An Alternate Reality: What Psychologists Need to Know about Long COVID Kids’ Assessment, Interventions, and Advocacy
*This is a two-part workshop (Long COVID Adults and Long COVID Kids), though registration in both sessions is not necessary. A 15% discount will be applied if you register for both sessions. Please contact cpd@paa-ab.ca if you are interested*
Abstract
We live in an alternative reality of a prolonged and severe health pandemic. Long COVID (or Post-COVID syndrome) is a complex and multi-faceted post-viral illness affecting millions of children and adults worldwide. Long COVID is a life-changing illness that is misunderstood and often met with stigma and medical gaslighting, including by psychologists. The current prevalence of Long COVID is one out of every five adults and one out of every four children, with numbers considered low due to lack of testing and formal diagnosis. This two-part webinar will provide psychologists, counsellors, and mental health therapists with an overview of the current research on how Long COVID impacts children and adults, strategies to avoid the damage of stigma and medical gaslighting, and evidence-based and novel approaches to assessment, interventions, and advocacy. Current research, case studies, and lived experiences will be highlighted.
Intended Audience
Psychologists, Therapists, Counsellors and Mental Health workers
Learning Objectives
- Understand the alternative reality of children and families now living with the life-changing illness of Long COVID
- Understand the complexity of the interaction between physical and mental health issues associated with Long COVID Kids (i.e., fatigue, dysautonomia, insomnia, PANS, anxiety, depression, ADHD-type symptoms, grief and loss, PTSD)
- Understand stigma and gaslighting experienced by Long COVID Kids and their families
- Identify contraindications in assessment and interventions for Long COVID
- Identify appropriate psychological measures for assessing quality of life, functional capacity, executive functioning, and mental health issues associated with Long COVID Kids
- Identify evidence-based and novel interventions for management of Long COVID Kids
- Identify home and school-based supports and accommodations
- Understand the importance of awareness and advocacy initiatives
- Understand the importance of providing in-office preventive measures for children and families
- Understand masking
- Identify evidence-based best practice resources for support and advocacy
Presenter
Dr. Angela Grace, Ph.D., R. Psych
Dr. Angela Grace, Ph.D., is a Registered Psychologist, educator, and passionate advocate for health and wellbeing. She is a Long COVID survivor who has spent the last three years saving her own life by seeking to understand the complexities of Long COVID, its’ impact on quality of life and mental health, and exploring evidence-based and novel interventions. She is now a Long COVID advocate who works with adults, children, and families to help them manage symptoms and advocate for workplace and school accommodations.
Cancellation and Refunds
Cancellation and refunds may be applied for by email or phone call to the PAA Continuing Professional Development Officer. Cancellations received fourteen (14) days prior to the Continuing Professional Development activity will receive a full refund of the registration fee, less a $35.00 + GST processing fee. PAA reserves the right to cancel any activity, in which case a full refund of the registration fee will be provided.
Continuing Education Credits
The Psychologists’ Association of Alberta (PAA) is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) to offer Continuing Education (CE) for psychologists. This workshop is offered for three (3.0) hours of CE Credit. Full attendance at the workshop is required to receive Continuing Education Credits. Partial credit will not be awarded, and late arrivals or early departure will preclude awarding of Continuing Education Credits. PAA maintains responsibility for the program.