Mindfulness and Sustainable Self-Care

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Course Description:

This ninety-minute presentation by Dr. Kristen Esposito Brendel, a mental health expert and researcher, will explore the critical importance of mindfulness and sustainable self-care for healthcare professionals, particularly in the context of preventing and mitigating secondary traumatic stress. Participants will learn practical skills for maintaining their “window of tolerance” that can be integrated into their daily routines, promoting resilience and well-being.

Target Audience:

Helpful for anyone who works with vulnerable populations including: Social Workers, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech-Language Pathologists, and Developmental Therapists.

Location:

Course will take place at Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley (830 S. Addison Ave. Villa Park, IL, 60181).

About the Instructor:

Dr. Kristen Brendel, Ph.D., LCSW, PEL, C-IAYT, CYT, is an Associate Professor of Social Work at Aurora University. Her scholarly and professional pursuits include teaching, research, and clinical practice, with a focus on mitigating secondary traumatic stress through evidence-based practices. Dr. Brendel is the founder and executive director of Per La Vita Wellness, PLLC, a social enterprise dedicated to strengthening resilience and support for communities, mental health professionals, and educators. As a leading expert on mindfulness-based interventions, Dr. Brendel presents her research nationally and internationally and frequently leads professional development workshops and retreats for school districts, corporations, and nonprofit organizations.

Financial Disclosures:

Dr. Brendel has the following financial relationship to disclose: she receives a fee for speaking from Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley.

Non-Financial Disclosures:

Kristen Brendel has no relevant non-financial relationships to disclose.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the major tenets of mindfulness-based stress reduction, including mindset and psychophysiological processes
2. Demonstrate understanding of how sustainable self-care, self-compassion, and gratitude increase resilience
3. Engage in resilience exercises such as mindfulness practices and intentional breathing
4. Develop a pragmatic and sustainable plan for resiliency

Course Schedule:

Friday, September 12

1:00-1:15 – Introduce speaker, audience, and topic

1:15-1:30 – Current research and risk factors for secondary traumatic stress

1:30-2:20 – Evidence-based sustainable self-care strategies with opportunities for practices incorporated throughout the discussion

2:20-2:30 – Creating an action plan

Continuing Education Credits

Continuing education credits for O.T./ Social Work / P.T. will be offered through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Early Intervention credits, AOTA and ASHA have all been applied for 1.5 contact hours or .15 CEUs.

All participants will receive a course completion certificate upon successful completion of the conference. No certificates will be awarded until course completion is verified on the final date of the conference.

Lodging: A special rate at The Hyatt Place Lombard is available if you mention that you are taking a course at Easterseals.

2340 South Fountain Square Drive in Lombard, IL P:630.932.6501

Special Accommodations: Please notify us of any special accommodations you may have by contacting us at 630.261.6191.

To sign up and receive all course information and future courses from Easterseals, please click here to sign-up.