December 11- December 12, 2010 9 AM to 5 PM

Over the past decade, neuroscientists have increasingly come to recognize the plasticity of the human brain, a finding of substantial importance to clinicians. A goal of clinical work is to help effect positive changes for people looking for assistance with problematic patterns in thought, emotion and relationships. One of the forms of therapy attracting much attention focuses upon assisting patients with a "mindful" approach to their own thinking, feeling, and interactions. A principal proponent of this form of therapy is Dr. Daniel Siegel, whose book, 'Mindsight: The New Science of Personal Transformation’ , was released at the beginning of this year and has attracted wide acclaim. 

 Dr. Siegel’s therapy is based on ever-emerging understandings of the interactions between brain and behavior. He begins his therapeutic work by administering the Adult Attachment Interview, which originated in Mary Main's laboratory at U. C.Berkeley and is used with an accompanying system of analysis which emphasizes the speaker's "overall state of mind with respect to attachment" -- whether secure, dismissing, preoccupied, or unresolved/disorganized. Dr. Siegel and other clinicians are currently using this interview in order to assist both clinician and patient in understanding the ways in which the patient thinks about relationships and any potentially traumatic experiences, such as loss or abuse: Therapeutic work is beginning to be shaped according to the particular patient's "state of mind with respect to attachment", thus following the recent emphasis on understanding "what works for whom". Dr. Daniel Siegel is Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, UCLA School of Medicine. He has been trained in the AAI, and is well-known for his many works concerning the mind/brain and therapeutic process.  

In this two-day conference, Drs. Mary Main and Erik Hesse, authors (with Ruth Goldwyn) of the system of AAI analysis described above, will work with Dr. Siegel in a format which alternates between presentations and commentary/discussion. The aims of the conference is to introduce participants to administering the AAI protocol, to understanding the basic principles which lie behind the immense predictive validity of the AAI, and to broaden understanding of the connections between the AAI and recent findings in neurophysiology and psychotherapy. Drs. Main and Hesse are faculty researchers at the department of psychology at the University of California at Berkeley. They are known for discovering the "disorganized" patterns of child attachment (with Judith Solomon), & frightening/dissociative patterns of parenting -- each of which can be predicted from unresolved/disorganized status on the AAI. The conference will be organized to include presentations by each speaker and frequent discussions among them, as well as audience participation.

Continuing Education Credits:

Certified Counselors: The Lifespan Learning Institute is an approved provider for the National Board of Certified Counselors. This program meets the qualifications for 14 hours of continuing education credits.

Marriage and Family Therapists & Licensed Clinical Social Workers: Lifespan Learning Institute is approved by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) to provide continuing education for MFTs and LCSWs. These courses meet the qualifications for up to 14 hours of CE as required by the California Board of Behavioral Science.

Physicians: The Lifespan Learning Institute is accredited by the Institute for Medical Quality/California Medical Association (IMQ/CMA) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The Lifespan Learning Institute takes responsibility for the content, quality and scientific integrity of this CME activity. The Lifespan Learning Institute designates this educational activity for a maximum of 14 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. This credit may also be applied to the CMA Certification in Continuing Medical Education.

Psychologists: The Lifespan Learning Institute is approved by the American Psychological Association to provide continuing education for psychologists. This course has been approved for up to 14 hours of continuing education credit hours. The Lifespan Learning Institute maintains sole responsibility for this course. The Ethical Principles of Psychologists will be upheld.

Registered Nurses: The Lifespan Learning Institute is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, provider # CEP 11952. This program is approved for 14 contact hours.

General Information Parking: Parking on campus is $10 per day. Lunch: Lunch is not included. You may bring a lunch and eat in the campus surroundings. Food is available for purchase on campus.