Description & Objectives

Continuing Education Hours: 2 CEs for LPC, SW, LMFT, and Psychologists - NBCC Approved

Description: The holiday season, often portrayed as a time of joy and togetherness, can feel particularly heavy for women who have experienced domestic violence and for those who support them. Amid the celebrations and high expectations, this time of year can bring waves of grief, anger, loneliness, and painful memories to the surface. This workshop creates a compassionate and supportive space for survivors and mental health professionals to come together and explore how to navigate the emotional intensity of the holidays. When gratitude and hope feel out of reach, we’ll uncover ways to find small moments of peace, hope, and healing.

Learning Objectives:

  • Participants will learn to identify and understand the range of emotions—including grief, anger, and isolation—that may surface during the holiday season and develop strategies to hold space for both difficult and hopeful feelings. 
  • Participants will create personalized coping plans to manage common holiday triggers, such as family gatherings, traditions, and heightened expectations, while setting healthy boundaries and maintaining emotional well-being. 
  • Mental health professionals and supporters will gain tools to cope with vicarious trauma and emotional burnout during the holidays, fostering resilience and self-care practices to sustain their well-being while helping others.

Instructor

Kerri Newman

Kerri Newman (she/her) is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over a decade of experience supporting children, teens, and families who are grieving. She began her work in the bereavement field in 2012 and served as Program Director at Journey of Hope Grief Support Center from 2015 until its closure in 2025. Kerri now serves as a therapist and the Operations Director at Wellspring Counseling Center, where she sees clients and leads the next chapter of Journey of Hope peer grief support groups and provides individual and family therapy. Kerri is passionate about creating spaces where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to navigate their grief experiences.