GCU News Bureau
Grand Canyon University’s fifth annual Behavioral Health and Social Services Conference on April 4 will focus on both students and professionals, offering ways to build community in the post-COVID era.
Registration for the free virtual conference, scheduled for 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., is open through Monday, March 28.
“We are going national, and the intent is to do it on a yearly basis to engage our online students and professionals who support our students,” College of Humanities and Social Sciences Assistant Dean Dr. Kathleen Downey said.
“The Evolution of Behavioral Health: The Importance of Building Community Post-COVID” includes a track for students and separate track for professionals in two breakout sessions, followed by a keynote address from GCU’s Dr. Tanisha Guy-Richardson, who will identify five strategies that may be used by mental health professionals to contribute toward the growth of a healthy professional community beyond COVID-19.
Presenters will explore the unique mental health challenges brought on by the pandemic and ways to use what was learned to help clients and professional in the post-COVID era.
Professionals will earn continuing education hours for free, and students will learn the importance of research and community outreach to build their skills outside the classroom by serving the public, Downey said.
The breakout sessions include the following presentations:
“Ethics within the 3rd Wave of Technological Revolution”: Kathy Britton will explore the transition to telehealth and distance learning.
“Community Building Approach to Develop Treatment Options for People Experiencing Homelessness with Substance Use Disorders Post-COVID Crisis”: Carlton Huff will cover action planning that includes goals and strategies to improve initiative, end homelessness and support substance users in treatment programs.
“Forensic Analysis: A Review of Potential Purpose and Self-Worth in a Post-COVID Reality”: Daniel Lovelace will discuss the COVID-era overhaul of social and cognitive psychology, the challenges and hopeful remedies to combat feelings and thoughts of doubt, defeat and self-destruction.
“Self-Care Post-COVID: Self-Care Challenges and Strategies for Behavioral Health Care Professionals in the Era of Telehealth”: Dr. Julie Orme and Makisha Gunty will explore how the expansion of telehealth services during COVID led to challenges in self-care, professional boundaries and work-life balance and will provide strategies for behavioral health providers.
“Preserve Your Practice: Burnout Recovery and Prevention for Practitioners in Post-COVID Culture”: Dr. Ashley Anne reveals the art and science behind compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma and burnout, and the neurobiology research that helps resolve the unique stressors from the COVID crisis.
“Moving from Anxiety to Community”: Lisa Elliott will present on polyvagal theory, which holds that our ability to interact with others is influenced by our physiological state. In a pandemic, individuals, families and society experienced chronic stress, and the physiological state can lead to experiencing the word as a threat. The session explores ways to help clients use knowledge of their physiological state to experience safety and social connectedness post-COVID.
To register: https://events.gcu.edu/event/evolution-behavioral-health/
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