A Teacher's Mental Health

Description: The profession of teaching is in the news and in the forefront of politics these days. Teachers are overworked, dealing with constant change, managing many roles that traditionally are not theirs, feeling unappreciated and underpaid, and leaving the field. I am one of them. Yet, what support are they getting? As a profession, mental health practitioners have done a good job at educating and serving the needs of underserved communities, but what about teachers? Often teachers do not have access to mental health care. As an underserved community, teachers deserve our attention. 

CE Broker Tracking #: 20-1130610

This event is sponsored by FMHCA, an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider. FMHCA NBCC Provider# 2058. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified.  FMHCA is solely responsible for all aspects of the program. This course is approved by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling, LMHC, LMFT, LCSW – FMHCA CE Broker #: 50-748

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will identify ways to bring accessibility, awareness, and advocacy to districts.  
2. Participants will understand the unique stressors teachers face, particularly new or out-of-field teachers. 
3. Participants will gain knowledge of professional boundaries that are unique to teachers. 
4. Participants will be able to understand common mental health issues that interfere with effective teacher functioning personally and professionally.

About the Presenter:

Jessica Alea EdD, MS, LMHC is a licensed therapist in the state of Florida, whose specialty is treating the symptoms of anxiety and trauma. However, she was first a teacher, and teachers hold a special place in her heart. Her experience as a teacher prompted her desire to help others on a deeper level, such as mental health. At first, she wanted to coach teachers one-on-one. She went to the University of Florida and earned her doctorate in curriculum and instruction. In fact, her dissertation used the framework of Cognitive Coaching to support teacher growth. She realized, as she coached her subjects one-on-one, that she was able to have so much more of an impact, so she decided to switch careers. Remembering her first love, Jessica would like to support teachers with advocacy and resources, such as equipping mental health professionals to bring awareness and meet the needs of teachers in their areas and respective practices.     Jessica's of specialy is anxiety and trauma. She is trauma traiined in EMDR, PE, and CPT and working towards certification in EMDR and PE. She also uses ERP, DeTUR, and ACT to help those with anxiety and OCD symptoms.     Jessica lives in the Panhandle of Florida, where she owns a private practice. She likes to spend her time collecting professional trainings, reading, and being outside. She feels led to advocate for teachers and those living with OCD, a desire she has formed lived experience and recovery.Sandra B. Stanford has a heart for people who find themselves in hard situations. Because of this passion, she earned her master’s degree in Psychological Counseling. Her work with clients is collaborative working alongside the client to help in the healing process.   Sandra is an EMDRIA Approved Consultant and Advanced Trainer and is certified in EMDR Therapy.   Sandra has training in attachment theory and in somatic healing. She offers a 2-day workshop for therapists pairing attachment theory and EMDR Therapy.  Find more information at www.sandrabstanfordcounseling.com and www.centralfloridaemdrtraining.com.