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15th Annual Brain Conference
1
Community Conference on the Brain
Theme: The Science of Hope, Holistic Approaches to
Achieving Joy
Sponsored by PACT for Families Collaborative
Featuring keynote speaker: Dr. Henry Emmons Author of The Chemistry of Joy and The Chemistry of Calm
Thursday, April 6, 2017
15th Annual Brain Conference
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See the following pages for guest speakers, their breakout session information, and room locations. Many, many volunteer and professional hours went into creating and planning this conference. Conference planners wish to thank all who were involved. The Planning Committee: Christa Otteson, Rochelle Peterson (PACT), Connie Spartz, Val Swanson (community member), Debb Sheehan, (formerly of PACT), Josh Pierskalla (Woodland Centers), Lisa Dusek, Lori Park-Smith (Ridgewater College), Sharon Tollefson (Willmar Public Schools), Shelly Huseby (Goodwill-Easter Seals), Sue Thomes (UCAP)
Platinum Sponsor: Willmar Public Schools and Willmar Community Education & Recreation Gold Sponsor: Southwest Initiative Foundation (SWIF) Presenter Sponsors:
*If you would like to be part of the planning committee for next year’s conference, please contact the PACT for Families office 320-231-7030. We welcome new members to the committee at any time.
Thank you for being a part of the legacy known simply as the Brain Conference!
CONFERENCE PLANNING AND SPONSORSHIP
We are grateful for the financial and inWe are grateful for the financial and in--kind contributions of numerous community agencies. kind contributions of numerous community agencies. These contributors have allowed you to participate at an affordable cost. These contributors have allowed you to participate at an affordable cost. Please thank the sponsors who have helped to make this event possible.Please thank the sponsors who have helped to make this event possible.
Willmar Public Schools
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(A certificate of attendance will be available to pick up at the registration table, following the keynote address.)
2017 CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
3:15 pm – 3:30 pm Registration and afternoon refreshments in the cafeteria Commons/Cafeteria
3:30 pm—4:00 pm Welcome Message by Rochelle Peterson, PACT for Families;
Somali Dance Performance; Latino Dance Performance
Theater
4:10 pm—5:10pm Breakout Session I with conference faculty See Pages 6-9 for Descriptions
5:20 pm—6:20 pm Breakout Session II with conference faculty See Pages 6-9 for Descriptions
Breakout Session Titles and Locations
1. Using brain resilience & capacity to overcome addiction—Paula
DeSanto, Minnesota Alternatives, LLC
Room 105 D
2. Developing the architecture of your child’s brain—Lynn Herrick,
Greater MN Family Services
Room 105 E
3. What is EMDR therapy?—Sheila Loya, Woodland Centers Room 105 F
4. Restorative yoga practices—Sarah Dimond, Dimond Wellness LLC Room 115 Pod Area
5. Social & emotional learning & children’s mental health: utilizing
findings in neuroscience & applied theory in practice—Kenny Turck,
Crow River Family Services
Room 117
6. Inviting the horse to set the PACE for hope & peace in daily life—
Doug & Tammie Knick, Delta Equine Center
Room 316 (ag room)
7. Discovering joy & fulfillment through sensory awareness—Jeanne
Jacobs, Woodland Centers
Room 506 (orchestra room)
8. Emotional wellbeing through the use of natural products, not
drugs—Steve Fjerstad, Back to Nature Wellness Center
Room 512 (Choir Room)
9. Your Brain on Nature—Kelsey Olson, Sibley State Park Room 516 (Band Room)
10. Building capacity for resilience & self-regulation of emotions &
behavior—Panel Presentation
Theater
6:20 pm—6:50 pm Meal and Networking Cafeteria
Music provided by Josh Pierskalla, Michelle Suter, Marie Nelson,
and Paula Ulicsni-Halvorson
Cafeteria
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm Keynote Address: “”The Science of Hope: Prevention & Recovery
from Depression & Anxiety”, Dr. Henry Emmons
Theater
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MAP OF THE HIGH SCHOOL
Music Area:
Room Detail
Below
Front Entrance
Equine
Therapy
room
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FACULTY AND BREAKOUT INFORMATION
Building Capacity for Resilience and Self-regulation of Emotions and Behavior Panel members include: Michelle Thomas, Elementary School Social Worker, LSW, New London-Spicer Schools. Ms. Thomas holds a Bachelors in Social Work from the University of Minnesota-Mankato and has worked as an elementary school social worker for 11 years. She is in-volved in school-wide initiatives like PBIS and Girls United, works individually and in groups with students, assists families in finding resources, and works with teachers/administration to implement behavior interventions. Mark Stier, 6th grade Educator, Willmar Public Schools. Moxie All Access Movement, has degrees in Elementary Education and English from the University of Minnesota-Morris, and a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Minnesota. Mr. Stier works within educational settings and presents on Mindful Movement in the classroom as well as how to implement Active/Mindful Schools. The intent is to use social/emotional learning mixed with academics, and physical movement, to create a mindful student. Research on the brain has proven this to be an effective environment for optimal learning. Mr. Stier and the methods he use was recently featured in a West Central Tribune front page article! Rick Loseth, LICSW, Clinical Supervisor, PACT for Families Collaborative. Mr. Loseth received an M.A. at the University of North Da-kota. He provides supervision to PACT-contracted school staff, helps coordinate grant-funded initiatives, and works with collabora-tive members to address the needs of children and families across the five-county area PACT for Families serves. Sara Jacobson, LSW, School Social Worker, Kennedy Elementary School in Willmar. Ms. Jacobson holds a Bachelor of Science from St. Cloud State University. She works individually and in groups with kindergarten through second-grade students on social skills, provides support to children and families with emotional and mental health needs, and assists in making appropriate outside refer-rals. Jodi Wambeke, Early Childhood Manager, Willmar Public School, Community Education and Recreation. Ms. Wambeke has a M.Ed. from St. Mary's University. She is responsible for planning, organizing, evaluating, and providing leadership and representation of all early childhood family programs, including Early Childhood Family Education, School Readiness preschool and programming, Early Childhood Screening, special events, and collaborative programming with ECSE and other community organizations. Lori Dunham-Morton, Woodland Centers. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in psychology from the University of Minnesota-Minneapolis; and her Master’s Degree in community counseling from St. Cloud State University. Ms. Dunham-Morton provides clinical services in a variety of programs at Woodland Centers, including outpatient, crisis and supervision, and consultation to community agencies. Areas of interest and training are working with adolescents utilizing DBT and TF-CBT models. Ms. Dunham-Morton is the clinical director at Woodland Centers and maintains the priority of promoting good mental health and services with-in our communities. Reagan Quinn, LPCC, Woodland Centers. Reagan received her undergraduate degree in Science and Mathematics from North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota and her Master of Arts degree in Forensic Psychology from the University of Denver in Denver, CO. Ms. Quinn came to Woodland Centers with a background as a program director and mental health professional to chemically dependent adolescents and their families through an inpatient residential treatment program. She currently works with children, adolescents and their families through school-linked mental health in the Willmar Public Schools while obtaining certifica-tion as a TF-CBT therapist. Social and emotional learning involves the process through which children and adults acquire the knowledge and skills to under-stand and manage emotions, show empathy for others, establish positive relationships and learn to make responsible decisions. A panel of area school and mental health professionals will discuss ways this can be accomplished to address the needs of all kids, as well as those needing more individualized supports. Emphasis will be on early childhood, elementary, and middle school-aged chil-dren.
PANEL
Presentation
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FACULTY AND BREAKOUT INFORMATION
Inviting the Horse to Set the P.A.C.E. for Hope and Peace in Daily Life
Doug and Tammie Knick live on an eight-
acre ranch nestled in the beautiful,
rolling hills just five miles NE of Willmar
near the Glacial Ridge Trail. Tammie
grew up in Willmar and moved back to
the area three years ago with Doug to
open DREAM Technical Academy, a 7th-
12th grade public charter school on the
MinnWest Technology Campus in
Willmar. In June of 2016, Doug and
Tammie opened Delta Equine Center to
offer creative and innovative experiential
equine assisted therapy and educational
programs to assist people in finding
balance in their life. Doug is an author of
three books and has a doctorate degree
in Critical Pedagogy and Tammie is a
Licensed Independent Clinical Social
Worker.
Participants will learn how Equine
Assisted Psychotherapy and Learning
activities allow the horses to work their
own simple magic to help people find
hope and peace in daily life. This
powerful client-centered and heart-
centered approach offers participants
alternative ways to heal, grow, and/or
deepen their relationships with self and
others. Participants will be invited to
work with horses or witness others
interacting with horses to develop
Patience, Acceptance, Consistency and
Empathy.
Discovering Joy and Fulfillment Through Sensory Awareness Jeanne Jacobs, LPC, NCC holds a
Master of Education (M.Ed.) in
Counseling from North Dakota State
University. She is licensed in
Minnesota, North Dakota, and
Wyoming as a Licensed Professional
Counselor and is working toward her
Clinical Counselor license. She is a
Nationally Certified Counselor
through the National Board for
Certified Counselors.
Jeanne has experience working in the
State of Wyoming in the areas of
trauma, mental health and addic-
tions, SPMI populations, domestic
violence, and parenting issues. She
joined Woodland Centers in January
2016, working in Outpatient Mental
Health, Intensive Outpatient
Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Day
Treatment using DBT skills.
Using DBT curriculum and personal/
professional experience, the benefits
of mindfulness will be discussed.
What mindfulness is and how to
practice mindfulness will be explored.
Participants will leave with a
repertoire of experiential adventures
for more joyful and fulfilling living.
Restorative Yoga Practices Sarah Dimond, R-HYI graduated with
a Master of Science in School
Counseling from SCSU. She worked
as a school counselor for two years
in the Maple Grove area and with
students with Intellectual Disabili-
ties at Ridgewater College. She has
been practicing yoga for six years
and instructing yoga for two years.
Sarah is currently an Integrative
Yoga Therapist at Clara's House in
St. Cloud, teaching mindfulness and
body awareness skills to students
ages five to eighteen years of age
who have been referred to attend
Clara's House after crisis, mental
health issues, behavioral issues, or
medication management. Sarah also
teaches various yoga classes at
Rejuv Medical Gym and other
locations in the St. Cloud area.
Restorative Yoga works to achieve
physical, mental, and emotional
relaxation in order to provide heal-
ing for the mind, body, and soul.
This session will include passive
stretching, mindfulness, deep
breathing, and supportive postures
held for longer periods of time.
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FACULTY AND BREAKOUT INFORMATION
Nature RX Kelsey Olson has been a naturalist at Sibley State
Park for nearly two years. Prior to coming to
Sibley she worked at Gooseberry Falls State Park,
Buffalo River State Park, and on northwest
Minnesota’s Scientific and Natural Areas as a
naturalist. After completing an associate’s degree
in Natural Resources from Central Lakes College
in Brainerd, she continued studies for her
Bachelors in Environmental Education and
Interpretation and the University of Wisconsin
Steven’s Point. Today, Kelsey enjoys life in her
small town of New London, is intrigued by
history, and enjoys any time outside, especially
with her little dog, Teenie.
As humans we are nature; however, we have lost
our connection to our instinctive relationship to
nature. In this age of technology, it is easy to pick
up a smart device and get the weather, scroll
through someone’s vacation pictures, or watch a
video. But the positive mental and physical
effects gained when we actually experience a
scenic vista, step outside and observe the clouds,
or simply watch a bird on a branch provide us
with clarity that can only be achieved through a
natural setting. Join Kelsey for a scientific and
hands-on experience that will provide you with
the tools and knowledge that will help you lead a
peaceful life with positive stress management.
Social and Emotional Learning and Children’s Mental Health: Utilizing findings in neuroscience and
applied theory in practice Kenny Turck, MSW, LICSW is the founder, Chief
Creative Officer, and President of Crow River Family
Services, LLC (CRFS), a mental health agency based in
Hutchinson, Minnesota. Kenny holds a Master’s
Degree in Social Work from St. Cloud State University,
where he is also a member of the MSW program’s
Community Advisory Board. Kenny grew up on the
farm his family has called home since 1875. Kenny has
been working in Adolescent and Children’s Mental
Health for 25 years and is passionate about social
work, program and staff development, and he is a
professional speaker/trainer. In September of 2015,
Dirt Group was honored by NASW-MN as the Program
of the Month; and in 2010, NASW-MN named Kenny
as the recipient of the Paul & Sheila Wellstone Social
Justice Award. Dirt Group is a children’s mental health
application based in social and emotional learning in
the context of an experiential gardening and farming
group skills training project. www.dirtgrouptv.com
Developing social and emotional intelligence are at
the core of successful youth development. This
workshop will identify and discuss recent findings in
neuroscience and applied theory in practice, which
foster increasing social and emotional competencies,
mental health and well-being, as well as implications
for practice in education, community, treatment,
restorative justice, and correctional/probation
settings.
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FACULTY AND BREAKOUT INFORMATION
Building the Architecture of Your Child’s Brain E. Lynn Herrick, MS, has been a Licensed Psychologist and
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist for 28 years. He was
instrumental in establishing five day treatment programs in
various school districts and created and ran a crisis shelter
for children. He has served as a mental health consultant for
Head Start programs for 35 years in Iowa and Minnesota.
Over the last ten years, he has specialized in services for
Early Childhood-birth to five, completed the Infant and Early
Childhood Mental Health Certification program through the
University of Minnesota, and provides treatment for
traumatized children and their families. He is a State trainer
for TACSEI, a system for enhancing preschool classrooms
and Head Starts programs’ ability to facilitate the social and
emotional growth of young children; and for Early Childhood
Services Intensity Instruments (ECSII), which is a tool for
establishing strengths and areas of concern for children
birth to five. He has served on various state committees,
including the initial advisory board to Department of Human
Services for early childhood; the Governor’s Task Force on
changes for service delivery for early childhood; and is a
charter board member of the Minnesota Association of
Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (MAIECMH).
Lynn’s session will explore how nature and nurture work
together to develop the architecture of the brain of a very
small child and how those early experiences enhance or
hinder future growth. The demand to meet the emotional
needs of infant, toddler, or preschool children is essential
for both social and emotional growth as well as developing
the internal structures in the brain that allows this child to
learn later in life. This session will examine how simple
decisions made before the age of three will have profound
effects on the rest of the child’s life well into adulthood.
Using brain resilience and capacity to overcome addiction
Paula DeSanto, MS, LSW, CPRP, CCDP-D has
developed programs that serve adults with mental
illness and/or substance use issues for over 25
years. She has worked in a variety of settings that
include case management, community support,
intensive residential and outpatient treatment,
and the Anoka Metro Regional Treatment Center.
She is currently the owner and director of
Minnesota Alternatives LLC, a program providing
consultation, training, and outpatient substance
use disorder treatment. She has a Master’s degree
from Boston University in Psychiatric Rehabilita-
tion Counseling, is a Licensed Social Worker, and is
certified as a Co-Occurring Disorders Professional
Diplomate.
Her workshop introduces a model for treating
people with substance use disorders, called The
Minnesota Alternative. This approach focuses on
engagement, personalized interventions, best
practices in co-occurring care, and key concepts
from neuroscience. It will emphasize strategies to
“harness neuroplasticity” and build internal
capacity to change addictive patterns.
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FACULTY AND BREAKOUT INFORMATION
What is EMDR Therapy? Sheila Loya, LPCC is a Licensed Professional Clinical
Counselor; a National Certified Counselor; Certified
in EMDR; and an LPCC Board-Approved Supervisor.
She has extensive experience working with different
populations, such as psychiatric patients, SPMI,
developmentally disabled, criminal/sex offenders,
substance abuse patients, children/adolescents/
adults, families, and couples. Treatment
environments have included outpatient, day
treatment, partial hospitalization, residential,
correctional, and inpatient settings. Over the years,
Sheila began to notice that no matter what their
background, most individuals had suffered some
sort of trauma. From that point forward, she has
strived to provide a trauma-informed approach to
treatment.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
therapy is an integrative psychotherapy approach
that has been extensively researched and proven
effective for the treatment of trauma. EMDR is a set
of standardized protocols that incorporates
elements from many different treatment
approaches. This workshop will provide an overview
of the basic concepts within EMDR therapy, how it
was developed, and what issues it can be
successful in treating. Also discussed will be what to
expect in an EMDR therapy session.
Emotional Wellbeing Through the Use of Natural Products, not Drugs
Steven Fjerstad, CTN is a former high school auto shop
teacher who got into his current profession because of
his youngest daughter. In 1980, Steven and his wife
adopted an infant daughter from Mexico. She was a
beautiful and wonderful addition to their family! But
shortly after becoming a part of their family, she
began struggling with digestive problems that
eventually became severe. The conventional medical
community tried its best to diagnose and treat her.
Steven and his wife took her to every doctor who they
believed might help and they submitted to every test
and treatment that was suggested. Through two years
of frustration and heartache, the digestive problems
only became worse and she ended up having to be fed
by machine. Eventually, they began to lose hope as
the situation became critical with no solution in sight.
After being home for a couple of days they were told
by the family chiropractor about a medical doctor in
Reno, Nevada. Dr. Ewing Tang MD, using technologies
now used at the Back to Nature Wellness Center, was
able to diagnose, treat, and help her regain her health.
This and also seeing other chronic and terminally-ill
people get well at the Century Clinic is what
prompted Dr. Fjerstad to go back to school and
become a Naturopath.
Steve will be talking about the advancements in
nutritional technology that are used when it comes to
emotions and learning issues like anxiety, ADD, ADHD,
etc. Many people are unaware of the nutraceuticals
that have been developed that can help the body
produce neurotransmitters, like serotonin, that helps
with depression; and dopamine, which helps you
remain happy.
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”The Science of Hope: Prevention & Recovery from Depression & Anxiety”
Dr. Henry Emmons, MD, Integrative Psychiatrist
Henry Emmons is a psychiatrist who integrates mind-body and natural
therapies, mindfulness and Buddhist teachings, and compassion and insight
into his clinical work. Henry developed the Resilience Training Program,
which is currently offered at the Penny George Institute for Health and
Healing. This unique program is based upon the ideas developed in his
books, The Chemistry of Joy and The Chemistry of Calm.
His career has been animated by the desire to develop more integrative
approaches to the treatment of depression and anxiety. Henry is a sought-
after presenter and a respected consultant on such topics as integrating
natural and mindfulness therapies in psychiatry, building personal resilience,
and personal and professional renewal. In addition to Resilience Training,
Henry has developed “A Year of Living Mindfully” and “The Inner Life of
Healers: Programs of Renewal for Health Professionals” offered through the
University of Minnesota’s Center for Spirituality and Healing. He is also a founding board member of the
International Network for Integrative Mental Health.
Dr. Emmons’ newest book The Chemistry of Joy Workbook: Overcoming Depression Using the Best of Brain
Science, Nutrition, and the Psychology of Mindfulness (A New Harbinger Self-Help Workbook) can now be
purchased on Amazon.
Dr. Emmons will explore what it takes to cultivate inner calm and joy, and how to protect one's brain across
the lifespan. During today's challenging times, when stress-related disorders like anxiety and depression are
more prevalent than ever, maintaining a healthy brain and a vital mind have never been more important.
Blending new neuroscience with ancient wisdom, Dr. Emmons will discuss what we can do to restore resili-
ence and to protect ourselves from the many faces of stress.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING THE 15TH ANNUAL COMMUNITY
CONFERENCE ON THE BRAIN!
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NOTES
“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done
without hope and confidence.”
Helen Keller
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NOTES
“Resilience is accepting your new reality, even if it's less good than the
one you had before.”
Elizabeth Edwards
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NOTES
“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
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NOTES
“We live in a time when science is validating what humans have known
throughout the ages: that compassion is not a luxury; it is a necessity
for our well-being, resilience, and survival.” Joan Halifax
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