DPA's 22nd Annual Convention

In Person Workshop (No Virtual Option)

Presented by Dr. Sarah Haider

Thursday, November 7th and Friday, November 8th, 2024

Hyatt Place in Dewey Beach, DE

We are accepting poster presentations here.

Interested in Sponsoring Convention? Read more here.

Book your discounted room here. You may also call to make a reservation at 1-855-429-9565 and ask for the Delaware Psychological Association rate. The group code is G-DPA2.

 

The group rate is $135/night for a standard king or queen/queen room type. The cut-off date to book rooms is October 17th, 2023. After that date, the group rate is not guaranteed at the hotel.

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Getting Stuck in Anxiety Treatment?: A Fresh Approach to Managing Anxiety and OCD

• Thursday 1:00-3:00pm (2 CE)

  Anxiety and OCD Across the Lifespan

  Course outline:

  Attendees will become familiar with both the lived experience of the major anxiety diagnoses, as well as how they present clinically in session. Attendees will learn how each diagnosis presents across the lifespan, including consideration of hormonal shifts. The presenter will analyze the impact of the pandemic on anxiety prevalence, symptom presentation and treatment. Considerations of ethics, culture and diversity will be addressed as they relate to both diagnosis and treatment. For this talk, GAD, Social Anxiety, Separation Anxiety and School Phobia, Panic Disorder, and OCD will be addressed directly. 

  Learning objectives:

  At the end of this lecture, attendees will be able to:

• 1.      Identify at least two ways that each diagnosis may present clinically in session, above and beyond DSM criteria
• 2.     Depending on stage of lifespan, determine how the diagnosis may present differently 
• 3.     Revise standard treatment interventions to better serve minority groups
• 4.     Describe two ethical considerations associated with virtual versus in-person therapy

• Thursday 3:15-4:15pm (1 CE)

  When, What, Why and How?: Utilizing Apps in Anxiety Treatment

  Course outline:

  Utilizing Technology can aide therapeutic outcomes for patients with anxiety. This talk aims to demystify the logistical and practical components of incorporating app usage into regular therapy sessions. Attendees will learn when and why it is useful to incorporate apps into treatment planning. Several apps will be reviewed so that attendees can begin to consider which app is right for their patient; attendees will also be given guidance on how to find and explore new apps in this ever-evolving forum. Sample session agendas will be shared for reference as attendees consider how to design a treatment plan that allows for apps to serve as an adjunct to therapy. Ethical considerations, including HIPPA compliance, will be addressed. Not all apps are made equal, and attendees will be encouraged to revise the apps they choose based on equity, diversity and inclusion.

  Learning objectives:

  At the end of this lecture, attendees will be able to:

• 1.     Determine at least three circumstances where apps may aide treatment outcome
• 2.     Compile a list of four or more apps that benefit people with anxiety
• 3.     Design a treatment plan that includes app usage as well as traditional interventions 

• Friday 8:30-9:30 (1 CE)

  Nuances of Social Anxiety

  Course outline:

  Social anxiety is a prevalent and often misunderstood diagnosis. A person with social anxiety perceives near constant judgment or criticism regardless of whether it is present. A socially anxious person also overvalues the judgement or criticism. The person suffering from social anxiety often operates from a core assumption that they are able to tolerate the judgement or criticism. Addressing the cognitive components of social anxiety without first treating this core assumption often leads to less meaningful treatment gains. This talk will delve into specific behavioral interventions and “social rejection exposures” that bring relief for patients with social anxiety. The talk will address how to plan meaningful social exposures that account for ethical considerations. 

  Learning objectives:

  At the end of this lecture, attendees will be able to:

• 1.     Identify the surface level cognitions and core underlying fear associated with social performance anxiety
• 2.     Plan appropriate social rejection exposures
• 3.     Utilize automatic thought records to address distorted thoughts associated with social anxiety

• Friday 9:45-11:45 (2 CE)

  Bring it On! A “How To” Guide for Conducting Exposures

  Course outline:

  Exposure-based therapy is the cutting edge treatment for most anxiety disorders, yet many therapists report feeling uncomfortable utilizing exposure treatment in their practice. Those who engage in exposure-based therapy without proper training often feel frustrated because their patients make little progress, and may even refuse to engage in the process. This talk will briefly elaborate on the etiology of OCD and anxiety diagnoses that require exposures as part of treatment, and explain how exposures retrain our nervous system. Attendees will then learn which exposures are the best fit for the patient based on their diagnosis, stage of treatment, and other relevant considerations. Finally, attendees will determine how to correct for exposures that are ineffective in the session, and what to do when exposure treatment appears to be ineffective over time. Cultural and ethical considerations of selecting exposure protocols will be referenced throughout the talk. 

  Learning objectives:

  At the end of this lecture, attendees will be able to:

  1. Differentiate three types of exposures and when to use them in treatment, based on ethical considerations

  2. Incorporate the three core components of intensity, frequency and duration when creating exposure protocols  

  3. Acquire four strategies to utilize when an exposure protocol is ineffective

  4. Predict at least two ways that cultural background may impact the exposure protocol selection

  Friday 12:45-2:15 (1.5 CE)

  Pediatric Anxiety: Coaching Parents to Calm Their Child’s Anxious Mind

  Course outline:

  The severity and prevalence of pediatric anxiety has skyrocketed in recent years, and more children and families are seeking therapy. A systems-based approach to treatment is critical; when we involve parents in their children’s interventions, the treatment is more effective, and gains are more sustainable. This talk will highlight broad approaches to help parents support their anxious child, as well as specific language suggestions for parents. This talk will provide relevant information for therapists working with parents who join their child’s sessions, as well as adult patients in individual therapy who seek advice from their therapists on how to best support their anxious child. Ethical and cultural considerations will be addressed in this lecture. 

• Learning objectives:

  At the end of this lecture, attendees will be able to:

  1.  Identify three factors within a child’s worldview that could impact anxiety 

  2.  Determine at least three shifts in the home environment that can reduce a child’s anxiety  

  3. Recite at least five phrases that demonstrate validation techniques for parents of children with anxiety 

  4. Utilize at least four concrete methods that parents can use to calm themselves, in order to calm their child  

  Friday 2:30-4:00 (1.5 CE)

  Unmasking Autism: Untangling Implications of Autism within Anxiety Treatment

  Course outline:

  Although one in 50 adults and one in 36 children have been diagnosed with Autism, most psychologists do not receive training to incorporate strategies necessary for treatment of Autistic individuals. Autistic people who learn to expertly “mask” their differences often present in treatment without any obvious visible indication of Autism, which further complicates intervention for well-intentioned but ill-equipped therapists. This talk is designed to give a broad overview of how a person’s Autism may impact their anxiety diagnosis. This talk is also designed to help therapists create useful and successful strategies to promote healing, rather than adopt a “treatment as usual” approach which may stall effective treatment or inadvertently harm the Autistic patient. 

  Learning objectives:

  At the end of this lecture, attendees will be able to:

• 1.     Attendees will be able to determine at least five observable symptoms that demonstrate Level 1 Autism
• 2.     Attendees will be able to describe at least three internal experiences of Level 1 Autism
• 3.     Using a trauma-informed approach, attendees will identify at least three facets of treatment as usual that may cause harm for the Autistic person
• 4.     Attendees will gain at least four concrete treatment methods to use with Autistic people who are seeking therapy for a comorbid diagnosis. 

PRESENTER BIO

Dr. Haider has specialized in treatment of pediatric anxiety, OCD and behavioral problems for nearly two decades. She founded Gameplan Therapy after recognizing the need for more OCD treatment providers in Denver, shortly after she moved to the area from Los Angeles. She is passionate about ensuring that patients and their families are educated about evidenced-based treatment for anxiety and OCD. She continues to maintain a California-based caseload and has been leading virtual exposures since 2013, well before the pandemic. 

Of particular interest to Dr. Haider is the impact of comorbid neurodivergent diagnoses on exposure-based treatment, such as ADHD, giftedness and Autism. In addition to CBT and exposure-based therapies, she has extensive training in biofeedback and a knowledge of the mind-body connection. She also has a background in school psychology and is keenly aware of the impact anxiety can have on school and work.

Dr. Haider has served on the Los Angeles County Psychological Association Board (LACPA), chaired the LACPA Convention, and lead the LACPA CBT Special Interest Group for eight years. She presents regularly at local and national conventions, conferences, teacher in-services, and parent trainings provided by schools and within the community. She is featured regularly in podcasts and magazines. Additionally, she has facilitated and led well over one hundred community-based lectures.

Thank you to our Sponsors: