Main Track Sessions

MAIN-A. Mastering Mindfulness

Level: Basic/Intermediate

Presenter: Maggie Minsk, LPC, NCC, CI

Description: You can hardly turn around these days without bumping into something about MINDFULNESS. It’s overheard in conversations, used as cover stories for magazines and newspapers, being taught in corporations and colleges, actively being researched, and even prescribed by doctors! This surge of interest in something that has traditionally been associated with Eastern culture seems to rise out of the necessity to slow down, and is due to recent advancements in neuroscience that prove changing our LIVES for the better can be as easy as changing our minds. This main track will provide you with an in-depth look at mindfulness, what it is, how it works, how you’re already using it, and how to develop your own personal practice of mindfulness!

MAIN-B. Worlds Apart: What Works in Adolescent Treatment and Why

Level: Intermediate Presenter: James E. Campbell, LPC, MAC, CACII

Description: Sometimes adolescents can seem as though they come from an entirely different world, and in some regards they do! There has been a wealth of recent discoveries about adolescent development and learning. Unfortunately, there is frequently a disconnect between what we know works best with adolescents and the treatment modalities we use when working with them. This session reviews recent research and discoveries and explores how to best apply that knowledge to effectively treat adolescents. There is also an emphasis on practical application. (Sponsored by: Southeast ATTC)

MAIN-C. Understanding the Role of Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation in Addiction Treatment

Presenters: Ed Johnson, M.Ed., MAC, LPC, CCS; and Beck M. Whipple

Description: The hidden minority of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual individuals come into treatment with issues related to shame and trauma above and beyond that which non-LGB patient present with. Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Individuals have an additional level of issues. With both groups, these compounding issues, when left unaddressed result in unsuccessful outcomes. This didactic and experiential session will increase participant’s knowledge of the issues of sexual minorities through the use of case studies and panel discussion.

(Sponsored By: Southeast ATTC)

MAIN-D. Advanced Group Counseling

Level: Intermediate/Advanced

Presenter: Geri Miller, Ph.D., LP, LPC, LCAS, CCS

Description: Addicted clients need group therapy to help them learn skills in developing recovery support communities. Specifically, they need to learn how they interact with and receive support/feedback from others as well as develop a sense of hope for their addiction recovery. This training will assist counselors in learning how to establish and facilitate addiction counseling groups in the context of common issues of these groups. Leadership skills, specific techniques, and self-care of the counselor will be taught through lecture and experiential exercises (case studies, question-and-answer).

MAIN-E. Supervision for the 21st Century Substance Abuse Clinician

Level: Intermediate/Advanced

Presenter: Anita A. Daniels, MSW, LCSW, LCAS, CCS

Description: Today’s clients have increased exposure to the internet, bullying, violence, abuse, and trauma. Clinicians and their clinical supervisors must be better equipped to apply theories and educational scholarship learned in the classroom to effectively serve the 21st century client. Due to the levels of exposure, clinicians can be overwhelmed by their clients’ needs and overlook This includes the use of video conferencing, apps, meditation, mindfulness techniques, and whenever appropriate medication to help clients tend to their own mental health, learn self-soothing methods in anxiety-producing situations, develop healthy boundaries, and increase their emotional intelligence.

Additionally, behavioral health and substance use treatment professionals are also bound by a code of ethics. The oversaturation of technology and electronic forms of communication automatically lends itself to ethical challenges. Treatment professionals must avoid pitfalls, maintain healthy boundaries, and report ethical violations when they occur. This training session will provide an overlay of the ACA and NAADAC Codes of Ethics, and increase clinical supervisors’ tool kits for supporting the 21st Century substance abuse clinician.

MAIN-F. Opioids: Understanding the Current Epidemic and the Evolving Science of Pain and Addiction Co-Morbidity

Level: Intermediate/Advanced

Presenter: Darryl S. Inaba, PharmD., CATC-V CADC III

Description: Treating opiate/opioid use disorder in a patient with the co morbid condition of chronic pain continues to be a very difficult challenge. This Education Track will examine: a historical swing between over and under treatment of pain, Pharmaceutical Industry futile attempts to produce diversion resistant opioid medications, and the current increase in opioid overdose and addiction problems. The wide range opioid substances currently abused will be presented inclusive of Kratom, a non-opioid substance with major opioid effects. Brain imaging of physical and emotional pain will be examined. The presentation will conclude with detailed descriptions of hyperalgesia, hyperpathia, hyperkatifeia, allodynia, and opioid addiction and how these issues severely compromise the use of opioids in the treatment of chronic pain. Alternative treatments of pain will be examined.

(Sponsored By: Dominion Diagnostics)

MAIN-G. Substance Use Prevention Foundations

Level: Introductory/Basic Presenter: Nicole Augustine, MPH, MCHES, CSAPC; Angela Maxwell, MS, CSAPC; and Deanna Hale-Holland, MA, CSAPC

Description: From cornerstone to keystone, the Substance Use Prevention Foundations course walks substance use prevention professionals through the theories and research behind their work and the skills and practical applications to do their work effectively. This session will take an in-depth look at how the prevention performance domains (Planning and Evaluation, Prevention Education and Service Delivery, Communication, Community Organization, Public Policy and Environmental Change, and Professional Growth and Responsibility) guide the work of prevention professionals as they ensure public safety and well-being. Best practices, evidenced-based strategies, ethical responsibilities, comprehensive strategies, community mobilization, needs assessments, identifying target audiences, strategic planning, evaluations, facilitating effectively, and much more will be covered. (Sponsored By: NC Prevention Providers Association)