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Workshops

Workshops

April 28, 2012 (9am - 12pm)

Advocates for Justice: Social Workers in the Court Room

Normal Wassel, LICSW, Massachusetts Committee for Public Counsel Services

Social workers are increasingly being utilized by attorneys to address the complex psychosocial issues that may impact their clients' involvement in the criminal justice and civil legal systems. This workshop will present an overview of the role that social workers have in this relatively new area of interdisciplinary work, including best practices, with a focus on skill development for presenting effective reports to the court.

Objectives

  • Participants will gain a better understanding of forensic social work and the legal system
  • Participants will review and identify the best practices and the benefits of utilizing social work intervention in enhancing fair and just legal outcomes for clients
  • Participants will identify effective components of written testimony on behalf of clients, including presentation of mitigation factors

This will be an interactive presentation with time for discussion, questions, case examples, and review of redacted court reports. Handouts of relevant articles and best practice models will also be available for program participants. Both full-time and consultant opportunities, such as sentencing advocates and mitigation specialists, death penalty work, and expert witness will also be discussed.

Norma Wassel is currently the Director of the Social Services Advocates Program at the Committee for Public Counsel Service, the state's Public Defender agency. She is a licensed social worker and holds an MSW from Columbia University. Over the years, Norma has worked on both in macro and clinical practice. This has included human services administration and community development in different parts of the country as well as abroad, including in Eastern Europe, assisting newly countries in social work development after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. In addition, she has taught graduate level courses in social work and provided crisis intervention work, including during 9/11.

Register online: $49.

 This program is approved for 3CEs for social workers, counselors and psychologists. National Board of Certified Counselors Approved CE Provider #6426. American Psychological Association Approved CE Sponsor #2057.

Discounted parking available in the Simmons' garage.

May 11 - 12, 2012 (10am - 6pm)

Utilizing Mind/Body Resources with EMDR in the Treatment of Complex PTSD

Early Bird Discount Ends May 3!

This dynamic two-day workshop offers training in how to accurately diagnose complicated PTSD and dissociation from a developmental perspective. Participants will learn how to utilize a genogram in the diagnostic process; develop resources including relaxation techniques to reduce stress; techniques for stabilizing the client in preparation for trauma processing; and how to recognize traps & impasses.

In this workshop you will come away with tools you can use immediately:

  • Develop the skills to accurately diagnose complex PTSD and DID for a developmental perspective. This will include the theories of Judith Herman, Bessel van der Kolk, Ego-state Therapy, Structural Somatiform Dissociation, and Internal Family Systems Therapy.
  • Review the normal stages and developmental tasks that are compromised with early trauma.
  • Experience various ways to utilize imagery & breathing techniques to reduce stress and build resources.
  • Identify various ways Tapas Acupressure Technique® (TAT)® is useful to reduce stress and develop stability.
  • Identify how these resources are helpful in preparing a client to use EMDR.
  • Use a developmental chart to systematically organize treatment strategies.
  • Develop ways to integrate these modalities into your work and life.
  • Have the opportunity to present cases, ask questions.

Patricia Thatcher, LICSW has over 25 years experience working with trauma & dissociation specializing in the use of mind/body methods including EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing), the Tapas Acupressure Technique, The REMAP Process and hypnosis. She presents at local & national conferences, is a previous president of the New England Society for the Treatment of Trauma & Dissociation and maintains a private practice in Cambridge, Ma where she works with adults, children, couples and families.

No prior training in EMDR, Tapas Acupressure Technique or Parts work required.

Register online: $249 through May 3, $299 thereafter.

This program is approved for 12 CEs for social workers, counselors and psychologists. National Board of Certified Counselors Approved CE Provider #6426. American Psychological Association Approved CE Sponsor #2057. This program has been approved for  12 EMDRIA Credits.

Discounted parking available in the Simmons' garage.

What previous participants liked about this workshop:

  • Excellent teaching style, a wealth of information, open welcoming environment that facilitated learning.
  • A wonderful synthesis of many theories, combined with the presenter’s unique ideas & practice wisdom.
  • Unbiased nature of allowing many points of view around understanding clients.
  • Pat could teach a month long course with this wealth of valuable material.
  • The traps list was good, great signs around campus, great directions & communications before meeting, great audio visual illustrations.

For more information, visit the LifeWorks Center website, or call (617) 661-1277.

Simmons School of Social Work
Professional Development Institute
Confirmation, Cancellation and Refund Policy

Registration will be acknowledged via email. A program that has insufficient enrollment will be cancelled one week in advance. You will be notified if the program is canceled and receive a full refund.
In the event you must cancel your registration, you will receive a full refund if you cancel at least ten days prior to the beginning of a program; if you cancel within ten days prior to the beginning of a program, you will receive a credit for the full tuition.