Our office is now open for in-person activities & services!

May 13, 2022 | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM CST    

Intended Audience: Counselors, Nurses, Social Workers (Any Mental Health or Social Service Professional) and anyone else interested in learning more about ALS are welcome.  

ALS Therapist Network Membership: Opportunity to join and accept referrals to work with people with ALS and their families.  

Symposium Outcome: Participants will express increased confidence in communicating with clients who have complex communication needs.   

CE credits are available for Counselors, Nurses, and Social Workers. Most professional boards accept these credits; please check with your board first to see if they accept them.  

• Counselors 2.0 (NBCC)  
• Social Workers 2.0 (ABSWE)  
• Nurses 2.4 (ABNP002, Exp. 03/2025) 

Mental Health America in Montgomery presents this special symposium in cooperation with the Alabama Chapter of the ALS Association and The Counseling Clinic, LLC.  

AGENDA 

11:30 AM | ZOOM Log In  

12:00 PM – 1:30 PM | Presentation 

1:30 PM- 2:00 PM | Panel Discussion/ Q&A with All Presenters  

Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation participants should be able to: 

1. List 3-4 barriers to a therapeutic relationship with a person with ALS/MND. 
2. Describe 3 common demographic of a person with ALS/MND. 
3. List 3-4 impacts ALS/MND may have on communication skills. 
4. Describe 3-4 guidelines professionals can use to improve communication
5. Detail 3-4 impacts ALS may have CG/PwALS. 6.
6. Detail 3-4 strategies Mental Health Professionals use when working with PwALS and CGs. 

Overview:  This content will be limited to communications with persons who have ALS.  It will include both barriers and challenges those persons with ALS experience.  Emphasis will include specific guidelines and strategies Mental Health Professionals may use when improving communications using the framework of Beyond Speech Alone.  Formal content will close with a person with ALS or Caregiver detailing their story dealing with communication issues.  

July 8, 2022 | 12 PM CDT

Outcome: Participants will identify at least one specific lifestyle therapy to incorporate into own &/or client’s lifestyle to reduce stress. 

Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation participants should be able to:

1. Review physiological stress response, including endocrine and sympathetic nervous systems.
2. Examine an overview of research-supported lifestyle interventions to reduce stress.
3. Examine an overview of research-supported botanicals (teas and essential oils) to compliment lifestyle interventions.

Overview: This symposium will be an introduction to complimentary and alternative lifestyle therapies that encourage stress reduction.  The dual focus will be appropriate for the individual to incorporate into own lifestyle and just as important for the health care provider to use in managing clients as they cope with issues today increasing their stress.   

August 12, 2022 | 12 PM CDT

Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation the participant should be able to:

1. Relate the scope and functions of Wings Across Alabama (Wings).
2. Discuss the focus of the 4 different programs Wings offers.

Overview:  This symposium will be a detailed overview of the 4 different programs Wings Across Alabama offers.  The purpose is for the learner to examine each program closely to determine how the program can best fit the needs of clients. There will be ample time for a Q&A following the symposium.

Learn more about Wings Across Alabama: https://wingsacrossal.org/  

September 9, 2022 | 12 PM CDT

Objectives: At the conclusion of the presentation participants should be able to:

1. Describe the components of a medical malpractice claim.
2. Identify steps in preparing to testify as an expert fact witness or witness.
3. Provide an overview of the discovery process.

Overview:This presentation will differentiate between plaintiff and defense, civil, and criminal.  It will explore what a subpoena and discovery really is and what it does and does not.  The important elements of being a fact witness will be explored.  In addition content will include appropriate dress for all occasions, demeanor, documentation, and other relevant factors.

October 14, 2022 | 12 PM CDT

Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation the participant should be able to:

1. Describe the impact of alcohol, prescription medications/opioids, and other substances among older adults.
2. Identify, screen, and assess substance misuse in older adults.
3. Develop and implement recovery wellness plans for older adults.

Overview: When looking at alcohol and substance rates, information on youth and younger adults are generally involved.  However, substance abuse is not only found in youth end young adults. Unfortunately, ageist beliefs contribute to low rates of diagnosis and treatment /recovery services for this population. The goal of this presentation is to increase the awareness and knowledge on alcohol and substance use among the senior population and related issues and how to support individuals with substance abuse disorder.    

Dr. Emily Hare, ND is a 2012 graduate of the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, OR. She is a licensed naturopathic doctor (WA) and Asst. Professor at Huntingdon College. She teaches undergraduate, upper-level courses for pre-health professions students. Her therapeutic modalities include clinical nutrition, microbiome development, and supplement and herbal therapies. She specializes in stress reduction and microbial health.  

Thomson McCorkle is a graduate of Lewis & Clark College. He started as the Executive Director of Wings Across Alabama (Wings) in January 2017, the same year he became a certified Peer Specialist (CPS). He manages over 15 employees and contractors, and this is one of the largest employers of CPS in Alabama. Under his leadership, all Wings programs shifted to a virtual format (phone/online) which better served consumers during the COVID – 10 pandemic. He serves on several Alabama Department of Mental Health Committees and the Alabama Supreme Court’s Alternative to Guardianships task force.   

Moniaree Parker Jones, Ed.D., RN, MSN, COI serves as associate professor of nursing at Samford University’s Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing and part -time legal consultant. Prior to assuming her current position, she worked as an assistant professor at AUM, and as a legal nurse consultant with the law firms of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, and Haskell, Slaughter, Young, and Rediker. She has experience in psychiatric, emergency room and public health nursing and management. 

Shereda Finch, Ph.D. candidate, MEd, MPA is a graduate of both Cleveland State University and Ashford University.  She is the Executive Director of the Council on Substance Abuse - NCADD.  She has extensive experience in individual and group facilitation and training as well as fundraising and grant writing, securing over 15 million dollars.  

Alair Altiero, PhD, LPC works exclusively with people living with ALS.  She is a counselor and is the Mental Health/Regional Resource Group Coordinator for The ALS Association- Hershey/South Central Greater Philadelphia Chapter.    

Lisa Bruening, MS has been employed at The ALS Association Northern Ohio Chapter nearly 20 years. She is currently the Director of Care Services and a licensed speech-language pathologist with nearly 30 years of experience working with persons with diverse communication impairments and implementing assistive technology plans of care. Her family's connection to the ALS through her maternal grandfather's illness and death when her mother was a young child heightened her awareness of the issues affecting persons living with ALS as well as the needs of their family members even years into the future. Lisa is an energetic and engaging presenter who enjoys interactive discussion and debate. She leveraged her grade-school teachers' assessment of "talks too much" into a lifelong career of providing education, advocacy, and intervention to improve, maintain and restore client communication skills.  

Melissa C. Enfinger, MS has over twenty years of experience in human services, disability support, and non-profit organizations. She currently serves as the Director of Care Services and Public Policy for the ALS Association Alabama Chapter. Melissa has been with the Chapter since 2014 where she has the honor to get to know many people and families affected by ALS and learn about their unique challenges and support needs. Melissa has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Science in Human Services with a specialization in management of non-profit organizations.