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Hacking Mental Health Through Epigenetics: Foundations of Deaf Population Competence

Sunday, August 23rd, 2026
Class 1: 10:00 AM EDT-1:00 PM EDT
Class 2: 1:45 PM EDT-4:45 PM EDT
Rus Devorah (Darcy) Wallen, LCSW, ACSW, CIMHP
   Robert Q Pollard, Jr
  
$99.99 USD Cost For Member: $69.99

Full Day Webinar

August 23, 2026

10:00 AM - 4:45 PM EST

The cost of one day is $99.99, an individual class is $59.99

To register for the FULL DAY SEMINAR Click "BUY IT NOW". To register for just one class, click on the Class/link below.

If you have any difficulty registering, please contact us here.

 

Class 1

10:00 AM - 1:00 PM EST

Nature & Nurture Now! – Hacking Mental Health Through Epigenetics

The field of Epigenetics is a hot topic in the scientific community. The root, “Epi” – means above, beyond, transcending, and “Genetics” – refers to inherited genes or our DNA sequences. The main principles of Epigenetics take a diametric turnaround from our old concept of what is inherited (nature, DNA), and what is due to life experiences and exposures (nurture). In the past, we thought “inherited” phenomena such as medical and mental health predispositions were a fait accompli - a lifelong sentence. For instance, if a grandfather and his son had heart problems, and both generations died early because of them, thus, it was considered likely that the child of the next generation would die at an early age from these problems as well. Today we have knowledge about epigenetic marvels that can improve such odds. It is encouraging to know that we do have some control over the remediation of our inherited health history. So, by optimizing sleep, movement, diet, and other lifestyle changes as well as reducing one’s chronic stress response and reactivity one can attain epigenetic benefits. Physiological conditions such as diabetes, heart problems, insomnia, fatigue, gut issues, systemic inflammation, etc., can be improved and even cured.

In this presentation, participants will learn the basic concepts of Epigenetics and how this burgeoning field relates to mental health. We will explore its extensive research and color the talk with real-world examples. Building on that knowledge, we will share practical applications for enhancing attendees' own positive genetic expression. Empirical examples from the presenter’s psychotherapy and wellness coaching practice, as well as her personal health experiences, will round out the discussion. During this session, we will actively reflect together on how knowledge about this promising field can benefit our client’s mental and physical health, with the hopes that attendees will gain practical ideas for their own well-being, for their patients, clients, colleagues, and loved ones. The PowerPoint notes and additional resource materials will be available for later study.

(Trainer - Rus Devorah Wallen, LCSW, ACSW, CIMHP, is an accomplished psychotherapist, performer, and educator. Trained in CBT, Mindfulness-Based Therapies, Trauma, Positive Psychology, Perinatal Wellness, Integrative Mental Health, and holistic Lifestyle Medicine approaches, she utilizes her rich background to inspire and heal. In addition to conducting workshops on a wide variety of Psychology, and self-growth themes, she helps people live more meaningful lives in the 21st Century.)

3 Hours

 

Class 2

1:45 PM - 4:45 PM EST

Fundamentals of Working Competently with the Deaf Population - A Cultural Competence Workshop

The sign language-using Deaf population is a linguistic and cultural minority group generally unfamiliar to many service providers. The hearing, sign-fluent presenter has worked exclusively in this field for 40 years, as a clinician, researcher, and teacher. Misconceptions regarding "lipreading," English literacy, sign language versus English, information access ("fund of information"), and the realities of interpreting work hamper effective service provision. This presentation will assist providers to work more effectively with Deaf persons. It will address an array of historic, linguistic, developmental, ethical, legal, and culturally-relevant matters. Significant content will relate directly to mental status exam topics and differential diagnosis of language anomalies that are often unique to this population. Keys to working effectively with sign language interpreters will be offered. Time will be allotted for questions and discussion.

(Trainer - Dr. Pollard is an ASL-fluent clinical psychologist who has worked exclusively with deaf people for 40 years. Known worldwide, he has authored or co-authored over 100 publications, delivered over 300 invited presentations, and been principle investigator on 57 research, educational, and special project grants. His expertise spans clinical psychology, sign language interpreting, and public health, as related to the deaf population.)

3 Hours

 

 

 

This One Day Seminar includes two excellent classes, a total of 6 CEs. You may attend an individual class for $59.99.

Number of CEs in this bundle: 6

These workshops offer 6 Live Interactive Continuing Education Credits

These workshops offer 6 Live Interactive Continuing Education Credits

This presentation is open to:
  • Social Workers
  • Professional Counselors
  • Therapists
  • Psychologists
  • Licensed Mental Health Practitioners
  • Medical Doctors and Other Health Professionals
  • Other professionals interacting with populations engaged in mental health based services
Course Level: introductory
Level of Clinician: beginner
  • New practitioners who wish to gain enhanced insight surrounding the topic
  • Experienced practitioners who seek to increase and expand fundamental knowledge surrounding the subject matter
  • Advanced practitioners seeking to review concepts and reinforce practice skills and/or access additional consultation
  • Managers seeking to broaden micro and/or macro perspectives

Participants will receive their certificate electronically upon completion of the webinar and course evaluation form.

Disability Access - If you require ADA accommodations, please contact our office 30 days or more before the event. We cannot ensure accommodations without adequate prior notification. Please Note: Licensing Boards change regulations often, and while we attempt to stay abreast of their most recent changes, if you have questions or concerns about this course meeting your specific board’s approval, we recommend you contact your board directly to obtain a ruling. The grievance policy for trainings provided by NEFESH INTERNATIONAL is available here Satisfactory Completion Participants must have paid the tuition fee, logged in and out each day, attended the entire workshop, and completed an evaluation to receive a certificate (If this is a pre-recorded program, a post-test with a passing grade of 80% to receive a certificate.) Failure to log in or out will result in forfeiture of credit for the entire course. No exceptions will be made. Partial credit is not available. Certificates are available after satisfactory course completion by clicking here.
There is no conflict of interest or commercial support for this program.
Not all sessions share the same accreditation. Please see accreditation for each individual class below.
  • NEFESH International, Inc. 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-0116.
  • NEFESH International is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0046
  • NEFESH International is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Mental Health Counselor #MHC-0082
  • NEFESH International is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0048.
  • CE You! is an approved sponsor of the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners for continuing education credits for licensed social workers in Maryland.
    CE You! maintains responsibility for this program.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed creative arts therapists. #CAT-0122.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0129.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0325.
  • Therapist Express 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-0275.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0129.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0325.
  • Therapist Express is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0774.
Refund Policy:
Full Refund until 48 hours before scheduled date.
48 hours before: full refund less $5.00 processing fee. After event no refund will be given.
*exclusions apply for reasonable need and cause.