Webinars

Presented by Dr. John E. Simon, MD, Licensed Psychiatrist at Vinland Center

Recorded August 28, 2014

OVERVIEW

Co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse issues are common. For individuals with a substance use disorder, up to half also have mental health issues. Co-occurring disorders interact, negatively impacting an individual’s chance at recovery.

OBJECTIVES

1. Learn about the co-occurrence of chemical dependency and psychiatric illnesses.
2. Explore how chemical dependency and mental illnesses affect each other.
3. Highlight common treatments.

• Download Slides
• View Recording

Presented by Tom Beckers, BS, LADC, Chemical Health Case Manager at Vinland Center

Recorded August 12, 2014

OVERVIEW

Mindfulness is a form of meditation that focuses on simply paying attention, without judgment, to what is happening with your mind and body in the present moment. An individual’s ability to “come back” to the present moment over and over again changes the mind’s relationship to stressful thoughts and body sensations. This practice offers a way for people with chemical use disorders to improve their ability to recognize stress reactions in the body and cope with their feelings in a new way.

Research has shown that mindfulness-based meditation can be an effective tool to help people deal with their past, live in the present moment, and become more hopeful about the future. It is a low-cost technique that people can use to help reduce anxiety, increase awareness, and change their mindset. The practice of mindfulness-based meditation is low intensity and non-pharmaceutical, which makes it a low-risk treatment option.

• • Download Slides
    

    

Tom Beckers, LADC, CBIS, has worked in the field of chemical health/substance use disorder treatment for 23 years. For the last 21 years he has worked with adults at Vinland National Center, a 61 bed, residential, substance use disorder treatment program located in Loretto, MN in Hennepin County, specifically serving those suffering from substance abuse and cognitive deficits. He has provided professional and community-based trainings on topics related to the field of substance use disorders and brain injury, partnering with entities such as the University of Minnesota, the Brain Injury Alliance of Minnesota,, and statewide social service and substance use disorder conferences. He has co-authored a curriculum that adapts mindfulness practices for people with cognitive deficits and is sited as a co-contributor on a published research study that examines the effects that a mindfulness practice has on people who are suffering from cognitive deficits/TBI and substance use disorders.

Presented by Molly Gilbert, M.Ed., director of business development at Vinland National Center in Loretto and Minneapolis, MN

Abstract:

Traumatic Brain Injury is an important public health problem in the United States. Because the problems that result from TBI, such as those of thinking and memory, are often not visible, and because awareness about TBI among the general public is limited, it is frequently referred to as the “silent epidemic”.

Marilynn Lash: The Essential Brain Injury Guide (4^th Edition) The  Brain Injury Alliance of America, 2007.

In this presentation, you will learn about the specialized work that Vinland National Center does within the field of substance use disorder focused on clients with brain injuries, along with common, basic identifiers to help increase identification and screening for individuals you might be working with who may suffer with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). It includes information on strategies and accommodations for problem-solving challenging neurobehavioral issues. Tools to utilize when working with someone with a TBI will be shared, along with anecdotal information regarding what behaviors could potentially be related to TBI.

Much of the outreach Vinland does consists of educating those working within the fields of Substance Use Disorder (SUD), Mental Health and Corrections, regarding symptoms to be mindful of that might indicate you are working with a client with a TBI. This identification can make a preventative difference within the field of SUD and for those working with justice-involved individuals, as many TBI clients will mistakenly waive their Miranda rights, or sign documents they don’t understand, as the professional representing or working with them may not be aware of the ‘silent epidemic’ that is TBIs, especially prevalent within the SUD & justice-involved population.

We often aren’t sure which came first: the chicken or the egg, when it comes to SUD and TBIs, but we do know at least half of SUD develops after a client obtains a TBI. They realize their life is no longer what it once was – and in some cases they have become different people. The grief & loss associated with a TBI can often lead to that person turning to drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism.  We believe if we help identify that a client has a TBI, then get them the right resources, we can, in many cases, avoid a client feeling like they have no other option than to self-destruct through self-medication.

It has been estimated that upwards of 90% of justice-involved individuals have suffered medium to severe TBI’s, and that 1 in 2 people living with a brain injury has a substance abuse issue, according to the Department of Health & Human Services Office on Disability. This rate is 5 times higher than the general population. For the last 35+ years, Vinland has worked specifically with clients with Traumatic Brain Injuries and cognitive disabilities (including FAS, Fetal Alcohol Effect, Asperger’s Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder and severe and persistent mental health issues), within the substance use disorder realm, in both residential and outpatient treatment settings, and is one of the only treatment centers in the country that exclusively specializes in this population.

Clinicians, social workers and court systems often aren’t aware of a specialty program until they need one. In fact, Vinland has found that there are many hospitals, clinics, other treatment centers, legislators, defense attorneys, jails and mental health facilities, who may be working with or representing people with brain injuries, aren’t aware of it. Getting this essential information to these professionals, prevents further compounding damage for individuals with TBIs going ‘through the system’, by teaching others how best to identify and remain aware of this disability. Only then can we all truly help the client get the resources they need to get better.

Bringing essential knowledge to professionals on how to help identify a TBI, only helps those clients who are not able to advocate fully for themselves, and can prevent further, often unnecessary involvement within the justice-involved arena, instead leading a client towards getting the help they need in the form of mental health care and/or SUD treatment.

Molly is often asked to present within the judicial system about the work Vinland does, and shares research articles regarding working with clients with TBI’s and the misunderstandings that often take place due to misdiagnosis.  In fact, the article on perceptions of Public Defenders within the state of Minnesota has shed light onto that field, and Vinland was reached out to present at their statewide conference in Nisswa recently.  We find there are many hospitals, clinics, courts, other treatment centers, legislators, jails and mental health facilities, who may be working with or representing people with brain injuries, but aren’t aware of it.  Bringing essential knowledge to them on how to help  identify a TBI, only helps those clients who are not able to advocate fully for themselves.

Contact mollyg@vinlandcenter.org or 763.479.4525 to schedule.

Presented by Tom Beckers, BS, LADC, director of residential services at Vinland National Center’s location in Loretto, MN

This presentation will focus on how to work with populations that suffer from cognitive deficits.  Through anecdotes, best practices and experiential activities, the participant will establish a base knowledge of how to engage and work with adults in order to increase skillful behavior around managing their co-occurring disorders.

• Participants will be able to identify aspects of cognitive deficits.
• Participants will learn how to effectively deploy skills based groups.
• Participants will understand ways to modify treatment delivery.

Contact 763.479.4524 or TBeckers@vinlandcenter.org to schedule.

Presented by Molly Gilbert, M.Ed., Director of Business Development at Vinland National Center, Loretto & Minneapolis, MN

Overview: In this presentation, you will learn about the specialized substance use disorder (SUD) treatment work that Vinland provides, along with common, basic identifiers and issues to help identify people who you might be working with that may suffer with TBI’S and/or cognitive disabilities.

Tools our clinicians utilize when working with someone with SUD and a TBI will be shared, along with anecdotal information regarding what behaviors could potentially be related to TBI.

• Participants will understand the prevalence of and physical causes of traumatic brain injuries and other cognitive deficits
• Participants will learn the psychosocial, physical and social effects of traumatic head injuries and other cognitive deficits
• Participants will learn adaptations of treatment methods for increased effectiveness in working with people with cognitive deficits

Contact mollyg@vinlandcenter.org or 763.479.4525 to schedule.

Molly Gilbert is the director of business development at Vinland National Center, a non-profit substance use disorder treatment program in MN that is the only 3.3 ASAM accredited and disability-focused program in the state. Vinland has been in existence since the 1970’s and is known for it’s specialization in working with clients with TBIs and other cognitive deficits.

Prior to this, Molly spent over 25 years as dean of enrollment management within higher education, specializing in recruiting high-ability students.  She’s been a national circuit speaker at professional conferences, focusing on best hiring practices, diversity, team-building, & positive mentoring from within organizations. Believing one never regrets getting an education nor getting into Recovery, she chose these fields as she believes both truly change people’s lives for the better. Having 44 years of continuous sobriety, Molly speaks monthly at Anoka, Hennepin, and Ramsey County Jails for the inmates; at Hennepin County Detox, and for AA Intergroups. She served a 4-year term as a member of the M.A.R.R.C.H. Ethics Committee, and is currently serving as the chair for the MN Dept. of Human Services TBI Advisory Committee.

Educating others on ways to support all underserved communities is a passion and she enjoys watching other’s learning process along with her own.