Southeastern to Present Behavioral Sciences Workshop September 22

Press Release Date: 08-30-2006

The Southeastern Oklahoma State University Department of Behavioral Sciences and Continuing Education Department are gearing up for the 4th annual Behavioral Sciences Workshop, to be held on Friday, September 22.

This workshop is designed for mental health professionals in Texas and Oklahoma. In addition to raising funds for scholarships, this is an opportunity to highlight SOSU’s faculty and students.

During this workshop, two of Dr. Wayne Dixon’s students will be presenting results from their own research projects. Judy Wright’s presentation will be on stress and road rage, while Tim Sneed’s project will be on tattoos and body piercing.

Dr. Dixon has been a member of the SOSU faculty for 12 years. He has earned a B.A. at State University of New York at Geneseo, and M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Missouri–Columbia with an emphasis in Counseling Psychology. Dr. Dixon has written and published many professional research papers, as well as mentored a number of students on their own individual research projects.

“The Choking Game: A Deadly Childhood Escape,” will be presented by Dr. Kimberly A. Donovan, a Licensed Professional Counselor and a National Certified Counselor. Dr. Donovan will provide information designed to increase counselor awareness of a popular and dangerous form of child and adolescent escape commonly referred to as “The Choking Game.” Assessment, treatment, and prevention of this addictive and often deadly game will be addressed.

Dr. Jennifer Hicks will be presenting “Behavioral Techniques for Assessing and Treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder with Abuse Survivors.” Dr. Hicks received specialized training in the treatment of PTSD at the Oklahoma City VA Hospital. The presentation is designed to increase counselor awareness of the psychological sequel of abuse in relation to appropriate diagnosis and treatment of PTSD and concomitant disorders. Specific information on such techniques as exposure and desensitization will be provided.

A Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas, Dr. Jon K. Reid will be providing counseling approaches for Gay and Lesbian Issues. This workshop is designed to assist counselors and counselors-in-training to become aware of their attitudes toward working with gays and lesbians in counseling, to improve understanding of the unique issues faced by gay and lesbian clients, strategies for counseling with those who are questioning their sexual orientation, and ethical issues that impact counseling with this population.

Oklahoma Licensed Professional Counselor Advisory Board member and SOSU faculty member, Daniel J. Weigel, Ph.D., LPC, LADC, will provide a program regarding Alcoholics Anonymous and its overlapping role with professional counseling. The basic premises of the program, along with a discussion of concepts, steps and traditions of the program, will be presented. Ultimately, the workshop will focus on familiarizing professional counselors with the basic parameters of this helpful adjunctive approach to the treatment of addictions.

While the program is designed for professionals, the public is also welcome to register. The 4th Annual Behavioral Sciences Scholarship Workshop has been approved for seven contact hours for Oklahoma LPCs & LMFTs, Texas LPCs (#2433), and Oklahoma CADCs and LADCs. The program is also approved for seven hours of continuing education through NBCC (Provider #4285).

The registration fee (includes a continental breakfast, lunch, and materials) prior to September 1 is $75, (after Sept. 1 - $85). The workshop begins at 8:45 a.m. and continues until 4:30 p.m. Check-in is from 8:30-8:45 a.m. in the Old Student Union - Magnolia Room.

To receive additional information or to make registration, call (580) 745-2858 or toll-free 1-800-435-1327 ext 2858.