The Ethics of Labeling: A conversation with Gwenda Willis, PhD, PGDipClinPsyc

In a 2017 paper, Gwenda Willis, with the assistance of others along the way, asked the question that resulted in massive changes in practice and policy in several countries around the world. Why do we call people by what we don’t want them to be?

As she explains it in in the journal Psychology, Crime, and Law, labelling a person by their past behavior or a criminal conviction is commonplace throughout forensic and correctional psychology. These labels (including “offender” and “sex offender”) infiltrate academic writing and conference presentations, names of professional organizations and treatment programs and, at times, traverse therapeutic work.

Surviving Sexual Violence in the Current Era

This conversation focuses on how people can survive and thrive in the current environment. It explores what we can learn from restorative justice to help people recover their lives in the wake of sexual abuse.

A basic tenet of Restorative Justice is that those affected by abuse should be able to participate in its resolution. Through the approaches Dr. Ackerman embodies, people who have been abused can experience connection and hope.

Ending Racialized Violence: A Webinar Conversation with Dr. Apryl Alexander

Perhaps the most surprising aspect of violence is how preventable it actually is. In the wake of recent events, this webinar conversation focuses on what we know about the prevention of violence and abuse, and how we can use education to end sexual, racialized, and other forms of social violence. It outlines how participants can explore their own biases and challenge their attitudes, beliefs, and actions in order to help reduce racism.

Webinar: Trauma-Sensitive Yoga and Embodied Therapy

Trauma-Sensitive Yoga (TSY) has garnered worldwide attention in the past decade. Much of this attention has stemmed a handful of high-quality studies by a community of scientist-practitioners showing that TSY can be an effective adjunctive treatment for trauma-related conditions. Fundamental aspects of TSY include interoception (observing one’s internal physical sensations) and taking effective action based on what one notices within a relational context.

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Using Workbooks In Work with Young People in Treatment Webinar

This webinar discusses the use of workbooks in treatment with young people, in any form of treatment, residential or outpatient, and some of the dos and don’ts. We discuss the role of workbooks as an addendum to and part of treatment, rather than the entirety of the treatment, and the value of workbooks in helping to shape, implement, and measure treatment, as well as framing the basic concepts of treatment. Finally, we provide guidelines for the effective use of workbooks in treatment – and when not to use them.

Solution-Focused Strategies: Police Work, Suicide Prevention, and Beyond – Webinar

This webinar conversation explores Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT) within the context of suicide prevention and its broader application in individual and family therapy. SFT, particularly in the context of suicide prevention, is an approach that focuses on identifying solutions and building on strengths rather than dwelling on problems. This involves helping individuals envision a future without suicidal thoughts or behaviors by exploring their coping strategies, reasons for living, and available resources.

An Evolution of Practice: From the Dodo Bird to Deliberate Practice – A Conversation with Scott Miller – Webinar

Scott Miller has pursued a decades-long journey in search of what makes psychotherapy work and how professionals can become more effective. While this might seem simple enough, the actual journey has been far from straightforward. Beginning with his own training and assumptions, Scott describes his trajectory from the surprising research findings about what makes therapy work to the steps that professionals can take to become more effective.