Working with clients/consumers can affect us in many different ways. Whether we are volunteers, paraprofessionals, pastoral counselors, social workers, therapists or others, our vulnerabilities and countertransference are bound to emerge.

If we are unaware of our personal dynamics, we are in danger of being overwhelmed by the emotional experiences of the client/consumer. The countertransference involves the emotional response to the client/consumer which may include withdrawal, anger, love, annoyance, powerlessness, avoidance, control, sadness, or other emotions.

Countertransference reactions, fortunately, can inform the helper’s capacity to understand not only the experience of the client/consumer but also the inner world of oneself---the helper. Due to the stress of COVID-19, lonely older adults and younger disabled adults may be expressing intense emotions that we will need to “hold” with them. The more we learn about ourselves, the better we will be able to support those who suffer.

This 90-minute, online class is being offered by IOA's own Patrick Arbore, EdD, Founder of The Friendship Line and Director of the Center for Elderly Suicide Prevention and Grief Related Services (CESP)---both programs at Institute on Aging. Dr. Arbore conducts workshops and presents lectures, both locally and nationally, and is the author of numerous articles and book chapters on a variety of aging-related topics. He has also been a Senior Lecturer at Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, CA; an occasional Lecturer in the School of Social Welfare at the University of California, Berkeley; and an Adjunct Faculty member at The Wright Institute. Dr. Arbore is the recipient of several awards including: the 2013 Mental Health and Aging Award presented by the American Society on Aging; a Silver Medalist for Public Service sponsored by the Jefferson Award Regional Committee; and the 2016 Norma Satten Community Service Innovation Award for his commitment to human rights and community living.

Date: Tuesday, January 26, 12:30-2: p.m. PDT

Place: online

Cost: No charge, but RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED.

This class will be appropriate for those in aging services, including: family therapists; social workers; nurses; elder-law practitioners; long-term care administrators; gerontologists, human resources professionals and others. But it will also be very helpful and of interest to the lay person. No previous knowledge of the content area is required.

By the end of this course participants will be able to:

• Define countertransference as emotional reactions in all helpers, as a result of our interactions with others

• Recognize at least three ways to increase the importance of listening to our internal world

• Employ at least three methods of supporting management of countertransference

• Explain how three important self-care tools (mindfulness, self-awareness, and self-care) may support helpers who work on a daily basis with people who suffer

If you seek 1.5 professional Continuing Education Units, please note this in your reservation. There will be no charge for this.

Also note that BBS no longer delivers CEs. CAMFT does offer CEs to LCSWs.

For further information or cancellation (within 24 hours prior to event), in addition to questions, grievances, concerns, and special accommodations for disabilities, please contact Caitlin Morgan, Education Manager, Institute on Aging, at cmorgan@ioaging.org, or (415) 750-4114.

Continuing Education Information (1.5 Continuing Education Units): BRN; CAMFT (serves LCSWs/MFTs/LEPs/LPCCs); MCLE (Attorneys/Fiduciaries)

All Continuing Education certificates will be delivered digitally, within 12 working days of the event. After the program, an evaluation-test will be provided to all CE registrants, who must turn in their evaluation by email, in order to qualify for a CE certificate.

Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), Provider # CEP13610, for 1.5 Contact Hours

CAMFT: Institute on Aging is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for this program. IOA maintains responsibility for the course and its content. Course meets the qualifications for 1.5 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs. CAMFT provider number is #135377.

State Bar of California (MCLE) : Course meets the qualifications for 1.5 hours of continuing education credit for Attorneys & Licensed Fiduciaries (Provider #13264).