8:30-8:45: Introduction: Ron Cathey and Jacqueline Sparks

8:45-10:15: Somebody's Got To Testify! In Defense of Dignity—Makungu Akinyela

This keynote will describe therapeutic conversations that recognize what some practices identify as "non-compliance" and "resistance to change" as clients striving for dignity in the face of oppressive relationships. These oppressive relationships often occur in the context of racial, class, gender or sexual differences between the therapist and client that are de-emphasized. This talk will encourage you to include a social justice framework in your therapeutic practice based on witnessing the testimony (desired story) told by clients about their lives and collaborating with clients in the fight for dignity.

10:15-10:30: Break

10:30-12:00: Plenary Panel: Consumer Feedback and Partnership: Making Us Better

Michael Lambert—Current Research and the Future of Feedback

Jacqueline Sparks—Feedback and Social Justice

Barry Duncan—Feedback and the Heart and Soul of Change

Client based outcome feedback improves outcomes more than anything else since the beginning of our field. Michael Lambert, the pioneer of client feedback, shares the good news about feedback and forecasts where it could take us. Jacqueline Sparks asserts that not only does securing client feedback increase effectiveness, it also levels the counseling process and ensures justice for all clients. Finally, Barry Duncan connects the dots regarding the powerful effects of feedback with the most potent factors of change—the client and the alliance, the heart and soul of change.

Lunch: 12:00-2:00: Networking Opportunities Meet colleagues working in similar sites while you explore the culinary pleasures of the French Quarter: Inpatient/Residential; Substance Abuse

Criminal Justice; Schools; Public Behavioral Health; Academic/Training

2:00--5:15 (Break at 3:30): Four Tracks: Youth/School/Family; Social Justice; Special Topics; Consumer Driven Outcomes Implementation

Youth/School/Family

“Unleashing the Giant” to Become Better at Serving Kids and Families—John Murphy and Barry Duncan

Based on an irrepressible belief in the resourcefulness and capability of young people and families, this session translates research-supported principles of effective practice and practitioners into user-friendly ways of putting clients first through the application of common factors in a social justice framework. Real-world examples and video clips illustrate the inherent resources of youth and families as well as the power that resides in partnership.

Social Justice

Leveling the Field: Creating Socially Just Partnerships—Makungu Akinyela & Jacqueline Sparks

Helping relationships often involve an imbalance of power based on the social and cultural locations of the counselor and consumer. Those receiving help are expected to be patient "patients" or compliant followers. This workshop describes how routine feedback balances power and goes a step further, putting consumers in the lead. Participants will examine their own policies, paperwork, and practices to create more socially just counseling partnerships.

Special Topics

1. Research Can Be Sexy—Like When It Changes the Way A Country Provides Services

Jeff Reese, Morten Anker, Jesse Owen

Jeff Reese discusses his just published randomized clinical trial demonstrating the benefits of feedback as well as his groundbreaking research using client feedback in supervision. Morten Anker presents the landmark couple feedback study that changed the way a country does counseling. Finally Jesse Owen addresses the latest research about the alliance and counselor effects, and makes the case that the alliance impacts outcome over and above symptom change.

2. Putting Addicts In Charge of Their Treatment! Are You Crazy?—David Claud

Traditionally trained addictions professionals usually find it hard to understand how consumer driven treatment could possibly work for real addicts. Putting clients in charge of their treatment sounds too much like clients “running their own program.” If their best thinking got them here, then do we really care what clients think? This interactive workshop and discussion will explore the role of client-feedback and how to incorporate it into addictions treatment of all types.

Consumer Driven Outcomes Implementation

1. Implementing the OQ System—Michael Lambert

This workshop provides a foundation for monitoring client treatment response and the use of clinical support tools with clients at risk for a negative treatment outcome. Evidence is discussed regarding the problem of negative outcomes, that therapists are poor at recognizing deteriorating clients, and how such clients can be identified before they leave treatment. Effective, yet simple interventions that rely on therapist problem-solving abilities will be illustrated.

2. Implementing Outcome Management in Public Agencies: Is It Mission Impossible?—Bob Bohanske

This workshop provides a no nonsense discussion about how to get started using feedback in your agency—not sometime, next month, or even next week—but in your next day back at work. Based on his experience implementing outcome management at the largest public behavioral health agency in Arizona, Bob addresses the nuts and bolts of getting started. Results from several public agencies demonstrate that it is indeed not mission impossible!

5:30 to 7:00: Conference Reception and Poster Presentations

Check out the Poster Presentations and Exhibits, get books signed, munch on snacks, and enjoy your favorite beverage with colleagues, presenters, and organizers before you hit the French Quarter for food and fun. A special welcome is extended to LCA members as well as the Heroic Agency Listserv, an international group, now over 800 strong, who share the mission of privileging clients, valuing true partnerships, and inviting clients into the inner circle of decision making about their care. Join the listserv at http://heartandsoulofchange.com/community/listserv/, and join us for a great kickoff to your evening.