Dr. Brian Ogawa, of the Department of Human Services at Washburn University, will be leading six undergraduate and graduate students majoring in Victim/Survivor Services, Addictions Counseling and Disaster Management in their study of Morita Therapy during Spring Break in Tokyo. The group will be visiting major Morita centers and practitioners, including Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo Women's University, Japanese Group Psychotherapy Association, Seikatsu No Hakkenkai and Tokiwadai Psychiatric Clinic. They will also be visiting historic cultural sites, including the Meiji Temple, Chinzan-so, and Asakusa Kannon.

Morita Therapy is a transcultural therapy that is internationally practiced and taught. Its applications include post-trauma, stress management, terminal illness, phobias, obsessions-compulsions, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and eating disorders. Dr. Ogawa has been studying and practicing Morita Therapy for more than 40 years and is considered a pioneer in its adaptation to the West, particularly in the area of crime victimization recovery. The Department of Human Services offers five separate courses specifically related to Morita Therapy and its application across the field.

The Joint Center on Violence and Victim Studies is offering a Morita Therapy workshop with Dr. Ogawa May 22-23 in East Hartford, Connecticut. The program is hosted by the University of New Haven and the Office of Victim Services, Connecticut Judicial Branch. More information may be found on the JCVVS web page or you can call toll free, 1-800-910-4308.

The Joint Center on Violence and Victim Studies program Critical Analysis of Victim Assistance has been recognized by the Association for Continuing Higher Education, Region VIII as a program of honorable mention for the Exceptional Program Award Nomination.

The Critical Analysis of Victim Assistance course will be held at California State University, Fresno, March 28-31, 2006. For complete information or to register visit the course web page or call toll free, 1- 800-910-4308.