Adler Academy of Minnesota
10th Annual Conference
Oct 9, 2026 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
Helping Clients Change: Removing Barriers to Connection and Building Healthier Communities
In this conference we will be using an Adlerian framework to explore connection, barriers to connection, ways to engage others, and ways to build healthy connection to one’s self and others.
Join us on October 9th to celebrate Adler Academy of Minnesota’s 10th annual conferencefor a day of discussions, demonstrations, small-group activities, and hands-on therapeuticexercises – all aimed at removing barriers to connection and building healthier communities.
The training will address cross-generational, cross-cultural, therapeutic, treatment,professional collaboration, and personality (lifestyle) barriers that hinder connection andreaching our full potential.
We will explore key causes of resistance in therapy and discover creative ways to connectwith clients despite barriers. You’ll learn how the Democratic Youth Engagement (DYE)model moves beyond “fix the kid” thinking. By examining our culture and lifestyle across thelifespan, we can improve work with clients of all ages. We will also reflect on and address your own lifestyle barriers.
Location: Clifton E. French Regional Park – Oakwood Room
12605 Rockford Rd., Plymouth, MN, 55441 US
Schedule: Registration & Breakfast at 9:30 AM
Conference begins at 10:00 AM, Lunch is included
CE: 6.25 CE Total (1.5 Ethics, 1.5 Cultural Competencies Hours)
Learning Objectives:
- – Identify the intersections of systemic and personality barriers to healthy social connections.
- – Describe clinical manifestations of perceived barriers in therapy.
- – Explain traditional treatment “resistance” as a result of relational disconnectedness.
- – Examine the exogenous factors shaping clients’ and therapists’ ability to build collaborative process mastery.
- – Explain the values and virtues of democratically engaging with individuals across generations.
- – Explain their own capacity to model healthy adult behavior in therapeutic encounters.
- – Create barriers-focused case evaluations.
- – Explore creative collaborative approaches for working with people of different ages and cultural groups.
- – Describe specific interventions aimed at enhancing therapeutic connections.
- – Integrate their own lifestyle strengths and strategies in handling or eliminating systemic treatment resistance.
Featuring
Adam Arnold MA, LMFT, LADC
Adam is a licensed psychotherapist, trainer, and consultant based in the Twin Cities. His clinical practice focuses on helping individuals of all ages who have been harmed by systems of control, including survivors of religious, spiritual, therapeutic, and medical abuse. He is the designer of the Democratic Youth Engagement (DYE) Model, a collaborative framework for adults working with young people, which informs his trauma-responsive, consent-based approach to psychotherapy.
A 2009 graduate of Adler Graduate School, Adam serves on the Minnesota Board of Marriage and Family Therapy, as well as on the Board of Directors of the International Cultic Studies Association. Adam's background in theater has informed his creative and therapeutic work, including the founding of blank slate theatre — a company dedicated to youth-led productions on mental health and social issues.
Dr. Marina Bluvshtein Ph.D., LP, MA LMFT
Marina Bluvshtein, Ph.D., is an Adlerian therapist, researcher, supervisor, and writer. She took her teaching to 20 countries and authored more than 30 articles. She is a professor at Adler University and co-founder of Adler Academy of MN. Her area of expertise includes the early recollections, dreams, metaphors, cross-cultural and cross-lingual therapy and supervision, and the history of psychology.
Lunch Provided by Naf Naf Grill
Lunch will be served buffet style, featuring flavorful Middle Eastern dishes designed to accommodate a variety of dietary needs. Our menu willinclude options that are vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free, so there is no need to submit a special meal request for those dietarypreferences.
To review nutrition and allergen details, please visit:
👉 https://www.nafnafgrill.com/nutritional-information/
Please note: While this is our planned menu, meal options may be subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control. We appreciate yourunderstanding and look forward to sharing a delicious and inclusive lunch experience with you!
CE Information
THIS TRAINING IS APPROVED BY:
THE MINNESOTA BOARD OF PSYCHOLOGY FOR 6 CE CREDITS (202707.007)
THE MINNESOTA BOARD OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY FOR 6.25 CE CREDITS TOTAL (Including 1.5 ethics hours and 1.5 cultural competencies hours). (2026-375).
THE MINNESOTA BOARD OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND THERAPY FOR 6.25 HOURS OF CREDIT FOR LPCS AND LPCCS. (2026.CE.372)
Need Accommodations? One option is Home2 Suites which is about 8-10 minutes (3.1 miles) from the park. A couple of the board members will be staying there and can help shuttle you to the conference.
Home2 Suites by Hilton Plymouth Minneapolis
2990 Harbor Ln N, Plymouth, MN 55447
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