Heart and Soul 5

Heart and Soul 5 will be unlike any of the previous four in several respects. Scott and I felt that the conference needed to evolve. So in addtion to providing the latest and greatest information about the common factors and the power of feedback, we are integrating two themes, including keynote speakers from outside of the CDOI fold, into the conference: Recovery and Social Justice. Both themes connect well to CDOI work and the conference will highlight those connections. The recovery movement, as Bob B describes in his chapter in the Heart and Soul of Change 2nd ed, fits very closely with the values and practices of CDOI. We have always advocated for client privilege and just services, and see the ORS/SRS as a means to insure that social justice is more than a lofty idea. Using the ORS and SRS transcends notions of stereotypical cultural competence and promotes egalitarian practice--one that "levels" the therapeutic process, as Jackie has been writing about of late. Finally, for the first time we will offer a beginning/intermediate track for folks just getting acquaited with the ideas, a special population track looking at the broad applicability of CDOI practices, and a management/supervisor/implementation track for more advanced folks and those itching to implement on a large scale.

I am excited already.

Barry