Keynote Presentations

I. Personal Story Keynote Presentation: How Extreme Survivors Overcome Massive Challenges 
by Brian Fleming                                                                                                                    

Brian Fleming, combat-wounded veteran will share his tragic, yet inspiring, war story from Afghanistan and will reveal the three most common habits of the world's most resilient people and how any person can immediately apply these principles to their life in order to overcome challenges, successfully adapt to change and connect with people on a deeper level.

 II.  Keynote Presentation: Once a Warrior- Always a Warrior
 by Charles Hoge, M.D.                              
    

Once a warrior-always a warrior will address myths and stereotypes of military service, stigma and barriers to care, the neurobiological impact of war and trauma, the efficacy of treatment approaches for PTSD and co-morbid war-related health concerns, and core components of effective care.

III. Keynote Presentation: Understanding the Unique Needs of Military Children
by Catherine Mogil, PsyD 

This presentation will focus on the unique needs of children in military families, including the numerous resilience factors that are often present within the military culture. Strategies to support and build upon existing protective factors, as well as effective methods of intervening with military children will be discussed. Lessons learned from a wide-scale implementation of an evidence-based model to build family resilience will be reviewed. Practical applications will be shared to help participants apply strategies within their own systems of care.

                                                                                                                 

Workshop Descriptions:

A. Treating Veterans with PTSD: Clinical Applications of Trauma-Focused Therapy
by Charles Hoge, M.D.
This workshop will present the fundamentals of trauma-focused PTSD treatment, introduce clinicians to the concept ofmemory reconsolidation in clinical practice, and present practical clinical applications of trauma-focused psychotherapy core components spanning narrative processes, cognitive restructuring, in-vivo exposure, and relaxation/stress inoculation techniques.

 

B. Using a Narrative Approach in Family Trauma Treatment
by Catherine Mogil, PsyD
This interactive workshop will review the importance of personal and family narratives on identity and relationships. Case examples and videos will illustrate how narratives are formed. Strategies for intervening to help families develop positive meaning following stress and trauma will be shared.

C.  Healing Trauma and Loss in Military Families: The Transformative Power of Attachment Bonds and Emotional Re-Wiring
by Shiri Cohen, PhD
Attachment theory teaches us that the key to healing loss and trauma is being able to seek comfort and protection from a loved one. But for trauma survivors, reaching vulnerably to a loved one is fraught with danger since emotional dysregulation – the hallmark of trauma –scrambles communication, blocks intimacy, and amplifies distress between family members. Attachment-based treatment models such as Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) with couples and families directly address the security of the attachment bond between survivors and their partners. Upon completion, participants will be able to: describe the complex nature of loss and trauma faced by military families; understand the impact of loss and trauma on attachment bonds in military families; identify clinical approaches to healing loss and trauma through emotionally safe and secure attachments.

 

D. The Unique Experiences and Mental Health Needs of Women Veterans
by Kimberly Arditte Hall, PhD
Women are the fastest growing demographic of the military. It is thus critical that providers understand how military experiences may impact women’s mental health and wellbeing. Upon Completion, participants will be able to: identify the unique experiences women may face during their time in the military, while deployed, upon reintegration, and as a veteran; through the use of clinical case examples, the workshop will allow participants to list the most common mental and physical health issues reported by women veterans; identify and list best practices for assessment and treatment planning; finally, participants will be provided with information on a variety of local and national resources for women veterans.

E. Military Culture for Civilians
by Linda Sanford, LICSW
This workshop will help participants utilize a framework of cultural humility when working with military connected clients. The presenter will help participants learn about the value and rituals that take place on a military base and what questions mental health workers should be asking when working with military connected clients. 

F. Suicide Prevention for Mental Health Professionals Working with Veterans                     
by Gabriel Nutter, Combat Veteran                                              
This workshop is designed to enhance mental health workers awareness and knowledge of veterans’ mental health issues, (up to and including suicide crisis) that may result in mental health intervention. Upon completion, participants will be able to: list up to 3 combat ‘battlemind’ attributes and discuss ways these attributes may manifest when the veteran returns home; give examples of at least 2 transitional issues for returning vets that may influence their mental health and result in a crisis situation; identify up to 4 commonly held myths about suicide and provide the actual facts related to each myth.

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