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Ann W. Smith
Relationships and Family Systems ExpertAnn W. Smith MS, LMFT, is a nationally recognized leader and expert in the field of relationships and family systems frequently presenting at major conferences throughout the U.S. Ann is the director of Breakthrough at Caron’s residential group program, designed for Caron Treatment Centers and aimed at helping adults shift lifelong patterns, improve relationships and foster personal growth. This successful program was featured on Dateline NBC in March 2011. Ann’s professional experience has been interviewed by National Public Radio, Newsweek, U.S. News and World Report, Philadelphia magazine, Washington Post, Forbes Women, Wall Street Journal and numerous other newspapers, magazines and radio and TV programs. She is a regular contributor to Psychology Today’s website through her popular blog, Healthy Connections, with over 200,000 views to date. Ann is the author of “Overcoming Perfectionism: The Key to Balance and Self Acceptance” (2013) and “Grandchildren of Alcoholics: Another Generation of Codependency.”
Anna Micci
Licensed Clinical Social WorkerAnna Micci is a clinical social worker who has developed and grown her private practice for over 20 year. She is also a consultant to on-site Hospital EAP Program. She will be presenting recently published research “Self-Care in Health Care”, a multi-modal workplace based approach to improving self-care and reducing stress. This program also includes a non-diet approach to weight loss, a proactive intervention to improving and sustaining a healthy lifestyle.
Anthony Parente
Mental Health ProfessionalAnthony Parente, MA, LCPC, NBCC, MAC, is a Mental Health Professional with over 29 years of service in the field of substance abuse and mental health treatment and prevention. He is a licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with a private practice in Towson, MD. Mr. Parente is also a Master Addictions Counselor certified through the National Board of Addictions Examiners. In addition, he is a faculty member of Loyola University’s Department of Psychology. At Loyola, he is the Director of the Master’s Plus and Certificate of Advanced Studies Programs. Mr. Parente is also an Employee Assistance Professional. He serves as an EAP counselor, trainer and consultant to various employer groups both large and small. In his role with EAPs he provides evaluation, counseling and consultation services to management and employees regarding wellness and workplace issues.
Barbara Anderson
Continuing Care/Clinical Outreach SpecialistBarbara Anderson, MA MAC CCS CACII, specialist in continuing care/clinical outreach since 1987, has worked as the National Clinical Outreach Director for Alina since 2009. Barbara’s has been honored as Marquis Who’s Who in Medicine & Healthcare since 1992 and an Honorary Kentucky Colonel. She has spoken internationally and has published numerous articles on addiction.
Claudia Black
Addiction Author, Speaker and TrainerClaudia Black is a renowned addiction author, speaker and trainer internationally recognized for her pioneering and contemporary work with family systems and addictive disorders. With more than five decades of experience, she offers models of intervention and treatment related to family violence, multi-addictions, relapse, anger, depression and women’s issues. Her writings and teachings have become a standard in the field of addictions.
Corrine Gerwe
Addiction SpecialistDr. Corinne F. Gerwe, a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist with a Ph.D. in Biological Psychology, is an internationally recognized expert in the treatment of behavioral and addiction-related disorders. Her work includes the development of an influential new treatment approach, the Gerwe Orchestration Method (G-OM), which addresses the impact of pivotal life-experiences that result in obsessesive/compulsive tendencies that evolve into disorders. She currently heads the Group for Chronic Addiction Research, Inc. (GCAR), based in Saluda, North Carolina and has served as clinical associate professor on the Clemson University faculty.
Dena Cabrera
Licensed PsychologistDr. Dena Cabrera is a licensed psychologist and serves as the clinical director of adolescent services for Rosewood Centers for Eating Disorders and is the executive clinical director of training and education for The Rosewood Institute. She is involved in program development, staff training, and supervision throughout the Rosewood system. Dr. Cabrera is the co-author of The Mom in the Mirror: Body Image, Beauty and Life After Pregnancy. She presents nationally on mental health issues.
Doug McGuirk
NLP Trainer and HypnotherapistDoug McGuirk, NLP Trainer and Hypnotherapist, is an accomplished entrepreneur, musician, producer and inspirational speaker. Having run his own production company for ten years, a partner in a computer security company, toured the United States as musician and top trainer for Tony Robbins, and co-authored “Multiple Streams of Inspiration” with Jack Canfield. Doug is a Master Practitioner and Trainer of NLP and is certified in Neo Ericsonian Hypnosis. Doug is well-versed in life experiences and overcoming personal obstacles to achieve success. As Director of Operations at Palm Partners, his role is to support the transformation of clients and staff through coaching, lectures, groups and breakthrough experiences. His greatest passion is to help human beings achieve their full potential and dreams. His training and experience have given him keen insights and skills to support his clients to “Feed their Passion, and Starve their Fear” by allowing them to discover the miracle they always already are.
Dr. Carolyn Coker Ross
Eating Disorders, Obesity and Addictions ExpertDr. Carolyn Coker Ross, MD, MPH, is a nationally known author, speaker, expert and pioneer in the use of Integrative Medicine to treat Eating Disorders, Obesity and Addictions. She served as a consultant for the dual diagnosis residential eating disorder program at The Ranch, near Nashville TN from 2008-2012. She is the author of The Binge Eating and Compulsive Overeating Workbook. Her most recent release is a 2-CD audio program co-authored with Dr. Andrew Weil entitled, “The Joy of Eating Well.” Dr. Ross has also developed a course for weight management entitled, “The Anchor Weight Management System.” Dr. Ross has a private practice in Denver.
Dr. Judith Landau
Child, Family and Community NeuropsychiatristDr. Judith Landau, MD, DPM, LMFT, CAI, BRI II, child, family and community neuropsychiatrist and former professor of psychiatry and family medicine, has specialized in addiction and other behavioral compulsions for more than 30 years, exploring the origins of addiction and how to facilitate long-term healing for addicted individuals and their families. As co-developer of the Evidence-Based, Best-Practice ARISE® Intervention and Continuum of Care, she has conducted several thousand interventions, including executive interventions and trained more than 1,000 people in the model. Dr. Landau has co-authored more than 200 peer-reviewed publications and books on the model, taught in over 100 countries, and served on numerous editorial boards. She has consulted to UN, WHO, NIMH, NIDA, NIAAA, SAMHSA, and several international governments including Kosovo, Argentina, South Africa, Hungary, Bosnia, and Taiwan. Dr. Landau is recipient of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy’s award for Outstanding Contribution to the Field of Marriage and Family Therapy and the American Family Therapy Academy’s award for Innovative Contribution to Family Therapy.
Dr. Kim Dennis
PsychiatristDr. Kim Dennis is a board-certified psychiatrist who specializes in eating disorder treatment, addictions recovery, trauma/PTSD and co-occurring disorders. As CEO and Medical Director at Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center, she supervises the medical staff and sets the overall vision and direction for the treatment program. Dr. Dennis maintains a holistic perspective in the practice of psychiatry. She incorporates biological, psycho-social and spiritual approaches into the individually tailored treatment plan for each resident. She is a member of Academy for Eating Disorders, American Society for Addiction Medicine and International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals. She is on the medical advisory board for the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders.
Dr. Marc Calarco
Wellness Director at FitRxDr. Mark Calarco, DO, MBA, MRO, was the first board-certified anti-aging and regenerative medicine specialist in Tennessee, and he also serves as a board examiner for the American Academy of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine. His clients include many world-renowned entertainers, professional athletes and prominent business leaders. He is also board-certified in family medicine and osteopathic medicine, and is a clinical instructor for several medical schools. Dr. Calarco graduated from medical school at Chicago’s Midwestern University College of Osteopathic Medicine, and received undergraduate degrees with Highest Honors and Phi Beta Kappa from the University of California Berkeley and Santa Cruz. He is on staff at Centennial Medical Center in Nashville, TN. His passion for optimizing human potential through progressive medicine spans nineteen years.
Dr. Nancy Bailey
Clinical Director at The MeadowsNancy Bailey, PhD, ICCDP/D, ICADC, CET III and Clinical Director at The Meadows has nearly 20 years of clinical experience, including inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, domestic violence, sexual assault medical advocacy, eating disorders, substance abuse and mental health issues. Nancy also has experience with adjunct teaching in the areas of management and victimology, and clinical program development and staff management. In her Conference presentation entitled, “Guilty – Until Realized Worthy,” Nancy will be discussing the reconsideration of the critical role of lessening guilt and shame in treating recovering mothers while remediating triggers to relapse – and the powerful treatment options in cutting through the layers of responsibility a recovering mother holds physically, mentally and spiritually to answer questions such as: Dr. Bailey presents case studies and treatment approaches to help this unique patient population and improve outcomes.
Dr. Patrick Carnes
Author, Speaker and Process Addictions ExpertPatrick Carnes, Ph.D., is currently Executive Director of the Gentle Path program at Pine Grove Behavioral Center in Hattiesburg, Miss., and the primary architect of the Gentle Path treatment programs for the treatment of sexual and multiple addictive disorders. He is author of Out of the Shadows: Understanding Sexual Addiction (1983), the first work designed to help addicts deal with their sexual compulsions, and to examine the tangled web of trauma, love, addictive sex, hate, and fear often found in family relationships. He pioneered the founding of the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals which specializes in the Certified Sex Addiction Therapist program. This has evolved into a network of local, regional, and residential programs which specialize in this work. He has published numerous works as well, including Contrary to Love: Helping the Sexual Addict (1989), A Gentle Path through the Twelve Steps (1994), The Betrayal Bond: Breaking Free of Exploitive Relationships (1997), Open Hearts (1999), Facing the Shadow (2001), In the Shadows of the Net (2001), Recovery Zone (2009), and A Gentle Path through the Twelve Principles (2012). The New Times suggested his book, Sexual Anorexia: Overcoming Sexual Self-Hatred (1997) “will create a new wave of understanding about Continue Reading
Dr. Ralph Carson
Nutritionist and Exercise PhysiologistDr. Ralph Carson, Nutritionist and Exercise Physiologist, has been involved in the clinical treatment of obesity, addictions and eating disorders for over 30 years. His unique background in health science and medicine (B.S. from Duke University and B.H.S. from Duke University Medical School) coupled with nutrition and exercise (B.S. from Oakwood College and Ph.D. Auburn University) has prepared him to integrate neuropsychobiological intervention and proven psychotherapeutic treatment. Dr. Carson has honed his skills in communicating complex science into enjoyable, practical and informative workshops. He currently consults with numerous addiction and eating disorder treatment centers throughout the country, and is an in-demand speaker at various conferences and workshops. Additionally, Dr. Carson has implemented several eating disorder programs and corporate wellness programs. Dr. Carson is an active board member of the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (IAEDP). Working with Academy Medical Systems, he developed workshops for professional groups throughout the United States, on topics such as exercise therapy, sports nutrition, eating disorders and childhood obesity. He recently coauthored popular book on nutrition, lifestyle practices and good health, entitled, “Harnessing the Healing Power of Fruits” and the soon to be released, “The Brain Fix: What’s the Matter with Your Gray Matter?”
Ed Storti
Intervention SpecialistEd Storti, C.A.D.C. II, Intervention Specialist, has been practicing motivational intervention techniques for decades, winning the loyalty of clinics and the gratitude of clients in over 3500 interventions. He is the author of “Crisis Intervention: Acting Against Addiction” (Crown Publishing Company, 1988) and “Heart to Heart: The Honorable Approach to Motivational Intervention.” Ed is also a contributing author of the book, Addiction Recovery Tools, Robert Holman Coombs, Editor, (published by Sage Publications, 2001). The Storti Model was developed over 32 years in thousands of interventions with those struggling with disorders and addictions of all types. These include alcohol and other drugs, prescription medication as well as anorexia, bulimia, compulsive overeating, nicotine addiction, gambling, sexual addiction, and depression.
Heather Hayes
Counselor, InterventionistHeather Hayes M.Ed., LPC, BRI-II, is a Master’s Level, Licensed Counselor, Certified ARISE Interventionist and Board Registered Interventionist (BRI II). Heather is currently in private practice in Atlanta, Georgia, and on the staff of Linking Human Systems, LLC and LINC Foundation, Inc. She received her B.A. from Emory University and her M.Ed. from Antioch University. Ms. Hayes has treated addictions and other disorders for over 29 years. She specializes in the treatment of adolescents/young adults, trauma, brain disorders and the full spectrum of addictive disorders. She is the President of the Network of Independent Interventionists and has presented nationally and internationally on the issues of Addiction, Co-occurring/Psychiatric Disorders, Disordered Eating, Trauma and Adolescent/Young Adult Issues. She has been published in these areas and is co-author of the upcoming book, Invitational Interventions the ARISE Model: A Step-by-Step Guide for Helping Clinicians Understand Women’s Issues in Addiction Treatment Entry and Recovery. In addition, she gives back to her community by volunteering her time as the psychological profiler for the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Department Hostage Negotiation and SWAT team and was recently granted membership into the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA).
Jean Lochiatto
Licensed Independent Clinical Social WorkerJean Lochiatto, LICSW, earned her Master’s degree in Social Work and has extensive experience in psychiatric evaluation of mental illness, as well as chemically dependent clients. Jean is a private practioner for individuals and couples with relationship issues, addiction issues, personality issues and self-mutilative behavior.
Ken Seeley
Addiction SpecialistKen Seeley, BRI-II, RAS has remained involved, professionally and personally, in recovery since 1989. He applies his relevant experience and boundless enthusiasm to profoundly change the lives of people who suffer from the disease of addiction – both the addict, and the addicts’ family and friends. Ken works to save lives every day as the founder of Intervention911. His organization is one of the most prominent and successful private intervention services in the country. Ken was previously featured on the A&E television series Intervention. Ken was recently honored to speak before British Parliament about the importance of Intervention and the Continuum of Care to help create lasting recovery for those suffering from addiction.
Linda Fensler
ConsultantLinda Fensler has a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Facility Administration from DePaul University , Chicago Loop. She holds a current certification in Employee Assistance Counseling and has over 15 years of solid healthcare experience. Om 1995, Linda expanded her position as the Director of Industry Relations for the Adventist Health System to spearhead the development of an Internal Employee Assistance Program (“EAP”). She has experience negotiating some of the first managed care accounts and bundled healthcare services. In 2003, Linda began working as a health and wellness consultant, under the self-proprietorship of Corporate Counseling and Training.
Lori Jean Glass
Program Director at Five Sisters RanchWith 20 years of experience and proven ability to develop new businesses, Lori Jean became the Program Director for Five Sisters Ranch before it opened it’s doors in August of 2011. Lori Jean was chosen to direct the development of Five Sisters Ranch because of her passion and commitment to highlighting the importance of treating Love Addiction. Lori Jean contributes in all her presentations her own experience of being a recovering Love Addict for 15 years. Co-presenting with Christina Cowger,Five Sisters Ranch Clinical Director, Lori Jean and Christina offer a full circle perspective… experiential and clinical.
Louise Stanger
Clinician, Professor, ResearcherLouise Stanger, Ed.D has over 30 years of experience as a college professor, researcher and licensed clinician working with families and individuals who experience substance abuse and mental health disorders. The Director of All About Interventions, Louise is a MINT Trainer of Trainers and teaches at SDSU. She previously served as the Director of AODS at the University of San Diego and worked with the New York Fire Department widows of 9/11. Louise serves as an expert to the award-winning documentary, “Behind The Orange Curtain,” and is currently working with Rainstorm Entertainment on, “Its So Easy,” about the life of Guns and Roses drummer, Duff McKragan. Louise is the author of “Interventions are not Made For TV” in the textbook, “Interventions: Opposing Viewpoints,” published by Cengage Learning, 2012.
Marguerite Wood
Licensed Independent Clinical Social WorkerMarguerite Wood, LICSW, will be presenting recently published research, “Self Care in Health Care,” a multi-modal workplace-based approach to improving self care and reducing stress. This program also includes a non-diet approach to weight loss, and this intervention is a proactive approach to improving and sustaining healthy life styles.
Megan Kniskern
Executive Nutrition Director, RosewoodMegan is the Executive Nutrition Services Director at Rosewood Centers for Eating Disorders. She has over ten years of experience working with wellness programs and patients with eating disorders. Believing that the mind body connection is an important part of the treatment and recovery journey, Megan has been a certified yoga instructor for seven years, who combines mindfulness practices and meditation techniques with traditional nutritional models. Megan presents across the country.
Phil Scherer
InterventionistPhil is the Administrative Director for the Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery with facilities in Peoria, Normal, Springfield, and Chicago Illinois as well as Bettendorf Iowa. Mr. Scherer is certified through several State and National Credentialing bodies in the treatment of people suffering from addictive disorders. He has been with the Illinois Institute since 1991; he has worked in all areas of treatment including Clinical Supervisor, Adolescent Inpatient, Adult Inpatient, Adult Intensive Outpatient, Adult and Adolescent Continuing Care, and Adult and Adolescent Family Education programming. Phil began working with Pathological Gamblers in 1994 and began working with those suffering from Eating Disorders, Sexual Addictions, Internet, and Spending addictions in 1996. He has also worked with Shoplifters and Hoarders as well. Mr. Scherer is a trained interventionist and is a Board Registered Interventionist, BRI – II. He was originally trained in the Johnson Model of intervention in 1996. He has since been trained in the ARISE Model as well as the Systemic Family Systems Model of intervention as well. He is currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Association of Intervention Specialists and is the current President of the International Interventionists Credentialing Board. He is a trainer in The Continue Reading
Robert H. Lustig
Professor of Pediatrics and NeuroendocrinologistRobert H. Lustig, M.D. is Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Endocrinology at University of California, San Francisco, and Director of the Weight Assessment for Teen and Child Health (WATCH) Program at UCSF. Dr. Lustig is a neuroendocrinologist, with basic and clinical training relative to hypothalamic development, anatomy, and function. Prior to coming to San Francisco in 2001, he worked at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN. There, he was charged with the endocrine care of many children whose hypothalami had been damaged by brain tumors, or subsequent surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. Many patients who survived became massively obese. Dr. Lustig theorized that hypothalamic damage led to the inability to sense the hormone leptin, which in turn, led to the starvation response. Since repairing the hypothalamus was not an option, he looked downstream, and noted that these patients had increased activity of the vagus nerve (a manifestation of starvation) which increased insulin secretion. By administering the insulin suppressive agent octreotide, he was able to get them to lose weight; but more remarkably, they started to exercise spontaneously. He then demonstrated the same phenomenon in obese adults without CNS lesions. The universality of these findings has enabled Dr. Continue Reading
Susan Owen Langley
EAP ConsultantSusan Owen Langley has been an EAP consultant for over 30 years. Susan has been the EAP consultant for General Electric Corporate since 1988, providing counseling and coaching to employees and their family members. Susan works with employee from all organizational levels, who want guidance in addressing the work and/or personal life issues which are generating stress and impacting their productivity, health, well being.Susan also provides consultation to managers dealing with employees who are experiencing a pattern of deteriorating job performance. Susan has expertise and extensive experience in working with addictions, grief/loss/trauma, workplace violence, stress management, work/life balance. She has provided training and seminars on these topics to employees, managers, health/mental health providers. Susan is also the EAP consultant for Synapse Group, LLC, a division of Time Inc. She is a member of the Turning Point for Leaders, a coaching and consulting firm providing comprehensive treatment services to executives and professionals and their families. Susan received her Masters in Social Work from Columbia University School of Social Work, and is licenses in NY and CT.
Terrence Shulman
Consultant and TherapistMr. Shulman is a native Detroiter and has been an attorney since 1992 and a certified social worker and addictions therapist since 1997. Since 2004, Mr. Shulman has been the Founder/Director of The Shulman Center for Compulsive Theft & Spending in metro-Detroit. He counsels clients in person and by phone from across the U.S. and Canada. He has authored three recovery books: “Something for Nothing: Shoplifting Addiction and Recovery” (2003), “Biting The Hand That Feeds: The Employee Theft Epidemic” (2005), “Bought Out and $pent! Recovery from Compulsive $hopping and $pending” (2008), and “Cluttered Lives, Empty Souls: Compulsive Stealing, Spending and Hoarding” (2011). Mr. Shulman has organized and presented at many conferences across the U.S. He has also been featured in numerous media interviews including The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2004. Mr. Shulman has been in recovery himself since March 1990 from addictive-compulsive shoplifting and stealing. He is the founder of C.A.S.A. (Cleptomaniacs And Shoplifters Anonymous) which has support groups in the metro-Detroit area and across the U.S.
Victoria Abel
Primary Therapist, Addiction Recovery ExpertVictoria Abel, M.A., M.N.T., has been practicing in the field of addiction recovery for over 17 years. She has been a family, trauma, and primary therapist for dual diagnosis inpatient treatment, as well as eating disorders treatment. She is currently an Instructor of Human Development at Prescott College and the owner of Center for Addiction Nutrition (CAN). Through CAN, she consults at Decision Point Center and offers independent training in addiction nutrition. Victoria has an undergraduate degree in Counseling Psychology from Prescott College, a Master’s degree in Depth Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute and a Master’s in Holistic Nutrition Therapy from the Nutrition Therapy Institute in Colorado.
Wayne Raiter
Clinician, Author and Business LeaderWayne Raiter, M.A, LICSW, is currently the owner of Executive Care Inc., a company dedicated to the development of leaders for today’s business and the development of teams to meet the increasing demands of the international business climate and the co-owner of KnowWhy consulting. Mr. Raiter is also the founder of Lakewood Counseling and Career Center in Minneapolis, Minn. and the founder and owner of Speare/Raiter Training in Boston, Mass. Mr. Raiter is a founding member of the Association of Intervention Specialists (AIS), and a current member of NII. In the past Mr. Raiter has been the Executive Director of several institutions, Mr. Raiter is the author of the Systemic Family Intervention model, a unique method of intervening with dysfunctional systems and has led several thousand interventions. He is also the co-author of the ”Landau*Raiter Transitional Family Therapy Family Intervention for Dual Diagnosis.” Mr. Raiter has been a clinician for thirty five years and has trained clinicians and business executives extensively all around the world. In addition to his training and writing, Mr. Raiter has a clinical practice in the Atlanta area. He is the co-author of “The Forgiveness Myth” and of “Walking Miracles.”