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Study Group Series Fall 2022

All Study Groups Meet on Fridays. Programs are presented 12:30 - 3:30 PM, and 3 CEUs are awarded. 

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All registrants will be able to log in 15 minutes before presentation.

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**Coming in the Fall**

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September 9th, 2022

" Introduction to Veterinary Social Work, What is it?"

Presented by:  Krista Martin, LISW-CP, MSSW

This presentation will offer an overview of Veterinary Social Work, including Compassion Fatigue and Conflict Management, Animal- Related Grief and Bereavement, Animal-Assisted Interventions, and The Link Between Human and Animal Violence. Particular attention will be given to the Human-Animal Bond and how that bond impacts each of these core areas of Veterinary Social Work.

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Objectives: ​

After the completion of this training, participants will be able to:

1. Define the four core areas of Veterinary Social Work

2. Understand the Human-Animal Bond and its relationship to Veterinary Social Work

3. Gain insight into how to apply this information to their existing professional services

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Presenters Bio:

Krista Martin, LISW-CP,MSSW received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Behavioral Sciences from East Texas Baptist University and her Masters of Science in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. During these years, she developed a love for program development and an unfortunate addiction to Tex-Mex. Krista is currently enrolled in the Post Graduate Veterinary Social Work Certificate Program through the University of Tennessee Knoxville. She is an active member of the International Association of Veterinary Social Work.

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Krista has 20 years of practice experience in both micro and macro environments. She currently operates M3 Counseling LLC, a private social work practice specializing in veterinary social work, and partners with Upstate Vet as their Clinical Support Specialist. 

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October 14th, 2022

"The Intersection of Mind and Body: Recognition and Treatment of Somatic Systems"

Presented By: Devin Evans,LPC

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It is estimated that 60% of patients seeking primary care present with at least one medically unexplained symptom of a somatic origin. These symptoms can include but are not limited to various forms of chronic pain, GI, and neurological symptoms. Patients with these symptoms often do not understand the connection between emotions and physiology and, therefore, logically assume they have a medical illness and seek treatment from a physician. However, medicines are often ineffective at reducing symptoms and put patients at risk of medication side effects and addiction. Surgeries, when recommended, are costly, risky, and do not always provide relief (due to the risk of the patient continuing to experience learned pain post-surgery). Other pain-targeting methods, including injections, and massage, can often be effective but are time-limited and must be repeated indefinitely. For these and other reasons, patients with somatic symptoms can often not find effective treatment and can live years experiencing pain and loss of function.
On the other hand, therapies that target emotions and anxiety have proven effective at reducing and even wholly relieving patients of their symptoms. Therefore, mental health practitioners must know somatic symptoms. This presentation will discuss terminology used to denote somatic symptoms, common somatic symptoms, including medical diagnoses that are somatic in origin, and the basic physiology behind somatic symptoms. A case will be presented showing the diagnosis and treatment of somatic symptoms with Intensive Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP), evidence-based therapy for somatic symptoms. A brief overview of ISTDP will be given; parallels will be drawn between ISTDP and other evidence-based treatments so that therapists of all modalities can draw connections to their technique and style of work. ​

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Objectives:

1. Define the term “somatic symptom” and “conversion.”

2. Name other medical terms used to denote symptoms/diagnoses of somatic origin
3. Convey the essential psychophysiological pathways mediated in somatic symptoms
4. Recognize/name common somatic symptoms and medical diagnoses of somatic origin
5. Name three therapeutic interventions aimed at reducing the frequency and/or severity of somatic symptoms that they feel comfortable integrating into their practice (more than three will be given so attendees can choose which best fit into their style/integrate well with the current treatment modality they employ)

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Presenters Bio: 

Devin is a Licensed Professional Counselor with five years of experience in the counseling field. She completed her Master’s in Education and Education Specialist degrees at Clemson University and has experience working with psychiatric disorders in inpatient and outpatient settings. She currently works in private practice treating chronic pain, functional disorders, psychiatric disorders, and complex trauma.
While in graduate school, Devin maintained a position with Greenville Health System and the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville. She served as an advocate for students and guided in helping students navigate their clinical education, and both decided to prepare for their future careers.
Devin has completed Year 1 of Core Training in Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) at the Washington School of Psychiatry and primarily uses ISTDP to treat patients while augmenting psychoeducation and cognitive and behavioral methods where needed.

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November 11th, 2022

"Daddy Issues x Mental Health Symptoms"

Presented by: Christian Jackson

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This presentation will provide an overview to help clinicians identify the specific mental health symptoms related to one's connection (or lack of) with their father. The participant will be able to identify current post-traumatic stress symptoms, specifically as it relates to emotional trauma in connection to one's experience with their fathers. The presenter will then introduce evidence-based interventions based on CBT practices to use in both individual therapy as well as therapeutic group settings to assist clients with abandonment/rejection, attachment issues, and more. 

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Objectives:

1. Learn what "Daddy issues" are according to CJ, exploration of attachment issues/separation anxiety

2. Identify current post-traumatic stress symptoms

3. Learn evidence-based interventions based on CBT practices to use in both individual therapy as well as therapeutic group settings

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Presenters Bio:

Christian Jackson is a licensed professional counselor supervisor and national board-certified counselor. As an EMDR (eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing) trained therapist, Christian works primarily to address symptoms of post-traumatic stress. She self-published her book, Daddy Issues: How to Detangle from the Sins of our Fathers, along with its companioning workbook under the same title. Her brand, Couch with Christian, focuses on supporting women in recovery from relationship trauma via facilitation therapy, mental wellness coaching, and speaking for various organizations to educate about mental health and wellness. 

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