ANI Spring Workshop 2025

Published: Wednesday, 12 March 2025 16:32

Welcome to our 2-day Virtual workshop.

Over these two days we will cover the topics of:

• The Adaptation of Addictive Behaviours and
• Suicide and Suicidal Behaviour

Suicide and Suicidal Behaviour with Karen John

According to WHO (World Health Organisation), suicide rates worldwide have increased 60% in the past 50 years. The WHO regards suicide as a serious global public health issue, with 720,000-760,000 recorded annually over the past several years.

Deaths due to suicide globally are under-reported due to social stigma, cultural or legal concerns, but they still are greater than deaths due to malaria, breast cancer, war or homicide. Every suicide is a tragedy that affects families, communities and entire countries and has long-lasting effects on the people left behind.

Suicide occurs throughout the lifespan and has been found to be the third leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds globally, with road injury being the highest and interpersonal violence being the second highest cause in that age group. Seventy-three per cent of global suicides occur in low- and middle-income countries. The reasons for suicide are multi-faceted, influenced by social, cultural, biological, psychological, and environmental factors present across the life. For every suicide there are many more people who attempt suicide. A prior suicide attempt is an important risk factor for suicide in the general population. Rates of suicide among men (12 in 100,000), more than twice the rates among women. Rates of suicide for those aged 10-24 are low (5.0 in 100,000). We will address the facts, myths and disturbing effects of suicide and suicidal behaviour, with the learning outcomes of this workshop being to:

1. Understand the reasons for and common features among those who contemplate, attempt and complete suicide.

2. Describe the disturbing and traumatic effects of suicidal behavior and suicide, with direct reference to the practice needs of participants.

3. Specify Adlerian and other theories, research findings and models for understanding risk factors and reasons for suicide and suicidal behavior

4. Develop new ways of thinking about and working with clients who are contemplating suicide and/or have attempted to take their lives in the past.

Methods: Brief presentations, small and large group discussion and experiential exercises. Participants will learn most from engaging in the exercises, which will provide opportunities for active participation, ‘learning through doing’, and exploring ideas, feelings and how what is learned might be applied in practice.

About the Presenter

Karen John Ph.D. Psychologist, Consultant, Trainer, Author, Adlerian Psychotherapist & Supervisor/ Mentor of therapists and leaders of educational, social care and health services. Bath, United Kingdom.

The Adaptation of Addictive Behaviours with Jim Holder

This workshop will look closely at addiction whereby it seemingly assists a person to fit into their environment and lifestyle. The participants will learn to use Early Recollections as metaphors, to pinpoint beliefs. The vocabulary in the ER is a guide for us into the here and now of a client. ERs give insight into the Adlerian lifestyle, or what neuroscientists call Brain Maps. Computer and phone addictions will be investigated on the second day, so we will be addressing the elephant in the room.

Learning Objectives

1. Participants will gain knowledge in the addiction process

2. Participants will learn and share their insight while interpreting ERs

3. Participants will discover the use of Guiding Words

4. Participants will learn how Dopamine is involved in addictive behaviors.

5. Participants will understand the similarity between computer, phone and drug addiction.

About the Presenter

James A. Holder, MA, LPC, MAC, is the owner of Positive Intentions.org.

Jim is an author, consultant, trainer, and was in private practice until he retired as a counselor in 2022. He has been an international trainer for two decades and author of Perceptual Adjustment Therapy, Soar Like an Eagle, and The FACE Screening that came online in 2024. He has served on the ICASSI board on several occasions and has won multiple state and national awards.