Psychological Society Annual Conference

25 August, 2009

Immediate Release

New Zealand Psychological Society Annual Conference

The New Zealand Psychological Society the largest professional association for psychologists in New Zealand with over 1000 members and subscribers is holding its annual conference at the Convention Centre Palmerston North.

The conference begins at 9.00am on Thursday 27th August with a Mihi Whakatau and opening address from Steve Maharey, Vice Chancellor, Massey University. The Conference ends at 5.00pm Saturday 29th August.

The theme of the conference is “Conflict…Process…Resolution” and over 320 delegates are expected to attend.

The Conference is being sponsored by the Ministry of Justice, the Families Commission and the New Zealand Psychologists Board.

Presentation of Award
As well as the speakers below, Sue Bradford and Professor Philippa Howden-Chapman will each be presented with the Public Interest Award. This will take place at the NZPsS Annual Conference, Welcome Function.

Speakers at the conference include

• Petra Buergelt from Victoria University- Creating sustained influenza pandemic preparedness

• John Briere from Keck School of Medicine- University of Southern California
Psychological trauma in war and peace and treating acute trauma in adults

• Jim Ogfloff Monash University –Australia-At the coal-face” Policing and Mental Health

• Tim Williams has expertise in conflict in the Middle East- particularly in relation to the occupied Palestinian territories. His address is on negotiating for humanitarian space

• Tim McCreanor from Massey University -challenging and countering anti-Māori discourse

• Ruth Gammon clinical director of a San Francisco youth and family facility
Aggression Replacement Training –an evidenced based approach to reducing aggression in youth and children

• Jacqueline Feather from Central Queensland University -an evidence-based approach to working with abused and traumatised children and adolescents

• Werner Naef-Aviation Human Factors Specialist- the “process communication model” (used by NASA) to move from team miscommunication and stressful mismanagement to a functional safe, supportive and cooperative mode

There are a range of other presentations which are likely to be of interest to the media- see www.psychology.org.nz/Annual_Conference_page for more information.

Ends

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