Things are getting crazy around here.
First of all, I’m trying to finish up editing another book before sending it off to potential publishers… and working on getting the major edits done before school is out for winter break…
Second, I’m considering applying to University of Leicester in England to get my (long distance learning) PhD in Media and Communication. So that requires lots of thought.
Third, Anxiety Disorders and Mormonism is coming up in less than three months, and there are lots of moving wheels, things to plan/do, people to talk to, etc. We’ll come back to that in a moment, though.
Fourth, my book is (still) on sale but the price is pretty low right now on Amazon, so it may be a good time to pick one up if you haven’t yet (or if you want to get one for Christmas a loved one or friend or Bishop ;): click here.
Okay, so back to Anxiety Disorders and Mormonism. Here are some general updates:
Early Bird tickets are only on sale through December 31, 2017. There are also only a limited number of them. So. If you haven’t purchased them, please go and do! People are buying tickets! Don’t wait!
Keynote Speaker Update
Julie de Azevedo Hanks, PhD, LSCW will be speaking on “Reducing Anxiety Through Transforming Mormon Culture.” This is really exciting and will be a great concluding keynote for ADAM Conf. Her talk description is as follows:
Mormonism has inherited a model of social organization that creates and perpetuates anxiety. This presentation will outline how a shift from a dominator to a partnership model of social organization can move us from ranking to connection, from scarcity to abundance, and from fear to love. Eight principles of partnership families will be presented as a path to transforming Mormon culture and reducing cultural anxiety.
Panel Updates
We will have three panels (there are three breakout sessions during the conference with a panel and 2 speakers to choose from )—
Types of Treatment for Anxiety Disorders
This panel will have experts in various types of therapy discussing and answering questions about their preferred method of treating anxiety.
MODERATOR: Carol Lundemo
LMHC, founder of Counseling for OCD & Anxiety Disorders in Seattle, WA
• Jessica Flynn •
DBT, Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Psychologist at the Utah Center for Evidence Based Treatment
• Annabella Hagen •
ACT, Acceptance Commitment Therapy
clinical director of Mindset Family Therapy
• Brian Coombs •
ERP, Exposure Response Prevention
Director of the OCD Foundation of Utah
• Paul Peterson •
CBT, Cognitive Behavior Therapy
LCSW, Director at OCD & Anxiety Treatment Center
Training Church Leaders to Support Anxiety Sufferers
This panel will have counselors as well as current or former church leaders who have dealt with anxiety disorders themselves and/or with members of their congregations. We are going to discuss how church leaders can best support and work with others who have anxiety disorders.
MODERATOR: Kurt Francom
founder of Leading LDS
• Karen Redd •
LCMHC with a doctorate in Organizational Leadership
• Bryan Young •
counselor, former member of a Bishopric, Sunday School & EQ presidencies
• Rychen Jones •
mental illness sufferer, former EQ president
• Travis Isaacson •
recently released Bishop with OCD who has worked with others with OCD & anxiety
• Kari Ferguson •
author of The OCD Mormon, RS & former Primary President
Living with Anxiety
This panel will be all about stories—amazing individuals who live with anxiety disorders will talk about their lives and how they live, manage, and cope with their various issues.
MODERATOR: Brian Coombs
MSW & CSW
• Kearis Jensen
OCD thriver, early released missionary, mental health blogger
• Cholena Soden
lives with her husband, 5 kids, and OCD. Massage therapist, seminary teacher
• Tinesha Zandemala •
lives with PTSD, BYU student, activist
• Kassie Boothe •
lives with PTSD & OCD, recent grad of UVU, RS media specialist
• Beth Farmer •
OCD sufferer, YW 2nd Counselor
We’re getting excited, and hopefully you are too! Get your tickets! And there is still at least one more announcement of a speaker to come!