Fall CEU Workshop Series 2023

All fall PDN workshops will be offered live online via Zoom.

Discounted prices are available if you register for multiple workshops.  All workshops are approved for continuing education hours for social workers and counselors through the LCA and the LABSWE.

October 19th, 2023

November 9th, 2023

December 7th, 2023

Workshop 3

8:30am - 11:45am

Workshop 1

"Conquering Anxiety: Strategies & Tools for Clinicians Working with Children & Adults"

Presented by: Beth Cooney, LCSW-BACS
3 CEUs – Clinical/Diagnosis
Thursday, November 9th, 2023
8:30am – 11:45am – Workshop
Live Online Webinar via Zoom

About The Workshop

This workshop is designed to equip clinicians with practical strategies and tools for working with clients who struggle with anxiety. Participants will learn evidence-based approaches to assessing and treating anxiety in both children and adults, as well as practical techniques for helping clients manage and overcome anxiety symptoms.

Learning Objectives

  • Identify the signs and symptoms of anxiety disorders in children and adults
  • Learn assessment tools and techniques for diagnosing anxiety disorders
  • Understand evidence-based interventions for anxiety, including CBT and exposure therapy
  • Develop skills in teaching coping skills and relaxation techniques to clients
  • Practice techniques for challenging and reframing anxious thoughts
  • Learn strategies for addressing avoidance behaviors and promoting exposure to anxiety-provoking situations
  • Develop skills in working with families to support anxious clients

About The Presenter

Beth Cooney is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Board Approved Clinical Supervisor.  She has been in private practice part time for 13 years where she specializes in anxiety and works with children and adults.  Beth is a National Trainer inCognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS) and Bounce Back. She has worked for Project Fleur de Lis of Mercy Family Center, a site with the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, for 15 years. As the Director of Evidence-Based Practice, Ms. Cooney provides training, clinical supervision and oversees individual and group trauma and grief interventions for schools in the Greater New Orleans Area. Ms. Cooney enjoys presenting on topics such as anxiety, trauma, grief, mindfulness, and secondary traumatic stress prevention.

Workshop 2

"Understanding ADHD in Adolescents & Adults:
Diagnosis, Case Conceptualization, and Approaches to Treatment"

Presented by: Christina Roux, LCSW-BACS
3 CEUs – Clinical/Diagnosis
Friday, March 10th, 2023
8:30am – 11:45am – Workshop
Live Online Webinar via Zoom

About The Workshop

This workshop will address concepts of and research pertaining to executive functioning and neuro-divergence with an emphasis on Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Participants in this workshop will discuss case studies to apply theory to practice in diagnosing adult ADHD as well as learn a number of strategies for incorporating treatment of ADHD to clinical practice.

Learning Objectives

  • Participants will develop an understanding of and familiarity with concepts of and research pertaining to executive functioning and neuro-divergence, with an emphasis on Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder
  • Participants will discuss variations in approaches to diagnosis and case conceptualization in adolescents versus adults
  • Participants will engage in case study activities to apply theory to practice
  • Participants will learn a number of strategies for incorporating treatment of ADHD symptoms into clinical practice

About The Presenter

Christina Roux is a psychotherapist in private practice and an adjunct professor at Tulane University School of Social Work.Before entering private practice, she was a clinical social worker at Trinity Counseling Center and at Jewish Family Service; she is also the former Program Director of the New Orleans chapter of the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship.  She has over 20 years ofclinical experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings, in case management and supported employment for people with developmental disabilities, and in program management and administration.  She lectures in the community on a variety of topics including Developing Reflective Practice, Managing Compassion Fatigue, Treatment of Anxiety & Trauma, Diagnosis & Treatment of Personality Disorders,and Practitioner Self-Disclosure in Clinical Practice.  In her psychotherapy practice, Ms. Roux has a special interest in mood disorders, trauma, and neurodivergence and uses EMDR, among other tools.  She is a certified ADHD Clinical Services Provider.

Workshop 3

"The Body Talks: A Polyvagal Introduction "

Presented by: Cat McCarthy, ERYT-500/YACEP, NVC Facilitator, Compassionate Inquiry Practitioner
3 CEUs – General for Social Workers
3 CEUs – Diagnosis for LPCs
Thursday, April 27th, 2023
8:30am – 11:45am – Workshop
Live Online Webinar via Zoom

About The Workshop

The VagusNerve is an integral part of the autonomic nervous system.  It supports not only our breathing and digestion, but our emotional regulation, social connection, and fear response.  It determines whether we are sensing safety in your tissues, which circumvents the brain’s rationale. According to the Polyvagal Theory, feeling safe does not come from an absence of threat.  Rather, safety is experienced when there’s a solid relationship to self and to others.  Trauma-informed somatic movement offers tools to maintain connection both inside and out. Whether through our thoughts, feelings, or bodily senses, the best choices are made when we are in the parasympathetic state. In this integrated offering, we will explore the role of the vagal nerves, how to track where we are in the nervous system, and cultivate trusting the gut. With a mix of both inner and outer movement, Cat will guide us through specific sound work, breathwork, and body-mindfulness practices to regulate vagal tone, which can help clients learn to regulate up a safe relational haven within.  What happens in Vagus, stays in Vagus!

Learning Objectives

  • Explore the role of the vagal nerves in the autonomic nervous system
  • Learn how to track where we are in the nervous system, and cultivate trusting the gut
  • Understand trauma informed somatic movement and how it can impact emotional regulation
  • Discuss impact of somatic movement on client’s struggling with various diagnoses
  • Practice guided sound work, breathwork, and body-mindfulness
  • Discuss how using learned skills can help clients learn to regulate a safe relational haven within and improve emotional functioning

About The Presenter

Cat McCarthy meets people where they are and supports them to where they want to go.  She respects the container in which others can safely explore the heart-mind-body terrain, integrating the practice of yoga, empathy skills of Nonviolent Communication (NVC), and trauma-Informed somatic movement therapy.  A dedicated student and international trainer, Cat holds certifications in Anusara Yoga, Kripalu Yoga, and NYCNVC Facilitation.  She has studied extensively within the traditions of Rajanaka Philsophy, Neelakantha meditation, BMC’s Embodied Anatomy, Dr. Gabor Maté’sCompassionate Inquiry Therapy, and is the ASHY Resiliency Team Leader.  Cat offers entertaining education with vulnerable humor and dynamic clarity with her compassionate presence.  When not traversing the globe to teach yoga, this Emmy-nominated filmmaker directs/produces non-fiction projects.  To hear how to apply NVC to your life, subscribe to Cat’s co-created podcast “The Upside of Over