COVID-19: Stress and Grief During a Global Pandemic.

The Nineteenth Annual Community Conference

COVID-19: Stress and Grief During a Global Pandemic.

Sunday, June 13, 2021

9:30 am – 12:30 pm CT

The mission of the Naomi Ruth Cohen Institute for Mental Health Education is to reduce the stigma of mental illness that has been a barrier for individuals, families, and communities receiving much-needed support. The institute aims to provide resources and hope to those that struggle with mental illness and to those who support them. The Institute strives to educate people on mental health issues through various outreach programs.

This year will be the Institutes’ nineteenth annual community conference, and it will focus on “COVID-19: Stress and Grief During a Global Pandemic.” This conference would not be possible without the ongoing support of our donors, conference speakers, discussion leaders, and volunteers to whom we are deeply grateful.

Included in this conference is a 2 hour, CE/CEU eligible panel titled COVID 19: Stress and Grief During a Global Pandemic presented by moderator Dr. Michael Kocet and panelist Dr. Serena Wadhwa, Dr. Jillian Blueford, David Firemen and Michael Catania.

This portion of the program offers 2.0 CEUs for Illinois state Counselors and Social Workers, or 2.0 CEs for Psychologists.

This program is underwritten by the Naomi Ruth Cohen Institute for Mental Health Education a 501(c) (3) nonprofit corporation.

SCHEDULE:

9:30-9:40 am/Opening Remarks: Rev. Dr. Michael C.R. Nabors, Senior Pastor, Second Baptist Church

9:40-9:55 am/Welcome and Remembrance of Kate Mahoney: Larry and Marilyn Cohen, NRCI Founders

9:55-10:00 am/Dr. Michele Nealon, President, The Chicago School

10:00-10:15 am/Panelist Introductions: Dr. Michael Kocet, Moderator

10:15-11:20 am/Panelist Presentations

11:20-11:30 am/Break

11:30-12:30 pm/Panelist Presentations continued Q&A

Registration and Fees:

General Admission: Free, Space may be limited

Donation (Optional): During registraion you will have the opportunity to dontate to NRCI. Donations are welcome, but not required. All dontations go directly to supporting NRCI events and mission.

CONFERENCE MODERATOR:

Professional Bio of Dr. Michael Kocet, Ph.D., LMHC, NCC, ACS, Professor/Department Chair, Counselor Education Department, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Michael M. Kocet, Ph.D., LMHC, NCC, ACS is Professor and Department Chair of the Counselor Education Department at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Kocet earned his Ph.D. in Counselor Education from the University of Arkansas. He is a licensed mental health counselor, a Board Certified Counselor, and an Approved Clinical Supervisor.

PLENARY PANEL:

Professional Bio of Serena Wadhwa Psy.D., LCPC, CADC, RYT, CCTP, Associate Professor/ Program Director: Addictions Counseling Concentration, Addictions Studies and Behavioral Health, Governors State University

Serena Wadhwa, Psy.D., LCPC, CADC, RYT, CCTP is a psychotherapist and professor at Governors State University. Dr. Wadhwa enjoys a variety of roles as a consultant, creator, presenter, trainer, radio talk show host, stress coach, yoga instructor, blogger and author. Her Website is www.drserenawadhwa.com

Professional Bio of Dr. Jillian Blueford, University of Denver

Jillian Blueford, Ph.D., LPC, NCC, CT is a facultymember at The University of Denver and is the Chair of Grief Competencies Task Force for the American Counseling Association. Her clinical professional background includes working in a variety of settings such as a hospice bereavement center, a psychiatric behavioral hospital, and as an independent counselor for the Tennessee Department of Children Services.

Professional Bio of David Fireman, MSW, LCSW, Executive Director of the Center for Grief Recovery and Therapeutic Services, Rogers Park, IL

David Fireman, MSW, LCSW is the Executive Director of the Center for Grief Recovery and Therapeutic Services in Rogers Park, Illinois. He also holds a psychotherapy practice grounded in Self and depth psychologies. His extensive background helping others grows out of a sincere respect for inherent individual differences, social learning, the interplay of Love and Loss, and finding purpose and meaning.

Professional Bio of Michael Catania, Community Member

Michael’s extensive career in education includes work with the Illinois Board of Higher Education, learning centers, and teaching and tutoring. While spending time in the hospital due to COVID, Michael forged a special relationship with one of the ER physicians who helped save his life. He later collaborated with that doctor to spread the word about COVID through social media with the goal of helping others.

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Psychologists. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 2.0 continuing education credits. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is committed to accessibility and non-discrimination in its continuing education activities. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is also committed to conducting all activities in conformity with the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles for Psychologists. Participants are asked to be aware of the need for privacy and confidentiality throughout the program. If program content becomes stressful, participants are encouraged to process these feelings during discussion periods. If participants have special needs, we will attempt to accommodate them. Please address questions, concerns and any complaints to Danielle Bohrer at 312-467-2364. There is no commercial support for this program nor are there any relationships between the CE Sponsor, presenting organization, presenter, program content, research, grants, or other funding that could reasonably be construed as conflicts of interest.

Counselors/Clinical Counselors. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available 2.0 hours of continuing education. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to provide continuing education programming for counselors and clinical counselors. License Number: 197.000159

Social Workers. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 2.0 hours of continuing education. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to provide continuing education programming for social workers. License Number: 159.001036

Questions about Continuing Education Credit? Contact the Institute for Professional and Continuing Studies at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at [email protected].