NRCI Annual Conference 2021: COVID 19: Grief & Stress During a Global Pandemic

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 annual conference focuses on “COVID 19: Grief & Stress During a Global Pandemic.”

This 2 hour panel titled COVID 19: Grief & Stress During a Global Pandemic is presented by Dr. Serena Wadhwa, David Firemen, Dr. Jillian Blueford, Dr. Michael M. Kocet, and Michael Catania. Moderator Michael Kocet will open the panel by defining the prevalence of some of the most common anxiety disorders in the United States. Daniel Yohanna, MD, a forensic psychiatry specialist, who specializes in anxiety disorders, will discuss the difference between stress, general anxiety and a diagnosable anxiety disorder, as well as the negative impact that stress and anxiety has on our physical health. Serena Wadhwa, Psy.D, LCPC, CADC, RYT, CCTP, is a psychotherapist and works in academia. She will discuss local resources for accessing support related to managing stress and anxiety, as well as self-help strategies that can improve our overall mental health. Michael Catania forged a special relationship with one of the ER physicians who helped save his life when hospitalized with COVID. He later collaborated with that doctor to spread the word about COVID through social media with the goal of helping others. 

After attending this introductory-level program, participants will be able to:

1. Define at least two common anxiety disorders related to COVID-19

2. Identify at least one local resource to help manage stress and anxiety during COVID-19

3. Identify at least one national resource to help manage stress and anxiety during COVID-19

This program meets APA’s continuing education Standard 1.2: Program content focuses on ethical, legal, statutory or regulatory policies, guidelines, and standards that impact psychological practice, education, or research.

This program meets APA’s continuing education GOAL 2: Program will enable psychologists to keep pace with the most current scientific evidence regarding assessment, prevention, intervention, and/or education, as well as important relevant legal, statutory, leadership, or regulatory issues.

This program is presented free of charge.

MODERATOR:

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:

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

Dr. Jillian Blueford, University of Denver

Jillian Blueford, Ph.D., LPC, NCC, CT is a faculty member 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.

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.

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.

Blueford, J. M., & Gibbons, M. M. (2020). Elementary school counselors supporting students experiencinganticipatory grief. Professional School Counseling, 23(1), 1-9. http://doi.org/d367

Sheperis, D.S., Ordway, A., Kocet, M., & Hermann, M. (Sept. 2 2020). Ethics in the time of COVID: Contact tracing. Counseling Today. https://ct.counseling.org/2020/09/ethics-in-the-time-of-covid-contact-tracing/

Wadhwa, S. (2017). Stress in the Modern World: Science and Society, Santa Barbara, CA: ABCCLIOPublishing.

Wadhwa, S. Grief and Loss in the Workplace (2015). Get to the Point Books.

Target Audience: All mental health professionals, graduate students, community members.

Psychologists. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 2.0 continuing education credits. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology maintains responsibility for this program and its content. 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. 

Non-Psychologists. Most licensing boards accept Continuing Education Credits sponsored by the American Psychological Association but non-psychologists are recommended to consult with their specific state-licensing board to ensure that APA-sponsored CE is acceptable.

*Participants must attend 100% of the program in order to obtain a Certificate of Attendance.

If participants have special needs, we will attempt to accommodate them. Please address questions, concerns and any complaints to [email protected]. 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.