Stroke is a major cause of death and disability in the U.S.  As mental health providers, we will likely treat patients who have either experienced a stroke or are impacted by the effects of stroke on a member of their family, which are often sudden and debilitating.  Though stroke is prevalent, little education is provided to mental health providers concerning the events, treatment, and psychological needs of patients during physical rehabilitation and after treatment.  This webinar is intended to provide a thorough overview of the stroke patient’s experience and review important clinical considerations for treating patient who have been affected by stroke. 

This webinar is divided into three sections.  The first section is an overview of the patient’s experience throughout their course of hospitalization as well as biological and historical information about stroke and stroke treatment.  The second section focuses on important topics related to the mental health of stroke patients (i.e., Post-Stroke Depression).  The third section addresses adjustment difficulties and treatment considerations for patient who have had strokes.

“The presenter was excellent. Her expertise was evident and she used great illustrative examples. It was a comfortable learning experience.”-Vicki W., Social Worker, Maryland

As people are living longer worldwide, clinicians will increasingly need the skills and knowledge to work with older adults. Professional guidelines indicate that specific competencies are needed to work effectively with older clients, yet many clinicians surveyed say they have not had sufficient training and experience to work with this client population.  This webinar is designed to familiarize participants with information and useful strategies from the scientific literature and clinical experience to allow you to work competently and successfully with older adults. The webinar will cover normal aging as well as health and cognitive concerns in older adults. Adjustments to assessment and intervention strategies to meet the needs of older adults will be discussed. Awareness of ageism and cultural factors will also be covered.

“Great presentation! Very useful information for practitioners in a variety of settings. Highly recommended. I learned the CBT is NOT just “change your thoughts and change your life.”-Kellie H., Social Worker, Iowa

Across behavioral health professions, there is a workforce shortage of clinicians trained to provide evidence-based mental health services to older adults.  Cognitive-behavioral conceptualizations have been effectively used to develop assessments and interventions for older adults and their involved family care partners.  This webinar will help you apply your existing knowledge and experience with CBT to the common physical and mental health concerns of middle aged and older adults.  You will develop an understanding of typical adjustments to assessment and intervention strategies while working with older adults.  CBT assessment and interventions for late life depression will be used as an example, along with empirically supported CBT interventions for family caregivers of older adults.  The presentation will also include resources for clinical practice with these populations.

“The instructor clearly has a high level of expertise, presented the material in a well organized, comprehensive, and detailed manner, and maintained my interest throughout.”-Jay F., Psychologist, New Jersey

One in seven people over the age of 70 experiences dementia and another 22% demonstrate symptoms of cognitive decline that falls short of dementia. Those who escape the symptoms of dementia may spend a substantial portion of retirement years caring for a friend or family member with cognitive impairment. The rise of the baby boomer generation is expected bring unprecedented rates of cognitive syndromes like Alzheimer’s disease, yet most mental health professionals have no formal training to work with this vulnerable population. This workshop provides a clinical approach to understanding and assessing these syndromes.