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Living in the Liminal: Counseling Clients with Chronic Illness (Recorded)

Previously Recorded
Christina Scott, LPCC
$74.99

This comprehensive training is designed for mental health professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of, and gain practical skills for, working with clients living with chronic illness and pain. We'll begin by exploring the unique and often isolating "in-between" existence of clients who may "look fine" but are living with debilitating symptoms. You’ll learn about core concepts like "spoon theory" and the profound psychological toll of being misunderstood and invalidated by both personal relationships and the medical system.

 

Building on this foundational knowledge, the second part of the training will provide practical, actionable skills. We'll focus on adapting traditional therapeutic approaches to meet the unique challenges of chronic illness, such as symptom unpredictability, fluctuating energy levels, and medical trauma. You will learn how to create a safe therapeutic space through validation and empathy, and we'll discuss specific interventions designed to help clients navigate identity shifts, grief, and the emotional and relational aspects of their experience. By the end of this program, you will have a comprehensive toolkit for providing compassionate, affirming, and effective care that helps clients reframe their relationship with their chronic condition and foster a sense of empowerment.

About the Presenter

Christina Scott is an Ohio-based Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and an online private practice owner specializing in chronic illness, neurodiversity, and trauma. A proud geek therapist, she brings a fun, compassionate approach to her work and has contributed to several books on topics ranging from using pop culture in counseling to an anthology for autistic mental health professionals.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Differentiate between acute and chronic pain based on modern pain science, distinguishing how the two experiences are rooted in different biological and neurological processes.
  2. Identify and describe at least three "hidden realities" of chronic illness, such as the psychological impact of symptom unpredictability, the constant negotiation of energy ("spoon theory"), and the emotional toll of invisible symptoms.
  3. Analyze how core concepts from traditional therapeutic frameworks such as Narrative Therapy, Positive Psychology, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can be adapted to meet the unique needs of this population.
  4. Develop and implement at least three specific interventions that address the psychosocial challenges of living with a chronic condition, such as identity shifts, grief, and managing fluctuating energy levels.

Agenda:

Module 1: The Lived Experience (60 minutes)

  • Differentiating Acute vs. Chronic Pain: Examine criteria for chronic pain, explore overview of chronic illness, and discuss modern pain science.

  • Understanding the "Hidden Realities": Explore key concepts like spoon theory, psychological tolls, invalidation of lived experience, and internalized ableism.

Module 2: The Therapeutic Lens (60 minutes)

  • Re-evaluating Therapeutic Frameworks: Discuss why & how traditional models need to be adapted for clients with chronic illness.

  • The Power of Presence: Explore use of validation and empathetic listening to create a safe therapeutic space.

Module 3: Core Interventions (90 minutes)

  • Applying Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Learn how to use ACT to help clients reframe their relationship with pain.

  • Using Narrative Therapy: Examine how to help clients find meaning and navigate identity shifts.

  • Applying Positive Psychology Principles: Introduce interventions that focus on building resilience, fostering a sense of purpose, and identifying and leveraging personal strengths to cope with the daily challenges of chronic illness.

Module 4: Practical Application & Conclusion (30 minutes)

  • The Empowerment Toolkit: Summarize key takeaways and provide resources for continued learning.

Future-Facing Work: Discuss how to help clients set realistic, meaningful goals for the future.

This workshop offers 4 Continuing Education Credits
This webinar is recorded and will not grant live credits.

This presentation is open to:
  • Social Workers
  • Professional Counselors
  • Therapists
  • Psychologists
  • Licensed Mental Health Practitioners
  • Medical Doctors and Other Health Professionals
  • Other professionals interacting with populations engaged in mental health based services
Course Level: intermediate
Level of Clinician: intermediate
  • New practitioners who wish to gain enhanced insight surrounding the topic
  • Experienced practitioners who seek to increase and expand fundamental knowledge surrounding the subject matter
  • Advanced practitioners seeking to review concepts and reinforce practice skills and/or access additional consultation
  • Managers seeking to broaden micro and/or macro perspectives

Participants will receive their certificate electronically upon completion of the webinar and course evaluation form.

Disability Access - If you require ADA accommodations, please contact our office 30 days or more before the event. We cannot ensure accommodations without adequate prior notification. Please Note: Licensing Boards change regulations often, and while we attempt to stay abreast of their most recent changes, if you have questions or concerns about this course meeting your specific board’s approval, we recommend you contact your board directly to obtain a ruling. The grievance policy for trainings provided by NEFESH INTERNATIONAL is available here Satisfactory Completion Participants must have paid the tuition fee, logged in and out each day, attended the entire workshop, and completed an evaluation to receive a certificate (If this is a pre-recorded program, a post-test with a passing grade of 80% to receive a certificate.) Failure to log in or out will result in forfeiture of credit for the entire course. No exceptions will be made. Partial credit is not available. Certificates are available after satisfactory course completion by clicking here.
There is no conflict of interest or commercial support for this program.
  • CE You! is an approved sponsor of the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners for continuing education credits for licensed social workers in Maryland.
    CE You! maintains responsibility for this program.
Refund Policy:
Full Refund until 48 hours before scheduled date.
48 hours before: full refund less $5.00 processing fee. After event no refund will be given.
*exclusions apply for reasonable need and cause.