Pandemic Stories: Holidays In The Lingering Days of COVID

Celebrating the holiday season in 2023 brings a lot of complexity – not to mention a good amount of and unsettling feelings to our houses and hearts.

Recognizing that the holidays sometimes do not duplicate the idealized greeting card perfection that is so often placed in front of us, we have offered “blue holidays” and “blue Christmas” programs in past years that recognize the struggles of people who are alone, who have suffered a recent loss or otherwise are not feeling jolly or happy.

Although the pandemic "experience" nears the three-year mark, we are reminded that people are still at risk with becoming infected by the COVID-19 virus and others are suffering the longer term impact of lingering physical illness as well as collective trauma.

We continue to ask: how to gather and celebrate with health and bring warm and light to the holiday season and how do we as helpers support joy and acknowledge struggle?

How do we create a season that is meaningful and connected? How do we celebrate if funds are short and the gift list is long? Can we stay apart and still feel together?

In this online training workshop from 10 a.m. to noon (Eastern Time) on Friday, Dec. 9, with Karen Carnabucci, LCSW, TEP, we explore ways that we, as helpers, can support our people to find meaning and respite in the holiday season, as well as nourishing ourselves in our important work.

We will especially look at how to make family, party and holiday Zoom meetings more energizing and interesting – even if we are feeling “Zoomed” out! – and how to keep physically safe and emotionally grounded, whether you are celebrate alone or with others.

You will learn:

• How to create an interesting and connected gathering using the principles of psychodrama and sociometry.
• Ways to discover personal meaning at a time of great change and upheaval.
• How to find a sense of spirituality and meet the moment that suits these challenging times in the stories of our lives.

Who will benefit

This training is designed for mental health professionals and professional helpers, including social workers, marriage and family therapists, licensed counselors, addictions counselors, physicians, nurses, creative arts therapists, massage therapists and bodyworkers, alternative health practitioners, life coaches, educators, clergy, clinical supervisors, administrators, youth leaders, group leaders, graduate students and others interested in experiential psychotherapy and experiential learning.

Tuition

Tuition is $45 if registered by Dec. 6, $55 after. It includes the program, two CE credits and psychodrama hours and online handouts.

As always, there will be options to address personal work and bring client stories forward for feedback and action supervision.

How to register

• Register online with your credit card on Eventbrite here.
• Contact Karen if you wish to pay in another way.

CE and psychodrama credits

Karen Carnabucci, LCSW, TEP, and Companions In Healing are approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors to offer continuing education for social workers, marriage and family therapists and professional counselors according to Pennsylvania Board Approval #SWPR-004002.

The Pennsylvania State Board of Psychology has approved continuing education programs with License #PSY000216.

The Wisconsin State Board approves CE credits for social workers, MFTs and LPCs with Provider #6834-123.

These training hours also may be counted towards the Certified Psychodramatist credential as approved by the American Board of Examiners In Psychodrama, Sociometry and Group Psychotherapy.

Training hours may be counted towards certification approved by the International Society of Experiential Professionals.

You may be able to submit this certificate for credits in another helping discipline or in another state. Please contact your respective state board for information.

What to bring

• Your notebook and pen to take notes – if you wish.
• A candle and match, or an electronic candle.
• Your water bottle.
• Your curiosity, questions, needs and ideas.

This training will be held via Zoom.

Upon purchasing a ticket, you will receive confirmation of your registration. You will receive the user code and password the day before and morning of the class.