Biopsychosocial Interventions for POTS & Other Chronic Illnesses

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INTRODUCTORY LEVEL: Target audience: behavioral health professionals including, but not limited to, psychologists, social workers, counselors and MFTs.

This workshop is a 3-hour training that will focus on how to help adolescent and adult clients navigate poorly understood chronic illness like Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS), long COVID and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The workshop will include 1) an understanding of POTS and other common chronic conditions, 2) how these diagnoses impact day-to-day functioning, school/work, families, friendships, and adherence to treatments 3) co-occurring psychological diagnoses, and 4) multidisciplinary treatments. Another main aspect of the training will be on how therapists can best support these clients and implementing evidence-based, biopsychosocial treatments. Overviews of cognitive behavior therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy and motivational interviewing interventions will be discussed.

1. Explain how chronic illness impacts psychosocial functioning for a client

2. Briefly describe the medical definition of POTS and long COVID

3. List the most common co-occurring psychological diagnoses in clients with chronic illness

4. Describe at least 2 evidenced-based psychological interventions for clients with chronic illness

Dr. Sara Berger is a licensed clinical psychologist and owner of Capital Psychological Services, a small group practice in Bethesda, MD. Dr. Berger specializes in health psychology and anxiety and has fifteen years of experience providing evidenced-based treatments to children, adolescents and adults. She earned her PhD in Medical & Clinical Psychology from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Dr. Berger was attracted to this program for its emphasis on the intersection of physical mental health and focus on cognitive behavioral therapy. She completed her predoctoral internship at Children’s Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School where she worked with patients receiving treatment for a range of diagnoses including pain, gastrointestinal diagnoses, POTS, and cancer. She also worked in outpatient psychiatry treating anxiety and mood disorders. Dr. Berger went on to complete a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Institutes of Health. In addition to maintaining her full-time private practice, she provides supervision to other therapists in psychological treatment interventions for clients with chronic health conditions.

Please contact our CE Coordinator, Keri Linas at [email protected]

Alvord, Baker & Associates, LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Alvord, Baker & Associates, LLC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Alvord, Baker & Associates, LLC is authorized by the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners as a sponsor of Continuing Education. A certificate for Category 1 credits will be awarded at the completion of each workshop.

Alvord Baker & Associates, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0213.

If Alvord, Baker & Associates, LLC decides to cancel the class, all registrants will receive a full refund. Through Friday, September 13, 2024, registrants of the workshop who need to cancel for any reason will receive a refund of 90% of their registration fee. Cancellation requests must be received no later than Friday, September 13, 2024 either by phone 301-593-6554 x40 or by email:[email protected] . Be sure to include your name, address and contact information as provided in your registration information. No refunds will be issued for any reason after Friday, September 13, 2024.

Have questions about this seminar? Contact Keri Linas at [email protected] or 301-593-6554 x58 .

Event Venue

Online