Spring Conference 2021

Decision-Making Capacity Assessments: Theory to Practice

CE credits: 1.5

Time: 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Learning Objectives: In general, following the workshop, participants will able to:  

1. Apply knowledge of the guiding principles in capacity assessment
2. Identify common DCMA pitfalls
3. Implement a standardized approach to capacity assessment
   
   

Program Description:

Decision making capacity can be affected by various conditions such as traumatic brain injury, psychiatric illness, and neurodegenerative diseases. As a health care provider, one may be called upon to assess a patient's decision-making capacity. Yet decision-making capacity assessments (DMCA) require a specialized set of skills that are inconsistently taught in the healthcare field. Isolation from inter-disciplinary teams, lack of confidence, uneasiness managing conflict between family and patients, and fear of liability can result in clinicians failing to correctly identify incapacity in patients. Balancing autonomy and independence with patient safety and well-being is delicate and complex, and may include different levels of tolerance for various aspects of decision making. Theory and research can inform effective clinical approaches, interdisciplinary collaboration, and operational documentation for DMCAs. With multiple calls for compulsory training in DMCA for healthcare providers, this presentation aims to provide an introductory overview of the scope of decision-making capacity and practical tools for conducting such assessments as followed through exemplary cases. Several guides and articles on structured approaches to decision making capacity assessment will also be discussed.

About the Presenters, Christopher J. Graver, Ph.D., ABPP-CN and CPT Fawn A. Walter, MS:

Dr. Graver is the Chief of Neuropsychology at Madigan Army Medical Center and a Board Certified Neuropsychologist. He has published and presented workshops on decision making capacity assessments, therapeutic assessment approaches, and functional somatic syndromes. He also serves as a reviewer for several journals, including The Clinical Neuropsychologist.

CPT Walter is a military psychologist heading to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment in Vilseck, Germany. Her research focuses on health psychology, with a recent emphasis on military health system patients.

Psychological Resilience in the Time of COVID-19

CE credits: 1.5 

Time: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this training participants will be able to:

• List three strategies for fostering resilience in the face of coronavirus-related stressors
• Describe how reconnecting with our values can be used to manage anxiety
• Explain what self-compassion is and how it can be helpful as we face challenges
• Describe how to use mental contrasting with implementation intentions (MCII) to maintain motivation for self-care practices

Program Description:

These are strange and frightening times. The global outbreak of coronavirus has impacted daily life in profound ways. Additional challenges, from an economic recession to grappling with systemic racism, add even more pressure to many people’s daily lives. More than ever, we need the skills and the relationships that help us to be resilient. Resilience is about making it through hard times with the least suffering and the greatest well-being possible. In this 90-minute training, participants will explore strategies for building up their resilience as they manage the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated stressors. Topics we will focus on are: reconnecting with values, meaning, and purpose; finding self-compassion as we face challenges; and maintaining motivation for self-care practices.

This training will be provided online in the interest of health and safety. Learning will include lecture, powerpoint slides, online interaction, and information about tools and activities to use on your own after the training.

Please note: This webinar is offered for educational and informational purposes only, and is not intended as a healthcare service, medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or establishment of a doctor/patient relationship.

About the Presenter, Ann Marie Roepke, Ph.D.:

Ann Marie Roepke, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist based in Seattle, WA. After completing her doctorate at the University of Pennsylvania and then spending several years with the Veterans Health Administration, she opened a training and consulting business and a private practice.

WSU Center for Rural Opioid Prevention, Treatment and Recovery (CROP+TR) presents an Introduction to Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention.

CE credits: 1.5

Time: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will be able to summarize the utility of MBRP for substance use disorder.
2. Participants will be able to describe clinical research supporting MBRP and MBRP-RA.

Program Description:

Washington state is currently experiencing an opioid overdose epidemic. From 2002 to 2017, the rate of opioid related deaths increased from 6.7 to 10.9/100,000 residents across Washington (Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute, 2020). Furthermore, recent data from the CDC suggests that opioid overdose deaths are accelerating nationwide as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic (CDC, 2020). In 2020, the Center for Rural Opioid Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery at Washington State University completed a needs assessment of rural opioid prevention, treatment, and recovery providers in Washington state, and respondents indicated a high degree of interest in training related to OUD recovery strategies and recovery programs (CROPTR, 2020).

This need will be addressed through the proposed educational activity on Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP). Mindfulness Based Relapse Prevention is a novel aftercare intervention that has been shown to reduce likelihood of relapse following initial treatment for SUD in adults (Bowen, 2014). Clinical research also suggests that MBRP is useful and appropriate for marginalized young adults and may result in decreased substance use, cravings, and stress compared to treatment as usual (Davis, 2018). Flexible formats of MBRP, such as rolling groups, are also feasible and acceptable (Roos, 2019). 
 
In this activity, Dr. Corey Roos will discuss the role of mindfulness in recovery from substance use disorder. He will introduce Mindfulness Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP) and Mindfulness Based Relapse Prevention—Rolling Admission (MBRP-RA), an aftercare intervention for substance use disorder. He will summarize the research supporting MBRP and MBRP-RA and will provide resources for psychologists to learn more about MBRP-RA implementation and facilitation. 

About the Presenters, Corey Roos, Ph.D. & Michael McDonell, Ph.D.WSU Center for Rural Opioid Prevention, Treatment and Recovery (CROP+TR):

Dr. Corey Roos is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine, as well as a licensed clinical psychologist. His research aims to improve the accessibility and effectiveness of treatments for psychiatric disorders, particularly substance use disorders (SUD). Dr. Roos has expertise in the science and practice of mindfulness based interventions, including mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP).

Dr. Michael McDonell is a Professor in the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine at Washington State University and the Co-Director of the Center for Rural Opioid Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery. He is a clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience developing, testing, and implementing strength-based interventions for people with addiction and mental illness in community settings.

Forensic Survival Skills for the Non-Forensic Psychologist

CE credits:  1.5

Time: 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the risks of rapid response or advocacy in cases involving litigation.
2. Apply recommendations to ethically and professionally respond to records requests.
3. Discuss methods for deposition and trial testimony to reduce malpractice risks.
   
   

Program Description:

Ethical and practice pitfalls abound when treating or evaluating psychologists encounter litigation situations. Some of those may suddenly appear with an unexpected phone call or letter while more formal contacts such as subpoena or deposition and testimony demands are issued to the psychologist. This can be a frightening and overwhelming event for those who are unprepared. However, with some simple survival skills and basic knowledge, the psychologist can respond in an ethical and methodical fashion to meet those challenges. This workshop will provide such guidance by examining four components: initial contact and requests; deposition and interrogatories; trial testimony parameters; and elements of the art of testifying. Attention to record keeping, documentation of contacts, scope of practice, and basis for opinions represent central domains which will be addressed. Additional information regarding relevant statutory guidelines and limitations will be presented.

About the Presenter, Daniel Rybicki, Psy.D., and G. Andrew H. Benjamin, J.D., Ph.D., ABPP:

Daniel Rybicki, Psy.D. has over 30 years of experience as an expert witness and evaluator for family, criminal, civil, and dependency court cases. He has served in multiple jurisdictions including those in Illinois, Indiana, California, Oregon and Washington. He has conducted over 450 parenting evaluations and provided psychological testing to GTMs and other evaluators in over 300 cases. He specializes in complex custody cases such as high conflict or relocation cases and cases where there are allegations of alienation, personality disturbance, sexual abuse, substance abuse, or domestic violence. Dr. Rybicki has specialty skills in psychological testing and has conducted over 3,000 full psychological batteries. He provides critique and review services of other professional's child custody evaluations and he serves as a rebuttal witness or consultant for depositions and trials. He is on the editorial board for the Journal of Child Custody and he is the Founding President of the Washington Chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts and currently serves on the Board of WA AFCC and as Treasurer of the organization. 

Dr. Benjamin works with families engaged in high-conflict litigation and lawyers suffering from various mental health and drug abuse problems, in various governance positions, and as director of the Parenting Evaluation Training Program at the University of Washington. A Clinical Professor of Psychology and Affiliate Professor of Law at the University of Washington, Dr. Benjamin has published 72 peer-reviewed articles in Psychology, Law, and Psychiatry journals. He is the author of five books published by APA, and one book published by Sage. He has received multiple awards from such groups as the Washington State Bar Association, the Washington State Psychological Association, and the APA.

Current State of Psychology

CE credits: 3.0

Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Learning Objectives: In general, following the workshop, participants will able to:  

1. Identify historical trends in the practice of psychology, especially as a health care profession
   
2. Describe important aspects of the practice of psychology with a special focus on health care policy and economics
   
3. Assess historical and present trends to predicate the practice of psychology from the present to 2021
   
   

Program Description:

With engagement in the development and implementation of healthcare policy and economics for over 35 years, a unique perspective of the history, present state, and future trends of the practice of psychology is afforded. The initial focus will be to present these trends in both theoretical/philosophical as well as practical perspectives. Next, patterns that both predict as well as adapt to the trends will be considered. Finally the two issues will be amalgamated to provide a window into the rest of the decade. This will be an interactive presentation.

About the Presenters, Antonio E. Puente, Ph.D.:

 Antonio E. Puente, Ph.D. was born in La Habana, Cuba and emigrated to the US in 1960. Puente received his Ph.D. from the University of Georgia. He has taught at University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) since 1981 and prior to that at St. George‘s University School of Medicine. His primary teaching activities include Brain and Behavior, Clinical Neuropsychology and History of Psychology. 

Dr. Puente is founding director of UNCW‘s Centro Hispano and his research focuses on the interface between culture and neuropsychology. Dr. Puente founded and edited the journals Neuropsychology Review and Journal of Interprofessional Education & Practice as well as a neuropsychology book series. He has published 10 books, 85 chapters and 123 scientific articles in several languages. Dr. Puente is Professor of Psychology at the University of North Carolina Wilmington and also maintains a private practice in clinical neuropsychology is the founder and co-director of mental health services at the Cape Fear Clinic, a bilingual multi-disciplinary health center serving the indigent. He served as APA‘s advisor for 15 years to the American Medical Association‘s (AMA) Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) prior to serving for an additional 8 years as one of 17 members of the AMA CPT Panel. 

Dr. Puente served as president of the N.C. Psychological Association, N.C. Psychological Foundation, the Hispanic Neuropsychological Association, National Academy of Neuropsychology, and Society for Clinical Neuropsychology (Division 40 of APA). In 2017, Puente served as the 125th president of the American Psychological Association. 

Comorbid Medical and Psychiatric Illnesses: Differential Diagnosis and Treatment in Primary Care

CE credits: 3.0

Time: 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Learning Objectives: In general, following the workshop, participants will able to:  

1. The attendee will be able to list at least 3 common medical disorders that are frequently comorbid with psychological disorders.
2. The attendee will be able to explain how knowing the basic signs and symptoms of common medical disorders can help psychologists differentiate between medical symptoms, drug side effects and psychological syndromes.
3. The attendee will be able to describe how at least one common medical disorder can be mistaken for an underlying psychiatric disorder.

Program Description:

Psychologists are increasingly expected to take medical comorbidity into consideration when treating patients. The present lecture will highlight several common co-occurring medical and psychiatric conditions. The presenters will discuss psychopharmacological treatments for common co-occurring psychological conditions such as anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. Case examples will be used to illustrate the complex interplay between medical and psychological disorders.

About the Presenters, David Shearer, Ph.D., MS & Keith Petersen, MO:

Dr. Shearer is a clinical and prescribing psychologist for the Department of the Army at Madigan Army Medical Center (MAMC) in the state of Washington. He serves as a core faculty member and Director of Behavioral Sciences the MAMC Family Medicine Residency. He is the Chair of the WSPA Prescribing Psychology Taskforce and his lectures and research focus on topics related to clinical psychopharmacology.

Dr. Keith Petersen is a civilian full scope Family Physician at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, WA taking care of children, adolescents, adults, obstetrics, and inpatient patients.  He went to medical school at Pacific Northwest University of College of Osteopathic Medicine in Yakima, WA. During his time in medical school he feel in love with primary care and having already taken a scholarship for medical he equally feel in love with Madigan Family Medicine Residency. He trained there then had the unusual military career that he stayed there up until he retired from service. Dr. Petersen currently serves as the associate program director and medical student coordinator for the residency practice for the family medicine residency where he takes care of patients and trains residents and students. Dr. Petersen has no greater accomplishment than his family. His wife Blair who is amazing and allows for constant long hours and is a full time professional of her own. He also has two young children that are incredibly beautiful, smart, and full of personality, Josephine and Charlotte.