The Halfiax Clinical Skills Conference: Neuroscience, Attachment, Evidence-Based Modalities, Trauma, Anxiety, Depression, PTSD & OCD

Presented by John Arden, Ph.D. and Carissa Muth, Psy.D., CCC, R.Psych

Monday, June 1, 2026 – Wednesday, June 3, 2026  |  Halifax, ns

Date & Location

Open for Registration January 2026! 

Who Should Attend

Clinical Professionals: All mental health professionals including, but not limited to Clinical Counsellors, Psychologists, Psychotherapists, Social Workers, Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Hospice and Palliative Care Workers, School Counsellors, Youth Workers, Mental Health Workers, Addiction Specialists, Marital & Family Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, Vocational Rehabilitation Consultants and all professionals looking to enhance their therapeutic skills.

Day One – June 1, 2026

Synthesizing Neuroscience, Attachment Theory and Evidence-Based Modalities
Presented by John Arden, Ph.D.

8:30am - 4:00pm   June 1, 2026

COURSE DESCRIPTION

TBA

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John Arden, PhD, ABPP is the author of 15 books, including his most recent, Mind-Brain-Gene: Toward Psychotherapy Integration.   His other books include: Brain2Brain, The Brain Bible, as well as Rewire Your Brain 2.0, and Brain-Based Therapy with Adults and Brain-Based…

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Day Two – June 2, 2026

(CONTINUATION) Synthesizing Neuroscience, Attachment Theory and Evidence-Based Modalities
Presented by John Arden, Ph.D.

8:30am - 4:00pm   June 2, 2026

COURSE DESCRIPTION

TBA

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Day Three – June 3, 2026

Evidence-Based Treatments for Trauma, Chronic Anxiety, Depression, OCD and PTSD
Presented by Carissa Muth, Psy.D., CCC, R.Psych

8:30am - 4:00pm   June 3, 2026

COURSE DESCRIPTION

In this workshop Dr. Carissa Muth guides participants through the complex landscape of treating co-occurring disorders, moving beyond “siloed” manuals to an integrated, evidence-based framework. Participants will examine the “Gold Standard” protocols for PTSD, OCD, Anxiety, and Depression—specifically Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and Trauma-Focused interventions—understanding not just how to use them, but when to sequence them for maximum efficacy. The course tackles the common clinical dilemma of the “complex client,” where trauma symptoms often fuel obsessive-compulsive cycles or depressive avoidance, requiring a nuanced, transdiagnostic approach. Dr. Muth will provide a roadmap for distinguishing between overlapping symptoms (e.g., intrusive trauma memories vs. OCD obsessions) to prevent misdiagnosis and contraindicated treatment. Through clinical demonstrations and case analysis, therapists will learn to build “fear hierarchies” that address multiple pathologies simultaneously while maintaining the therapeutic alliance. Finally, the workshop addresses the critical role of attachment and nervous system regulation in preparing high-acuity clients for the rigors of exposure-based work.

WORKSHOP OUTLINE

Module 1: The Transdiagnostic Intersection Beyond the DSM: Why distinct disorders often look the same in the therapy room.

• The Core Drivers: Identifying the three engines driving comorbidity:
  • Emotional Avoidance: The refusal to feel distress.
  • Cognitive Rigidity: The inability to shift perspective.
  • Safety Behaviors: Short-term relief that causes long-term maintenance.
• Integration Model: How to hold a trauma-informed stance while delivering directive behavioral interventions.

Module 2: The Anxiety & OCD Spectrum – Facing the Fear

• Diagnosis Nuance: Distinguishing generalized anxiety (worry about real life) from OCD (ego-dystonic obsessions).
• The Gold Standard: Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).
  • Why reassurance-seeking is a trap for therapists.
  • Building the Hierarchy: From “Subjective Units of Distress” (SUDS) to Inhibitory Learning.
• The “Backdoor” Compulsion: Identifying subtle mental rituals that block progress.

Module 3: Trauma & PTSD – Processing the Past

• Trauma vs. Stress: Clinical definitions and the “Stuck Point.”
• Overview of EBP Modalities:
  • Prolonged Exposure (PE): Habituation to the memory.
  • Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT): Challenging “stuck points” regarding safety, trust, and control.
  • EMDR: A brief overview
• Window of Tolerance: Assessing if a client is regulated enough for processing or requires further stabilization/resourcing.

Module 4: Depression – Breaking the Inertia

• The Trap of “Waiting to Feel Better”: Why motivation follows action, not the other way around.
• Behavioral Activation (BA):
  • Activity Scheduling: Moving from “internal focus” to “external engagement.”
  • Values-Based Action: Connecting tasks to what matters, not just what “needs to be done.”
• Cognitive Restructuring: Identifying and dismantling the “Negative Cognitive Triad” (Self, World, Future).

Module 5: Comorbidity & Sequencing – Putting It Together

• The Hierarchy of Treatment:
  • Rule 1: Safety First (Suicidality/Active Substance Use).
  • Rule 2: Interference (Treating what blocks therapy first).
• Case Study Application: Participants review a complex case (e.g., a client with sexual trauma history, resulting OCD contamination fears, and secondary depression) to design a treatment plan.
• The “Whack-a-Mole” Effect: Managing symptom substitution during treatment.

Module 6: Closing & Resources

• Q&A

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Dr. Carissa Muth is a registered psychologist in Alberta and British Columbia and the Clinical Director at the Sunshine Coast Health Centre and Georgia Strait Women’s Clinic.  She holds Doctorate of Psychology, Master of Arts in Counselling, and Bachelor of…

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Registration & Fees