Join us on October 9th to celebrate Adler Academy of Minnesota's 10th annual conference for a day of discussions, demonstrations, small-group activities, and hands-on therapeutic exercises – 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 and reaching our full potential.

We will explore key causes of resistance in therapy and discover creative ways to connect with 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 the lifespan, we can improve work with clients of all ages. We will also reflect on and address or own lifestyle barriers.

October 9, 2026 | 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Location: French Regional Park
Schedule: Registration & Breakfast at 9:30 AM, Conference begins at 10:00 AM, Lunch is included
Adam Arnold & Dr. Marina Bluvshtein: Helping Clients Change: Removing Barriers to Connection and Building Healthier Communities
CE:  6.25 CE (Including 1.5 ethics and 1.5 cultural competency hours)

Learning Objectives:

  1. Identify the intersections of systemic and personality barriers to healthy social connections.
  2. Describe clinical manifestations of perceived barriers in therapy.
  3. Explain traditional treatment “resistance” as a result of relational disconnectedness.
  4. Examine the exogenous factors shaping clients’ and therapists’ ability to build collaborative process mastery.
  5. Explain the values and virtues of democratically engaging with individuals across generations.
  6. Explain their own capacity to model healthy adult behavior in therapeutic encounters.
  7. Create barriers-focused case evaluations.
  8. Explore creative collaborative approaches for working with people of different ages and cultural groups.
  9. Describe specific interventions aimed at enhancing therapeutic connections.
  10. Integrate their own lifestyle strengths and strategies in handling or eliminating systemic treatment resistance.

Featuring

Speakers

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.

Location Information

  • Clifton E. French Regional Park - Oakwood Room
  • 12605 Rockford Rd., Plymouth, MN, 55441 US
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Register Now

Professional

TicketsPrice

Regular Professional Registration

Regular Price Admission for Professionals (Sept 15th-Sept 30)

$202.85
($195.00 + $7.85 fee)

Early Bird Registration (Sold Out)

Early-Bird Price Admission for Professionals (Now - Sept 15th)

$182.15
($175.00 + $7.15 fee)
Sold Out

Student

Total: $0.00

Lunch

Lunch Provided by Naf Naf Grill

Naf Naf Grill was such a hit last year, we will be continuing the tradition for our catered lunch during the in-person conference on October 9, 2026.

Lunch will be served buffet style, featuring flavorful Middle Eastern dishes designed to accommodate a variety of dietary needs. Our menu will include options that are vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free, so there is no need to submit a special meal request for those dietary preferences.

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 your understanding 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)

Conference Registration

Please check the box to request any accommodations you may need.
While submitting a request does not guarantee the accommodation, a board member will reach out to discuss your needs prior to the conference date.

Terms


Refund and Cancellation Policy


Participants have two options:


Purchase Protection:


  • Optional Purchase Protection Coverage: Participants may purchase refund coverage through Purchase Protection LLC, which refunds ticket costs for qualifying unforeseen circumstances.

Purchase Protection is a refund service (not insurance) that provides 100% refund of event fees, taxes, and dues if you’re unable to attend an event due to qualifying unforeseen circumstances.


To be eligible for a refund, you must:


  • Have purchased and paid for Purchase Protection before the event
  • Be prevented from attending due to valid qualifying circumstances within the valid time period (unforeseen circumstance occurred no more than 7 days prior to the event and your claim was received within 48 hours after the event. Certain qualifying circumstances like death have a wider window of 30 days, but generally it’s 7 days before the event.)
  • File a claim with proper documentation directly to Purchase Protection
  • Submit the claim within the valid time period (all refund requests must be submitted within forty-eight (48) hours after the event.)

  • Terms and Process: Refunds through Purchase Protection must be requested directly from them via their claim system. Terms and conditions are outlined on their website: PurchaseProtection.com.
  • AAM is not responsible for processing or managing refund requests covered by Purchase Protection.

2. No Refund Option:


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• Participants who do not purchase Purchase Protection acknowledge that all ticket sales are final, and no refunds will be issued under any circumstances.
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• In the event that Adler Academy of Minnesota cancels the event, there will be a full refund.


5. Ticket Transfers


  • Transfers to another attendee are permitted up to 3 days before the event date at no additional cost.
  • The original attendee’s meal selections and preferences will transfer with the ticket and cannot be changed.
  • AAM does not mediate or facilitate financial reimbursements between individuals in the event of a ticket transfer. Such arrangements are the responsibility of the involved parties.

Purchase ProtectionRECOMMENDED

Add Purchase Protection for a small fee and get a 100% refund of your registration purchase should you be prevented from attending due to a qualifying unforeseen circumstance. (Full Terms)

Why protect your registration purchase? Purchase Protection covers:

Severe Illness and Injury
COVID-19
Hospitalization
Death in Family
Transportation Failure
Crime and Home Emergency
Employment Obligations
Acts of Nature
Legal Obligations

Purchase Protection covers many common unforeseen circumstances, but exclusions apply. View full List of qualifying circumstances and exclusions.

* Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Not available for or applicable to events, attendees, or travel outside of the USA. Purchase Protection is a service offered by Purchase Protection LLC. Purchase Protection is not an insurance policy. It is a service that will refund you 100% of your event fees, taxes and dues should you be prevented by unforeseen circumstances from attending the event. Purchase Protection does not apply to, and will not reimburse, charitable donations. Purchase Protection fees will be charged as a separate transaction. Any changes made to your purchase will not change the amount covered in this agreement.

Read Full Terms and Conditions

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Billing Information

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  • American Express
  • Discover


Important Ticket Terms

  • All ticket sales are final unless Purchase Protection is selected at checkout.
  • Purchase Protection is an optional refund service (not insurance) that allows refunds for qualifying unforeseen circumstances. All claims must be filed directly with PurchaseProtection.com within 48 hours of the event.
  • Refunds will not be issued by Adler Academy of Minnesota for any reason unless the event is cancelled.
  • Ticket transfers to another attendee are allowed up to 3 days before the event. Meal selections cannot be changed.
  • By purchasing a ticket, you acknowledge and agree to these terms.

Location: Clifton E. French Regional Park


Need Accommodations? One option is Home2 Suites which is about 8-10 minutes (3.1 miles) from the park. 

Home2 Suites by Hilton Plymouth Minneapolis

2990 Harbor Ln N, Plymouth, MN 55447

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