Addressing the Impact of the Climate Crisis in the Counseling Relationship
Information
Date & Time
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Educational Goal
Participants are expected to gain competence in understanding the role of climate change and disasters
on client mental health.
Description
Hurricane Ida brought destruction to Louisiana’s Gulf Coast and inland communities in last days of August, with weeks to months of recovery ahead. As a result of climate change, the frequency, intensity and duration of hurricanes and hurricane season is well known to the citizens of Louisiana. Research shows that the psycho-social impact of climate-related disasters is profound. Counselors interested in disaster mental health will notice the typical process of “disaster-response-recovery” is changing to one of “disaster-response-recovery-disaster”; meaning that many communities face similar climate-related disasters within a much shorter period of time. Families and communities are also grappling with environmental justice issues that often surface following a disaster. During this session, we will explore the impact of climate change disasters, the ways in which these impact the mental health and well-being in our communities, and how climate-related mental health concerns present themselves in the counseling room. We will also explore tools for helping clients who are experiencing climate-related disruption and distress.
Target Audience
- Counselor
- Marriage & Family Therapist
- Social Worker
- Substance Use Disorder Professionals
Presenters
Dr. Sturm is a Professor at James Madison University. Her expertise includes service on ACA’s Climate Crisis Task Force and 2021-2022 Chair of the Human Rights Committee. She received the 2020 SACES Courtland Lee Social Justice Award, and the 2021 Counselors for Social Justice Climate Justice Award. She is a trained member of the Climate Reality Leadership Corps, “a global network of activists committed to spreading awareness of the climate crisis and working for solutions to the greatest challenge of our time” and a Climate Café leader with the Climate Psychology Alliance. In 2017, Dr. Sturm wrote the first article on climate and mental health to appear in ACA’s Counseling Today. Since then, she has published book chapters, encyclopedia entries and newsletter articles on the impact of climate on mental health. She has produced nearly a dozen (including in-press) peer-reviewed journal articles and delivered 18 conference presentations on climate justice and climate-related issues. She is deeply passionate about expanding this conversation among counselors across the country.