Transracial Adoption Readiness: An Identity Needs Hierarchy

Coordinated by Hudson Valley Professional Development

A framework for understanding the best practices in parenting of transracial adoptees to best support their racial and cultural identities.

Maintaining the racial and cultural identity of fostered and adopted youth of color in transracial placements is crucial to supporting their lifelong mental health, but it can be difficult to determine how those needs will be met by caregivers who do not share their racial or cultural background. This training will outline the Hierarchy of Racial and Cultural Identity Needs of Transracial Youth, a framework for understanding and defining the best ways to assess prospective caregiver readiness to parent transracially in a manner that communicates and centers the needs of transracial adoptees of color. General content areas to be assessed and specific interview questions for prospective parents will be explored.

2 CEs available to NYS LMHCs, LMFTs, LCSWs, LMSWs, LCATs, NYS Licensed Psychologists and NYS Licensed Psychoanalysts provided by Hudson Valley Professional Development, LLC upon successful completion of training.

Objectives:

Upon completion of the training, participants will be able to

-describe the importance of preserving racial and cultural identity for fostered and adopted youth of color in transracial placements.

-explain the Hierarchy of Racial and Cultural Identity Needs of Transracial Youth and its application in caregiver assessments.

-identify key content areas to evaluate when assessing prospective caregivers' readiness for transracial adoption or foster care.

-apply targeted interview questions to assess caregiver preparedness to meet the racial and cultural identity needs of transracial youth.

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In accordance with the NY State Department of Education guidelines, in order to receive continuing education contact hours, a participant needs to be present for the duration of the workshop/training. Therefore, participants who arrive late or leave the event early will not be granted a certificate of completion.

​Cancellation Policy: Refunds will be provided for cancellations made in writing up to the day before the event.

Accommodations and Accessibility: HVPD welcomes participants with diverse abilities. Please contact us at info@hudsonvalleyprofessionaldevelopment.com to request accessibility accommodations. Accommodation requests are considered in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

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Dr. Chaitra Wirta-Leiker is a licensed psychologist, international/transracial adoptee of color, and an adoptive parent. She specializes in providing mental health support focused on adoption, trauma, and racial identity work through her private practice based in Denver, Colorado. She is a frequent speaker and trainer at adoption agencies, camps, and conferences throughout the U.S., and the creator of the National Adoptee-Therapist Directory. She is also the author of “The Adoptee Self-Reflection Journal,” “The Adoptive Parent Self-Reflection Journal,” and the “Adoptees Like Me” illustrated series for elementary readers.

How Children Understand Death, How We Can Support Them In Their Grief

Coordinated by Hudson Valley Professional Development

The grief that follows the death of a significant person in a child’s life can be more complex than people imagine.

The issues faced by grieving children and adolescents are many, whether the death was anticipated in some way or tragic and sudden. This training will provide information on how children’s understanding of death evolves developmentally and provide useful insights into having difficult conversations with children about death.

Interventions utilizing the creative arts along with practical suggestions on how to engage grieving children will be the main focus of this virtual training.

Participants will have the opportunity to engage in a rich dialogue to increase their understanding of this important topic.

5 CEs available to NYS LMHCs, LMFTs, LCSWs, LMSWs, NYS Licensed Psychologists NYS LCATs, and NYS Licensed Psychoanalysts provided by Hudson Valley Professional Development, LLC upon successful completion of this virtual training.

Objectives:

At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be able to:

1. Identify the unique ways in which young people understand death developmentally

2. Identify common themes that are relevant to grieving children

3. Identify ways to assist grieving children that have experienced a stigmatized death

4. Understand how to properly utilize therapeutic interventions with grieving children

In accordance with the NY State Department of Education guidelines, in order to receive continuing education contact hours, a participant needs to be present for the duration of the workshop/training. Therefore, participants who arrive late or leave the event early will not be granted a certificate of completion.

​Cancellation Policy: Refunds will be provided for cancellations made in writing up to the day before the event.

Accommodations and Accessibility: HVPD welcomes participants with diverse abilities. Please contact us at info@hudsonvalleyprofessionaldevelopment.com to request accessibility accommodations. Accommodation requests are considered in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Maria Georgopoulos, LMHC, FT, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Fellow in Thanatology, whose work focuses on grief, loss, and trauma. She obtained her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from New York University’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Development and received additional clinical training through The Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy’s Psychoanalytic Training Program and The Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute.

Formerly the Director of Bereavement Services at Calvary Hospital, she was responsible for overseeing 33 bereavement support groups across three sites in Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Manhattan that serve hundreds of adults, children, and teenagers each year; led a team of 8 bereavement counselors and spearheaded Calvary’s efforts to expand their professional learning programs in the New York area. She also worked with grieving families at The American Red Cross of Greater New York after 9/11.

Ms. Georgopoulos values raising awareness about death and dying in our communities. To support this endeavor, she has taught as an adjunct professor, contributed chapters in various publications for the Hospice Foundation of America and participates in different committees with the Association for Death Education and Counseling and the National Alliance for Children's Grief. She has worked with countless individuals experiencing trauma and loss over the length of her career, conducts trainings and seminars for mental health professionals nationally, and maintains a private practice in New York.

Beyond the Mask: Supporting High-Achieving Women of Color in Therapy

Presented by Jocelyn Joseph, LMHC

Shared from NY Mental Health Counselors Association

High-achieving women of color often present as successful, competent, and resilient, yet many struggle with underlying trauma, perfectionism, and the weight of societal and cultural expectations. Traditional therapy models may overlook the nuances of their experiences, leading to misattunement and ineffective interventions.

This workshop will provide clinicians with trauma-informed, culturally responsive strategies to better support high-functioning women of color in therapy. Participants will explore the intersection of identity, success, and mental health, learning how to create spaces where these clients feel truly seen, valued, and supported in their healing journey. 

Learning Objectives:

As a result of attending this course, learners will be able to:

• Identify the unique psychological stressors faced by high-achieving women of color, including cultural expectations, racialized trauma, and perfectionism. 

• Analyze the impact of perfectionism and high-functioning distress through a trauma-informed lens.

• Develop therapeutic strategies to help clients unlearn survival-based coping mechanisms and embrace radical openness, rest, and self-acceptance. 

• Explore clinician biases and countertransference when working with high-achieving clients of color, ensuring ethical and culturally competent care.. 

Continuing Education Credits

NYS LMHCs: 3.0 CE hours
NYS LMSWs & LCSWs: 3.0 CE hours
NYS LMFTs: 3.0 CE hours
NYS Licensed Psychologists: 3.0 CE contact hours
NYS CASAC, CPP, CPS: 3.0 CE hours
NBCC Credit: 3.0 CE hours

This event is hosted virtually using The NYMHCA Institute's learning management system.

Pricing

NYMHCA Members Discounted Registration: $60
Regular Registration: $75
NYMHCA Student Members Registration: Free

1st Annual NAMIWalks WNY!

Join us for our 1st Annual NAMIWalks WNY! There will be food trucks, face painting, an essential oil station, and other activities! 

“An event that liberates Black men to courageously walk from a place of deeper consciousness, compassion, and connection in the World.”

Date and time:

Saturday, June 28 · 12 - 3pm EDT

Location:

Roswell Park Community Engagement Center - 907 Michigan Buffalo, NY 14209