Climate Crisis & Healing: How Facing Death Informs Life & Can Support Improved Outcomes for System Involved Youth

Vickie Xiao Rong Chang, PhD

Training Description

The climate crisis may reach devastating proportions, as early as 2041, leading to death and suffering of unprecedented magnitude. As human beings, our relationship with the living Earth in all its forms sustains life. We are impacted by the climate crisis more than we know and conversely, our healing is inextricable from our relationship to the land. How do we face the rapidly changing environment with steadiness and courage? In this training, we will discuss the climate crisis, its connection to healing, and how supporting system involved youth and their families to face difficult truths can enhance life. These strategies are useful to prevent vicarious trauma & compassion fatigue and to enhance well-being for system involved youth and those that serve and support them.

Learning Objectives

· Identify at least 2 psychological impacts of the climate crisis and at least 2 healthy ways to respond within efforts to serve and/or support system involved youth and families.

· Identify three ways that the climate crisis is connected tohealing.

· Apply three somatic and psychological practices for responding to the climate crisis which can support improved outcomes for system involved youth and families.

Agenda

10:00-10:15am Describe the climate crisis from a scientific and indigenous perspective

10:15-10:30am Identify ways that the climate crisis is connected to healing and well-being as a species.

10:30-10:45am  Review psychological research on the climate crisis and its impact on well-being

10:45-11:00am  Review psychological research on healthy responses to the climate crisis

11:00-11:15am  Share psychological and somatic practices for responding to the climate crisis which can be taught to system involved youth and 

families as well as those that support them

11:15-11:30am  Share collective responses to climate crisis which can support improved outcomes for system involved youth

11:30-11:45am  Practice skills together.

11:45am-12:00pm  Answer questions and offer support for practicing and teaching skills in within efforts to support system involved youth and families.

Meet Our Trainer

The daughter of Northern Chinese immigrants, Dr. Vickie Chang (she/her) was born and raised in the SF Bay Area. In her work as a psychologist, writer, and group facilitator, she is committed to personal and collective liberation. She is passionate about climate justice and supporting BIPOC/API healing in a variety of ways, including working with activist groups. For more on her background, see www.vickiechangphd.com.

This course meets the qualifications for (2.0) BBS CE hours for LCSWs, LMFTs, LPCCs, and LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences & is provided by Fred Finch Youth Center, CAMFT Provider #045295.