Friday, May 2, 2008

Cognitive Therapy: Uncover Strengths & Build Resilience—A Four Step Process (TH1)
Thursday, May 1, 2008
9:00 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. (6 CE Hrs.)


Padesky & Mooney’s 4-step model for building and strengthening resilience integrates knowledge from resilience research, traditional cognitive therapy methods, and constructive cognitive therapy approaches. Participants will learn to search for strengths within six main areas of competence characteristic of resilient individuals. Guided exercises allow participants to practice skills that can help both clients and therapists become more resilient in the face of daily challenges. This resilience model can be integrated within CBT and other therapy approaches.

Christine Padesky, Ph.D., Center for Cognitive Therapy, Huntington Beach, California and Distinguished Founding Fellow of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy has won international awards and is renowned as a creative clinician, author, and workshop instructor. Dr. Padesky authors CD & DVD training materials (www.padesky.com) and books, including her best selling cognitive therapy self-help book Mind Over Mood (www.mindovermood.com), voted the most influential cognitive therapy book of all time.
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Legal & Ethical Issues: Boundaries—Are They Black, White, or Gray? (TH2)
Thursday, May 1, 2008
9:00 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. (6 CE Hrs.)


Some psychotherapists want to practice defensively and avoid risk-taking at all costs. Others are willing to venture into areas and methods of practice that are more risky and controversial if they believe it is in the best interests of their patients and if it is clinically and legally supportable. Speak to several different lawyers or practitioners and you are likely to get different opinions and viewpoints on a variety of legal and ethical issues that confront therapists on a regular basis. This panel discussion will address several thorny and controversial practice issues and will do so from a number of differing perspectives.

Richard S. Leslie is an attorney who has practiced at the intersection of law and psychotherapy for the past twentyseven years. Currently, Richard is Of Counsel to CAMFT on legislative, regulatory, and legal matters. Richard is credited with putting MFTs on the map in California. Ofer Zur, Ph.D., is a consultant, licensed psychologist, writer, forensic consultant, and lecturer from Sonoma, CA. He is a pioneer in the development of the ethical and effective managed- care-free psychotherapy practice and is a prolific writer and researcher.

Brandt Caudill, J.D., practices law in the Orange County office of Callahan, McCune & Willis. He represented mental health professionals in the precedent setting cases of Krikorian v. Barry, Fourth District Court of Appeal (1987), Gootee v. Lightner, Fourth District Court of Appeal (1990), and Trear v. Sills, Fourth District Court of Appeal (1999).

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Sex Addiction: A Day in the Recovery Zone with
Patrick Carnes, Ph.D. (TH3)
Thursday, May 1, 2008
9:00 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. (6 CE Hrs.), *CD Available
*co-sponsored by the Pine Grove Recovery Center


The leading challenge for sexual addiction recovery is not establishing sobriety but rather maintaining it. Taught by Dr. Patrick Carnes, this workshop is designed to introduce therapists to the concept of "task centered" therapy. The workshop highlights the major challenges for recovering people and their therapists. Participants will learn how to establish a "zone" for recovery, recognize the role of addiction interaction, the internal tasks for restructuring of relationships with self-abuse, shame and grief, the external tasks of creating a re c ove ry system (work finances, family and physical well-being). (*CD of workshop available for purchase, see page 16 for details.)

Dr. Patrick J. Carnes is a nationally known speaker on addiction and recovery issues. Dr. Carnes is currently the Executive Director of the Gentle Path program at Pine Grove Behavioral Center in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He is the primary architect of Gentle Path treatment programs for the treatment of sexual and addictive disorders. He also pioneered the founding of the Certified Sex Addiction Therapist program. This pro g ram has evolved into a network of local, regional, and residential programs which specialize in this work.
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Are We Managing Pain But Fueling Addiction—Or Are We Treating Addiction But Sabotaging Pain
Management? (TH4)
Thursday, May 1, 2008
9:00 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. (6 CE Hrs.), * CD Available


Family systems are severely impacted by either addictive disorders or when a member is living with a serious chronic pain condition. Treatment planning becomes even more problematic when both conditions coexist and the inclusion of MFTs becomes imperative. This workshop will explore the many obstacles facing these families including controversial and mixed information on how to proceed. This workshop explains a strategic three-part approach for improving treatment outcomes and giving these families new hope. (*CD of workshop available for purchase, see page 16 for details.)

Dr. Stephen Grinstead is the Senior Consultant Trainer for the Gorski-CENAPS® Corporation (www.cenaps.com). He is also the Vice President of Clinical Services for Avalon Pain Solutions, Inc. and the Clinical Director of Avalon Gardens, a 40-bed residential pain management treatment center in Palm Springs, California. Dr. Grinstead is an author and nationally recognized expert in preventing relapse related to chronic pain disorders and is the developer of Addiction-Free Pain Management™ System (www.addiction-free.com).
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Mindfulness: Is it Clinically Essential for Therapists to Meditate? (TH5)
Thursday, May 1, 2008
9:00 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. (6 CE Hrs.), *CD Available


Is it possible to become mindful from attending lectures about mindfulness? The inconvenient truth: to experience the integrating aspects of mindfulness as a way of being, it is probably necessary to meditate. This workshop challenges participants to experience how actually meditating can enhance their clinical competency with mindfulness and lead to integration. While mindfulness theory and re s e a rch will be covered, participants will get to practice a wide variety of mindfulness meditations in an experiential re t reat format. From this first-hand way of knowing, therapists can make an informed decision re g a rding the clinical value of having their own regular mindfulness practice. (*CD of workshop available for purchase.)

Jerome Front, MFT, is a leader of innovative retreats and is in private practice in Studio City. He also teaches weekly mindfulness meditation classes and has had his own mindfulness practice for 19 years. He is yearround Adjunct Faculty in the Graduate School of Clinical Psychology at Pepperdine University. In 2000, he created the first Graduate Course for degree credit called “Mindfulness and Psychotherapy.”

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Ending Our Deafening Silence: MFTs and Advocacy in a Troubled World (TLUN)
Thursday, May 1, 2008
12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Speaker 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. = 1 CE Hr.),
$45 Ticket, *CD Available


This lunch presentation will challenge CAMFT members to take a more prominent role in advocating for public policies that reflect the wisdom of psychotherapy. From participating in the political process for CAMFT legislation, to speaking out to the world about issues pertaining to relationships, we can and must do more to influence developments in social, political, and economic arenas. (*CD of workshop available for purchase)

Carol Campbell, MFT, is in private practice in San Jose, CA. Carol is a former president of CAMFT, and has served on numerous community boards and committees. She is an outspoken advocate for progressive social change.

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Roadblocks & Solutions to Diagnosis (TH6)
Thursday, May 1, 2008
9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. (3 CE Hrs.), *CD Available

The most significant privilege a licensed psychotherapist holds is the authority to diagnose. The privilege, however, is muddled and lost in academic translation. Confusion abounds in psychiatry and addiction medicine due in no small part to the dominant role of pharmaceutical companies. Compounding the problem, graduate schools and exam workshops lack emphasis on effective assessment and diagnosis, and, rather, routinely instruct students to refer clients to a psychiatrist for a “medication evaluation.” (*CD of workshop available for purchase, see page 16 for details.)

Richard Emilio Paliani, M.Ed., has been in practice for 20 years and specializes in family counseling, addiction medicine, dual disorders, ADHD, and adolescent development. Mr. Paliani has received graduate education and training from Harvard University and UCLA in their masters and doctorate programs. He is a licensed MFT, Certified Group Psychotherapist, Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, and trained in Gorski Relapse Prevention and Chronic Pain Management. Mr. Paliani has a private practice, clinical appointment with Kaiser Permanente, and is an Expert in Therapeutic Competency for the State of California.

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Family Therapy: The Media Link (TH7)
Thursday, May 1, 2008
2:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. (3 CE Hrs.), *CD Available

In this presentation participants will learn about media psychology and how it applies to family therapy. Participants will also hear about and have a chance to discuss issues related to media effects on the family. Innovative ideas for using new media in the practice of psychotherapy will be presented. Discussion of pathways to related doctorate degrees for current family therapists will also be included. (*CD of workshop available for purchase.)

Bernard J. Luskin, MFT, is presently Executive Vice President, Professor, and Director of the Media Psychology Program at the Fielding Graduate University. He is leading the way by launching the first doctorate program applying psychology to media. Brenda Osuna is an MFT in private practice specializing in treatment of trauma survivors. Brenda is in her 3rd year as a doctoral student in media psychology at Fielding Graduate University.

Keta Paulson has been a practicing psychotherapist for over 12 years. She has been affiliated with Six Rivers Planned Parenthood for over 20 years and presently sits on its Board of Directors. Keta is a doctoral student in the media psychology program at Fielding Graduate University.


Saturday, May 3, 2008
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Registration Form
Conference Information
Places to Go, Things to Do in Los Angeles!
CAMFT's Home Page
 
Conference Presenters
Ellyn Bader
Carol Campbell
Patrick Carnes
Brandt Caudill
Connie Clark
Carolyn Costin
Nicholas Cummings
Patt Denning
Barry Duncan
Kendall Evans
Jerome Front
David Gard

Charlyn Gelt
Carleen Glasser
William Glasser
Stephen Grinstead
Barbara Griswold
Lynn Hoffman
Marty Klein
Richard Leslie
Julia Lewis
Betty Lue Lieber
Bernard Luskin
Sean O’Connor
Brenda Osuna
Christine Padesky
Richard Paliani
Dennis Palumbo
Keta Paulson
Peter Pearson
Mary Riemersma
Carrie Savlov
Karen Savlov
Allan Schore
Thomas Sexton
Stephen Sobel
Tamar Springer
Suzanne Streater
Betty Sutton
Casey Truffo
Amy Weintraub
Judith Westerfield
Abigail Whiteside
Michael Yapko
Ofer Zur