University of Denver Law
School, Denver, Colorado (1983-1984)
B.A. -
Philosophy/Psychology, The Colorado College, Colorado Springs, Colorado (1981)
A.A. - Political
Science/Social Science, Arapahoe Community College, Littleton, Colorado (1979)
Training for "Trainers"
- Training in Professional Presentation Skills, University of San Francisco,
McLaren School of Business, Department of Rehabilitation Administration, San
Francisco, California, (1995)
certificate -
Vocational Financial/Disability Benefits Analyst Specialist, DisAbility Works,
Inc., Lakewood, Colorado (1991)
certificate -
Case Manager Aide (including benefits acquisition), Community College of
Denver/Regional Assessment and Training Center, Denver, Colorado (1987)
certificate -
Supported Employment in Mental Health, Rocky Mountain Resource and Training Institute,
Lakewood, Colorado (1990)
certificate -
How to Make Social Security Work for You, Rocky Mountain Resource and Training
Institute, Lakewood, Colorado (1990)
certificate -
Colorado Outward Bound School, Denver, Colorado (1988)
continuing education - Over 500 hours of continuing education contact hours in mental health
and related fields (1987 - present)
PUBLICATIONS,
PAPERS, WORKSHOPS AND PRESENTATIONS
10/06 The Culture of Grassroots Organizing: Transformation and Accountability - Veteran grassroots organizers discuss bringing the "grassroots underground to the surface." Real transformation means changes in the social infrastructure through sensitive, often unheralded detail work. Grassroots work Ð commonly taken for granted Ð must truly be valued and appreciated. "Transformation" obliges being accountable to people whose recovery situation is transformed. Co-Presented this institute at the National ÒAlternatives 2006Ó Conference in Portland, Oregon
10/06 How Consumer/Survivors are Working to Reduce and Eliminate the use of Seclusion & Restraints - How consumers/survivors are contributing to the reduction of restraint/seclusion. More about advocacy opportunities to eliminate the use of restraint and seclusion. Mentalism and trauma discussed in detail. Co-Presented this workshop at the National ÒAlternatives 2006Ó Conference in Portland, Oregon
10/06 Rap With Pat - This workshop is designed for people to have an opportunity to interact with a Òconsumer/survivorÓ leader and to discuss such topics as, ÒWhatÕs gone wrong with the concept of recovery?Ó Presented at the 2006 National Association of Case Management (NACM) conference. Salt Lake City, Utah
10/06 Solving the Problems of Mentalism: Recognizing and Overcoming Treatment Induced Oppression, Discrimination and Trauma - This workshop identified several different forms of oppression, discrimination and trauma related to mental health treatment with an exploration of how and why these occur. Mentalism and prognostication, as well as mentalism as it relates to psychotropic medications, physical environment, and language were covered. In addition, the consumer/survivor perspective of decontextualization was explored. The workshop concluded with a discussion of how to overcome problems of mentalist attitudes. Presented at the 2006 National Association of Case Management (NACM) conference. Salt Lake City, Utah
9/06 Recovery: Hopes and Dreams of Real Transformation - Keynote presentation at the 20th Annual Statewide Mental Health Consumer Conference hosted by Knowledge Empowers You (KEY) in Indianapolis, Indiana
7/06 Recovery: Hopes and Dreams of Real Transformation - Keynote presentation at the Fourth Annual ÒCelebration RecoveryÓ Conference of the Ohio Adult Recovery Network in Akron, Ohio
5/06 Solving the Problems of Mentalism: Recognizing and Overcoming Treatment Induced Oppression, Discrimination and Trauma - This workshop identified several different forms of oppression, discrimination and trauma related to mental health treatment with an exploration of how and why these occur. Mentalism and prognostication, as well as mentalism as it relates to psychotropic medications, physical environment, and language were covered. In addition, the consumer/survivor perspective of decontextualization was explored. The workshop concluded with a discussion of how to overcome problems of mentalist attitudes. Presented at the 2006 Mental Health Consumer & Family Education and Leadership Conference. Anchorage, Alaska
12/05 To Be A Mental Patient - Keynote presentation at the Annual Meeting of the Mental Health Association of Collier County in Naples, Florida
10/05 How are Consumer/Survivors helping to Reduce/Eliminate the use of Seclusion and Restraint? (Part I) - How consumers/survivors are contributing to the reduction of restraint/seclusion. How to get your state's Protection and Advocacy organization to be more effective. In depth coverage of de-escalation techniques and the use of comfort rooms. Co-Presented this workshop at the National Alternatives Conference in Phoenix, Arizona
10/05 How are Consumer/Survivors helping to Reduce/Eliminate the use of Seclusion and Restraint? (Part II) - More about advocacy opportunities to eliminate the use of restraint and seclusion. Mentalism and trauma discussed in detail. Co-Presented this workshop at the National Alternatives Conference in Phoenix, Arizona
6/05 Solving the Problems of Mentalism: Recognizing and Overcoming Treatment Induced Oppression, Discrimination and Trauma - This workshop identified several different forms of oppression, discrimination and trauma related to mental health treatment with an exploration of how and why these occur. Mentalism and prognostication, as well as mentalism as it relates to psychotropic medications, physical environment, and language were covered. In addition, the consumer/survivor perspective of decontextualization was explored. The workshop concluded with a discussion of how to overcome problems of mentalist attitudes. Presented at the 2005 National Association of Case Management (NACM) conference. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
5/05 Disconnect: Changing Social Relations and Combating the Psychology of War - The present war mentality focuses on 'getting evil to behave', on producing conformity to "globalized" society. Along a similar path, we must find a means of attending to the problem of moving mental health from a 'mental disease' concept to a 'democratic dialogue' (Gergen) and to do so we must deconstruct the social basis of that "replacement" psychology. We must target turning the deficit-based behavioral medicine paradigm into an asset-based trauma work collaborative. This workshop was focused on how to build tools for constructing dialogue between the "client/survivor" movement and psychologists and counselors on the basis of social justice and enhanced mutual respect beyond what generally obtains now. Veteran activists engaged participants in a roundtable style conversation. Presented at the 2005 Psychologists for Social Responsibility and Counselors for Social Justice conference. Portland, Oregon
5/05 Solving the Problems of Mentalism: Recognizing and Overcoming Treatment Induced Oppression, Discrimination and Trauma - This workshop identified several different forms of oppression, discrimination and trauma related to mental health treatment with an exploration of how and why these occur. Mentalism and prognostication, as well as mentalism as it relates to psychotropic medications, physical environment, and language were covered. In addition, the consumer/survivor perspective of decontextualization was explored. The workshop will concluded with a discussion of how to overcome problems of mentalist attitudes. Presented at the 2005 Psychologists for Social Responsibility and Counselors for Social Justice conference. Portland, Oregon
2/05 The "Consumer" Movement: Past, Present and Future - Presentation as a guest lecturer to a class on Evidence-Based Interventions for Community Mental Health Practice at the Graduate School of Social Work at Portland State University. Portland, Oregon
1/05 Effective Communication with Mental Health Consumer/Survivors - Presentation to Oregon State Department of Health Services Reception Staff. Portland, Oregon
1/05 Effective Communication with Mental Health Consumer/Survivors - Presentation to Oregon State Department of Health Services Reception Staff. Hillsboro, Oregon
07/04 Peer and Self-Advocacy and Serving on Advisory Boards and Councils - Training provided to consumers/survivors in Southwest Oregon. Coos Bay
11/03 Critical
Connections - A professional/consumer panel interacting with each other and
the audience to enhance case management and consumer case management practice
and mutual respect and understanding. Presented this plenary session as a
panelist at the National Association of Case Management (NACM) conference in
Nashville, Tennessee
10/03 Solving the
Problems of Mentalism: Recognizing and Overcoming Treatment Induced Oppression,
Discrimination and Trauma - Presented at: Celebrate Wellness IV: A
Statewide Conference Promoting the Health and Wellness of Oregonians with
Disabilities. Portland, Oregon
10/03 Risser, Pat (2004). Barriers
to Self-Determination for People who have been Identified as Having Mental
Illness in Western Society - In UIC NRTC's National Self-Determination and
Psychiatric Disability Invitational Conference: Conference Papers (J. Jonikas
& J. Cook, Eds.), pp. 209-230., Chicago, IL: UIC National Research &
Training Center on Psychiatric Disability. Available online at (UIC_NRTC)
5/03 Solving the
Problems of Mentalism: Recognizing and Overcoming Treatment Induced Oppression,
Discrimination and Trauma - Presentation at National Association of Social
Workers-Oregon Chapter, annual conference. Tualatin, Oregon
2/03 Consumer/Survivor
Perspectives on Public Mental Health Services - Presentation as a guest
lecturer to a class at the Graduate School of Social Work at Portland State
University. Also discussed the Recovery Model of service provision and how
social workers can be more sensitive and better partners with consumers in the
assessment and diagnosis process and the history of the C/S/X
(Consumer/Client/Survivor/Ex-inmate/Ex-patient) movement as a social change
movement and a review of issues of self-determination. Portland, Oregon
1/03 Capitol Voices
- Presented as part of this full day training for mental health consumers on
how the legislative process works (or doesn't). Salem, Oregon
1/03 Consumer/Survivor
Perspective on Mental Health Services - Presented half-day as guest
lecturer to a class of Senior nursing students at Oregon Health and Sciences
University. Portland, Oregon
12/02 History of the
C/S/X (Consumer/Client/Survivor/Ex-inmate/Ex-patient) Movement - Presented
to Renaissance Peer Counseling support class (part of Cascadia Behavioral
HealthCare, Inc.) in Portland, Oregon
12/02 Peer and Self
Advocacy 102 - Presented this two-day training on Mental Status Exam,
Diagnosis and Psychiatric Medications to the Circle of Hope Drop-in Center in
Corvallis, Oregon
11/02 Recognizing and
Overcoming Internalized Oppression - Presented this workshop at "NARPA
(National Association for Rights Protection and Advocacy) 2002: Rights Under
Siege" Conference in Portland, Oregon.
10/02 Consumer/Survivor
Perspective on Mental Health Services - Presented half-day as guest
lecturer to a class of Senior nursing students at Oregon Health and Sciences
University. Portland, Oregon
10/02 Hints and Tips on
Effective Presentations - Presented each of five evenings at the "Fall
Institute on Self-Determination" (An Activity of the Real Choice Systems
Change Project of the Oregon Office of Mental Health and Addiction Service).
Topics included: Assertiveness; Stress Management; Use of Multi-Media;
Ice-Breakers; Reading and Connecting with an Audience and Role Play. Portland,
Oregon
10/02 Introduction to
Consumer/Survivor Self-Determination - Half-day intensive learning module
presented at the "Fall Institute on Self-Determination" (An Activity
of the Real Choice Systems Change Project of the Oregon Office of Mental Health
and Addiction Service). Topics included: History of Consumer/Survivor
Self-Determination; Values and Principles of Consumer/ Survivor
Self-Determination; Philosophy of Recovery. Portland, Oregon
10/02 Self-Help and
Community Centers: From the Patients Rights Era to the Present with Mental
Health Consumer Concerns, Inc. - Presentation at the 25th Anniversary
Celebration, "Remembering Our Past & Celebrating the Future! A Tribute
to the Successes of the Second Oldest Consumer-Run Organization in the
U.S.A.!" for Mental Health Consumer Concerns, Inc. in Concord, California
9/02 Real Conversations
- Workshop presented at Alternatives 2002 Conference. In the course of
developing a process that would lead to a National Organization for the
consumer/survivor/ex-patient movement differences had to be overcome and ways
of communicating and trusting had to be developed. This workshop discusses some
of how that happened. Atlanta, Georgia
9/02 Introduction to
Peer and Self-Advocacy - Two day training presented to consumer/survivors
at Circle of Hope Drop-In Center in Corvallis, Oregon
8/02 Starting and
Governing a Consumer Operated Drop-In Center - Training presented on behalf
of OCTA (Oregon Consumer Technical Assistance) to consumer/ survivors from
Sweet Home Drop-In in Albany, Oregon, from On Our Own Drop-In in Albany, Oregon
and from Circle of Hope Drop-In in Corvalllis, Oregon
8/02 The Case Against
the Use of Force and Coercion in Mental Health Care - Testimony b efore a
sub-committee of President Bush's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health in
Washington, D.C.
7/02 Identifying and
Overcoming Mentalism - Co-authored this article which is currently in press
(Community Mental Health Journal) with Coni Kalinowski, M.D.
7/02 C.R.I.S.P. (Crisis
Recovery Individualized Support Plan) - This article outlining a successful
method of reducing inpatient hospitalizations for people who have been labeled
with psychiatric disabilities is currently in press (Community Mental Health
Journal).
6/02 Recognizing and
Overcoming Internalized Oppression - Presentation at Camp OCTA Leadership
Conference, this was an interactive workshop with participants identifying
their own internalized oppression based on examples provided by the workshop
facilitator. Participants were also challenged to learn to be assertive in giving
up those internalized oppressions and thus be better able to suggest changes to
the mental health system. "As advocates, we can't challenge oppression in
ourselves and others and thus make the system better, if we can't recognize the
oppression that exists." Presented at Camp Magruder at Rockaway Beach,
Oregon
6/02 History of the
C/S/X Patient's Rights Movement - Co-Presented at Camp OCTA Leadership
Conference, this was an interactive workshop that traced the history of the
struggles of our movement through it's roots in self-help/peer support to the
current situation with the American's with Disabilities Act and the Olmstead
decision. (C/S/X = Consumer or Client, Survivor, Ex-Patient or Ex-Inmate)
Presented at Camp Magruder at Rockaway Beach, Oregon
5/02 Introduction to
Advocacy and Activism - Presentation at O.C.T.A. (Office of Consumer
Technical Assistance), for Oregon Trail Project III to train consumer/survivors
in how to get more involved in local public policy by participation on Advisory
Boards. Presented in Portland, Oregon
5/02 Successful
Community Living - Workshop presentation to mental health service providers
(Case Managers and Adult Foster Care Home Workers) in Burns, Oregon
1/02 Meaningful
inclusion of people with psychiatric disabilities in White House decision
making on mental health issues, better enforcement of civil rights laws and
support for the national expansion of peer-run service approaches -
Co-Presented to President Bush Domestic Policy Advisors in Washington, D.C.
1/02 Crisis Planning to
Avoid Hospitalization and Advance Directives - Co-Presented at Renaissance
(a program with Cascadia Behavioral HealthCare, Inc.) in Portland, Oregon
10/01 History of the
C/S/X (Consumer/Client/Survivor/Ex-inmate/Ex-patient) Movement and a Review of
Issues of Self-Determination and Recovery - Presentation at Open Door
Consumer Center in Astoria, Oregon
10/01 Consumer
Perspectives on Public Mental Health Services - Presentation to a class at
the Graduate School of Social Work at Portland State University. Also
discussed the Recovery Model of service provision and how social workers can be
more sensitive and better partners with consumers in the assessment and
diagnosis process and the history of the C/S/X
(Consumer/Client/Survivor/Ex-inmate/Ex-patient) movement as a social change
movement and a review of issues of self-determination - Presented in Portland,
Oregon
9/01 History of the
C/S/X (Consumer/Client/Survivor/Ex-inmate/Ex-patient) Movement and a Review of
Issues of Self-Determination and Recovery - Presentation to Psychiatric
Interns at OHSU (Oregon Health Sciences University) in Portland, Oregon (also
presented in 6/01)
8/01 An Overview of
Consumer Involvement in Public Policy: The Consumer Movement, It's History,
Empowerment and Recovery - Presentation at Mental Health Community Forum in
association with O.C.T.A. (Office of Consumer Technical Assistance)(OCTA). Presented in Corvallis, Oregon
6/01 History of the
C/S/X (Consumer/Client/Survivor/Ex-inmate/Ex-patient) Movement - Presented
to Renaissance Peer Counseling support class (part of Network Behavioral
HealthCare, Inc.) in Portland, Oregon
5/01 An Overview of
Consumer Involvement in Public Policy: The Consumer Movement, It's History and
Empowerment - Presentation at O.C.T.A. (Office of Consumer Technical
Assistance), (OCTA) for Oregon Trail
Project II to train consumer/survivors in how to get more involved in local
public policy by participation on Advisory Boards. Presented in Portland,
Oregon
4/01 History of the
Consumer/Survivor Movement; Balancing Empowerment, Recovery and Advocacy -
Presented to the members of "A Place Of Our Own" Drop-In Center in
Tillamook, Oregon
11/00 The Journey from
Mental Patient to Psychiatric Survivor: Overcoming Mentalism - Workshop
presented at the "NARPA 2000" (National Association for Rights
Protection and Advocacy) conference; Taking Power to the People: Knowledge
Plus Action. Many psychiatric survivors have overcome many of the effects of
the trauma of mentalism. This interactive workshop focused on helping people to
identify mentalism, its effects and steps in overcoming mentalist attitudes
within a recovery framework. Presented in Sacramento, California
10/00 Mental Health
Treatment that Works: National and Local Perspectives - Co-Presented this
workshop at Mental Health and the Law conference sponsored by Multnomah
County NAMI. In this workshop, consumer/survivors and advocates together
discussed recovery-based, consumer-focused programs that result in
long-lasting, successful outcomes with increased community tenure. We also
exposed some of the prevalent myths around mental illness, such as the violence
myth and the myth of the need for forced treatment, and how these and other myths
are hurting rather than helping people get the services they need to prosper.
Presented in Portland, Oregon
10/00 Consumer
Perspectives on Public Mental Health Services - Presentation to a class at
the Graduate School of Social Work at Portland State University. Also
discussed the Recovery Model of service provision and how social workers can be
more sensitive and better partners with consumers in the assessment and
diagnosis process and the history of the C/S/X
(Consumer/Client/Survivor/Ex-inmate/Ex-patient) movement as a social change
movement and a review of issues of self-determination - Presented in Portland,
Oregon
10/00 The Journey from
Mental Patient to Psychiatric Survivor: Overcoming Mentalism - Workshop
presented at "Alternatives 2000" conference. Many psychiatric
survivors have overcome many of the effects of the trauma of mentalism. This
interactive workshop focused on helping people to identify mentalism, its
effects and steps in overcoming mentalist attitudes within a recovery
framework. Presented in Nashville, Tennessee
8/00 The Journey from
Mental Patient to Psychiatric Survivor: Overcoming Mentalism - Workshop
presented at "Voices of Hope" conference (Oregon
consumer/survivors second annual conference) sponsored by OCTA (Oregon Consumer
Technical Assistance). Many psychiatric survivors have overcome many of the
effects of the trauma of mentalism. This interactive workshop focused on
helping people to identify mentalism, its effects and steps in overcoming
mentalist attitudes within a recovery framework. Presented in Portland, Oregon
8/00 A Public Mental
Health System Without Coercion - Facilitated this roundtable discussion at
the NARMH (National Association for Rural Mental Health) conference in
Portland, Oregon
11/99 Consumer Empowerment
and Advocacy; Increasing the Voice of Consumers in the Mental Health System
- Co-Presented this full day training with OCTA (Oregon Consumer Technical
Assistance) in Grants Pass, Oregon
5/98 Let`s Understand
Each Other - Presentation of all day workshop designed to promote unity,
partnership and understanding in celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month
sponsored by Yolo County Mental Health (YCMH), Yolo Consumer Self-Help,
Advocacy and Peer Support (CSHAPES) and Yolo Community Care Continuum (YCCC)
to the Yolo County, California Mental Health Community in Woodland, California
4/98 Empowering Mental
Health Clients - Presentation to Yolo Consumer Self-Help, Advocacy and
Peer Support (CSHAPES) in Woodland, California
8/94 Providing Support
Over the Telephone to the Chronically Mentally Ill Repeat Caller -
Co-presented to Crisis and Suicide Intervention of Contra Costa phone
worker training, Walnut Creek, California
3/94 Experiences in
Empowerment and Mental Health Board Activism - Presentation as part of Panel
at Sonoma County Mental Health Board Client Empowerment Training - Part 1,
Santa Rosa, California
4/92 An Empowering
Journey - Published in "The Journal", Volume 3, Number 2, a
quarterly publication of the California Alliance for the Mentally Ill.
8/91 Training and
Self-Advocacy - Presentation as part of this workshop at Patients'
Rights Advocacy Training Conference, Burlingame, California
5/91 Working Together
and Sharing in Our Diversity - Presentation at 2nd Annual SCCORE
Conference, Grand Junction, Colorado
4/91 Consumer Advocates
Call Others to Action - Published Interview in "InSites", Vol.
IV, No. 2, a publication of The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Program
on Chronic Mental Illness
2/91 Featured Presenter in
Educational video produced by Colorado Division of Mental Health on
Local Area Planning and Participation in Accordance with P.L. 99-660, Denver,
Colorado
12/90 Changing Roles of
Consumers and Family Members in the Delivery of Mental Health Services -
Presentation at Colorado Association of Community Mental Health Center and
Clinics Policy Forum, Denver, Colorado
11/90 The Need for a
Comprehensive Public Mental Health System: Access Issues for the Medically
Indigent - Presentation on behalf of the Colorado Health Care Campaign
`90 to a federal and state legislative panel, Denver, Colorado
9/90 Overcoming
Obstacles in Consumer Empowerment - Presentation at First Annual
National Case Management Conference, Cincinnati, Ohio
7/90 Assembling the
Building Blocks of a Statewide Organization - Presentation at Alternatives
`90 Conference, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
5/90 Peer Self-Help,
Empowerment and Advocacy - Opening Address presentation at First Annual
SCCORE Conference, Estes Park, Colorado
5/90 Grievance
Procedures - Workshop presentation at First Annual SCCORE Conference,
Estes Park, Colorado
5/90 Overprotectiveness
and Fear of Loss of Services and Friends - Presentation at First Annual
Developmental Disabilities Planning Council "Empowerment" Conference,
Denver, Colorado
5/90 Consumer
Self-Advocacy - Presentation at First Annual Mental Health Advocates
Forum, Evergreen, Colorado
10/89 What Consumers
Want - Plenary panel presentation at Regional CSP Conference,
Phoenix, Arizona
4/88 Battered and Abused
- Unpublished autobiography on the subject of my history of abuse both as a
child and a mental patient (Pat's
Book - Battered and Abused)
9/87 Change From Within:
The Consumer Movement in Colorado - Presentation at Annual Colorado
Mental Health Conference, Breckenridge, Colorado
* 6/95 Appreciation Award from first class of graduates of Solano County Mental
Health Consumer Service Provider Training Class, Fairfield, California
* 12/94 Appreciation Award from second class of graduates of Contra Costa
Mental Health Consumer Service Provider Training Class, Pleasant Hill,
California
* 4/94 Certificate of Appreciation from first graduates of Contra Costa Mental
Health Consumer Service Provider Training class, Concord, California
* 12/93 Certificate of Appreciation presented by Mental Health Consumer
Concerns, Inc., California
* 5/91 Outstanding Lifetime Service Award presented by SCCORE, Colorado
* 12/90 Special Recognition Award presented by The Phoenix Project, Colorado
* 5/90 Outstanding Leadership Award presented by SCCORE, Colorado
* 4/90 Certificate of Appreciation presented by Colorado Alliance for the
Mentally Ill
* 10/89 Communications Award in a Print Medium presented by the Mental Health
Association of Colorado for concept and production of first statewide mental
health consumer newsletter
* 7/89 Plaque in Appreciation of Service presented by Bethesda Community Mental
Health Center Advisory Board, Colorado
* 6/88 Letter of Appreciation presented by the National Alliance for the
Mentally Ill for 1988 National Conference participation and leadership,
Colorado