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2008 Events

Back Row: Chris Baham, Frank Valentine, Peer Mugnier
Front Row: TC Clark, Melinda Goodwin, Trevor Schrotz
Founded in 2004, The McShin Foundation is a non-profit community
resource organization committed to serving individuals in their fight
against the disease of addiction. The McShin Foundation is an affiliate
of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD)
which fights the stigma and the disease of alcoholism and other drug
additions. For the second year in a row, National Counseling Group
has sponsored the Annual McShin Foundation Golf Tournament at Hunting
Hawk Golf Club. Employees who played in the tournament were Trevor
Schrotz, Christopher Baham, Trendell Clark, Frank Viera, Melinda
Goodwin, Frank Valentine, and Peer Mugnier. NCG is a proud partner
of the McShin Foundation and we look forward to continuing this partnership
in years to come.
Stephanie Ney, Manassas office Site Director, leads Voluntary Action
Center as a Director for 3 years:
The Voluntary Action Center connects
people with volunteer opportunities in the community by offering
easy access to the community agencies that will utilize their time
and talents to solve real community problems. We engage seniors through
the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, teens and busy families
through the People Power Program, facilitating court-ordered community
service program for both adults and juveniles and ensuring rescue
recovery operations in the event of a disaster are supported by trained
volunteers. We also offer training and consulting in volunteer management
so our agency partners have all the tools needed for more effective
use of volunteers.
The Board of Directors is pleased to welcome Stephanie Ney as a Director
to serve in a leadership and governing role for a 3 year term. In
this capacity Ms. Ney will also serve on the Program Committee of
the Board.
NCG-Newport News Contributes To The Community
Throughout its 16-year
history, National Counseling Group, Inc. has found ways to give back
to communities across the Commonwealth. The Newport News site was
opened in June 2006 and continues our mission to improve lives not
only by offering the highest quality mental health and substance
abuse services but also through community charity events and sponsorships.
Recently, Holly Duggan, Site Director for the Newport News site,
attended an annual Community Fair Day at HuntingtonMiddle School
on Saturday, October 4, 2008 to celebrate the school's accreditation
and to promote Huntington's "Smart and SafeSchool" initiative.
NCG assisted in sponsoring this event with a $250.00 donation to
the school. This year's event was a large success as students and
parents joined together for a day of fun games and dancing on the
campus of the school while school volunteers, including Jamicia Davis,
Student Support Specialist, and Cleo Holloway, Principal, worked
hard to provide food and beverages, cheer on the students at the "Dunk
Your Favorite Teacher" booth, and coordinate with representatives
of local community resource agencies to provide information to the
school community. Counselors of NCG's Newport News site continue
to be a resource for HuntingtonMiddle School by providing in-home
counseling and mentoring services to its students and by offering
professional training to the teachers and staff throughout the school
year.
Click here for more information…
NCG Pumpkin Fest in Martinsville
Friday, March 13th and Saturday, March 14th, 2009
National Assocaition of Social Workers - Virginia Chapter
2009 Annual Conference
Omni Hotel
100 South 12th Street
Richmond, VA 23219
(804) 344-7000
Patrick Slifka, Director of Training for National Counseling Group,
will be presenting a workshop called Next Generation Workforce: Ethical
and Best Practice Issues for Supervisors. Patrick presents on Saturday
from 1:00p-4:15p.
Patrick's focus will be: The new generation of social workers entering
the field is changing the way many work and function - bringing new
strengths and talents, but also creating unique challenges for those
supervising them. This workshop explores and addresses both practical
and ethical guidelines to supervise, train, challenge, and retain
our newest assets in the field.
www.naswva.org -
Registration through website open after December 2008
Tuesday, November 18th, 2008
Patrick Slifka, Director of Training for National Counseling Group,
will be presenting a one hour workshop on Assessment and Treatment
of Alcohol Related Disorders at the Department of Social Services
in Christiansburg.
Wednesday, November 5th, 2008
32nd Fall Juvenile Justice Insitute
Conference
Doubletree Hotel
990 Hilton Heights Road
Charlottesville, VA 22901
434-973-2121
Patrick Slifka, Director of Training for National Counseling
Group, will be presenting an afternoon workshop entitled Motivational
Inviewing: Developmental and Age Appropriate Strategies for Juvenile
Justice Professionals from 1:45p to 3:00p.
Friday, October 31st, 2008
8:30am-4:00pm
Sustaining a Strong and Healthy Community Conference
27th Annual
Substance Abuse Awareness Week Conference
Fairfax County Government Center
12000 Government Center Pkwy
Fairfax, VA 22035
Margaret Kollay
703-934-8772
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/csb/
Patrick Slifka, Director of Training for
National Counseling Group, will be presenting a workshop from 10:30am
to 12 noon entitled Today's Adolescent: Current Trends in Substance
Abuse focusing on inhalant abuse.
What is Your Cultural Awareness
Grade, a panel discussion, moderated by George Young, LCSW, Director
of Outpatient Services for National Counseling Group, will also be
held from 10:30am to 12 noon. THIS SESSION WILL BE REPEATED IN THE
AFTERNOON BEGINNING AT 1:15pm. Also, on the panel are NCG counselors
Carlos Huajardo, Alicia Nguyen, Alkesh Patel, Esther Chung, and Ronda
Appiah.
8 Steps to Your Destination Workshop
Click here for more information…
Friends of the Virginia Beach Juvenile & Domestic Relations
District Court, Inc.
National Counseling Group has sponsored the Cape
Henry Duathalon and Running Festival to support the local community
through the "Friends' " primary
annual fundraiser event. Please visit www.vbfriendsofjdrc.org for
more information.
Click here for more…
National Counseling Group has donated $500 to the Pennsylvania Consort
in an effort to support music perfomance in the Bedford community.
The Pennsylvania Consort is a music presenting organization based
in Bedford County, Pennsylvania. Its core activity, the six-concert
Guest Artist Series, was founded as a follow-on to the Bedford Springs
Festival for the Performing Arts, which took place every summer from
1982 to 1989 on the grounds of the Bedford Springs Hotel and occasionally
in nearby venues.
Click here for more…
Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Highland Springs Cross Country Program Presents
Race Registration is at Highland Springs High School Field House
Registration is 7:45am – 8:15am
Supporting Students Through
Fitness
1st Annual Road Event & Teachers/Family/Students Fun Walk
Event
Date: Saturday, October 11th, 2008
T-Shirts will be available to everyone that participates.
Starting Time: 8:30am – 5K Run
9:00am – 1 Mile Family/Teachers/Students Fun Walk
Entry Fee:
$10 registration, $5 students
Awards:
Prizes will be raffled off following the 5k run. All participants
of the 1 mile walk & 5k run are eligible to win
For More Information:
Coach Greg Ford, Highland Springs Cross Country Call (813) 774-0710
Click
here for flyer
Substance Abuse Education and Support Groups for Adolescents with
Substance Abuse issues
733 Thimble Shoals Blvd,
Suite 100
Newport News, VA 23606
(757) 240-5595
What is Motivational Enhancement Group Therapy?
This 10-week program
consists of weekly 90-minute groups focused on improving motivation
for change by increasing the adolescents' knowledge of addiction,
behavioral change, and distorted thinking patterns that attribute
to ongoing drug and alcohol use. Groups of no more than 15 participants
will be led by Ideluia Sawyers, Certified Substance Abuse Counselor
(CSAC), who brings extensive knowledge and experience providing
substance abuse counseling to adolescents and adult substance abusers.
Participants will leave the program with an increased motivation
to change their behavior and a better understanding of their own
pathways to substance abuse and dependency. Initial assessments
are conducted to determine the scope of substance use for each
participant and to assist in making recommendations for continued
services post discharge.
Topics of Group:
- Stages of Change
- The Addictive Process
- Effects of Addiction & Substance Abuse
- Addiction & Criminal
Behavior
- Behavior Change
- Denial & Defense Mechanisms
- Twelve Step Support Programs
- Recovery
- Triggers
- Relapse Prevention & Behavioral Pathways to using
- Treatment
Modalities
- Community Resources
- Discharge/Referral Plan
Cost: $5 per group session*
Please contact Holly Duggan, Site Director, to make a referral!
*Sliding
Scale Fee is available
EMPOWERING PARENTS GROUP
WEDNESDAYS, 5:30-7PM
STARTING 9/10/08 at National Counseling Group
733 Thimble Shoals Blvd,
Suite 100
Newport News, VA 23606
(757) 240-5595
Sponsored by: Angel Pye, B.A, QMHP of National Counseling
Group
IS YOUR CHILD HAVING BEHAVIORAL DIFFICULTIES?
ARE YOU HAVING TROUBLE MANAGING YOUR CHILD?
COME SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE OR JUST LISTEN.
Network with other parents
dealing with similar issues, find out about resources in your area,
learn effective parenting strategies and coping skills from an experienced
NCG counselor, and
gain support for yourself in a safe & non-threatening environment.
Only $5 per week
August 29th-September 2nd, 2008
Carlos Huajardo, a National Counseling Group Therapist, will be
presenting a paper "Research on Siteman Wellness Neuromuscular,
Emotional and Mental Concentration in Children" (Ferriz, Ferriere)
at the upcoming 5th World Conference for the Talent of Youth in Santiago,
Chile August 29th-September 2nd, 2008.
This is a body of research conducted in Puerto Rico and the United
States between the years 2003 and 2008. The objective is to demonstrate
the usefulness of Dr. Ferriz and Ferriere's relaxation technique
with children and the benefits of its practice at an early age. Results
show the effectiveness on the development of a balanced mental, emotional
and physical state within the child and the contribution to higher
intellectual functioning.

Jonathan May (NCG Corporate Accountant), Tony Roman (Roanoke Clinical
Supervisor), Eddie Carter (Friend of NCG), Nicholas Ptacek (Roanoke
Site Coordinator), supporting the New River Valley Special Olympics
at their annual golf tournament in Blacksburg, VA.
September 19, 2008
National Counseling Group will participate
as a vendor at The Annual Tidewater Regional Visiting Teachers/School
Social Workers Fall Conference hosted by the Department of Special
Education Services of Norfolk Public Schools. The conference
will include a keynote speaker and workshops relevant to providing
support services to students for enhancing their academic success.
The
conference will be held at the Holiday Inn Executive Center at 5655
Greenwich Road Virginia Beach, VA, 23462.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
National Counseling Group, Inc.- Supporting the Communities we Serve
NCG, led by its CEO Thomas Minnick and members of its Corporate
team, will join up with staff from its Eastern Shore office as well
as a few State Delegates from the General Assembly in support of
the 7th Annual Northampton County Sheriff's Office Charity Golf Tournament
at the Bay Creek Golf Club in Cape Charles on the Eastern Shore.
The proceeds from this tournament and contributions from NCG will
go to support the Hospice of the Eastern Shore, a nonprofit organization
that provides special care for those with limited life expectancies.
Thursday, August 21 12:00-1:00PM
J. Patrick Slifka, LCSW, CAC will be in Martinsville, Virginia at
the Broad Street Christian Church for a workshop on "Grief and
Grieving." The training, a "brown bag lunch" forum,
is open to the public and is free of charge. The event is sponsored
by the Mental Health Association of Martinsville and Henry County.
Wednesday, August 20 (time TBD)
J. Patrick Slifka, LCSW, CAC will be training Chesterfield County
Public Schools Social Workers on Motivational Interviewing. The brief
workshop will cover the basic philosophies in this evidence-based
intervention and provide concrete and hands-on examples/role-plays
to reinforce the material. The training will be held at Monacan High
School.
Call 804-652-8266 for details on start time.
Monday, July 28 6:00-8:00PM
J. Patrick Slifka, LCSW, CAC and Melinda Goodwin, MSW, QMHP will
be presenting on "Current Trends in Adolescent Substance Abuse" at
the Hanover CSU. Attendees, including current youth on probation
and their parents, will have the opportunity to interact with the
facilitators during and following the event.
Location: Hanover County Branch Office - 7515 Library Drive, Hanover,
Virginia 23069
July 30th, 2008 6:00 to 8:00PM
Richmond Office Open House on Foster Parent Recruitment
Location: 5002 Monument Ave, Suite 201
Richmond, VA 23230
(804) 497-4676
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Christmas in July
Christmas in July is the annual dinner dance in
support of the Un-Trim-A-Tree Holiday program. It was hosted
by Ellen Patterson from the 31st Court Service Unit Manassas and
sponsored in part by National Counseling Group.
The Un-Trim-a-Tree Holiday Program is a very special
program that serves needy children and seniors in the Manassas community. Each
year with the help of many dedicated volunteers and donors, this
program provides gifts for thousands of children, food and personal
care items for seniors and homeless shelter residents in its neighborhoods.
Saturday, July 26, 2008

National Counseling Group supported
9 year old Lindsay Funston of Buffalo Mills, PA by purchasing her
reserve champion carcass lamb at the Bedford County Fair’s
Junior Livestock Sale.
July 18th
The Northern Region VJJA will provide a training on July 18th from
8:30AM to 3:00 PM. Part I on Street Crimes and Drugs
will be presented by Det. Murdock Wooddard with Spotsylvania Sheriff’s
department. Part II on Treating the Prescription Generation
will be presented by Mr. Patrick Slifka, NCG’s Director of
Training.
The training will be held on at the Locust Shade Room at the Ferlazzo
Building, 15948 Donald Curtis Drive, Woodbridge, VA 22191.
This training is free for VJJA Members, $ 20 for new members, and
$15 for non-members.
Please CLICK
HERE for more information on the event and its registration.
June 19th and 20th
NCG, Inc. is participating in the 2008 Making a Difference in Juvenile
Justice Conference sponsored by the Department of Criminal Justice
Services. The conference is taking place on the 19th and 20th of
June at the Hampton Convention Center. The following is a link for
additional information: http://www.dcjs.virginia.gov/trainingEvents/jjdp/2007.cfm
May 1, 2008
National Counseling Group’s Second Annual Conference and
15 year Celebration was a tremendous event and a great time!
We were thrilled to have Governor Tim Kaine speak for a second
year. Governor Kaine’s remarks were followed by those
of Delegate Phil Hamilton and Former Virginia Secretary of Education,
James Dyke and all 3 spoke about the very pressing issue of mental
health care reform. This was a great way to get energized
for the day and ready for the learning opportunities provided by
Dr. Stanton Samenow, Lisa Hunt, Executive Director of Center for
Clinical and Forensic Services, Craig King, PsyD, MSW, Patrick
Slifka, Director of Training, National Counseling Group, and the
panel discussion featuring Leslie Martin and Frank Valentine of
National Counseling Group and Bud Sedwick, CSA Coordinator, Martinsville. The
Luncheon ceremony featured Delegate Steve Shannon as the key note
speaker and recognized Bud Sedwick and the 31st Court Services
Unit Food Drive and this year’s Community Services Award
winners.
On behalf of everyone at National Counseling Group, we
would like to thank all those who attended and contributed to the
success of this year’s conference.
We invite you to enjoy
our photos of the event below.
National Counseling Group’s Second Annual Conference and
15 year Celebration
March 31, 2008
The National Counseling Group will be a vendor at:
Warren County Best Practices Conference
March 31st from 8am-4pm
4-H Conference Center
600 4-H Center Drive
Front Royal, VA 22630
March 27, 2008
Patrick Slifka and Wayne Frith, Executive Director for SAFE (Chesterfield
County's substance abuse awareness and prevention coalition), will
speak at VJJA's Spring Conference in Virginia Beach, March 27, 2008.
The three hour training, beginning at 1:00 PM, will address the issue
of Inhalant use among teenagers in Virginia and the significant implications
of the use of these products on the development of young people who
choose to abuse them. Additionally, the response of SAFE and the
local community, including National Counseling Group, to the problem
of inhalant abuse will be reviewed.
March 25, 2008
Patrick Slifka will conduct a training for Hanover Court Services
Unit on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 10am. The workshop will cover
Motivational Interviewing techniques.
March 18, 2008
Patrick Slifka and Frank Valentine (Richmond Site) will be presenting
on "Adolescent Brain Development" at Chesterfield Public
Schools Staff Development Day (March 18, 2008). Attendees will include
over 250 school psychologists, social workers, counselors and other
school personnel.
March 12, 2008
National Counseling Group will be recognized as a community resource
and public partner with SAFE (Substance Abuse Free Environment),
Chesterfield County's collaborative community coalition addressing
substance abuse issues, during the first Virginia Inhalant Abuse
Prevention Institute. The conference will be held in Staunton, Virginia
on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel. Patrick
Slifka, NCG's Director of Training and the Chair of SAFE's Inhalant
Task Force, will speak about Chesterfield County's response to the
increasing trend of inhalant abuse among youth in the Commonwealth.
March 10, 2008
Patrick Slifka participated in a 30 minute interview on the Spanish
radio show "Enfoque con tu Comunidad" - AM 1380. The interview
was conducted by Juan Santacoloma from the the Chesterfield County
Hispanic Liaison. The focus was on Inhalant Abuse in Chesterfield
County, Virginia.
March 6, 7, & 8, 2008
2008 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
The Omni Hotel, Richmond, VA
Annual Awards Luncheon
Saturday, March 8
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Click
here to view brochure.
February 7, 2008
On February 7, 2008 Patrick Slifka was interviewed by Don Kappel,
Chesterfield County's Director of Public Affairs, for the "Chesterfield
Spotlight" - a local television spot highlighting relevant issues
in the local community. The segment focused on the use of inhalants
by chesterfield youth and offered resources for concerned parents
and professionals. The spot will air at various times throughout
the month of February prior to CNN Headline News.
January 15, 2008
National Counseling Group, Inc.

Nationally recognized speaker, researcher, and author Dr. Stanton
Samenow, will return to Winchester to present on Tuesday, January
15, 2008 at the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. This will be a free training
from 9-4 with lunch included. Books will be available for sale at
the presentation.
Be sure to register by Friday, January 4, 2008 and include your
name, agency, address, phone, and email so you /will receive updates
about the training. We will have only 200 seats available. We look
forward to seeing you.
NATIONAL COUNSELING GROUP, INC.
12 N. Braddock Street
Winchester, Va 22601
Phone: 540-450-2734
Email: Mary.Steele@nationalcounselinggroup.com
January 14, 2008
Patrick Slifka and Frank Valentine will conduct a training for Hanover
Court Services Unit on Monday, January 14th, 2008. The workshop,
Drug and Alcohol Testing, will cover screening methodology and types
of testing, clinical and probationary implications of screening,
interpretation of results, and strategies frequently employed by
clients to avoid detection of substance use.
Please join us for our annual Holiday Open Houses!
Friday January 11, 2008
12:30pm-3:30pm
729 Thimble Shoals Blvd.
Suite 5-C
Newport News, VA 23606 |