Morning Workshop

What We Don’t Talk About and How It Causes Ethical Problems
Friday, September 25, 2009,  9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Workshop Presenter: Linda K. Knauss, Ph.D., ABPP

THIS PROGRAM MEETS THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE BOARD OF PSYCHOLOGY REQUIREMENTS FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT HOURS IN ETHICS

Workshop Description

The purpose of this workshop is to talk about topics that are not taught in graduate school, and are seldom discussed between colleagues.  Despite this gap in our  training, it is critical that clinicians have the ability to recognize, acknowledge, and confront difficult topics that often challenge our ability to practice ethically.  For example, how should we handle sexual feelings in psychotherapy, feelings of boredom, or mistakes that we make?  These questions and many others are the basis of the book What Therapists Don't Talk About and Why: Understanding Taboos That Hurt Us and Our Clients by Ken Pope, Janet Sonne, and Beverly Greene (American Psychological Association, 2006).  Although there is not a single "right" answer to these questions, this workshop will provide an awareness of the complex situations that arise in everyday practice, and the need for openness, honesty and courage in responding to them.  Many vignettes and scenarios will be presented for discussion. 

Workshop Objectives

Participants will be able to:

1. Recognize issues that make them anxious, confused, or uncomfortable;
2. Avoid justifications of unethical behavior;
3. Develop strategies for responding to complex ethical and clinical situations.

Afternoon Workshop

The Sexual Life of Teenagers
Working with Teenagers and Their Parents
Friday, September 25, 2009
1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Workshop Presenter: Steven M. Sokoll, M.D.

Workshop Description

Sexual issues present themselves regularly in assessment and treatment of adolescents and their families. This seminar is designed to present information regarding sexual development from emotional, social, physical and cognitive perspectives. This seminar will identify treatment opportunities and challenges in addressing sexual issues. Through understanding a development framework for sexual health and risk, the clinician will learn ways to intervene therapeutically with teenagers and their parents when sexual issues present themselves. Guidelines for talking with teens and with parents about sexual behavior will be reviewed.

Workshop Objectives

Upon conclusion of this seminar the participant will:

1. Know overt and covert ways in which sexual issues present themselves in children and adolescents;
2. Organize a simple and useful developmental framework for identifying early, middle and late adolescence and the sexually progressive issues that occur in this development;
3. Recognize and apply understanding of transferential and countertransferential issues in working with teens and families regarding sexual issues;
4. Modify the developmental framework to apply to emotionally ill, physically ill and gay/bisexual/questioning adolescents;
5. Know elements of sexual readiness for teens and their partners;
6. Know guidelines for parents talking with teens about sex;
7. Learn how to approach specific sexual risk situations in both straight and gay sexual encounters:  exploitation, violence and abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy, depression and suicide, substance abuse and homelessness

Parking

Trinity Church provides free on-street parking for only 30 spots, so free parking is available but not guaranteed. A permit will be sent to everyone who requests one when they register, but only the first 30 participants will be able to use them. The permits must be used on the east side of 22nd Street from Pine to Spruce Street. If you plan to come and park on the street, early arrival is necessary.

Registration Information 

 *Postmarked by August 25, 2009
**3 or more registering together

Registration Deadline: September 23, 2009 

Late registrations will be accepted space permitting.Please contact the workshop sponsor at 215-732-3720 for last minute or walk-in registration.

Request for registration fee refunds must be received in writing no later than the registration deadline. No refunds will be entertained thereafter. A $10 per workshop administration fee will be deducted from any refund.