The WA AFCC Board of Directors has decided to postpone the WA AFCC Spring Conference, “Trauma on Trial,” scheduled for April 24, as a matter of public safety in light of the COVID-19 situation.
WA AFCC is following the recommendations of King County and the Governor’s office. In the interests of our members, their families, and the public, postponing seemed the most sensible response at this time.
Our Board is already looking for opportunities to reschedule our conference. We are working with our speakers and the facility to find a date, and will let you know as soon as that is determined.
Our speakers and Board are still very enthusiastic about the topic, Trauma on Trial, the material to be presented, and the opportunity to offer this great experience to all.
Refund policy if you are registered
We understand that some folks may be willing to leave their registration on file avoid possible increased registration fees that might be part of a rescheduled event. Others may want to seek a refund now and then register again later. If you are registered, please respond via email to Daniel Rybicki at info@danielrybicki.com with your simple direction – Refund Requested or Retain Registration – in the subject line. We will handle it from there.
If you have any other questions, please contact Dana Dean Doering at dana@deandoering.com or 206-324-3344, or Elise Buie at eliseb@elisebuiefamilylaw.com or 206-389-1623.
Thank you for your patience as we have considered our options, and thank you for your support of WA AFCC. We look forward to connecting with you at our next event.
About the Program
For attorneys and mental health professionals, understanding the role of trauma is vitally important.
For mental health professionals, the failure to understand the impact of trauma may skew evaluations, over-pathologizing subjects and failing to discern treatment modalities that can improve functioning and, consequently, family life.
For attorneys, the failure to understand the impact of trauma may culminate in missing key points on cross examination and potentially losing a case.
And, for all professionals, the failure to understand the trauma response in protracted custody matters may adversely impact children whose behavior may be the result of a traumatic event or series of events, which may be given lesser weight because they are first disclosed in adversarial litigation.
This innovative full-day program will deconstruct the dynamics of trauma. We will detail how to use legal and mental health strategies to advocate when trauma is on trial, within essential roles, during the judicial process. And we will demonstrate trial skills and evidentiary objections in cases when the science behind trauma is at issue.
This conference will both educate and demonstrate the importance and tenets of trauma in the forensic evaluation and custody evaluation process, as well as in the courtroom. It will show participants how a mental health professional can incorporate trauma symptomatology through review of records, clinical interview, and psychometrics. It will also demonstrate how an attorney can strengthen or discredit the testimony of an expert by use of the Rules of Evidence and sound trial practice techniques.
Any professional who authors reports, makes recommendations for children and families to the Court system, or advises parents about the presentation of expert testimony to support (or potentially undermine) their custody litigation will benefit from this demonstration.
Allison C. Williams, Founder of Williams Law Group, is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as Matrimonial Law Attorney, and certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy in Family Law.
An international speaker in the field of child abuse and neglect evidence and trial practice, Ms. Williams has appeared on the Katie Couric show and has published articles in the Huffington Post addressing issues of child maltreatment. She has been selected among her peers as one of the Top 100 Super Lawyers in New Jersey and has been voted by her clients as one of New Jersey’s Best Lawyers for Families.
Dr. Carla J. Cooke is a licensed psychologist in New Jersey and served as the assistant commissioner for child welfare reform efforts in the state. She is the founder and director of Sanctuary of Hope and Healing, which is a counseling center, refuge, and place of restoration.
Dr. Cooke conducts forensic evaluations typically for child welfare agencies, is regularly successfully certified as an expert in parental fitness, and testifies during court proceedings. She has passionately advocated for the inclusion of trauma-informed forensic evaluations and has spoken on the topic for professional organizations locally, nationally, and internationally.
Continuing Education
WA AFCC has applied for the following continuing education credits for this event (up to 6 hours):
- For legal professionals through WSBA
- For Masters-level mental health providers through WMHCA
- For psychologists through AFCC: A complete list of conference sessions eligible for continuing education for psychologists will be made available at the conference
