A special message from this dynamic woman who will share insights learned from her family who
worked to make a difference in our country through the civil rights movement. Learn how pro-life
work parallels the civil rights movement. What we can learn from these brave leaders -- a powerful
message everyone will want to hear.
10:45 Break
11:00 Counselor's Legal Update - Thomas Glessner, J.D.
This workshop provides a review and update of legal and ethical concerns, including situations,
which pose the greatest risk for center counselors. Professional codes of ethics will be discussed
and case studies explored that share ethical decision-making in difficult situations. Every counselor
should attend this informative session.
12:30 Lunch Break
1:30 Connecting With Your Client: How Effective Are You? Collaboration,
Communication and Connection - Lori DeVillez, B.A.
Why is collaboration, communication and connection so important in serving our clients? What
is effective communication? What is our goal in connecting? In this session, we will observe our
communication styles and gain skills for more effective communication. You will leave with the
skills needed to not only connect with your client but with your donors and your community.
2:45 Break
3:00 Personality Disorders: Understanding the Difficult Client- Gregory Lester, Ph.D. and
Sister Paula Vandegaer, L.C.S.W.
Difficult clients can shake the confidence of even the most experienced counselor. This session
will help you identify the key characteristics of the “difficult” client, and provide a range of
strategies for counseling. Special attention will be given to the Dependent, Histrionic, Narcissistic
and Borderline Personalities.
4:15 Post Abortion Syndrome Update 2008: from Research to Reality - Janet Morana MEd
Since 1980, mental health providers have been treating an increasing number of women who are
suffering from mental and emotional difficulties as a result of induced abortions. This session will
consist of two parts: 1) Recent research on PAS 2) Effective methods of working with these clients
within a pregnancy service center setting
9:15 Counseling the Repeat Abortion Client - Sister Paula Vandegaer, L.C.S.W.
The Guttmacher Policy Review states, “About half of all U.S. women having an abortion have had
one previously.” This statistic has prompted the development of highly specialized counseling
techniques to deal with this client's psychosocial situation, abortion decision, life outlook, and
relational situation.
10:45 Break
11:00 Abortion: Soul Wound of the World - Vicki Thorn, B.A.
Abortion reaches far beyond the loss of the infant and the impact on the mother. Fathers,
grandparents, aunts and uncles, siblings, friends and cousins may all be impacted. Learning about
the impact on the greater circle makes us more sensitive as we speak about the issue and as we deal
with people who touch our lives.
12:30 Lunch Break
1:30 Gender Identity - Ross Porter Ph.D.
What are we to think as Christian pro-life people about the growing gender identity confusion?
Is homosexuality a matter of nature or nurture? Come and learn the possible origins of same sex
attraction, how to first identify it, and what a parent and counselor can do. Identify the current
cultural confusion and the concurrent attack on male identity.
2:45 Break
3:00 Sexual Abuse: Past Trauma and Present Functioning - Gregory Lester, Ph.D.
Centers are finding that many of their clients have been victims of prior sexual abuse. This session
will explore research that suggests that prior abuse may place a woman at greater risk for further
abuse. This may occur in the form of unwanted sexual contact, physical abuse, and psychological
maltreatment. This session will share how to help these women start the journey to healing.
4:15 Tough Kids Cool Counseling: Talking With the Young Sexually Liberated Client -
Sister Paula Vandegaer, Rose Diaz, Gigi Sanguineti
This panel will discuss the changing social and sexual morals of today's young people. It will
explore methods on how to deal with young resistant clients and explore ways in which counselors
can improve their effectiveness in counseling the new generation. Come and learn what has been
working for these highly successful counselors.
Visit one of the best-known observatories in the world
Witness first-hand as the planetarium dome is suffused with a cool
blue light with a suggestion of clouds. Experience a simulated
flight through clusters of galaxies and into the Milky Way Galaxy,
and finally return to land on the front lawn of Griffith Observatory. (Dinner Included).
Saturday Evening
Evening at Disneyland
From the charm of Main Street, U.S.A to the whimsy of Disneyland explore eight fantastic "lands"
of nostalgia, color and delight. Let your imagination run free in a magic kingdom where life is a
fairy tale and dreams really do come true. Join as we visit the "Happiest Place on Earth." (Dinner
On Your Own. Limited tickets, reserve your space early.)
International Life Services 2606 1/2 W. 8th St. Los Angeles, CA 90057 email: lifeservices@juno.com
ABOUT US
