Main Track Sessions

MAIN-A. Substance Use Disorders 101: A Practical Understanding, Approach and Treatment for SUD

Level: Introductory/Basic

Presenter: Ben Bentley LPCS, LCAS, CCS

Description: This introductory course is an overview of SUD which will explore a wide range of topics including:

  • Why Individuals Use Substances
  • Development of Substance Abuse Issues
  • The progressive nature of Substance Use Disorders
  • Review of Diagnostic Criteria
  • Treatment Options and Strategies
  • Recovery
  • Substance Specific Information

The focus will be a practical approach to beginning to understand SUD and treatment.

MAIN-B. Group Counseling: The Higher Power of Group Work with Co-occurring Disorders

Level: Intermediate

Presenter: Steve Hanna, LPC,LCAS,CAC-II, CAI-II

Description: The power of the group has always been the most effective healing environment for individuals suffering with addictive disorders. With the increased prevalence of Co-occurring Disorders, counselors need a broader framework and advanced skills to facilitate the group process.  This track will focus on both theoretical models of group work and experiential exercises to develop practical skills. Some of the topics that will be addressed include:

  • The Curative Process in Group Therapy
  • Early, Middle and Late Stage Treatment Issues in Group
  • Transference and Resistance in Groups
  • Managing Personality Disorders in Group
  • Working with other providers
  • Support Group and Sponsor Issues

(Sponsored by: The Elements Behavioral Health)

NCSAPPB Psychopathology (PSY) Approved

MAIN-C. Title: Clinical Supervision: Some Core Principles

Level: All

Presenter:  William L. Mock, Ph.D., LISW, LICDC, SAP

Description: Skills and knowledge regarding clinical supervision is essential for both the supervisor and supervisee.  Topics covered in this workshop include: the top 10 behavioral triggers for malpractice actions; the 5 step formula for dealing with a troubled employee; the 12 core principles of effective supervision;  and techniques for ethically and efficiently recording the supervision process.  Methods include: didactic presentation, case examples and practice.

NCSAPPB Clinical Supervision (CSS) Approved

MAIN-D. “Seeing the Forest and the Trees” John t. Edwards PhD’s Legacy of Family Systems and Addictions Treatment

Level: Intermediate

Presenter: Tab Ballis, LCSW, LCAS, CCS

Description:  “I lead because I follow” was the deceptively powerful distillation of theory and practice that drew generations of clinicians to learn from the “Southern Gentleman” of family therapy, John T. Edwards, PhD.  Moving the addictions treatment field toward a fuller integration of family systems during his prolific career, John was especially beloved for his ability to render complex human interactions accessible to a wide range of human service professionals.  This training will employ practical skill-building, discussion, small group exercise, and archival video footage, to advance the body of work of this innovative pioneer in the art of engaging families.  Participants are encouraged to use this training as an opportunity for ongoing immersion in family systems theory, advancing the mission of the John T. Edwards Foundation (www.foundationplace.net).    

MAIN-E. Marijuana: New Findings and Cannabis Use Disorder – Inconvenient Truths

Level: Intermediate/Advanced

Presenter: Darryl S. Inaba, PharmD., CATC-V, CADC III

Description: Eight States (Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, Washington) and Washington DC have now legalized marijuana for recreational use and 29 states plus the District of Columbia have approved medical use of marijuana despite the fact that pot is still a federal Schedule I substance of abuse, and a growing body of medical evidence that demonstrate marijuana and the chemicals its contains (THC, CBN in particular) especially the newer highly potent strains (“Loud Dream and Skunk Weed”) and forms (“edibles and BHO”), along with synthetic cannabinoids (“Spice, K2”) result in addiction, medical and mental health problems. This presentation will look at marijuana as a drug: It’s medical and abuse potential relative to other psychoactive substances. It will revisit its botany, chemistry, pharmacology, impact on the adolescent brain and especially the 8-9% of its users who develop Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD). Current treatments of CUD will also be reviewed.

 (Sponsored by: Dominion Diagnostics)

MAIN-F. Worlds Apart: What Works in Adolescent Treatment and Why

Level: Intermediate

Presenter:  James E. Campbell, LPC, MAC, CACII

Description: There has been a wealth of recent discoveries about adolescent development and learning.  Unfortunately, there is frequently a disconnect between what we know works best with adolescents and the treatment modalities we use when working with them.  This session reviews recent research and discoveries and how to best apply that knowledge to effectively treat adolescents

Objectives:

Participants in this session will have the opportunity to:

  1. Discuss the fundamental developmental task of adolescence, why knowing this task matters, and how to leverage it effectively in prevention, intervention, and treatment.
  2. Grasp the vulnerabilities particular to adolescent development related to substance use.
  3. Examine of the role of family, support systems, and traditional and social media in adolescence and how to help build support for the adolescents we serve.
  4. Practice kinesthetic techniques designed to enhance engagement with adolescents.

(Sponsored by: SEATTC)

MAIN-G. It’s Not About “Anger Management”

Level: All

Presenter: John Donovan, CADCII, LAADC

Description: This class will discuss the issues that come up in conflict resolution problems faced by clinicians in group management and one to one sessions. The concept of ‘’Anger Management” will be examined and new concepts will be introduced on how to handle ‘difficult’ and sometimes ‘disruptive’ clients. John has worked with professionals, couples, Folsom Prison inmates, Sacramento’s incarcerated and homeless, young and addicted, old and addicted and will bring this experience to the participants of this workshop.

(Sponsored by: Choices for Recovery)

NCSAPPB Approved for GSB Only

MAIN-H. Stacked Deck: An Evidence-based Program to Prevent Problem Gambling

Level: Introductory

Presenters:  Ashley Trantham; Alison Drain

Description:   Participants will develop hands on experience and knowledge in how to effectively implement the Stacked Deck curriculum.  Stacked Deck is an evidence-based program designed to prevent problem gambling in grades 9-12; however, it has been used in grades 7 & 8 as well.  Stacked Deck is listed on SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices. Stacked Deck is intended to change attitudes towards gambling based on the premise that attitudes are best predictors for behavior. It increases knowledge about gambling and the odds of winning.  It corrects beliefs about gambling.  And finally, it prevents or decreases the frequency of gambling behavior. 

Up to 30 full scholarships will be awarded to participants.  Priority will be given to school administrators, principals, teachers, after-school programs and community prevention specialists.  Those interested in enrolling must receive prior approval from Smith Worth at the NC Division of MHDDSAS (smith.worth@dhhs.nc.gov).   All scholarships are subject to the availability of funds.

(Sponsored by: The North Carolina Problem Gambling Program and the North Carolina Division of MHDDSAS)

NCSAPPB Evidence-Based Treatment (EBT) Approved

MAIN-IProblem Gambling Treatment in a Changing World

Level: Intermediate/Advanced

Presenters: David Ledgerwood, Ph.D., & Robby Fuqua, LCSW

Description: This course is designed for the North Carolina Gambling Program Network of Treatment Providers. In this track, participants will acquire knowledge of recent research in the area of Responsible and Problem Gambling, practice using evidence-based treatment models, and develop tools to increase outreach to this vulnerable population.

This track offers full scholarships; however, priority will be given to clinicians listed on the Problem Gambling Registry and those that have previously attended a problem gambling track or Sure Bet training. If you are interested in enrolling, you must receive prior approval from Smith Worth at the NC Division of MHDDSAS (smith.worth@dhhs.nc.gov). All scholarships are subject to the availability of funds.

Objectives:

  • Identify recent problem gambling research
  • Gain insight into gambling fallacies
  • Discuss models used for problem gambling treatment
  • Examine outreach tools for working with Veterans
  • Develop strategies for incorporating new treatment models into their own practice

(Sponsored by: The North Carolina Problem Gambling Program and the North Carolina Division of MHDDSAS)

MAIN-J.  Beyond Services: Why Professional Growth and Responsibility Matters [Prevention Track]

Level: Introductory/Intermediate

Presenter: Nicole Augustine, MPH, MCHES, CSAPC

Description: This main track will focus on Domain VI of the Certified Substance Abuse Prevention Consultant (CSAPC) credential.  The movement towards professional standards for prevention specialists includes a focus on “professional growth and responsibility”.  Participants will take an in-depth look at the following tasks associated with Domain VI:

  • Adherence to all legal, professional and ethical principles
  • Demonstration of cultural responsiveness 
  • Demonstration of self-care consistent with prevention messages, and 
  • A commitment to public health advocacy

(Sponsored by NC Prevention Providers Association)

MAIN-K. Creating Culturally Responsive Organizations

Level: All

Presenter: Malik Ashhali, MSW, LCSW, LCAS, MAC, CSI

Description:  This main track will thoroughly discuss and define Culture and its evolving nature. It will explore Cultural Diversity and its continuing impact on the individual, treatment organizations, and society at large. Participants will understand and comprehensively discuss why it’s important for organizations to become culturally competent.  Attendees will also  systematically examine the Continuum of Cultural Competence. By the end of this main track, participants will be able to understand, discuss, and implement the process for becoming a culturally responsive organization.

(Sponsored by: The Village Behavioral Healthcare Services)

NCSAPPB Approved for GSB Only

MAIN-L. Utilizing Criminogenic Risk Assessment to Develop Effective Treatment Plans

Level: Basic/Intermediate

Presenter: Michael Torch

 Description: This is an adaptation of the evidence-based SAMHSA Blending Product MATRS treatment planning curriculum using Criminogenic risk assessment tools, i.e. North Carolina Offender Traits Inventory-Revised, Ohio Risk Assessment System (ORAS), Level of Service Inventory-Revised (LSI-R), and the Federal Post Conviction Risk Assessment (PCRA), to identify treatment needs of the Substance Use Disordered Criminal Justice population.  This training is intended to aide Substance Use Disorder treatment providers and Criminal Justice Case management personnel with addressing the Criminogenic needs and barriers to treatment encountered in providing treatment to offenders and community reentry populations.   Combining evidence-based Criminogenic risk assessment with an evidence-based treatment planning curriculum will be the focus of this presentation.

Objectives:

  1. Utilize Criminogenic risk assessment information to make a counselor’s job easier with the criminal justice involved client.
  2. Build an individualized or person-centered treatment plan for the criminal justice involved client.
  3. Identify characteristics of a program-driven treatment plan versus an individualized treatment plan.
  4. Apply individualized treatment plans that are Criminogenically informed improve client retention, lead to better treatment outcomes and reduced criminal behavior.
  5. Practice developing individualized treatment plans for the criminal justice involved client

(Sponsored by: SEATTC)

NCSAPPB Evidence-Based Treatment (EBT) Approved