La Jolla, CA - The Art of Mindfulness & Counseling: Oct 2011

SPONSORS:
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EXHIBITORS:

8:30 � 10:00 a.m.

Motivated to Meditate: Clinical Strategies for the Anxious & Distracted Client

This presentation bridges the gap between meditation and brain science by demonstrating how spiritual practice can stabilize and improve neurochemistry and enhance mental functioning.

Reef Karim, M.D.
UCLA Addiction Medicine Clinic, Assistant Clinical Professor UCLA Semel Institute of Neuroscience; Founder/Director, The Control Center, Outpatient Treatment Center for Behavioral Addictions

10:30 � 12:00 noon

Harnessing Mindfulness: Tailoring the Practice to the Person

Mindfulness practice, while enormously helpful for treating a wide range of disorders, is not a one-size-fits-all remedy. Techniques need to be tailored to fit the needs of particular individuals. This presentation will explore the core components of mindfulness practices, how they work to alleviate psychological distress, and how they can be creatively adapted to meet the needs of diverse people and conditions.

Ronald D. Siegel, Psy.D.
Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychology, Harvard Medical School; Co-editor, Mindfulness and Psychotherapy; Author, The Mindfulness Solution: Everyday Practices for Everyday Problems

1:30 � 3:00 p.m.

When Death Comes: Being a Compassionate Companion

This session presents 5 "Precepts of Service" offering mindful & compassionate approach to the practical, emotional, & spiritual issues that are inherent in this unique relationship.

Frank Ostaseski
One of America's leading voices in contemplative end of life care; Founder, The Metta Institute; Co-founder, Zen Hospice Project; Author, Being A Compassionate Companion (Audio)

3:30 � 5:00 p.m. | CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS (ATTEND ONE)

• � The Heart of the Great Matter of Life & Death
  This experiential session develops the qualities that best serve at the time of dying. We explore compassionate presence with suffering, a freedom from the limitations of roles, and the necessity of an abiding trust in the dying process.
  Frank Ostaseski
  
  
• � Mindfulness and Intimacy: For Lovers, Parents, and Therapists
  Getting along with others isn�t easy. This workshop will explore how mindfulness practices, first refined in ancient monasteries and hermitages, are proving to be helpful with a central challenge of modern life: understanding and connecting with fellow human beings.
  Ronald D. Siegel, Psy.D.

8:30 � 10:00 a.m.

A Special Focus on Clinical Excellence - Achieving Clinical Excellence: Three Steps to Superior Performance

There is now solid empirical evidence for what distinguishes highly effective from average therapists. In this presentation participants will learn 3 specific strategies that separate the great from the good.

Scott Miller, Ph.D.
Co-founder, The Center for Clinical Excellence; His humorous & engaging presentation style & knowledge consistently inspires practitioners.

10:30 � 12:00 noon

Achieving Clinical Excellence (cont'd.)

Scott Miller, Ph.D.

1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) PART 1: A Moment OF Sweetness

Sometimes we become so mired in painful experience that the sweetness of life is lost to us. In this workshop we will explore how a "mindfulness for two" exercise can create transformational conversations that bring us into contact with "sweetness" in our own lives and the lives of our clients.

Kelly G. Wilson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, University of Mississippi; Author, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness for Two; Author, Things Might Go Terribly, Horribly Wrong

3:30 � 5:00 p.m. | CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS (ATTEND ONE)

• Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) PART 2: An Inclined Heart
  In this workshop, we will explore a values-focus mindfulness exercise and mindful interview. These exercises and interviews can help clients to embrace necessary suffering in the service of committed, life affirming choices and to live in accordance with deeply help personal values.
  Kelly G. Wilson, Ph.D.
  
  
• Mind, Body & Spirit of Trauma
  We will explore the impact of trauma on the body, mind, and soul, how they are connected, and how trauma resolution requires healing of the whole of the human system.
  Judy T. Crane, LMHC, CAP, CSAT
  Executive Director, The Refuge - A Healing Place
  

8:30 � 10:00 a.m.

True Refuge- Buddhist Meditations for Healing Shame & Fear: Buddhist Psychology, Mindfulness and Emotional Healing

This session introduces an understanding of suffering and emotional healing from the perspective of Buddhist Psychology. We explore the key components of a mindful awareness, and the impact of mindfulness on ones� felt sense of identity.

10:30 � 12:00 noon

Awakening Self-Compassion

In this session we explore the deep conditioning toward shame and self-aversion, and how Buddhist meditative strategies can arouse a genuine, and healing, self-compassion.

1:30 � 3:00 p.m.

Meditative strategies for Working with Fear

When fear is strong, there are many styles of meditation that may be contra-indicated. This session looks at how meditation can be skillfully woven into psychotherapy in a way that allows for a significant and potentially life changing access to feeling safety, trust and love.

3:15 � 4:45 p.m.

Awakening The Heart

Our deepest pain arises from living in a trance of separation. The Buddhist heart practices�lovingkindness, forgiveness and compassion�offer powerful tools in freeing us from trance and revealing our inherent connectedness with all of life.