Ritual Abuse And Extreme Abuse Clinician’s Conference 2015

This one day conference preceding our regular conference was open to licensed practitioners in related fields to discuss issues in working with clients suffering from ritual abuse and extreme abuse symptoms. Students studying in related fields and retired licensed practitioners were also in attendance.

The conference was very successful this year. S.M.A.R.T. wants to thank all those that attended and participated in the conference, including the speakers, volunteers and those in the survivor community that helped us promote the conference.

Internet conference information is available at: http://ritualabuse.us/smart-conference/ritual-abuse-and-extreme-abuse-clinicians-conference-2015/

The conference was held on August 7, 2015 from 9 am until 5 pm at the DoubleTree near the Bradley International Airport, 16 Ella Grasso Turnpike, Windsor Locks, CT. 

Speakers 
Please note: Listing of these speakers does not necessarily constitute our endorsement of them.

Ethics, Economics and Advocacy: The Clinician’s Role in Disability Determination
Clients who have trauma based psychological disorders may become debilitated by their symptoms at any point in time. Sometimes their level of functionality is the motivating factor for seeking therapy. Others may deteriorate in treatment when disturbing material emerges. Individuals in treatment may go through periods of well-being with intermittent episodes of poor functioning. It is incumbent on therapists to develop strategies to assist their clients in addressing basic survival needs so that their recovery is not threatened. (Skype presentation)
Randy Noblitt is a clinical psychologist and professor of psychology at the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, Los Angeles, California.
He is the co-author of Cult and Ritual Abuse: Narrative, Evidence and Healing Approaches (Praeger, 2014).

Slaying the Monster or External Gentle Reprocessing
External Gentle Reprocessing™ is a unique combination of bilateral stimulation, drawing, story telling and positive cognitions which help clients recover from traumas in their lives that have sapped their power. It helps relieve depression, anxiety, nightmares, anger, hyper vigilance, and flashbacks. It is appropriate for children as young as 2 1/2, reluctant teenagers, and fragile clients such as rape victims and war veterans.
Diane Spindler LMFT, LMHC
Diane maintains a private practice in Central Massachusetts. She enjoys creating new and innovative ways to work with her clients, which led her to developing Gentle Reprocessing™. Diane has been teaching Gentle Reprocessing in workshops throughout New England, including Boston University, since 2001. In 2009 she taught two workshops in New Mexico. She spoke at the Foster Family-Based Treatment Association Conference in Houston July 2008. She presented Gentle Reprocessing at the European EMDR Conference in Paris in June 2007. She co-presented at the 2003 EMDRIA Conference in Denver and at the 2004 EMDRIA Conference in Montreal. She was published in the Special Children’s Edition of the EMDRIA Newsletter in 1999.

Using a Client’s Own Faith/Religion as a Tool in Therapy
In the world of psychotherapy, faith and religion have traditionally been seen as topics to be avoided or as irrelevant distractions to the real work of therapy.  As therapists dealing with the most severe trauma, we must avail ourselves of every tool possible. Sadistic group abuse always comprises spiritual attacks, as well as emotional and physical abuse.  Using examples from my own personal experience and clinical practice, I will discuss how this tool could broaden the dimensions of our clinical work. We will look at some of the do’s, don’ts, and some examples of successes I’ve experienced incorporating faith and spirituality into therapy with ritually abused clients.
Judy Mackenzie M.Ed. LMHC LMFT
An experienced therapist, Judy is founding Co-Director of the Institute for Spiritual Life and Psychotherapy and Training Director for its major program, Pastoral Counseling Services of the South Shore. With a varied caseload, she specializes in sadistic group abuse and dissociative disorders.

CEUs were available. SMART and Survivorship were co-sponsors of the Ritual Abuse And Extreme Abuse Clinician’s Conference 2015. Survivorship has been approved by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences as a provider of continuing education (pce 5086). This conference workshop met the qualifications for 6 hours of continuing education credit for MFTs, LPCCs, LEPs and/or LCSWs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Please check with your local board to see if this is applicable to your license.

S.M.A.R.T. – Copyright 2015 (Entire Pamphlet and conference name) All rights reserved, no reproduction of any material without written permission from S.M.A.R.T.