Speakers Bureau
A partial list of our current presentation schedule is below.
All programs are available to be presented in your local congregation, civic club or group. Events typically cost $100 per presentation hour and subsidies are available so that cost will not prohibit your organization from hearing these outstanding presenters. We can tailor any program to meet your specific needs and are available to develop new presentations as well. We look forward to meeting your requirements and thank you for the opportunity to do so.
Contact the Samaritan Center office at (574)-277-0274 for additional information about scheduling one of these superb educational programs for your group.
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About the Samaritan Center Presentation
This complimentary presentation outlines the basic ministries taking place at the Samaritan Center and introduces the key staff. Ideal for concerned civic groups such as Kiwanis, Rotary and Lion’s club whose members want to know more about the vital service organizations in our community.
Marie A. Blunt, M. Min
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The Eyes Have It: EMDR in Therapeutic Applications
You’ve heard of it—wondered about it. Is it hypnosis? Is it just for severe trauma? What is it and how does it work? Join our staff therapist for an “in the trenches” discussion about this relatively new technique that is gaining recognition and popularity with clients and therapists alike to treat trauma, anxiety and more.
Karen Zeck, MA, LMHC
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Tips for Successful Parenting
This program may be offered in four distinct parts of one hour each or a much briefer presentation can skim all four areas in only one hour. The first part will focus on the needs of the pre-school age child: winning cooperation and encouragement. The second part, working with the elementary age child, will discuss logical and natural consequences as well as the strong willed child. The needs of the middle school child will be the third part. We will help the parents assist their children to make the transition into the teen years and help them deal with coalitions, teasing, and bullying. During the fourth part, the needs of the teen, we will focus on the essential contract between teen and parent as well as handing off responsibility and winning respect.
Anthony J. Garascia, MA, MS, LCSW, NCC
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Just Your Type
Are you (or someone you know) a “universal donor” or “receiver?” Do you find yourself (or a son or daughter) in unbalanced relationships giving or receiving more than you should? Learn about three basic relationship patterns that can help you make better choices and bring more equity to the choices you may have already made in your personal or professional life.
Karen Zeck, MA, LMHC
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Self Esteem
What’s at the bottom of low self esteem? This seminar will explore some of the root causes of this all-too-common affliction, specifically the self-defeating attitudes and beliefs at the core of low self-esteem, which can make one vulnerable to painful mood swings and conflicts in personal relationships.
Lorraine Karam, MA, LMHC
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Ask the Doctor
What have you always wondered or wanted to know about “mental illness?” How can you tell if someone is clinically depressed or simply has “the blues?” What is the best way to suggest professional mental health services to a friend or member of your congregation? What is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist? How can I help? Bring your questions!
Dr. Auna Preston, HSPP
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Small Step Approach
Rome wasn’t built in a day and many worthwhile goals aren’t accomplished overnight. Learn how to set reasonable, measurable goals which form steps towards meeting a much larger goal.
Marie A. Blunt, M. Min
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Is Worrying an Anxiety Disorder?
Everyone worries at times. Worry can motivate you do get things done or take care of problems. Chronic worry can become troublesome when it becomes the focus of your life, when you seem unable to stop worrying. This seminar will give a brief introduction to anxiety disorders associated warning signs, types of treatment, and an overview of the change process.
Lorraine Karam, MA, LMHC
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Listening and Communication Skills
Discover how simple ideas such as reflective listening, body posture, and open-ended questions can make a huge difference in how to relate to others effectively. The first part of this presentation offers practical skills and the second part allows participants to actually practice the skills. This presentation is a must for congregational care-givers, hospital visitors & deacons.
Marie A. Blunt, M. Min
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Assertiveness
Learn the difference between passive, aggressive, passive-aggressive and assertive behaviors as well as methods to determine when and how to best be assertive. Non-verbal communication and proper use of “I statements” are also discussed in the lecture/practice format. Couple this presentation with the “Listening and Communication” presentation to equip your staff or congregation to fully relate to each other.
Marie A. Blunt, M. Min
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Confidentiality
When someone shares an intimate detail about themselves it is important to hold that as a sacred trust and in confidence.(No one likes sharing private information with a gossip.)Learn basic principles of confidentiality as well as when to break confidentiality such as when someone is in danger or harming self or another. This workshop is a must for anyone in congregational care ministries.
Marie A. Blunt, M. Min
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Time Management
Time is a precious resource. This program will provide a framework for deconstructing time utilization, offering insight and the tools to create a place for our most important and often most neglected life priorities (the neglect of which profoundly impacts overall health and well-being). The seminar opens with a fun demonstration!
Lorraine Karam, MA, LMHC
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Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSD is in many ways a normal response to an abnormal situation. “Trauma” can be experienced as “Big T” (combat experience, rape, assault, molestation, child abuse, disaster) or “Small T” (constant put-downs, always being picked last for the team, experiences that leave a person feeling out-of-place or unable to “measure up.”) Trauma is conceptualized as being a spectrum from “Little T” to “Big T.”
This presentation will help participants identify the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and ways to deal with the symptoms of the disorder.
Anthony J. Garascia, MA, MS, LCSW, NCC and/or Karen Zeck, MA, LMHC
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The Care and Feeding of the Teenage Soul
This presentation will deal with the developmental challenges facing teens and their parents. Parents will learn tips for communicating more effectively with their teens and will understand why the “attitude” is a normal part of their development. Understanding the developments in the teen brain will help parents understand the potential and challenges teens face as they continue to grow. Parents will also learn how to refashion the relational covenant they have with their teens.
Anthony J. Garascia, MA, MS, LCSW, NCC
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Gambling
Problem gambling has long been a secret addiction in the United States. However, as each day passes we are now hearing more and more about this troubling and destructive behavioral addiction. In this educational session the topic of problem gambling and ways for identifying and treating it will be reviewed and discussed.
Jeremy Linton, PhD, LMHC
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Living with an Addict
Dealing with those close to you who have addiction problems can be extremely difficult. Balancing the support and care that you want to provide with the structure that they need is stressful both physically and mentally. Join Jeremy for this interactive session about identifying substance abuse problems, spotting manipulative behaviors, learning how to provide help, and making sure to take care of yourself.
Jeremy Linton, PhD, LMHC
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You Gotta Love ‘Em:
Struggling to have a workable relationship with people you can’t avoid? Dealt a hand with some jokers—family members, in-laws, co-workers, neighbors or a difficult boss? Join our discussion on successfully negotiating your way in tough circumstances with difficult people.
Karen Zeck, MA, LMHC
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Predicting Divorce
This seminar examines some of the most lethal patterns in marriage and how to avoid them. Among the topics presented will be communication “killers” like criticism, defensiveness, and stonewalling; as well as the gender gap as it relates to marital distress.
Lorraine Karam, MA, LMHC
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The Gift of Forgiveness:
The consequences of being deeply hurt by another often include anger, depression and resentment; and the pain that has been inflicted often seems unforgivable. However, the paradox of forgiveness is that it can benefit the forgiver far more than the forgiven, allowing for resolution of anger, restoration of hope, and ultimately, release from emotional prison. This seminar will explore what it means to forgive, the consequences of not forgiving, and most importantly, how one moves through the phases of the forgiveness process.
Lorraine Karam, MA, LMHC
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Conflict!
Join s for a useful presentation on the “C” work: Conflict. The truth is that no matter how hard we may try to avoid it, conflict is inevitable. So the question becomes, What are we going to do with it? Discuss the nature of conflict, consider its benefits & learn strategies for managing it well.
Rev. Jeff Hawkins, BS, M.Div.
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Here’s Looking at You, Kid!
Non-verbal communication accounts for 80% of the information we send to and receive from each other. (E-mails and interoffice memos may be next!) What does your non-verbal communication convey? Understanding these important messages will help avoid miscues and resultant fallout in your relationships.
Karen Zeck, MA, LMHC
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ADHD
Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder can hamper a person’s ability to reach their full potential. Often, students who have ADHD have difficulty with organization, forget their homework and have difficulty paying attention and tracking. This workshop will explore what ADHD is, the types of Attention Deficit, how it is diagnosed and ways the parents and teachers can help a student with ADHD keep organized and focused.
Anthony J. Garascia, MA, MS, LCSW, NCC
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Stress: A Thief In the Night
Associated with insomnia, depression, lower back pain, anxiety, headaches, premature aging and early death, chronic stress is no joke. Learning to manage stress has become a basic necessity in our modern, fast-paced world. Drawing from a mind-body-spirit approach, this seminar will present some powerful, hands-on solutions to this very real threat to overall health and well-being.
Lorraine Karam, MA, LMHC
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Home to Roost: The Challenges of Multi-Generational Living
Thought “the kids” were gone? The reality in today’s world is that “kids” come back—after college, after divorce, after job layoffs and foreclosures. Whatever the reason the nest is no longer empty, reconnecting as a family of adults—or adults with children—can present plenty of “growth opportunities” for all involved.
Karen Zeck, MA, LMHC