Identifying and Understanding Tattoos - (Friday, March 9, 2012,  9am-4pm)
This training will examine the many different types and styles of tattoos. Participants will be able to identify numerous varieties of tattoos including generic, hate, gang, satanic, straight-edge, extremist, juggalo, terrorist, drug culture, prison, military, motorcycle gang and many others. Participants will also gain valuable knowledge to help them not only identify specific tattoos, but also to understand their meaning and hidden messages. The instructor for this course is Ed Bachert, MS.

The Rhythm of Service - (Friday, March 16, 2012,  9am-4pm)
This day long workshop will combine drama games, relaxation techniques, rhythm and movement exercises to explore personal and group space, feelings, mutual understanding and stress reduction. A large portion of the program will include making music through a variety of drumming and percussion exercises. The day will focus on problem solving, cooperation and decision making. Please be sure to bring a colored handkerchief or bandana, loose fitting clothing that can get dirty, sneakers, towel and blanket. The instructor for this course is Aaron Levine, PhD, CAC.

PTSD and Addiction in the Continuing Care Process - (Thursday, March 22, 2012,  9am-4pm)
This training will address the connection between substance abuse/dependency and traumatic histories/life events of clients who are and/or have received treatment services. Participants will be provided an overview of traumatic symptomology, the neuroscience of how it affects the brain and body as well as evidence-based assessments, interventions and approaches that are used to treat trauma and addiction concurrently. The instructors for this course are Heidi O'Toole, MS, LM and Michelle Christy, LICSW, CAC.

Leading Effective Groups - (Friday, March 23, 2012,  9am-4pm)
This is a practical, skills acquisition workshop that will provide numerous demonstrations of specific creative techniques and exercises that are effective for both engaging and retaining group members in drug and alcohol settings for clients with or without co-occurring disorders. Emphasis will also be given to effective strategies of group leading, including dynamics, design, structure, planning, cutting off and drawing out. The instructors for this course are Heidi O'Toole, MS, LM and Michelle Christy, LICSW, CAC.

Forgiveness: A Recovery Necessity - (Friday, March 30, 2012,  9am-4pm)
This workshop will focus on the critical need for forgiveness. Forgiveness applies to those who have harmed us and even more importantly the need to forgive ourselves. Addiction inevitably leads to secrets, lies and shame. It is often preceded by fearful truths that are too dark to share. Un-forgiveness impedes healing and leads to relapse. This workshop will provide an open discussion about forgiveness and its impact on lasting recovery. It will explore the idea of forgiveness as a process. The instructor for this course is Marilyn Stein, MEd.

Aligning with the Sacred - (Thursday, April 12 & Friday, April 13, 2012,  9am-4pm) 
This two day experiential workshop leads participants through a process of consciously aligning with the ultimate source of creative energy - a Higher Power of their understanding. For professionals in the field, this workshop serves as both a personal exploration to enhance their own spiritual well-being, as well as a resource of ideas and techniques that can be used in working with their clients. All that is required is that you be present. This may or may not be as easy as it sounds. Allow yourself to step out of your daily routine, relax and enjoy your experience. The instructor for this course is Martha Abbot.

Stages of Recovery - (Thursday, May 3, 2012,  9am-4pm)
This presentation will focus on the various stages of recovery. The movement from addiction to recovery can best be described as a pilgrimage or odyssey. This training will discuss how the person must reconstruct their internal experiences and relationships with the outside world. It will attempt to identify the events and experiences that mark this transformational process we call recovery. The instructor for this course is  Michael Johnson, MSW, LMSW.

The Process of Relapse: Early Warning Signs - (Friday, May 4, 2012,  9am-4pm)
This presentation will discuss how the use of the drug or the drink is the completion of the relapse process, not its start. Just as recovery involves changing not only the substance use but other habits, relationships, patterns of thoughts and feelings. Relapse is a change in all these areas back to their addictive versions. other changes take place well before the return to actually drinking or using a drug. Those changes can be identified by the recovering person or by others who know what to look for and used as early warning signs. The instructor for this course is  Michael Johnson, MSW, LMSW.