Lunch & Learn: Addressing the Shortage of Mental Health Therapists Fluent in American Sign Language (MN)

Wednesday, December 6, 2023 | Program: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. CT

This program will be held virtually via Zoom. Details with instruction on how to view the webinar will be sent to all registrants the day before the program (12/5).

About the Program: 

The presentation focuses on addressing the shortage of mental health therapists fluent in ASL. The proposed solution for the next few decades is to provide DBT group counseling. Group counseling has many benefits including treating a wide range of mental health diagnoses and omit a long waitlist. Group counseling is a method to measure progress and collect data to make treatment modifications in the future. Lastly, group counseling utilizes deaf/hard-of-hearing people as a resource and connects them with each other for support.

This program qualifies for 1.0 continuing education credits. Attendees must attend entire session to gain credit.

The speaker has no conflicts of interest to report.
Registration fee includes access to live webinar, program agenda, program PowerPoint, and continuing education certificate.

Participants will be able to:

1. Utilize Group Counseling as a resource.
2. Understand the needs of deaf/hard-of-hearing clients.

About the Presenters:

Emily Jordan Jensen, Ph.D., LMFT, is a resident faculty member in the Master of Professional Studies in Integrated Behavioral Health and Addictions Counseling programs at the University of Minnesota. Her research has focused on increasing access to mental health services for rural populations. Clinically, Emily works in an outpatient treatment setting where she specializes in treating couples who are experiencing
infidelity and addiction. She also works with individuals facing PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Emily is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and she has a Ph.D. in Family Social Science/Couple and Family Therapy from the University of Minnesota. She has an M.A .in Marriage and Family Therapy from Saint Mary's University and a B.S. in Communication Studies from Northwestern University.

Kaylah Vogt, B.A., is a second year graduate student in the Master of Professional Studies in Integrated Behavioral Health at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. She has a Bachelors in Art from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Ms. Vogt has been profoundly Deaf since birth and considers deafness as a gift. She uses both American Sign Language and English to communicate. The inclusion of disability in diversity has been a huge part of Ms. Vogt's work. She worked with Periscope (an advertising agency in Minneapolis) to show cast a Deaf artist on their building exterior via a mural. Their previous mural was a sign "IRLY" I Really Love You and Deaf creatives were not a part of it hence an act of cultural and linguistic appropriation. In the future, Ms. Vogt has goals to pursue a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology and expand research on treatment interventions for the deaf/hard-of-hearing clients. Ms. Vogt wants to learn more about how to counsel deaf/hard-of-hearing clients experiencing disability discrimination as she believes play a significant role in impacting deaf/hard-of-hearing people's mental health. Ms. Vogt recognizes expanding research on counseling Deaf/HH clients has a key role in improving treatment plans and outcomes. In the meantime, Ms. Vogt encourages clinicians to utilize group counseling to meet deaf/hard-of-hearing clients' need and connect them with resources.

PA wants all members to have access to quality CE opportunities. If you are an MPA member and due to COVID-19 you are unable to work full time and can’t pay the full registration fee, please contact [email protected] to make other arrangements with staff.

Registration is now closed.

Click here to view and download a PDF program flyer and registration form.

Refund/Cancellation Policy: A 100% refund will be made if the event is cancelled. Refunds, less a $5 handling fee, will be given if a written cancellation is received at least two working days before the scheduled program begins. No refund or transfer is given the day of the program.