WC25 Program_LR 8

TRACK WORKSHOPS

703. Basics of Psychodrama: Integrating Experiential Techniques to Enhance Group Therapy Dynamics and Healing from Grief 1.25 credit hours Continuing Education Accreditations applicable to this workshop ASWB, NBCC, NAADAC, IBCC, Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling Level: Beginner Eric Schultz, M.S. Family Strategies Counseling Center

704. Forgotten No More: Recognizing, Aiding, and Supporting the Primary Caregiver of Suicidality and Mental Crisis 1.25 credit hours Continuing Education Accreditations applicable to this workshop: NAADAC, IBCC Continuing Medical Education Accreditations applicable to this workshop: AMA PRA Category 1 Credit, AOA Category 2A credits, Georgia Nurses Association, AAFP Level: Intermediate

Amber Parker, PA-C, MPAS Choose Joy in the Midst, LLC

Floyd Godfrey, Ph.D. Family Strategies Counseling Center

Summary The primary caregiver of individuals experiencing suicidality and mental health crises is often overlooked, with profes sional care typically focused on keeping the person in crisis alive and stable. However, these caregivers, often family members or close friends, provide essential long-term sup port and are critical to the ongoing health and well-being of their loved ones. Gleaning from the personal experience of the presenter, licensed mental health professionals, minis try leaders, and coaches will evaluate the unique struggles, needs, and emotional burdens caregivers face and identify innovative methods to connect with and support these in dividuals, improving the health of the entire family or social unit. The workshop will cover the four types of trauma re sponses, fight, flight, freeze, and fawn, and explore how these manifest in caregiving relationships. Participants will also as sess trauma-focused therapies and the neuroscience behind them, offering effective healing techniques. Furthermore, participants will analyze caregiver burden, identifying the groups most affected and providing strategies for communi ties and professionals to mitigate its impact, ultimately fos tering a healthier support system for all involved. Learning Objectives 1. Evaluate the unique struggles and emotional burdens of primary caregivers of individuals experiencing suicidality and mental health crises and identify innovative strategies to better support their well-being and the health of the entire family or social unit. 2. Analyze the four types of trauma responses—fight, flight, freeze, and fawn—and assess how these responses manifest in caregiving relationships, with a focus on effective trauma focused therapies and the neuroscience supporting their healing potential. 3. Examine the causes and impact of caregiver burden, iden tify the groups most affected, and develop strategies for pro fessionals and communities to alleviate this burden and fos ter a more supportive environment for caregivers and their loved ones.

Summary This workshop explores the integration of psychodrama into group therapy, emphasizing its potential to enhance traditional therapeutic methods (Abeditehrani et al., 2023). In this workshop, licensed mental health professionals and ministry leaders will explore positive research on psy chodrama and outline the tenets of this modality. Patient exit surveys highlight that psychodrama fosters emotional safety, strengthens group cohesion, and facilitates closure through strength-based approaches (Giacomucci et al., 2023). Qualitative data underscores the benefits of these techniques, showing increased satisfaction and cohesion among participants, regardless of whether they assume the role of protagonist, support role, or observer (Giacomucci & Marquit, 2020). Participants will be able to explain Psy chodrama’s effectiveness and economic viability, as this modality remains underutilized in clinical settings (Leszcz, 2024). Participants will learn psychodrama techniques, such as sociometry and role reversal, which have been shown to enhance participants’ emotional resilience by promoting supportive group dynamics and facilitating experiential grief processing (Giacomucci, 2020). Learning Objectives 1. Examine how sociometry and role reversal techniques can enhance group cohesion, deepen emotional resilience, and promote therapeutic healing within group settings. 2. Assess the potential benefits of integrating psychodrama into group therapy, including its effect on emotional safety, group cohesion, and overall client engagement in the thera peutic process. 3. Identify and demonstrate how to incorporate psychodra ma methods into clinical practice, utilizing evidence-based techniques to facilitate group dynamics and support clients through emotional processing and resilience building.

2025 AACC UNITED WORLD CONFERENCE

216