VSCA Fall Institute:
Prevention, Education and Intervention
October 4, 2013 – 8am – 4 pm Doubletree Hotel (Formerly Holiday Inn-Select) Richmond
This year, we are so excited to present a one-day workshop focused on mental health and wellness. These interactive sessions will equip you with information and strategies needed to address many issues students experience as well as ways to promote wellness.
Trends in Adolescent Substance Abuse
Substance abuse patterns evolve and cycle frequently within the adolescent population, which can present difficulties for professionals in the human service field to identify and provide adequate service arrangements. This presentation reviews trends in adolescent substance using behaviors, with a particular focus on synthetic substances, to include origination, pharmacology, abuse patterns and treatment options. Brief reviews of additional substance use patterns are presented, including: alcohol, marijuana, prescription medications, heroin and methamphetamine.
Presenter: Tony Roma, MSW, CSAC,
Family Insights
Strategies and School Counseling Programs to Address Students’ Mental Health and Wellness
This interactive session will provide school counselors information on depression awareness and suicide prevention, warning signs, risk factors, prevention and response, as well as how to educate students, faculty and parents. Strategies will be provide to assist with the development and implementation a school mental wellness program that fosters communication and reduces the stigma of mental health issues school-wide.
Presenter: Kari Olsen, M. Ed.
School Counselor, Fairfax County Public Schools
Understanding the Impact of Trauma on Student Behavior
Students often experience trauma that impacts behavior and achievement. This session will discuss how trauma impacts the brain, attachment, and behaviors. Strategies and suggestions will be provided to assist school counselors when working with students.
Presenter: Allison Sampson, PhD, LCSW, LICSW, CSOTP
Regional Vice President of Clinical Operations, Eastern Division
Providence Service Corporation
Working with LGBT Students and Families
Our lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students are at a higher-risk for social-emotional struggles that impact academic success and post-secondary outcomes. In this session, school counselors will learn about these risk factors, gain strategies and best-practices for supporting LGBT students and families, and learn about resources to share with colleagues, students, and families
Presenter: Darrell Sampson, MA, LPC, NCC
Resource Counselor, Fairfax County Public Schools
Running Groups in Schools: Barriers, Struggles, and Strategies
Effectively facilitated groups can positively impact academic achievement. Despite documented benefits, groups are underutilized in schools, particularly at the high school level. In this presentation, presenters will provide an overview of research into the experience of secondary school counselors who successfully lead groups, and will discuss strategies to address systemic barriers to groups, and will demonstrate how focusing on in-group process can improve group experiences and outcomes.
Presenters: H. George McMahon, Ph.D. & Tracy Albert, M.Ed.,
George Mason University
Cost - $60 for members, $80 for nonmembers (includes lunch)
Register Today!!!
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