Navigating Political Stress
- Topic Areas:
- Political Stress
- Categories:
- Live Webinar
- Speakers:
- Brett Q. Ford, Ph.D. | Kevin B. Smith, Ph.D.
- Course Levels:
- Introductory
- Duration:
- 7 Hours 30 Minutes
- License:
- Never Expires.
Producer: VPA/Brattleboro Retreat
Description
This is a full-day workshop designed for mental health professionals navigating the emotional fallout of today's polarized political climate with their clients. Drawing on expertise in both political science and psychology, the workshop explores how political stress impacts client well-being, how therapists can recognize and respond to patterns of disengagement or emotional overwhelm, and how values-based approaches can foster both psychological resilience and civic connection. Across four sections, participants will examine political stress as a chronic, identity-relevant experience; weigh the trade-offs of common regulation strategies; consider the protective role of community engagement; and reflect on ethical and relational complexities of discussing politics in the therapy room. The day blends didactic content, reflective prompts, and participant-driven discussion to create a supportive space for learning and practical application.
Credits
Vermont
6 CE Credits
The Vermont Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists, and is also approved by the Vermont Board of Psychological Examiners to sponsor continuing education for psychologists licensed in Vermont. This course is intended to qualify for specialty mandated credit types as follows:
Ethics: 0
Cultural Competency: 0
Continuing education courses sponsored by the Vermont Psychological Association are pre-approved by the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation for continuing education credit for licensed independent clinical social workers in Vermont. This course is intended to qualify for the following specialty mandated credit types;
Ethics: 0
Cultural Competency: 0
Continuing education courses sponsored by the Vermont Psychological Association are pre-approved by the Vermont Board of Allied Mental Health for continuing education credit for licensed clinical mental health counselors and licensed marriage and family therapists in Vermont. This course is intended to qualify for the following specialty mandated credit types:
Ethics: 0
Cultural Competency: 0
Connecticut
6 CE Credits
The Vermont Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Connecticut accepts these credits for continuing education for psychologists in Connecticut pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. § 20-191c(b). This course is intended to qualify for specialty mandated credit types as follows:
Veterans' Mental Health: 0
The Vermont Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing educaiton for psychologists. Based on this approval, this course is pre-approved for credit for Connecticut licensed professional counselors under Conn. Agencies Regs § 20-195cc-3(a)(1). This course is intended to qualify for mandated credit types as follows:
Ethics: 0
Veterans' Mental Health: 0
Massachusetts
6 CE Credits for Psychologists & LMHCs
7.2 CE Credits for LCSWs
6CE Credits for LMHCs
The Massachusetts Board of Registration of Psychologists accepts credits earned from courses sponsored by APA-approved sponsors as indicated in 251 C.M.R. §§ 4.02, 4.03.
As a course sponsored by an APA-approved CE sponsor, this course qualifies for credit for clinical social workers and certified social workers in Massachusetts under 258 CMR sec 31.04(2)(d).
The Vermont Psychological Association (VPA) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7610. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. VPA is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
New Hampshire
6 CE Credits
The Vermont Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor live continuing education for psychologists. The New Hampshire Board of Psychologists accepts credits earned from courses sponsored by APA-approved sponsors as indicated in Psyc § 402.01(d)(11). This course is intended to qualify for specialty mandated credit types as follows:
Ethics: 0
The Vermont Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to offer continuing education to psychologists. As a course sponosred by an organization with such approval, these credits are also accepted by the New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice for clinical social workers licensed in New Hampshire, as provided in Mhp 402.02(b)(1). This course is intended to qualify for the following specialty mandated credits:
Ethics: 0
Suicide Prevention: 0
The Vermont Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to offer continuing education to psychologists. As a course sponosred by an organization with such approval, these credits are also accepted by the New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice for clinical mental health counselors licensed in New Hampshire, as provided in Mhp 402.02(b)(1). This course is intended to qualify for the following specialty mandated credits:
Ethics: 0
Suicide Prevention: 0
The Vermont Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. As a course sponosred by an organization with such approval, these credits are also accepted by the New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice for marriage and family therapists; pastoral psychotherapists; and school social workers licensed in New Hampshire, as provided in Mhp 402.02(b)(1). The course is intended to qualify for the following specialty mandated credit types:
Ethics: 0
Suicide Prevention: 0
New York
6 CE Contact Hours
The Vermont Psychological Association is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0210. This course is intended to qualify for specialty mandated continuing education topics as follows:
Ethics: 0
Professional Boundaries: 0
Other States Accepting Credits from APA-Approved Sponsors
6 CE Credits
The Vermont Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor live continuing education for psychologists. The Vermont Psychological Association maintains responsibility for its programs and their content. Psychologists and other professionals licensed in states whose respective licensing boards approve continuing education offered by APA-approved sponsors may earn continuing education credits for this course.
Other States Accepting Credits from NBCC-Approved Sponsors
6 CE Credits
The Vermont Psychological Association (VPA) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7610. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. VPA is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Speaker
Brett Q. Ford, Ph.D. Related Seminars and Products
Associate Professor of Psychology
University of Toronto
Dr. Brett Ford is an associate professor of psychology at the University of Toronto and director of the Affective Science & Health Lab. Her research explores how people navigate emotional life—what they believe about emotions, how they manage them, and the trade-offs of striving to feel good—particularly in the face of personal and societal stressors. She earned her Ph.D. in social-personality psychology from the University of California, Berkeley.
Kevin B. Smith, Ph.D. Related Seminars and Products
Professor of Political Science
University of Nebraska
Dr. Smith is a professor of political science at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, whose work explores the biology and psychology of individual-level differences in political attitudes and behavior. His research investigates where political beliefs come from, why they are resistant to change, and how they drive action—alongside a longstanding interest in public policy and state politics. Dr. Smith received his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.
Course Objectives
Objective 1 Describe the unique features of political stress and differentiate it from other forms of stress, including its chronic, identity-relevant, and relational dimensions.Objective 2 Evaluate the trade-offs of common emotion regulation strategies used in response to political stress, considering both their immediate benefits and potential long-term impacts on civic engagement and psychological well-being.
Objective 3 Identify effective approaches to fostering emotional resilience in politically charged times.
Objective 4 Compile and compare ethical and culturally responsive strategies for navigating political topics in therapy through peer discussion, including considerations of therapist identity, boundaries, and supporting clients across ideological differences.