Please Note
All registrations must be recieved by Friday, March 6th, 2015.
Notice of cancellation must be given to Thrive by Wednesday, March 11th, 2015.
Thrive PD Day 2015
Gaining Momentum: A Spectrum of Opportunities
Join Thrive for an exciting day of learning and networking!
We would like to welcome the following presenters to our 12th Annual PD Day:
Opening Plenary:
Understanding the 'Therapeutic' Nature of Humor
By: Dr. John Digney
About the Session: Being a therapist and being therapeutic are very different things and there are many ways to do both. Some therapeutic approaches have been dubbed ‘expressive’ or ‘alternative’ – with ‘humour’ often being considered an example of both.Whether as a therapeutic discipline or as an aspect of a particular style or approach, humour can be seen to create many opportunities for engagement and intervention, with often hard to reach children and youth. This opening address will concentrate on exploring some of the many (often overlooked) therapeutic features that humour has to offer, in the context of our work with children and youth.
Presenter: John has worked with troubled children and youth (and their families) for almost 25 years working within all levels of the residential care systems. Currently John is the National Training Development Manager with Irelands’ Children and Family Agency. John has professional qualifications in Psychology; Psychotherapy and Project Management. His PhD (in Child & Youth Care) explores how we use humour in our work. In addition to his frontline and clinical work John lectures and has experience in development of course curriculum. He is a Certified Senior Trainer in many internationally acclaimed training programmes such as: The Therapeutic use of Daily Life Events (‘dle’), Outcomes That Matter, Deep Brain Learning, Developmental Audit and Response Ability Pathways (RAP).
Concurrent Sessions:
Locating Expressive and Alternative Approaches Within A Child & Youth Care Framework
By: Dr. John Digney
About the Session: Expressive therapies emphasize that the process of creation is the therapy as opposed to an actual end goal. This perspective connects well with the aspect of a contemporary Child & Youth Care approach, as it relates to the creation and maintenance of relationship.The workshop will examine various characteristics associated with this contemporary CYC Approach and a specific ‘model of understanding positive change’ in the context of the factors that contribute to defining expressive or alternative approaches.This explorative workshop will be interactive and rely on participation by all who attend.
Presenter: (See Above)
Healing Through Horses/ Animal Assistance in Therapy and Service
By: Erin Gallant & Jessica Quinton
About the Session: This session will be shared by two presenters. In Erin's Healing Through Horses presentation, she will provide an overview of the therapeutic benefit of interaction with horses and description of programs and services that Te’sipow Therapeutic Services offers. In Jessica's Animal Assistance presentation, she will be discussing the difference between Therapy dogs and Service dogs and how both carry different roles in helping youth.
Presenters: Erin is the Owner/Operator of Te'sipow Therapeutic Services. Te'sipow Therapeutic Services enhances the mental health and life skills of youth, adults, families, and groups through therapeutic interaction with horses. Erin is a graduate of Therapeutic Recreation as well as a Level 2 Equine Canada Coach. What makes the programs most effective is Erin’s own lived experience and self identification with mental health issues and her journey to use horses as a tool in her recovery.
Jessica started working with dogs in 2008 and went to Ontario for official training in 2010. She returned home and worked at a local shelter while getting training established in Newfoundland. Jessica began training with Terra Nova Kennels early 2013 and P.A.W.S. began late 2013.
An Introduction to Play Therapy
By: Kim Jordan & Lori Wareham
About the Session: In this session, participants will be given an overview of play therapy as an effective therapeutic approach to working with children and adolescents. The objectives of play therapy will be discussed and the different types of play therapy will be highlighted. Practical questions such as types of toys and activities to use will be answered. Facilitators will provide examples of play therapy from their work experience.The basic premise of play therapy is that children can heal through play. Contrary to some of the popular misconceptions out there, play therapy is not just an approach to use with young children. It can also be a preferred approach with adolescents, families and with groups. Play therapy has also been documented to be quite successful in working with a variety of issues including: ADHD, Asperger’s Syndrome, conduct disorder, reactive attachment disorder, self-harm, are physical aggression, and anxiety.
Presenters: Kim is the team leader for the Janeway Family Centre, Eastern Health – an outpatient child and adolescent mental health service in St. John’s. She is a member of the Child and Adolescent Trauma Team which provides individual, family and group counseling to children, youth and families up to eighteen years of age who have experienced child maltreatment. Kim is also the co-chair of the Janeway Child Protection Coordinating Committee for the Janeway Children’s Hospital. Kim obtained her BSW and MSW at Memorial University of Newfoundland. She has over twenty years of experience in direct clinical practice. Prior to joining the Janeway Family Centre, she practices in the Adult Mental Health and Addictions areas.
Lori has been a registered social worker for thirteen years. She was granted a Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation from the University of Calgary, a Bachelor of Social Work from Memorial University of Newfoundland and obtained a Masters of Social Work from Dalhousie University. Lori currently works as a clinical social worker at the Janeway Family Centre, Eastern Health, which offers coordinated and comprehensive community services for children and youth facing emotional, social or behavioral challenges and their families. She is a member of the Child and Adolescent Trauma Team and the School Aged Team. Lori has worked with the Child Protection Program for the Janeway Children’s Hospital. Prior to joining Eastern Health Lori worked with Child, Youth and Family Services. She is currently serving as a board member with the Canadian Association for Child and Play Therapy.
The Nutrition and Mental Health Connection: How The Food On Your Plate Impacts Your Mental State
By: Laurie Pinhorn
About the Session: The food and mood connection is real. Have you ever wondered if the foods on our plates are impacting our mental states? Have you ever wondered if food can impact anxiety and our ability to stay on task? Well, the answer is yes it does! This nutrition topic has been studied and the research suggests that when people make nutrition adjustments they live better with depression, mood regulation, anxiety and attention struggles.
Presenter: Laurie is on a mission to help people break free from old eating patterns, create personalized food rehabilitation plans, and create real change in their lives. With a background that includes 20 years in social work and a Masters degree in Holistic Nutrition, she is well equipped to educate and shift perspectives. Fuelled by the truth about the food industry and armed with the right tools and strategies, Laurie is bringing true, long-lasting health and food freedom to those who crave and need change the most – one healthy decision at a time.
Practical Engagement Approaches for Working with Children, Youth and Families
By: Lori Leonard
About the Session: A key component of effective Child and Youth Care practice is the ability to use a therapeutic, relational approach. This session will focus on strategies for day to day interaction and engagement with children, youth and families from a Child and Youth Care perspective.
Presenter: Lori is a Certified Child and Youth Care Practitioner who has worked with Waypoints for the past 20 years providing residential care and family support to children, youth and families.
The Benefits of Music Therapy in Mental Health
By: Susan LeMessurier Quinn & Jennifer King
About the Session: This session will briefly describe the profession of Music Therapy then focus on the benefits of music and music therapy in the mental health community. Interventions in Music Therapy such as instrumental playing, song-writing, and effective listening can be effective for various mental health diagnoses, some of which will be discussed in the presentation. Music Therapy provides a means of self and emotional expression, skill building, and coping. Case examples will be shared.
Presenters: Susan has been an accredited Music Therapist since 1999 and has been working at the Janeway Children’s Health and Rehabilitation Centre since 2008. She has experience providing Music Therapy to children and youth in acute care inpatient Psychiatry and recently in 2014 became the Music Therapist at the new Youth Treatment Centre in Paradise. Susan holds a Bachelor degree in Music and Music Therapy, and a Masters in Music Therapy.
Jennifer recently graduated from the Acadia University Music Therapy Program and is currently completing her 1000 hour internship with Susan. Once accredited, Jennifer hopes to work with Mental Health and Addictions here in NL. Her previous degrees include Bachelor of Arts in Music and Applied Associates in Music Business.