Table of Contents
Synopsis
Speaker: Kevin Alderson
Topic Title:
- Mental Health, Diversity, LGBTQ2
- Psychology Expert in Mental Health and Diversity in the Workplace and at School
- International Expert in Both Addictions and LGBTQ+ Psychology
Professional Fees subject to change without notice
- $ = under $10,000
- Expenses: As incurred
- Travels from: Calgary, Alberta
- Expenses for Travel, (air and ground) Accommodations, Meals, Traveling Companion, and Incidentals are not included in the above fees.
- Discounted Fees: Under rare and special circumstances speakers may discount their fees at their discretion. i.e., booking multiple events with the same client. Non profit organizations may also qualify for a discount.
Biography
Dr. Kevin Alderson is a dynamic keynote speaker for topics relating to mental health and addictions in the workplace and school settings. He is recognized as an international expert in both addictions and LGBTQ+ psychology.
Dr. Alderson is a highly respected counselling and clinical psychologist in the counselling and psychotherapy field with over 30 years of direct experience. He is also a professor emeritus of counselling psychology from the University of Calgary. Dr. Alderson has been a registered counselling psychologist since 1986 and served as president of the College of Alberta Psychologists in 2018-2019. He is also licensed to practice in Ontario and throughout the Canadian territories.
Dr. Alderson is the author of 11 books, including Choosing the Right Counselor for You (2019) and The Concise Guide to Opioid Addiction for Counselors (2021), both co-authored with Samuel T. Gladding and published by the American Counseling Association. He is also the sole author of the 720-page textbook Addictions Counseling Today: Substances and Addictive Behaviors (2020, Sage Publications). He is currently writing a generic counselling textbook for Cognella Publications.
His earlier books include Counselling: A Comprehensive Profession (Canadian edition; with Samuel T. Gladding), Breathe, Freedom: A Comprehensive and Hypnotic Approach to Quitting Smoking, Grade Power: The Complete Guide to Improving Your Grades Through Self-Hypnosis, Counseling LGBTI Clients, Breaking Out II: The Complete Guide to Building a Positive LGBTI Identity, Same-Sex Marriage: The Personal and the Political (with Kathleen Lahey), Breaking Out, and Beyond Coming Out.
Dr. Alderson holds the highest level of membership within the International Society of Substance Use Professionals, and he is also a professional member of the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC). Dr. Alderson sits on the editorial board of the Journal of Alcoholism, Drug Abuse & Substance Dependence and the Austin Journal of Drug Abuse and Addiction. He holds membership in the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association and the American Counseling Association.
Between 2008 and 2020, Dr. Alderson was the editor-in-chief of the Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy. He is the founder of both the first doctoral credential and the first doctoral program in the counselling and psychotherapy field in Canada.
Dr. Alderson’s slogan is “Embracing the Four Seas (4Cs),” a term he coined, which stands for Compassionate, Caring, Competent, and Connected in the mental health community. He sees these four components as essential in both psychological practice and public speaking.
He completed an MSc in clinical, school, and community psychology from the University of Calgary and a Ph.D. in counselling psychology at the University of Alberta. Dr. Alderson is married and is the father of two adult children. Outside of counselling, writing, and professional speaking, he enjoys walking, hiking, and socializing with family and friends.
Kevin Alderson – Topics
Dr. Kevin Alderson is an engaging and humorous speaker, and an international expert in addictions and sexology. Besides this, he is also very knowledgeable about hypnotherapy. He will prepare a keynote address, interactive workshop, seminar, and/or break-out session tapered to your audience for one hour or a day. He is comfortable talking to students, employees, parents, teachers, administrators, and professionals. The topics below are a sample:
The Nightmare on Elm Street is Just Around the Corner
Psychology Expert in Mental Health and Diversity in the Workplace and at School
International Expert in Both Addictions and LGBTQ+ Psychology
The current statistics regarding addictive behaviours are alarming. This keynote reviews the common addictions before moving into those that challenge today’s workforce. Understanding these addictions is the first step in ensuring that those afflicted are treated respectfully by management and staff. Learn what you can do to help wake up and end the nightmare.
Questions This Keynote Address Will Answer:
• What are the statistics regarding today’s addictions?
• What characterizes the addictions that will impact others at work?
• What kinds of work environment help reduce the likelihood of employee addiction?
• How can employers reduce absenteeism due to addiction?
• What can employers do to help addicted employees?
• What are the treatment options for addicted employees?
Kevin Alderson – A Drug Odyssey
Before diving into addictions, this keynote takes attendees into the experience of psychoactive drugs with some very cool simulations! Current information about substance addictions (e.g., hallucinogens, stimulants, and depressants) and a brief look at behavioural addictions is reviewed before forging into the reality of the opioid and addiction crisis. Lastly, what can you do to help?
Questions This Keynote Address Will Answer:
• What is it like to use psychoactive drugs?
• What distinguishes them from each other?
• What are the behavioural addictions?
• How bad is the addictions crisis?
• What can you do to help?
Kevin Alderson – Diversity in Your Face and at Your Place of Work
This keynote address, interactive workshop, seminar, and/or break-out session will focus on the diversity issues that are prominent in your workplace. It, along with a description of the presentation, will be tailored to your needs. Dr. Alderson has spoken to audiences about the “isms” (e.g., racism, sexism, heterosexism, homophobia, transphobia), sexual diversity, and gender diversity for decades.
Questions This Keynote Address Will Answer:
• What expectations do diverse employees have of their employer and their colleagues?
• What are the gold standard practices for creating an equitable and respectful environment for diverse employees?
• How do you arrest sexist or racist attitudes?
• How do I or others deal effectively with employees when a transgender colleague is transitioning?
• What considerations should I be aware of when dealing with lesbian, gay, and bisexual employees or colleagues?
Mental Health Issues at Work
What is it like to experience a mental disorder? This presentation takes attendees into the experience of having a severe mental disorder via a simulation before launching into examining the mental health issues that challenge today’s workforce. Understanding these disorders is the first step in ensuring that those afflicted are treated respectfully by others.
Questions This Keynote Address Will Answer:
• What is it like to experience a severe mental disorder?
• What characterizes common mental disorders that will impact others at work?
• What are some uncommon mental disorders that will impact others at work?
• How can employers and colleagues create more supportive environments for employees that have mental health issues, and possibly reduce absenteeism?
How to Keep Yourself from Flying Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Learn from humour and stories how to keep yourself sane in today’s insane world. This keynote will also take you into the world of insanity through simulation. Dr. Kevin Alderson, a psychologist with 34 years of experience in practice, has learned a thing or two about keeping the lid on the boiling stew. Learn how to avoid becoming a screaming lunatic before they come to take you away.
Questions This Keynote Address Will Answer:
• What does insanity feel like?
• What is contributing to the prevalence of mental health issues?
• What can you do to avoid having a nervous breakdown?
• If you begin to break down, what can you do to pull yourself up again?
Kevin Alderson – Quacking Like a Duck for the Rest of Your Life
Reveen and modern-day stage hypnotists have demonstrated hypnosis for years. Which parts are real, and which parts are not? What if it is all real? How easy would it be to make you quack like a duck? How hard would it be to help you overcome bad habits through hypnosis? Find out before you too become one of the perpetual ducks out there!
Questions This Keynote Address Will Answer:
• What are the bonafide hypnotic phenomena?
• What are the four forms of hypnosis?
• What psychological conditions can be successfully treated with hypnotherapy?
• How can you improve your life through self-hypnosis?
Parent and Teacher Topics
LGBTQ Students in the Classroom
This presentation or workshop begins with an experiential component that provides opportunity to work with 2 or 3 other participants, and in so doing, begin learning about the defining features of LGBTQ individuals. A brief focus on affirming attitudes follows before launching into what teachers can do to deal successfully with LGBTQ students from elementary through the high school years. It addresses the special issues and concerns often raised by each subgroup (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and those who identity as queer or questioning).
Questions This Keynote Address Will Answer:
• What subgroups comprise the LGBTQ community?
• How do affirmative attitudes differ from those that are not?
• What are the best ways to deal with LGBTQ students?
• How do I foster a respectful environment with other students in the classroom?
• What are the identity labels that some students now use?
Kevin Alderson – What Your Child (or Student) is Addicted to Right Now
The “turn out, tune in, drop out” youth culture popularized by Timothy Leary is now skyrocketing. Addictive behaviours only begin with alcohol, cannabis, and “hard” drugs. A resounding 25% of children and youth are addicted to their smartphones, and other behavioural addictions are reaching pandemic proportions as well. Find out the W5 (who-what-when-where-why) and solutions you can implement today.
Questions This Keynote Address Will Answer:
• What are the current statistics on child and adolescent addictive behaviors?
• What is the W5 on child and youth addiction?
• What are the most effective prevention strategies that can be used at home and/or school?
• If children or youth become addicted, what should I do?
Kevin Alderson – Testimonials
Speech master extraordinaire! Evderyone is still talking about your awesome speech. It was quite the highlight for everyone.
-Judi Malone, PhD
I’ve heard you once, but you had an everlasting influence on me.
-Elizabeth David
Your idea about societal changes leading to health are what I think is required.
-Erin Reilly, B.Ed.
We were both impressed with your knowledge and passion in presenting, well done!
-Michael Bell, MBA, B.Eng.