PRESENTATIONS: BREAKOUT SESSION II
Darkytown Rebellion, 2001. Cut paper and projection on wall. 14 x 37 ft. (4.3 x 11.3 m). Collection Musée d'Art Moderne Grand-Duc Jean, Luxembourg. Colored light is projected onto the ceiling, walls, and floor of the mural depicting characters inflicting violence on one another. The shadow of observers body mixes in with historical realism and the fantastical space of the art.
Reconsolidation of Traumatic Autobiographical Memories: Revisiting the Art of Kara Walker
This lecture and experiential showcases the art of Kara walker while highlighting the potential of art therapy interventions for affirmative memory reconsolidation. A dialectical narrative of social injustice and liberty speaks out from Kara Walker’s work. Her art is a vivid and visual illustration of the importance of telling the untold, invisible and unspeakable autobiographical. A prominent African American artist, Walker’s swirling, life size, Victorian style cut-paper silhouettes and arousing drawings expose savage slavery practices while simultaneously impressing with a zest for life. This art-based antidote to the devastating effects of trauma on individuals, family systems, groups and nations has the potential to affect and transform self, social and prospective functions of autobiographical memory.
Please bring scissors, pencil and a glue stick.
Presenter: Dr. Noah Hass-Cohen is faculty at the CSPP Couples and Family Masters and Doctoral Programs I-Merit Los Angeles. She is the I- Merit Los Chair and student adviser for the CSPP-CFT art therapy club. nhass-cohen@alliant.edu
Links:
The Neuroscience of Relationships Creativity and Resiliency
Hass-Cohen, N. (2008). Who are we? Updating personal and collective memories. “My Complement, My Enemy, My Oppressor, My Love.” An art therapist’s view of Kara Walker’s retrospective exhibit.
http://noahhasscohen.com/uploads/2/9/0/0/2900945/hass-cohen_walkerarticle_2008_final.pdf
Resources for teachers: DEAR Blog
Liliyan Avansian Adegani is a student in the CSPP-LA Clinical PsyD program. She works in pain management teams and utilizes a variety of evidence-based interventions to decrease clients’ pain and enhance their functioning. Her dissertation research also focuses on minority populations and treatments for clinical problems such as trauma, depression, anxiety and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. This research has enhanced familiarity with many issues faced by disenfranchised individuals, such as social stigma around mental illness and other service barriers.
Mariko Iwabuchi, M.S. is a student in the CSPP-LA Clinical PhD program. She is the chair of the Positive Psychology Club at Alliant International University, serves as a student member of the I-Merit Los Angeles committee, and volunteers as a crisis counselor at a suicide prevention center. Her research interests includes shyness, sensitivity, and the impact of the performing arts on positive psychological growth. She is interested in working with diverse populations, in particular those who are considered "quiet" or "shy."
Mohena Moreno, M.A. is a student in the CSPP-LA Clinical PsyD Program. She currently works with minority populations conducting neuropsychological assessments in underserved communities. Her dissertation research is focused on Latinos and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and the prevention of violence. She is also interested in culture, immigration and acculturation in diverse populations.
Research on Muslim American Women: A Dialogue on the Challenges of Recruitment and Participation when Investigating Sexual Issues, Cultural Factors and Mental Health.
This group presentation will describe a research project that examines religiosity, acculturation, sexuality and psychological wellbeing of Muslim American women. We will use this study to facilitate dialogue about issues involved in conducting research with Muslim American women and other minority women. We first will discuss development of our research group (the Multicultural Women’s Research Group) and the process used to identify a specific research focus and research questions. Then we will describe the initial research study, its objectives, hypotheses, and methodology. We will present preliminary findings about sample characteristics and relationships among variables. The sample consists of 64 Muslim American women between the ages of 19 and 54 from a variety of ethnic backgrounds. The presentation and dialogue regarding recruitment will center upon researchers’ sensitivity to cultural issues and power relationships; Muslim women’s concerns and fears about participation in research, especially research involving non-Muslim researchers; recognizing ethnic and other diversities within Muslim women groups (i.e., the intersectionality of social identities); and best practices in conducting research with Muslim American women.
Emon Abdolsalehi-Najafi, PhD, (alumna) is working in Fresno CA, as part of a multidisciplinary outpatient facility. Her broad background includes work with CHLA-USC Children’s Hospital, the Center of Autism in Nevada, inpatient psychiatric work, and extensive psychodiagnostic testing. Her interests in multicultural issues regarding women’s health and sexuality have led to her role as co-founder, in developing the Multicultural Women’s Research Group (MWRG).
Linda J. Beckman, PhD, is a Distinguished Professor Emerita at the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University. Her primary roles are teacher, mentor, researcher and advocate for women’s physical and mental health. Her research interests include social and cultural influences on the psychological well being of women from diverse cultural backgrounds, women’s reproductive health, and body image and disordered eating.
Carolina Meza is a board member of UnseenXS in Stockton, CA. UnseenXS is a nonprofit community services organization linking families and individuals of underprivileged communities to services and support as needed or requested throughout the United States. UnseenXS focus is to provide quality services at no out of pocket expense to the client preserving client dignity and empowering client initiative. Carolina’s goal is to help families through the transition of reunification and recovery from traumatic experiences.
A Non-Governmental Organization Student Panel Presentation
Our efficacy as major movers in our communities does not have to wait until we graduate. This is a panel of three graduate students who represent many other graduates in our programs who hold influential positions in local, community-based organizations.
Felicia Kademian, MA, is the chair of the Human Relations Commission for the City of Pasadena. As the Chair of the Commission, she reports to the mayor of the city about events , including but not limited to any prejudice, intolerance, and discrimination against individuals or groups because of race, religion, national origin, sex, or cultural background. The commission's objective is to achieve better inter-group understanding among residents.
Michelle Miranda, MA, MPH will discuss Healing Hearts Across Borders. Healing Hearts Across Borders is a non-profit organization that organizes a medical mission to Mexico every three months. This medical mission provides dental, medical, pharmaceutical, and donation services (food and clothing) to rural communities in Mexico. Michelle, who has been involved with this organization since 2012, provides health and mental health education for patients with chronic illnesses and for those with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
Norma Scarborough, DMFT, is faculty at the Couple and Family Therapy Program at Alliant University, the Los Angeles campus in Alhambra, CA. Dr. Scarborough has served as Treasurer, President-Elect and as President of AAMFT-CA in 2016. Her expertise is in gender power in African American couples, in-home therapy for children in foster care, African American Women’s maternal mental health, couple domestic violence and experiences of minority clinical supervisors.
Lekeisha Sumner, PhD, ABPP is a clinical psychologist, board-certified in Clinical Health Psychology and specializing in Clinical Psychology and Health Psychology. She is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Science at UCLA and an Associate Professor of Psychology in the California School of Professional Psychology at the Los Angeles campus of Alliant International University. She maintains an independent practice in West Los Angeles.
Chelsie Dunn, MPH is a third-year Clinical Psychology PhD student at CSPP: Alliant International University, Los Angeles. She earned her BA in Psychology from Wesleyan College and MPH in Urban Public Health from Charles Drew University. She currently serves as the Association of Black Psychologists’ Student Circle Chair-elect, Alliant-LA Black Student Alliance’s Chair, and APA Division 35, Section 1 Student Representative. Her interest consists of, sexual health disparities, gendered racial microaggressions, and racial/sexual socialization.
Shawndeeia Drinkard is a third-year Clinical Psychology PhD student at the California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University in Los Angeles. As an active member of ABPsi, she serves on the Student Circle Executive Board as the National Convention Committee Co-Chair. She is the chair-elect of Alliant-LA’s Black Student Alliance, mentor to undergraduate students at her alma mater, and active mentor and leader at her local Boys and Girls Club.
Mentoring African-American Students for Practitioner Roles within the Helping Professions
The symposium panel brings together African-American faculty mentors and African-American student mentees. The first part of the presentation will focus on mentoring types and the developmental course of mentor relationships: initiation, maintenance, and termination of mentor relationships. Grounded within a minority stress theoretical model, attention will be focused on the introspective work that is necessary in order for African-American faculty to be effective mentors. This will be followed by an examination of how the goals and expectations of African-American mentees shape and mold African-American helping professions-in-training. Following this didactic component, the presentation will shift to a dialogue between African-American faculty mentors and African-American mentees about graduate school training, graduation, and the workplace. Finally, the audience will be encouraged to join this dialogue.
Carlton Parks, PhD, is a Professor and Campus Program Director in the Programs in School and Educational Psychology in the Hufstedler School of Education at Alliant International University, Los Angeles. Dr. Parks is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and a Fellow of 5 divisions of APA: 9, 27, 35, 44 & 45.
A chance to lead: How women entrepreneurs are creating new models of leadership
The rising phenomenon of women's entrepreneurial success is creating new pathways and legitimacy for women leadership at the strategic and top management level at an accelerating rate on a global scale. This presentation will explore the research on women entrepreneurs with a view to understanding what are some of the distinct approaches prevalent in women entrepreneurship and what are the implications and significance for women leadership models in every type of organization. Louise Kelly edited the two-volume book on women entrepreneurship with 47 co-authors and 30 chapters based on empirical data. The findings from this book and other research will be highlighted in this presentation.
Dr. Louise Kelly is a professor of Strategy and Program Director at the School of Management at Alliant International University in San Diego, California. She specializes in international strategic leadership research- looking at entrepreneurial top management team leadership in developing countries and women leadership. Dr. Kelly has consulted for firms in Canada, US, Mexico, Kenya and Vietnam.. She also co-wrote “A Dictionary of Strategy: Strategic Management A-Z” (Sage 2004) “The Psychologist Manager: Success Models for Psychologists in Executive Positions” (2012, Hogrefe) as well as her latest an edited two volume set for Praeger entitled, “Entrepreneurial Women: New Leadership and Management Models” recently released.
Joy Pillay is Managerial Director and CEO of LJ Pillay & Associates and a graduate from La Sierra University, holding an MBA in Management, Law and Policy. She is currently a PhD in Leadership candidate at Alliant International University. Joy’s extensive professional interest and experience include management, customer relations, organizational behavior, law and policy and research in leadership and women entrepreneurs. In her spare time, Joy loves cooking, interior design and traveling with her husband.
Jessica Evers Killebrew, PsyD is a graduate of the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, San Diego and is a psychotherapist practicing mindfulness based therapy and coaching. Dr. Killebrew hosts the Mindful Mama Sangha and is a cofounder of the MindBodyMama, an online forum offering mindfulness-based courses and resources for parenting and child development.
Addressing Life Balance Needs for Mothers with Young Children: A Mindfulness Program
Women in the United States are increasingly challenged to find a balance between work and motherhood especially in their children’s early years due to lack of public support for childcare and adequate family leave. The U.S. lags behind other developed nations in supporting mothers and young children through paid family leave or subsidized childcare or early childcare education. Working mothers with young children are at risk for significant stress, as they must balance both necessary their infant attachment needs, and career demands. This presentation will describe the formation and experiences of a mindfulness practice and support group for mothers and their young children and present mindful parenting. This mindfulness practice and support group was formed by two mothers and mindfulness practitioners and teachers. The "Mindful Mama Sangha" has online social media members and in person members. The experiential program will be described and discussed in the context of mindful parenting and practice.
Marina Dorian, PhD, is an Associate Professor at the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, San Diego teaching courses in Integrative Psychology, Family Therapy and Mindfulness. Dr. Dorian has studied the positive impact of a course on mindfulness on students’ behavior and well-being and promotes the inclusion of mindfulness into clinical training. She currently teaches meditation at the Alliant International University Health Center. Dr. Dorian has been a member and co-facilitator of a local sangha/meditation group and holds a Mindfulness Training Certificate from the Deerpark Monastery and the European Institute of Applied Buddhism.
Creating Meaningful Connections: Using the Arts to Build Empathy Amongst Community Members
This presentation will provide information about fun, educational activities that motivate participants of all ages to take action in their community to help others in need. The activities are centered in the arts, including: performance art, puppetry, and poetry. The presenters will discuss their experience designing and implementing programs that address weighty subjects such as homelessness, at-risk youth, and caring for our earth in an empathetic, interactive and age-appropriate way.
Jenny Gillett facilitates the Skirball’s award-winning Build A Better World School Program; which invites kindergarten through second grade students the opportunity to participate in projects that partner with various community organizations. The program begins at Skirball, and continues in the classroom and community; with a focus on teaching students and museum guests to build empathy, learn the value of collaboration, and develop a sense of responsibility. Jenny is also pursuing her master’s degree in educational theatre for colleges and communities at New York University, Steinhardt.
Nina Silver facilitates and creates public programs and performances geared primarily towards families and very young visitors for the Skirball’s school programs, and for the Noah’s Ark exhibit. These performances help create awareness and empathy toward the larger community, and are presented at an age-appropriate level.
Treating Men who have Completed Life Sentences: Family Systems and Attachment-Based Guidelines
The presentation aims to advance the attachment and systemic modalities for the treatment of men transitioning out of the prison system who have served life sentences. This population often has a history of murdering significant others and struggles with readjusting to the complexity of human relationships. Having survived in a prison microcosm that reinforces distrust, manipulation, and evasiveness they are at risk for reoffending. This is exacerbated for ex-lifers who have spent decades engaging in this system, and may have lost all familial connections. As they transition from prison into a transitional rehabilitation residential program, they must learn the social tools necessary to maintain healthy relationships and to re-enter society. Unfortunately, clinicians lack integrated guidelines to assist incarcerated men in the development of stable family and peer relational skills and security-based intimacy. Research shows that Family systems theory (FST) and attachment theory (AT) share theoretical foundations and complement one another. These theories emphasize that developing security and trust enhances emotional regulation and reduces emotional volatility. Strengthening connection and trust, the underlying premise of attachment theory, is rooted in FST principles. We draw upon this extensive research to provide a pragmatic outline for clinical applications.
Jeremy Arzt graduated Alliant International University in August 2014. As a student trainee, he worked at HealthRight360, a residential program for men transitioning out of prison, utilizing individual, family and group therapy modalities. Based on his work he was hired post-graduation at HealthRight360, where he is now a full-time mental health therapist. He is now an adjunct faculty at Alliant University- Irvine.
