2022

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Compassion Fatigue among First Responders

Speaker(s):

Watson, Lori, PHR

Crees, Thomas

Presentation:

High-stress helping professionals such as law enforcement, first responders, and healthcare professionals are exposed to secondary traumatic stress (STS) throughout their careers and sometimes experience primary trauma. This exposure to trauma in their professions, mixed with the stress and pressures of the job, can produce symptoms of compassion fatigue (CF). In our current climate, the prevalence of behavioral health intervention among law enforcement is a conversational topic as departments experience societal pressure to reform policing. This presentation explores the emotional and physical impact of CF and STS on the well-being of those impacted; and how CF, specifically, can exacerbate volatile situations or incidents between first responders and citizens. The presentation will identify specific risk factors and distinguish the difference between burnout and compassion fatigue.

Further, the presentation will present literature on the behavioral outcomes of compassion fatigue in law enforcement officers, specifically, and the implications for the field of counseling among this demographic. Research evidences success and benefits of psychotherapy, psychoeducation, and workplace/peer support programming among law enforcement officers and agencies that implement counseling practices.

Through interactive methods and review of case studies, workshop participants will learn to identify compassion fatigue, and apply counseling and wellness interventions to each case.

Objectives:

  1. Distinguish the difference between burnout and compassion fatigue (CF).

  2. Review literature and research on the symptoms of CF and its relation to post traumatic stress disorder.

  3. Understand the neurobiological impact of secondary traumatic stress (STS) and its relation to CF.

  4. Discuss treatment areas and methods defined in research that encourage compassion satisfaction and address STS and compassion fatigue.

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Safer Homes Collaborative: Preventing firearm suicide through an unconventional collaboration of professionals

Speaker(s):

Ellison, Kathleen, MS, MA, NCC

Presentation:

Over 1,100 residents die by suicide each year in Missouri. Three out of five suicide deaths in the state involve the use of a firearm – well above national average for gun suicide. Access to firearms, particularly easy access to firearms during a period of crisis or emotional despair is a key risk factor for suicide. Yet, many individuals and organizations working in suicide prevention have been uncomfortable to address firearms, given the current social and political climate in the gun right and gun violence conversations. The Safer Homes Collaborative, a grass roots, firearm-suicide prevention initiative is embracing the challenge; bringing together gun owners, gun retailers, behavioral health professionals, medical providers, and suicide prevention advocates to the table to talk about how they all play a role in preventing. In this presentation, participants will learn about the Safer Homes Collaborative and how they’ve brought experts in firearms, suicide prevention, mental health and physical health together to work towards the shared goal of preventing firearm suicides.

Objectives:

  1. Define the Safer Homes Collaborative and mission to prevent firearm suicide
  2. Identify lethal means reductions strategies to prevent firearm suicide and the evidence behind why it works
  3. Describe the impact the Safer Homes Collaborative has in creating systems change through their collaborations across the state
  4. Ask the suicide question and ask about access to firearms.
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Women in Recovery – An Approach to Sustainable Empowerment

Speaker(s):

Larkin, Nicole, MS, CDAC

Hartenstein, Jaimee, Ph.D, CFLE

Martin, Carol, CPS

Presentation:

Women in recovery are a unique population with varying experiences. In a group setting establishing a safe space is vital to the experience of the women in the group. A facilitator of a group has an opportunity to be transparent with the group and utilize various techniques to establish a safe space. Empowerment is one component of recovery and helping the women to feel empowered and share their voice is one aspect of recovery. Techniques and opportunities used by the facilitator as well as activities with the group are one way the group can begin to feel empowered. Presenters will share from their experience how this blend of interventions works in real practice. This approach meets the unique needs of building peer relationships for collaboration and continued emphasis on trustworthiness and empowerment for women in recovery.

Objectives:

  1. Provide perspectives on approaches to facilitating groups for women in recovery.
  2. Gain an understanding of establishing and facilitating a safe space for women in recovery.
  3. Discuss techniques to utilize with women in recovery to build empowerment.
  4. Exploring opportunities to empower and give a voice to women in recovery groups.
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Weight Stigma and Clinical Applications: Ethical Considerations

Speaker(s):

Ellis-Ordway, Nancy, MSW, PhD

Presentation:

The issue of weight in medical and mental health care is a thorny one. Those in the helping professions genuinely wish to provide quality medical and psychological care to those in need, but the confusing and contradictory information about weight, health and well-being can be baffling. In this workshop, we attempt to examine these concerns through the lens of professional ethics. Specifically, we look at the codes of ethics for psychologists, counselors, social workers, dieticians, nurses and public health practitioners.

Objectives:

  1. Define weight stigma
  2. Identify ways that weight bias interferes with care
  3. Describe interventions for addressing weight bias in treatment and in agency settings
  4. List health-enhancing behaviors that do not focus on wieght loss

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Trauma Informed: Victimization and Invisibility of Black Girls

Speaker(s):

Gray, Angela, MSW, EdS

Presentation:

Black girls often go through life feeling invisible like they do not exist or are not important. They are victimized by being suspended from school, sexually exploited and sent to juvenile detention centers at a higher rate than other girls from other races their own age. Black girls/women are also physically, emotionally, and sexually abused more than any other race. They often combat negative stereotypes of the Angry Black Girl/Woman syndrome often depicted on television and social media. Developmental consequences of Trauma and Trauma Informed Interventions will be explored to help Black girls heal and restore.

Objectives:

  1. Define what it means to be invisible as a Black girl.
  2. Examine how invisibility and victimization impacts preschool and elementary Black girls.
  3. Examine how out of school suspensions, expulsions, and poor attendance contributes to the invisibility and victimization of Black girls.
  4. Examine how everyday practices at school such as dress codes and hairstyles contribute to the victimization of Black girls.
  5. Explore how the media promotes sexual exploitation and objectification of Black girls.
  6. Explore the negative effects physical, emotional, and sexual abuse has among Black girls.
  7. Explore the history of colorism and how it was devised to create division among Black girls.
  8. Examine the negative stereotypes of Black girls/women such as the “Angry Black Woman Syndrome” portrayed in society.
  9. Examine the importance of Role Models.
  10. Define and understand how implicit biases, cultural responsiveness, social emotional learning and restorative justice practices can help eliminate unintentional discrimination which causes Black girls to become victimized and invisible.
  11. Explore trauma informed interventions and counseling activities to help restore and heal Black girls.
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Trauma-Informed Behavioral Interventions

Speaker(s):

Harvey, Karyn, Ph.D.

Presentation:

This training will explore key ingredients needed in a trauma-informed behavior plan. It will break down components essential to understanding the trauma that may have been experienced by someone receiving support services and what the essential factors in healing might be. Components such as triggers, ingredients of psychological safety, and the need for connection and agency will be explored. Tools such as the happiness assessment, positive identity workbooks, and the daily happiness worksheet will also be introduced.

Objectives:

  1. Identify key sources of trauma for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
  2. Identify key elements needed to be integrated into a trauma-informed support plan
  3. Utilize the happiness assessment
  4. Develop happiness procedures
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The Intersection of Nutrition and Mental Health

Speaker(s):

Karanja, Damaris, LPC, RDN

Presentation:

This presentation helps attendees to understand how complex trauma, attachment and developmental wounds, and eating behaviors are correlated. Attendees will learn how to promote a body-positive, culturally-sensitive counseling approach using the concepts behind Health at Every Size (HAES) and Intuitive Eating.

Objectives:

  1.  Understanding the correlational link between trauma to Eating Behaviors
  2. Learn how to promote a body-positive, culturally-sensitive approach in treatment using the concepts behind Health at Every Size (HAES).
  3. Participants will be able to apply case studies and conceptualization to assist with respectful, body-neutral terminology, awareness, and intervention.
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Surviving the Angry Black Woman Syndrome

Speaker(s):

Gray, Angela, MSW, EdS

Presentation:

Women of color are often misunderstood when they speak from the heart. The passion that women of color exhibit is often misconstrued as anger, negative attitudes, and defensive. As a result, they are often isolated and ostracized for voicing their opinions. Therefore, creating the “Angry Black Woman Syndrome” narrative. Women of color often feel disconnected from their white counterparts and each other in the workplace and other predominantly white spaces. In this workshop, we will discuss the importance of establishing healthy relationships with other women of color and connecting with white allies. Overall, this will be a very candid and open workshop to explore overcoming the “Angry Black Woman Syndrome” narrative.

Objectives:

  1. To identify physical, psychological, and emotional stressors as it relates to being a woman of color.

  2. To define relevant terms to help women of color navigate in predominately white spaces.

  3. To identify and utilize survival techniques and strategies to help women of color overcome feelings of rejection, anger, and sadness.

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Reducing Burnout and Increasing Empathy in Psychiatry Healthcare Workers Using Balint Groups

Speaker(s):

Oyetunji, Aderonke, MD

Presentation:

This is a powerpoint presentation about a QI project on Balint groups as a clinical intervention for burnout among mental healthcare workers particularly psychiatrists and Mental Health Caseworkers.
  

It analyzes the use of certain measures in detecting burnout and determining if the use of Balint intervention decreases burnout, increases empathy and job satisfaction using pre and post measure results following this intervention.

Objectives:

  1. Understand the impact of burnout on mental healthcare workers
  2. Identify the use of Balint as a clinical intervention for burnout
  3. Measure the benefit of a burnout measure as a useful tool in a Balint intervention
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More than a Diagnosis: Recovery-Oriented Interventions for Psychosis and Related Experiences

Speaker(s):

Gerlach, Jennifer, LCSW

Presentation:

There was a time when many therapists were taught that people living with serious mental health conditions would not be able to respond to therapy and many individuals living with psychosis and related conditions were told their chances for recovery were minimal. Yet, with the mental health recovery movement and newer applications of therapies with an recovery-focus there is growing hope that individuals living with issues as these can create a life that they experience as meaningful. This presentation will focus on some of these interventions drawing tools from Recovery-Oriented Cognitive Therapy, CBTp, ACT, and the mental health recovery movement.

Objectives:

  1. Improve understanding of the lived experience of mental health recovery and psychosis
  2. Grasp tools to assist individuals in coping with voices, paranoia and other intrusive symptoms
  3. Learn and practice new creative interventions to tackle negative symptoms of psychosis
  4. Challenge old ideas about ‘compliance’ with new concepts of client empowerment
  5. Assist clients in identifying values and engaging in value-based behaviors