Disaster Mental Health: Supporting Survivors and Meeting the Growing Demand for Crisis Support
3.0 CREDIT HOURS
 
Course Overview: 
Disasters and large-scale traumatic events disrupt lives in profound and far-reaching ways. In recent years we have seen an increase in natural disasters including hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, wildfires, and more. Help is needed for those impacted by these disasters and for mental health professionals, responding to these crises offers a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact. However, disaster mental health (DMH) is vastly different from traditional clinical practice, requiring specialized knowledge, tools, and strategies to address survivors’ immediate and long-term needs effectively.
 
This workshop provides a comprehensive introduction to the dynamic field of disaster mental health. Drawing on lessons learned from recent disasters across the United States, participants will gain actionable insights into survivor reactions, evidence-based early interventions, and the importance of cultural and contextual factors in recovery.
 
Through engaging discussions, real-world case examples, and practical tools like Psychological First Aid, this training equips mental health professionals to deliver compassionate, effective support during one of the most vulnerable moments in survivors' lives. Whether you’re new to disaster response or looking to refine your skills, this workshop is an essential step in expanding your professional expertise in trauma-informed care.
 
Presenter: Amy Nitza, Ph.D., LMHC, Co-Founder, Convergence Group LLC and Executive Director, Institute for Disaster Mental Health at SUNY New Paltz
 
Dr. Amy Nitza is the Co-Founder of Convergence Group LLC which specializes in addressing challenges at the nexus of mental health and emergency management. She also serves as the Executive Director of the Institute for Disaster Mental Health at SUNY New Paltz, where she also directs the Advanced Certificate in Trauma and Disaster Mental Health. She is a psychologist who specializes in providing mental health training nationally and internationally. As a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Botswana, she trained mental health and school counselors in the use of group interventions in HIV/AIDS prevention. She also collaborated with UNICEF USA to develop and implement a program of mental health support for children and teachers impacted by the recent disasters in Puerto Rico. She directs numerous grant-funded projects including from the New York State Office of Mental Health, Office of Victim Services and Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services. Amy has provided training at the federal level to the Executive Office of the President, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Smithsonian Institution as well as internationally to audiences in Ukraine, Haiti, and the Caribbean. She has provided direct service to survivors of numerous disasters including Hurricanes Sally, Dorian, Harvey, and Maria, the Creek Fire in California, and the earthquakes in Haiti and Puerto Rico. She is the author of numerous publications, including the book Disaster Mental Health Case Studies: Lessons Learned from Counseling in Chaos.