New Website

We have a new website for you to check out! Completely rebuilt, the new site has much better navigation and better reflects the many great programs we offer. Be sure to visit our new site by clicking on any of the links of this newsletter.

New Expanded Education Program

As part of the new Advantage Program, we launched a new series of educational workshops on September 5, 2008. The series includes, Bipolar In Order, Relationships, Mind Skills, Biopsychosocial, Spirituality, Addictions, and Life Planning.

Participants were pleased with the the excellent quality of the Advantage Team instructors and their styles of presentation. The best results came from the participants who took the entire seriesl instead of just individual workshops. The series produced lasting friendships and a support network as additional benefits.

"When I think of all the thought and preparation that has gone into your comprehensive program, it is absolutely amazing. Both of us have an exciting new road map as to Bipolar and the exciting changes and challenges ahead. I have not seen my son so excited about anything in a very long time." - Nancy C.

"I found the Bipolar Advantage classes to be hugely helpful-- especially Tom's information about what a gift it can be to be bipolar. The classes were affirming, encouraging, informational, and it was comforting to be with others that share the same struggles." - Emily W.

Advantage Program Workshops Winter 2009

Please see the Education section on the web site for a complete listing of the workshops we offer. All of the workshops will be offered in the winter of 2009 and the dates will be posted on our Calendar. Contact Us for more information.

Nourishing Relationships that Work

Dr. Maureen Duffy will be offering Nourishing Relationships That Work in the winter of 2009 in Florida and the San Francisco Bay Area. Those who attended her workshops gave enthusiastic feedback about Maureen's great skill as a workshop presenter and her unique perspective and wisdom.

Biopsychosocial Workshop

Dr. Peter Forster gave an excellent Biopsychosocial Workshop at John Muir Behavioral Health on November 22, 2009. Please look for this very informative workshop again in the winter of 2009. The workshop is geared toward consumers and family members. It includes segments on mood charting, techniques for stress reduction, family relationships, substance use and misuse, medications, psychotherapy models of treatment, and much more.

Mind Skills and Business Advantage

Brian Weller joined the Advantage Team with a challenging and exciting 2-day workshop on Mind Skills. His high energy and active mind kept everyone completely engaged and asking for more.

Look for Brian's Mind Skills workshop in the winter of 2009.

Brian is now focused on developing programs for business that utilize the Advantage concepts. Seeing the parallels between the bipolar condition and the bipolar economy of the past few months has laid the foundation for what we expect to be some very exciting partnerships with business leaders.

Collaborating with BPA

When your organization partners with Bipolar Advantage you can be assured of successful outcomes, with strong endorsements from participants and organizers alike. For Organizations looking for more information on partnering with Bipolar Advantage, this page will provide an introduction to the services we offer.

Upcoming Workshops

Sign Up Now for January workshops. Space is limited, so reserve your place today! If you need financial assistance you can apply for discounts and partial scholarships when you register on-line.

January 17, 2009 Spirituality Workshop

Dr. Scott Sullender's Spirituality Workshop is on January 17, 2009 at San Francisco Theological Seminary. The significance of dealing with spiritual issues during depressive episodes is often underestimated. Many people with depression find they are under-served or shunned by their spiritual community when admitting to suffering with depression. While this part of your life may be a major source of despair and isolation in depression, Dr. Sullender will offer you valuable insight and tools to help.

January 18, 2009 Bipolar In Order

Tom Wootton's Bipolar In Order will be held January 18, 2009. Bipolar In Order is the foundation of our workshop series. It is excellent for those with mental conditions, friends and family, and therapists alike.

January 31, 2009 Addictions Workshop

Dr. Michael Edelstein's Addictions Workshop is on Saturday, January 31, 2009. An alternative to the 12-Step model, this workshop uses Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) concepts and methods for dealing with addictions of all kinds. Open to everyone dealing with addiction, those with dual diagnosis will find this to be an effective first step in managing your condition.

Dr. Michael Edelstein facilitates free SMART recovery groups twice weekly in San Francisco at St. Francis Hospital on Hyde Street. Please contact us if you are interested in finding out more about this recovery group.

In the Press

New articles by Tom Wootton

"We Are The X-Men" in BP Magazine's January issue.

"The Art Of Seeing" in The Journal of San Francisco Medicine, November issue.

New articles by Dr. Maureen Duffy

"No-drama Obama, personal memoirs, bestsellers, and qualitative research" The Weekly Qualitative Report, 1(9), 44-48.

"A review of qualitative research groups in web 2.0 social networking communities: Prepare to be amused, inspired, and even blown away." The Weekly Qualitative Report, 1(5), 25-30.

"Values in qualitative and quantitative research" Counseling and Values, 53, 22-38.

"No Child Left Behind: Values and research issues in high-stakes assessments" Counseling and Values, 53, 53-66.

Membership

We started a new membership program and the members have helped us tremendously in our efforts to reach more people. We want to take our membership program to the next level and will be focusing on it in the next few months.

Members are at the inner circle of what we do at Bipolar Advantage. We plan on building this member network for the benefit of its members and the public at large. We welcome your suggestions about how this program can benefit you through phone support, group meetings, social meetings, or helping you to develop new skills.

We have already held a one day training on presentation skills for our members and it was very popular. We are training our members to be certified as Personal Advocates and future employees.

Give us your thoughts on what you would like to see happen and help us build a membership program that changes lives!

New Services

Personal Advocate

Would you like to talk with someone to get advice about your particular situation? We are here to help you decide which programs, doctors, therapists and other services would best suit your individual needs. Whatever challenges you are facing, our Personal Advocates are eager to assist you! Our Personal Advocate Program was designed to help with all of your needs. We can help you establish an integrated support team where you live.

Peer Counseling

Our Certified Peer Counselors are available for one-on-one and family counseling via phone or in person. Our counselors have direct experience with bipolar and depression and can act as a coach to help you achieve results worth striving for.

Videos on-line

YouTube started allowing high quality, wide screen videos on November 25th. This means you can now see our videos the way they were meant to be seen! Please check them out and share your comments.

CEU units

Bipolar Advantage is Certified by the State of California Board of Behavioral Health (PCE #4050) to offer CEU units for MFT and LCSW therapists. We encourage therapists to attend our workshops, read our books, watch our videos and share this information with your clients. In our workshops, therapists will learn from experts, consumers, and each other in an interactive environment. Our workshops will open your eyes and expand your education while earning you CEU credits.

Events

March 6, 2009

Tom Wootton will be the keynote speaker at The 9th Annual Jean Paul Ohadi Conference on Children and Adolescents with Bipolar Disorders sponsored by the Josselyn Center of Northfield, Illinois.

The Josselyn Center has been a pioneer in providing quality mental health services to families and individuals of all socioeconomic backgrounds on Chicago's North Shore since 1951.

The Jean Paul Ohadi Foundation was established in 1998 to honor its namesake, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder after years of difficulty, and died at age 19. The foundation strives to support and create new opportunities to improve diagnosis and treatment of youth with bipolar disorders.

June 17, 2009

The Turning Point Foundation of Ventura, California has invited Tom Wootton to be the keynote speaker at their conference.

Turning Point was established in 1998 in Ventura and helps those in greatest need turn their lives around and begin the path back to productive and satisfying lives. They provide critical services to those whose lives have been devastated by mental illness.

Bringing our Speakers to your Campus

In 2009 Bipolar Advantage will begin an outreach project to get their speakers out to college campuses. Many people first experience a severe manic or depressive episode during college. Many students do not recognize what they are dealing with or associate living a great life with mental conditions.

Bipolar Advantage wants to bust the stigma on college campuses regarding living with mental conditions. We want to let people know that there are ways to manage this condition and have a great life.

Contact us if you would like to see Bipolar Advantage speakers on your campus.