CRITICAL ISSUES FACING CHILDREN & ADOLESCENTS 2023

Many acts of school violence have been averted because someone in the school setting was paying attention. In this session Molly Hudgens, a school counselor from Pleasant View, Tennessee, who stopped a school shooting at her middle school in 2016 the day before her 40th birthday, will share the thirty-nine “Pay-Attentions” she learned from eighteen years of research into acts of mass violence on school campuses. Each “Pay Attention” highlights a perpetrator and mass shooting incident because in understanding these attacks, we honor the victims while better educating ourselves to prevent future tragedies.

After attending this session, you will be able to:
1) Discuss the strengths as well as the gaps and needs for safety in school settings; and,
2) Describe how behavioral health professionals in and out of school settings can best work together for the success of students individually and as a whole.

As a result of attending this presentation, you will be able to:
1) TBA
2) TBA

The topic of therapeutic relationships inspired a plethora of research around the world but the data is not disseminated to practicing professionals at a desired rate (Norcross & Lambert, 2018). It is also statistically correlated to therapy outcome before modality (Norcross, 2010).
In this presentation about therapeutic relationships, we will share our lived experience, talk about the definition, conceptualization, empirical research, balancing humanity, vulnerability, professionalism and academic rigor. At the end of this exchange, you will leave with a clinical tool that will help you talk about therapeutic relationships with your clients so they know what to expect.

As a result of attending this presentation, you will be able to:
1) Cite the research around therapeutic relationships with youth and families; and,
2) Demonstrate techniques to positively and effectively build this relationship with youth of various ages and their family members including those who may be resistant to involvement in therapy.

Practitioners often ask how Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) has been adapted for teens, particularly those struggling with suicidal ideation (SI). DBT boasts considerable evidence regarding the efficacy of treating patients with SI. This presentation introduces to some adaptations of DBT for teens. Further, it seeks to help attendees incorporate DBT protocols, including validation strategies, into their treatment of patients presenting with SI. Eric Schmidt, a 24-year DBT practitioner, is intensively trained in DBT and is Linehan Board Certified DBT Clinician. In this presentation he will help answer the questions corresponding with the following objectives.

Once you have attended this session, you will be able to:
1) Show how DBT can be used in youth with suicidal ideation or other risk factors and use DBT Validation strategies to build rapport with youth clients; and,
2) Demonstrate some adaptations of DBT skills for youth.

Once you join these documentary participants, you will be able to:
1) TBC
2) TBC

Once you join these family law and therapy experts, you will be able to:
1) Discuss how to help children and adolescents identify their concerns about their interactions with their parents in high conflict families.
2) Participants will learn to prepare children and adolescents to safely express their concerns in family systems therapy by controlling the dialogue between family members and thus preventing aggressive exchanges.

We will look at the different classes of medications used in child adolescent psychiatry. We will then discuss practical application of medicine to maximize their effect to help treat disorders such as depression, anxiety, and sleep.

After this medical expert presents, you will be able to:
1) Review some of the common psychotropic medications used in children & adolescents along with their specific indications, contraindications, dosages, side effects, and other specifics; and,
2) Assess the effectiveness of these agents, recognize ‘red flags’, and be able to work with the medical provider as treatment progresses.

This session will focus on differential diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of tic disorders, a commonly misunderstood class of neuropsychiatric phenomena. We will also briefly discuss common psychiatric comorbidity. The latter portion will provide an overview of comprehensive behavioral intervention for tics (CBIT, an expanded form of habit reversal training) and brief live demonstration of primary therapeutic skills with a simulated client.

After attending this session, you will be able to walk away and:
1) Talk about TIC Disorders and similarly presenting conditions and conduct a differential diagnosis; then,
2) Design a treatment plan using the latest evidence-based practices and interventions currently believed to be most effective. This shall include support to caregivers and tools they can also use.

“Neurodivergence” is not a diagnosis, but a term coined to help describe the wide variety of human brains. It is this population that is often referred for neuropsychological assessment. Neuropsychological assessment provides a deep analysis of cognitive functioning in people with complex cognitive, behavioral and emotional challenges. Evaluations can be expensive, complex and difficult to interpret or put into clinical practice. Testing of neurodivergent populations requires adaptation and creativity in administration, conceptualization and communication to parents and other professionals. This talk will discuss issues related to issues that might warrant testing and assessment of children and adolescents who are considered neurodiverse, as well as how to work with the neuropsychologist and evaluation results to apply findings into academic and clinical settings, and treatment plans.

As a result of joining this expert, you will leave able to:

1) Outline some of the indications for neurodiversity assessments and testing and what individuals can expect from those results and how they can translate those findings into clinical settings and treatment plans; and,
2) Review some of the most currently used tests for autism and other neurodiverse presentations and describe how to work with qualified individuals to secure, interpret and use those tests in your own settings.

After completing this session, you will be able to:
1) Outline the common needs, hurdles, challenges, system gaps, ethical dilemmas, and other considerations needing attention when working with trans youth; and,
2) Develop your own clinical policies and practices as well as activism interests and paths to help support this population in ways of interest.

This presentation will give a brief overview of 2023 legislative changes to behavioral health licensure. A look at the Office of Professional Licensure Review and their possible legislative recommendations. Current ethical issues that DOPL sees in complaints and what types of complaints end in formal action being taken against a bad actor. Finally, the most common ethical questions that DOPL receives and how we legally and ethically answer them.

Upon completion of this workshop, you will be able to:

1) Update the latest licensure requirements for behavioral health professionals and identify some of the common ethical and/or practice scenarios which lead to complaints against these professionals; and,
2) Incorporate this information to develop your own policies, procedures, and practices to help navigate the ethical predicaments and reduce your risks for complaints and increase your ethical standards.

This documentary explores the extent that society’s preoccupation with the ideal body is impacting children’s self-image. The film shows not ony issues around eating andexercising to achieve the skinny look but also explores the need to look sexy and mature at a very young age. Modeling by parents as well as social media can have an impact on what children think is “beautiful”.

After viewing this film and processing it, you will be able to:
1) Identify two of the major influences on children’s self-image and the negative impact of the perfect body movement; and,
2) Identify interventions to address with parents to combat the negative self-images of children.

According to a recent CDC report, 57% of young women report feeling hopeless and depressed. Sexual violence against women has increased by 20%. Furthermore, research indicates that narcissism is on the rise as a result of time spent in the electronic world. During this presentation, Dr. Kane will provide an overview of current research while providing suggestions to help shift the negative impacts of social media.

In the presentation based on the Window of tolerance. Dr. Kane will explore how humans have the ability to create strong and healthy brains that are more resistant to addiction and when faced with traumatic experiences can rebound faster. Widening our river of tolerance.
There is a lot of information about trauma in the world today but a lot of the information is not accurate . In this presentation Dr. Kane talks about the power of the brain – the power of the brain culture and how and what trauma does to the brain and what we can do on a daily basis to help keep the brain strong so it can process through life’s trauma.

Upon completion of this program, you will be able to

1) Present the latest research and data on social media and all screen time options commonly
used by youth of various ages. This shall include, but not be limited to, health effects, cognitive
impact, social and familial impact, and lifestyle; then,
3) Explore healthy options and ‘rules’ for youth of all ages and how parents/caregivers can monitor their children’s screen time and uses including hidden apps, black web, and other dangers.

Understanding ADHD from the perspective of movement. We want to use movement to stabilize and build skills, not just teach someone to be still.

After learning about the concepts of the ‘ADHD Workout’, you will be able to:

1) Teach specific interventions, including those around weight training, to provide cognitive skills to those diagnosed with ADHD; and,
2) Provide individuals with ADHD and their caregivers techniques to build cognitive and organizational skills as well as self-confidence.

The DEA will provide an overview of drug trafficking trends. The presentation will cover general drug trafficking methodologies utilized by criminal organizations in Utah, and will discuss the most significant threats to our local communities based on law enforcement intelligence and seizures.

As a result of hearing insights from this DEA representative, you will be able to:

1) Trace the current drug trends hitting U.S. and Utah streets with an emphasis on those substances of abuse; and,
2) Explain how these drugs are getting to dealers and users and how they may be interlaced with fentanyl and other substances increasing their lethality.

So your client has received a neurodiverse diagnosis (e.g., autism, ADHD, TBI); what do you do now? Many clinicians struggle with how to support their client or their families after a diagnosis. Some question whether they can continue seeing the client or what resources should be recommended. This presentation will review techniques, resources, and best practices on how to support your client and their family after receiving a new diagnosis.

Once you have heard this lecture, you will leave with the ability to:

1) Outline ways to support clients outside of the therapeutic practices and face-to-face time with clients; and,
2) List and access resources you can use in your daily practice.

In this presentation, we will discuss current trends and issues in boys accessing and continuing mental health services. The impact of age, race(?), ethnicity, religion, stereotypes, sexuality and gender roles will be explored. These trends and issues as they relate to transgender, gender fluid and gender non conforming boys will also be touched on. The historical and current systemic issues connected to male privilege, as it relates to the specific issues or the course and outcomes of treatment, will be discussed. This presenter hopes to draw heavily from attendee experience, expertise, knowledge and participation. Main takeaways will include an improved awareness of certain diagnoses and treatment topics, as well as how issues larger than the boy in front of you might be impacting what gets talked about.

After you join this session, you will be able to:
1) Outline some of the common issues impacting the mental health of boys and how these conditions are often overlooked and/or missed; and,
2) Screen and assess boys 0-21 years of age for some of these common conditions and differentiate the diagnoses from commonly occurring and/or similarly presenting disorders or developmental conditions which are often dismissed.

Emotionally Focused Therapy is an evidence-based approach based on attachment theory. Attendees will learn basic foundations and interventions to facilitate emotionally corrective experiences in session with individuals, couples and families, including contra-indicators for EFT. Referrals to resources for more advanced training will also be provided.

After hearing more about EFT in this presentation, you will be able to:

1) Outline Emotionally Focused Therapy approaches which include elements of experiential and systemic therapy as well as attachment theory and explain how these approaches can be used to rekindle bonds and positively impact the mental health of youth in families; and,
2) Identify individuals and families who may benefit from EFT and apply some fo the basic techniques then be able to refer for more in-depth EFT therapy if so indicated and continue to support these individuals.

As a result of participating in this ‘movie and rap’, you will be able to:
1) Professionally interact with District Court personnel and attorneys when providing services in high conflict cases to effectively advocate for their clients and produce outcomes benefitting families and children; and,
2) Effectively and Appropriately address custody, parent time and high conflict situations within the District Court setting.

Two short films cover this difficult topic. Katie Couric gives the hard facts about teen dating violence. The second film tells the tale of a youth who fell victim to dating violence and leaves those who knew her, wondering if more could have been done to help her? Bree’s Story is a touching tribute and provides insight into the issues around teen dating violence.

As a result of participating in this ‘movie and rap’, you will be able to:
1) Identify the warning signs around dating violence and explain the extent of its occurrence in youth; and,
2) Identify two interventions to help youth learn that all abuse in a relationship is wrong.

As a result of attending this session, you will be able to:
1) Recognize the ‘red flags’ and other indicators of suicidal ideation in youth from 2 to 20 years of age and report on their beliefs around suicide in the various developmental stages; and,
2) Translate this information into clinical interventions currently believed to be most effective through these ages and stages.

Once this session if over, you will be able to:
1) Discuss clients involved with the courts that have constraints the clients treated for mental health issues do not; and,
2) Discuss how working with families toward reunification differs in approaches and guidelines and the limitations of self-determination.

Attendees will leave the presentation able to: Incorporate simple strategies and techniques to decrease aggressive thoughts and behaviors in youth in various levels of care and in home environments; train parents and caregivers how to recognize the ‘red flags’ of rising aggression and to appropriately implement the same and similar techniques in client home environments and when to reach out for additional support/interventions. The techniques and skills provided in this presentation are based in Social Learning Theory and the Teaching Family Model from the University of Kansas and Boys Town.

After discussing the issues of increased aggression, you will be able to:
1) Incorporate simple strategies and techniques to decrease aggressive thoughts and behaviors in youth in various levels of care and in home environments; and,
2) Train parents and caregivers how to recognize the ‘red flags’ of rising aggression and to appropriately implement the same and similar techniques in their home environments and know when to reach out for additional support / interventions.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has been the treatment of choice for children and teens with autism for the last few decades. It is data driven and research has supported it’s effectiveness. On the other hand, it has ben shown to be possibly traumatic for the individuals or unethical in the eyes of many autistic adults. Autism is never shot of controversy and ABA is no exception. Views and opinions can be extreme. Dr. Connelly will summarize current research, controversies, and practical guidance for practitioners working with autistic clients in various settings.

After hearing and discussing various views of ABA, you will be able to:
1) Debate the beliefs, myths and truths around ABA, the indications for use, the mandates surrounding it; and,
2) Evaluate clients and determine whether ABA should be incorporated into treatment and how, educate parents/caregivers about this modality, and work with an interdisciplinary team in which ABA is being used.

This presentation will discuss practical applications of interventions from ACT and DBT to address gender dysphoria, internalized stigma and other issues facing gender diverse (tans and non-binary) youth.

As a result of hearing this presenter’s insights, experience, and clinical expertise, you will be able to:
1) Utilize contextual behavioral interventions such as diffusion, self-compassion, and self-validation to address gender dysphoria and internalized stigma; and,
2) Identify and discuss theoretical underpinnings of contextual behavioral interventions with gender diverse clientele.

In this presentation Dr. Kane will discuss what is the Window of Tolerance and how the Window of Tolerance contributes to building strong minds better prepared for psychological well-being. This reduces the need to self-medicate, which leads to addictions. Furthermore, Dr. Kane will discuss how to create resilience in the face of addictions. Dr. Kane will open an interactive discussion on trauma to help those who attend understand what is Large T trauma and what is Small t trauma.

After participating in this lively presentation, you will be able to:

1) Help individuals create strong and healthy brains that are more resistant to trauma; and,
2) Quickly review the effects of trauma on the brain and some of the erroneous beliefs many people hold in this area.

Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders, formerly, Somatoform Disorders, are a group of psychiatric disorders that cause unexplained physical symptoms. The symptoms of the physical complaints may or may not be traceable to a physical cause but they cause excessive and dipropionate levels of distress. Children typically have anxiety related symptoms as well. The pain and symptoms the children experience is real regardless of whether there is a physical explanation. The distress can impact daily functioning. A strong therapeutic alliance is key to helping individuals with Somatic Symptoms Disorders along with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy intervention to address these issues.

After enjoying this movie presentation and resulting dialogue around a current behavioral health issue, you will be able to:
1) Outline the different types of Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders and the diagnostic criteria; and,
2) Apply the different treatment approaches for Somatic Symptoms and Related Disorders.

As a result of attending this program, you will be able to:
1) Discuss how primary trauma on parents, caregivers, and siblings can impact the entire family especially the children of all ages; and,
2) Outline some of the services provided by the Vet Centers and the interventions they apply in such cases including techniques others can use with these populations.

In psychotherapy we strive to become accurate “mirrors” for our clients, helping them see themselves with friendly eyes, through our relationship with them. However, our biases, counter-transferences, and other ethical challenges can often also interfere with our ability to see our clients accurately.

In this session, participants will learn how our biases and counter-transference reactions evolved in largely left hemispheric brain activity that served to help protect our early ancestors. We will examine how therapists and counselors can transform these normal human reactions into insights into and compassion for our clients.

The facilitator will offer a brief didactic power point presentation as he interacts experientially with participants, holding space for reflection, dialogue, and interaction.

The self-work we explore in this session is thus an ethical approach to practice, in which we constantly strive in our practice to see ourselves with accuracy and acceptance so that we can also see our clients with the same deep accuracy and acceptance.

After exploring the biases of yourself and others, you will be able to:

1) Recognize your own biases and diagram how those directly and indirectly impact your own personal and professional practices; and,

2) Take measures to confront your own biases, take measures to lessen their impact on clients and practices, and explore ways you can ethically treat or refer clients who may trigger such issues within yourself and help educate others to do the same.

3) Use our biases and counter-transference reactions to increase our ability to see our clients accurately and to increase our empathy for them.

Once you have attended this session you will be able to:
1) Discuss the importance of custody evaluation and how to effectively complete these evaluations as an important part of the court process to determine parent-time and custody; and,
2) Discuss the various pitfalls and concerns that the practitioner needs to be aware of when conducting custody evaluations.

This session will explore the award-winning “My Life is Worth Living” animated series about student mental wellness and suicide prevention. Participants will learn how to utilize the films, parent resources, and accompanying curriculum, all of which are available at no cost and are available in five languages.

The Cook Center for Human Connection in partnership with Wonder Media (led by former Rugrats CEO, Terry Thoren) produced “My Life is Worth Living”. Designed by a team of doctors, therapists, and youth suicide experts, the series uses the universal language of animation to model research-backed mental health support and prevention strategies. Issues of depression, abus, bullying, substance abuse, trauma, and gender identity are explored through the stories of five relatable teen characters.

As a result of attending this unique session, you will be able to:
1) Assess clients to determine if animation and other creative therapeutic approaches may establish a quicker and more solid relationship; and,
2) Incorporate animation techniques and nuances into the therapeutic milieu and evaluate its effectiveness on various clients.

In this fun and interactive presentation, you will learn habits that not only help you and your students/clients live happier, healthier lives, but habits that are proven to naturally help with recovery from anxiety and depression, based on Nedley’s Depression and Anxiety Recovery Program. Add to this whole wellness, mindfulness, and focusing on the four key dimensions of our lives: heart, mind body, and soul. How we do in one dimension greatly affects the others. By pursuing whole wellness, we achieve the balance we need to be our best.

As a result of joining this session, you will be able to:
1) Outline the four key dimensions of life which impact its quality and dispel the myths of each; and,
2) Work on these dimensions with youth to help them with overall wellness as well as recovery from behavioral health insults such as anxiety and depression.

As a result of joining this session, you will leave able to:
1) TBA
2) TBA

What were you taught about food, and body growing up? How might these perceptions be impacting early detection, and support for clients experiencing disordered eating, and eating disorder recovery? These questions are what will be explored to further understand how our own biases in relationship to food, body, health, and weight can impact early detection of eating disorders, and what we might be missing based on our biases and perceptions as providers.

After hearing from this specialist, you will be able to:

1) Identify own biases around health, body, and food and how that impacts ability to see signs of early detection of an ‘eating disorder’ or disordered eating in individuals, in addition to those who have been diagnosed with an ‘eating disorder’; and,
2) Work with individuals to identify early signs of disordered eating that can lead to a clinically diagnosable eating disorder and what might be under various ‘eating responses’ to create a plan to address those issues, and the resulting behaviors with knowledge of how own biases may impact care.

Psychotherapy is hard and draining work, and often we feel exhausted by the grind of our practice. This can lead to compassion fatigue, where we emotionally check out of our sessions even though we are physically present, and in extreme cases can lead to secondary trauma, where we begin to experience trauma symptoms relative to our client issues. In this workshop you will 1) discuss the origin and nature of compassion fatigue and secondary trauma; 2) practice recognizing some of the warning signs of compassion fatigue and secondary trauma for self and colleagues; 3) demonstrate how to develop personal practices that can help prevent these potential problems; and, 4) highlight interpersonal practices that can help prevent and treat these issues.

After joining this speaker, you will be able to:

1) Trace the development of secondary trauma or ‘compassion fatigue’ and be able to recognize those concerns early in both yourself and co-workers; and,
2) Develop your own routines to prevent such developments and implement an intervention plan and outreach should such conditions set in.

In an effort to help address the problem of youth depression and suicide, the Utah Shakespeare Festival is offering the life-affirming play Every Brilliant Thing to every public district high school in the state of Utah. Thanks to state legislative funding, we are offering these performances absolutely FREE. We hope to see you at your school soon!

After viewing this theatrical portrayal, you will be able to:
1) Provide insights into depression from the patient perspective; and,
2) Employ creative ways to approach, empathize with, and support/treat clients with depressive disorders.