September 12th 2017
6:30pm-8:30pm
East Village Access
Cindy Peterson-Dana, LMHC, Ed Altwies, PsyD., and Jazmine Russell
See Faculty Bios

Putting oneself in the presence of a person experiencing a deep emotional crisis require equipoise, self-care, courage, and trust, regardless of degree or level of experience. When it comes to crisis experiences such as extreme highs and lows or hallucinations, there is often a great deal of suffering and confusion attendant. This seminar will explore these states as natural reactions to pain and psychological distress and give an overview of evidence-based methods to provide immediate support to those experiencing first episode psychosis and other altered states early on. Facilitators will draw on personal experience, intentional peer support(IPS), relational, dialogical and recovery-oriented practices to offer tools in both personal and clinical settings.

Topics include: 

1.     Dealing with crisis as a family member, peer, clinician – first-person accounts
2.     Being present & creating a safe space, working within context and preferred language
3.     Self-care & maintaining boundaries for supporter and person in crisis
4.     Being in relationship: Meeting each other's basic needs
5.     Engaging with extreme and unusual experiences & When to call for help
6.     Harm reduction, Peer support, and relational strategies

Agenda:

 6:30-7            Introductions and brief sharing of relevant experiences
7- 7:30            Being in relationship & creating safe space
7:30-8            Examples of relational interventions in clinical practice
8-8:30            Outlook for the future

Participants will be able to:

1. increase their awareness about first episode psychosis and other mental health crises
2. identify several tools for working with and building relationships with those in crisis
3. discuss basic principles of relational and dialogical methodologies
4. consider the relevance of these methods in crisis intervention
5. explore the potential of these methods for reducing hospitalization and police involvement

Additional Information:

$75 per class/ $50 reduced
2 CE hours offered per class for psychologists, psychoanalysts, social workers, counselors, MFTs, creative arts therapists. View CE requirements and information here.
Target Audience: All Levels

For questions and concerns regarding class cancellations and policies, please email: idha.nyc@gmail.com