Conference on Christian Counseling

2023 Conference

November 2 – 3 , 2023

The 2023 RTS Conference on Christian Counseling will be held on the campus of Reformed Theological Seminary at 4268 I-55 North, Jackson, MS 39211. For conference information, email rtaylor@rts.edu or call 601-923-1633.

Workshop Descriptions and Presenter Information

Workshop Title: Privacy in Technology and Provision of Counseling Services to Persons of Varying Sexual Values (3 hours, Ethics)

Workshop Presenter: William Richardson, Ph.D.; Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Approved MFT Supervisor (TS 0246); (Member of MAMFT, Fellow of AAMFT); Professor of Counseling, Practicum and Internship Coordinator, Reformed Theological Seminary, Master of Arts Counseling Program

Workshop Overview: The landscape of our helping profession has always reflected not only its history but also current cultural milieu. It is not hyperbole to say that unprecedented cultural changes presently surround us especially regarding: (1) Technology assisted professional services and (2) Sexual orientation and gender identity conceptions.

These two topic areas significantly impact practical ethical decision-making for mental health practitioners. The purpose of this workshop is to inform participants of salient ethical and legal issues in these two focus areas. This workshop is a part of the 2023 RTS Conference on Christian Counseling. As is our history at these conferences we will consider current ethical and legal guidelines through the lens of pertinent Biblical principles.

This workshop will review current professional ethical literature and will present specific case scenarios for reflection and discussion in large and small group formats. The information and scenarios will address the above topics as they are applied to ethical decision-making. Specific ethical standards of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), the American Counseling Association (ACA), and the American Psychological Association (APA) will receive principal attention.

Workshop Learning Objectives:

1. Attendees will learn about or be usefully reminded of ethical issues regarding client confidentiality and present trends reflected in the “Open Notes Rule.”
2. Attendees will learn about or be usefully reminded of ethical issues regarding disclosing limits of confidentiality to distance clients.
3. Attendees will learn about or be usefully reminded of ethical issues regarding distance counseling and emergency situations.
4. Attendees will learn about or be usefully reminded of ethical issues and present therapy trends regarding counselor competence and knowledge of sexual minority clients.
5. Attendees will learn about or be usefully reminded of ethical issues regarding the interaction of therapist knowledge, values and referral issues vis a vis sexual minority clients.

Workshop Title: Childhood Maltreatment and Counseling: Research, Effects, & Therapies (3 hours)

Workshop Presenter: Michael Hillerman, Ph.D., Counseling Education, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, LPC-S (MS 1566), Assistant Professor of Counseling, Director of Master of Arts Counseling Program, Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson

Workshop Overview: Evidence has emerged that childhood maltreatment may alter the development of a number of neurological systems such as those responsible for emotional regulation, threat and safety assessment, and reward anticipation. These neurological alterations may negatively impact important psychotherapy common factors and thereby decrease psychotherapy effectiveness in adulthood.

This presentation reviews literature on the effects of childhood maltreatment on neurological development and their implications for adult clients who engage in professional counseling services in adulthood. It also surveys a sampling of trauma informed therapies, their similarities and differences as well as essential elements common to most trauma-informed approaches. Furthermore, recent research completed by the author examining the impact of childhood maltreatment on adult psychotherapy dropout will be reviewed.

Workshop Learning Objectives:

1. Attendees will become more familiar with recent research examining the effects of childhood maltreatment on neurological functioning in adulthood.
2. Attendees will learn about the potential implications of alterations in neurological development due to childhood maltreatment on counseling and psychotherapy processes.
3. Attendees will become more familiar with various trauma informed therapies, their similarities and differences, as well as their advantages and disadvantages.

Workshop Title: How Relationships Can Hurt and Heal: Eating Disorders and Attachment (6 hours)

Workshop Keynote: Shannae Anderson, Ph.D., Clinical and Forensic Psychologist, Director of Psychology and Ethics and Advocacy at the American Association for Christian Counselors, and Adjunct Professor at Liberty University

Workshop Overview: This workshop will explore attachment theory and the development of attachment styles through attunement and dyadic regulation. It will also look at what happens when this goes awry in early childhood. It will examine the presentation, etiology, and function of eating disorders, and how attachment relationships can hurt and heal the development, maintenance, and treatment of them. It will specifically address how the therapeutic relationship can help change the structure and function of the brain through specific attachment-minded treatment strategies.

Workshop Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will comprehend the history of attachment theory and its application through the development of the different attachment styles in childhood and adulthood.
2. Participants will understand how attachment relationships can change the structure and function of the brain and the mind.
3. Participants will be able to identify the symptoms of three different eating disorders.
4. Participants will be able to explain the etiology and function of each eating disorder.
5. Participants will be able to delineate the attachment styles that most closely present in each eating disorder.
6. Participants will be able to describe the State of Mind treatment approach for insecure attachment and eating disorders.

Past Speakers

Some of the keynote speakers we have hosted over the years include:

Heather Davediuk Gingrich, Ph.D.: Restoring the Shattered Self: The Treatment of Complex Trauma

Curt Thompson, M.D.: A Beautiful Mind: The Gospel in the Language of Neuroscience

Daniel Sweeney, Ph.D., LMFT, LPC, RPT-S: The Neurobiology of Childhood Trauma and Expressive Therapies

Diane Langberg, Ph.D.: Counseling Adult Survivors of Childhood Trauma

Mark Laaser, Ph.D.: Treatment of Sexual Addiction

Sharon Hersh, MA, LPC: Beyond Addiction – Why Self-Help is Not Enough

Mark Yarhouse, Psy.D.: Sexual Identity Therapy Framework