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Tracy Tackett, MEd, LPC

Tracy Tackett is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with a Master of Education in Guidance and Counseling, through Lincoln University, Jefferson City, MO (2017) and Bachelors of Art in Psychology, through Columbia College, Columbia, MO (2009). Tracy provides integrative treatment services to adults living with severe and persistent mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders at New Horizons Community Support Services in Jefferson City, MO. Tracy has worked in the mental health field for over 20 years in various capacities including providing direct care to clients in hospital and residential settings, case management services, and counseling services. Tracy is a passionate advocate for trauma-informed care. She incorporates various counseling techniques and therapies to meet individual needs, including cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and somatic and attachment-focused eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (S.A.F.E. EMDR).

Presentation(s): 

Trauma-informed Care – Looking for the Story Behind the Behavior/Presenting Issues

Breaking Free! Breaking Through Barriers to Live Life to the Fullest

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Dr. Amberly Pritchard, MA, DBH, LPC, CCTP, NCC

Dr. Amberly Pritchard is a Doctor of Behavioral Health, board-certified licensed professional counselor, and certified trauma professional. Dr. Pritchard earned her doctorate from Freed-Hardeman University, a master’s degree in counseling from University of Alabama, and a bachelor’s degree from Southeast Missouri State University. She has been practicing in the mental health field for approximately 15 years. She has worked in community mental health, grant positions for the state, and integrated care. For the last six years, Dr. Pritchard has been a medical provider for SEMO Health Network. She serves the primary care clinics in Pemiscot, Dunklin, and New Madrid Counties in the Missouri Bootheel. She provides individual and family psychotherapy, medication recommendations, crisis intervention, and behavioral health consultation. Dr. Pritchard utilizes Solution-Focused Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, and Somatic Therapy approaches.
Dr. Pritchard was the first college graduate in her family. She is the only member to earn a doctoral degree. She was raised by a single mother who did not receive her GED until 44 years old. Her mother instilled in Dr. Pritchard the importance of education and success. The day of her pinning ceremony she received a call from her uncle. He said, “You are a legend. Do not forget it.” She celebrated her 10-year wedding anniversary this year. She and her husband have four beautiful children. They love to spend their time on the lake during the summer and in the woods during the colder months. It is a chaotic, busy life. Dr. Pritchard feels blessed beyond measure.

Presentation(s): 

Adult Intimate Partner Violence: How Practitioners in Medical Settings Feel About Breaching Confidentiality

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Finding Joy in the Workplace: Ethical Considerations in Addressing Trauma-Related Employment Stress (TRES) Part 2

Room: Paradise B

Speaker(s): 

Terri Cooley-Bennett, DSW

Presentation: Vicarious trauma can negatively impact practitioners, clients, colleagues, supervisors, and entire organizations. In recent years, the American Psychological Association (APA) and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) have updated their professional codes of ethics to include self-care as an ethical responsibility. The Missouri Credentialing Board (MCB) addresses self-care and impairment within its ethical codes. Vicarious trauma is termed by Van der Merwe as trauma related employment stress (TRES).

This workshop will examine Vicarious Trauma and what the research indicates. Causes, prevalence, consequences, and prevention will be discussed with an emphasis on self-care practices. Part 1 will focus on the research, causes, prevalence, and consequences, while Part 2 will focus on prevention and self-
care.

Objectives:

  • Examine the research and enhance understanding of the different aspects of Vicarious Trauma
  • Describe ethical approaches for managing Vicarious Trauma
  • Identify prevention techniques and evidence-based self-care practices

Slides and Handouts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ethical Approaches to Vicarious Trauma, Self‑Care, and Professional Conduct- Part 1

Room: Paradise B

Speaker(s): 

Terri Cooley-Bennett, DSW

Presentation:

Vicarious trauma can negatively impact practitioners, clients, colleagues, supervisors, and entire organizations. In recent years, the American Psychological Association (APA) and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) have updated their professional codes of ethics to include self-care as an ethical responsibility. The Missouri Credentialing Board (MCB) addresses self-care and impairment within its ethical codes. Vicarious trauma is termed by Van der Merwe as trauma related employment stress (TRES).
This workshop will examine Vicarious Trauma and what the research indicates. Causes, prevalence, consequences, and prevention will be discussed with an emphasis on self-care practices. Part 1 will focus on the research, causes, prevalence, and consequences, while Part 2 will focus on prevention and self-care.

Objectives:

  • Examine the research and enhance understanding of the different aspects of Vicarious Trauma
  • Describe ethical approaches for managing Vicarious Trauma
  • Identify prevention techniques and evidence-based self-care practices

Slides and Handouts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Trauma-informed Care: Looking for the Story Behind the Behavior

Room: Paradise B

Speaker(s): 

Tracy Tackett, MEd, LPC

Presentation: This presentation aims to provide education about trauma-informed care and being mindful that there is a reason and a story behind the presenting problems.

Objectives:

  • Identify what trauma is
  • Identify types of trauma
  • Identify signs and symptoms related to trauma
  • Learn about how to provide trauma-informed care

Slides and Handouts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Adult Intimate Partner Violence: How Practitioners in Medical Settings Feel About Breaching Confidentiality

Room: Paradise B

Speaker(s): 

Dr. Amberly Pritchard, MA, DBH, LPC, CCTP, NCC

Presentation: Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) consists of various forms of abuse perpetrated by a loved one. It is a public health concern which negatively affects the physical and mental well-being of victims. It is detrimental to society and comes with economic costs. Individuals in violent relationships visit emergency departments and primary care clinics more frequently than people who never experience IPV. Victims regularly disclose violence to healthcare professionals. Missouri practitioners can only report the abuse to authorities if the adult patient requests it. Breaching confidentiality by mandated reporting is limited when faced with adult patients in violent relationships. This study aimed to analyze how Missouri practitioners feel about breaching confidentiality in adult intimate partner violent situations. Seventeen Missouri licensed practitioners responded to a qualitative survey. Their responses were analyzed using a thematic analytic approach. Results show licensed practitioners want the ability to breach confidentiality to report adult IPV, but they do not want to be forced by mandate to report it.

Objectives:

  • Define intimate partner violence
  • Discuss the impact intimate partner violence has on society
  • Review the existing gaps in treatment for victims of intimate partner violence
  • Learn how licensed medical professionals feel limiting confidentiality could help and harm victims of intimate partner violence

Slides and Handouts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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When Client becomes Colleague: The Peer Movement and Ethical Considerations

Room Paradise A

Speaker(s): 

Cooley-Bennett, Terri, BSW, MSW, LCSW, LSCSW, CCDP-D, TTS

Description: 

Individuals who are former or current clients are obtaining jobs or roles as peers on a more regular basis (Krumm et al., 2022). As clinicians, educators, and supervisors, it is important to be aware of ethical considerations regarding peers in the workplace, who may be former clients. Ethical dilemmas may arise due to the potential for dual relationships. As clinicians, it is important to be compliant with applicable laws and ethical codes, cooperate with agencies and boards, and be ethically responsible. A critical aspect is being client-centered and not harming clients. This workshop will provide an overview of ethical obligations as they pertain to colleagues or peers, ethics, boundaries, and confidentiality. Issues such as vicarious liability will be discussed and potential ethical conflicts that may occur will be examined. Finally, strategic ways of managing ethical conflicts will be examined.

Objectives

1. Provide a brief overview of ethical codes and considerations that pertain to Dual Relationships, Boundaries, and Confidentiality
2. Examine the current research regarding peer support services
3. Define Vicarious Liability

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Behavioral Health Ethics for Agency Settings

Room Paradise Ballroom B

Speaker(s): 

Terri Cooley-Bennett, LCSW, LSCSW, CCDP-D, TTS

Description: 

Providing clinical services to vulnerable populations is a common responsibility for practitioners in agency settings. Agency practice increases the potential for vicarious liability and other ethical considerations that may not be present in private practice. “Imputed Negligence” or the “doctrine of respondeat superior” means that practioners can be held accountable for the unethical behaviors of colleagues, in the workplace (Houston-Vega; Nuehring; & Daguio, 1997). When an employee, supervisee, or colleague displays improper conduct toward a client, visitor, or student; supervisors, leaders, colleagues, and supervisees may be held accountable. Vicarious Liability means that practitioners are liable and ethically responsible and obligated to ensure that clients not harmed. If a colleague is unethical, practitioners are obligated to address the situation.
Adequately managing ethical dilemmas and preventing ethical violations is an important aspect of practice and aides in providing best customer service to clients, patients, guests, colleagues, and others.

Objectives

  • Provide overview of common ethical principles related to behavioral health practice in an agency setting
  • Define Vicarious Liability and discuss the variety of ways that professionals and clinicians can be held accountable for Vicarious Liability or “imputed negligence”
  • Consider potential ethical dilemmas that arise from Vicarious Liability and introduce options for managing the dilemma
  • Examine strategies and best practices for preventing and managing complaints and ethical dilemma in practice
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Behavioral Health Ethics for Private Practice

Room Paradise Ballroom B

Speaker(s): 

Terri Cooley-Bennett, LCSW, LSCSW, CCDP-D, TTS

Description: 

Providing clinical services to vulnerable populations is a common responsibility for practitioners in private practice. Because of the unique challenges experienced, opportunities for ethical dilemmas and even ethical complaints are not uncommon. It is of utmost importance that professionals abide by ethics codes, practice ethically, and apply models of decision making when ethical dilemmas and complaints arise in practice.
This workshop will provide an overview of common ethical principles and will examine the current trends and research regarding ethical complaints and dilemmas in practice and will discuss strategies for preventing and managing these. This workshop meets the ethics requirements for licensure.

Objectives

  • Provide overview of common ethical principles related to behavioral health practice
  • Discuss trends and current research regarding ethical complaints in counseling practice and behavioral health with a focus on private practice
  • Examine strategies and best practices for preventing and managing complaints and ethical dilemmas in practice
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Contemporary Ethical Issues: Personal Worldview and Professional Acculturation

Paradise Ballroom C

 

Speaker(s):

Larkin, Nicole, MS, CDAC, SMFT

Likcani, Adriatik, PhD, LMFT

Woolery, Amber, BSW, CRADC

Description

This presentation on ethics is beyond the ‘typical’ topics of dual relationships and abuse of power with clients. It is about us as professionals and our personal worldview and professional acculturation. Why do ethical codes exist? What to do when my values and morals conflict with ethical codes? How to deal with ethical dilemmas? Can I talk about faith and spirituality with my clients? How do I apply evidence-based treatment with diverse populations? This session will help you find the answers to any of those questions and address other questions you may have. This is a session about ethics, values, morals, personal worldview and professional acculturation in the practice of treatment and recovery support for mental health and substance use disorders. Participants will learn about the ecology of substance use treatment and recovery support and issues that arise with scientific discovery such as evidence-based practices and effective interventions, medication assisted treatment/recovery, integration of faith-based approaches, etc. Such contemporary issues tend to challenge the stability of any professional and require of them to affirm or resist change. They will learn models of working through dissonance and finding a new stability. They will identify external and internal influences that impact their emerging worldview, personal and professional acculturation. Discussion with participants will be based on morals, values, sources of power and influence in the acculturation process, and the ethics of providing value-sensitive care and due care to individuals and families.

Objectives

1. Discuss how participants can use existing Codes of Ethics, including AAMFT, NBCC and NASW, to inform and reflect upon their personal worldview and professional acculturation
2. Identify personal lenses that cause dissonance among professionals in their practice
3. Recognize professional acculturation process through the ecology of substance use treatment and recovery support approaches
4. Identify issues that threaten status quo of the helper, prompt resistance or create dissonance, and require them to find a new professional stability