Pat's Resume on Trauma and Trauma Related Trainings and Activities

PATRICK ALAN RISSER, B.A.
154 Ronald Ave.
Ashland, Ohio 44807
(503) 655-2530
Email: parisser@att.net

EDUCATION

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)
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 Men and Trauma - This institute discussed issues for male trauma survivors, including the importance of gender-specificity in understanding and responding to experiences of violent victimization. Data was presented regarding the prevalence of trauma experiences among boys and men; the impact of trauma; characteristic male coping styles; and models for male trauma recovery and healing. Attention was paid to different types of trauma exposure and to the role of race and culture in menÕs trauma experiences. 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 Men and Trauma - This institute discussed issues for male trauma survivors, including the importance of gender-specificity in understanding and responding to experiences of violent victimization. Data was presented regarding the prevalence of trauma experiences among boys and men; the impact of trauma; characteristic male coping styles; and models for male trauma recovery and healing. Attention was paid to different types of trauma exposure and to the role of race and culture in menÕs trauma experiences. Presented this Institute 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 Men and Trauma - This workshop discussed issues for male trauma survivors, including the importance of gender-specificity in understanding and responding to experiences of violent victimization. Data was presented regarding the prevalence of trauma experiences among boys and men; the impact of trauma; characteristic male coping styles; and models for male trauma recovery and healing. Attention was paid to different types of trauma exposure and to the role of race and culture in menÕs trauma experiences. Presented at the 11th International Conference on Violence, Abuse and Trauma in San Diego, California

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

11/05 Men and Trauma - Coordinated presentation of this workshop at the NARPA (National Association for Rights Protection and Advocacy) Conference in Hartford, Connecticut

10/05 Men and Trauma - 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 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 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 Outcomes and Perspectives on the National Dare to Act Trauma Conference of 2004 - Presented to the National Advisory Committee - Subcommittee On Consumer/Survivor Issues (NAC-SOCSI). Washington, D.C.

12/04 Men and Trauma Institute - This institute addressed lessons learned from male trauma survivors, including the importance of gender-specificity in understanding and responding to experiences of violent victimization. Presenters discussed the prevalence of trauma experiences among boys and men; the impact of trauma; characteristic male coping styles; and models for male trauma recovery and healing. Attention was paid to different types of trauma exposure and to the role of race and culture in men's trauma experiences. The institute considered both effective trauma-specific interventions and the development of trauma-informed approaches to services for men. Actively planned and presented during this full day institute as part of the National Dare to Act conference on Trauma. Baltimore, Maryland

12/04 Trauma in the Lives of Men: Impact, Services, and Recovery - Co-Presented this workshop at the National Dare to Act conference on Trauma. Baltimore, Maryland

10/04 How to Develop a Statewide Mental Health Trauma Policy - Co-Presented at Alternatives 2004 Conference. Denver, Colorado

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

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

3/03 Developing a Statewide Mental Health Trauma Policy - Presentation at the 9th National and 2nd International Conference on the Abuse of Children and Adults with Disabilities. Riverside, California

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.

9/02 Recovery From Trauma - Workshop presented at Alternatives 2002 Conference. People who have survived trauma are often given psychiatric labels, but the traumatic causes of their distress are often not identified or may even be denied by those providing services. Existing mental health treatment often re-traumatizes the survivor. This workshop will discuss issues around recovery from trauma. The definition of trauma will be explored, as well as the long-term manifestations of trauma in people's lives. Current diagnostic issues and rationales for treatment will be critically examined, especially with respect to the punitive use of the diagnoses. Atlanta, Georgia

6/02 Trauma Awareness and Responsive Mental Health Service - Co-presented this training to mental health professionals to increase the knowledge level and awareness of participants about the permanent and changeable effects of serious trauma and neglect. Participants learned about actions and supports to assist trauma survivors in their recovery. New trauma-focused treatment approaches revealing positive results were discussed. Responses that might trigger reactions arising out of old trauma were identified, and the possible interaction of trauma effects with offered mental health services were explored. The training was also designed to sensitize mental health staff to the experiences of trauma survivors and the potential for triggering and retraumatization.

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

4/02 Psychological Trauma Policy Statewide Regional Forum - Presented consumer/survivor perspective at this forum to discuss the draft of a new statewide proposed policy. Helped facilitate discussion group. Presented in Eugene, Oregon Also presented in 3/02 in Wilsonville, 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 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

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)