With increasing interest in alternative therapies and the need for a holistic approach to counseling, it is essential for therapists to be knowledgeable regarding such treatments for clients who desire them as supplements to their traditional therapeutic treatment. Aside from increasing cultural trends toward alternative approaches, there is burgeoning research pointing to the positive impact of alternative methods for individuals living with mental illness. Symptoms such as sleep disturbance, anxiety, mood dysregulation, depression, pain symptoms, and stress have been shown to improve with the use of complementary alternative treatment.
This workshop is offered to professionals wishing to deepen their understanding of a multitude of alternative therapies used to complement traditional psychotherapy in order to better serve a diverse clientele. Alternative therapies to be explored include acupuncture, essential oils and meditative practices. Through interactive presentations by a panel of experts, "Alternative Therapies to Treat Mental Health Disorders" will provide the fundementals and practical applications of an array of alternative therapies.
Course Objectives:
- Learn the evidence-based practices behind alternative therapies.
- Understand the impact alternative therapies have on clients’ symptoms.
- Recognize how to supplement traditional therapeutic treatment with alternative therapies.
- Identify how to implement elements of alternative therapies within client sessions.
Course Description:
Acupuncture: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has long maintained the physical and mental health of a person. Acupuncture is an ancient form of traditional Chinese medicine, which aims to restore balance in the body, by stimulating circulation and increasing cellular and hormonal disbursement. This belief is based on the interaction of the five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal and water) and having a significant impact on internal organs, which are either yin or yang. During this presentation, therapists will become familiar with terminology used in acupuncture to treat common mental health disorders, understand how TCM recognizes the mind and body interacting as one, and will also be introduced to ways acupuncture helps restore sleep cycles and regulate hormones, to reduce stress and regulate natural brain chemistry.
Essential Oils: Essential oils have been used throughout history in wellness practice and can be traced back to the Egyptians, ancient Rome, and the Bible. In the last 25 years there has been a resurgence in their popularity and usage to support health and wellness. Essential oils are the aromatic, natural chemical compounds extracted from various parts of a plant: leaves, flowers, stems, roots, bark, etc. Essential oils can be used aromatically, topically and internally to support every body system. When oils are inhaled, they reach the limbic system/hippocampus directly affecting our emotions and ability to process and store emotions. Therapists will learn where essential oils come from, how to use them, why the Seed-to-Seal process is important when choosing oils and how you can incorporate oils into your practice and daily routine to support health/wellness and in establishing chemical-free homes.
Zen Meditation: Mindfulness develops presence to self and others – the cornerstone to developing healthy ways of being. This presentation will explore elements and common misperceptions of mindfulness, as well as share practical and realistic applications and adaptations of Zen-based mindfulness practices for the 21st century psychotherapy client. Clinicians will be provided a multitude of approaches to meditation and mindfulness, which address the needs of our clients and explore evidence supporting the use of such approaches as supplements to traditional psychotherapy and medicine.
Location:
Osteria Via Stato
620 N. State Street
Chicago, IL 60654
Schedule:
Friday, September 22nd, 2017: Acupuncture
Friday, October 27th, 2017: Essential Oils
Friday, November 17th, 2017: Zen Meditation
Time:
1130am: Registration
12pm-1pm: Lunch and Presentation
Audience:
Professional Counselors
Social Workers
Substance Abuse Counselors
Marriage and Family Therapists
Psychologists
Biographies of the Presenters
Erika Ewer, Lac, is a nationally and state licensed acupuncturist, herbalist and practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine. She has worked as a private practitioner, in several non-for-profit women’s health clinics, and most recently within the community acupuncture movement in Uptown Chicago. Erika has extensive experience treating both women and men’s health, structural and soft tissue pain/trauma, depression, anxiety, digestive disease/disorder, autoimmune disease, adjunctive cancer therapy/chemotherapy support, pediatric wellness and geriatric mental health. In practice, she integrates the theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine with her patients, encouraging self-empowerment via health.
Lori Silverberg, OTR/L, has been a practicing occupational therapist since 1999. She has specialized in pediatrics throughout her career with a focus on infants and toddlers from birth to three for the past 14 years. Lori owns a pediatric clinic in Chicago focusing on holistic interventions for both her clients and their families. She presently works with many children with difficulties with emotional regulation, attention deficits, sensory processing disorders and a history of trauma. She combines holistic interventions, including manual bodywork (MNRI) and essential oils, to help support optimal functioning and growth.
Kyle Shiver, LPC, is a psychotherapist with InnerVoice Psychotherapy & Consultation and holds a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Kyle developed a passion for mindfulness through two years of formal training in the Korean Zen tradition through The Buddhist Society for Compassionate Wisdom, and regularly integrates concepts related to mindfulness throughout his therapeutic work.
Continuing Education Credit for Professional Counselors, Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Licensed Clinical Psychologists. This educational offering has been approved for 3 Continuing Education hours by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
