Somerset Hunterdon Psychological Association

                         Friday November 15^th, 2019

“A Biopsychosocial Framework for Assessing and Treating the Sequelae of Chronic Stress and Interpersonal Violence on Neurodevelopment”

                              Presented by: Laura Palmer, Ph.D., MSCP, ABPP, LLC 

• Time: 8:30-9 Registrations and Welcome, 9:00 -2:00 - Presentation/Q&A
•            (Light Breakfast & Working Lunch included)
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• Location:Beaver Brook Country Club - 25 Country Club Dr. Annandale, NJ 08801
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•  Workshop Cost: $35 SHPA members / $45 non-members 
•  5 Continuing Education (CE) Credits for Psychologists: CE fee and evaluation completed online.
• CF Fees:  NJPA: Sustaining Members-Free, NJPA Members-$15, NJPA Non-Members- $25.  
•  About the Speaker:  Laura Palmer, Ph.D., MSCP, ABPP, LCC, is a New Jersey licensed psychologist (#3534), who has a private practice in Madison, NJ. She provides, “lifespan neuropsychological and psychological services for children, adolescents, adults, and older adults.” Concurrently Dr, Palmer is a Senior Consulting Psychologist at Winchester Gardens, Maplewood, NJ. On a National level, Dr. Palmer is the 2019 FEDAC Regional Coordinator. Her 35 years of practice have included clinical practice, research, teaching and consulting in various settings.      Dr. Palmer has been the recipient of many awards and honors during her years of practice.                                                                                                
•  Workshop Overview:   “This overarching purpose of this workshop is to provide practitioners with a biopsychosocial contextual framework that can lead to more efficacious assessment, diagnostic formulation, and intervention of acute and chronic stress related conditions.  This program will review the relevant historical and contemporary literature and knowledge base on what we now know about the dynamic process of brain development and neuroplasticity across the lifespan.  It is important to revisit what is meant by and understood about critical periods in neurodevelopment as well as the risks that various factors present to optimal development and aging. There are numerous protective and risk factors that have significant bearing on brain development and neuroplasticity.  The factors that will be reviewed across the course include but will not be limited to: biological, cultural, environmental, genetic, metabolic, and psychosocial, including stress and psychological trauma. Research conducted by Palmer, Farrar-Anton, Dunn, Cruz, Economou, Fiorito, Ghahary, Huntington, et al. (1995 – 2013) examined the impact of various forms of severe stress and psychological trauma on neuropsychological functioning in school-age children, adolescents, and college students. Findings from these and related studies spanning the past 30 years will be discussed to illustrate the imperativeness of neuropsychological assessment for children and adolescents who have experienced any form of psychological trauma or prolonged, unmitigated stressful conditions.  The workshop will include a review of the standard evaluation process as well as sharing the results with the child, the family/caregivers, and the education/treatment team.   The workshop will also include a review of the current laws and ethics pertaining to child and elder welfare, domestic violence, and mandatory reporting mandates for psychologists practicing in NJ.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
• Learning Objectives:
• 1.     Describe early brain development with a focus on critical periods, risk and protective factors for optimal development. 
• 2.     Illustrate the effects of early developmental insult on neuropsychological functions in children,                                                                                               adolescents, and adults.
• 3.     Summarize the historical and contemporary conceptualizations of the impact of psychological trauma on neurocognitive development and aging
• 4.     Develop a better appreciation of how a comprehensive neurocognitive evaluation process can inform the diagnostic and treatment process for children, adolescents, and adults with a known or suspected history of psychological trauma. 
• 5.     Describe the neurocognitive processes that underlie the target symptoms for treatment with individuals presenting with acute or chronic trauma.
• 6.     Extend participants’ knowledge of ancillary and primary intervention methods for treatment of acute and chronic stress disorders in children, adolescents, and adults.
• 7.     Present current laws of mandatory reports practices in NJ.

 Target Audience: Psychologists                                                                                                                                                                                         Program Sophistication:  Intermediate: Some basic knowledge of the specific content is required                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Dr. Palmer does not have any commercial support and/or conflict for interest for this program.                                                                                                    ADA Accommodationsavailable upon requests. Email Virginia Walters (cfmcfee@embarqmail.com) with written accommodation requests no later than November 12, 2019.                                                                                                                                                                        Registration: Online and pay at  shpsych.wildapricot.org  or contact Mark Aronson by November 10, 2019, at dr.markaronson@gmail.com, or send a check payable to SHPA to: Mark Aronson, Ed.D. 12 Quimby Lane Bernardsville, NJ 07924   Registration cancellations made more than 48 hours in advance of the program will be refunded (less administrative fees).     Sponsorship: This workshop is co-sponsored by NJPA and the Somerset Hunterdon Psychological Association. NJPA is approved by the American Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. NJPA maintains responsibility for the program and its content.