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marin camft fRIDAY CONTINUING EDUCATION SERIES
Friday April 10, 2020

"Environmental Stress" has taken on a whole new meaning. Alane Freund believes we are now experiencing societal trauma and that highly sensitive people have the potential to either do much better or do much worse than the rest of us. We'll have a discussion about trauma history and its impact on HSPs, especially as it may be triggered in this time of fear and uncertainty. This event offers 2 hours in continuing education credits for LMFTs, LCSWs, LEPs and LPCCs.

Description

Are you noticing increasing anxiety in your clients or maybe yourself? The statistics are in and almost everyone knows someone with "anxiety" or is worried about a friend or family member's stress or anxiety level. Anxiety diagnoses are increasing, and it's no wonder in this overstimulating world. There is no question that our environment has changed. Are we talking about climate change? Politics? Me Too? Yes…and more. What causes your clients' anxiety? Social media? Time on screens? Parenting overwhelmed kids? Fluorescent lighting? In our 21st century society, there are as many stressors as there are clients.

For roughly half of therapy clients, micro and macro environmental stressors can reach the level of trauma due to having finely tuned nervous systems. These highly sensitive people are born with the innate trait called sensory processing sensitivity. We will discuss the psychological construct, differential susceptibility, which determines both the impact of environmental stressors and the client's ability to manage overarousal and stress. While we may read chatty anecdotes about being "highly sensitive" or see new surveys on the internet or TV, this trait is backed by extensive scientific research including recommendations for helping highly sensitive people or those with "highly reactive" brains manage stressors.

In this workshop, Alane Freund, LMFT, will outline the core characteristics, research, and case examples of the trait of sensory processing sensitivity in order to distinguish it from possible differential diagnoses. Participants will compile effective strategies for highly sensitive clients managing overarousal or overstimulation and assess for the impact of environmental stressors.

Presenter

Alane Freund, LMFT, ICHS, has a wealth of knowledge on the trait with a special focus on three decades of research coordinated by her mentor, psychologist and author, Elaine Aron, PhD. Alane (Lic. #36077) is an International Consultant on High Sensitivity (ICHS) who helps highly sensitive adults, youth, and families focus on solutions through therapy, consultation, and teaching. She has developed programs for highly sensitive people, children, families, and clinicians who serve them.

Learning Objectives

1. List and describe the four identifying characteristics of sensory processing sensitivity.
2. Assess and compare environmental impacts on highly sensitive people.
3. Assess the impact of differential susceptibility and vantage sensitivity on mental health in clients with Sensory Processing Sensitivity.

Schedule

12:00pm Introduction to the science of sensory processing sensitivity, the innate trait of highly sensitive people (HSPs). Identifying HSPs with the four characteristics and the self-test, temperament, early research, statistics. Small group discussion of self-test items and use in practice.

12:30pm Differential Susceptibility. Challenges for highly sensitive people in the world and at home. Navigating sensitivity and identifying overarousal. Differential diagnosis, incidence and impact of mental illness and trauma on the HSP.

1:00pm Five to Thrive, designing a life that helps sensitive clients navigate environmental stressors.

1:30pm Group discussion, Q&A

• Time: The presentation begins at 12:00 pm and ends at 2:00 p.m. 

• Cost: Free for Marin CAMFT members, $10 for non-members.

• Location: This will be presented online only. To attend, you must register by going to https://www.marincamft.org/event-3655834

• Information: For more information about the Friday Continuing Education Series and about joining the Committee, please contact CE Director, Pat Saunders
  

• Continuing Education Goal: Marin CAMFT is committed to offering continuing education courses to train LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs and LEPs to treat any client in an ethically and clinically sound manner based upon current accepted standards of practice. Course completion certificates will be awarded at the conclusion of the training and upon participant’s submission of his or her completed evaluation. 

• Refund Policy: Requests for refunds must be in writing and received by the CE Director on no later than ten days before the program. There will be a $25.00 administrative fee to cancel registration for any program. The refund will be sent within ten days of the request.

• Marin CAMFT encourages those who attend its events to respect the fact that some individuals may have allergies to fragrances and pet dander. We ask that you refrain from introducing these elements into our meeting room. Registered service animals are welcome, of course.

• Grievance Procedure: Marin CAMFT will respond to complaints in a reasonable, ethical and timely manner, when submitted by program attendees in writing to the CE Director.

• Anti-Discrimination Policy: Marin CAMFT shall not discriminate against any individual or group with respect to any service, program or activity based on gender, race, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, age or other prohibited basis. Marin CAMFT does not require attendees to adhere to any articular religion or creed in order to participate in training. Marin CAMFT will not promote or advocate for a single modality of treatment that is discriminatory or likely to harm clients based on current accepted standards or practice.

• CE: This workshop meets the qualifications for two hours of continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LEPs and LPCCs. These will be provided by Marin CAMFT (CAMFT Provider # 56895), which is approved by CAMFT to sponsor CE for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs and LEPs. Marin CAMFT maintains responsibility for this program and its contents contact Pat Saunders, Continuing Education Director for more information.