Ray Scurfield, DSW, LCSW, Professor Emeritus

Three (3) Clinical CEUs approved by NASW VT. Approval #1029

This three-hour workshop is an introduction to the application of meditation strategies in conjunction with a range of clinical interventions with a general mental health practice. Based on the author’s 2019 book, Faith-Based & Secular Meditation: Everyday & Posttraumatic Applications, and the Buddha’s premise that “One should do what one teaches others to do. If one would train others, one should be well-controlled oneself. Difficult, indeed, is self control.” “You, yourself, must strive.” Hence, participants first will be introduced didactically and experientially to six forms of meditation: mantra, breath-count, mindful breathing, hybrid mantra/breath-count, Buddhist gathas and metta. Then, there will be a discussion of several case applications in which various meditation strategies are integrated with such presenting issues as anxiety, anger, excessive busy-ness, work-related performance, marital relationship and trauma.

Jacob Stone, LSW, ACSW (Ret.)

2 Clinical CEUs in Ethics approved by NASW VT

The United States of the 21st century is a patchwork land of many cultures: racial, ethnic, religious, geographic, gender, age, and even physical status. Each culture has its own worldview, relationship guidelines, family structure, spiritual mindsets, and values. In their work, social workers inevitably encounter persons from cultures different from their own, and these differences can be challenging obstacles to effective, ethical practice.

The values of the profession, as articulated in the NASW Code of Ethics, ask us to honor the dignity and worth of our clients, to respect their autonomy, and to practice competently. The ethical mandate of competence includes what has been called “Cultural Competence”.

This workshop will address some of the broad categories of culturally distinct groups in our country, and provide some guidelines for what has been called a “cultural interview” as a path to cultural and ethical competence. We will also address the idea that some situations may make ethical competence impractical or impossible, and approaches to these situations. We will also address the benefit, when working cross-culturally, of maintaining an attitude of humility and interest in other cultures.

The program will use some brief lecture/discussion segments, with case studies for processing in breakout groups and again in the larger group.

Michelle Zimmerman, LCSW

2 CEs approved by NASW ME

Writing is a clarifying and healing medium that can be used for our emotional well-being. In this workshop you will learn the different approaches to expressive writing for physical and emotional health, review evidence-based research that supports writing as an avenue to resilience, and explore ways to develop a healthy writing practice.

The Connect Program: National Best Practices for Recognizing and Responding to Youth Suicide Risk during COVID-19

Presenter: Ann Duckless, MA: NAMI NH Community Educator and Prevention Specialist

3 Category A Clinical CEUs in Suicide Prevention approved by NASW NH. Approval #3729

Live webinar - two 10 minute breaks

Mental health providers are on the front lines of suicide prevention efforts, and may well encounter changes in youth behaviors, attitudes, academic performance, or social interactions which may signal symptoms of depression, substance misuse, and/or other risk factors which may lead to suicide. The Connect Program is a unique community-based prevention training designed to increase the competence of mental health providers to promote suicide prevention, recognize individuals at risk, and respond to individuals who are thinking about or who have attempted suicide.

Jacob Stone, LSW, ACSW (Ret.)

2 Clinical CEUs in Ethics approved by NASW VT

Workshop/learning objective details to come soon

About the Presenter:

Jacob Stone, formerly on the faculty at the Marywood University School of Social Work in Pennsylvania and the social work program of the University of Alaska (Fairbanks), is retired after a half-century of practice as a direct service provider, nonprofit executive, consultant, field instructor, and teacher and trainer. He served for many years as chair of the ethics committee of NASW-PA, and during the past twenty years he has focused his work and study on professional ethics, providing training and consultation on ethics through NASW and diverse other settings. Jacob moved from Pennsylvania to Vermont six years ago, and in retirement has continued to provide training and ethics round table discussions through NASW-VT.