Conference Goals

The goal of this two day cpnference is to help counselors and therapists refine their therapeutic skills and extract from the 12 Step oriented approaches to recovery the specific therapeutic or psychological principles of change that are particularly relevant in successfully treating addiction.

click here for the full conference outline

Who Should Attend?

This conference is intended for professionals working in the field of mental health and/or addictions.

Conference Schedule

• Registration begins both Thursday and Friday at 8:00 am
• Conference runs 9:00 am - 4:00 pm both days.
• Lunch: 12:00 pm (provided) 

Allen Berger, Ph.D.

Dr. Berger is a nationally recognized expert in Gestalt-Experiential Psychotherapy and in the science of recovery from addiction.  He wrote Hazelden’s popular recovery mainstay 12 Stupid Things that Mess Up Recovery (2008) and another book for Hazelden on emotional sobriety, 12 Smart Things to do When the Booze and Drugs are Gone (2010).

He is widely known for his work on several areas of recovery and psychotherapy that include:

• Integrating modern psychotherapy with the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous
• Emotional Sobriety
• Helping new patients understand the benefits of group therapy and helping them get the most out of it
• Helping families adjust to the challenges of recovery
• Training therapists and counselors in Gestalt Experiential Therapy

Dr. Berger is uniquely qualified-his own personal journey in recovery started 40 years ago on the island of Oahu in Hawaii.  He was the third Marine admitted into the Drug Exemption Program which helped Vietnam Veterans with drug problems.

Dr. Berger’s work in the addiction field started in 1971 as a counselor.  His career reads as a who’s who in treatment programs: Counselor- Western Institute in Long Beach, Counselor- Alcohol Recovery service, San Pedro Peninsula Hospital, Clinical Supervisor- Alcohol Recovery Service, South Bay Hospital, Clinical Supervisor-Eating Disorder Unit, San Pedro Peninsula Hospital and Chief Clinical Officer- Cumberland Heights, Nashville, TN.

Dr. Berger received top notch clinical training throughout his education but especially from two pioneers in their fields of addictionology and Gestalt Therapy, Drs. William C Rader and Walter Kempler, respectively.  In 1987 he received a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of California, Davis.

Dr. Berger has an outstanding reputation as a very dynamic and engaging presenter, as well as being a very practical and powerful “no-nonsense” therapist.

He has written several journal articles as well as: Love Secrets- Revealed (HCI Books, 2006).  He co-produced and directed a patient education DVD on The Benefits of Group Therapy (2010) which is published and distributed by Serene Connections in Long Beach. His pamphlet How to Get the Most out of Group Therapy (Hazelden, 2001) has sold over 60,000 copies.  It educated new patients about group therapy and how to use the group sessions to insure the best results.

You can learn more about Dr. Berger and his work at www.abphd.com .

Dr. Berger's books, pamphlets and audio tapes will be available for sale throughout the conference.

Registration Fees

• Full conference registration fee- $200.00
• One day only (either Thursday or Friday)- $125.00
• Student Rate (Identification Required)- $100.00

Lunch and nutrition breaks included in registration fee

Payment Information

• Registration payment can be made by cheque or paypal.
• Cheques are to be made out to BISNO and mailed c/o Kari Chiappetta Consulting, 210 West Moodie Street Thunder Bay,ON P7E 5A4. 
• If paying by Paypl, you do not need to have a Paypal account, you need only have a credit card. 
• Additional payment information can be found once you enter the online registration system.

Accommodations

A block of rooms has been placed on hold at the Valhalla Inn for $129.00+ tx/night.  Rooms must be reserved prior to February 8, 2012 in order to receive the conference rate.

Call 1-800 964-1121 or email reservations@valhallainn.com to book your room.

Please quote booking number 801635 when making your reservation. 

Visit www.valhallainn.com for more information

When you choose "Register Now" you will be prompted to input your email address.  If you do not have an email address, please input your name@fakeemail.ca  This will then allow you to enter the online registration system.

Register Now!

 Contact Kari Chiappetta, Conference Coordinator for additional information.

(807)621-6225 or kcconsulting@shaw.ca