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Berthold Awarded Fulbright Canada Distinguished Research Chair Award for This Academic Year

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UConn School of Social Work professor S. Megan Berthold has traveled around the world as far as Nepal to work with trauma survivors, but a yearlong academic Fulbright Canada Distinguished Research Chair Award at Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario, will put her only about 400 miles to the north of Hartford.

While that’s closer than the 8,700 miles away when she was on the Thai-Cambodian border, working on the edge of a war zone, her research in Canada will be no less important.
Starting in September, Berthold will serve as the Fulbright Canada Distinguished Research Chair in Public Affairs in North America: Society, Policy, Media, at Carleton University, 2024-2025.

The prestigious award will allow her to expand on a project that began in 2017 with two social work colleagues from UConn.

“This will be a great opportunity to dig deep into my research,” Berthold says. “I also welcome the opportunity to work in a new environment. Early in my career, I worked in a few refugee camps. I enjoy working cross culturally and gaining a different perspective on the issues I care about.”

Her Fulbright is the next phase of a qualitative study that includes social work professor Kathryn Libal, director of UConn’s Gladstein Family Human Rights Institute, and associate professor Scott Harding, the School’s associate dean for academic affairs, along with several doctoral students.

Together, they’ve interviewed community sponsorship volunteers and health, mental health, and legal providers around the United States to learn about how they operate, where they excel, what challenges they face, and how community sponsorship could be strengthened.

“We originally conceived of this as a study that extends into Canada, because Canada is the global leader of these community sponsorship initiatives. Until now, we’ve had the capacity to do interviews only in the U.S.,” she says. “Fulbright Canada allows us to move our work into Canada.”

As a Fulbright Scholar, Berthold aims to determine best practices and strategies to overcome challenges faced by community sponsor groups in Canada that are supporting refugees as they resettle there. She says her work also seeks to identify whether there is effective trauma-informed coordination of care for sponsored refugees to meet their health and mental health needs and to explore in what ways the Canadian model might be applied in the U.S.

In 2015-16, she notes, many Canadians volunteered to help sponsor Syrian refugees during a time of intensive displacement from their country.

“There has been widespread support for refugees in Canada. The resettlement context in each country is unique. Canada has a very different health care system than the U.S., for example, so you can’t just replicate their exact model and expect it to work well in the U.S.,” Berthold says.

Part of her work over the next year also will include interviewing refugees who received services in Canada or were sponsored by a community group there; Libal and Harding will do the same in the U.S. That piece will add firsthand experience to their findings.

“I believe that there needs to be improvements to equip providers and volunteers with the skills to be more trauma-informed and more appropriately attend to the holistic health and social service needs of refugees and their families,” Berthold says. “Over the years, I’ve trained many professionals in that area, and I see there’s much room for improvement. That’s from my clinical experience, but I need to wait and see what our research says before drawing a conclusion.”

Berthold was a longtime mental health clinician and trauma specialist working with refugees and asylum seekers since the mid 1980s prior to joining UConn’s School of Social Work in 2011. From 1998 to 2011, she was a therapist, researcher, forensic psychosocial evaluator, and expert witness at the Program for Torture Victims in Los Angeles.

Her work has taken her to places including Nepal, Nicaragua, Thailand, and the Philippines, rural areas without running water and with cultures very different than her own.

“Those who study or are specialists in treating refugees and asylum seekers, including those who have experienced war trauma, torture, genocide, and other kinds of persecution, understand there really needs to be an in-depth and integrated approach to care. People deserve that and it’s their human right,” she says, adding, “They have a right to health. They have a right to have an adequate standard of living and to support themselves.”

She continues, “A lot of these people were fighting for democracy in their country, and they were persecuted as a result. Many of these refugees, albeit not all of them, were human rights defenders in their countries and that’s why they were targeted – because the powers that be in their country deemed them a threat.”

Read more about Berthold’s work.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): A Hands On Introduction

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Donald deGraffenried, LCSW
Friday, October 11, 2024Register Now for CE programs
In-person
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
6 CECs

Registration Fee: $150
10% discount for UConn SSW Alumni and Current SSW Field Instructors

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an innovative and powerful therapy used for the desensitization of PTSD and other mental health concerns. It has been in existence for over fifty years, is research validated and many clinicians have questions about the therapy.

This one-day workshop will offer a primer on the theory, practice, and application of EMDR in agency and community mental health settings. The workshop will provide a definition of EMDR and will address a model for how it works and what contributes to its effectiveness. The eight (8) stages of the treatment process will be discussed in depth, with case examples. The use of affect management tools that support client use of EMDR will be reviewed and demonstrated.

A live demonstration of an EMDR session will be provided, addressing the presenting image, negative cognitions, feelings, and body sensations that are effectively treated with EMDR. Teaching modalities will include lecture, demonstrations, PowerPoint, group discussion and EMDR DVD’s.

The implementation and application of EMDR in agency settings will be explored with an emphasis on effective start up tools for practice, written informed consent and the use of scaling questions to enhance client feedback and treatment satisfaction. How to obtain the full six-day EMDR training and issues related to consultation and supervision will also be explored in depth.

This one-day workshop is designed as an introduction to EMDR for clinicians, administrators, agency directors and other individuals interested in EMDR. It is an introduction to the training and many individuals may go on to take the full EMDR training after taking this introduction. It does not qualify you to provide EMDR therapy.

Developing Comfort and Confidence with Tapping (EFT)

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Catherine Ewing, LCSW, MDivRegister Now for CE programs

Fri, Sept 27, 2024
9:30 am – 1:30 pm
4 CECs

Fee: $100
10% discount for UConn SSW Alumni and Current SSW Field Instructors

**Optional 6 Week Follow Up Mastery Class Available To Attendees (See description below. Separate registration required.

Getting comfortable using EFT comes with practicing on yourself and with clients who are generally well-functioning, but may be struggling with anxiety, physical pain, intrusive thoughts, past trauma, self-limiting beliefs, or life changes.

The more you use EFT and see the consistent positive results, the less strange it will feel and the more opportunities you will find to use it for your own self-care, with family and friends, and for your clients.

The seminar will include a review of the Basic Recipe for tapping, including tapping points, set-up phrase and basic tapping protocol.

Additional topics to be introduced and further explored will be the Personal Peace Procedure, Tap & Breathe Procedure, Tapping to Install Positive Beliefs, Borrowing Benefits, and how EFT dovetails with the Law of Attraction.

This program is a great follow up for those who have taken Fundamentals of Emotional Freedom Technique: Care for Clients and Practitioners, for those who have taken any Entry Level EFT class, or have been practicing on their own. While the workshop will briefly review the basics of EFT, it is not intended for participants without any prior knowledge.

There will be ample time for group tapping, demonstration with participants, and Q&A.

Learning Objectives:

• Develop more comfort and confidence using EFT for self and with clients
• Understand the Personal Peace Procedure and its appropriate use
• Learn protocol for Tapping in Positive Beliefs
• Learn about the power of Borrowing Benefits in group settings
• Understand the energetic integration of EFT and the LOA
• Learn the Tap & Breathe Procedure

** Mastering EFT Online Follow-Up Series
6 – 90 minute classes: Wednesdays, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23,11/6, 11/13, 11/20 from 6:30 – 8pm.

Mastering EFT Online Follow-Up Series

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Catherine Ewing, LCSW, MDivRegister Now for CE programs
6 – 90 minute classes
Wednesdays, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23,11/6, 11/13, 11/20
6:30 pm – 8 pm
9 CECs*

Fee: $225
10% discount for UConn SSW Alumni and Current SSW Field Instructors

This 6-week, virtual mastery class series will be made available to participants who have taken the Developing Comfort and Confidence Class or any Level 1 or Fundamental EFT Training, with Catherine Ewing or another EFT certified teacher.

Over the course of 6 weeks participants will have the opportunity to deepen their understanding, sharpen their skills, and develop their confidence in delivering EFT in their clients’ sessions.

Each 90 minute session will include:

  • a check in and time for Q&A regarding tapping sessions from the previous week
  • additional teaching on the aspects of tapping taught in Level 1 or Developing Comfort classes
  • time for practicing the different ways to deliver EFT
  • opportunities for “role play” tapping sessions

* Please be aware that the classes will be recorded for participants to be able to rewatch and review.  Due to the interactive/experiential nature of the teaching modality, and in order to fulfill the requirements, participants MUST attend all 6 classes live and have their video ON in order to receive CECs.

Mastering the Mental Status Exam

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Jennifer Berton, PhD, LICSW, CADC-IIRegister Now for CE programs
Friday, November 1, 2024
In-person
9:30 am – 4 pm
5 CECs

Registration Fee: $125
10% discount for UConn SSW Alumni and Current SSW Field Instructors

The Mental Status Exam has long been used as a vital tool in the assessment and diagnosis of clients, yet how to administer this tool effectively is often not learned during the masters level education in the helping professions.

This training will break down each section of this tool, explore exactly what you are assessing, and the best questions to ask to get the needed information.

  • Explore all of the assessment areas of the Mental Status Exam
  • Collect useful questions and methods of assessing each area
  • Practice using the Mental Status Exam tool with clinical examples through vignettes

Clinician Burnout in a Post-Pandemic Politically Charged World

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Jennifer Berton, PhD, LICSW, CADC-IIRegister Now for CE programs
Friday, September 13, 2024
In-person
9:30 am – 4:30 pm
5 CECs

Registration Fee: $125
10% discount for UConn SSW Alumni and Current SSW Field Instructors

Clinicians are faced with significant strains on the boundaries of the clinical relationship in this politically charged, post-pandemic climate. Exhausted and pressured, clinicians need support and tools to navigate these unique stressors on clinical practice.

This training explores how clinician burnout has changed under the unique pressures we face today, and offers tools we need to address them.

Learning Objectives:

  • Explore the ethical strains on the clinical relationship due to the politically charged climate among health care clinicians
  • Examine the concept of power, what it is and how to build it in oneself and in the workplace
  • Investigate passion for work and how to reignite it when under pressure
  • Connect the concept of values-based purpose with job satisfaction

Compassionate Care: Elderly Protection and Advocacy

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Qur-an Webb, MSW
Thursday, August 22, 2024Register Now for CE programs
Live Webinar
2 pm – 4 pm
2 CECs

Registration Fee: $50
10% discount for UConn SSW Alumni and Current SSW Field Instructors

This training addresses a critical concern in today’s society by focusing on the protection of the elderly from abuse and neglect. Participants will examine the various forms of mistreatment that older individuals may face and explore strategies for prevention, detection, and intervention. The webinar will emphasize the importance of creating safe environments and nurturing a culture of respect and dignity for the elderly. In this interactive training, participants will learn skills to identify signs of abuse and neglect, report incidents appropriately, and work collaboratively with relevant authorities. This training aims to equip individuals with the knowledge and tools needed to champion the rights and well-being of the elderly and foster a society that values and safeguards its senior members.

Participants in this webinar will:

  • become familiar with mandatory reporting procedures and increase their knowledge of elders’ rights to self-determination
  • examine the role of staff when working with the elderly population to better understand their unique needs and challenges
  • learn about available resources and effective strategies tailored to address the specific needs of the elderly population

From Frazzled to Flourish: Building a Sanctuary for Your Work-From-Home Wellbeing

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Yoko Kawai, PhD
Lecturer, Yale School of Architecture
Mon, November 18, 2024Register Now for CE programs
9 am – 12 pm, In-person
3 CECs

This workshop will be recorded. The camera will focus on the presenter, not participants.

Registration Fee: $75
10% discount for UConn SSW Alumni and Current SSW Field Instructors

The pandemic has significantly impacted the wellbeing of social workers and other practitioners with increased anxiety, depression, and isolation due to demanding caseloads and the shift to telehealth. This workshop will empower you to create a supportive work environment that nourishes your mental health and enhances your professional capacity. By prioritizing self-care as a foundational step to providing optimal client care, you’ll learn how to design a “healthy spatial journey” for your work-from-home space. Discover research-backed strategies to transform your environment into a sanctuary that fosters both personal renewal and professional effectiveness.

Participants are encouraged to bring photos (on your phones) of your work-from-home spaces. These photos can serve as reminders of your typical work environments. Sharing your photos is entirely optional. The photos should ideally capture spaces you frequent or move through during your workday. This could include your home office, kitchen, bathroom, living room, backyard, or even neighborhood parks and cafes. The workshop will include a 1 hour lecture and 2 hours of experiential learning.

By attending this workshop, you will:

  • understand how your work environment can impact your mental wellbeing.
  • discover a six-step process for creating a supportive work-from-home space.
  • apply the first steps of this process through interactive exercises.
  • develop a personalized plan for improving your work-from-home environment.

Challenging Stereotypes of the Black Woman

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Shauna Figueroa, LCSW
Tuesday, October 29, 2024Register Now for CE programs
6 pm – 8 pm
Live Webinar
2 CECs – this program provides 2 hours of content on cultural competency

Registration Fee: $50
10% discount for UConn SSW Alumni and Current SSW Field Instructors

The Challenging Stereotypes of the Black Women training is an engaging and thought-provoking exploration of the stereotypes and realities surrounding the Black Woman narrative. This training series seeks to unpack the historical roots, societal impact, and contemporary implications of this harmful stereotype, while fostering understanding, empathy, and allyship among participants.

Learning Objectives:

  • Explore the origins and perpetuation of the Black Woman stereotype, examining its portrayal in media, literature, and popular culture, and its impact on the lived experiences of Black women.
  • Discuss the intersectional nature of identity and oppression, emphasizing how race, gender, class, sexuality, and other factors intersect to shape individuals’ experiences and perceptions within society.
  • Empower participants to become allies and advocates for racial and gender equity, fostering inclusive environments where all voices are valued and respected.
  • Develop strategies for challenging stereotypes, disrupting bias, and promoting positive representations of Black women in their personal and professional spheres.