This workshop explored the complexities of neurodivergent family dynamics, shifting the focus beyond supporting a single neurodivergent child to understanding how family relationships and overall functioning are impacted when multiple members experience neurodivergence, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Attendees gained insights into the unique challenges, relational patterns, and strengths within these families, as well as strategies for fostering connection, communication, and resilience.

The session covered common relational dynamics, the effects of societal stigma, and the balance of responsibilities among family members through lecture, experiential activities, and discussion. Clinical strategies were shared through collaborative discussion, focusing on relationship-centered behavioral approaches that empower parents and caregivers. Participants learned methods for maintaining an effective therapeutic alliance with the whole family while supporting individual and collective developmental processes.

Presenters: Deanna Linville, Ph.D., LMFT is the Founder and Executive & Clinical Research Director at the Center for Transformative Healing in Eugene, Oregon. With over 25 years of experience in marriage and family therapy, she specializes in systemic, relationship-centered approaches to health, neurodivergent family dynamics, and reducing mental health disparities. Deanna is a licensed therapist in Oregon and Washington, an AAMFT Approved Supervisor, has authored over 60 publications, and has received multiple awards for teaching, research, and contributions to diversity and innovation. April Scotton, M.Ed., LMFT has over 15 years of experience working with children and families in Lane County and is currently the Clinical Director at OCP, a community mental health and treatment foster care agency, and maintains a small private practice focused on supervision and clinical work. She specializes in using evidence-based practices that are individualized and culturally responsive. Her work spans the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, where she has served as a family therapist, supervisor, trainer, and consultant.

Stress, the Brain, and Health: Practical Tools for Mental-Health Practitioners

Workshop Description: The workshops are based on the Unease Modulation Model of stress http://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00379/full

This model described 5 components of stress in terms that are experiential and rooted in every-day situations. Participants learned about their own stress response system and how to manage their stress effectively. These tools foster clinician resiliency and prevent burnout as well as enable them to explain their client's and student's problems and solutions in a way that is jargon-free, engages the client/student, instills hope, and combats demoralization. The content demonstrated a wide variety of psycho-therapeutic techniques that can be understood within the framework of the model. Therapists learned how to apply the techniques they are familiar with more effectively and to a wider variety of mental health conditions.

This workshop covered key ethical and multicultural influences on clinical supervision. During the live webinar, topics such as therapist-client-supervisor relational dynamics, ethical dilemmas and decision making in the context of clinical supervision, and ways for supervisors to consider the multicultural context and its implications for supervision. Through lecture, experiential activities, and discussion, attendees increased their clinical supervision knowledge and skills. In addition, presenters Linville and Johnson shared their knowledge and skills around how to navigate the ever-evolving supervisor-therapist-client relationships. The majority of the webinar focused on how to consider the intersection of culture and ethics within the supervisory relationship.

Stress, the Brain, and Health: Practical Tools for Mental-Health Practitioners

Workshop Description: The workshops are based on the Unease Modulation Model of stress http://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00379/full

This model described 5 components of stress in terms that are experiential and rooted in every-day situations. Participants learned about their own stress response system and how to manage their stress effectively. These tools help build their resiliency and prevent burnout as well as enable them to explain their client's and student's problems and solutions in a way that is jargon-free, engages the client/student, instills hope, and combats demoralization. Dr. Arpaia demonstrated how a wide variety of psycho-therapeutic techniques can be understood within the framework of the model so that therapists could use the techniques they are familiar with more effectively and apply them to a wider variety of mental health conditions.