Presentations and Faculty
Top Row - Morning Sessions
Bottom Row - Afternoon Sessions
The Lighthouse Recovery Services Present
Ayurvedic Wisdom for Prevention
Jaya Daptadar
Bridges Healthcare
Milford, CT
The Lighthouse Recovery Services present
Evidence-Based Skills Via Telehealth: Virtual Tools for Change
Dr. Fred Dombrowski
University of Bridgeport/Goodwin University
Bridgeport & East Hartford, CT
Southeastern Connecticut Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence presents
The Relationship Between SUDs and Sexual Trauma
Brittany Hunt, LCSW
SHIP
Providence, RI
McCall Behavioral Health Network presents
Recovery Coaching: What It Is, What It Isn't, and Its Place in the Continuum
Cini Shaw, MA, AADC, CASAC, NCPRSS
The Lighthouse, LLC
New Canaan, CT
Larry Mayer and Alpha Prison Ministries present
Trauma Informed Responses for the Criminal Justice System
John Watts, MA, CCJP, Doctoral Candidate
State of Connecticut Office of Adult Probation
New Haven, CT
Presentation/Faculty Information
Ayurvedic Wisdom for Prevention
Ayurveda is the traditional medicine of India and holds its belief in medicine's ability to support the healing process of just about any illness or condition. Ayurveda focuses on health instead of illness and has been referred to as “the mother of healing.” It treats the “WHOLE” person and is based on the uniqueness of each individual, each unique imbalance, and each individual unique path towards healing. Therapies include diet, herbs, aroma, sound, meditation, yoga and lifestyle. Life style management can be used as an appropriate approach to health, from birth to adulthood.
Ayurveda’s principles are based on three biological energies or humors known as “Kapha, Pitta, & Vata”. These energies tend to mesh in a variety of proportions in order to establish individual constitution in addition to, physical and mental disorders.
Dr. Jaya Daptardar is an internationally renowned Ayurveda expert, writer, entrepreneur, healthcare executive, speaker and licensed Esthetician. She is an Ayurvedic doctor and has a Master's in healthcare administration & Management in the USA,
She has been highlighted by magazines, newspapers, and television in the USA. She is an author of three books, “Aging Gracefully”, “Ayurveda’s Wisdom for Management of Pain and Addiction” and “Be Beautiful Inside Out”. Jaya is passionate about beauty care and mental health in Ayurveda.
She is a recipient of the DHARMA award from the Association of Ayurvedic professionals of North America for her work in Ayurveda and wellness. She has recently received an international women’s empowerment award from Ayush Darpan India, New Delhi for her work in the women’s health and wellness field. She has been practicing and presenting in the conferences in the USA for 25 years. Besides her work in Ayurveda and the wellness world, she also serves multiple boards and works with non-profit organizations. Received a Lifetime Achievement Award in the healthcare service field by Physician’s Association in CT. Jaya believes in prevention and lifestyle management as a better tool for wellness prevention and longevity.
Besides her work in health and wellness field, she is a CEO of Active Ayurveda and Yoga LLC and has Ayurvedic beauty product line, Ayurvedic herbs, therapy oils and food product line. She is a faculty at AAPNA, Global Ayurveda Conferences and Counsel Academy. She is an executive healthcare business consultant for multiple companies and works as a Chief Strategy and Compliance officer of Bridges Healthcare in CT.
Evidence-Based Skills Via Telehealth: Virtual Tools for Change
Substance use counselors using telehealth are expected to provide appropriate evidence-based treatment as well as an accurate assessment of client progress. The use of telehealth requires the counselor to make adjustments to application of their skills requiring creative ways to assess a client’s progress on recovery. This presentation will provide opportunities to identify ways to effectively create a tele-environment which is conducive for change. Participants will have an opportunity to assess how clients are appropriate for telehealth. This presentation will provide examples of application of evidence based practices to telehealth. Participants will also have options to identify ways to navigate potential barriers related to telehealth.
Dr. Fredrick Dombrowski is the President of the American Mental Health Counselors Association and has worked as a clinician since 1998. He has experience as a director for multiple programs including inpatient, outpatient, and forensic treatment. He is a department chair with the University of Bridgeport. Dombrowski uses experiential learning through a perspective of cultural humility to improve clinical care.
Inpatient Suicide Care Transition Protocols: Special Considerations for SUD Patients
We briefly review best practice recommendations for inpatient care transition protocols as recommended by the US Surgeon General's National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention call for action. We also talk about how these protocols apply to the SUD population.
We will do some interactive exercises to try to implement those recommendations. We then review some common barriers to implementation. As a group, we discuss creative solutions to work around those barriers, not just to uphold best practices, but to create better care environments for patients and staff alike.
: Yvette Bonilla, LMSW, is the Owner and CEO of Suicide Care Consulting Services. She serves as a Healthcare Operations Consultant with psychiatric inpatient institutions. She helps leaders in these institutions safely transition their patients’ care, so that these companies see lower rates of suicide deaths, attempts, and re-admissions after discharge.
The Relationship Between SUDs and Sexual Trauma
Substance use and sexual trauma are often inextricably linked in the experiences of our clients. Despite this fact, many professionals are still reticent to talk about the subject because of stigma or because they are just afraid of saying the wrong thing. This session will provide background information on the links between sexual assault and substance abuse and will delve into concrete ways professionals can bring up the delicate topic with their clients to start the healing journey.
Brittany Hunt, LICSW (she/her) is an advocate for sexual health who is passionate about destigmatizing conversations about sex, reproductive justice, and ending sexual violence. She is currently the Clinical Supervisor at SHIP, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing culturally inclusive, medically accurate, and pleasure guided sexuality education, therapy, and professional training to adults.
McCall Behavioral Health Network presents:
Recovery Coaching: What It Is, What It Isn't, and Its place in the Continuum
This workshop takes a look at the role of recovery coaches/peer support professionals through the eyes of some experienced in clinical work and non-clinical recovery coaching. Participants will learn an accurate defiition of the role itself along with edification on what it does and what it does not entail. Common myths and misperceptions held by individuals both in the SUD field and in the general public will be addressed. Also covered will be current research on how long it takes one to achieve long term recovery and the factors that support it.
Cini Shaw MA, AADC, CASAC, NCPRSS is Chief Recovery Officer of The Lighthouse Recovery Services, in New Canaan, Connecticut. Cini is an Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, an Addiction Counselor and an Interventionist. She is also a Nationally Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist and a Recovery Coach Trainer. At the Lighthouse, she supervises their network of recovery coaches, residential directors and provides family support and family coaching services. She has had extensive training through CCAR on all aspects of Recovery Coaching. Additionally, she is trained in MBSR and Mindfulness Self-Compassion.
Trauma Informed Responses for the Criminal Justice System
Experiencing trauma can have devastating effects on an individual. This appears to be the case for justice-involved women and men, who have very high rates of trauma. People working with justice-involved people must learn about trauma, so they can respond in ways that avoid re-traumatizing, ensure the safety of all, reduce recidivism, and promote recovery. Learning about trauma helps to ease management, helps keep people out of the justice system, and helps staff do their jobs. When responding to someone, it is important to keep in mind that how we think about an issue will affect how we react or respond to it. Understanding trauma can shape our responses.
John Watts, MA, CCJP, Doctoral Candidate is aCriminal Justice Practitioner, Educator, and Mentor to many at-risk youth and justice-involved clients throughout my professional career. Certified Criminal Justice Addiction Professional (CCJP) and consults as a subject matter expert (SME) for the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium. Employed as a Probation Officer with the State of Connecticut for the past 17 years and also serves as an adjunct instructor for the Court Support Service Division Training Academy. Certified in Forensic Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) by the Institute of the Study of Crime and Justice, Central Connecticut State University. John has held a variety of positions in both management as well as direct-care capacities in the non-profit sector. His education includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts, and a Master’s Degree in Leadership from Albertus Magnus College. John relies heavily on Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques in the community corrections setting. Adjunct Instructor at Gateway Community College.