|
January 13 Topic: I CAN’T DO IT ALL!
Description: Does it ever seem like everyone needs you? When life
seems overwhelming it’s hard to do anything well. This session will
present you with a toolbox full of ways to manage stress so many of
us carry – tools from prayer to humor, from breathing and stretching
to learning to adapt your expectations. Gale Dunn-Volkerding has a
rich background involving family counseling and spiritual direction,
and will help you learn to cope better. Parents will meet together
with Trinity's "Helping Helpers" group for this presentation, in
room 213/215.
January 20 Topic: DISCIPLINE—DISCIPLE
Speaker: Melissa Athmann, Trinity member and family counselor.
Melissa has a gift, a passion, and much training and experience in
helping families with typical challenges as well as unique
situations. (See below for more information on Melissa.)
Description: Have you ever noticed that discipline comes from the
word disciple? Melissa Athmann, Trinity member and family counselor,
will explore this relationship and help you look at your discipline
in new ways. She’ll also assess the group to determine topics for
January 27 and February 3. Room 139
January 27 Topic: (to be determined January 20)
Speaker: Melissa Athmann
February 3 Topic: (to be determined January 20)
Speaker: Melissa Athmann
February 10 Topic: LEGAL PLANNING FOR FAMILIES
Description: Are you prepared for the future? Choosing guardians,
writing a will, setting up trust funds, planning for your own aging
- so many legal and financial questions arise as we plan for the
future. Doug Brackmann, Trinity member and estate planning attorney,
puts it all in easy-to-understand language. He’ll cover all the
basics and answer your questions. Parents will meet together with
Trinity's "Helping Helpers" group for this presentation, in room
213/215.
Melissa Athmann
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
July 2002-Present
Four Health Family Resource Center Saranac, MI
Center Director/Family and Individual Counselor
• Counseling children, adolescents, and adults utilizing individual,
family and group treatment methods.
• Working with school counselors/social workers and educators in
developing educational programs and behavior plans for at-risk
students.
• Working with Probate Court and Friend of the Court in assessing
needs of children and working on healthy family reunification plans.
• Working with state and local agencies in obtaining services for
individuals and families in need.
• Supervising professional and support staff.
• Preparing budgets, year-end fiscal reports, evaluation of program
reports, and other documents.
Jan. 2002-Dec. 2002
Clinton County RESA Dewitt, MI
Early On of Michigan, Statewide Trainer and West Michigan Technical
Assistance Specialist
• Trained and provided technical assistance to local and regional
school districts on early intervention services as mandated by Part
C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. (IDEA)
• Developed and implemented a state wide leadership conference.
Sept. 1998-Aug. 2002
Franciscan Life Process Center Lowell, MI
Mental Health Counselor/School Counselor/Parent Educator
• School Counselor, St Andrew’s School, Grand Rapids, MI.
Taught conflict resolution.
• Developed and implemented programs for alternative education
students.
• Conducted parent education programs.
Jan. 1997-Sept. 1998
Forest View Psychiatric Hospital Grand Rapids, MI
Mental Health Worker/Coordinator of Adolescent Education
• Developed an educational program to assist patients in continuing
to gain credits while hospitalized.
Jan. 1991-June 1993
Grant Public Schools Grant, MI
Teacher of Health Education/Student Assistance Coordinator
• Collaborated with teaching staff, administration, parents and
students in working out behavior plans to avoid school suspension.
Dec. 1985-Jan. 1991
Muskegon Area ISD Muskegon, MI
Drug Free Schools/Health Education Consultant
• Identified community/school district needs for health education
and developed goals, objectives and action plans to meet these
needs.
• Wrote grants and obtained other sources of funding to support
programs.
• Worked on a committee in writing state-wide health curriculum.
Aug. 1983-Aug. 1985
American Red Cross Muskegon, MI
Director of Health and Safety Education
• Assessed community needs for Health and Safety Education services.
• Coordinated and trained volunteers to teach educational services.
EDUCATIOn:
Aug. 1994–April 1999 Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI
Masters of Arts in Counseling Education/Counseling Psychology
• License Professional Counselor in the State of Michigan
• Twenty Graduate hours in Educational Leadership
Aug. 1977–Dec. 1981 Central Michigan University Mt. Pleasant, MI
Bachelor of Science in Education
• Major: Physical Education
• Minors: Health and Psychology
• Received: Michigan Continuing Teaching Certificate
ADDITIONAL TRAINING/CERTIFICATIONS:
Trauma in Children
Parenting Coordination: Helping High Conflict Parents Resolve
Disputes.
Mediation Assessments in Parenting Time and Custody Disputes
Domestic Relations Mediator Training
Self-Injurious Behavior: Assessment, Treatment and the Recovery
Process
Designing Effective Interventions for Dementia
Relational Cognitive Therapy: A Christian Understanding,.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Attachments Disorders/Assessing and Treating Reactive Attachment
Disorder
Working with Survivors of Sexual Abuse/Counseling Victims of Sexual
Abuse.
Play Therapy
Bipolar Disorder in Youth
Effective Couples Therapy
Autism Spectrum
Asset Development
Stages of Child Development
Trained as a Parent Educator in:
Parenting with Love and Logic
Training Parents to Manage There Strong Willed Child
Family Wellness Instructor
|