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South Dakota Psychological Association

“To advance psychology as a service and to apply the knowledge to benefit the health and well-being of the people of South Dakota.”

 

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2008 Conference & Annual Meeting Information

2008 SDPA Conference Sponsors

Sumption & Wyland
Capital Area Counseling, Dr. Jodi Owen
Dakota Counseling Institute, Dr. Michael Stone
Great Plains Psychological Services, Dr. D. Scott Pribyl

Event:  2008 SDPA Conference and Annual Meeting
Location: Cedar Shore Resort in Chamberlain/Oacoma, SD
Date:  May 16-17, 2008

Topic:  Nuts and Bolts of Successful Court Testimony

Featured Speaker:  For three decades, Dr. Joel Dvoskin, Ph.D. has worked as a clinician, researcher, scholar, and administrator in the fields of mental health and criminal justice. He studied psychology and law at the University of Arizona, where he received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology in 1981. He completed an internship at McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School, and a fellowship in forensic psychology at the Harvard Medical School.

In addition to traditional expert psychological testimony in civil and criminal cases, Dr. Dvoskin frequently provides expert testimony and consultation concerning class actions involving prisons, jails, psychiatric hospitals, and juvenile justice systems.

Currently, Dr. Dvoskin serves on the faculties of the medical schools at Louisiana State University and the University of Arizona. He is affiliated with the Threat Assessment Group and Park Dietz and Associates, and maintains a clinical, forensic, and consulting psychology practice in Tucson, Arizona.

Topic Description:  This introductory and intermediate-level workshop is designed to inform mental health professionals about what is expected in court testimony. Psychologists, mental health providers, and attorneys are welcome to attend. This workshop will provide information that will be helpful in building your mental health or legal practice.

Learning Goals and Objectives:  The attendees will learn about preparation of court documentation and report writing, how to best conduct oneself in depositions, ethical considerations in the court environment, and how to perform in both direct and cross-examinations. Role-playing exercises and demonstrations will be used to illustrate concepts.

This training will cover how to excel at court testimony, including the following:

Preparation of documentation and report-writing
A mental health report often becomes part of the court’s permanent record. Report-writing and documentation is of critical importance and affects the mental health professional’s credibility. Thus, this portion of the conference will review important tips on report writing to assist in producing a well-written and defensible report.

Depositions
This will review how to properly prepare for a deposition. We will discuss the goals of opposing counsel. In this section, deposition tactics will be explained and reviewed. Techniques on how to offer effective deposition testimony will be discussed.

Ethical Considerations
Integrity, self-esteem, and ethics are valuable assets for objective experts. Identification and correcting biases will be discussed. The importance of understanding the difference between an expert vs. a fact witness will also be reviewed.

Direct and Cross Examination
Court techniques will be addressed, such as how to dress and act in court. The importance of how to offer an inferential opinion and of utilizing the truth will be addressed. Participants will learn how using humility in court is important.

Opportunities for Continuing Education Credit: 

American Psychological Association (APA) CE:

This conference has been APPROVED for 10.0 CE credits.

The Disaster Mental Health Institute at the University of South Dakota (DMHI) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The DMHI maintains responsibility for this program and its content. There is an additional charge of $25.00 for a continuing education certificate. This conference has been approved by the DMHI for 10 hours of CE.

For further information about the DMHI's Continuing Education Program either contact the DMHI or visit http://www.usd.edu/dmhi/ce.cfm.

The South Dakota Board of Counselor Examiners has APPROVED this conference for 10.0 CE hours.

Agenda:    Conference agenda
                SDPA Annual Meeting Agenda

Conference events include presentations, annual SDPA membership meeting, and a  cocktail & hors d'oeuvres reception sponsored by Sumption & Wyland.

Student Presentations and Posters:

Please refer to the SDPA Presentation Proposal Cover Sheet and the 2008 SDPA Call for Posters and Presentations for information.

Conference Rates:

                                                            Before May 1            After May 1

SDPA members (in good standing) :               $150                         $175
Non-members:                                            $175                         $200
Students:                                                     $35                           $35
Students (presenting)                                    $25                           $25

NOTE:  Three (3) or more attendees registering together and paying with a single check receive a 10% discount ($15 per person for SDPA members in good standing; $17.50 per person for non-members)

Conference registration fee includes entry to all events, materials, certificate of attendance, Friday evening hors d'oeuvre reception, and Saturday box lunch.

Cancellation policy:  Cancellations received before May 9 will be refunded at 100%, less a $25.00 administrative fee.  Cancellations received after May 9 will be refunded at 50%, less a $25 administrative fee. 

Conference registration MUST be paid in full by check or cash either IN ADVANCE or AT THE DOOR before attendance.

Registration Form:    View/Print Conference Brochure (PDF)

Hotel:  A room block has been reserved at Cedar Shore Inn.  The SDPA room rate is $79 per night.  Please mention SDPA when registering.  Call 888-697-6363 to reserve your room or visit www.cedarshore.com for more information.

Questions:    Michael Wyland, SDPA Executive Director
                    (605) 336-0244

SDPA Division 1 (Practice Division) Meeting

Date:              Thursday, May 15, 2008
Time:              6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. 
Location:        Cedar Shore Resort, Chamberlain/Oacoma, SD

Topic:             To Be Announced

Invited
Presenter:
      

 


Cost:    No charge for SDPA Division 1 members
            No charge for SDPA 2008 Conference Attendees
            $25.00 for all others

Please RSVP to: Michael Wyland, SDPA Executive Director
(605) 336-0244 or michael.wyland@psysd.org

 

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Last modified: 03/17/08