Northeast & Caribbean MHTTC

This multidisciplinary conference will explore the diverse pathways to emotional well-being, from evidence-based to applied contemporary practices. Delve into current trends and innovative strategies that are transforming how we understand and support mental health. Discover future opportunities and advancements designed to revolutionize emotional well-being in personal, professional, and societal contexts. This conference is a must-attend for anyone passionate about fostering a healthier, more resilient world.

This presentation will provide an overview of the 988 Lifeline, which provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress and crisis resources for people experiencing emotional distress or suicidal crisis. We will discuss when and how 988 could be helpful during interactions with patients, students or colleagues and offer additional resources for people who are in emotional crisis.

In this webinar, we will revisit the topic of mental health care for people who are Blind*. Our panel of experts from Prevent Blindness includes: Julie Grutzmacher, MPH, MSW, Director of Patient Advocacy and Public Health Initiatives; Shervonne Poleon, Ph.D, an award-winning researcher studying sociobehavioral factors in the management of eye disease, and Connie Hills, Ph.D, a recognized consultant, speaker and clinical psychologist with lived experience of age-related macular degeneration. Our speakers will share considerations for the clinician who plans to, is currently seeing, or is unfamiliar with Blind patients for psychotherapy, counseling, or medication management. They will also share research findings on quality of life among Blind people that can help mental health providers conceptualize their treatment approaches with Blind patients. This webinar is intended for a broad audience of mental health providers, trainees and students. Please come with an open mind. *We use the word “Blind” for the purpose of this webinar to encompass all individuals with low vision, vision loss, or blindness. Presenter Bios: Connie Hills, PhD is a Consultant, Speaker and Psychologist with 30 years of experience providing clinical services, teaching, and research in the field of Mental Health. Utilizing a mind/body framework is a central theme in her work. Connie holds a Master of Arts degree in Mental Health Counseling, a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and is a licensed psychologist in the state of California. She has been living with Age-Related Macular Degeneration for 10 years. Connie is a Mental Health Intern with Prevent Blindness where she works to help to build bridges between the Mental Health and Blind communities. Shervonne Poleon, PhD is a St. Lucian national who holds a doctoral degree in Vision Science from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Shervonne’s research focuses on the impact of social and behavioral factors on disease management in glaucoma and other chronic diseases. She has a strong passion for patient advocacy and was the recipient of the 2021 Prevent Blindness Rising Visionary Award. In 2023, Shervonne was also recognized by the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) and received the ARVO Emerging Advocate Award. She is determined to improve overall eye health by directly addressing the social, behavioral, and psychological barriers that limit access, delivery, and uptake of eye care resources. In addition to her research, Shervonne serves as a mental health intern with Prevent Blindness, where she explores the impact of visual impairment and blindness on mental health and psychological wellness. Julie Grutzmacher, MSW, MPH is Director of Patient Advocacy and Public Health Initiatives at Prevent Blindness. She holds a dual master’s degree in social work and public health and has more than twenty years of experience advocating for equitable access to and delivery of healthcare services. Julie’s work has led her to academic medical facilities, federally qualified health centers, academia, and non-profit organizations, servicing communities impacted by HIV/AIDS, premature and low birth weight babies, and high-risk pregnancies. She has experience building, implementing, and evaluating educational training programs from scratch, first in academia with medical residents and then at Prevent Blindness with the ASPECT program designed to strengthen patient empowerment efforts for the visually impaired and blind and their allies. Julie is passionate about her work to reduce barriers to eyecare and to optimize health, including mental health outcomes, among persons with low and no vision.

  This 4-part webinar series on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers an exploration of DBT's core modules, designed to enhance the skills of students and new professionals. This series is designed to provide a foundational overview of DBT to cover the skills for mindfulness and how to help individuals stay present in the moment, regulate emotions and reduce emotional vulnerability, cope with crises and difficult situations without making them worse, and navigate interpersonal relationships effectively. Throughout the series, participants will gain valuable insights and practical techniques to support individuals in applying tools to their daily lives. Webinar objectives: Discuss interpersonal effectiveness skills for maintaining effective relationships, setting boundaries, and communicating needs Review a case study and practical examples of using these skills with clients   Presenter: Crystal Socha, MS, LPC, CRC, NCC, ACS (she/her) is a PhD Candidate and Senior Training and Consultation Specialist at Rutgers School of Health Professions in the Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions. Crystal's primary role includes providing in-person and remote training, consultation, and technical assistance to New Jersey agencies that provide Community Support Services. She has over 10 years of experience in the behavioral health field, delivering trauma-informed, culturally responsive, gender-affirming care and supporting individuals in building a life worth living. Before joining Rutgers, she provided recovery-oriented services in supportive housing, intensive in-home and in-community settings, community mental health centers, integrated primary care, hospital systems, and private practices. She has received a 40-hour foundational training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) by a Linehan Board Certified Clinician and utilizes a DBT informed approach within her work as a counselor.  

  This 4-part webinar series on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers an exploration of DBT's core modules, designed to enhance the skills of students and new professionals. This series is designed to provide a foundational overview of DBT to cover the skills for mindfulness and how to help individuals stay present in the moment, regulate emotions and reduce emotional vulnerability, cope with crises and difficult situations without making them worse, and navigate interpersonal relationships effectively. Throughout the series, participants will gain valuable insights and practical techniques to support individuals in applying tools to their daily lives. Webinar objectives: Explore emotion regulation strategies and their importance in DBT Review a case study and practical examples of using these skills with clients   Presenter: Crystal Socha, MS, LPC, CRC, NCC, ACS (she/her) is a PhD Candidate and Senior Training and Consultation Specialist at Rutgers School of Health Professions in the Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions. Crystal's primary role includes providing in-person and remote training, consultation, and technical assistance to New Jersey agencies that provide Community Support Services. She has over 10 years of experience in the behavioral health field, delivering trauma-informed, culturally responsive, gender-affirming care and supporting individuals in building a life worth living. Before joining Rutgers, she provided recovery-oriented services in supportive housing, intensive in-home and in-community settings, community mental health centers, integrated primary care, hospital systems, and private practices. She has received a 40-hour foundational training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) by a Linehan Board Certified Clinician and utilizes a DBT informed approach within her work as a counselor.

  This 4-part webinar series on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers an exploration of DBT's core modules, designed to enhance the skills of students and new professionals. This series is designed to provide a foundational overview of DBT to cover the skills for mindfulness and how to help individuals stay present in the moment, regulate emotions and reduce emotional vulnerability, cope with crises and difficult situations without making them worse, and navigate interpersonal relationships effectively. Throughout the series, participants will gain valuable insights and practical techniques to support individuals in applying tools to their daily lives. Webinar objectives: Examine distress tolerance skills for navigating a crisis and intense emotions Review a case study and practical examples of using these skills with clients   Presenter: Crystal Socha, MS, LPC, CRC, NCC, ACS (she/her) is a PhD Candidate and Senior Training and Consultation Specialist at Rutgers School of Health Professions in the Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions. Crystal's primary role includes providing in-person and remote training, consultation, and technical assistance to New Jersey agencies that provide Community Support Services. She has over 10 years of experience in the behavioral health field, delivering trauma-informed, culturally responsive, gender-affirming care and supporting individuals in building a life worth living. Before joining Rutgers, she provided recovery-oriented services in supportive housing, intensive in-home and in-community settings, community mental health centers, integrated primary care, hospital systems, and private practices. She has received a 40-hour foundational training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) by a Linehan Board Certified Clinician and utilizes a DBT informed approach within her work as a counselor.