The 20th Annual Psychology of Health, Immunity and Disease Conference

The 20th Annual Psychology of Health, Immunity and Disease Conference

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, December 8th - 14th 2008

Topics covered
Neuroplasticity

Learn how you can use neuroplasticity (the brain's ability to rewire and create new neural circuits at any age) to create new possibilities for your patients.

Let me tell you about three sessions that shed new light on how our brains seem to take control, especially when we feel threatened or upset.

Inflammation

Our understanding of inflammation represents a far-reaching, giant leap forward in disease prevention and treatment. Finding the right balance between the body's intricate pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory forces might hold the key to health and well-being. Although inflammation is our first line of defense against bacteria and viruses, long-term or severe inflammation can cause serious health problems.

The simple truth is: the more researchers study inflammation and its influence on health, the more we realize that mind/body interventions can play a key role in reducing its impact on the onset of disease.

First, it's important to understand the basics of inflammation:

Then, you will want to master the interventions shown to be effective in reducing the impact of inflammation:


While there is no evidence that hypnosis cures individuals facing various diseases, it is proven that hypnosis can help to diminish symptoms of diseases, and as a result, can relieve pain, stress, and post-traumatic syndromes. Exciting new research also shows that hypnosis can be an effective tool in reducing some inflammatory processes.

Sugar Addiction, Inflammation, & Sleep Deprivation: The Missing Link in the Insulin Resistance and Obesity Epidemic

The role of sleep deprivation, cortisol, and insulin resistance in maintaining optimum weight leads us to the conclusion that, for some people, stress can be fattening and the fat–free diet mentality may be adding on pounds.

Beyond that, sugar addiction is implicated in many behaviors and emotional issues (i.e. depression, anxiety, mood/eating disorders, obesity, diabetes, and other addictions). Acting like a drug, sugar affects the same neurochemicals as heroin and amphetamine and heightens the body's sensitivity to sugar.

Weight Management and Digestive Issues

Weight Management is about our relationship with food, and fortunately, mind–body medicine offers so many approaches to move that relationship into a journey from low self-esteem and struggle to one of self-discovery and optimal health. Take a look at some of these information-packed sessions:

Trauma, the Freeze Response and its Clinical Syndromes

We used to describe stress as the fight/flight response. However, as we’ve come understand more about PTSD, we are now thinking it is more correct to see stress through the lens of the fight/flight/freeze response. This represents a giant leap forward.

Beyond PTSD, trauma survivors often experience a wide variety of health problems. In considering the neurophysiology traumatic stress, we find that the freeze response is implicated in many chronic diseases.

Energy Psychology

Change is hard. Beliefs, thoughts, and behaviors often continue as if they have a life of their own…and that’s why new approaches grounded in energy psychology are so cutting–edge and timely.

Combining meridian–based treatments with the most recent discoveries from neuroscience, powerful energy psychology approaches can initiate change. Though still controversial, they are rapid, non–invasive techniques with few side effects.

Further Applications of Mindfulness Meditation

Mindfulness is a deceptively simple way of relating to experience that has been successfully practiced for over 2500 years to alleviate human suffering. It has been shown to be effective in reducing hypertension, and in treating anxiety and depression. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin have also found it to have positive effects upon the brain and to influence immune function.

So, much of treatment success points to the relationship between practitioner and patient. By developing a personal mindfulness practice, we can learn to connect deeply with awareness, compassion, inner attunement, patience, and empathy to transform our therapeutic presence.

Advances in Psychotherapy

Chronic Pain

Mind–Body Medicine interventions are particularly effective in treating both chronic pain and in helping to restore quality of life to those who are enduring pain on a daily basis.



"Are You Missing the Vital Connection Between Western Medicine and Mind Body Medicine? If You Answered
YES!

Don't miss this opportunity to nourish your intellect, revive your spirit, and earn 2 year's worth of continuing
education credits at the practitioner’s conference for
mind body medicine."

The 20th Annual Psychology of Health, Immunity and Disease Conference

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, December 8th - 14th 2008

Open your practice to new ideas and challenges

Earn Up to 40 Continuing Education Credits



Date: 8/27/2008

From: Ruth Buczynski, PhD

President and Licensed Psychologist
The National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine

Re: The Psychology of Health, Immunity and Disease Conference


Dear Colleague,

Never, ever before have we had the opportunity we have today.

Some major concepts are starting to gel in ways that translate into remarkably powerful applications.

We are really just beginning to get the implications of neuroplasticity, inflammation, sugar addiction, and insulin resistance; why they matter so much to our physical health. And how they are linked to our mental health. On top of that, it’s now becoming clear, that these and other processes can play a previously unexplored role in the treatment of trauma.

At the same time, it is obvious that mind–body medicine can take the lead in influencing these processes.

When we better understand these concepts, and some of the research that's being done, we can have a remarkable impact. The tools we already know and have worked so hard to hone can be repurposed for even greater success.

To do this, we need to see hypnosis, guided imagery, energy psychology, and mindfulness meditation within a broader context, to expand our vision of what it is we could do, and what our contributions might be.

This conference is where these ideas converge…where you and your specialty can take the lead.




Neuroplasticity

Learn how you can use neuroplasticity (the brain's ability to rewire and create new neural circuits at any age) to create new possibilities for your patients.

Let me tell you about three sessions that shed new light on how our brains seem to take control, especially when we feel threatened or upset.

* Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself— Joe Dispenza, DC will show you how to utilize the extraordinary potential of our minds - how to teach your clients to interrupt the circle of counter-productive emotional habits and break the pattern of repetitive behavior that just doesn't work.

Joe Dispenza

* Brain, Behavior and Moods: How Brain Science Can Optimize Performance and Health— Joel Robertson, PharmD focuses on the biochemical and behavioral aspects of mood. You'll learn how diet, nutrition, activity, spiritual practices and thoughts can be used to enhance brain chemistry and minimize negative behaviors.

Joel Robinson

* Emotional Intelligence in Relationships: Advanced Strategies for Teaching Your Clients to Rewire Outmoded Emotional Habits— Brent Atkinson, PhD uses the most recent scientific research in neurobiology and the science of relationships, to present step-by-step methods for helping clients to cultivate respect, cooperation, and understanding.

Brent Atkinson

"As a first timer, I was thrilled at what I have learned here. I never thought I would walk away with such tangible skills that will be immediately applicable to my patients. This is better than any medical conference I've ever been to. Thank you so much!"

Catherine M. Schaffer, RPA-C
Bridgeport, NY Catherine Schaffer



Click Here To Learn More About Earning Your CE–CME Credits at the Conference




Inflammation

Our understanding of inflammation represents a far-reaching, giant leap forward in disease prevention and treatment. Finding the right balance between the body's intricate pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory forces might hold the key to health and well-being. Although inflammation is our first line of defense against bacteria and viruses, long-term or severe inflammation can cause serious health problems.

The simple truth is: the more researchers study inflammation and its influence on health, the more we realize that mind/body interventions can play a key role in reducing its impact on the onset of disease.

First, it's important to understand the basics of inflammation:

William Joel Meggs

* Hidden Inflammation: How it Undermines our Health— William Meggs, MD will highlight the research and outline a practical and complete program for controlling inflammation and restoring vibrancy and good health.



Then, you will want to master the interventions shown to be effective in reducing the impact of inflammation:


While there is no evidence that hypnosis cures individuals facing various diseases, it is proven that hypnosis can help to diminish symptoms of diseases, and as a result, can relieve pain, stress, and post-traumatic syndromes. Exciting new research also shows that hypnosis can be an effective tool in reducing some inflammatory processes.

* Ericksonian Hypnosis: An Inclusive, Permissive Approach to Mind/Body Healing — Former Milton Erickson student Bill O'Hanlon, LMFT will lead a 3-day intensive training workshop presenting clear, simple methods of mastering the hypnotic process.

Bill O'Hanlon

* Hypnotic Methods to Produce Spontaneous Healing in Couples — Michelle Ritterman, PhD will teach a noninvasive approach to recognizing, tracking and transforming the troublesome trance states that partners in conflict habitually trigger in each other.

Michelle Ritterman

Click Here to Claim Your FREE Registration Bonuses





Sugar Addiction, Inflammation, & Sleep Deprivation: The Missing Link in the Insulin Resistance and Obesity Epidemic

The role of sleep deprivation, cortisol, and insulin resistance in maintaining optimum weight leads us to the conclusion that, for some people, stress can be fattening and the fat–free diet mentality may be adding on pounds.

Beyond that, sugar addiction is implicated in many behaviors and emotional issues (i.e. depression, anxiety, mood/eating disorders, obesity, diabetes, and other addictions). Acting like a drug, sugar affects the same neurochemicals as heroin and amphetamine and heightens the body's sensitivity to sugar.

Karen Wolfe

* The Link Between Inflammation, Insulin Resistance, Sleep Deprivation, and Obesity — Karen Wolfe, MMBS, MA will present cutting-edge research on how sleep deprivation increases levels of a hunger hormone and decreases levels of a satiety hormone. With nearly seventy percent of Americans overweight or obese, these findings could lead to a new direction for weight management.


Kathleen DesMaisons

* Sugar Addiction: An Unexpected Variable in Healing — Kathleen DesMaisons, PhD will teach you how to help your patients heal their addiction to sugar through a simple, 7-step food plan.


Robert Naiman

* Healing Sleep and Dreams: An Integrative Approach — Rubin Naiman, PhD presents an integrative mind/body/spirit approach to the evaluation and treatment of major sleep and dream disorders in adults. With a theoretical and pragmatic foundation for integrating sleep therapies into your practices, learn how to promote better sleep health.


Karen Wolfe

* Is Stress Fattening?: An Integrated Lifestyle Approach to Move from Stress to Strength — Karen Wolfe, MMBS, MA will introduce specific lifestyle factors that can make the brain and body chemistry work for you and your patients to create the vibrant health, energy, and mind-body well-being they have always wanted. Going beyond traditional diet, exercise and stress management advice, discover an integrated lifestyle approach to healing that considers the body/body/spirit.



Weight Management and Digestive Issues

Weight Management is about our relationship with food, and fortunately, mind–body medicine offers so many approaches to move that relationship into a journey from low self-esteem and struggle to one of self-discovery and optimal health. Take a look at some of these information-packed sessions:

* Fearless Eating: Weight Management without Rules, Deprivation or Guilt — Michelle May, MD has taught thousands of physicians why diets don't work and how to help their patients identify and resolve problematic thoughts and behaviors to build a healthier lifestyle.

Michelle May

* Food, Mood, and Behavior— in this Pre-Conference Master Class, Norm Shealy, MD will explore how deficiency of essential nutrients leads to erratic serotonin production and imbalances in a wide variety of neurochemicals.

Norm Shealy

* Deciphering the Hunger Code: Using Metaphor & Storytelling to Uncover Hidden Meanings Beneath Food Cravings and Fears — Anita Johnston, PhD will take you through a journey toward freedom from struggles with food, fat, and dieting.

AJohnston

* Digestive Wellness– The Systemic Consequences of Digestive Imbalance — Elizabeth Lipski, PhD will discuss digestive imbalances that can lead to depression, fatigue, arthritis, eczema, psoriasis, migraines, asthma, ADD, chronic fatigue syndrome, and auto–immune illnesses. This workshop will focus on practical solutions associated with food sensitivities, celiac and gluten intolerance, probiotics, supplements, and' how to recognize inflammatory vs. healing foods.

Elizabeth Lipski

* The Brain–Fog Effect of Wheat Allergies: Understanding the Cognitive Complications of Gluten Sensitivity— Thomas O’Bryan, DC. Research evidence suggests that the body reacts as a whole system to allergens, toxins, and nutritional imbalances causing different mental and physical symptoms in different individuals. Learn about recent findings on wheat and gluten sensitivity as a case example of this increasingly important issue.

Thomas O’Bryan

"This is undoubtedly the best conference I’ve attended ever attended, which continues to bring me back year after year. The collegial relationships have lasted over the years too!"

–Bunny B Czarnopys, MSW, LSCSW, LCMFT
Hunchinson, KS Bunny B Czarnopys


Trauma, the Freeze Response and its Clinical Syndromes

We used to describe stress as the fight/flight response. However, as we’ve come understand more about PTSD, we are now thinking it is more correct to see stress through the lens of the fight/flight/freeze response. This represents a giant leap forward.

Beyond PTSD, trauma survivors often experience a wide variety of health problems. In considering the neurophysiology traumatic stress, we find that the freeze response is implicated in many chronic diseases.

Robert Scaer

* The Infinite Complexity of the Traumatic Experience: Implications for Diagnosis and Healing — Robert Scaer, MD: Trauma may simplistically be defined as stress in the face of helplessness. This simple, relatively precise definition lends itself to a significant revision of our concepts of trauma, and has implications for how we look at the effects and symptoms of trauma. In this workshop, push the limits in defining trauma to understand and treat its effect on the body and mind.


Maggie Phillips

* Healing the Pain of Trauma — In this post-conference master class Maggie Phillips, PhD discusses how trauma can create an internal straitjacket that restricts growth of body, mind, and spirit and generates devastating emotional and physical pain. Explore the major mechanisms of pain, especially the role of trauma as a “root cause” of persistent and chronic pain, as well as the pain dynamics the central nervous system, the polyvagal system, and the role of brain chemistry in the experience of pain.


Mark Dworkin

* Neurophysiology in Healing Complex PTSD — Mark Dworkin, LCSW will focus on ways of reaching into the pain of the traumatized patient and will demonstrate a process for healing ruptures of attunement that threaten to disrupt a psychotherapeutic experience.


Edward Tick

* War and the Soul: Holistic Healing of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder — Edward Tick, PhD explores the inner and universal worlds of combat and then lays out interventions to rebuild identities, shrink trauma, and restore wounded dimensions of the soul.


Laurie Leitch

* The Trauma Resiliency Model: Approaching Trauma from a Somatic Perspective — Laurie Leitch, PhD will present a somatic approach that facilitates the restoration of resilience and homeostasis through mind body self–regulation, with the trauma resiliency model.


Victoria Follette

* Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for PTSD and Trauma Related Problems — ACT seeks to enhance life functioning by increasing psychological flexibility. Victoria Follette, PhD will teach you how to work with clients to enhance their ability to live a value-consistent life in the face of uncomfortable private experiences.


Robert Scaer

* Trauma, Dissociation and the Healing of Combat Stress — Robert Scaer, MD discusses the epidemic of behavioral problems in our Iraq veterans, an issue that goes beyond the definitions imposed by PTSD. We will review the physiology of combat stress, look at gender issues, the nature of combat, the role of training and the social implications of exposure to warfare. Together we will examine Combat Operational Stress and introduce therapeutic designs that address COS, and the need for family and community reintegration.



Click Here To Learn More About Earning Your CE–CME Credits


Energy Psychology

Change is hard. Beliefs, thoughts, and behaviors often continue as if they have a life of their own…and that’s why new approaches grounded in energy psychology are so cutting–edge and timely.

Combining meridian–based treatments with the most recent discoveries from neuroscience, powerful energy psychology approaches can initiate change. Though still controversial, they are rapid, non–invasive techniques with few side effects.


* The Power of Congruence: With Emotional Freedom Technique Help Your Clients Break Through the Barriers, Beliefs and Behaviors that Sabotage Their Lives — Carol Look, LCSW will show you how to use an elegant energy therapy technique to identify and clear the blocking beliefs that prevent your clients from living more congruent, passionate lives.

Carol Look

* Then Reasons Why People in Pain Don’t Heal and How They Can — Maggie Phillips, PhD. Learn several brief interventions designed to address and remove ten obstacles to successful treatment of emotional and physical pain conditions.

Maggie Phillips

* The Energy of Belief — Identifying and Releasing the Blocking Beliefs of the Practitioner— Mary Sise, LCSW will uncover the level of healing and integration that a therapist must attain, and how to discern and treat what is blocking you as a therapist.

Mary Sise

* Synchronicity and Simultaneity of Thought — Norm Shealy, MD. Synchronicity, holographic thinking, the implicate order and the morphogenic universe: all these concepts are part of the simultaneity of thought, an inherent intuitive ability to instantly grasp and understand complex inter–relationships.

Norm Shealy

* Cell-Level Healing: Hands-on Practices — Joyce Hawkes, PhD. How do cells communicate? How do they create the energy of life? How do they produce the molecules that maintain the integrity of structure and healthy function? Using the tools of biophysics, coupled with advanced imagery, experience the efficacy of cell–level healing, an adjunctive therapy that can enhance other modalities of healing.

Joyce Hawkes

* Living on the Edge of Chaos...While Remaining Sane — Christine Page, MD explores the place between structure and chaos as a powerful place of growth and transformation. This workshop will explore belief patterns and fears which anchor us to the past, safe ways to enter unknown territory and finally ways to create a world which surpasses anything experienced before.

Christine Page

* Epigenetic Medicine — The Genie in Your Genes — Dawson Church, PhD will teach you how to engage powerful epigenetic influences through the quality of emotions, thoughts and intentions, and how the Epigenetic Health Cycle can be applied in your practice.

Dawson Church

* Pain Relief with EFT — Carol Look, LCSW presents strategies to use EFT, to address limiting beliefs, expand comfort zones, release resistance, and enhance your client’s psychological relief and comfort regardless of their diagnosis. Collaborate with the medical team and offer your clients an empowering approach to healing pain and illness.

Carol Look

"This conference is like a wonderful buffet, where one can taste and sample a variety of cutting–edge modalities to enrich their practices."

– Mary Rademacher, Psychology
Marshall, MN
Mary Rademacher



Further Applications of Mindfulness Meditation

Mindfulness is a deceptively simple way of relating to experience that has been successfully practiced for over 2500 years to alleviate human suffering. It has been shown to be effective in reducing hypertension, and in treating anxiety and depression. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin have also found it to have positive effects upon the brain and to influence immune function.

So, much of treatment success points to the relationship between practitioner and patient. By developing a personal mindfulness practice, we can learn to connect deeply with awareness, compassion, inner attunement, patience, and empathy to transform our therapeutic presence.

RSiegel


* Mindfulness and Intimacy: Advanced Training in Relationship Building — Ron Siegel, PhD will explore how mindfulness meditation can help your clients (and you) to develop the affect that is critical for successful intimate relationships.


CGermer


* Open Heart, Open Eyes: Practicing the Art of Self–Compassion — Do you ever wonder how you can help your patients feel less vulnerable between sessions? Christopher Germer, PhD will show you how self-compassion can be taught and learned.


Ron Siegal

* Bridging Divides: Integrating Mindfulness Meditation with Other Spiritual Practices— Ronald Siegal, PsyD will explore ways in which mindfulness practices can be adapted to suit Christian, Jewish, and other religious traditions, as well as some of the ways in which they can run religious teachings. Learn how to introduce mindfulness practices to people who might initially be wary of them, as well as ways to work therapeutically with differences of belief and worldview.


Victoria Follette

* Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for PTSD and Trauma Related Problems Victoria Follette, PhD. With unique applications to the treatment of trauma, ACT integrates the use of mindfulness, acceptance, values, and dialectics.


JFront


* Mindfully Opening the Senses: Exploring the Building Blocks to Relationship — Jerome Front, MFT will lead an experiential lab for sampling the sensual aspects of mindful awareness.


Polly Young Eisendrath

* When Self Meets No-Self: A Dialogue between Jung and Buddhism — Drawing from diverse aspects of being human, both individuality and interdependence, Polly Young-Eisendrath, PhD will present a new model for more confident and compassionate relationships with applications that relate to psychotherapy, parenting and leadership.


Ron Siegal

* This Very Moment: Mindfulness for the Therapeutic Relationship— Ronald Siegel, PsyD will present, in this Master Class, how to develop a personal mindfulness practice and use this to transform your therapeutic presence. We will explore common obstacles to being fully with our clients or patients, and how mindfulness practice can help us to deal with the personal challenge of spending our days trying to connect deeply with people in distress.


Click Here to Receive FREE BONUS Gifts When You Register.



Advances in Psychotherapy


Positive Psychology

Happy people enjoy countless benefits - not just feeling good, but enhanced productivity and creativity, more fulfilling relationships, superior physical health, and even longer life.

Power Boost Your Career

Six optional lunch–time sessions to build your practice and give you more opportunities.

Practitioners Respond to War and Natural Disaster

Learn how mind–body medicine is playing a vital role in disaster response teams and how you might get involved.

So what does the conference look like?

To maximize your learning, this week has been specially created with a variety of training formats. The program is designed for you to customize an educational experience that's just right for you.



Monday through Wednesday, you'll choose from among these in-depth training workshops:

* Alchemical Healing — Christine Page, MD
* Ericksonian Hypnosis: An Inclusive, Permissive Approach to Mind/Body Healing — Bill O'Hanlon LMFT
* The Power of Congruence — Carol Look, LCSW
* Emotional Intelligence in Relationships: Advanced Strategies for Teaching your Clients to Rewire Outmoded Emotional Habits— Brent Atkinson, PhD
* Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself — Joe Dispenza, DC
* How to Adapt the Taoist Medical Qigong to Achieve Maximum Healing Results — Nan Lu, OMD
* Sugar Sensitivity: Unmasking the Hidden Dilemma in Treatment — Kathleen DesMaisons, PhD
* The Infinite Complexity of the Traumatic Experience: Implications for Diagnosis and Healing - Robert Scaer, MD
* Food, Mood, and Behavior — Norm Shealy, MD, PhD


Then, beginning Wednesday evening through Saturday morning, you'll experience a combination of keynote presentations and 90-minute concurrent sessions on a wide range of topics. Choose workshops from among 8 different tracks and discover practical applications that you can use right away.

* Treatment of Trauma
* Chronic Pain
* Advances in Psychotherapy
* Positive Psychology
* Further Applications of Mindfulness Meditation
* Eating and Digestive Disorders
* Energy Psychology
* Mind Body Medicine


You will wrap up the week by selecting from one of the following master classes - and once again go in–depth into a critical topic.


* Cell-Level Healing: Hands-on Practices— Joyce Hawkes, PhD
* Hold Me Tight: Strengthening the Bonds of Love — Susan Johnson, EdD
* Healing the Pain of Trauma — Maggie Phillips, PhD
* Brain, Behavior, and Moods: How Brain Science Can Optimize Performance and Health — Joel Robertson, PharmD
* This Very Moment: Mindfulness for the Therapeutic Relationship — Ronald Siegel, PsyD
* Is Stress Fattening? An Integrated Lifestyle Approach to Move from Stress to Strength — Karen Wolfe. MMBS, MA

Download More Information (PDF File)