Coping with Climate Change: A Workshop

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We are living in uncertain times and experiencing the impacts of climate change in
real time.

Climate change threatens the physical health, mental health and well-being of people across the world. From heatwaves, wildfires, drought, flooding,and a global pandemic, people are experiencing the effects of natural disasters and/or fearing what is to come. California has especially felt environmental impacts in recent years, with more people seeking therapy due to the personal impact of climate change. Current scientific research shows that if significant actions do not occur, there will be dire consequences to human life. People are experiencing Eco Grief and Eco Anxiety and few have the understanding or tools to cope with these feelings.

This course will help therapists better understand the impacts of climate change on mental health. Through didactic and experiential learning, Lezlie Scaliatine, PsyD will guide us deep into the terrain of Eco Grief, Eco Anxiety and Solastalgia. This presentation will emphasize action-oriented approaches in treatment for the purpose of building a client’s resilience and sense of hope in the face of climate change. Experiential exercises will reinforce these concepts and provide an opportunity for participants to examine their own Eco Grief and Eco Anxiety. Additionally, this presentation will briefly touch on the salient characteristics of emerging modalities such as Ecotherapy, Climate Psychology and Eco Justice.

Lezlie draws on her personal experience mobilizing disaster responses and support following natural disasters, including Hurricane Katrina and multiple wildfires. A Licensed Psychologist, Certified Ecotherapist and a member of the Climate Psychology Alliance, Lezlie specializes in treating anxiety, grief and loss.

2.5 CE credits are INCLUDED in the price of the ticket for Licensed Therapists.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

  1. Identify three ways that climate change impacts clients and mental health.
  2. Define relevant terms such as Ecological Grief, Eco Anxiety, and Solastalgia.
  3. Utilize two experiential exercises to assess Eco Grief and Eco Anxiety and develop Emotional Resilience.
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of the difference between normal reactions to climate change versus reactions requiring intervention.
  5. Apply tools and practices to help clients move from despair to action.

About the Presenter

Lezlie Scaliatine Psy.D. is a Licensed Psychologist in private practice and Certified Ecotherapist. Lezlie is a climate aware therapist; a member of the Climate Psychology Alliance- North America and APA Division 34. She is a co-teacher for an Ecotherapy Certification Program with Wilderness Reflections. Lezlie specializes in treating anxiety, grief and loss, relationships and attachment based relational trauma. Lezlie is passionate about leading groups especially outdoors and helping people deepen their nature connection. Her background entails wilderness guiding and programming, work in health clinics, university settings and group facilitation. Lezlie has firsthand experience living through natural disasters in her own communities. She has evacuated from several wildfires, endured a historic snowstorm and two-week power outage. Given these experiences she has unique insight into how to cope with unexpected climate events. As a mother she is dedicated to fostering resilience and holding hope for a future that our children will be able to live in.

Other Information

The Redwood Psychological Association, a chapter of the California Psychological Association (CPA)*, is an organization for psychologists. We are located in Sonoma County, serving Sonoma, Mendocino, and Lake Counties and the Redwood Empire.

*CPA is co-sponsoring this event with the Redwood Psychological Association. The California Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for Psychologists. CPA maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

The BBS also recognizes CPA CE credit for their licenses.

Important Notice: Those who attend the workshop and complete the CPA evaluation form will receive the designated number of continuing education credits. Please note that APA CE rules require that we only give credit to those who attend the entire workshop (for online workshops: video camera must be ON). Those arriving more than 15 minutes after the start time or leaving before the workshop is completed will not receive CE credits.

Refunds will be credited to original payment method (minus fees) up to 1 day prior to event.

For questions or more information regarding this policy, please contact RPA: (707) 595-0490.

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