Virtual program
You can now register to attend the BCACC Conference virtually
Due to an overwhelming interest in having our conference accessible virtually, we are pleased to announce that we will be streaming some of our main workshops and sessions for virtual attendees.
Virtual pass includes:
Opening addresses
2 hr keynote workshop with Sue Johnson
2 x 2 hr workshop including:
- Trauma, Resilience, and the Brain: From Neuroscience to Clinical Practice.
- Integrating Couple Therapy & Sex Therapy in an Expansive Relational World.
4 Concurrent sessions including:
- Learning to work with IBPoC Youth in this current climate: come and get your questions answered (Part 1 only)
- Complex Trauma and Parenting
- Addressing the needs of persons who experienced war & trauma
- Re-Imagining Counselling: Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Enhanced Therapeutic Practice
Lunchtime presentations
Lightning round presentations
The BCACC Conference virtual pass provides attendees with:
Virtual Breakout discussions
When there are breakout discussions in the physical space, we will also provide the same small-group discussions for you as a virtual attendee.
Interactivity
When a speaker opens the room for questions – we will be monitoring the virtual space to bring forward questions from both in-person and online attendees.
Virtual Conference Pass
Member
$125 CAD + GST
Virtual Conference Pass
Non-Member
$200 CAD + GST
Virtual Program is subject to change
Day #1: Friday November 3rd, 2023
(click on the arrow for more information about each session)
TIME: 9:00 – 9:50 AM
OPENING SPEAKER
CMHA - Sarah Kennell "Where's My Mental Health Care?"
The Covid-19 crisis shone a bright spotlight on the gaps in Canada’s mental health care system.
While the worst of the pandemic may be over, the lingering effects on our mental health continue. We pride ourselves on our universal health care system and yet community-based mental health sits largely outside of that system.
How do we fix the patchwork quilt of care that sees private, public and community mental health care providers struggling to ensure Canadians are mentally well?
What can we learn from other countries who have sought solutions?
Ultimately, how do we reduce the suffering that many experience, especially the young, the elderly and the marginalized?
Sarah Kennell is the National Director, Public Policy with the Canadian Mental Health Association. Within this role, Sarah drives CMHA’s federal advocacy towards mental health systems change.
TIME: 9:50 – 10:10 AM
BREAK
TIME: 10:10 – 12:00 PM
WORKSHOP
KEYNOTE WORKSHOP:
Belonging Leads to Becoming. The Alliance in EFT Individual Therapy
Dr. Sue Johnson
In EFT – Emotionally Focused Therapy – whether it is used with distressed couples (EFCT) or EFIT with depressed and traumatized individuals, the essential pre-requisite for effective intervention is a safe haven alliance where the therapist is A.R.E. ( Accessible, Responsive and Engaged).
This fosters client emotional engagement in session and opens the door to the attainment of emotional balance and growth.
Attunement and relentless empathy are essential to the creation of core emotional epiphanies and the shaping of a new sense of self. This presentation will outline the EFIT model and how the alliance plays a central part in every move of the intervention sequence – the EFIT Tango. A short piece of therapy will be shown and the presentation will end with a brief question and answer period.
TIME: 12:00 – 1:00 PM
LUNCH
12:30 – 1:00 PM: You are invited to join this Lunch & Learn session with Compass.
Compass is a province-wide service to improve access to evidence-based care for all BC children and youth living with mental health and substance use concerns. This Lunch & Learn will bring this information to RCCs to get an understanding of how they can work within thier structure.
TIME: 1:00 – 1:50 PM
WORKSHOP
WORKSHOP:
Learning to work with IBPoC Youth in this current climate: come and get your questions answered (Part 1)
Dr. Lisa Gunderson:
This is a two-part workshop, but only the first session will be streamed.
In this two-part session, Dr. Lisa Gunderson will bring forward an introduction as well as a deeper dive into working with IBPoC youth. This will include valuable resources and a practical strategy. Come with your questions and join us in this collaborative session.
TIME: 1:50 – 4:00 PM
WORKSHOP
TIME: 1:50 – 4:00 PM
Workshop
WORKSHOP:
Trauma, Resilience, and the Brain: From Neuroscience to Clinical Practice
Dr. Pia Pechtel
This workshop will review the latest research summarizing how childhood trauma impacts brain development that (a) increases vulnerability to clinical presentations commonly seen in our practice and (b) helps us to better understand resilience after childhood trauma.
(there will be a short break with this workshop for you to step away and recharge)
Day #2: Saturday November 4th, 2023
(click on the arrow for more information about each session)
TIME: 8:30 – 9:00 AM
WELCOME & DAY 2 OPENING
TIME: 9:00 – 9:30 AM
OPENING REMARKS
Dr. Claire Sira Caring For Our Clients, Together
Dr. Sira believes that when we work together, our clients benefit in measurable ways and we, as therapists, experience increased job satisfaction. She is passionate about integrating psychologists and counsellors into primary care settings and she is working to develop and support healthy and productive care teams.
In this short interactive presentation, she will engage with the audience about the barriers to, and benefits of, therapists from different disciplines working together.
About Dr. Claire Sira:
Dr. Claire Sira is a forward-thinking professional who wants to keep improving the delivery of mental health services in BC and across Canada. Since completing her PhD in Clinical Neuropsychology in 2008, she first worked as a NeuroRehabilitation Psychologist on rehabilitation teams for five years, and shifted to private practice since 2014. Her professional drive is to work collaboratively with professionals who share the care of her clients. She offers supervision for psychologists and other therapists to expand their skill sets. She also consults with providers and organizations to bring mental and behavioural health to a larger audience. One part of her psychology practice is supporting adults with ADHD. She has developed a brief and accurate ADHD assessment process to increase access to these assessments and she coaches professionals and individuals on emotion regulation and executive functioning. Dr. Sira has been on the BCPA Board of Directors since November 2020 as president elect, president, and now past president. She has recently been elected as a Director at Large on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Psychological Association. She is also involved with the College of Psychologists of BC, where she sits as an oral examiner for the entrance exam, and provides supervision for psychologists who require support in her areas of competence. Finally, she is a supervisor for graduate students in clinical and counselling psychology and holds adjunct positions at UVIC, UBCO and UBC.
TIME: 9:30 – 10:20 AM
Session
Complex Trauma and Parenting
Maya Misic, RCC
This presentation will cover the following:
1. Findings from the relevant research about the connection between complex PTSD and parenting style of survivors of complex trauma (won’t be a dry material, I promise:-)
2. Symptoms of Complex PTSD and parental barriers to counselling.
3. Explain evidence-based therapies and modalities successful in helping parents heal from trauma and developing positive parenting skills.
4. Identify allied-collaborative approaches currently available in communities to systemically support parents with trauma.
This presentation will be interactive, and it will invite audience to participate in a deeper conversation about the topic of complex trauma. There will be a couple of exercises facilitated with the audience to promote some of the successful techniques that can be used with trauma survivors.
TIME: 10:20 – 10:40 AM
BREAK
TIME: 10:40 -11:30 AM
Concurrent Sessions
Addressing the needs of persons who experienced war & trauma
Faisal Nahri and Saleem Spindari
Canada continues to welcome refugees and other persons who are impacted by war, conflicts and other traumatic events.
Our presentation will discuss the methods that our Counsellors use to address the holistic needs of refugees and other vulnerable clients. The presentation will also provide some practical tips on making services more trauma informed, culturally appropriate and easily accessible for vulnerable persons.
About the presenters:
Faisal is an international medical graduate with master’s degrees in Islamic studies and history of Western religions and a diploma in professional counselling. He offers culturally specialized counselling at Heart n Soul care (his private practice) and manages the ASPIRE Counselling program at Muslim Food Bank & Community Services Society. In his private practice and nonprofit work, he is regularly supporting clients with racialized migration/refugee experiences and other risk factors for poverty. He supports them to overcome the barriers and ultimately thrive in their personal, professional and social lives.
Saleem Spindari is a leader in the refugee and settlement sector.
As a former refugee and a person with a passion for social justice, Saleem has been active in advocating for refugees, immigrants, migrant workers and other marginalized groups. Saleem has presented and continues to present on refugee and migrant worker issues at conferences and forums. He addressed the Senate’s Committee on Human Rights and the House of Commons’ Standing Committee on Health about the resettlement of refugees and services for vulnerable groups. Saleem has also sat on various working groups, committees and boards at the municipal, provincial and federal levels. He is the recipient of the Service Recognition Staff Award from AMSSA.
Saleem is currently the manager of ASPIRE Program, a case management and counselling program at Muslim Food Bank and Community Services Society.
TIME: 11:30 – 12:20 PM
LIGHTNING TALKS
Each presenter is given 8 minutes to present their topic to the room. These talks have always been fast and fun! We will have more information on these topics soon.
TIME: 12:20 – 1:20 PM
LUNCH
TIME: 1:20 – 4:10 PM
WORKSHOP & CONCURRENT SESSIONS
TIME: 1:20 -2:10 PM
Session
Re-Imagining Counselling: Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Enhanced Therapeutic Practice
Candice Alder, RCC
This presentation will explore the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into counselling, addressing key concepts, potential benefits, common concerns, and ethical considerations.
It brings to light real-world applications and discusses future implications for therapeutic practitioners. The exciting exploration of the intersection of technology and human services highlights AI’s potential to augment counsellors’ capabilities and transform therapeutic processes.
This interdisciplinary work matters as it prepares counsellors for an evolving profession in the digital age, promoting continuous learning, adaptation, and ethical advocacy. It fosters a dialogue on AI’s role, encouraging a constructive approach to harnessing technology while preserving the human essence of counselling.
TIME: 2:10 – 4:10 PM
Workshop
WORKSHOP:
Integrating Couple Therapy & Sex Therapy in an Expansive Relational World
Suzanne Iasenza
Sexuality is ever present in couple therapy. Some couple therapists feel unprepared to raise sexual issues because they have not had sufficient training in human sexuality. This workshop will describe how to create safe rapport to inquire about sexuality in couple therapy.
(there will be a short break with this workshop for you to step away and recharge)