Chautauqua Alcohol & Substance Abuse Council (CASAC) is offering an educational session for community members and professionals entitled “Mindfulness Practice: Enhancing Self-care & Client Outcomes.”

Elaine K. Hammond, LMSW will present this session on Friday, Sept. 29 from 9 a.m. to noon. This three-hour course is offered at the First Presbyterian Church (near the College), 219 Central Ave., Fredonia.

Is ‘mindfulness’ simply the latest faddish buzzword in a world gone slightly mad with information overload? Are the practices of persons living millennia ago relevant — and professionally responsible — in addictions practice of the 21st century?

Mindfulness can be conceptualized both as praxis and practice. This workshop will give practitioners working throughout the scope of addictions treatment foundational knowledge in mindfulness interventions to allow them to explain the rationale to client systems, tailor interventions to meet individual client needs and monitor efficacy firmly within trauma informed praxis.

Beginning with established and emerging evidence of the biological implications of mindfulness practices, especially within stressed, potentially traumatizing systems, participants will have opportunities to experience mindfulness activities for themselves and discuss implementation issues with colleagues as the morning progresses. Consideration will be given to specialized issues of mindfulness in policy practice, self-care and social media.

The Presenter, Elaine Hammond, LMSW is in her 40th year of Social Work practice, with experiences ranging from child welfare/protection to mediation/arbitration, and non-profit administration to clinical practice. She began teaching as an adjunct at the UB School of Social Work 14 years ago and was a member of the School’s Staff as Coordinator of the Jamestown Extension Program for several years. She now focuses on teaching and training within a contemplative, integrated, trauma-informed paradigm, adding the UB Law School to her bubble and chocolate distribution schedule seven years ago. Her training experiences include integrating spirituality in clinical interventions, the biology of trauma, reconciliation traditions, and both basic and advanced mindfulness techniques. She has a passion for helping caregivers of all kinds learn to better care for themselves. Elaine has a small private practice currently working with adults who experienced traumatic events in early childhood and she donates services to Veterans and their families through Give an Hour.

She encourages every student, every practitioner and every client to find a mindfulness practice that works for them, reminding them to breathe and to consume chocolate responsibly.

Persons that can benefit from this training are those living with trauma and addictions, and those who care about and work with them. As a result of this training, participants will come away with a de-mystified understanding of Mindfulness, it’s basic neurobiology and practical application to the treatment of addictions, clients living with trauma and its after effects and clinician self-care.

This course is also suitable for those seeking professional credentialing as a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC), Credentialed Prevention Professional (CPP) or Credentialed Prevention Specialist (CPS). The 3 CPP (Section 4) hours are approved for initial credit hours and for CPS/CASAC renewal by the New York State Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services.

CASAC training offerings are suitable for community members that are aspiring to learn more about addictions and other related topics to improve their lives and the lives of others. This course work is also recognized and approved by the Pennsylvania Certification Board through reciprocity.

CASAC offers a number of community and professional educational opportunities throughout the year. Individualized on-site training, depending upon staff needs, is available. All trainings can be designed either as an in-service training, conference or workshop.

The fee is $50 and pre-registration is required. To register for the above course contact CASAC or Kathleen Colby, Director of Training Services, 664-3608, kjcolby@casacweb.org, or, visit our Website: www.casacweb.org

Since 1974, Chautauqua Alcohol & Substance Abuse Council (CASAC), a United Way partner agency, has been providing prevention education and community awareness on alcohol, other drugs and compulsive gambling. CASAC is the only New York State Office of Alcohol & Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) approved and supported alcohol and other drug prevention agency in Chautauqua County. For further information about CASAC services, call the Jamestown office at 664-3608, or the Dunkirk office at 366-4623 or visit our Website: www.casacweb.org.