socioeconomic distress is correlated with physical and mental health problems (Kivimäki et al., 2020). Thus, assessing financial difficulties is integral to therapeutic practice. This workshop will describe assessment and evidence-based treatment approaches for general practice. The financial disparities faced by minorities will be included.

PRESENTER QUALIFICATIONS

Dr. Traci Williams is a Board-Certified Clinical Psychologist and Certified Financial Therapist. For the past six years, she has been an Assistant Professor at Emory University. Dr. Traci has over a decade of experience assessing and treating all age groups, with specializations in child, adolescent, and family psychology. She has presented on a variety of mental health topics in professional settings, both nationally and internationally. Her social media platform, Healthy Wealthy Roots, provides information and guidance, serving to improve families’ emotional, mental, and financial health. Dr. Traci is a proud Trinidadian who calls Atlanta her second home.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1.  Describe the relationship between money matters and mental health across diverse populations.
2. Assess clients’ beliefs and values about money, as well as existing financial difficulties
3. Recognize the signs and symptoms of disordered money behavior. 
4. Utilize evidence-based treatment approaches to address financial health concerns.

Presenter: Anisah Bagasra, PhD

CE Details:  3 CE, Introductory

This workshop will provide professionals with basic knowledge of Islamic beliefs, attitudes and common social norms that often impact willingness to seek help, conceptions of mental health, and attitudes toward treatment options. The goal is to discuss major Islamic worldviews, social norms, and common concerns of the Muslim community that can impact the ability to effectively engage and communicate with Muslim clients, colleagues, and students. The workshop will provide participants with information that reduces explicit and implicit bias, increases level of comfort serving a diverse Muslim population, and develop effective communication related to religious beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors.

PRESENTER QUALIFICATIONS

Anisah Bagasra, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychological Science at Kennesaw State University who specializes in behavioral health research in the Muslim American and African American faith communities. Her experience building traditional and online undergraduate curriculum led to the creation of a Psychology major at Claflin University, where she also spearheaded the launch of online degree programs prior to joining KSU. She teaches a wide range of psychology courses and mentors students engaged in undergraduate research with a focus on culturally competent research in minority communities. Her recent publications include three edited volumes, “Working with Muslim Clients in the Helping Professions”, and “The Changing Faces of Higher Education: From Boomers to Millennials” and "The Impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the 21st Century as well as articles on acculturation in the Muslim American community, and religiosity and alcohol consumption amongst HBCU students.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1.  Identify existing misconceptions about Islam and Muslims that may influence your own beliefs and attitudes towards the Muslim population, and how these may impact your professional interactions (Competency 2).

2.  Describe common Muslim worldviews as it relates to perceptions of mental illness, attitudes towards various treatment options, and typical help-seeking behaviors (Competency 3, 4, and 5).

3.  Compare common Muslim worldviews to your own expectations about illness and wellness and courses of action (Competency 1).

4.  Identify common Muslim social norms and discuss how these social norms may impact your standard interactions and behaviors in the therapeutic setting (Competency 1 and 6).

5.  Describe tools that can be used to discuss religiosity and the role of spirituality for the Muslim client (Competency 6).

6.  Apply this knowledge learned to hypothetical situations provided in the workshop (Competency 3 and 6).