This presentation will look at the changing behavioral health landscape and how it effects the work we, as EAP professionals do. I will lay out my experience over the 40 years that I have been involved in the EAP & behavioral health fields and the importance of changing to meet the different needs of today. Our focus will be on how to address the increased focus on behavioral health and how to combine the high touch services we provide while also addressing the use of technology. It will also focus on the way in which "disruptors" are promoting what they do and how to distinguish the value EAPs provide. Our emphasis is on how EAPs need to move beyond the traditional methodologies that have defined us and address the changing options available to purchasers of our services.

This workshop will focus on utilizing Motivational Interviewing (MI) to resolve barriers to change that impede a client's progress. We will discuss ways to support engagement, increase hope and confidence in their ability to be successful in moving towards their goals through embodying the spirit of MI. The foundations of attachment will be used to increase awareness to challenges that will impact a client's engagement and can contribute to discord in the therapeutic relationship.

Why are your end-of-life affairs not in order? Death is a transition. Death Doulas have facilitated this transition for both the dying and those left behind since ancient times. The role of a Death Doula is to trust that the person dying knows how to die (perhaps unconsciously), and support the family in honoring their loved one. A Death Doula’s commitment is to support and honor the wishes of a dying individual in this difficult life experience. Death Doulas embrace compassion, deep listening, healthy boundaries, intuition, clear communication, awareness of emotions, and respect of the individual’s wishes. They are curious, develop cooperative relationships with people and explore the Unknown. To work with a Death Doula is to discover an awareness of how love emerges. Explore what a Death Doula can do for you and your clients!

Most are unaware of the impact people struggling with a with personality disorder can have in the workplace. Employees working with or for someone with a personality disorder will often experience feelings of gaslighting, unclear or double messages, and burn-out. This workshop will teach you the differences between disordered and healthy workplace behaviors. You'll learn how to recognize the influences, similarities, and differences that create the fabric of the workplace. You'll understand how to help employees and supervisors make mindful choices that are grounded in the actual behaviors and reactions being acted out that create employee turnover, discontent, frustration and burnout. You will leave with a clear, concise understanding of these behaviors and the most effective options to use.

Many people come to therapy because they are struggling to cope with difficult feelings such as depression, anxiety, shame, anger, or guilt. While improving one's capacity for tolerating distress from unwanted and unexpected emotions is essential, focusing solely on these skills may not be as impactful for some clients. We will help clinicians assess the type of psychotherapeutic approach that will be more effective given a client's bio-temperament. There are two types of evidence-based psychotherapies that we'd like to compare for this presentation - Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Radically Open Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (RODBT). These are evidence based, transdiagnostic approaches that treat and address specifically one's temperament and coping styles. But, how do clinicians know which clients would benefit from standard DBT compared to RODBT? This presentation will share the differences between these two approaches, and clinicians will leave with a solid understanding of who may benefit from either DBT or RODBT. Participants will leave with specific tools to implement during the assessment and referral process to ensure that clients will get the treatment best suited for them.

This workshop will explore the impact of using interactive games and problem-solving challenges with therapy groups, with an emphasis on the principals of recovery from addiction. Through a combination of direct experience, lecture, and discussion, participants will be able to explore how using active methods can augment their therapeutic work with groups.

There are currently 6 generations of workers and clients that we interface with. Each has its own patterns of communication and expectations. Often those are in direct conflict with the EAP or clinical provider. Tools and techniques can enhance the professional's ability to work effectively and problem solve integrative.

Crisis can come anytime and anywhere but are leaders ready to respond? In this seminar participants will learn how to communicate, organize and manage a mental health response that helps members of an organization or community cope and heal from trauma events. This seminar uses a case study from the Highland Park Shooting in correlation with best practices such as Psychological First Aid and Crisis Incident Stress Management (CISM). Facilitator Audrey Grunst is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified in Change Management and was the clinican responsible for starting and operating the Community Counseling Team in Highland Park immediately after the Fourth of July shooting in partnership with the City of Highland Park, Red Cross, and FBI.