Seminar - Through the Lenses of History and Trauma: Understanding Russian-speaking Immigrants

Together with the Harm Reduction Therapy Center, RAMS shall be presenting an upcoming training:

Through the Lenses of History and Trauma: Understanding Russian-speaking Immigrants

DATE: April 28, 2011
TIME: 9:00am to 4:30pm (registration at 8:30am)
LOCATION: Baha'i Faith, San Francisco Center, 170 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
REGISTER: Call or Fax form to (415) 821-0410
CONTACT: mhsatraininginstitute@gmail.com

The didactic seminar focuses on this phenomenon in the context of history and culture of the former Soviet Union, informed by the concept of transgenerational transmission of trauma. The presenter will discuss how one’s personal history and previous traumas (individual and societal) give unique personal meanings to experiences of immigration, dealing with associated psychological distress, and contribute to pathological symptoms.

Through film & case presentations and panel forum, there will be a facilitated discussion of the clinical and cultural aspects of the cases in the context of the trans-generational transmission of trauma and concepts introduced during the morning session. Discussion points include the panelists’ psychological insights into the film & case and share their thoughts on culturally typical family dynamics, rites of passage, and trans-generational relationships in the Russian culture.

Presented by Clinical Staff at RAMS: Alla Volovich, PhD, Artur Digilov, MD, Faina Samkharadze, MSW, Alexander Zinchenko, PhD
Film: “The Return” (2003) by Andrej Zvyagintsev

Click HERE to download the flyer.

MFTs/LCSWs: Meets qualifications for 6.0 CE Credits. HRTC is a provider approved by BBS.
Psychologists: HRTC is a provider approved by MCEP. Course Approval Pending.

The Harm Reduction Therapy Center (HRTC) has been engaged by the Community Behavioral Health Services (CBHS) to deliver a series of trainings in San Francisco on the topic of Cultural Sensitivity. Funded by Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), the project’s goal is to deliver 16 trainings aimed to improve the CBHS workforce’s understanding of the cultural & linguistic issues and needs that affect recovery and resiliency, and improve access to mental health services, for the following ethnic and cultural groups: African Americans; Latinos/as; Asians and Pacific Islanders; Native Americans; Russians; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Questioning (LGBTQIQ) consumers; Transitional Age Youth; and Older Adults. These trainings are between April 2010 to June 2011.

Photo credit - by n1colas on Flickr

Presenting aplenty at AAPA and APA

The Asian American Psychological Association (AAPA) 2010 Annual Convention, "Expanding Our Horizons: The Next Decade in AAPI Psychology", took place on August 11 at University of San Diego, California. RAMS was well-represented at this illustrious annual event, with presentations from:

Dr. Katherine Eng, Psychologist at the Adult/Older Adult Outpatient Clinic:
"The Future in the Field: Effective Techniques and Programs in the Clinical Training of API serving clinicians", a panel presentation together with Helen Hsu & Jennifer Lee. The symposium presented best practice techniques and programs in the training of clinicians to work effectively with Asian American Pacific Islander populations.

Ulash Dunlap, Behavioral Health Counselor at the Wellness Centers program:
"Post-partum Depression Among Asian and Asian American Women: Cultural Considerations and Treatment", a panel presentation together with Juli Fraga and Denise Kwok. This session explored ways that mental health providers can provide better screening, early intervention, and clinical support for Postpartum Depression (PPD) among Asian and Asian American women.
and
"Creative and Culturally Responsive Outreach with South Asian American Populations" – DoSAA-sponsored, a panel presentation together with Nima Patel, Anjuli Amin and Razia Kosi. Therapists facilitated a discussion focused on building bridges to South Asian (SA) communities through the use of outreach services.

Poster sessions were also featured at the convention, including a presentation from RAMS and Alliant International University-CSPP, represented by Drs. Eddie Chiu, Director of Asian Family Institute, and Tai Chang from CSPP: "Training Asian American psychologists for the real world: Integrating program evaluation and clinical training in a community mental health setting" Chiu, E. Y., Ph.D., Chang, T., Ph.D., Okubo, Y., Ph.D., Adams, L. A., MA., Bassiri, K. G., MS., Kwan, K., Ph.D., Shea, C., MS.

The American Psychological Association (APA) 2010 Annual Convention took place immediately following the AAPA, August 12-15. RAMS staff Ulash Dunlap, together with co-presenters Anjuli Amin and Daisy Singla, gave a talk titled "South Asian Women through Multiple Lens: Health, School, and Religion/Culture". In an attempt to understand and shed light on the various acculturative processes that South Asian women encounter in their daily life, this symposium addressed three important areas for counselors to consider: school, health, and religion.

Let's give a round of applause to our distinguished presenters!

Photo credit: seretuaccidente on Flickr