The Vanderbilt Kennedy Center (VKC) will hold its first Parent Stress Intervention Program (PSIP) Conference July 14-17. Instructors will split the 4-day conference into two 2-day sessions, with each session focusing on one of two intervention manuals created by VKC researchers to teach parents of children with disabilities how to manage stress.
The PSIP curricula—Positive Adult Development and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction—were developed as part of a VKC intervention research study for stress reduction in parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Adapted by principal investigator and VKC director Elisabeth Dykens, Ph.D., and a group of parent mentors, the curricula provides tools for learning and practicing these techniques, and for teaching them to parent groups. The information is intended to be used by qualified personnel serving as group leaders/mentors in an effort to teach stress reduction to parent/caregiver groups.
Psychologists, counselors, and other professionals who have already purchased one or more of the manuals are invited to attend one or both of the 2-day sessions. Previous purchase of the materials is required to register. Materials are available for purchase via Vanderbilt eInnovations.
The Positive Adult Development session, July 14-15, will be led by VKC UCEDD Social Worker Carol Rabideau, LCSW, VKC Associate Director of Adult Community Services Lynnette Henderson, Ph.D., and parent Janet Shouse. The Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction session (July 16-17) will be conducted by Gordon Peerman, Ph.D., and parent Roxanne Carreon.
Attendees have the option of attending one or both sessions. Cost is $200 per 2-day session or $400 for both. The deadline to register is June 30.
For more information about the PSIP Conference and to register, please visit the VKC Events Calendar page. For questions, contact Janet Shouse at janet.shouse@vanderbilt.edu or (615) 875-8833.
Pictured top of page: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction intervention parent group. (Photo Vanderbilt University / Anne Rayner)
