NATO Advanced Study Institute – Workshop Description

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North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
Advanced Study Institute
Invisible Wounds
New Tools to Enhance Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Diagnosis and Treatment

June 18 – 28, 2012 | Ankara, Turkey

The Interactive Media Institute and the Virtual Reality Medical Institute invite you to submit your application to be a participant in the 2012 NATO Advanced Study Institute (ASI) themed “Invisible Wounds: New Tools to Enhance Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Diagnosis and Treatment.” (IW2012)

FREE REGISTRATION will be provided to the first 50 applicants accepted to this 10-day intensive training experience convened to provide international clinicians, psychologists and postdoctoral researchers focused learning and application of the latest advances in assessment, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related comorbid disorders in military populations.

IW2012 Description
The organizers and attendees of the NATO-funded “Wounds of War” advanced research workshop series realized the need for IW2012 due to the increased rates of PTSD in combat veterans and survivors of armed conflict. Exposure to traumatic events have led to this increased risk of PTSD and often, the serious consequences of this disorder lead to impulsive and destructive behavior such as drug abuse, uncontrollable anger, and even suicide. Combat-related PTSD is one of the strongest factors that contribute to high suicide risk in returning troops. IW2012 disseminates knowledge and skills among attendees fostering collaboration to help counter this aforementioned internal threat to our countries’ security. In comparison to a traditional conference, IW2012 allows for greater collaboration among established and emerging research leaders in the field of PTSD, and provides presentation of this unique material in depth. IW2012 will afford participants solid grounding in the latest PTSD research; review of the latest science related to theoretical constructs and associated neuroscience; and presentation of the latest psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy for intervention, treatment, and management of the disorder. Submit your application today to take part in this important educational event!

Free Registration to IW2012 includes:

  • 10-Day intensive training with world-renowned experts in the discipline of diagnosis and treatment of PTSD
  • Experientially learn, practice and master the basics of therapy constructs such as CBT, exposure therapy including virtual reality exposure therapy, and physiological monitoring and feedback
  • 75+ Hours of American Psychological Association certified course work for psychologists and other mental health disciplines*
  • Free copy of the IW2012 Course Proceedings published by IOS Press
  • Opportunity to win travel awards for qualified applicants**

Important Dates

  • February 15, 2012 – Deadline for Application
  • March 1, 2012 – Notification of Acceptance/Rejection as a Participant
  • April 1, 2012 – Attendee Agreement Form Deadline

Co-Organizers:

bwprofile Professor Brenda K. Wiederhold, Ph.D., MBA, BCIA
Virtual Reality Medical Institute – Brussels, Belgium
Interactive Media Institute – San Diego, CA, USA
kcprofile Professor Kresimir Cosic, Ph.D.
University of Zagreb – Zagreb, Croatia

Course Lecture Leader:

jsprofile Professor Jim Spira, Ph.D., MPH, ABPP
The Department of Veteran Affairs National Center for PTSD
Honolulu, HI, USA

Course Venue

Centre of Excellence-Defence Against Terrorism (COE-DAT)
06581 Bakanlıklar Ankara – TURKEY

Hotel Accomodations

Crowne Plaza Hotel – Ankara
06330 Ankara Province, Turkey

Application Submission

When you are ready to submit your application, please visit this page and click on “Submit Application.” Please be prepared to supply your Curriculum Vitae, answer how your travel will be funded and provide your level of experience in treating PTSD in order to complete the application for the Organizers to review.

Review Procedure: Each application submission is peer-reviewed and attendance will be selected based on scientific merit. The Organizers will review all applications and will invite attendees to the conference based on the applicant’s answers to the application questions as well as their relevance to the ASI’s purpose. The acceptance/rejection decision is at the sole discretion of the Organizers.

For more information regarding application submission, please email Conference Coordinator James Cullen at jcullen @ vrphobia.com.

*IMI is approved by the American Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. IMI maintains responsibility for the program. Continuing Education credits are only awarded to those who meet APA requirements for practicioners and purchase credits through IMI.
**Travel and accommodations are at the individual’s expense. There will be some travel awards for qualified personnel to partially offset costs awarded at the discretion of the Organizers.