ATA Current Courses

Participants will gain knowledge of what Dialectical Behavior Therapy is and how it treats those individuals with maladaptive coping strategies. The course will explain the theoretical basis of Emotion Dysregulation, Biosocial Theory of DBT, and primary behavioral targets during treatment. The structure of DBT therapy with regard to group and individual modalities’ will be explained. In addition the course will address and teach some standard: DBT skills, DBT for Substance Use Disorder (DBT-SUD) adaptations and skill modifications for Eating Disordered (DBT-ED) clients.

The purpose of this course is to outline how experiences of abuse and neglect may increase risk by influencing the development and functioning of the child’s brain. Each year in the United States there are over three million children that are abused or neglected. These destructive experiences impact the developing child and increase the risk for emotional, behavioral, social and physical problems throughout life. Attachment Disorders range on a continuum that runs from securely attached through degrees of attachment issues. Adoptees are not the only individuals who suffer from attachment issues. Adults who did not have their emotional and physical needs met in the first few years of life; as well as families who have biological children may also suffer from attachment disorders. Some of the causes of attachment problems are very subtle and often go unrecognized. When there is disruption of the timing, intensity, quality or quantity of normal developmental experiences; there may be a devastating impact on these children. For millions of abused and neglected children, the nature of their experiences adversely influences the development of their brains. Therapeutic interventions that restore a sense of safety and control are very important for the traumatized child.

Participants will learn to recognize & set appropriate limits, maintaining objectivity, and allowing for a smoothly operating program with patient care as a primary focus. Patients and their families look to the professional to offer guidance & wisdom during a very vulnerable time. The professional & team’s ability to set appropriate boundaries and limits for themselves, and with the patient and family, is critical to the quality and effectiveness of the care given. End of life discussions can be difficult and emotional; Professionals have an ethical obligation to provide patients and families with accurate and objective information in order to help them make difficult end-of-life decisions. Participants will explore the ethical implications of some of these decisions and learn how to approach these topics with sensitivity. The final portion of this presentation will be spent defining suffering and exploring techniques to enhance traditional methods for relief of pain & suffering.

The purpose of this seminar will focus on cognitive therapeutic intervention with teenagers and adults who present with various behavioral and emotional issues that make therapeutic interventions challenging, and less effective. It will provide a brief overview of cognitive behavioral theory and techniques, discuss the concept of difficulty as it relates to the clinicians perception and history, and identify various diagnostic and behavioral patterns that can thwart our clinical skills and traditional strategies for helping. Discussion of various methods to identify, join and treat these clients will be examined and practiced.

The NASW and ABECSW Codes of Ethics will be discussed / contrasted in developing an ethical base of understanding for proper case work and management. Ethical decision-making strategies will be discussed and applied to various legal situations. Relevant areas of the Michigan Mental Health Code and associated with social work ethical issues will be discussed - focusing on involuntary treatment and treatment rights, guardianship and informed consent. Handling subpoenas and balancing legal and ethical issues as a petitioner; court testimony strategies and relationships with the Probate Court will be examined. End of life /advanced directives issues will be reviewed; with concentration on social work obligations to clients engaged in developing individualized end of life plans. In the final hour of this course ethical issues associated with Behavior Management/Modification approaches will be reviewed. Note: Behavior Management is accepted by the Michigan Board of Social Work in lieu of the Pain Management requirement.

Participants will gain an understanding of Complex Trauma, including physical, sexual and emotional trauma issues. The incidence and features of Complex trauma including Behavioral and Neurobiological Implications, Behavioral, Impulse and Affect and Somatic and Biological Dysregulation will also be presented. The pervasive effects of Complex trauma in daily life, and in life decision making skills will be discussed. Assessing Complex Trauma and identification of issues for treatment and the relationship between Complex trauma and diagnostic categories such as PTSD and Borderline Personality Disorder will be reviewed. Current treatment approaches and issues will be discussed; including treating adults involved in intimate relationships. This seminar will provide group discussion and exercise opportunities focused on knowledge enhancement and skill building for service providers. As an adjunct to the presentation materials, handouts as well as a resource list will be provided.

Participants will gain knowledge specific to working with older adults who may exhibit problems due to, or related to the use of alcohol, medications, and non-prescribed drugs. This course will cover normal aging, aging with illnesses, alcohol use (when is one drink too many? When might there be a significant alcohol problem?), what medications and other drugs might be causing cognitive/behavioral problems, and the disease of addiction. In addition, the course will cover how to screen for substance abuse, how to address the screening results with the older individual, how to recommend and/or refer the person for further evaluation or to treatment. The myths and stereotypes of aging are many. They are multiplied when substance misuse is stirred up and mixed into the aging person.

Grieving clients look to the professional to offer guidance & wisdom during a very vulnerable time. Grief is a response to loss of all kinds and is a prevalent theme in many clients’ experiences. The professional’s ability to recognize this and individualize the therapy to the age & situation of the client is directly related to the professional’s understanding of the unique characteristics and influencing factors of the grief experience. Participants will learn the latest theories and interventions to enable them to appropriately assist with end of life discussions, anticipatory grief & bereavement counseling, and family grief issues including childhood & adolescent grief. Participants will also learn to discriminate between normal and complicated grief reactions. The professional working with grieving individuals must be able to offer empathy & support without joining the client in their grief. The final portion of this presentation will be spent defining the stages of growth & development for professionals working in this field, with special emphasis on self-care and prevention of burn-out.