Dr. Alexander is available to offer training, workshops, and inservices for mental health departments and agencies. The primary focus of these is on the assessment, diagnosis, or treatment of foster and adopted children.

While specific programs can be developed to meet the needs of your organization, recent trainings offered by Dr. Alexander include:

DIAGNOSING CHILDREN & ADOLESCENTS WITH DSM

Children often present a unique diagnostic challenge. Their mental health symptoms often do not parallel those of adults and there is high cross-over between diagnoses. This is especially true with complex conditions such as mental retardation, pervasive developmental disorders, and ADHD. This training puts the DSM into context for the clinician, with emphasis placed on areas such as:

• Introduction to the five axis system;
• Primary diagnosis;
• Age-related considerations;
• Differential diagnosis;
• Personality disorders and children;
• Medical conditions and mental health;
• Diagnosis and treatment planning;
• Diagnosis and special populations.

In addition, updates on DSM-V (scheduled to be published in 2013) will be provided, as these become available.

WORKING WITH PARENTS WHOSE CHILDREN ARE IN FOSTER CARE

When their child is in foster care, many agencies hold responsibility for monitoring or supervising visits with the parents. This presents unique challenges, given that many of these parents resent having to engage in the process. When handled in a sensitive, caring, and educational manner, mental health staff can actually form a good working relationship with the parents. This requires proactive intervention and support on the part of staff, in addition to collaborative work with other agencies.

To address these issues, this training will cover topic areas such as:

• How legal and mental health decisions are made in child welfare cases;
• Goals and intent of supervised visits;
• Visitation from the child's perspective;
• Visitation from the parent's perspective;
• Visitation from the foster parent's perspective;
• How parental mental health affects visitation;
• Dealing with no-shows or problematic behaviors;
• Educating parents on child development;
• Charting progress and goals;
• Testifying in court.

ATTACHMENT CONCERNS IN CHILD WELFARE

Foster and adopted children are at high risk for attachment-related problems. When present, this can impact many aspects of their social, emotional, and academic functioning. Attachment is a concept that is often misunderstood. In addition, popular descriptions of the condition do not accurately portray what is happening or how it affects the child and her parents.

This training provides a description of attachment from a child development perspective. Common myths about attachment will be dispelled, while implications for treatment will be discussed.

TESTIFYING IN COURT 

Professionals who work in child welfare are often called upon to present their findings, observations, or opinions in court. This can be quite stressful, given the adversarial nature of court proceedings. This training focuses on the role of the mental health clinician in court. Topics will include:

• Who are all those people in the courtroom;
• What does the judge want to hear;
• Introduction to courtroom rules, etiquette, and procedures;
• How to structure court testimony;
• Using testimony as an opportunity to educate;
• Dealing with stress and resistance around testifying.

PRESENTER FEES  

These presentations span 2 – 7 hours, depending on how much content is covered. All presentations include extensive handouts, resources, and referral information.

For presentations and trainings in New Mexico, Dr. Alexander's fee is $200.00 per hour.

For presentations and trainings outside of New Mexico, Dr. Alexander's fee is $300.00 per hour. In addition, the agency is responsible for travel (air or car) and lodging fees.   

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

alexanderphd@msn.com