THE 56th ANNUAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE IS NOW OPEN FOR REGISTRATION. SIGN UP NOW!
THE 56th ANNUAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE IS NOW OPEN FOR REGISTRATION. SIGN UP NOW!
ACE Foundation Programs
A serious mental illness impacts not only the person with the illness but family members as well. There is a ripple effect on the entire family and family members are often left reeling. They are there to support their loved one but frequently receive no support themselves. It is critical for therapists to have insight into the issues that face their clients who have a loved one with a serious mental illness. This presentation will shine a light on the needs of the family members and provide knowledge of how to help them.
The trajectory will be examined that occurs for family members, beginning when their loved one is diagnosed with a serious mental illness and may include issues such as shock and disbelief, stigma, isolation, stress, and the need for helpful resources. Presenters will lean into their own lived experience and Dr. Julie LeClair Neches will share her experiences with her own daughter, who was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder I in her freshman year of college as a springboard to raise issues that are important for therapists to know about and address when treating their clients who have a family member with a serious mental illness. Dr. Julie LeClair Neches has the perspective of both a clinical psychologist and a mother of a daughter with a serious mental illness. Research findings will be incorporated into this presentation. The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Westchester, Inc. (NAMI Westchester) will also participate in this presentation to discuss important resources offered for family members that clinicians will be able to share with their clients.
*NYSSCSW Discount applies to NYSSCSW current members only.
**Student Discount only applies to full time students currently enrolled in social work and MHP master level programs.
Please register by Wednesday, September 17 at 5pm.
Live Online via Zoom
The Advanced Clinical Education (ACE) Foundation of the NYS Society for Clinical Social Work, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0028; licensed mental health counselors #MHC-0045; licensed psychoanalysts #P-0017; licensed psychologists #PSY-0121; licensed social workers #SW-0056; and licensed creative art therapists #CAT-0120.
Out-of-state providers are welcome to request a certificate upon completion of the presentation evaluation but must check with their own state licensing boards to inquire about whether or not the certificate is recognized as transferrable for CEs in their state’s jurisdiction.
By the end of this continuing education activity, participants will be able to:
1. Name three issues frequently faced by family members of a loved one diagnosed with a serious mental illness.
2. Define a serious mental illness and list three diagnoses categorized as a serious mental illness.
3. Discuss five ways to help a client who has a family member with a serious mental illness.
4. Describe three ways to support family members when a loved one with a serious mental illness dies.
5. List three services offered by NAMI Westchester.
Psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, licensed psychoanalysts, nurse practitioners and family and marriage/couple therapists, mental health counselors and licensed creative art therapists.
This seminar is appropriate for clinicians with all levels of experience.
Dr. Julie LeClair Neches
Dr. Julie LeClair Neches is a Ph.D. clinical psychologist with a private practice. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in three years from Cornell University and graduated with high honors and distinction. Dr. LeClair Neches has a doctorate from Catholic University of America, and she completed a Harvardaffiliated psychology internship where she was a Harvard University Clinical Fellow in Psychology. She received appointments as Instructor in Psychology at both Harvard and Cornell Medical Schools. She belongs to The New York State Psychological Association, the National Register of Health Service Psychologists, the Westchester County Psychological Association and to the Speakers Bureau for the Westchester County Psychological Association. She serves on the boards of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of New York State and Westchester and is Second Vice President of NAMI-NYS and Vice President of NAMI Westchester. NAMI-NYS gave Dr. LeClair Neches their highest award, the Muriel Shepherd Award, for being a speaker and advocate. At the New York State of the State Address Governor Hochul told Dr. LeClair Neches’ daughter’s story and introduced Dr. LeClair Neches to the audience. Dr. Julie LeClair Neches was a panelist on the television news program Inside City Hall for Spectrum News. She also was the featured speaker at the Yale Club for the organization Getting Out Staying Out (GOSO). She has spoken and been a panelist at mental health conferences. While working at teaching hospitals, Dr. LeClair Neches spoke at Grand Rounds, conferences and seminars.
Marie Considine, MPA
Marie is the Executive Director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Westchester County (NAMI Westchester), having previously served as Director of Development and Walk Manager. Marie has more than 20 years’ experience in the nonprofit sector and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration in both nonprofit and government management from Pace University Graduate School.
Marie was appointed by former Westchester County Executive George Latimer to the county’s Board of Legislators Community Service Board as well as Co-Chair for the Westchester County Suicide Prevention Coalition. She additionally serves on several county collaborative task forces and committees including the Co-occurring Systems of Care Committee, and the Suicide Prevention Data and Action Subcommittee, College Collaborative, and Faith-based Mental Health Initiative.
Marie is an alumna of Leadership Westchester and Nonprofit Westchester’s Leaders Inspiring Leaders program and is an active member of Nonprofit Westchester, Association of Development Officers, and Westchester Women’s Agenda.
Aside from her work, Marie volunteers for several initiatives supporting her children’s endeavors and her family’s community. Marie is a lifelong resident of Westchester County where she lives with her husband and four children.
Terry Brennan
Terry Brennan is the Program Coordinator of the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Westchester County (NAMI Westchester). Before joining NAMI Westchester, she spent more than 20 years in Corporate America, working for a few Fortune 500 companies. The bulk of her career was spent at JP Morgan Chase as a Human Resources Data Analyst at their corporate headquarters in Manhattan. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration at Mercy College while working full-time. She was diagnosed with a mental health condition at the age of 19. Terry describes her experience as a very unpredictable rollercoaster ride with many highs, lows, mistakes, and lessons learned.
In 2019, Terry found herself at a crossroads in her life and needed a purpose and thought that sharing her story would help others, so she became a NAMI Westchester volunteer as an In Our Own Voice presenter and support group facilitator. In 2021, she was hired as the Program Administrative Assistant at NAMI Westchester and in January 2022 was promoted to Program Coordinator. Terry considers her current position as her passion job because she is an impassioned advocate for mental health and offers hope to others by sharing her own journey. Terry lives in Westchester with her Red Golden Retriever, Dunkin.
Contact Hours will be awarded once the entire course is completed, as evidenced by signing in and out and completing a course evaluation. Instructions for evaluating the presentation will be emailed within 5 days of the course date. Once evaluation is complete, CE certificate will be emailed to you.
ACE welcomes participants with diverse abilities. Please contact Kristin or Debbie at info.acefoundation@gmail.com, at time of registration, to request accessibility accommodations. Accommodation requests are considered in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities ACT (ADA), Section 505 of the Rehabilitation ACT.
Cancellations made at least five days before the event will be refunded less a 10% cancellation fee. For cancellation please call 1-800-288-4279, or email us at info.acefoundation@gmail.com.
Should Inclement weather occur, we will be notifying all registrants via the email by which the registrant signed up. Please be sure to check your email before you leave for the course.
