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Investing for the Future

2009 Conference October 16 - 18, 2009

                         Sneak Peek

 

Dr. Xavier Amador

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Xavier Amador (see www.XavierAmador.com) is an Adjunct Professor in Clinical Psychology at Columbia University in New York City, author and clinical psychologist.  

Previously, he was on the Board of Directors of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Director of Research at NAMI, Director of Psychology at the New York State Psychiatric Institute and Co-Chair of the last revision of the Psychotic Disorders section of the DSM-IV. Dr. Amador has published over 100 scientific papers and six books. His books have been translated into multiple languages (e.g., Spanish, German, Portuguese, Polish, French, Chinese, Hungarian, and Japanese).


An internationally sought-after speaker, he has been an NBC News Consultant and Today Show Contributor, and has appeared on many other programs as an expert in psychology: e.g., ABC World News Tonight, Primetime Live, Good Morning America; CBS This Morning, 60 Minutes. The New York Times, L.A. Times, USA Today, New Yorker, and many others have interviewed him. He has been called as an expert in the Unabomber, Elizabeth Smart Kidnapping, Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse, and Zacarias Moussaoui cases among others.

 Dr. Amador will give a presentation of the empirical research on the prevalence, etiology and treatment of both poor insight and poor adherence. He will highlight misconceptions about the causes and treatment of poor insight and poor adherence. Dr. Amador will review the evidence base, supporting the LEAP technique. He will discuss how to build a collaborative relationship with a mentally ill person, and he will discuss a four-step process involving a set of communication and interviewing skills: Listen, Empathize, Agree, and Partner (L.E.A.P.)


 

    

Andrew Sperling is the Director of Federal Legislative Advocacy for NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness.  In this position, he leads NAMI’s legislative advocacy initiatives in Congress and before federal agencies. Mr. Sperling works on issues affecting the mental health community with a focus on improving the lives of people with severe mental illnesses.

Since 1994, Mr. Sperling has also served as Co-Chair of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) Housing Task Force.

Prior to joining NAMI, Mr. Sperling held the position of deputy director of government relations

Mr. Sperling earned his bachelor’s of arts degree from Tulane University.  After graduating from Tulane, Sperling attended George Washington University where he received a masters of arts, and in 1992, he earned a law degree from the Franklin Pierce Law Center.


Nanette Larson, BA, CRSS, is the Director of Recovery Support Services for the Illinois DHS/Division of Mental Health. She earned her baccalaureates degree in 1993 from Illinois Wesleyan University, majoring in psychology and religion. Ms. Larson's broad experience working in social service, child welfare and mental health includes working in a residential treatment center for children with serious emotional disturbances, and providing case management services in a homeless shelter. In 1999, Ms. Larson began working with the Illinois DHS/Division of Mental Health, providing leadership and consultation to further the development of a recovery-oriented service delivery system within the public mental health system. During this time, she has led the state's Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) initiative and facilitated the state's partnership to develop the Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) credential. Ms. Larson is a nationally recognized leader in the mental health consumer recovery movement and has provided numerous presentations to diverse audiences on recovery, spirituality, and related topics. Her passion for recovery comes from her personal experience of recovery from mental illness, and her message is one of hope for all whose lives are affected by these conditions.

 

 

 

 

 

During the NAMI Illinois Conference, Awakenings will hold a statewide art show with work by artists from Antioch to Zeigler and all points in between.   Click here to see how you can participate.

 

 

 

Hotel Information

Hilton Lisle/Naperville
3003 Corporate West Drive
Lisle, IL 60532
630-245-7622

Please contact the hotel directly to make your overnight accommodations.  Be sure to mention you are attending the NAMI Illinois conference to ensure a rate of $104 per night plus tax.  Hotel registration deadline is September 24, 2009.

 

 

Join NAMI today!

When you become a member of NAMI, you become part of America's largest grassroots organization dedicated to improving the lives of persons living with serious mental illness. And now you can join online.