Professional Development

MSPA Cape and Islands presents George McCloskey, PhD, Associate Professor, Director of School Psychology Research, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine on November 18th 9-1:00, at the Resort & Conference Center at Hyannis, 35 Scudder Avenue Hyannis, MA 02601. the topic is ‘Executive Functions and Classroom Behavior.’ The cost is $40.00 for MSPA members/$55.00 for nonmembers/$12.00 for students (breakfast included).

MSPAs Fall Conference is especially important for school psychologists. This conference will address a variety of topics associated with servicing children with Autism Spectrum Disorders The various topics include: relational and behavioral strategies working with families, interventions for the classroom, inclusion issues, interventions for social and emotional challenges and multicultural aspects of servicing chidden. To register online, click here. Be advised that there are many choices for this event-please read the choices carefully.

In conjunction with the conference, MSPA will celebrate it’s 50th anniversary with a festive Gala the night before the conference. This will be an exciting event to include great eats, networking, socializing, get your photo and an auction to raise money for our minority scholarship. Attend the Gala the night before the conference!

The annual Northern New England School Psychology Conference will be held November 4, 2011 at the
Frank Jones Convention Center, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Massachusetts MSPA members can attend for the New Hampshire Association membership price. The conference, ‘Cognitive-behavioral Therapy with Depressed and Anxious Children and Adolescents.’ should be of considerable value to school psychologists. The speaker is Mark A. Reinecke, Ph.D.,ABPP, ACT, Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Chief, Division of Psychology at Northwestern University

De. Reinecke will review the latest findings on vulnerability for depression and anxiety, and will discuss how cognitive-behavioral principles can be used to guide case formulation and treatment. Specific assessment and treatment strategies will be discussed. The focus will be practical—he will review empirically-supported strategies for quickly and effectively assisting youth with depression and anxiety. During this workshop he will review the most recent advances in this important area, allowing participants to use them in helping depressed and anxious children and adolescents in your schools.

Participants will develop an understanding of:
A. Recent research on cognitive, social, and biological risk for depression and anxiety among youth;
B. Diagnosis and assessment of depression and anxiety among children and adolescents;
C. Alternative cognitive-behavioral models, and how they can guide case formulation;
D. “Modular” CBT strategies and techniques;
E. Strategies for fostering a cooperative relationship with challenging, unmotivated teens;
F. Findings from recent controlled outcome studies, including the Treatments for Adolescents with Depression Study (TADS), and their clinical implications.

More information is coming soon-stay attuned to the NHASP website at http://www.nhaspweb.org/

The MSPA spring conference was well received with a good turnout and great food.
Participants received a one year subscription to RIDE Behavior Intervention Bank. Congratulations to Andria Amador and the Conference Committee!

The Cape and Islands Spring COnference will be held May 6th at the Holiday Inn, Route 132, Hyannis, MA. The topic is Executive Functions and Classroom Behavior. The cost is $40,00 for MSPA members and $45.00 for nonmembers. to download the brochure click here.