Skip to main content

FAQs

Click on each question for the answer.

  • Who should attend the symposium?
    The symposium is designed to inform those who work with the estimated 75 percent of patients with schizophrenia who have auditory hallucinations. Many in the health, mental health, and social work fields may not fully appreciate the impact that this experience can have on a person’s functioning, sense of self, and interactions with others. Psychologists, social workers, behavioral health therapists, and other health-care providers will gain much from attending, finding the workshops tailored to their interests and needs.
  • Are there ID or minimum age requirements to enter the event?
    Your printed or digital EventBrite ticket will serve as your entry to the symposium. For safety and liability reasons, no one under age 16 is permitted to attend the symposium unless he or she has a valid student id.
  • Where is the symposium being held?
    Franklin Terrace Ballroom, 126 Campbell Ave., Troy, NY 12180
  • What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?
    Franklin Terrace Ballroom is easily accessible from I-787 North or South: – Take Exit 7 East, which is for south Troy, Rt. 387 East – Cross the Hudson River on the Menands Bridge to the second traffic light – Turn Right at the light onto Mill Street (you will be facing a mural of the Burden Water Wheel) – Follow Mill Street (Rt. 4) one half mile to Stewarts. – Turn Left at Stewarts onto Campbell Ave. – Franklin Terrace is 0.5 miles on the right, 126 Campbell Ave. Franklin Terrace has plenty of free parking, including accessible spaces, adjacent to the facility for attendees.
  • When does the symposium begin and end?
    Friday, Sept. 22, 2017. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. (check-in, networking, and breakfast), the keynote begins at 9:00 a.m. and the day ends at 4:45 p.m.
  • What is the dress code?
    For your comfort, business casual is appropriate. We suggest you dress in layers as the temperature in the meeting rooms can vary considerably.
  • What should I bring?
    Bring your digital device or pen and paper for taking notes. You will also want to have plenty of business cards handy networking.
  • Will my photo be taken during the conference?
    Northern Rivers takes photographs during its meetings and events for use in agency advertising, newsletters, and other promotional materials, whether in print, electronic, or other media. By participating in this conference you grant Northern Rivers the right to use your name and photograph for such purposes.
  • How can I obtain a copy of a presenter’s presentation?
    Presentations will be made available online after the conference if provided by the presenter.
  • Will I be able to obtain continuing education credit (CEUs) for attending?
    Full participation in the Symposium on Psychosis, Who Said the Voices Aren’t Real? Part 1, Living with Psychosis, is applicable for up to 5 Continuing Education Units, for LMHC's and LMSW's. To obtain continuing education credit for psychology or social work purposes, individuals must attend the full symposium (keynote, panel discussion, and two workshops) to obtain the credit available for that session as partial credit is not awarded. Attendees must sign in at the start of the symposium and complete a brief written evaluation after the event. Northern Rivers will issue letters within 30 days after the event verifying attendance and granting credit for those who have check in and submitted the evaluation.
  • Are there accommodations for people with disabilities and those requiring special assistance?
    If you require special assistance, auxiliary aids, or other reasonable accommodations to fully participate in this symposium, please email Shiela Frank, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Information regarding disabilities and special assistance will remain confidential.
  • I have an allergy or specific dietary restriction. Whom should I contact?
    We will do our best to accommodate your dietary needs. Breakfast and lunch are buffet-style meals, and we have included both vegetarian and gluten-free items. Participants are welcome to bring any food items to the symposium, however, there is no access to refrigeration or heating sources.
  • Do I have to pay for meals if I am not attending?
    Yes, Northern Rivers is still responsible for your breakfast and lunch even if you do not attend.
  • What is the registration fee?
    The cost to attend the symposium is $60 per person, which includes a continental breakfast and lunch buffet.
  • Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?
    No. We will have your registration information.
  • Do you offer group discounts for two or more individuals attending from the same organization?
    No, at this time there are no discounts for registration.
  • If I am unable to attend the symposium, how do I cancel my registration? What is the refund policy?
    All cancellations must be made in writing to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Cancellations received by Northern Rivers on or before September 5 are entitled to a full refund of the symposium registration fee (minus the $5.95 EventBrite fee). Cancellations received before September 15 will receive a 50% refund. No refunds will be granted for cancellations after September 15. You may substitute another individual for the symposium without incurring a penalty.
  • I cannot attend the conference. Can I send a colleague in my place?
    Substitutions are allowed with the written authorization of the registrant who is unable to attend. Send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Friday, Sept. 15, or bring a signed letter to the onsite registration counter, along with the original EventBrite ticket.
  • I noticed that this symposium is Part 1. What are the details about Part 2?
    Who Said the Voices Aren’t Real? Part 2, Hearing Voices, a half-day presentation, will be held at 9:00 a.m., Friday, Oct. 27, 2017, at Northern Rivers’ training facility, SATRI, 60 Academy Rd., Albany, NY 12208. If demand warrants, a 1:00 p.m. workshop will be added. Part 2 is a simulation workshop developed by Patricia Deegan, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Dr. Deegan, with the support of individuals who hear voices, created a simulation of what it is like to hear distressing voices to increase empathy and insight among non-voice hearers; an instructive presentation and facilitator guides are also included as part of the workshop package. Attendees who register before Sept. 22 will receive a $5 discount for the session ($20 instead of $25). You can register here.
  • How can I contact the organizer with any questions?
    Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have a question that is not addressed here.
  • I am interested in sponsorship opportunities. Whom should I contact?
    Please contact ???@northernrivers.org.