The COVID-19 Pandemic has been associated with an increased prevalence of both psychological distress and psychopathology in specific populations. One common set of reactions involve symptoms and adaptations reflective of post-traumatic distress. This seminar will address the treatment of these traumatic stress reactions. Current evidence assed and evidence informed approaches to treatment will be reviewed and illustrated through case examples. Strategies to enhance resilience through psychotherapy will be emphasized.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Describe common forms of distress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic
2. Apply evidenced based and evidence informed approaches to traumatic stress to a case study
3. List 5 evidenced based factors associated with psychological resilience

Speaker Biography

Victor Welzant, Psy.D. is the director of the Postdoctoral Psychology Fellowship, and coordinator of psychology for the trauma disorders program at at Sheppard Pratt Health System. He is the past Director of the Psychotherapy Training Program of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation and served on that organizations Board of Directors. Victor is also the Director of Education and Training for the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, a nonprofit that provides training in crisis support and resilience for Emergency Services Personnel and Health Care Workers. He has lectured and consulted nationally and internationally on trauma treatment, crisis intervention and disaster mental health.

Dr. Welzant is a licensed Psychologist in Maryland and has a consulting and clinical practice in Lutherville, where he specializes treatment of trauma and stress related conditions, workplace violence and threat assessment consulting. He serves as the clinical director of several local peer support teams for law enforcement and the Fire/ EMS services. He is the editor in chief of Crisis, Stress, and Human Resilience: An International Journal. He serves on the editorial boards of Frontiers in the Psychotherapy of Trauma and Dissociation, and The International Journal of Emergency Mental Health.