April 28, 1998
KALAMAZOO -- Reports of public teen suicides and troubled youths have been big news across the country lately. How to deal with the disturbing trends these reports imply will be addressed at back-to-back workshops in West Michigan this May.
"Helping the Depressed and Anxious Child" will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in downtown Grand Rapids. It will be followed by "The Oppositional and Defiant Child" from 8:30 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, at Western Michigan University's Fetzer Center in Kalamazoo.
"The programs help professionals identify early the signs of depression, anxiety and impulsiveness that relate to high risk for youth violence and suicide," said Christine Garrett, assistant director of WMU's Office of Professional Programs and Conferences, which is sponsoring the workshops. "They also will teach participants how to positively redirect oppositional and defiant behaviors."
Both workshops are being presented by Dr. James D. Sutton, a consulting psychologist and noted writer and speaker. Sutton presented the oppositional and defiant child workshop on campus this past winter to a capacity crowd and is being brought back by popular demand. He will be presenting the workshop on depressed and anxious children for the first time in Southwest Michigan.
The workshops are designed for parents as well as teachers, school administrators and counselors, family therapists, social workers, and guidance clinic, juvenile court and Family Independence Agency personnel.
Sutton has a doctorate in educational psychology from Brigham Young University and has written anumber of influential works, including "It Makes a Difference" and "Conducting a Diagnostic Interview with Children and Adolescents."
A licensed psychologist, he began his career as a classroom teacher and has earned credentials as a school psychologist, professional counselor and certified chemical dependency specialist. He has served as a consultant for public and private schools, residential treatment centers, emergency youth shelters, juvenile probation authorities, special education cooperatives and regional education service centers.
The cost of the workshops is $85 per workshop or $155 for both. The fee includes all materials, lunch and refreshments. Participants will take home a professionally prepared interactive workbook for professional and personal use.
For more information or to register, call the professional programs and conferences office at (616) 387-4174.
Media contact: Jeanne Baron; jeanne.baron@wmich.edu
Office of University Relations
Western Michigan University
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA
616 387-8400
univ-rel@wmich.edu
http://www.wmich.edu/wmu/news