Conference Schedule

Day1: July 23, 2018

Keynote Forum

Biography

Carroy Cuf Ferguson has his PhD in Psychology from Boston College. He is a tenured Full Professor, Former Dean, and currently Human Service Program Director and Human Service Internship Coordinator at University of Massachusetts-Boston. In 2006, he made history by becoming the first African American President of the Association for Humanistic Psychology, and is currently in that role again. He is an author of books and articles; a Clinical Practitioner; Associate Editor, Journal of Humanistic Psychology; and co-founder of two visionary organizations (Associates in Human Understanding; Interculture, Inc.). His forthcoming book is titled, “Living in Synchronicity: A Prequel to Evolving the Human Race Game”.

 

Abstract

The focus of this presentation is to call attention to what author call archetypal energies in his award-winning book, Evolving the Human Race Game, and to discuss how they can be used as a humanistic framework for optimal human relations individually and collectively. The book received the 2016 Living Now Evergreen Best Book Bronze Medal Award for Spiritual Leadership. In the book, archetypal energies, transcending all cultures, are defined as higher vibrational energies that operate deep within our psyches, at both individual and collective levels. We tend to experience them as creative urges to move us toward our optimal selves and optimal realities. Easily recognized terms are used to evoke a common sense of these archetypal energies (e.g., Trust, Love, Acceptance, Harmony, Inclusion, Patience, Wisdom, Courage and Truth). There are three types of archetypal energies (overall 25 of them) that establish a healthy disposition for human relations. Archetypal energy has its own transcendent value, purpose, quality, and voice unique to the individual. To illustrate the links among archetypal energies and optimal human relations, author will discuss seven types of human race games we play, three of which have kept us stuck in unhealthy human relations and how we might transform them toward more optimal human relations. To assist in understanding a transition toward optimal human relations, humanistic themes and research findings will be drawn from: psycho-historical information and original essays in my book, Transitions in Consciousness from an African American Perspective (e.g., Chapter 2, Toward A Psychology of Black Mental Health) and my other writings related to choice (e.g., The Power of Yes and No: The Relation To Consciousness, Probable Realities, and E-motions) and healing wounds in the psyche (e.g., Healing Our Race-Linked Wounds). Relevant tools and strategies for accessing archetypal energies will also be identified.

 

Biography

Courtland Lee is a Professor in the Counselor Education Program at the Washington DC campus of The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. He is the author, editor, or co-editor of seven books on multicultural counseling and three books on counseling and social justice. In addition, he has published numerous book chapters and articles on counseling across cultures. Dr. Lee received his Ph.D. in Counseling at Michigan State University. He is a Fellow of both the American Counseling Association and the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. Dr. Lee’s main area of research is multicultural counseling. 

 

Abstract

While a great deal of attention has been focused on those individuals who often flee their country of origin due to conflict or natural disaster seeking refugee or asylum-seeker status, there is another important group of immigrants who voluntarily immigrate for social or economic reasons. These individuals are classified as Third Country Nationals (TCNs). The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships among acculturative stress, coping and quality of life among TCNs in a Southern European country. The study employed a mixed-methods research design. The overall research sample consisted of 117 adult TCNs who had been residing in the host country for more than one year. For the qualitative aspect of the study 13 adult TCNs were invited to take part in one-on-one interviews. They were asked a series of questions about their pre-migration experiences. For the quantitative aspect of the study TCNs were invited to respond to an anonymous questionnaire. The questionnaire measured acculturative stress with the Revised Social, Attitudinal, Familial and Environmental Acculturative Stress Scale, coping with the Brief COPE scale, and quality of life with the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF scale. A total of 104 adult TCNs completed the questionnaire. Two themes emerged from the qualitative interviews related to the pre-immigration life of TCNs: Push/pull factors and loss. With respect to the quantitative analysis, negative correlations were found between the SAFE-R scores and the scores on the four domains of WHOQOL-BREF. This suggests that the lower the level of a TCNs acculturative stress, the higher the individual’s perception of his/her quality of life in the host country. In addition, negative correlations were found between problem-focused Brief Cope subscale scores and the scores on the four domains of WHOQOL-BREF, suggesting that the more ineffective one’s coping mechanisms, the lower the quality of life.

 

Biography

Vivian Lee is an Associate Professor in the Counselor Education Program at Johns Hopkins University. She has published numerous book chapters and articles on school and transcultural counseling. She has conducted research on immigrant populations in Malta. Dr. Lee received her EdD in Counselor Education from the University of Virginia. She is the recipient of the Ohana Award from the Counselors for Social Justice, a division of the American Counseling Association. Her main research interest is in the area of peace and conflict resolution.

Abstract

While a great deal of attention has been focused on those individuals who often flee their country of origin due to conflict or natural disaster seeking refugee or asylum-seeker status, there is another important group of immigrants who voluntarily immigrate for social or economic reasons. These individuals are classified as Third Country Nationals (TCNs). The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships among acculturative stress, coping and quality of life among TCNs in a Southern European country. The study employed a mixed-methods research design. The overall research sample consisted of 117 adult TCNs who had been residing in the host country for more than one year. For the qualitative aspect of the study 13 adult TCNs were invited to take part in one-on-one interviews. They were asked a series of questions about their pre-migration experiences. For the quantitative aspect of the study TCNs were invited to respond to an anonymous questionnaire. The questionnaire measured acculturative stress with the Revised Social, Attitudinal, Familial and Environmental Acculturative Stress Scale, coping with the Brief COPE scale, and quality of life with the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF scale. A total of 104 adult TCNs completed the questionnaire. Two themes emerged from the qualitative interviews related to the pre-immigration life of TCNs: Push/pull factors and loss. With respect to the quantitative analysis, negative correlations were found between the SAFE-R scores and the scores on the four domains of WHOQOL-BREF. This suggests that the lower the level of a TCNs acculturative stress, the higher the individual’s perception of his/her quality of life in the host country. In addition, negative correlations were found between problem-focused Brief Cope subscale scores and the scores on the four domains of WHOQOL-BREF, suggesting that the more ineffective one’s coping mechanisms, the lower the quality of life.

 

Tracks

  • WORKSHOP
  • Neuroscience and Neurological Disorders | Clinical Psychology | Advances in Neurological Disorders | Clinical Neuropsychology | Psychotherapy | Humanistic Psychology | Developmental Psychology | Abnormal Psychology | Occupational Psychology
Location:

Biography

Linda Sage has her expertise and passion in improving personal psychological health and wellbeing. Her significant list of global clients, range from hospitals, educational institutions, prisons and corporate entities; throughout UK, US, Europe & Middle East. In all caring environments the professionals are less likely to care for themselves; changing that mindset is at the core of author’s message. It is possible to be, done and have everything you want, by helping others and looking after yourself. An international speaker, author, trainer and mentor, with decades of experience and knowledge, energize any event and attendees. Her simplified message of self-worth, instantly effects all levels of personnel, to achieve, do and be more with a positive frame of mind; demolishing the irrational fears, phobias, beliefs and habits that compassion fatigue can compound. Building a more resilient person provides the individual, employer and patient/client a much more competent and confident professional.

 

Abstract

Compassion fatigue puts healthcare workers and patients at risk. Everyday care workers struggle to function in care giving environments that present heart wrenching emotional challenges. Compassion fatigue (CF) the profound emotional and physical erosion takes place when helpers cannot refuel and regenerate. Helping professionals open their hearts and minds to clients/patients. This empathy makes helpers vulnerable to be profoundly affected and possibly damaged. Burnout physical and emotional exhaustion is experienced when there is low job satisfaction, feeling powerless and overwhelmed. Signs of CF and burnout: overtaxed by work, showing similar symptoms to traumatized clients; difficulty in concentrating, intrusive imagery, feeling discouraged, hopelessness, exhaustion, irritability, high attrition (helpers leaving) and negative, dispirited, cynical workers remaining in the field, boundary violations which affect the workplace and create a toxic environment. Factors in CF and burnout of the individual: Life circumstances, coping style, personality type. Life stressors i.e. taking care of both young children and aging parents, in addition to managing a heavy and complex workload. Helpers are not immune to pain in their own lives; they can be vulnerable to life changes such as divorce and addictions. Helpers often do work, others don’t want to hear about; spend time caring for people who are not valued or understood in society, homeless, abused, incarcerated or chronically ill. The working environment is often stressful and fraught. The work is very stressful, clients/patients who are experiencing chronic crises, difficulty in controlling their emotions, or who may not get better. What can be done? Working in a healthy organization; access to supportive; flexible management; reduction of trauma exposure; ongoing staff education; timely and good quality supervision and; reducing hours of working directly with traumatized individuals. Personal strategies are strong social support, home and work; increased self-awareness regular self-care. Making life changes, prioritize personal health/wellness develop stress resiliency skills.

 

Location: Norfolk

Biography

Nikolaus Blatter Past Professional experience (2002-2015): Psychiatric-hospital Baumgarnter Höhe in Vienna; homeless-shelter in Vorarlberg; Supervisor of a small-care-unit for homeless clients with mental illness and drug diagnoses; Professional experience: Since 2015 he/she is working as Psychologist in the Government of Vorarlberg, Department for Community Psychiatry and Drug help. Working topics: individual case planning, detection from unmet-needs especially the support from severe mental ill clients in various treatment-sectors (homeless, community psychiatry, drug…); participation in the creation of the Vorarlberger- psychiatric-report. His/her research topics: as a PhD Student since 2016 to evaluate the home-treatment support in the federal state Vorarlberg; Detection of over-, under- and lack of supply in community psychiatry, drug help and adjacent areas (homeless, nursing…)

 

Abstract

In Austria many service provider offers a home treatment service. However, in most concepts housing depends on treatment. The innovation of the home treatment service in Vorarlberg since 2015 is that the home treatment is separated from housing. The long term-study started in the year 2016 and includes 52 probands from four service providers which offer a home-treatment for people with mental or drug disorders and other social needs. Based on the theoretical foundation of Housing First and Treatment First we developed the C.O.M.E Program which contains Cooperation, Observation, Mutual-support and Evaluation. The focus of the study is to evaluate if the C.O.M.E Program supports the service provider in their (daily) care-work and secondly, if it detects the individual-focused care supports the clients to gain a life with more autonomy, increase permanent housing, decrease stays in hospital, improve a long-term mental stability and encourage them in the development of alternative assistance for mutual support. To implement the program it was necessary to introduce the service provider into the theoretical, differences and practical aspects of Housing First, Treatment First and the purpose of the C.O.M.E Program. A crucial part of the data collection is done by the assessment sheet which is scored at least one time a week and correspond with the hometreatment basic learning skills which the caregiver try to convey the clients. For further analysis the items of the assessment sheet are combined to four dimensions: houshold management, personal hygiene, activity (social), psychosocial-stability. Over a time-period of 40 weeks we found that continuous abstinence from drugs and alcohol is another important criterion for a better cooperation between client and caregiver, but it is not necessarily a requirement to get a care-giver-support. The execution is designed and conducted that the clients are demanded as much as possible and as less as necessary in their daily life. Finally, it is necessary to keep the contact, even if the client denies the contact.

 

Biography

Natasha Yasmin is a registered Clinical Psychologist from India currently working on her PhD research project at University of Birmingham, UK. She has both clinical and research experience in the field and has worked with a wide range of the population. She is particularly interested in cognitive neuropsychology and rehabilitation and is currently in the process of developing a novel clinical therapeutic intervention for a couple with brain injury. She wants to indulge her passion for research and implicate it in her clinical work.

 

Abstract

Background & Aim: Prospective memory (PM) deficit have been well documented in schizophrenia so far, but there is a lack of research evidence of PM functioning in bipolar disorder and its relationship with frontal lobe functioning. Both group share similar clinical symptoms and cognitive profiles, depicting impairments in memory and frontal lobe functions like planning/executive functioning and attention and concentration, and these aspects are found to be significantly related to aspects of PM functioning. The study therefore aimed to investigate event-based (EB) and time-based (TB) PM functioning in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and its association with frontal lobe functioning.

Methodology: To assess PM functioning, an experimental task incorporating both event- and time-based prospective memory was developed and administered on 30 schizophrenics and 30 bipolar patients, and on 30 non-psychiatric individuals (control group). To further examine the relationship of PM and frontal lobe functioning, participants were also assessed using neuropsychological tools, viz, Tower of London(TOL), N-Back Test and Triads Test.

Findings: Patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder were found to have impaired PM functioning when compared to control group. The results also support the importance of frontal lobe process like planning, attention, and working memory in having a significant effect on prospective remembering.

Significance: Impairments in frontal lobe functioning is commonly found in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The current study showed that PM deficits are also found in the same population and it shares a significant relationship with frontal lobe impairments. This emphasizes the need to include assessment of PM functioning as a cognitive marker for these populations to prevent future cognitive and frontal lobe impairments. There is also a need for conducting additional research for developing rehabilitation methods for the same in these clinical populations to improve their quality of living and a better rehabilitation prognosis.

Biography

Dr. Hilpert develops next-generation methods to study social interactions. He was awarded with two grants from the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) to develop this novel method at the University of Washington in collaboration with Prof. Atkins (Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences). Currently, he was awarded a career grant (SNSF) and works for the University of Bern and Zurich and is a lecturer for advanced statistics at the University of Surrey. He uses engineering method to extract behavior (mainly facial and vocal signals) in high temporal resolution (HTR), combines this with factors we already can extract in HTR (physiology, emotions) and use advanced quantitative methods (e.g., dynamical systems modeling, deep learning) to compute self-regulation and co-regulation processes in couples and patient-therapist interactions. Three papers are currently under resubmission based on this method in leading journals (JCCP, Psychological Science).

 

Abstract

Problem: All evidenced-based psychotherapeutic treatments rely on human interactions. However, the major reason for the disappointing progress in understanding human interactions is the lack of methods enable mechanistic inferences of how the behavior of one person (e.g., therapist) influences the internal state and behavioral response of the other person (e.g., patient). The current gold-standard method (i.e., observation technique) is not only expensive and time-consuming but provides such spares data that it forced the field to examine just how the frequency of behavior predicts later symptom changes (e.g., more alliance during a session predicts later symptom changes). This completely ignores the essence of psychotherapy – how patient and therapist influence each other moment-to-moment. 

Solution: To overcome the current limitation, we test a novel method using engineering technology to extract behavior (i.e., para-verbal stress cues) in high temporal resolution. This intensive data enables us to test the co-regulation process using dynamical systems modeling.

Design: In a patient-therapist sample (353 sessions) and a sample of couples (N=189), we found not only that people do co-regulate each other during interactions but that these co-regulation process changes within an interaction. 

Significance: The utilization of such a novel method has far-reaching implications. For example, a common problem is that in a psychotherapy study with 100 participants (each 20 sessions) not all interactions can be coded because of costs (e.g., 2,000 hours video, coding cost $120,000). Computational methods can extract behavior fast, reliable, and cheap from high-quality audio and video sources allow future research to scale up. This opens up new possibilities for interventions and training evaluations.

Biography

Dr. Robert Garsden MacDonald RIBA, ARB, PFRSA, is Reader in Architecture, LJMU. Rob researches and teaches Architecture and design for mental illness and dementia. He applies his lived experience of Mental Health Facilities to the future design of new spaces for health and wellbeing. He was presented with The Roscoe Citizenship Award by Lord David Alton for Life Long Services to Mental Health.

Abstract

“The most honest form of art is comedy.” Lennie Bruce. My name is Doctor Robert, who actually featured in The Beatles, Revolver Album. He was a Psychiatrist in New York City who prescribed uppers and downers to the stars. I have written two books “Design for Dementia.” and have contributed to “Essential Nursing for Mental Health Care and “Dementia Care a Practical Guild” My research Question is: Can comedy push the boundaries of mental health and challenge the stigma? Thank You for your kind invitation to your Birmingham conference. I am a mental patient and have been sectioned under the Mental Health Act. This presentation is both tragic and comedic. It’s bi-polar…just like me. Its manic and depressive…most of all it’s my lived experience. I have been bi-polar since the age of 19. During this period I have experienced a number of episodes and I have been hospitalised under the Mental Health Acts. Normally, all my performances are for Mental Health Charities. I believe in the demystification of Mental Health. I have never addressed such a group of “Clinical Psychologists and Neuroscientist’s”. Whatever our discipline we all must talk about Mental Health and challenge the stigma that the 1.4 the population experience. Let’s put mental health under the spotlight because increasingly it affects young children and young people. It’s probably not really on the NHS radar? This presentation was first presented during World Mental Health Week 2017 for a Symposium of Psychologists, Mental Health Nurses, The International Day of Midwifes and The Laughter house Comedy Store. The highest, literary, was at Millbank Tower, 30 floors up in Westminister for the BRE (Building Research Establishment). For me the only way to survive mental illness is with humour and comedy. I am actually a fully qualified Architect and The Design Champion for MerseyCare NHS Foundation Trust.  I intend to talk about my lived experience of my bi-polar disorder.  I suggest that clinical professionals need to understand more deeply, the nature of the bi-polar condition and draw lessons for their practice. Many Thanks for listening to me.

 

 

Biography

Dr Satish G. Patil is Assistant professor of Human Physiology in BLDE (Deemed to be University) Shri B. M. Patil Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, India. He is Assistant Director of Central Research Laboratory of BLDE University, India. His field of research interest is “Integrative cardiovascular and yoga psychophysiology”. He has published about 21 papers in Medical journals of repute. He has contributed chapters for two books. He has presented research paper/talk in many scientific meetings such as AHA scientific meeting, Phoenix, USA; European Union Geriatric Medicine Society congress, Venice, Italy; Euro-India   International conference, India; Tulane University, New Orleans, US; WHO workshop in Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, New Delhi, India etc. He is recipient of Sri Ram Murthy Memorial Award (India); Young Scientist Award (India); Best paper award (Italy).

 

Abstract

Yoga is an Indian ancient system of life-style having a psycho-somatic-spiritual discipline that helps to achieve a harmony between our mind, body and soul. Similar to the clinical psychology, yoga focuses on intellectual, emotional, social and behavioral aspects of human functioning. Its mind-body techniques relax mind and body, reduce stress and anxiety, and culminate happiness and well-being. Emotional disturbances, stress, anxiety, depression, sedentary life, lack of sleep, unhealthy diet contribute to the development of cardiovascular (CV) disease. Autonomic imbalance/dysfunction, impaired endothelial function/dysfunction and arterial stiffness are the emerging major mechanisms for CV morbidity and mortality. Though autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays a central role in maintaining CV homeostasis, but CV health is controlled and determined by both ANS and endothelial system. It has been shown that endothelial function and ANS are interrelated and involve complex interactions between two systems. Endothelial dysfunction with decreased bioavailability of nitric oxide and ANS imbalance/dysfunction (often co-exist) are the predisposing factors or early indicators and antecedents for the development of CV disease including metabolic syndrome and diabetes. Therefore, enhanced endothelial function and reduced sympathetic activity appears to be protective against CV disease. In this presentation, role of yoga as a mind-body medicine in cardiovascular prevention and rehabilitation (focusing mainly on non-traditional risk factors) will be discussed. We and other researchers have demonstrated that yoga practice can enhance bioavailability of nitric oxide and endothelial function; reduce arterial stiffness; and shift the autonomic balance towards parasympathetic dominance in subjects with CV risk. It reduces heart rate and myocardial work load, and improves diastolic function of heart in elderly individuals. Recently, in another study we observed a restoration of autonomic balance towards parasympathetic dominance and reduction in insulin resistance in non-diabetic and normotensive offspring of type-II diabetic parents, suggesting that regular practice of yoga may prevent the future development of diabetes or CV risk in children of diabetic parents. Oxidative stress being one of the major pathway for reduction of bioavailability of NO and endothelial dysfunction, effect of yoga program on oxidative stress was investigated to understand the mechanism of yoga on CV health. In this study, a significant reduction in oxidative stress and enhancement in antioxidant defense (superoxide dismutase, glutathione) was observed. An ongoing study has shown effectiveness of yoga on cardiac rehabilitation in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Available data shows that yoga is an effective mind-body medicine that can protect the CV system by enhancing endothelial function and optimizing autonomic balance. However, in future yoga based clinical trials are warranted for better understanding of yoga effects and its psychophysiological mechanism on CV health.

 

Biography

Yousif Ali Yaseen is awarded F.I.B.M.S in Psychiatry from Iraqi Board for Medical Specializations, Iraq. He holds a Bachelor in Medicine & General Surgery (M.B.Ch.B.) from College of Medicine, University of   Duhok, Iraq. He has extended his valuable service as Senior Psychiatrist in Psychiatric Department , Azadi Teaching Hospital-Duhok. Currently, he is working as an Assistant Professor for branch of Psychiatry in University of Duhok. His international experience includes various programs, contributions and participation in different countries for diverse fields of study.  His research interests reflect in his wide range of publications in various national and international journals. He is a Consultant Psychiatrist at UNHCR and GIZ in collaboration with DGoH- Duhok. He is a Member of the founding body of the Kurdistan Psychiatric Association (KPA) in 2017.

 

Abstract

Background: This study aimed at assessing the prevalence and risk factors of Somatoform disorders (SDs), their types and common presenting symptoms of conversion disorder (CD).

Patients & Methods: This study had been conducted at outpatient Psychiatric Clinic in Azadi Teaching Hospital, Duhok City, in which 637 patients were selected randomly. (SCID-I/P) (Version 2.0) was applied to diagnose patients with SDs. (SPSS), version 21, was used for data analysis.

Results: The prevalence of SDs appeared to be (24%). CD comprised the vast majority of SDs 75.82%, followed by somatization disorder 7.84% and undifferentiated SD 5.22%. Most of the cases were females (75.85%), the result showed high statistical significant association of the gender to SD (p-value<0.001). Majority of the cases were from the youngest age group (15-25 years), they comprised (60.1%), the association of the age to SD appeared statistically significant too (p-value=0.024). Although, more than two-third of the cases were from lower educational levels (illiterate and primary educational level) (67.3%), more than fifty percent were married (52.3%), majority were housewives (39.2%) and more than half of the cases were from urban areas (52.3%), but no significant association were found between SD and educational level, marital status, occupation, and residence (p-values were 0.218, 0.659, 0.072, 0.090 respectively). Regarding the symptomatic presentation of CD, vast majority of the cases presented with seizure which comprised (81%), followed by motor symptoms which comprised (17.2%), and sensory symptoms which constituted (1.7%) only.

Conclusions: The prevalence of SDs appeared high; the vast majority cases of SDs were CD. The risk factors for SDs included being female and young. Regarding the presenting symptoms of CD, seizures comprised the vast majority. 

Day2: July 24, 2018

Keynote Forum

Biography

Linda Sage has her expertise and passion in improving personal psychological health and wellbeing. Her significant list of global clients, range from hospitals, educational institutions, prisons and corporate entities; throughout UK, US, Europe & Middle East. In all caring environments the professionals are less likely to care for themselves; changing that mindset is at the core of author’s message. It is possible to be, done and have everything you want, by helping others and looking after yourself. An international speaker, author, trainer and mentor, with decades of experience and knowledge, energize any event and attendees. Her simplified message of self-worth, instantly effects all levels of personnel, to achieve, do and be more with a positive frame of mind; demolishing the irrational fears, phobias, beliefs and habits that compassion fatigue can compound. Building a more resilient person provides the individual, employer and patient/client a much more competent and confident professional.

 

Abstract

Compassion fatigue puts healthcare workers and patients at risk. Everyday care workers struggle to function in care giving environments that present heart wrenching emotional challenges. Compassion fatigue (CF) the profound emotional and physical erosion takes place when helpers cannot refuel and regenerate. Helping professionals open their hearts and minds to clients/patients. This empathy makes helpers vulnerable to be profoundly affected and possibly damaged. Burnout physical and emotional exhaustion is experienced when there is low job satisfaction, feeling powerless and overwhelmed. Signs of CF and burnout: overtaxed by work, showing similar symptoms to traumatized clients; difficulty in concentrating, intrusive imagery, feeling discouraged, hopelessness, exhaustion, irritability, high attrition (helpers leaving) and negative, dispirited, cynical workers remaining in the field, boundary violations which affect the workplace and create a toxic environment. Factors in CF and burnout of the individual: Life circumstances, coping style, personality type. Life stressors i.e. taking care of both young children and aging parents, in addition to managing a heavy and complex workload. Helpers are not immune to pain in their own lives; they can be vulnerable to life changes such as divorce and addictions. Helpers often do work, others don’t want to hear about; spend time caring for people who are not valued or understood in society, homeless, abused, incarcerated or chronically ill. The working environment is often stressful and fraught. The work is very stressful, clients/patients who are experiencing chronic crises, difficulty in controlling their emotions, or who may not get better. What can be done? Working in a healthy organization; access to supportive; flexible management; reduction of trauma exposure; ongoing staff education; timely and good quality supervision and; reducing hours of working directly with traumatized individuals. Personal strategies are strong social support, home and work; increased self-awareness regular self-care. Making life changes, prioritize personal health/wellness develop stress resiliency skills.

 

Tracks

  • WORKSHOP
  • Neuroscience and Neurological Disorders | Clinical Psychology | Advances in Neurological Disorders | Clinical Neuropsychology | Psychotherapy | Humanistic Psychology | Developmental Psychology | Abnormal Psychology | Occupational Psychology
Location: Norfolk

Biography

Sheena Vella, MSc. is a social and cultural psychologist and has worked in the field of migration for the past 7 years in Malta and the U.K. Her photovoice research on the social representations of asylum seeking and the future in Malta was awarded a distinction from the Institute of Social & Cultural Psychology at the London School of Economics & Political Science. She has worked at the University of Malta, within government open centres for asylum seekers, and the NGO and voluntary sector. She is currently co-ordinator of the Integration and Community Development activities at Migrants Resource Centre in London. She is particularly interested in empowerment and development models of migrant and refugee women, development of transcultural competencies and social justice.

 

Abstract

Migratory experiences often exacerbate the mental health care needs of vulnerable migrants and refugees. Mental health services access and provision, therefore, need to be adaptive to the specific needs of these populations. Thus, development and promotion of these types of services require that migrants be not only at the heart of physical and mental health delivery models but also be able to influence them. My Health project, a thirty-six months initiative oriented to identify health needs of newly arrived migrants – women and children in various European cities, is implementing innovative participatory methodological strategies. The aim is to move from a consultative process to a more participatory and inclusive one in the access/provision of health services. Preliminary findings regarding the innovative strategies used by My Health, namely community participation activities, visual expressions of people’s stories and a stakeholder learning alliance, show that professionals involved are increasingly aware of a) the need to develop better networks with diverse communities, b) the importance of conscious participatory design that moves beyond consultation with migrants through research, and c) the need to recognise and bolster the role of migrant professionals. Furthermore, by using pictograms health and mental health professionals are mastering new ways to communicate effectively using images, reducing a high reliance on verbal language. Lastly through the learning alliance, professionals and researchers are becoming aware of how involving a more comprehensive network can increase the impact of their work on a broader range of stakeholders. Overall both the intended and unintended results of the innovative strategies used by My Health—an initiative supported by the European Commission, so far are demonstrating creative ways to be used when engaging with mental and physical service delivery for newly arrived migrants.

 

Location: Norfolk

Biography

Joyceline Ntoh Yuh is a Feminist and Doctoral candidate in the University of Oldenburg, Germany. She holds an MA in Women & Gender Studies from the ISS Erasmus University Netherlands. Her research interest includes HIV/AIDS related issues, Psychology, Gender, Sexual and Reproductive health. Since 2006, she took keen interest in the field of HIV/AIDS were she researched on the impact of HIV on agriculture affecting mostly women with the UN FAO gender unit (Italy), mainstreaming HIV policies in UNFFE Uganda, HIV stigma & child bearing in Africa and currently facilitates workshops with MA students in the area of gender, sexuality & HIV/AIDS. She is also a Reviewer in the Journal of AIDS Clinical Research & STD (USA) and works as a counseling volunteer in the AIDS Help NGO, Germany.

 

Abstract

Reports from Germany (2012-13) points a 70% increase in heterosexual transmission with about 40-50% from Sub Saharan Africa marking new diagnosis especially in women. HIV-related stigma among African women is rather complex using the intersectionality framework for analysis, which distinguishes the subjective experiences and realities of women's lives, not just as a single category stemming from a gender-based research critique. Meanwhile, HIV-stigma denotes the link between sero-status and negative behaviors toward people who are seropositive. Stigma thus reflects guilt, shame, denial, prejudice, discrediting, discrimination, stereotypes, denial, rejection and self-blame. African women are particularly vulnerable to stigma due to various factors often undermined or neglected. It is imperative to mention that women are generally susceptible to infection due to biological and other socio-cultural reasons, which eventually positions them into a high risk category. Furthermore, women tend to be negatively perceived when infected and labeled promiscuous for transmitting the virus to their partners, without knowing the transmission dynamic. Stigma further constrains relationships within families and communities. This in the long term results into secrecy affects infection status disclosure and seeking of the much needed support services. This highlights the link between HIV and mental health because people living with HIV are prone to mental problems compared to the others. Thus, their psychological and social wellbeing becomes essential just as their physical health. HIV-related stigma further complicates the overall wellbeing of these women in realizing their potentials in life, which tends to hamper their productivity and sense of purpose. The in-depth study of six women shows the dilemmas and challenges faced by seropositive women in the face of HIV, dealing with disclosure issues, anxiety, depression, social isolation, stress, fear and rejection. This convenient sample examines how psychological impact continues to affect sero-positive women negatively in living fulfilled lives while impacting on their unfulfilled sexual satisfactions due to continuous use of condoms and other related anxieties. At times, such insecurities become overwhelming, pushing them to neglect their self-esteem as women. Interpretative phenomenological analysis here aims to gain deeper understanding from participants’ perspectives on how they manage to make opinions and viewpoints of their own experiences, events and social world. It is then vital to provide lived experiences and interpretations in own terms, than simply attributing to pre-existing theoretical preconceptions, by getting details of each case than general claims (ibid).

 

Biography

Dr. Parasuraman Basker had been awarded Doctoral degree in zoology from Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu, India. Following it he was Research Associate in ICAR and UGC research projects on the fauna of Carabids (Coleopteran Insect) in South India and mosquito cytogenetics in the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore and Bangalore University respectively. Subsequently, he was posted as Senior Entomologist in 1995 in the Department of public Health and Preventive Medicine through Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC). In his credit 33 Research Abstracts presented in 8 International and 25 National Conferences since 1983. 21 research papers have been published in reputed national and international journals. He visited Canada, Malaysia, Morocco, Singapore and Spain as presenters with the Government of India Travel Grants (CSIR, INSA, ICMR and NRHM).

 

Abstract

The neuroendocrine complex of adult insects consists of neurosecretory cells (NSC) of the brain, corpora cardiaca (CC), and corpora allata (CA). Following the pioneering work of Weyer (1935) in honeybees, several investigators have been explored on the histomorphology of NSC, CC and CA in many orders of insects including in hemipteran insects. The present study is dealt the regulatory mechanism of the male accessory reproductive glands (MARG) of a hemipteran cotton pest Serinetha augur. Histological and electrophoretic studies were made to understand the interrelationship of the neuroendocrine complex (NEC) and the MARG of the insect. The brain of Serinetha augur is divisible into three regions, namely proto-deuto and tritocerebrum. Protocerebrum lies at the anterior region, deutocerebrum is in the latero mid region and tritocerebrum is in the latero posterior region of the brain. The neurosecretory cells (NSC) in the brain complex have been arbitrarily classified into four types (A, B, C and D) and are connected by pars intercerebralis. NSC in this region is distinguished as median neuro secretory cells (MNC). Among NSC identified in three regions of the brain of Serinetha augur A is found larger (13-18 microns) which is located in tritocerebrum with weak reaction of chrom alum haematoxylin and phloxin (CAHP) due to lower concentration of neurosecretory materials. The type B are 10-12 microns situated in protocerebral region with higher concentration of neurosecretory materials. C and D are moderate and weak reaction respectively with aldehyde fuchsin (AF) and CAHP indicate lesser amounts of neurosecretion. On the regulation of the MARG, it was understood that CA took part directly for its maturation and function. It was proved by the experiments of gonadectomy and extirpation of the MARG. Besides, electropherogram of brain complex in pre and post mating insects showed the quantitative changes of protein. This observation further supports the view that NSC in brain complex has a regulatory role in the MARG which has varieties of vital functions in sperm transfer activities.

 

 

Biography

Lauren Quesenberry is a second-year student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Washington DC. She obtained a Master of Arts in Women’s Studies Gender Studies from Loyola University Chicago in 2011 and a Bachelor of Arts in English and Minor in Psychology from Gardner-Webb University in 2009. Her areas of professional and academic focus include women’s trauma/recovery and LGBTQ populations.

 

Abstract

This poster session focuses on a study of the identity formation of three specific lesbian/bisexual women who were raised in the Southeast region of the United States characterized by a strong Christian fundamentalist/evangelical influence. Narrowing in on the intersection between religion, sexual orientation, geographic region and/or culture (amidst a variety of other factors having to do with the personal lives of these three participants), this poster will highlight therapeutic implications for counselors and psychologists. Beginning with the basics of identity politics and theory, intersectionality is a concept coined by Crenshaw (1989) to describe the way that issues like racism, sexism etc. seem to overlap and create multiple levels of social injustices. Research findings suggest that each minority class a person possesses compounds and interacts, thereby increasing threats of discrimination. This conceptualization of identity formation challenges the hierarchal nature of power within society and provides the following implications for psychological practitioners: practitioner cultural competence is a dire necessity. When working with persons who are participants in one or more minority classes, the following frameworks must be integral to the counseling process: feminist theory, multicultural counseling theory, relational-cultural theory etc. (i.e. empowerment modality used to dismantle the ways in which an individual has been silenced or blamed for his/her sexual orientation as “choice,” etc.). Understand the dangers of prioritizing culture over other factors/identities (sexuality, SES, etc.) which may reinstate powerlessness (i.e. lack of access to services, problems within that culture).

 

Biography

Mariannina Amato graduated in Psychology and specialized in Psychotherapy. She is an ASPIC-APA member. She currently works in the Child Neuropsychiatry of the ASP-CZ. She graduated in Psychology at the Sapienza of Rome in 1990, specialized in Clinical Psychology of Community and Integrated Humanistic Psychotherapy in ASPIC School in Rome in 2003. She attended the Master in Health Management 2014, the courses of Psychodiagnostics and Family Mediation in 1998. She expert in child psychology, problems of sexual abuse, foster care and family mediation at the Court of Lamezia Terme and Catanzaro from 1998 to today. Since 2007 she work as Psychologist and Psychotherapist  at the OU of Obstetrics Gynecology. Currently she work as a psychologist in the  Child Neuropsychiatry of Lamezia Terme, Italy.  

Abstract

The latest research in the field of neurosciences on empathy, tuning, emotional understanding and high executive functions found in 3D therapy is an effective implementation. 3D therapy applies the 3D printer in the realization of 3D objects that will be therapeutic elements. The 3D object is the result of emotional involvement in the therapeutic session. The evoked dysfunctional emotion is transposed as a graphic on a sheet by the same child. The method has a sequential process that is activated with adequate visual and verbal stimulation (phase A) the child's emotional involvement and blocked emotion that causes discomfort. The emotion evoked, transposed on a graph, is materialized in a 3D object (phase Bx) placed in front of the child. The observation of the object unleashes in the child (phase Cx), a strong emotional impact that goes from amazement/wonder to surprise/novelty, an impact that calls for a dynamic process of visual and tactile observation (phase D). It follows a comparison and narration, with a continuous search for solution to the problem (phase E), up to the understanding and emotional stabilization (phase F) with the assimilation of new information on one's self, made more and more cohesive and integrated. The observation process involves the activation of mirror neurons that reflect the objective emotions, made clear and real by the 3D object, and the executive functions that plan a research strategy and solution to understand and integrate the emotional elements producing a real change in the self of the child.