Speakers | Transdisciplinary Workshops

Thomas Armstrong, Ph.D.

Barbara Baum Freethy, M.Ed.

Susan Baum, Ph.D.

Margaret Bauman, Ph.D.

Phyllis Booth, Ph.D.

Deb Dana, LCSW

Ellen B. Braaten, Ph.D.

Rich Brooks

Robert Brooks, Ph.D.

Anne Buckley-Reen, OTR, RYT

Pamela J. Crooke, PhD, CCC-SLP

Peg Dawson, Ed.D.

David Finch

Michelle Garcia Winner, MA, CCC-SLP

Ross W. Greene, Ph.D.

Dan Hughes, Ph.D.

Gregory Keck, Ph.D.

Robert Kinscherff, Ph.D.

Linda S. Grigel MHP, PA-C, CCH

Irwin Krieger, LCSW

Rick Lavoie, Ph.D.

Lynn Lyons, LICSW

Marilee Marrinan, BCPP, CST, BS Ed

Dean Mooney, PhD

Maryellen Rooney Moreau, M.Ed. CCC-SLP

Shana Nichols, Ph.D.

William Nordling, Ph.D.

John M. Ortiz, Ph.D.

John J. Ratey, M.D.

Richard Schwartz, Ph.D.

Larry Silver, MD

Linda Kreger Silverman , Ph.D.

Rachel Simmons, Ph.D.

Bodhi Simpson, LCPC, ATR

Sherry Shellenberger, OTR and Mary Sue Williams, OTR

Bruce St. Thomas, Ed.D.

Martha B. Straus, Ph.D.

Sean Sweeney, M.Ed., CCC-SLP

Dr. Michael Thompson

Sarah Ward, M.S., CCC/SLP

Carol Gray

Jonathan Mooney, B.A.

Shelley Cohen Konrad, Ph.D.

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Thomas Armstrong, Ph.D. is the Executive Director of the American Institute for Learning and Human Development, and an award-winning author and speaker who has been an educator for the past forty years.

Over one million copies of his books are in print on issues related to learning and human development. He is the author of fifteen books including:

Neurodiversity in the Classroom: Strength-Based Strategies to Help Students with Special Needs Achieve Success in School and Life,

Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom 3rd Edition,

In Their Own Way,

Awakening Your Child’s Natural Genius,

7 Kinds of Smart,

The Myth of the A.D.D. Child,

The Power of Neurodiversity: Unleashing the Advantages of Your Differently Wired Brain,

The Best Schools: How Human Development Research Should Inform Educational Practice,

The Human Odyssey: Navigating the Twelve Stages of Life,

ADD/ADHD Alternatives in the Classroom,

Awakening Genius in the Classroom

His books have been translated in over eighty foreign editions into twenty-six languages, including Spanish, Chinese, Hebrew, Danish, and Russian. He has written for Ladies Home Journal, Family Circle (where he received awards from the Educational Press Association, and the National Association of Secondary School Principals), Parenting (where he was a regularly featured columnist for four years), Mothering (where he was a contributing editor) and over thirty other periodicals, journals, and edited books.

He has appeared on several national and international television and radio programs, including NBC’s “The Today Show,” “CBS This Morning,” “CNN,” the “BBC” and “The Voice of America.” Articles featuring his work have appeared in The New York Times,The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, USA Today, Investor’s Business Daily, Good Housekeeping, and hundreds of other newspapers and magazines around the country.

Dr. Armstrong has given over 900 keynotes, workshop presentations, and lectures in 43 states and 23 countries in the past twenty-seven years. He is a member of the American Psychological Association, the National Speakers Association, the Authors Guild, and ASCD.

Workshops presented:

Barbara Baum Freethy, M.Ed., is a social cognitive therapist in private practice in Portland, Maine. She specializes in working with children and adults with social/cognitive diversity, most particularly, with challenging, inflexible behavior and social learning challenges. This includes individual, group and parent training related to ADD/ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Sensory Integration Issues, Nonverbal Learning Disabilities, Learning Differences and Twice Exceptionality (Gifted Children with Special Needs).

Barbara’s particular interest is in working with children and families using the Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) Model, developed by Ross Greene, PhD. She is a certified provider

and trainer of the model. Barbara received the Lives in the Balance Trailblazer Award in 2013.

“No one’s done more to advance Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) and other collaborative, proactive, non-punitive, non-adversarial, relationship-enhancing interventions in Maine (and lots of other places) than Barbara, and the kids and caregivers of the State owe her a tremendous debt of gratitude”, said Ross Greene.

Barbara has also completed intensive training with Michelle Garcia Winner, CCC-SLP, in

Social Thinking. She incorporates this curriculum along with the CPS model in her group

work with children and adults.

She also uses expressive therapy techniques in her individual sessions with clients. Most particularly, she is committed to the use of paper folding (geometric origami) as a means of building intellectual, creative, fine motor and social/relational abilities.

Through her conference business, Transdisciplinary Workshops, Inc., Barbara has been bringing renowned speakers to Maine for the past 17 years and has organized over 150 continuing education workshops. In addition, Barbara has presented numerous lectures and trainings in the New England area on topics related to her work. Her most recent trainings are

focused on Understanding the Social – Cognitive Connection, and the Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS) Model.

May 9, 2014 – Parenting Challenging Children Portland, Maine
April 12, 2013 – Understanding The Social And Emotional Complexity Of Girls With Aspergers And Related Challenges with Michelle Garcia Winner, Shana Nichols and Barbara Baum Freethy – Danvers, Massachusetts
March 30, 2012 – Bridging Mind To Soul: Opening Into The Spiritual Nature Of Children with Bruce St. Thomas, Marilee Marrinan and Barbara Baum Freethy – Portland, Maine
May 18, 2012 – Understanding The Social Cognitive Connection: A Workshop For Parents Of Kids With Social Learning Challenges – Portland, Maine
February 29, 2008 – Using the Collaborative Problem Solving Approach: A Workshop for Parents of Challenging Children – Freeport, Maine

November 7, 2008 – Using the Collaborative Problem Solving Approach: A Workshop for Parents of Challenging Children – Freeport, Maine
June 9 & 10, 2003 – Early Indicators of Learning Difficulties in Young Children 3 – 5 Years of Age: Assessment and Treatment Strategies – Freeport, Maine
May 18, 2001 – Comprehensive Developmental Evaluation: of Children Birth to Five – Freeport, Maine
March 31, 2001 – Developmental Evaluation of Preschool Children Using the Mullen Scales of Early Learning – Freeport, Maine
September 21-22, 1998 – Assessing Young Children using the Mullen Scales of Early Learning – Freeport, Maine
December 4, 1996 – Assessing Young Children (Birth to Five) using the Mullen Scales of Early Learning – Freeport, Maine

Susan Baum, Ph.D. is co-director of the International Center for Talent Development and Director of Professional Development at Bridges Academy. Professor Emeritus from The College of New Rochelle, Dr. Baum is well known for her seminal work in the education of twice exceptional children and has published extensively on the topic.

Dr. Baum is an international consultant and an inspirational speaker whose extensive experiences in promoting achievement for bright youngsters at risk make her presentations both practical and theoretically sound.

Dr. Baum has served on the Board of Directors of the National Association for Gifted Students and is past president and co- founder of the Association for the Education of Gifted Underachieving Students. She is recipient of the Weinfeld Group’s Life-time Achievement Award for her work in educating the twice exceptional child.

Publications:

To Be Gifted and Learning Disabled: Strategies for Helping Bright Students with LD, ADHD, and More (co-authored with Steve Owen) 2004
Twice Exceptional and Special Populations of Gifted Students – 2004
Multiple Intelligences in the Elementary Classroom: A Teacher’s Toolkit (co-authored with Julie Viens and Barbara Slatin) – 2005

November 2, 2012 – Instructional Strategies For The Twice Exceptional Child – Portland, Maine
December 9, 2011 – Twice Exceptional Children – Portland, Maine

Dr. Margaret Bauman is a pioneer in the study and treatment of Autism and is highly respected by her fellow clinicians and patients for the level of clinical care she provides and the advances that she has contributed to in the field. Dr. Bauman is a Neurologist and specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of Autism and various neurological disorders in children, adolescents, and adults to include learning and developmental disabilities, seizures, cerebral palsy, and neurogenetic disorders.Dr Bauman is the founding director of the LURIE CENTER, formally called LADDERS (Learning and Developmental Disabilities Evaluation and Rehabilitation Services) where she founded the first multi-disciplinary evaluation and treatment center for children. Dr. Bauman also established The Autism Research Foundation (TARF), The Autism Research Consortium (TARC), and The Autism Treatment Network (ATN).

Dr. Bauman has maintained a strong clinical dimension to her varied career, and her dedication to her patients continues to be at the heart of the strong following that her families profess. She has selected our agency among all of her options as we share her vision of the integrated model and commitment to patient care. ICCD, our patients, and their families are fortunate to have her among us and will benefit greatly from her expertise, resources, and continued contributions to the field.

Dr. Bauman made significant laboratory research contributions in the neuroanatomical understanding of Autism. She mapped the first differences between a typical brain and a brain with autism. Her discovery demonstrated for the first time that autism was related to abnormalities of brain development and not to poor parenting. Until her discovery, autism had actually been blamed on the “refrigerator mother” – a term that suspected the child’s disability was a result of his/her parent’s emotional coldness.

November 6, 1995 – Children with Difficult Behaviors: Treatment & Management in the Home & Classroom

Phyllis Booth

Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor

Is Clinical Director Emeritus of The Theraplay Institute in Evanston, Illinois. Phyllis began her career working with children and parents as a nursery school teacher. In 1967, she was among the first group of psychological consultants to the Head Start program in Chicago, where she began her long collaboration with Ann Jernberg developing the Theraplay method. She helped develop the theoretical underpinnings for Theraplay, and the structure and content of Theraplay training and certification practicum. In 2010, she rewrote and published the third edition of Theraplay: Helping Parents and Children Build Better Relationships Through Attachment-Based Play. Phyllis is the 2003 recipient of the Ann M. Jernberg award for outstanding contribution to Theraplay.

Deb Dana, LCSW is a clinician and consultant specializing in working with complex trauma. She is a consultant to the Traumatic Stress Research Consortium in the Kinsey Institute and Clinical Advisor to Khiron Clinics. She developed the Rhythm of Regulation Clinical Training Series and lectures internationally on ways Polyvagal Theory informs work with trauma survivors. Deb is the author of The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy: Engaging the Rhythm of Regulation, Polyvagal Exercises for Safety and Connection (forthcoming from Norton), creator of The Polyvagal Flip Chart, and co-edited, with Stephen Porges, Clinical Applications of the Polyvagal Theory: The Emergence of Polyvagal-Informed Therapies.

Workshops Presented:

November 6, 2020 – Navigating the Nervous System: A Polyagal Theory Guided Approach to Therapy – Online

Dr. Ellen Braaten is the Director of the Learning and Emotional Assessment Program (LEAP) at Massachusetts General Hospital and the Associate Director of The MGH Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds. She is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School. She has been affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital since 1998. Dr. Braaten is widely recognized as an expert in the field of pediatric neuropsychological and psychological assessment, particularly in the areas of assessing learning disabilities and attentional disorders. She is the co-author of Straight Talk about Psychological Testing for Kids, a book that has become a classic for parents and professionals. She has also written The Child Clinician’s Report Writing Handbook, which has been called “the most comprehensive child assessment handbook available.” Dr. Braaten also published Finding the Right Mental Health Care for Your Child in 2009 and her newest book, Bright Kids Who Can’t Keep Up was published in 2014. Dr. She is also frequently asked to write articles for parenting and consumer publications and maintains an active speaking schedule.

Workshops Presented:

November 29, 2016 – Bright Kids Who Can’t Keep Up: Helping Your Child Overcome Slow Processing Speed, and Succeed in a Fast-Paced World – Freeport, Maine

Rich Brooks is founder and president of flyte new media, a Web design and Internet marketing firm in Portland, Maine. His monthly flyte log email newsletter and company blog focus on Web marketing topics such as search engine optimization, blogs, social media, email marketing, and building Web sites that sell.

He is a co-founder of Social Media FTW, an organization putting on conferences and events to educate small businesses and non-profits about the power of social media marketing.

He is a nationally recognized speaker on blogging, internet marketing and social media. He is the “tech guru” on WCSH Channel 6’s evening news show, 207, and teaches Web marketing and social media courses for entrepreneurs at the University of Southern Maine’s Center for Continuing Education.

March 11, 2011 – Expanding Your Mental Health Practice Through Web Marketing – Portland, Maine

Dr. Robert Brooks is on the faculty of Harvard Medical School and has served as the Director of Psychology at McLean Hospital. He has a part-time clinical practice and has lectured and written extensively on the themes of motivation, self-esteem, self-discipline, parenting, family relationships, hope, and resilience.

Among his books, he is the author of The Self-Esteem Teacher and co-author of Raising Resilient Children; Nurturing Resilience in Our Children; and The Power of Resilience: Achieving Balance, Confidence, and Personal Strength in Your Life, which focuses on resilience in adults.

March 26, 1999 – Working with Children & Adolescents: Enhancing Self-Esteem and Managing Resistance – Freeport, Maine
March 11, 2005 – Working with Youth and Adults: Strategies to Foster Hope and Resilience in Others and Ourselves – Freeport, Maine
April 7, 2006 – Working with Angry, Resistant Youth: Strategies for Fostering Motivation, Self-Discipline, and Resilience – Freeport, Maine

This new and exciting course is taught by dynamic presenter and yoga instructor, Anne Buckley Reen, OTR, RYT. She is the author of the clinically popular S.A.N.E. Approach which she presented in a two day workshop for Transdisciplinary Workshops in May, 2006. Anne has spent the past 7 years using therapeutic yoga to address her clients goals with great success. She has implemented individualized classroom yoga programs in both regular education and special education settings. Her experience with implementing yoga at home and school programs is incorporated into this new 2 day course. Appropriate for the seasoned therapist, yoga instructor or motivated beginner, this course will inspire, energize and organize your approach to learning about and implementing therapeutic yoga with your clients. Anne also lectures nationally on topics related to development, sleep, nutrition and school based therapy techniques.

May 10-11, 2007 – Yoga for the Child with Developmental Challenges Including Autism, ADHD, Learning Disabilities, and Anxiety Disorders – Yarmouth, Maine
May 18-19, 2006 – The Whole Child: The S.A.N.E. System of Pediatric Assessment and Treatment – Freeport, Maine

Pam Crooke is the senior therapist at Social Thinking and part of the social-cognitive team, as well as a faculty member of San Jose State University in San Jose, CA. She authored, with Michelle Garcia Winner, “Socially Curious and Curiously Social”, a new guidebook for teenagers and new adults and “You Are a Social Detective”, a comic book curriculum for younger kids.

Pam has presented on Social Thinking and on autism spectrum disorders- nationally and internationally. Previously, she coordinated the interdisciplinary clinical services at the Autism Extension Clinic within the Tucson Alliance for Autism in Arizona. Her area of expertise is treatment-efficacy in social and relational therapies for individuals with Asperger syndrome and high-functioning autism. Pam has remained a direct service provider for children and adults with autism for over 16 years.

May 12, 2011 – Social Thinking: Transitioning Into Adulthood And Living As An Adult with Michelle Garcia Winner and Pamela Crooke – Freeport, Maine
May 13, 2011 – Social Thinking: Good Intentions Aren’t Good Enough! Michelle Garcia Winner and Pamela Crooke – Freeport, Maine

Peg Dawson received her doctorate in school/child clinical from the University of Virginia. She worked as a school psychologist for 16 years in Maine and New Hampshire, and, for the past 18 years has worked at the Center for Learning and Attention Disorders in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where she specializes in the assessment of children and adults with learning and attention disorders.

Along with her colleague, Dr. Richard Guare,she has authored several books, including a book for professionals, Executive Skills in Children and Adolescents: A Practical Guide to Assessment and Intervention (recently revised) as well as a book for parents, Smart but Scattered.

She is a past president of both the National Association of School Psychologists and the International School Psychology Association. She is also the 2006 recipient of NASP’s Lifetime Achievement Award and a 2010 recipient of the International School Psychology Association Distinguished Services Award.

November 4, 2011 – Coaching Intervention To Support Executive Skill Development – Portland, Maine
October 29, 2010 – Smart But Scattered: Executive Dysfunction at Home and at School – Freeport, Maine

David Finch is a humorist and author of the acclaimed New York Times best-selling memoir, The Journal Of Best Practices.

Married in 2003 and diagnosed 5 years later with Asperger syndrome, David has committed himself to relentless self-improvement, sometimes to a comical extent. A former semiconductor engineer turned full-time writer and speaker, David has written for the New York Times, Huffington Post, and Slate, and writes a relationship blog for Psychology Today. But his greatest accomplishment by far has been learning how to thrive as a family man.

At the podium, David brings his story to life through narrative that both inspires and entertains. With a comedian’s wit, affective storytelling, a long list of endearing quirks, and surprising wisdom, David shares his journey from the world’s most trying husband who tries the most – a journey that taught him how to live a successful, fulfilling life, and even how to fold laundry without being asked.

His messages range from the transformative power of love, understanding, guidance, and adaptability in any relationship, to living a fulfilling life with an autism spectrum condition, to thriving in what he describes as a “neurologically-mixed marriage.” While sharing hilarious and moving anecdotes from his life, David provides his audiences with invaluable, fresh insights into their own. Rich with wisdom and life-changing lessons for anyone motived to succeed – be it in their career, their marriage, or any aspect of life – David’s talks lend a message of hope and inspiration from which anyone can benefit.

February 1 – “Oh, You Need Me To Pay Attention?”: Classroom Perspective from a Deceptively Remarkable Student – Portland, Maine
October 11, 2013 – “So Are We Supposed To Hug Now?”: Strategies for Thriving in Neurologically Mixed Relationships with David & Kristen Finch – Portland, Maine
October 12, 2013 – Square Pegs: The Gift Of Being Different, A Workshop For Teens With Aspergers And Related Social/Cognitive Diversity – Portland, Maine

Michelle Garcia Winner is a speech language pathologist (SLP) who specializes in the treatment of students with social learning disabilities at the Social Thinking Center, her clinic in San Jose, California. It was her interest in autism while attending the University of California, Santa Barbara, in 1979 that became the catalyst for becoming an SLP.

She coined the term “Social Thinking®” in the mid-1990s and continued to evolve the Social Thinking framework that today includes information, vocabulary, curriculum, and strategies that help individuals with social learning challenges become better social thinkers. Her years of experience demonstrated that lessons taught through Social Thinking could apply across a range of disorders that extended well beyond ASD, to individuals with ADHD, nonverbal learning challenges, as well as those with head injuries or emotional learning challenges.

The heart of Michelle’s work is illuminating the often elusive and intangible world of Social Thinking, and developing practical strategies that can be easily used by parents, educators, and service providers across different environments. Teaching “social skills” is not enough – individuals with social-cognitive challenges must learn the why and the how of their own and others’ abilities to process social information – a capacity that for most of us is intuitive, but needs to be explicitly taught to individuals who enter this world with a brain that does not process social information in the same way. The strength of Michelle’s work is her ability to break down the research and abstract concepts and create concrete ways to reach and teach this growing population of children and adults – to give them the chance to develop real social skills they can fluidly use across environments. Her approach led GreatSchools.org, a leading national nonprofit organization, to call Michelle, “…the leading expert in the field of social skills.”

Michelle has published many books:

Inside Out: What Makes The Person With Social Cognitive Deficits Tick? (2001)
Thinking About You Thinking About Me (2002)
Social Thinking Across the Home and School Day (video/DVD) (2003)
Worksheets! for Teaching Social Thinking and Related Skills (2005)
Strategies for Organization Preparing for Homework and the Real World (DVD) (2005)
Think Social! A Social Thinking Curriculum for School-Age Children (2005)
Social Behavior Mapping Connecting Behavior, Emotions and Consequences Across the Day (2007)

April 12, 2013 – Understanding The Social And Emotional Complexity Of Girls With Aspergers And Related Challenges with Michelle Garcia Winner, Shana Nichols and Barbara Baum Freethy – Danvers, Massachusetts
May 12, 2011 – Social Thinking: Transitioning Into Adulthood And Living As An Adult with Michelle Garcia Winner and Pamela Crooke – Freeport, Maine
May 13, 2011 – Social Thinking: Good Intentions Aren’t Good Enough! Michelle Garcia Winner and Pamela Crooke – Freeport, Maine
April 29-30, 2010 – Social Thinking Across the Home and School Day: The ILAUGH Model of Social Thinking – Freeport, Maine
May 13-14, 2010 – Social Thinking Across the Home and School Day, – Holyoke, Massachusetts
April 2, 2009 – Looking Into the Mind of ASD and Like Disabilities: How Informal Assessment, Mental Health & Adult Transition Issues Links to Practical Program Development – Freeport, Maine
April 3, 2009 – Social Thinking and The Social Cognitive Classroom: Advanced Strategy – Freeport, Maine
May 13, 2008 –Teaching Beyond the Think Social! Curriculum – Freeport, Maine
May 14, 2008 – Organizing Strategies to Prepare for Homework and the Real World: A Team Approach – Freeport, Maine
March 22-23, 2007 – Exploring Perspective Taking and a Social Thinking Curriculum – Freeport, Maine
October 20-21, 2005 – Social Thinking Across the Home and School Day: Treatment Strategies for Children with Social Cognitive Deficits including Asperger’s, Autism, PDD, NLD, ADHD – Freeport, Maine

Ross W. Greene, Ph.D., is the originator of the Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) model, as articulated in his books The Explosive Child and Lost at School. He is also the founding director of the non-profit Lives in the Balance, which aims to disseminate the CPS model through no-cost web-based programming and to advocate on behalf of behaviorally challenging kids and their parents, teachers, and other caregivers.

Dr. Greene was on the faculty at Harvard Medical School for over 20 years, and is now adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Virginia Tech. Dr. Greene has authored numerous articles, chapters, and scientific papers on the effectiveness of the CPS model, the classification of and outcomes in youth with social, emotional, and behavioral challenges, and student-teacher compatibility.

His research has been funded by, among others, the Stanley Research Institute, the National Institute on Drug Abuse/National Institutes of Mental Health, the U.S. Department of Education, and the Maine Juvenile Justice Advisory Group.

Dr. Greene consults extensively to families, general and special education schools, inpatient and residential facilities, and systems of juvenile detention, and lectures widely throughout the world.

Workshops Presented:

July 10-12, 2019 – Collaborative And Proactive Solutions: Advanced Training in Dr. Greene’s Model For Understanding and Helping Behaviorally Challenging Kids – Portland, Maine
October 11-12, 2018 – Collaborative And Proactive Solutions: Advanced Training in Dr. Greene’s Model For Understanding and Helping Behaviorally Challenging Kids – Portland, Oregon
July 11-13, 2018 – Collaborative And Proactive Solutions: Advanced Training in Dr. Greene’s Model For Understanding and Helping Behaviorally Challenging Kids – Portland, Maine
July 12-14, 2017 – Collaborative And Proactive Solutions: Advanced Training in Dr. Greene’s Model For Understanding and Helping Behaviorally Challenging Kids – Portland, Maine
February 2-3, 2017 – Collaborative And Proactive Solutions: Advanced Training in Dr. Greene’s Model For Understanding and Helping Behaviorally Challenging Kids – Portland, Oregon

July 11-13, 2016 – Collaborative And Proactive Solutions: Advanced Training in Dr. Greene’s Model For Understanding and Helping Behaviorally Challenging Kids – Portland, Maine
March 11, 2016 – Collaborative And Proactive Solutions: Understanding and Helping Students with Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Challenges – Portland, Oregon
July 29-31, 2015 – Solving Problems Collaboratively: Advanced Training In Dr. Greene’s Model For Understanding And Helping Behaviorally Challenging Kids – Portland, Maine
July 9-11, 2014 – Solving Problems Collaboratively: Advanced Training In Dr. Greene’s Model For Understanding And Helping Behaviorally Challenging Kids – Portland, Maine
July 10-12, 2013 – Solving Problems Collaboratively: Advanced Training In Dr. Greene’s Model For Understanding And Helping Behaviorally Challenging Kids – Portland, Maine
May 4, 2012 – The Collaborative Problem Solving Approach: Understanding And Helping Behaviorally Challenging Kids – Kansas City, Kansas
July 11-13, 2012 – Advanced Training In Collaborative Problem Solving: Treatment Of Kids With Social, Emotional And Behavioral Challenges – Portland, Maine
October 12, 2012 – The Collaborative Problem Solving Approach: Understanding And Helping Behaviorally Challenging Kids – Burlington, Vermont
April 6, 2011 – The Collaborative Problem Solving Approach: Understanding and Helping Behavioral Challenging Kids – Portland, Maine
August 3-5, 2011 – Level I Advanced Training: The Collaborative Problem Solving Approach – Portland, Maine
October 7, 2011 – The Collaborative Problem Solving Approach: Understanding And Helping Behavioral Challenging Kids – Freeport, Maine
November 17, 2011 – Parenting Challenging Kids: The Collaborative Problem Solving Approach – Camden, Maine
February 5, 2010 – Parenting Challenging Kids: The Collaborative Problem Solving Approach – Portland, Maine
July 7-9, 2010 – Level I Advanced Training: The Collaborative Problem Solving Approach Portland, Maine
July 14-16, 2010 – Level II Advanced Training: The Collaborative Problem Solving Approach – Portland, Maine
January 30, 2009 – Collaborative Problem Solving: Rethinking Challenging Kids and Transforming School Discipline – Freeport, Maine
July 29-31, 2009 – Level I Advanced Training: The Collaborative Problem Solving Approach – Freeport, Maine
August 19-2, 2009 – Level II Advanced Training: The Collaborative Problem Solving Approach – Portland, Maine
October 26, 2009 – Collaborative Problem Solving: Rethinking Challenging Kids and Transforming School Discipline – Concord, New Hampshire
February 11, 2005 – The Collaborative Problem Solving Approach: Treatment for Explosive Noncompliant Children and Adolescents – Freeport, Maine
September 30, 2005 – The Collaborative Problem Solving Approach: Treatment for Explosive Noncompliant Children and Adolescents – Freeport, Maine
October 14, 2005 – The Collaborative Problem Solving Approach: Treatment for Explosive Noncompliant Children and Adolescents – Concord, New Hampshire
October 27, 2005 – The Collaborative Problem Solving Approach: Treatment for Explosive Noncompliant Children and Adolescents – Freeport, Maine
February 27, 2004 – Explosive/Noncompliant Children and Adolescents: Implementing the Collaborative Problem Solving Approach – Portland, Maine
February 3, 2003 – Explosive/Noncompliant Children and Adolescents: Implementing the Collaborative Problem Solving Approach – Augusta, Maine
September 12, 2003 – Explosive/Noncompliant Children and Adolescents: Implementing the Collaborative Problem Solving Approach – Bangor, Maine
December 15, 2000 – Treating Explosive and Noncompliant Children and Adolescents: An Advanced Training – South Portland, Maine

Dan Hughes, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist with a limited practice in South Portland, Maine. He founded and developed Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP), the treatment of children who have experienced abuse and neglect and who demonstrate ongoing problems related to attachment and trauma. This treatment occurs in a family setting and the treatment model has expanded to become a general model of family treatment. He has spent over 40 years helping children and youth reach their full potential and reconnect with others in their lives.

Dan has conducted seminars, workshops, spoken at conferences and guest lectured throughout the US, Europe, Canada, and Australia over the past 18 years. He is also engaged in extensive training and supervision in the certification of therapists in his treatment model, along with ongoing consultation to various agencies and professionals. He is a member of the American Psychological Association. He is also president of the Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy Institute (DDPI) which is responsible for the certification of professionals in DDP.

Dan has authored many books including Attachment-Focused Parenting (2009), Attachment-Focused Family Therapy Workbook (2011) and, with Jon Baylin, Brain-Based Parenting (2012) and The Neurobiology of Attachment-Focused Therapy (2016).

Gregory C. Keck, Ph.D., was the founder and director of the Attachment & Bonding Center of Ohio. He was an internationally known psychologist and trainer who addresses the issues of trauma, adoption, and post-adoption challenges.

He provided attachment therapy for adoptive families whose children have experienced serious early childhood maltreatment prior to adoption. In 2012, he received the National Association of Social Workers State of Ohio Lifetime Achievement Award. He was the parent of two sons who were adopted in adolescence.

“The adoption and attachment world lost one of the greats with the death of Dr. Greg Keck, author of Adopting the Hurt Child and Parenting the Hurt Child. He died of a heart attack and left us way too soon. I am blessed to have been able to interview him on the Creating a Family radio show several time. Not only was he wise, he was also funny and refreshingly frank. I can’t recommend these shows enough. It is so good to hear his voice once again.” – from Creating A Family

April 25, 1995 – Treatment of the Hurt Adoptive Child – Brunswick, Maine

April 25, 1996 – Treatment of the Hurt Adoptive Child: Diagnosing and Treating Attachment and Bonding Difficulties – Brunswick, Maine

June 27, 1997- Emotional Development: Issues in Treating The Multi-Placed Adolescent – Augusta, Maine

Robert Kinscherff, PhD, JD is Faculty in the Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology (forensic psychology, Concentration in Children and Families of Adversity and Resilience) and Associate Vice President for Community Engagement at William James College. He is also the 2015-2016 Senior Fellow in Law & Applied Neuroscience at CLBB and The Petrie-Flom Center for Health Law Policy, Biotechnology, and Bioethics at Harvard Law School. He is also Senior Associate at the National Center for Mental Health and Juvenile Justice. Dr. Kinscherff has held various government, teaching, professional service, and policy advisory/development positions, reﬂecting interests in clinical and forensic practice with juvenile and adult offenders, risk assessment and management, ideologically-motivated violence, and the developmental impact of childhood exposures to adversity and trauma.

Linda S. Grigel MHP, PA-C, CCH practices Integrative Medicine at Fal River Health Center in Falmouth, Maine. Her extensive background in medical and homeopathic education includes degrees in Physician Assistant, Master’s Health Profession, B.S. in Occupational Therapy and Diploma in Advanced Clinical Homeopathy.

Lindy’s interest in integrative medicine extends beyond the walls of Fal River Health Center. She was a homeopathic consultant to an NIH grant for the Maine Medical Center Family Practice Residency Program, and continues to be an active member in the MMC Department of Integrative Medicine. She mentors Family Medicine and Pediatric residents as well as participating in Integrative Medical rounds. Lindy consults to the advisory board of Birth Roots where she supports their mission of parenting with connection, communication, and community.

A frequent lecturer to the greater Portland medical community, Lindy has addressed The University of New England Osteopathic Medical School, University of Southern Maine School of Occupational Therapy, Maine Medical Center’s Department of Family Medicine, Easter Seal Pre-School, among others.

The wisdom gained from Lindy’s 37+ years of clinical experience is the basis for the workshop, A Mandala of Integrative Health. She has presented to medical providers, educators and parents across the US and internationally. She is well known for her unique ability to bond with people of all ages from every walk of life.

Workshops Presented:

March 3, 2017 – A Mandala of Integrative Health: A Creative Approach in Clinical Practice – Portland, Maine

Irwin Krieger, LCSW, is a clinical social worker who has provided psychotherapy in a private practice setting for LGBT individuals, couples and families for over 30 years. A graduate of Yale with an MSW from UConn, he was also on the mental health team at AIDS Project New Haven from 2004 to 2015. Irwin has worked extensively with transgender teens and adults and their families. He was a 2013 recipient of the New Haven Pride Center’s Dorothy Award, for his service to the LGBT community in New Haven.

With the goal of expanding the base of knowledgeable providers for transgender individuals and their families, Irwin provides training for mental health and health care professionals, as well as

school personnel. He has presented at the World Professional Association for Transgender Health Symposium in Atlanta, the U.S. Professional Association for Transgender Health Symposium in Los Angeles, the Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference, the Maine Academy of Family Physicians, Yale University, Quinnipiac University, the University of Connecticut and the University of Hartford. Irwin was the keynote speaker at the GSA Summit at Eastern CT State University in the fall of 2011 and at the GeMS Conferences at Children’s Hospital in Boston in the fall of 2013 and the spring of 2015. From 2012 to 2016 he was a consultant for the Transgender Care Team at Yale Health Plan. Irwin Krieger is the author of Helping Your Transgender Teen: A Guide for Parents and Counseling Transgender Youth: The Essential Guide.

Workshops Presented:

November 13, 2017 – Transgender Youth: Evaluation and Family Therapy – Freeport, Maine

Rick Lavoie has served as an administrator of residential programs for children with special needs since 1972. He holds three degrees in Special Education and has served as an adjunct professor or visiting lecturer at numerous universities including Syracuse, Harvard, Gallaudet, Manhattanville College, University of Alabama and Georgetown.

His numerous national television appearances include CBS Morning Show, Good Morning America, ABC Evening News and Disney Channel Presents.

Rick serves as a consultant on Learning Disabilities to several agencies and organizations including Public Broadcasting Service, New York Times, National Center for Learning Disabilities, Girl Scouts of America, Child Magazine and WETA. He is a member of the Professional Advisor Board of the Learning Disabilities Association.

Rick has delivered his message to over 500,000 parents and professionals throughout North America. He has the distinction of having delivered Keynote Addresses for all three of the major special needs advocacy organizations in the United States (Learning Disabilities Association, Council for Exceptional Children, Children with Attention Deficit Disorder).

Rick has held administrative positions at residential programs for thirty years. These experiences at residential school have provided Rick with a “living laboratory” in which he developed and refined his methods and philosophies related to the education of adolescents with special needs.

Rick is probably best known for his videos “How Difficult Can This Be?: The F.A.T. City Workshop” and “Last One Picked, First One Picked On: The Social Implications of Learning Disabilities”. These award-winning films have brought Rick’s sensitive and compelling message to countless thousands throughout the world. After viewing the videos, former First Lady Barbara Bush stated, “You really wowed us! I only wish that every parent and teacher in the United States today could also see your program.”

Rick lives on Cape Cod with his wife.

December 8, 2006 – It’s So Much Work to Be Your Friend: Helping the Child with Learning Disabilities Find Social Success – Freeport, Maine

Lynn Lyons has been a psychotherapist for over 24 years and specializes in the treatment of anxious children and their parents, with a special interest in interrupting the generational pattern of worry in families.

She is the co-author with Reid Wilson of Anxious Kids, Anxious Parents: 7 Ways to Stop the Worry Cycle and Raise Courageous and Independent Children and the companion book Playing with Anxiety: Casey’s Guide for Teens and Kids and just released her third book, Using Hypnosis with Children: Creating and Designing Effective Interventions.

In addition to her private practice in Concord NH, she presents internationally to mental health and medical providers, educators, school nurses, and parents.

Workshops Presented:

February 9, 2018 – Teens, Anxiety and Depression: Active Strategies to Move Teens Forward – Portland, Maine
January 20, 2017 – OCD and the Family: Essential Strategies for Effective Treatment – Freeport, Maine
January 19, 2017 – How to Help Your Anxious Child: A Workshop for Parents – Freeport, Maine
May 19, 2016 – Preventing Anxiety and Depression – Portland, Maine
October 9, 2015 – How To Stop The Worry Cycle – Portland, Maine

Marilee Marrinan is currently owner-director of Sanctuary Holistic Health Center where she also has her holistic therapeutic private practice of over 20 years. Marilee specializes in the holistic care of, and integrative medicine for highly sensitive children, children with special needs and children who have been diagnosed with ADD, ADHD, Sensory-Integrative Disorder, Autism spectrum concerns, and anxiety-depression.

Her background working with children in the holistic health arena stems from over 20 years in education — special education, classroom teaching, early childhood education and administration where her focus was holistic education and learning. From 1985-1995 Marilee offered holistic learning to children through her learning center and program, Childlight, which included the expressive arts, yoga and movement, self-awareness activities and meditation/guided imagery helping children to develop their innate wholeness and to learn healthy living and management tools from an early age.

In 1992 Marilee, long time yoga student, teacher and meditator completed studies in various modalities of integrative and complimentary medicine including polarity therapy, cranial-sacral therapy, Bach Flower Remedy therapy and opened her private practice with the specific intention of assisting children and their families in wellness.

Over the past 20 years Marilee has supported hundreds of children and adults through the complementary holistic therapies she offers, and she has been a pioneer in sharing her work not only with children, but with parents, healthcare providers and educators.

Her passion for supporting children holistically– body, mind and spirit — continues to inspire, challenge, delight and fulfill her. Marilee holds the vision for a future world that embraces children as the most sacred priority of all.

March 17, 2015 – A Restorative Retreat for Parents of Intense Children – Falmouth, Maine
March 30, 2012 – Bridging Mind To Soul: Opening Into The Spiritual Nature Of Children with Bruce St. Thomas, Marilee Marrinan and Barbara Baum Freethy – Portland, Maine

Dr. Dean Mooney is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist – Doctorate and a Licensed School Psychologist in the state of Vermont. In addition, he is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist.

He is co-author of Nonverbal Learning Disabilities: A Guide to School Success (May 2006), Nonverbal Learning Disabilities: A Guide to School Success – The Teacher’s Manual (September 2007), A Train Ride to Grandma’s (With NO Chocolate Donut!) (September 2009), and A Snapshot of Me – A Student with NLD (Spring 2010).

Maple Leaf Clinic, founded by Dr. Dean Mooney, provides neuropsychological, educational, psychological, speech and language, and social thinking assessments of children, adolescents and adults. Therapy for people of all ages is provided. Our services also include social skills development (utilizing Relationship Development Intervention® and the Think Social! model), educational or clinical consultation, and professional development.

Maple Leaf Clinic is also proud to sponsor Camp Maple Leaf, a summer camp that caters to the social needs and relaxation skills of campers with Nonverbal Learning Disabilities, Asperger Syndrome, and High Functioning Autism.

Dr. Mooney has lectured on the topic of Nonverbal Learning Disabilities for local and national organizations throughout the United States, Canada, and England. He is proud to be a member of the Health Advisory Board of the Turner Syndrome Society of the United States. Additionally, Dr. Mooney serves on the Professional Advisory Board for The College Internship Program at The Brevard Center, Melbourne, Florida, and The Berkshire Center, Lee, Massachusetts.

March 2, 2007 – Nonverbal Learning Disabilities: From Diagnosis Through Interventions for Home and School – Freeport, Maine

Maryellen Rooney Moreau is the Founder and President of MindWing Concepts. Her 37 year professional career includes: school-based SLP in the Hartford Public Schools, Assistant Professor at American International College, Diagnostician at the Curtis Blake Child Development Center and Coordinator of Intervention Curriculum and Professional Development at the Curtis Blake Day School for children with language learning disabilities.

She created the Story Grammar Marker® after years of research and practice and was awarded 2 United States Patents. Moreau is a nationally recognized presenter having provided professional development to thousands of educators throughout the United States and Canada.

December 3, 2010 – Social Thinking Tools For The Classroom And Therapy Setting – Portland, Maine

Dr. Nordling is one of the founding faculty members of the Institute for the Psychological Sciences. He is a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of Virginia. He also holds a number of specialized credentials in child, marriage, and family therapy and teaches both basic and advanced coursework in these areas at the Institute for the Psychological Sciences. Dr. Nordling is an active scholar, and in addition to his many publications, he has conducted over 200 presentations and training workshops nationally and internationally. As a respected leader in the field, he has served on the Board of Directors and as President of the Association for Play Therapy, the Catholic Psychotherapy Association, and the Association for Filial and Relationship Enhancement Methods. His award winning co-authored book Child-Centered Play Therapy is widely used in the field of child therapy.

Until his death on April 11th, 2012 following a long illness, John M. Ortiz, Ph.D. was the director and founder of The Asperger’s Syndrome Institute.® A licensed psychologist, consultant, musician, composer, certified clinical hypnotist and psycho-educational trainer, he was listed in the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology.

His international lectures and texts on Asperger’s Syndrome, Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities, High-Functioning Autism, and Neurodevelopmental disorders were based on over twenty years of work with autism spectrum and related conditions and over a dozen years specializing in Asperger’s Syndrome, neurodevelopmental, and genetic disorders.

A psychologist with extensive clinical, research and consultation experience, his lectures brought a multi-disciplinary, integral approach to understanding and serving these challenging, highly rewarding populations.

Also the founder of the Institute of Applied Psychomusicology®, his work also incorporated elements from the creative arts in general, and his books, The Tao of Music: Sound Psychology (1998 Small Press Book Award in Self Help/Psychology), and Nurturing Your Child with Music: How Sound Awareness Creates Happy, Smart and Confident Children (2000) in particular.

A brilliant author, lecturer and composer, the legacy of his many books and audio recordings document his life’s work and passionate advocacy for Sound Psychology and for those living with Autism and Asperger’s.

Workshops presented:

March 5, 2009 – Emerging Paradigms in Neurological Disorders – Freeport, Maine

March 6, 2009 – 52 Practical Strategies for Aspergers, Non-verbal Learning Disorder, and High Functioning Autism: A Strength Based Approach – Freeport, Maine

Dr. John J. Ratey, M.D., is an Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and has a private practice in Cambridge, MA. He earned his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and has done all of his graduate training at Harvard Medical School Dr. Ratey is specifically interested in the impact of ADD on life issues such as relationships employment and personal fulfillment. His other major research interest is the treatment of aggressive behaviors across a range of diagnoses.

Dr. Ratey has most recently authored the best selling book, A User’s Guide to the Brain: Perception, Attention and The Four Theaters of the Brain. He has also co-authored Driven to Distraction : Recognizing and Coping With Attention Deficit Disorder from Childhood Through Adulthood (1994) and Answers to Distraction (1995) with Edward Hallowell, M.D., and Shadow Syndromes (1997) with Catherine Johnson, PhD. Additionally, he has edited several books including The Neuropsychiatry of Personality Disorders (1994).

April 22, 2002 – A User’s Guide To The Brain – Exploring Exercise & Activity for Brain Health, ADHD & Other Disorders, The Social Brain and Care & Feeding of the Brain – North Hampton, Massachusetts
September 27, 2002 – New Developments In The Field Of ADHD/LD John J. Ratey, MD and Jonathan Mooney, BA – Freeport, Maine
September 21, 2001 – The User’s Guide to the Brain: Looking at the Brain Through the Lens of Attention – Freeport, Maine
December 7, 2001 – The Importance of Movement and The Brain: Exploring the Attention System, Executive Functioning, The Social Experience, ADHD and Other Developmental Disorders – Bangor, Maine

Richard Schwartz earned his Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Purdue University, after which he began a long association with the Institute for Juvenile Research at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and more recently at The Family Institute at Northwestern University, attaining the status of Associate Professor at both institutions. He is coauthor, with Michael Nichols, of Family Therapy: Concepts and Methods, the most widely used family therapy text in the United States.

Dr. Schwartz developed Internal Family Systems in response to clients’ descriptions of experiencing various parts–many extreme–within themselves. He noticed that when these parts felt safe and had their concerns addressed, they were less disruptive and would accede to the wise leadership of what Dr. Schwartz came to call the “Self.” In developing IFS, he recognized that, as in systemic family theory, parts take on characteristic roles that help define the inner world of the client. The coordinating Self, which embodies qualities of confidence, openness, and compassion, acts as a center around which the various parts constellate. Because IFS locates the source of healing within the client, the therapist is freed to focus on guiding the client’s access to his or her true Self and supporting the client in harnessing its wisdom. This approach makes IFS a non-pathologizing, hopeful framework within which to practice psychotherapy. It provides an alternative understanding of psychic functioning and healing that allows for innovative techniques in relieving clients’ symptoms and suffering.

In 2000, Richard Schwartz founded The Center for Self Leadership in Oak Park, Illinois. CSL offers three levels of IFS training, national and international workshops for both professionals and the general public, an annual conference, publications, and video resources.

Dr. Schwartz is a featured speaker for many national psychotherapy organizations and a fellow of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, and he serves on the editorial boards of four professional journals. He has published four books and over fifty articles about IFS.

His books include Internal Family Systems Therapy, Introduction to the Internal Family Systems Model, and The Mosaic Mind (with Regina Goulding), as well as Metaframeworks (with Doug Breunlin and Betty Karrer). His most recent book is about using IFS with couples, titled You Are The One You’ve Been Waiting For, under the Trailheads imprint of The Center for Self Leadership. Dr. Schwartz lives and practices in Brookline, MA.

October 24, 2014 – Introduction to Internal Family Systems Therapy for the Treatment of Trauma – Freeport, Maine

Dr. Silver, a Child Adolescent Psychiatrist, is in the private practice in the Washington, D.C. area. He is Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Georgetown University Medical Center. Prior to his current activities he was Acting Director and Deputy Director of the National Institute of Mental Health. Prior to his position at the National Institute of Mental Health he was Professor of Psychiatry, Professor of Pediatrics, and Chief of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine.

For more than thirty years his primary areas of research, clinical, and teaching interest have focused on the psychological, social, and family impact of a group of related, neurologically-based disorders – Learning Disabilities, Language Disabilities, Sensory Integration Dysfunction, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

He has more than 150 publications, including his popular book, The Misunderstood Child: A Guide for Parents of Children with Learning Disabilities now in its Third Edition. His other books include, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: a Clinical Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment for Health and Mental Health Professionals in its Third Edition and Dr. Larry Silver’s Advice to Parents on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in its Second Edition.

His two most recent books are co-edited by Dr. Frank Kline and are intended for general education teachers. Each is published by Brookes Publishing Company: The Educator’s Guide to Medical Issues in the Classroom (2001) and The Educator’s Guide to Mental Health Issues in the Classroom (2004).

He is active with the Learning Disabilities Association of America and is a Past-President of this organization. In 1992 he received this Association’s highest award, The Learning Disability Association Award, for outstanding leadership in the field of Learning Disabilities. In 1996 he received the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry’s Berman Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the study and treatment of Learning Disabilities.

May 13, 1996 – Learning Disabilities and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder – Augusta, Maine

Linda Kreger Silverman , Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist. She directs the Institute for the Study of Advanced Development, and its subsidiary, the Gifted Development Center, in Denver, Colorado. Over 5,200 children have been assessed at the Center since 1979. Her Ph.D. is in educational psychology and special education from the University of Southern California.

For nine years, she served on the faculty of the University of Denver in counseling psychology and gifted education. Her textbook, Counseling the Gifted and Talented (Love: 1993), is the most popular text in this area; it has been adopted at more than 50 colleges and universities. Her most recent book, Upside-Down Brilliance: The Visual-Spatial Learner, was released in 2002. Linda founded the only journal on adult giftedness, Advanced Development.

Currently, she is conducting research on profoundly gifted children, the visual-spatial learner, comparative assessment of the gifted on different instruments,the effects of vision therapy, and introversion.

She has been appointed to the American Psychological Association task force on giftedness, the National Association for Gifted Children task force on social and emotional needs of the gifted, and the expert panel guiding the next revision of the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale for Riverside Publishing.

Linda has been studying the assessment, psychology and education of the gifted since 1961 and she has contributed over 300 articles and chapters in this field.

June 3, 2005 – Upside Down Brilliance: The Visual Spatial Learner with Linda Silverman, Ph.D. and Alex “Allie” Golon – Freeport, Maine

Rachel Simmons is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Odd Girl Out: The Hidden Culture of Aggression in Girls(2003), and The Curse of the Good Girl: Raising Authentic Girls with Courage and Confidence(2009). As an educator and coach, Rachel works internationally to develop strategies to address bullying and empower girls.

After graduating from Vassar College, Rachel won a Rhodes Scholarship from New York in 1998. She attended Oxford University, where she began her study of female aggression.

The co-founder of the Girls Leadership Institute, Rachel currently serves as a consultant to schools and organizations around the world. She has worked as a classroom teacher at Miss Hall’s School in Massachusetts and the Roedean School in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Rachel was the host of the recent PBS television special, “A Girl’s Life,” and writes an advice blog for girls at TeenVogue.com. Rachel has appeared on Oprah, is a frequent contributor to the Today Show, and appears regularly in the national media. Odd Girl Out was adapted into a highly acclaimed Lifetime television movie.

Rachel lives in western Massachusetts with her West Highland Terrier, Rosie, who is currently taking private workshops with Rachel to learn how to stop bullying other dogs.

May 20, 2005 – Odd Girl Out: The Hidden Culture of Aggression in Girls – Freeport, Maine

Bodhi Simpson is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and a Registered Art Therapist (ATR). She has a private practice in Waterville, Maine and is the co-founder of Vast Horizons Center for Personal and Professional Growth in Yarmouth, Maine. She brings to her practice extensive training in many expressive modalities, sandtray therapy, SoulCollage®, energetic counseling, mindfulness, and meditation. Bodhi presents workshops throughout the state of Maine and provides individual clinical supervision for Art Therapists working toward their ATR certification. Bodhi provides trainings about ways to incorporate imagination, creative expression, and metaphor into therapeutic practice.

Workshops Presented:

March 3, 2017 – A Mandala of Integrative Health: A Creative Approach in Clinical Practice – Portland, Maine
September 26, 2014 – SoulCollage® An Expressive Method for Self-Understanding and its Clinical Applications – Falmouth, Maine

Sherry Shellenberger and Mary Sue Williams are occupational therapists who have a joint vision to enhance the school experience of children. They believe, and inspire others to believe, that positive change can happen with the help of all educational team members (including parents) working together.

Mary Sue and Sherry have over 30 years of experience working with and learning from a variety of children, parents, and teachers in urban and rural school districts as well as clinic, home, and camp settings. They have focused on developing practical ways to teach people of all ages how to incorporate sensory integration theory into every day living. For the past two decades, they have developed, refined, and kid-tested the Alert Program®. One of the authors’ greatest joys is watching children find the answers to the question, “How Does Your Engine Run?”®

As co-owners of TherapyWorks, Inc., Mary Sue and Sherry have published numerous products relating to self-regulation. Since 1991, thousands of professionals have attended Alert Program® trainings with enthusiastic reviews. In 1996, the authors decided to lecture full-time to spread the word about using the engine analogy and how understanding self-regulation can enrich the lives of children. Since children are their finest teachers, Sherry and Mary Sue now enjoy volunteering time in the community where they look forward to learning more from their excellent student “instructors.”

In June 2003 American Occupational Therapy Association recognized their contributions by honoring them with the “Excellence in Intervention, Development, and Dissemination” Award.

June 28 & 29, 1996 – Self Regulation: The Alert Program for use in Schools, Homes and Clinics – South Portland, Maine

Bruce St. Thomas has published many articles and is the author of Empowering Children Through Art and Expression: Culturally Sensitive Approaches to Trauma and Grief, 2007. His second book is Surrender: Empathy vs. Entropy. Recreating Cultures of Healing.

Dr. St. Thomas has taken an in depth creative approach to trauma, grief and life transition from his psychotherapy/ art therapy practice into community settings where he has both created and consulted to implement innovation in peer supported programs. He helped to create the Multicultural Program at the Center for Grieving Children, Portland, ME., and has helped to create supportive community based programs with the Department of Health and Human Services, Baxter School for the Deaf, and America’s Camp, a summer camp for children whose parents were killed in the tragic events of 9/11.

He has presented both nationally and internationally and is widely recognized for his child activism in community, therapeutic and educational settings. His recent writing and teaching is inspired by his work empowering ten different language speaking communities in facilitating discussion and research for the Robert Woods Johnson Grant (Caring Across Communities) with Portland Public Schools, Multicultural/Multilingual Programs.

Dr. St. Thomas believes strongly that as we become world community, indigenous, aboriginal and native people across the world bring wisdom, ritual, spiritual and collective wholeness into the healing Arts. As we move from the Industrial Revolution into the Technological, Informational Revolution we find ourselves on the brim of exploding into the Human Revolution. This time has already been sited in the prophesy of the Hopi Native Americans who believe that humanity is about to experience a great awakening. The voices deep within each of us is the collective truth of our greatest gift.

March 30, 2012 – Bridging Mind To Soul: Opening Into The Spiritual Nature Of Children with Bruce St. Thomas, Marilee Marrinan and Barbara Baum Freethy – Portland, Maine

Martha B. Straus, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Clinical Psychology at Antioch University New England Graduate School in Keene, New Hampshire, and adjunct instructor in psychiatry at Dartmouth Medical School.

She maintains a private practice in Brattleboro, Vermont, and consults internationally to schools, hospitals, community mental health centers, and social service agencies on child, adolescent, and family development, attachment, trauma, and therapy.

Straus graduated with honors from Brown University and received her doctorate in clinical and community psychology from the University of Maryland. She completed her internship at the Yale Child Study Center, where she was a Zigler Fellow in Child Development and Social Policy.

Straus’ postdoctoral years were spent in the department of psychiatry at Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. She’s the author of numerous articles and four books including most recently, Adolescent Girls in Crisis: Intervention and Hope, and the highly acclaimed No-Talk Therapy for Children and Adolescents. She lives in southern Vermont.

October 31, 2014 – Adolescent Girls In Crisis: Intervention and Hope – Portland, Maine

Sean Sweeney is a speech-language pathologist and technology consultant working in private practice at The Ely Center in Newton, MA. Sean spent over a decade in the public school setting serving in the roles of SLP and instructional technology specialist. His blog, SpeechTechie, was inspired by the combination of those complementary vocations and a desire to empower those in his field to employ technology in their work.

Sean currently consults to and presents for local and national organizations on technology integration in speech and language interventions. He is a frequent presenter at ASHA Convention and has participated as a speaker at the regional Social Thinking® Providers’ Conferences. Sean is a regular columnist for The ASHA Leader.

May 8, 2015 – Applying Technology To Support Social And Executive Functioning – Portland, Maine

He and his co-author, Dan Kindlon, wrote the New York Times best-selling book, Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys (Ballantine Books, 1999). He is the author of Speaking of Boys: Answers to the Most-Asked Questions about Raising Sons (Ballantine, 2000), and co-author (with Catherine O’Neill Grace and Larry Cohen, Ph.D.) of Best Friends/Worst Enemies: Understanding the Social Lives of Children (Ballantine, 2001) and Mom, They’re Teasing Me: Helping Your Child Solve Social Problems (Ballantine, 2002.) About Best Friends, Worst Enemies the Publishers Weekly review declared, “Not since Dr. Spock and Penelope Leach has there been such a sensitive and practical guide to raising healthy children.” The Pressured Child: Helping Your Child Achieve Success in School and in Life (with Teresa Barker, Ballantine, 2004) was written to help parents understand the complex journey of children through school, from Kindergarten through senior year. His third book on the psychology of boys, entitled, It’s a Boy!: Understanding Your Son’s Development from Birth to Eighteen, was published in 2008. It focuses on the importance of undirected, free play in the lives of boys. Dr. Thompson’s newest book, Homesick and Happy: How Time Away From Parents Can Help a Child Grow, was published by Ballantine Books in May of 2012.

A dedicated speaker and traveler, Michael Thompson has appeared on The Today Show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, ABC 20/20, CBS 60 Minutes, The Early Show and Good Morning America. He has been quoted in the New York Times, The Washington Post, Newsweek, Time and U.S. News and World Report and has been a guest on NPR’s “Morning Edition” with Susan Stamberg, “Talk of the Nation” with Ray Suarez and the Diane Rhem Show. He wrote, narrated and hosted a two-hour PBS documentary entitled “Raising Cain” that was broadcast nationally in 2006.

Dr. Thompson is a past member of the American Camping Association and is on the Advisory Board of Parent Magazine. Dr. Thompson lives in Arlington, Massachusetts. He is married to Dr. Theresa McNally, a psychotherapist, and is the father of two grown children and the grandfather of two granddaughters: Aubrey and Brynlee.

Sarah Ward has over 15 years experience in diagnostic evaluations, treatment and case management of children, adolescents and adults with a wide range of developmental and acquired brain based learning difficulties and behavioral problems not limited to but including:

Attention Deficit Disorder
Verbal Learning Disabilities
Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities
Asperger Syndrome
Other Social-Cognitive Learning Disabilities
Traumatic Brain Injury
Acquired Brain Injury

Her particular interest is in the assessment and treatment of executive function deficits.

Sarah also provides consultation and expert witness testimony regarding the symptoms and functional presentation of deficits associated with brain based learning disabilities and the appropriateness of academic placement and treatment programs.

She became a specialist in the assessment and rehabilitation of traumatic brain injury with an emphasis on the treatment of executive functions. She subsequently began to train graduate students in speech and language pathology, medical and special education professionals on the symptoms and treatment methods to improve the language, cognitive, executive function and social skills of brain based disorders.

Sarah is a Past President of the Massachusetts Brain Injury Association, member of the Massachusetts Acquired Brain Injury Advisory Board and the National Institutes of Health Model Systems Traumatic Brain Injury Grant Advisory Board and is a member of the American Speech and Language Hearing Association. She holds a faculty appointment at the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions where she provides instruction to graduate level students in the assessment techniques, development of therapeutic objectives, and intervention strategies for individuals with traumatic brain injury.

Sarah is dedicated to developing innovative treatment strategies and educating the community to understand, care for and celebrate the learning and behavioral based differences in individuals with brain based learning differences.

A popular speaker, Sarah regularly presents locally, nationally and internationally on the topic of executive functions to a variety of professional and parent organizations, school and lay groups. She has presented to and consulted with over 350 public and private schools in Massachusetts and across the United States.

Awards Received:

Recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute
of Health Professions, May, 2005.
Recipient of the Faculty in Excellence Award from the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute
of Health Professions, May, 2002 and 2011
Recipient of the Partners in Excellence Award from the Massachusetts General Hospital ,
December, 1998
Recipient of the Stephanie Macaluso Expertise in Clinical Practice Award for the Massachusetts
General Hospital , June 1998.

Workshops Presented:

January 19, 2021 – Closing the Gap: The January Reboot – Online
March 5, 2020 – Practice Strategies to Improve Speed of Processing, Executive Function and Nonverbal Learning Disabilities (NLD) – Portland, Maine
October 31- November 1, 2019 – Intensive Executive Function Seminar with Emphasis on Working Memory, Speed of Processing, and Nonverbal Learning Disability – Portland, Oregon
December 14, 2018 – Practice Strategies to Improve Speed of Processing, Executive Function and Nonverbal Learning Disabilities (NLD) – Portland, Maine
March 9, 2018 – Therapeutic Interventions for NonVerbal Learning Disabilities and Students with Slow Information Processing – Freeport, Maine
December 11, 2017 – 360 Thinking Executive Function Program: An Advanced Training in Executive Function Interventions – Freeport, Maine
March 17, 2017 – Advanced Knowledge Seminar: Putting it into Practice! – Freeport, Maine
March 16, 2017 – From School to Home and Back Again: Executive Function Skills Across the Day – Freeport, Maine
November 2, 2016 – Advanced Knowledge Seminar: Putting it into Practice! – Portland, Oregon
November 1, 2016 – From School to Home and Back Again: Executive Function Skills Across the Day – Portland, Oregon
April 13-14, 2016 – Assessment and Treatment of Executive Functioning – Freeport, Maine
November 18-19, 2015 – Cutting Edge Strategies: A Two Day Intensive Training on Executive Function Skills – Portland, Oregon
March 26-27, 2015 – Cutting Edge Strategies: A Two Day Intensive Training on Executive Function Skills – Freeport, Maine
January 31, 2014 – Executive Functioning Skills: Cutting Edge Approaches To Practical Interventions Working With Children and Adolescents – Portland, Maine

Carol Gray, Consultant to Children, Adolescents, and Adults with Autism, provides support via workshops and presentations, information, referral, resources, and direct services to individuals with autism, their families, and professionals who work on their behalf. She is an internationally sought-after keynote and seminar speaker, and has completed over one thousand presentations.

Carol is best known for the development of Social Stories, a respected evidence-based practice used worldwide with people with autism of all ages. Carol was the first teacher for students with autism at Jenison Public Schools in Jenison, Michigan 1977-2004. In 1989, Carol began writing stories for her students to share information with them that they seemed to be missing, information that so many of us take for granted. Many of the stories resulted in immediate and marked improvement in her students’ responses to daily events and interactions.

Carol is also known for initiating a very effective social philosophy that 1) ‘abandons all assumptions’, 2) regards both the typical and autism perspective as ‘equally valid’, and 3) recognizes the ‘social impairment in autism’ as shared (noting the well-intentioned but nonetheless misguided mistakes of parents and professionals). She has completed groundbreaking work on some of the toughest topics in autism by reviewing the research, developing new theories, and proposing practical instructional strategies, most notably Gray’s Guide to Bullying (2004) and Gray’s Guide to Loss, Learning, and Students with ASD (2003).

Carol has received many awards for her international contribution to the education and welfare of children, adolescents, and adults with autism. These include Social Thinking’s Lifetime Achievement Award (2015), Learning Spring School’s Spectrum Award (2012), the Autism Society of America’s Education Book of the Year (The New Social Story Book: Revised and Expanded 10th Anniversary Edition (2009), and the Barbara Lipinski Award (Lansing, Michigan, 2005).

Carol lives in west Michigan with her husband, Brian, and two basset hounds, Emma and Hank. Brian and Carol are the parents of two grown children, Joanna and Barrett, and grandparents to Ryan. In the summer, Carol lives at the family cottage where she is often found in the garden or the Wildwood Library (pictured). Carol founded the library to serve their lake community, and serves as its librarian each summer. In the winter, Carol enjoys watching HGTV and American Pickers, trying new recipes (especially casseroles and comfort food), and walking with friends at the dog park.

Workshops Presented:

• May 3, 1997- Social Stories and Comic Strip Conversations: Teaching Social Understanding & Social Skills to Students with Autism and Related Disorders – Auburn, Maine

Jonathan Mooney, B.A. is a widely sought after speaker whose work has been featured in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Chicago Tribune, USA Today, HBO, NPR, ABC News, New York Magazine, The Washington Post, and The Boston Globe.

He is the author of numerous books including, Learning Outside the Lines, The Short Bus: A Journey Beyond Normal, The Brown Reader, and Normal Sucks: How to Live, Learn and Thrive, Outside the Lines.

Jonathan’s updated bio: “I’m a dyslexic writer, speaker, and do-gooder who did not learn to read until 12 years old. I faced a number of low expectations growing up—was told I would flip burgers, be a high school dropped out and end up in jail. Needless to say, their hopeful prophecies didn’t come to pass. Opposed to being a high school drop out I became a college graduate from Brown University with an honors degree in English lit; instead of flipping burgers I ended up writing books, the first of which I wrote at the end of the 23 as an undergrad; And instead of becoming an inmate, I become an advocate creating organizations and initiatives that help people who get the short end of the stick.

I’ve won many awards for all of this —The Harry S. Truman fellowship for public services, Finalist for a Roads Scholarship, LA Achievement award from The Lab School of Washington where I shared the stage with Vice President Joe Biden—and been featured in/on HBO, NPR, The New York Times, NBC, Fast company, and many other media outlets. But what I’m most proud of is not that I proved some people how doubted me wrong—but that I proved the many people—my mom, a teacher named Mr. R, my wife Rebecca—right, not just about my potential but about the potential for all of us who live and learn differently.”

Workshops Presented:
September 27, 2002 – New Developments In The Field Of ADHD/LD John J. Ratey, MD and Jonathan Mooney, BA – Freeport, Maine

Shelley Cohen Konrad PhD, LCSW, FNAP is the Director of the School of Social Work, Professor in the School of Social Work and Director of the Center for Excellence in Collaborative Education (CECE). A clinical social worker by training Shelley specializes in practice with children and families. The second edition of her book, Practice with Children and Families: A Relational Perspective was published in December 2019. In 1988 Shelley established Touchstone Psychotherapy Associates, a mental health collaborative designed to meet the complex needs of children, families, and carers. She co-founded the Kids First Center in 1997, a Portland-based non-profit program serving children, parenting partners, and families experiencing divorce, family disruption, and parental separation.

Shelley is committed to improving the quality of health and health-related care for all people. In 2010 she was named founding director of UNE’s Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) and in 2019 IPEC was named as a Center for Excellence in Collaborative Education. CECE designs and implements educational programming that brings together students and faculty to learn about, from and with each other. The purpose of shared learning is to prepare graduates to be both excellent in their chosen fields as well as proficient members of practice teams. The overall aims of collaborative education are to improve patient safety, promote population health, social inclusion, and advance equitable, culturally-informed, quality health care.

Shelley’s research and scholarship focuses on children and families; the use of the arts in health education: health perspectives of vulnerable populations, relational learning, and interprofessional education and collaborative care. She is an Associate Editor for the Journal of Interprofessional Care and the Journal of Family Social Work. Her own work is widely published in peer-reviewed journals. She travels nationally and internationally to consult with other universities seeking to enhance collaborative learning and present her scholarship and research. Shelley is an avid reader, art collector, gardener, baker, lover of the ocean, and enjoys time with her family on the coast of Maine.

Workshops Presented:
March 17, 2006 – Building and Strengthening Parent Professional Partnerships – Freeport, Maine