Georgia Addiction Counselors Association

Professional Development

Certified Adolescent

Addiction Counselor

(CAAC)

Grandfathering until 12/31/2024

Saturday, June 29, 2024

Virtual Only

Pathways to Potential: From the 

Neurology of Adolescent Addiction to 

Recovery

Presented by Dr. Corey Milsap, PsyD, LPC, CSP, LSP, LMHC

8:45 AM Check-In  

9:00 AM Workshop Begins

12:30 PM Lunch Break

1:00 PM  Workshop Continues

4:00 PM   Workshop Concludes

Location:  Online

6.0 CE Hours Approved by GACA, GAMFT, GSCSW and NAADAC, and 6.0 Clock Hours approved by NBCC.

"Pathways to Potential: From the Neurology of Adolescent Addiction to Recovery" is an immersive workshop designed for clinicians, therapists, and healthcare professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of the neurological impacts of adolescent addiction and the pathways towards recovery. This workshop illuminates the intricate relationship between substance abuse and brain development, offering a comprehensive exploration of how early exposure to substances alters the neurobiological landscape of the developing brain and impacts behavior. Through a blend of expert lectures, interactive discussions, and practical exercises, participants will gain insights into the mechanisms of addiction, identify strategies for early intervention, and explore evidence-based approaches to support recovery and brain health restoration. This workshop is a journey through the complexities of adolescent addiction, aiming to equip professionals with the knowledge and tools necessary to guide young individuals towards a brighter, healthier future.

OBJECTIVES:

• Illuminate the Neurological Impacts: Provide a deep dive into the neuroscience of addiction, emphasizing how early substance use affects the developing adolescent brain, including alterations in brain structure, function, and neurochemistry.
• Understand Behavioral Consequences: Explore the relationship between adolescent substance use and its behavioral manifestations, including the risk of developing mental health disorders, to foster a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by young individuals.
• Identify Early Intervention Strategies: Highlight the importance of early detection and intervention, offering participants a toolkit of strategies designed to prevent the onset of substance use disorders in adolescents and mitigate their impacts.
• Explore Recovery and Rehabilitation: Delve into the principles of neuroplasticity and the brain's capacity for recovery, examining therapeutic interventions and lifestyle modifications that can promote brain health and aid in the recovery process.
• Foster Compassionate Care: Encourage the development of empathetic, trauma-informed care practices that recognize the unique needs of adolescents struggling with substance abuse, aiming to build trust and support effective recovery journeys.
• Innovate Treatment Approaches: Introduce participants to innovative treatment modalities and emerging research, encouraging the integration of new techniques and technologies into practice to enhance outcomes for young people affected by substance abuse.
• Build a Supportive Community: Create an environment for sharing experiences, strategies, and challenges among participants, fostering a community of professionals dedicated to improving the lives of adolescents impacted by substance use.

Dr. Corey Milsap, PsyD, LPC, CSP, LSP, LMHC

Dr. Corey Milsap has vast professional experience across a range of clinical and education-related roles, demonstrating a diverse skill set. Her career spans across multiple states including West Virginia, Kentucky, Maryland, Florida, and Georgia. Throughout her journey, she has made significant contributions as an educational consultant, school psychologist, licensed professional counselor, and licensed school psychologist. Dr. Milsap's expertise lies in providing consultation and training to clinicians, parents, teachers, and administrators, as well as assessment and therapy.

Dr. Milsap completed her higher education at Marshall University and Argosy University, where she achieved numerous academic milestones. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a Master of Arts in Educational Administration, an Educational Specialist in Adult and Technical Education with an emphasis in training, a Master of Arts in Psychology, a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology, and an Educational Specialist in School Psychology. Additionally, she earned a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Argosy University in Virginia.

Licensed in various states, Dr. Milsap is a Licensed Professional Counselor and School Psychologist in Georgia, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Licensed School Psychologist in Florida, and a Licensed Professional Counselor in Missouri and Delaware. Dr. Milsap is skilled in several therapeutic techniques, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

With a commitment to improving the education system, Dr. Milsap has played a role in assisting both local and state education agencies in restructuring schools in a positive manner, particularly during times when greater accountability was required at every level. Her skillset includes employing techniques for linking assessment to interventions, working closely with teachers to enhance the classroom performance of students.

Throughout her career, Dr. Milsap has gained extensive experience in advocacy, assessment, consultation, staff professional development, program auditing, crisis intervention, risk assessment, counseling, bullying prevention, and drug prevention and intervention. She has worked across a range of settings, including the juvenile and adult correctional education system, DC Superior Court Child Guidance Clinic, residential treatment centers, public schools, autism training centers, and mental health hospitals for both adults and children.

As a licensed professional counselor, licensed mental health counselor, and certified school psychologist, Dr. Milsap offers individual, family, group, and couples therapy to children, adolescents, and adults. She also conducts psycho-educational and mental health evaluations. Dr. Milsap specializes in treating conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, grief and loss, trauma, adjustment issues, mood disorders, and autism. She particularly enjoys working with military personnel, veterans, and their families, supporting them through challenging times to help them discover their true potential.

Dr. Milsap's dedication to her profession extends beyond her clinical work. She served on the board of the Licensed Professional Counselor Association from July 2021 to June 2023. Currently, she serves on the board of the American Mental Health Counselor Association. In addition, she has shared her expertise through teaching undergraduate courses in academic study skills, undergraduate psychology courses, and graduate education courses. She is skilled in supervising practicum students, interns, and professionals, and she possesses expertise in areas such as response to Intervention (RTI), clinical training, collaborative problem-solving, data-based decision making, and developing academic and behavioral interventions.

Dr. Milsap's seminars are rooted in peer-reviewed research, her extensive experience, training, and education. She has shared her knowledge with educators and mental health professionals through local agency trainings, seminars in various states, and local conventions. Her passion lies in helping individuals overcome adversity and uncover their true potential. With her unwavering commitment, Dr. Corey Milsap continues to make a significant impact in the field of education and mental health.

Friday, July 19, 2024

Virtual Only

Implicit Bias - Microaggression & Cultural Awareness for professionals working with Adolescent & Adult SUD clients

Presented by Pamela Morgan, BSHS, MBA, CADC-M, CPRM

8:45 AM Check-In  

9:00 AM Workshop Begins

12:30 PM Lunch Break

1:00 PM  Workshop Continues

4:00 PM   Workshop Concludes

Location:  Online

6.0 CE Hours Approved by GACA, GAMFT, GSCSW, and NAADAC, and 6.0 Clock Hours approved by NBCC.

This is a 6-hour training for substance abuse professionals and other health care professionals interested in gaining greater insight and understanding regarding attitudes, biases and internalized stereotypes that may affect the professional’s ability to properly perceive and respond appropriately when providing services to SUD clients. Our implicit biases may very well add to the client’s trauma; therefore, we must address those biases. With the use of CBT theories and approaches to change as tools, participants will receive insight to assist in identifying their irrational beliefs and personal biases. In replacing such beliefs with rational beliefs, thus affording them the opportunity to make healthy decisions concerning client welfare, will enable the professional to provide a greater level of care. This training identifies barriers and disparities and provides strategies to address disparities and remove barriers thereby providing equal treatment of people regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic status, age, disability, or other characteristics. 

OBJECTIVES:

 · To define implicit bias and provide examples according to current research of the impact of such biases when providing health care to substance abuse and mental health clients and consequences of operating according to these biases.

· To assist the healthcare provider in recognizing personal biases and addressing those biases with the use of CBT

· To identify barriers and disparities as well as strategies to address such disparities and remove barriers thereby providing equal treatment of people regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic status, age, disability, or other characteristic.

Georgia Addiction Counselors Association (GACA) is a non-profit member association that provides credentialing, training, education, advocacy and support for addiction-focused professionals in Georgia and surrounding states. Founded in 1980, GACA is a statewide association for addiction counselors and other professionals interested in addiction, prevention, treatment and recovery.