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Archives- Past Lunch & Learn Series

Spring 2024 Schedule

*Our Spring 2024 "Lunch & Learn" series has concluded, but you can still watch many of the recorded sessions below.
  • Wednesday, January 24th, "Resume Building and Job Searching in Social Services" -Yvonne Gonzalez, WVU Career Services
  • Wednesday, January 31st, "My Patient's Trauma Hits too Close to Home, What do I do?" - Andrea Peters, MSW, LICSW
  • Friday, February 2nd (11-12:30pm), "Opioid Crisis and Best Practices in Behavioral Health" - Katie Chiasson-Downs, MA, LPC, ALPS, AADC (RIBHT)
  • Wednesday, February 14th, "Music Therapy and Interactions with Social Work" - Emily Lambert, PhD
  • Wednesday, February 28th, "Photography in Social Work" - Kristina Hash, PhD, LICSW
  • Friday, March 1st (11-1pm), "Social Work Practice in Appalachia: Challenges and Opportunities" - Panelists: Amy Knicely, MA, CTRT; April Vestal, MPH; Bradley Wilson, PhD; and Tina Faber, MSW, LCSW (RIBHT)
  • Wednesday, March 27th (12-1pm), “Caring for Transgender and Gender Diverse Populations” -  Dr. Megan Gandy, PhD, LICSW
  • Wednesday, April 10th, "Understanding and Treating Complex Trauma in Children and Adolescents" - Bridget Bailey, PhD, MSW, LICSW
  • Friday, April 19th (11-12:30pm), "Beyond the Classroom: Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness" - Anne Greza, MSW, LGSW - McKinney-Vento Liaison/Outreach Facilitator with Monongalia County Schools (RIBHT)

    Fall 2023 Schedule

    • Wednesday, August 30th, "Braving the New World of Problem Gambling" - Sheila Moran, MSW, LCSW      
    • Wednesday, September 6th, "Assisting Veterans/Families in Civilian Readjustment & Community Reintegration" - Michele Rivard, LICSW, QCSW
    • Friday, September 29th (11:00-12:30pm), "Crisis Intervention and Response" -  Morgan Sharpless, LICSW (RIBHT)
    • Wednesday, October 18th, "Ethical Considerations in Clinical Supervision" -  Robbin Durham, MSW, LICSW
    • Tuesday, October 24th, "SOWK 616 Overview" - MSW students and Field Instructors only
    • Wednesday, November 8th, "Motivational Interviewing: Engaging and Encouraging Others" - Elizabeth Esposito, MSW, LGSW & Susan Harsh, MA, PLSW
    • Friday, November 17th (11:00-12:30pm), "Reproductive Decision Making  " - Melissa Bell, PhD, LSW, MSW (RIBHT)
    • Wednesday, December 6th, "Self-care in Social Work: The Benefits of Self-Hypnosis" -  Beth Cichoski, MSW, LICSW, CCH

    Spring 2023 Schedule

    • Wednesday, January 18th,  “Harm Reduction: Building Agency and Autonomy with PWUD (People Who Use Drugs)”  -  Cassidy Thompson, Harm Reduction Director, Milan Puskar Health Right      Watch Recorded Session Here
    • Wednesday, February 1st,  “Overcoming Clinical Challenges in SUD Treatment for Adolescents,” - Patricia Andrews, MSW, LICSW        Watch Recorded Session Here
    • Wednesday, February 8th,  “Fundamentals of Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depression and More” - Bridget Bailey, PhD, LICSW      Watch Recorded Session Here
    • Wednesday, February 15th,  “What Survivors Wish You Knew About Domestic Violence” - Julie Britton, Director, Charleston Resolve      Watch Recorded Session Here
    • Wednesday, February 22nd,  “Assisting Veterans/Families in Civilian Readjustment and  Community Reintegration” - Michele Rivard, LICSW, QCSW       Watch Recorded Session Here
      • Fulfills 1.0 hr of Veteran-related CE topic requirement for WV 
    • Wednesday, March 1st,  “Resume Building and Job Searching in Social Services”* - Yvonne Gonzalez, WVU Career Services    Watch Recorded Session Here
      • *This session is restricted to current students in the SSW. It is not approved for CE credit*
    • Wednesday, March 8th,  “Ethical Considerations in Clinical Supervision” - Robin Durham, MSW, LICSW      Watch Recorded Session Here
      • Fulfills 1.0 hr of ethics-related CE topic requirement for WV
    • Wednesday, March 29th,   “Women and Mothers in the Criminal Legal System: Understanding Drivers to Better Work with Clients” - Stephanne Thornton, MSW, LICSW, MAC, CCTP, CSOTP     Watch Recorded Session Here
    • Wednesday, April 5th,  To Be Announced - Doris Nicholas and Helen P. Hartnett Memorial Lecture Details and registration information will be forthcoming in Spring 2023    
    • Wednesday, April 12th,  “Supporting Foster, Adoptive and Kinship Families”- Rachel Kinder    Watch Recorded Session Here
    • Wednesday, April 19th,  “Suicide Risk Screening and Assessment: Using the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) and Stanley Brown Safety Planning for Suicide Risk ” - Beth Witter, MSW, LICSW         Watch Recorded Session Here

    Fall 2022 Schedule

    • Wednesday, August 31st,  “Bereavement in Long-Term Care”- Hanna Thurman, MSW, LCSW, MPA, Michelle Richmond, MSW, and Suzanne Messenger, J.D.       Watch Recorded Session Here
    • Wednesday, September 7th,  “ The Importance of Recognizing Post-Concussion/TBI Symptoms and History on Treatment Planning and Diagnosis” - Mary Lee Esty, PhD, LCSW-C, ACSW    Watch Recorded Session Here                                                                  
    • Presentation Articles:  "Blood-brain barrier damage occurs even with mild head trauma" - American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev;  "The Neurometabolic Cascade of Concussion" - C.C. Giza & D.A. Hovda
    • Wednesday, September 14th,  “Harm Reduction and Social Worker Discretion: Fighting Client Criminalization for Self-Managed Abortion”- Lauren Palk, J.D. & Rachel Dash       
    • Wednesday, September 28th,  “Understanding the Lived Experiences of Trans Elders Accessing Healthcare Services”-  Kathy Phoenix, DSW, LCSW-S       Watch Recorded Session Here
    • Wednesday, October 5th,  “Advanced DBT Skills”- Bridget Bailey, PhD, LICSW                        Watch Recorded Session Here
    • Wednesday, October 12th,  “Adult Protective Services: Serving West Virginia’s Vulnerable Adults” -  Amber Moore       Watch Recorded Session Here
    • Wednesday, October 19th,  “SOWK 616 Prep Session- MSW Students Only”*
    • *This session is restricted to current MSW students in the SSW who are scheduled to take SOWK 616 in Spring 2023. Students will be sent a registration link directly from their instructor.  
    • Wednesday, October 26th,  “Considerations in Working with Adults with Trauma”- Charity Heding, MSW, LICSW, Kacci Ratliff, MA, NCC, LPC, & Elizabeth Young, MSW, LICSW, BCD      Watch Recorded Session Here
    • Wednesday, November 2nd,  “The Resilience Reins Program”- Candace Hanenberg, MSW, ESMHL       Watch Recorded Session Here
    • Wednesday, November 9th,   “Adolescent Bullying and Suicide”- Autumn Wagoner, LICSW      Watch Recorded Session Here
    • Wednesday, November 16th, “Providing Expert Court Testimony”- Jamie Mesar, MSW    
    • Wednesday, November 30th, “Hypnotherapy and EMDR- Similarities and Differences”-  Beth Witter, MSW, LICSW, and Emily Finomore, LPC, ALPS      Watch Recorded Session Here

    Spring 2022 Schedule

    • Wednesday, January 19th,  “Substance Use, Misuse, Disorder: Addressing Bias and Stigma” -Kerri Carte, MSW, LGSW and Lauren Prinzo      Watch Recorded Session Here
    • Wednesday, January 26th,  “Veteran Culture and Suicide” - Ben Meinze, MSW, LICSW           Watch Recorded Session Here
    • Wednesday, February 2nd,  “Human Trafficking Across Settings and Contexts: Basics and
      Beyond”      - Patrick L. Kerr, Ph.D.       Watch Recorded Session Here
    • Wednesday, February 9th,  “Then There Were Four: Addressing Trauma’s Four Responses” -Stephanne Thornton, MSW, LICSW, MAC, CCTP, CSOTP      Watch Recorded Session Here
    • Wednesday, February 23rd,  “Self-Care: Conquering Burn-Out in a High Stress World” -Michele Rivard, LICSW, PIP      Watch Recorded Session Here
    • Wednesday, March 2nd,  “Working with LGBTQ+ Youth” - Matthew Bunner, LPC     
    • Wednesday, March 9th,  “Adult Protection Services: Policy and Practice Issues with a National Focus”  - Iris C. Freeman, MSW, FGSA      Watch Recorded Session Here
    • Wednesday, March 23rd, “ Treating Early Childhood Trauma”- Amanda Newhouse, MSW, LICSW    Watch Recorded Session Here
    • Wednesday, March 30th,  “Managing Disruptive Behaviors in Children” - Amanda Newhouse, MSW, LICSW      Watch Recorded Session Here
    • Wednesday, April 6th,   “Working with Long-Term Care Facilities” - Michelle Abruzzino, MSW, CED      Watch Recorded Session Here
    • Wednesday, April 13th, “A Brave New World: Electronic Communication Ethics” - Shawn A llen, DSW, LGSW      Watch Recorded Session Here

    Fall 2021 Schedule 

    • Wednesday, September 1st,  “Attachment-Based Family Therapy: Part II”- Janie Howsare, MSW, LICSW, MPA      Watch Recorded Session Here
    • Wednesday, September 8th, “Hospice, Palliative Care, and Social Work: It gets Complex Fast”-Stephanie Wladkowski, Ph.D., LMSW, APHSW-C      Watch Recorded Session Here
    • Wednesday, September 15th, “Supporting Gender Diverse Youth and their Families” - Kacie Kidd, MD     Session Recording Unavailable
    • Wednesday, September 22nd, “Telehealth in the Age of COVID” – Kari-Beth Law, MD             Watch Recorded Session Here
    • Wednesday, October 6th, “West Virginia Peers Naloxone Training”- Russell Wyatt, ICPR (not approved for CE credit) **     Session Recording Unavailable
    • Wednesday, October 20th, “Borderline Personality Disorder”- Caitlin Hanna, LPC              Session Recording Unavailable
    • Wednesday, October 27th, “Dialectical Behavior Therapy: Not Just for Borderline Personality Disorder”- Bridget Bailey, Ph.D., LICSW      Watch Recorded Session Here
    • Wednesday, November 3rd, “Rethinking the Concept of Allyship”- Lupe Davidson, Ph.D.     Session Recording Unavailable
    • Wednesday, November 10th, “Play Therapy”- Amanda Newhouse, MSW, LICSW                 Session Recording Unavailable       
    • Wednesday, November 17th,  “EMDR Therapy: An Overview”- Bonita Strayer, MSW, LGSW,EMDR      Watch Recorded Session Here

    Spring 2021 Schedule

    • Wednesday, January 27  “Invisible Chains: Human Trafficking” –Akeya Carter-Bozman, MSW & Invited Speaker**  Watch Recorded Session Here 
    • Monday, February 1  “Social Businesses Advancing Economic Empowerment”– Jenifer Gamble, Ph.D.**  Watch Recorded Session Here
    • Monday, February 8  “Bipolar Disorders: Differential Diagnosis, Developmental Considerations, and Evidence-based Treatment Options” - Bridget Bailey, Ph.D., LICSW.**  Watch Recorded Session Here
    • Monday, February 22  “Ageism, Sexism and Work with Older Clients” –Michelle Hand, MSW, LSW, Ph.D. .**  Watch Recorded Session Here
    • Tuesday, March 2  “Treatment of Women with Substance Use Disorders: Special Considerations” – Laura R. Lander, MSW, LICSW, AADC.**  Watch Recorded Session Here
    • Tuesday, March 9  “Attachment Based Couple Therapy – Introduction to Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy”  - Janie Howsare, LICSW, MSW, CEAP.**  Watch Recorded Session Here
    • Tuesday, March 23  “Supervising with Social Work Values and Ethics” –Caitlin Sussman, MSW, LGSW.**  Watch Recorded Session Here
    • Tuesday, March 30  “Affirmative Healthcare for Transgender and Gender Diverse West Virginians” – Megan Gandy, Ph.D., LCSW.**  Watch Recorded Session Here
    • Thursday, April 1  “Trauma 101: Understanding Trauma and Its Impact” –Michelle Lewis, MSW, LICSW.**  Watch Recorded Session Here
    • Thursday, April 8  Dr. Doris Nicholas Memorial Lecture* “From Charity to Liberatory: Adopting an Anti-Racist Praxis” – Jay Spenser Darden, Director, Diversity Initiatives and Community Engagement.**  Watch Recorded Session Here

         *In memoriam of Dr. Doris Nicholas, past faculty member and long-time friend of the SSW. 

    Fall 2020 

    • Monday, August 31 “Women and Leadership” - Lisa DeFrank-Cole, PhD                                   Watch Recorded Session Here
    • Monday, September 14 “Being a Gender Inclusive Social Worker”- Ellen Rodrigues, PhD      Watch Recorded Session Here   
    • Monday, September 21  “The Color of Social Justice”- Akeya Carter-Bozman, LGSW, MSW    Watch Recorded Session Here    
    • Monday, September 28 “Introduction to Safety Planning with the Suicidal Client”-  BethWitter, MSW, LICSW  Watch Recorded Session Here     
    • Thursday, October 1  “Crisis Awareness and Resilience Experiences-Experiencing COVID-19 with Resiliency” - Jeremy Speer, MSW, LGSW    Watch Recorded Session Here    
    • Thursday, October 8  “Understanding Dementia”- Megan Byers, MSW, LMSW                        Watch Recorded Session Here    
    • Thursday, October 15 “Adult Protective Services: Serving West Virginia’s Vulnerable Adults”- Amber Moore   Watch Recorded Session Here   
    • Thursday, October 22  “Opportunities for Social Work Advocacy in the Criminal Justice Field”- Stephanne Thornton, LICSW  Watch Recorded Session Here     
    • Thursday, October 29  “Homeless Services Response System in a Rural Context”- Lauren Frederick, MSW, LGSW  Watch Recorded Session Here    
    • Tuesday, November 10  “’We just weren’t planning on this!’: A CPS Worker’s Perspective and Toolkit Concerning Relative, Grandparent, and Kinship Care for West Virginia’s Vulnerable Children”-  Pamela M.Woodman-Kaehler, MBA, MSW   Watch Recorded Session Here     
    • Tuesday, November 17  “Quality Care for Military Members and Veterans”- Phillip West, MSW, LLLICSW, CTT  Watch Recorded Session Here

    Spring 2020

    • Monday, January 20 "Recognizing and Responding to Compassion Fatigue" - Erin Winstanley, PhD  Click here to watch the live seminar. 

    • Monday, January 27 "Gateways to Mindfulness and Meditation Practice" - Dr. Neal Newfield, PhD, LICSW  Watch a recording. 

    • Monday, February 3 "Understanding, Overcoming and Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences" - Tina Faber MSW, LCSW  Watch Recording

    • Monday, February 17 "Microaggressions and Inclusive Language" - Jay Spenser Darden, Director of Diversity Initiatives and Community Engagement at WVU  Watch Recording. 

    • Monday, February 24 "Trauma Sensitive Activitites for Young Children" - Samantha Mangino, MSW, LCSW (No recording available)

    • Tuesday, March 10 "Parent Child Interactive Therapy: a Robust Intervention for Early Childhood Mental Health" - Dr. Cheryl McNeil, PhD  Watch Recording

    Fall 2019

    • Monday, August 26 "Managing Vicarious Trauma"- Andrea Doyle, LCSW, PhD**. 
    • Monday, September 9  "Working with Families Experiencing Domestic Violence" - Joyce Yedlosky, WV Coalition Against Domestic Violence**. 
    • Monday, September 16 "Suicide Prevention Across the Lifespan" - John V. Campo, MD**. 
    • Monday, September 23 "The Fact and Fiction of Medication Assisted Treatment" - Tina Faber, MSW, LCSW**. Watch a recording of the session. 
    • Thursday, October 3 "Understanding the Journey of Grief" - Michelle Lewis, WV Family Grief Center**. Watch a recording of the session. 
    • Thursday, October 10 "Understanding Sexual Violence and a Trauma-Informed Approach" - Nicki Godfrey, MSW, LGSW**.
    • Thursday, October 17 "The Unsung Trauma: Military Sexual Trauma" - Philip West, MSW, LICSW, CTT** Watch a recording of the session. 
    • Thursday, October 24 "Tips for Writing High Quality Resumes and Cover Letters" - Toni Dobis, WVU Career Services. 
    • Tuesday, November 12 "Understanding Addiction" - Raj Masih, Regional Health and Wellness Coordinator for the Potomac Highlands Guild**
    • Tuesday, November 19 "Strategies for Writing Graduate Level Research Papers" - Nathalie Singh-Corcoran, PhD. Watch a recording of the session. 
    • Tuesday, December 3 "Appalachian Activities for Persons with Dementia" - Dr. Kristina Hash, WVU School of Social Work. Watch a recording of the session. 
    • "Recognizing and Responding to Compassion Fatigue" - Erin Winstanley.

    Winter/Spring 2019

    Monday, January 14  "HIV/AIDS: Curren t Care, Resources and How Social Workers Can Have a Positive Impact"** Anne Behr, BSN, RN, and Nurse Educator with the WVU Department of Medicine Section of Infectious Disease, presented on the role social workers can play in assisting with cases of HIV/AIDS. Ms. Behr shared information on the nature of the diagnosis and living with HIV/AIDS, care and treatment, local resources available, and the scope of concern in rural West Virginia. Click here to watch the video recording. 

    Monday, February 4 "Working with the Veteran Population and Understanding Military Culture"**   Phillip West, MSW, LICSW, and CTT, presented on various aspects of military culture relevant to social work practice and best practices for working with veterans. Mr. West shared an overview of the diverse experience and needs of the veteran population as well as specific techniques that social workers can implement.
    Click here to watch the video recording. 

    Monday, February 18 "The Impact of the Opioid Crisis on the WVDHHR Bureau for Children and Families"** -Beverly Heldreth, MSW, with WVDHHR, presented on the impact opioids have on the children and families in West Virginia as well as the unique approach DHHR has taken on this crisis. Ms. Heldreth shared an overview of the effects of opioids on the body and various programs and services available through WVDHHR for children and families affected by substance use. Click here to watch the video recording. 

    Monday, February 25 "Social Work in the Chronic Dialysis Setting"** -David Ferguson, RN & Debra Johnson, MSW, presented on the unique aspects of social work practice in the chronic dialysis setting. Mr. Ferguson and Ms. Johnson shared the challenges facing those with kidney failure who are long-term dialysis treatment, the impact on the families of these clients, and the role social workers serve. Click here to watch the video recording. 

    Monday, March 4 "Family-Based Treatment for Eating Disorders in Children/Adolescents"** -Matthew Bunner, MA, NCC, LPC & Kristen Boyce, MSW, LGSW  presented on Family-Based Treatment for Eating Disorders in Children and Adolescents. Ms. Boyce and Mr. Bunner described the scope, warning signs, and consequences of eating disorders. The presenters shared key concepts of specific eating disorders and the family-based treatment model for various age groups.  Click here to watch the video recording. 

    Monday, March 11 "A View from Behind the Bars: An Overview of the West Virginia Department of Corrections"** -Lawrence C. Coss, MSW, LICSW shared an overview of the West Virginia Corrections system. In his presentation, Mr. Coss detailed the challenges faced within Corrections including mental illness, substance use, suicidality, and post-release readjustment. Mr. Coss described various treatment options and the unique role social workers have in serving and advocating for those in the Corrections system. 

    Monday, March 25 "Challenges and Impacts of Child Marriage in the U.S. and Globally"** -Jenifer Gamble, PhD, presented on the issue of child marriage in the global as well as US sectors. Dr. Gamble discussed the scope of child marriage and the impact it has on individuals and communities. Dr. Gamble concludes with strategies to reduce and eliminate child marriage. Click here to watch the video recording. 

    Monday, April 8 "Contemporary Issues facing Older Adults in Small Towns"** -Mandy Weirich, MSW, LSW, presented on the five challenges rural adults face in their communities: isolation, food insecurity, transportation, accessibility, and affordable housing. Ms. Weirich shared the trends and resources developing for this population and what this will mean for those living and working in rural West Virginia.  Click here to watch the video recording. 

    Monday, April 15 "Social Enterprise Models for Economic Growth and Community Benefit"** -Jenifer Gamble, PhD, MSSW presented on various aspects of the social enterprise sector and models for development, growth, and benefit both nationally and globally. Dr. Gamble shares areas for potential research and contributions by the social work profession.   Click here to watch the video recording. 

    Fall 2018

    November 26, 2018: “ Suicide Risk Screening, Assessment, and Follow-up”

    Dr. Mary Christensen, MSW, PHD, LICSW, and Director of the MSW program at WVU, presented an introduction to suicide risk screening, assessment, and follow-up. Dr. Christensen discussed the context of suicide in West Virginia, risk factors, and shared several tools of assessment and intervention with at risk individuals. 

    November 5, 2018: “ Self Care and YOU: Pay Now or Pay Later”

    Dolly Sullivan, LICSW, returned to present on self-care. Ms. Sullivan discusses the importance of making the time for yourself, the benefits self-care in both our personal and professional lives, and provides several examples of self-care.

    October 29, 2018: “Trauma-Focused CBT”

    Dawn Staub, LPC and Nationally Certified Trauma -Focused Therapist presented on Trauma-Fo cused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Ms. Staub discussed the numerous examples and characteristics of trauma along with the historical development of models and tools for understanding trauma, including Adverse Child Exposure Survey (ACES) and TF-CBT. TF-CBT is an empirically supported model for trauma treatment. Ms. Staub shared the basic values, components, and goals of TF-CBT as well as how to earn a certification in TF-CBT. 

    *Please note that there is no video included with this presentation.

    October 15, 2018: " Addiction Treatment: Social Work's Best Kept Secret"

    Dolly Sullivan, LICSW, presented on best practices of addiction treatment, specifically in West  Virginia . Ms. Sullivan outlined the history of addiction treatment and discussed a promising model knows as the Comprehensive Opioid Addiction Treatment (COAT) program. Throughout the presentation, Ms. Sullivan addressed Medication Assisted Therapy (MAT) for addiction as well as the stigma and the unique approach of the COAT program.

    October 9, 2018: " Yoga for Clinical Practice"

    Kathleen Chiasson-Downs, an LPC, ALPS, AADC, and clinical therapist at the Chestnut Ridge Center, lead out in a demonstration of yoga exercises appropriate and useful for beginner and experienced yogis alike. Ms. Chiasson-Downs described the benefits of practicing yoga for personal health as well as how it can be used in clinical practice.

    October 1, 2018: " Dialectical Behavioral Therapy"

    Christopher Lopez, LGSW, DBTC and Clinical Therapist with the Chestnut Ridge Center, presented on the Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) model. DBT is an evidence-based model that incorporates cognitive and behavioral theories into treatment. DBT has been effective intervention for numerous disorders, including borderline personality disorder and mood disorders.  Mr. Lopez discussed the core assumptions, functions, and components that shape DBT. Students were given an overview of the model and several tools for understanding and implementing DBT elements in client interventions.

    September 24, 2018: " Costs and Benefits of Building a Private Practice: Not for the Faint of Heart "

    Dolly Ford-Sullivan, LICSW, shared her experience of building a private practice and running a business. Students were provided with the pros and cons that must be considered when building and running a private practice as a clinical social worker. Benefits that were discussed included flexibility of hours and approach, ability to maximize on personal knowledge and skills, and achieving a higher income rate. The costs of private practice covered included the initial investment, dealing with billing and insurance, lack of professional supervision or collaboration, and the burden of having multiple responsibilities.

    September 10, 2018: "Tips for Writing Research Papers: How to Synthesize your Ideas and Incorporate Sources Ethically"

    Natalie Singh, a Clinical Associate Professor with the WVU Writing Studio, discussed some useful strategies for writing research papers, incorporating sources, and ways to avoid plagiarism. Students were given a refresher on utilizing secondary sources and APA formatting and educated on new techniques to improve their writing in graduate school. 

    *Please note that there is no video included with this presentation.

    August 31, 2018: " The Challenges & Opportunities for Girls' Education in Malawi"

    Concepcion Gaxiola, executive director of Advancing Girls’ Education (AGE) in Africa, discussed the learning crisis faced in Malawi and globally. Ms. Gaxiola shared how her organization is working to address the educational needs and develop the leadership potential of young women in Malawi. The AGE in Africa organization targets several barriers to girls’ education by providing scholarship programming, after school programming, emotional support, leadership programming, entrepreneurship programs, and improving access to education.

    August 20, 2018: " An Introduction to the Treatment of Trauma"

    Phillip West, an LGSW and Clinical Therapist at the Lakewood Clinic through the WVU Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, presented on the treatment of trauma in clinical settings. Mr. West gave an overview of PTSD, Unspecified Trauma- and Stressor-Related Disorder criteria and provided several evidence based treatment models for understanding and addressing trauma with clients. Students were given lists of questions to ask and things to consider when treatment trauma as well as several therapeutic interventions. Interventions covered in the presentation include Psychoeducation, Expressive Therapy, and Cognitive Processing Therapy.