9 am – 12 pm
Instructor: Jennifer Berton, PhD, LICSW, CADC-II

This workshop seeks to help social work supervisors to support staff working with children and families in crisis using various supervision models. Supervisors will learn to guide their staff in assessing the diverse needs, strengths, and limitations of their clients. The workshop will also explore techniques to support staff in ethical practice and effective communication with children, family members and family groups.

Learning Objectives (Supervisory Best Practices):

1. Support supervisees in understanding and recognizing signs and symptoms of mental illness in children and adolescents
2. Teach supervisees to comprehensively assess the needs of children and their families in crisis
3. Engage supervisees in collaborating with inter-professional teams to engage appropriate systems in response to clients’ needs
4. Guide supervisees in developing effective communication with children and their families
5. Support supervisees to use culturally informed, ethical, and equitable approaches to working with children and their families
6. Assist supervisees in navigating complex issues of confidentiality and mandated reporting in service to children and families

All therapists want to be exceptional, and this workshop can show you how

Across all helping professions, research shows that techniques don’t lead to better outcomes. Have you ever wondered why the DSM doesn’t guide treatment more effectively? And, what explains why some therapists are better than others if it isn’t the theory they’re using?

Control-mastery Theory, emerging from decades of elegant research, can help answer these questions and provides ways to understand how therapy works across techniques, practitioners and clients. This perspective may be the best way to learn to be a better therapist.

In this introductory workshop you will learn the basics of this approach which you can begin to apply to your work right away. There is actually no evidence supporting the idea that one technique is superior over another. But there is strong research evidence for the therapist’s increased effectiveness when responding to an individual client’s particular problems and goals. This means to be effective and truly helpful therapists need to understand what the individual client wants and how they will use therapy to achieve those goals.

Control-mastery is more a stance than a list of techniques based on an empirically derived method of case formulation, called the Plan Formulation. This approach provides a learnable framework for understanding a client’s conscious and unconscious goals, the beliefs and obstacles that prevent the client from pursuing their reasonable goals toward a more satisfying and functional life, traumatic experiences that contributed to the development of those obstacles, and what the most helpful stance is that the therapist can take. This theory helps you understand not only what to do, but how to be a particular client’s therapist.

This workshop will provide participants with the Control-mastery case formulation method and how to use it, an understanding of how trauma shapes beliefs, both conscious and unconscious, how the therapist attitude can help to change those beliefs, and be more flexible, creative and case specific with clients.

Using lecture, discussion, and in-depth case examples demonstrating the application of this stance, participants will:

• Learn the fundamentals of Control-mastery Theory
• Understand how this theory advocates for an individual “client-driven” approach
• Develop an appreciation for how necessary countertransference is and how to utilize it to deepen their understanding of what the client is trying to resolve
• Understand the Control-mastery perspective on trauma
• Practice application of the principles of the theory on clinical cases

Donald deGraffenried, LCSW
Friday, October 11, 2024
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.

Catherine Ewing, LCSW, MDiv

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.

Catherine Ewing, LCSW, MDiv
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.

Jennifer Berton, PhD, LICSW, CADC-II
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

Qur-an Webb, MSW
Thursday, August 22, 2024
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

Yoko Kawai, PhD
Lecturer, Yale School of Architecture
Mon, November 18, 2024
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.

Shauna Figueroa, LCSW
Tuesday, October 29, 2024
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.