Unraveling the Symptoms that Everyone Wishes we Knew about Earlier

Ruth Pearlman, LCSW, LICSW, M.ED
Wed, Oct 28, 2026
10:00 am – 12:00 pm (ET)
2 CECs
Virtual

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

Webinar link will be emailed when your registration is complete

Early research in ADHD in women often neglected the role that estrogen played in the presentation of ADHD symptoms. Recent research now clearly demonstrates that estrogen fluctuations directly affect the intensity and spectrum of symptoms experienced by women at different stages over their lifetime. Over the last decade, there has been an increase in women in peri/menopausal stages that are newly diagnosed with ADHD. As estrogen decreases, ADHD symptoms such as distractibility and disorganization seem to increase. Additionally, we will also explore the recent findings linking Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) and ADHD.

In this webinar, we will:

• examine why women at different stages of life experience increases/decreases of ADHD symptoms
• explore why the topic of estrogen is rarely clinically explained when working with clients with ADHD
• discover the relationship between RSD and ADHD and why women are left questioning why they weren’t told of this earlier in their lives

Ruth Pearlman, LCSW, LICSW, M.ED
Wednesday, November 4, 2026
10 am – 12 pm

Live Webinar
2 CECs

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

Webinar link will be emailed when your registration is complete.

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a condition where a person has difficulties regulating their senses within their environment. These are our clients who can experience the world as being “too loud” or “too intense”. They can experience the world as being so sensory over-whelming that their bodies go into a defensive “fight, flight or freeze” stance. For many people with SPD, their constant need to re-regulate their senses to adapt to the stimuli around them, creates symptoms of distractibility, irritability, anxiety, and depression.

So where is SPD in the DSM? It isn’t. Although more than half of all the diagnostic criteria of disorders in the DSM 5 describe symptoms of SPD, the APA refuses to acknowledge SPD as a disorder. Therefore, DSM 5 conditions such as ADHD, PTSD, Tourette’s, ASD, ODD, the Anxiety Disorders as well as Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, are never understood or treated through the lens of sensory integration. Yet all of the above disorders are, in large part, sensory-based disorders. Imagine trying to treat a client with ASD or PTSD and not teaching the client about their sensory system reactions?

In this interactive webinar, participants will:

• Explore the long-delayed need to incorporate sensory integration issues into our working knowledge of the DSM
• Recognize that negative behaviors of are better de-escalated when sensory overload can be quieted (calmed down), similar to “sensory rooms” and “sensory placed” used in schools
• Consider the clinical cost of these misinterpretations for both children and adults

Jo Nol, PhD, MS, LCSW
Tuesdays, November 3 and 10, 2026
9 am – 12 pm
Virtual
6 CECs

Participants must attend both sessions to qualify for CECs.

There are various ways that clients appear difficult to treat. All psychotherapists will experience some of these types of clients throughout their careers. Difficult clients may be self-effacing, or belligerent, unable to protect themselves from exploitation, or struggle to create any kind of satisfying relationship. They may no-show or sit silently for long segments of the session. Even after a therapist has tried heroically to invite them to engage, or provide coaching, support, and encouragement to take better care of themselves, these clients cannot muster the most basic self-advocacy and seem to sabotage their own success at every turn. Therapists may eventually assume a lack of motivation or label the client as resistant and perhaps recommend that the client come back when “they are ready to work.”

Drawing on Control-mastery Theory and using clinical vignettes to illustrate various approaches, this two-session webinar will provide a framework for understanding the difficult client and developing an effective treatment strategy. We will also examine the inevitable and disturbing countertransference reactions therapists develop in working with this maddening presentation and offer ways to manage and use them in therapy to help the client. The two-session format will provide ample time for participants to reflect and discuss their own clinical material.

At the conclusion of this webinar, participants will:

• begin to understand how to see the difficult client from a different perspective
• learn the basic concepts of Control-mastery Theory
• practice application of the theory
• explore the use of countertransference reactions in the service of therapy

 

Marina Badillo-Diaz, DSW, LCSW
Tuesday, December 1, 2026
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm (ET)
Virtual
2 CECs

Registration Fee: $50
10% discount for UConn SSW Alumni and current SSW Practicum Instructors

This virtual workshop builds on foundational knowledge by moving from understanding artificial intelligence (AI) to actively applying specialized tools within their specific practice settings, including case management, foster care, schools, and clinical environments. The session focuses on exploring purpose-built AI technologies that are emerging across the profession, such as child  welfare platforms like Binti for case management and placement coordination, AI-supported education tools like Magic School AI used in school settings to assist with IEP documentation,  behavior planning, and student support, and clinical AI scribes such as Upheal and Berries AI that help streamline progress notes, treatment documentation, and session summaries. Through demonstrations and case-based examples, the workshop will highlight how AI can support practice while emphasizing critical evaluation of these tools for appropriateness, bias, and data privacy, as well as understanding how to integrate them within agency policies. Participants will leave with concrete strategies and real-world examples of how to responsibly use specialized AI tools across human services settings.

• Understand how to identify and evaluate Specialized AI tools that support human services practice across micro, mezzo, and macro levels.
• Apply critical thinking to assess AI-generated outputs for accuracy, bias, and cultural responsiveness in alignment with ethical standards.
• Explore strategies for integrating Specialized AI tools into individual practice while maintaining ethical and professional integrity.

Marina Badillo-Diaz, DSW, LCSW
Tuesday, November 17, 2026
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm (ET)
Virtual
2 CECs

Registration Fee: $50
10% discount for UConn SSW Alumni and current SSW Practicum Instructors

This virtual workshop is designed for social work professionals to explore the ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) in practice. The session will introduce the
fundamental principles of AI technology, highlighting its applications, benefits, and potential risks across micro, mezzo, and macro levels of practice. Participants will gain an understanding of AI’s  capabilities, with a focus on how AI can enhance efficiency, save time, and improve service delivery and client outcomes. The workshop will address critical ethical considerations, including privacy concerns, bias, and decision-making transparency, ensuring alignment with the code of ethics and the core values of the profession. Participants will engage in a live demonstration
of AI tools such as Co-Pilot and ChatGPT. Each participant will also receive a complimentary prompting guidebook tailored for social workers. This guidebook serves as a valuable resource to
support continuous learning and responsible integration of AI in daily practice.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the basic functions and potential uses of AI in school social work, enhancing capabilities to improve efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery for social work tasks.
• Identify and discuss the ethical challenges associated with AI use in school environments, with strategies for navigating these issues responsibly.
• Experience live demonstrations of AI tools like Co-Pilot and ChatGPT, equipping participants with the skills to integrate these technologies into their practices while adhering to social work
  ethics.

Shauna Figueroa, LCSW
Tuesday, October 6, 2026
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.

Jennifer Berton, PhD, LICSW, CADC-II
Virtual
Monday, December 7, 2026
9 am – 12 pm
3 CECs

Description and Learning Objectives Coming Soon

Welcome 2 Reality
Virtual
Tuesday, November 17, 2026
6 pm – 8 pm

Registration Fee: $50
10% discount for UConn SSW Alumni and current SSW Practicum Instructors

The training on the impact of vaping is designed to provide child welfare agency professionals with essential knowledge about the effects of vaping on both children and adults. With the increasing popularity of vaping and the potential risks associated with it, it is crucial for child welfare professionals to be well-informed and equipped to address this emerging issue within their work. Training will delve into the various aspects of vaping, including the different devices used, the chemicals involved, and the potential health implications. Participants will gain an understanding of the impact of vaping on physical and mental health, particularly focusing on the vulnerable population of children and the impact on adults, including secondhand exposure and the potential for nicotine addiction. Strategies to address vaping-related concerns within families and provide appropriate support and resources will be discussed.

Learning Objectives

• Discuss the prevalence, devices, and chemicals involved in vaping, enhancing their understanding of this emerging trend.
• Explore the impact of vaping on children and adults, including the potential for nicotine addiction and the consequences of secondhand exposure, to help professionals address related concerns within families effectively.
• Foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing among agencies, professionals, enabling them to develop approaches to address vaping-related issues within their respective roles.

Patricia Parks, LCSW
Virtual
Tuesday, December 8, 2026
10 am – 12 pm
2 CECs

Registration Fee: $50
10% discount for UConn SSW Alumni and current SSW Practicum Instructors

Medically complex pregnancies and neonatal intensive care experiences can significantly impact maternal mental health. Despite this, many healthcare providers receive limited training in recognizing and responding to the psychological needs of mothers navigating high-risk pregnancies, NICU hospitalization, and pregnancy after loss.

This training is intended for mental health clinicians and healthcare providers working with pregnant and postpartum populations. The webinar provides an overview of the emotional and psychological experiences associated with medically complex pregnancies and introduces trauma-informed approaches that providers can use to support maternal mental health in clinical and healthcare settings.

Participants will be able to:

1. Identify common psychological responses associated with high-risk pregnancy and NICU hospitalization, including anxiety and loss of control.

2. Describe how medically complex pregnancy can impact maternal mental health and the transition to motherhood.

3. Apply trauma-informed strategies, including validation and collaborative communication, when supporting mothers navigating medically complex pregnancies and postpartum care.

4. Recognize the role of healthcare providers in supporting maternal mental health and identify opportunities for early intervention and referral when appropriate.

 

 

Emily Carveth, LCSW, Veterinary Social Worker
Monday, November 16
10 am – 12 pm
Virtual
2 CECs

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

Veterinary Social Work, an emerging field of social work study and practice, offers a new lens for
conceptualizing clients, access to care, and social determinants of health. As Veterinary Social Work grows in popularity, an
intersectional lens is needed to understand the implications and benefits of utilizing this model
at all levels (micro, mezzo and macro) of social work and clinical practice.

Participants in this webinar will:

• Learn the 4 Pillars of Veterinary Social Work (Intentional Wellbeing, Animal-Related Grief and
  Bereavement, Animal-Assisted Interventions, and The Link Between Human and Animal Violence)
• Explore settings where Veterinary Social Work can be implemented, and their implications for
  practice
• Understand applications of Veterinary Social Work in micro, mezzo and macro systems
• Learn about current Veterinary Social Workers and their practice models
• Identify resources for further learning about Veterinary Social Work, including information on
  continuing education programs