FEATURED PRESENTERS

• Charles H. Elliott, Ph.D.
• Laura L. Smith, Ph.D.
• Seamus McCaffery, J.D.
• Dan Gottlieb, M.D.
• Bernard S. Arons, M.D.
• Mark Dembert M.D.
• Joan Erney, Esquire

Charles H. Elliott, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist and a Founding Fellow in the Academy of Cognitive Therapy. He is also a member of the faculty at Fielding Graduate University. He specializes in the treatment of adolescents and adults with obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety, anger, depression, and personality disorders. Dr. Elliott has authored many professional articles and book chapters in the area of cognitive behavior therapies. He presents nationally and internationally on new developments in the assessment and therapy of emotional disorders. Dr. Elliott is coauthor with Dr. Smith of: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder For Dummies, Seasonal Affective Disorder For Dummies, Anxiety and Depression Workbook For Dummies, Depression For Dummies, Overcoming Anxiety For Dummies, Hollow Kids: Recapturing the Soul of a Generation Lost to the Self-Esteem Myth, and Why Can’t I Be the Parent I Want to Be? He also is a coauthor of: Why Can't I Get What I Want? (A Behavioral Science Book Club Selection)

Laura L. Smith, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist who specializes in the assessment and treatment of adults and children with obsessive compulsive disorder, as well as personality disorders, depression, anxiety, ADHD, and learning disorders. She is often asked to provide consultations to attorneys, school districts, and governmental agencies. She presents workshops on cognitive therapy and mental health issues to national and international audiences. Dr. Smith is a widely published author of articles and books to the profession and the public, including those co-authored with Dr. Elliott.

Dr. Elliott and Dr. Smith are happy to release their newest book
at the Annual Conference. Buy one at the conference!

Their work has been featured in various periodicals including Family Circle, Parents, Child, and Better Homes and Gardens, as well as popular publications like New York Post, Washington Times, Daily Telegraph (London), and Christian Science Monitor. They have been invited speakers at numerous conferences including: the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, the International Association for Cognitive Psychotherapy, and the National Association of School Psychologists. They have appeared on television networks such as CNN and Canada AM, and, in radio, they are often featured as experts on various NPR programs, as well as You the Owner’s Manual Radio Show, and The Four Seasons Radio Show. They have committed their professional lives to making the science of psychology relevant and accessible to the public.

Drs. Smith and Elliott are available for speaking engagements, expert interviews, and workshops. You can visit them at their website: www.PsychAuthors.com .

Plenary Session:

Becoming the Parent You Want to Be

Parents of children with emotional disorders are torn between conflicting forces. On the one hand, they want to protect and shield their children; on the other hand, they want their kids to develop a sense of independence. They want to provide support and nurturance, yet avoid overindulgence. For parents, the balance is difficult to strike—whether for a young child or an adult child. We explain how to find such balance as well as develop the emotional resources for executing it. Parents often have a sense of what they should do, but struggle with doing it—we show you how.

Workshop:

The Many Faces of the OCD Spectrum: Knowing What Works and What Doesn’t
Conceptual advances in understanding obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) have occurred in recent years. OCD is an under diagnosed disorder that often occurs along with other emotional problems. The presenters review the many faces of OCD and some of the commonalities shared by different diagnoses such as Body Dysmorphic disorder, Trichotillomania, and Tourettes Syndrome. In addition, they review the primary treatment options that are known to work for the various facets of OCD. The audience can expect to become more informed consumers and knowledgeable advocates for their loved ones.

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Joan Erney, J.D.

Joan Erney joined the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services in 1999 as the Director of the Bureau of Operations and Quality Management (BOQM). In that capacity she had responsibility for the monitoring and oversight of the state’s community behavioral health program including Health Choices, a Medicaid managed care program and the county-based service system. She oversaw OMHSAS licensing, program evaluation and management information systems. Prior to her position in state government, Ms. Erney was the Chief Executive Officer of the Community Behavioral HealthCare Network of Pennsylvania (CBHNP). Her previous experience includes legislative and policy development with the Pennsylvania Community Providers Association and direct staff work at Dauphin County Crisis Intervention.

Ms. Erney received her Juris Doctor from the Widener University School of Law in 1994. Her undergraduate degree and graduate credits are from Penn State University.

Ms. Erney will present on the State of the State on Pennsylvania Transformation

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JUSTICE SEAMUS P. McCAFFERY

Justice Seamus P. McCaffery was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on June 3, 1950. In 1955, his parents, Seamus and Rita McCaffery, brought the family to the United States and since that time, Justice McCaffery has called Philadelphia his home. Justice McCaffery has made a career of serving his city, commonwealth and country, for a combined 74 years of public service.

Justice McCaffery began his 40-year military career immediately upon his graduation from Cardinal Dougherty High School in 1968, when he joined the United States Marines. After his tour of active duty, Justice McCaffery became a reservist, serving in the Marine Corps Reserve for 15 years, rising to the rank of Captain. He then transferred to the United States Air Force Reserve, where he became the Commanding Officer of the 913th Security Police Squadron, and later attained the rank of Colonel. Justice McCaffery was mobilized in support of Operation Noble Eagle after the September 11th attacks, and served as the Regional Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer for Homeland Defense until his recent retirement after 40 years of service. He is the recipient of numerous military honors and medals, including 5 Meritorious Service Medals, the War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Legion of Merit.*

After completing his active military service, Justice McCaffery returned home and joined the Philadelphia Police Department. During his 20 years on the police force he served as a patrolman, a plainclothes Vice/Narcotics investigator, and as a detective in the Homicide and Major Crimes Divisions. His distinguished law enforcement career included several high-profile murder investigations, and he rose to the rank of supervisor before retiring as a highly-decorated veteran in 1989.

While working full-time as a police officer, Justice McCaffery also earned a Bachelor’s degree from La Salle University, and then his Juris Doctor degree from Temple University School of Law. Upon entering the legal profession, he joined the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Washington, D. C. bars, and worked as a litigator at one of Philadelphia’s premier law firms.

In 1993, Justice McCaffery became the first retired Philadelphia Police officer ever elected as a trial judge in Philadelphia County. During his decade on the trial court bench, Justice McCaffery won local and national acclaim for creating and volunteering his services for such innovative programs as Nuisance Night Court, Graffiti Court and “Eagles Court,” the National Football League’s first and only court, conducted during the Philadelphia Eagles’ home games. These accomplishments earned him the label of “Philadelphia’s Quality of Life Justice.”

In October 2001, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court appointed him the Administrative Judge of the Philadelphia Municipal Court, one of the largest courts in the country. In his capacity as Administrative Judge, Justice McCaffery introduced new programs for drug and domestic violence offenders, and those with mental health issues. He streamlined the operations of the court and structured court-wide procedural reforms which improved the court’s efficiency and the delivery of its services to the citizenry.

Justice McCaffery was elected to the Superior Court of Pennsylvania in 2003, where he heard appeals from civil and criminal cases throughout the Commonwealth. Justice McCaffery is a regular keynote speaker across Pennsylvania for professional, civic, military, law enforcement and fraternal organizations, addressing topics such as appellate advocacy, the role and function of the courts, and judicial independence. He is a faculty member of the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, a frequent guest lecturer at the Philadelphia Police Academy, and gives generously of his time to numerous charitable organizations. He is an advisory member of the Philadelphia Civil War and Underground Railroad Museum, and a board member of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Committee and the Pennsylvania March of Dimes.

Justice McCaffery is the proud father of three sons, Sean, Jim, and Brian, and the devoted grandfather of Morgan, Delaney, Carleigh and Conor. The Justice is also an avid motorcycle enthusiast. Justice McCaffery has been the recipient of numerous military and law enforcement awards, medals and decorations, as well as civic and professional awards. Justice McCaffery and his wife, Lise Rapaport, Esquire, continue to make their home in Philadelphia.

* Military History: Colonel McCaffery joined the United States Marine Corps in 1968. After serving on active duty for training, he was sent to Willow Grove, PA and assigned to HMM 772 (Medium Helicopter Squadron). His Marine Corps career entailed serving in several different units at MAG 43/49, and after serving for ten years as an enlisted Marine, Seamus was commissioned a Second Lieutenant. After serving in various career fields, e.g., embarkation, E.O.D., etc., and attaining the rank of Captain, in 1985 Captain McCaffery transferred into the Air Force Reserve and became the Commander of the 913th WSSF, 913 AW, Willow Grove, PA.

Colonel McCaffery served as the Commander through several transitions, from a Weapons Systems Security Flight, to a Security Police Flight, and eventually to a Security Forces Squadron. Upon his promotion to Major, Colonel McCaffery transferred to the Air Mobility Center, Ft. Dix, NJ, and was assigned to the IMA position of Commander of the 421st Ground Combat Readiness Squadron. After he completed Air War College, he was promoted to Lt. Col. and transferred to Air Combat Command, Langley, VA, where he served as the IMA to the ACC Security Forces Commander. After his subsequent promotion to Colonel, Colonel McCaffery became the Pennsylvania State EPLO. After serving in that position for several years, he transferred to FEMA, Region III as a Regional EPLO. On February 1, 2008, at Tyndall, AFB, Panama City, FL, Colonel McCaffery retired from the military after serving for 40 years.

Justice McCaffery will speak on The changes to the Pennsylvania Courts by the Increasing Number of Veterans Entering the Criminal Justice System

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Dr. Dan Gottlieb

NAMI PA Executive Director Jim Jordan was interviewed by Dan Gottlieb on October 13th as part of NPR's "Voices in the Family" weekly program on Mental Health. Below is the article on the show, and you can listen to the interview here:

Voices In The Family

10/13/08
Mental Illness & the Presidential Candidates
Listen via Real Audio | mp3

More than 54 million Americans suffer from one or more mental illness and, for many, finding the right treatment and paying for it is a constant struggle. Not to mention, the difficulties of living with the stigma and discrimination. On the next Voices in the Family, we are bringing the issue of mental health to the presidential ballot. We'll be joined by representatives from both parties to discuss where each candidate stands on the issue and what their plans are to increase awareness and improve mental healthcare in America. Representing Senator John McCain will be Renee Amoore, Deputy Chairman, PA Republican State Party, and CEO of the Amoore Group. Joining us from the Obama campaign is Kareem Dale, National Disability Vote Director Obama for America. We'll also hear from Jim Jordan, the executive director of NAMI PA. And, we want to hear from you. We're giving you a chance to ask your questions about what each candidate will do about mental illness if elected.

Daniel Gottlieb began his practice as a psychologist and family therapist in 1969 after receiving undergraduate and graduate degrees from Temple University. As a young psychologist, working in the addictions field, he was enjoying his professional successes and his two young daughters. Life seemed perfect. Until...

In 1979, while preparing a surprise for his wife on their 10th anniversary, Gottlieb was in a near-fatal automobile accident, which left him paralyzed from the chest down. Over the ensuing years, he faced depression, divorce and the death of his wife, sister and parents. Throughout all, he maintained his devotion to family and his career. Now, he sits in a wheelchair observing life and gaining unusual insight into what it means to the human.

Since 1985, Daniel Gottlieb has been hosting "Voices in the Family," an award-winning mental health call-in radio show aired on WHYY 90.9 FM, Philadelphia's local public radio station.

Since 1993, he has been writing a bimonthly column for the Philadelphia Inquirer titled: "Inside Out," reflecting his perspective on the events in the world around us and the many ways we experience those events. In July of 2008 Dr. Gottlieb wrote his last column for the Inquirer. He has also previously published several books including "Learning from the Heart" (2008), "Voices in the Family", "Voices of Conflict; Voices of Healing" and "Letters to Sam" (2006) by Sterling publishers. In addition to his writing and radio show, he lecturers locally and nationally on a variety of topics affecting the well being of people, families and the larger community.

At the heart of his career, however is his psychotherapy practice. Dan treats individuals, couples and families in his South Jersey office. He is the proud father of two daughters and a blissfully happy grandfather of Sam. Much of his wisdom and compassion he attributes to having experienced severe losses—of his mobility and the death of his sister and parents. He has unique understanding of both the solitude and the growth that accompany suffering. As a result, it is his belief that alienation and prejudice are the greatest source of suffering in our world. The first step towards healing this pain is eye contact. The second is compassion.

Learning From The Heart: Lessons in Living, Loving and Listening- Dan's New Book!

Read the review from Publishers Weekly:

Learning from the Heart: Lessons on Living, Loving, and Listening Daniel Gottlieb. Sterling, $17.95 (176p) ISBN 978-1-4027-4999-5 You have to love a self-help book that extols doing nothing: “The truth is,” says Gottlieb, “if we become comfortable with who we are rather than who we think we should be, then we will be less insecure.” As a therapist, Gottlieb frequently sees people who are convinced that changing themselves or their circumstances would lead to happiness. Gottlieb disagrees. A columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer and author of Letters to Sam (addressed to his autistic grandson), Gottlieb also happens to be quadriplegic, which makes him somewhat of an expert in self-acceptance. And while he says his condition has taught him to listen, learn and care deeply, one senses Gottlieb is a born mensch and a man with a big heart. Warm, wise, compassionate, humble and often funny, he displays not a shred of self-pity or false modesty. Best of all, his message has the unmistakable ring of truth to it: love rather than change yourself or anyone else. “Trying to change others is about intolerance, which is at the core of so much enmity. We cannot find peace unless we are trying to help others find peace also.” (Mar. 2008)
Dr. Dan's book, Letters to Sam: A Grandfather's Lessons on Love, Loss, and the Gifts of Life, is available in bookstores now. You can buy Letters to Sam at Barnes and Noble and other bookstores.

"Voices in the Family"(revised edition, Sterling), Gottlieb's first book (new updated version), is a clear and concise description of some of the very human struggles that affect us all. He takes us through childhood through marriage to aging and death. In each context, he addresses issues of attachment and loss, longing, loving and respect.

His most recent publication: "Voices of Conflict; Voices of Healing" (iuniverse.com) is a compilation of some of his most important and entertaining columns.

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ELECTION 2008 CANDIDATE'S FORUM

Bernard S. Arons, M.D.
Executive Director/CEO of The National Development and Research Institutes (NDRI)

Representing the Obama Campaign

Dr. Arons is a psychiatrist interested in improving the public health. From 2004-2008, he served as Executive Director/CEO of The National Development and Research Institutes (NDRI), a nonprofit behavioral public health research, training and prevention outreach organization. He was formerly the Director of the Federal Center for Mental Health Services and chair of the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Working Group Cluster of the President’s Task Force on National Health Care Reform. Dr. Arons also served in a number of leadership positions at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), including Senior Science Advisor to the Director and was the leading clinical administrator of Saint Elizabeths Hospital. Dr. Arons continues clinical work in psychiatry and is also a member of the MacArthur Foundation Network on Mental Health Policy Research. A graduate of Oberlin College and the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Dr. Arons is Clinical Professor of Psychiatry on the faculties of the Georgetown University School of Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine, and Howard University and Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry at Dartmouth University. Dr. Arons has received over 30 awards and honors, has made over 200 presentations, community lectures, and keynote addresses on topics in national health policy, services research, and mental health topics, has served on numerous committees and community activities, and has authored dozens of publications (articles, book chapters, edited book).

ELECTION 2008 CANDIDATE'S FORUM

Representing the Obama Campaign

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Mark L. Dembert, M.D., M.P.H., FACPM
Chief of Psychiatry
Bureau of Health Care Services
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections
Camp Hill, PA

Dr. Dembert has been the Chief of Psychiatry since May 2007. His primary responsibility is the planning, directing, and assisting in the development, application, and evaluation of standardized psychiatric services to mentally ill inmates among the approximately 46,000 inmates incarcerated within the 27 prisons of the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections system (DOC). This requires his review, interpretation, and development of policies/procedures which are in specific compliance with state and federal mental health laws; and the application of them for use within the DOC. He also maintains oversight and responsibility for inpatient and outpatient psychiatric care provided by a national contract company and its psychiatrists in the prisons. He works very closely with the Chief of Psychology and other management staff within the DOC as well as with numerous government agencies and personnel outside the DOC.

From 2005-2007, Dr. Dembert was the founder and general manager of Strategic Public Health Solutions LLC. His Pennsylvania firm provided subject matter expertise and innovative, creative, psychologically-informed consultation in the fields of public health, behavioral health, and public health emergency preparedness and response.

From 2003-2005, Dr. Dembert worked for the Virginia Department of Health in three capacities: 1) Regional Medical Consultant and head, Eastern Region Emergency Preparedness and Response Team; 2) head of the state level Terrorism and Disaster Behavioral Health Advisory Committee; and 3) Health Director for the Western Tidewater Health District, based in Suffolk, VA. During the latter job, he developed and led a highly successful multi-agency Returning Veterans Advisory Committee for his community.

On November 1, 2002, Dr. Dembert retired as a Captain in the U.S. Navy Medical Corps after a distinguished 27 year active duty career. After commissioning in 1975, he initially trained and practiced in diving, hyperbaric, and submarine medicine. His subsequent leadership positions, clinical practice, organizational consultation work, and research efforts in preventive and occupational medicine, travel medicine, environmental medicine, and psychiatry took him from Asia, Central America, to Antarctica (Operation Deep Freeze), various survival schools, submarines and surface ships.

While stationed at the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (Virginia) from 1996-2002, he was head of its Special Psychiatric Rapid Intervention (SPRINT) Team, a worldwide deployable rapid response Critical Incident Stress Debriefing team. This and related work was the basis for numerous publications, lectures, education and training seminars, and services provided within the community disaster behavioral health field. He was a U.S. Navy Medicine subject matter expert on the behavioral health aspects of chemical, biological, radiation, nuclear, and high explosive terrorism. His military awards included the Legion of Merit (for his work and accomplishments in disaster and trauma psychiatry), and the Meritorious Service Medal.

Dr. Dembert’s professional education and training included the following: graduation from Bucknell University in 1971 with a B.S.-Biology (Honors) Degree; graduation from Jefferson Medical College in 1975 with an M.D. degree; completion of a preventive medicine residency and an M.P.H. degree from Yale University School of Medicine in 1983; and completion of a psychiatry residency at Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, VA in 1991. He is board-certified in both General Preventive Medicine-Public Health and in General Psychiatry. He is a Fellow of the American College of Preventive Medicine (FACPM) and belongs to the American Public Health Association, American College of Preventive Medicine, American Psychiatric Association, and American Group Psychotherapy Association. He has been an assistant professor (community) in the Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, since 1992. He has over 80 publications in refereed and non-refereed journals, and he has given over 80 professional lectures and presentations in a variety of medical topics during his career.

He has been a member of two very important Pennsylvania government initiatives: PA CARES Returning Veterans Task Force; and the Pennsylvania Behavioral Health Response Advisory Consortium.

Dr. Dembert will present on "Psychologically-Informed and Public Health Strategies for Bettering the Interface Between Veterans with Mental Illness and Criminal Justice/Correctional Systems in Pennsylvania Communities."

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Jane Hennessy, RN, MSM

Rebecca's Rose

Rebecca’s Rose is primarily the story of a young woman’s struggle with schizophrenia. But it is also about family relationships and, in particular, one sister’s care giving love for Rebecca, for her parents, and for her children. The close relationship between Jane and her mother only deepens with the approach of death, a death her mother almost welcomes. A year later, Jane’s father is diagnosed with cancer and she must continue her painful journey. Jane’s harrowing experiences are a cautionary tale for the baby boom generation, as sons and daughter deals with the aging, decline and impending death of their own parents.

Rebecca's Rose is a heart warming story that will provide information and inspiration to all who read it --Anita Everett, MD, Johns Hopkins Medical School.

All of us travel on bumpy roads from time to time but people with mental disorders must climb the same mountain again and again and so do those who care for them. If you are one of them, this book will be your map -- and to forgive those who can't or won't do their fair share --Marguerite Kelly, Columnist and Author

About the Author
As an adult, Jane Hennessy has been a registered nurse and a business manager at not-for-profit organizations. As a child she grew up in a typical suburban neighborhood on the east coast. She received her undergraduate degree in nursing at the University of Kentucky, College of Nursing and her MSM degree in business management from Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia. She has two adult daughters who are thriving.

Ms. Hennessy’s book is being used as a textbook at the University of Louisville graduate nursing program and for staff training at Johns Hopkins University Medical Center.